Rayner - Blacksmiths of Burley District
Village Blacksmiths - Forges or smithies at Burley in Wharfedale and Burley Woodhead
This paper first appeared in 1989 in volume 4, pp. 18-24, of the third series of The Bradford Antiquary, the journal of the Bradford Historical and Antiquarian Society.
Researched & written by David K. Rayner
‘Reyner the smith ...’ Bradford Manor Court Rolls (1344)
Researched & written by David K. Rayner
‘Reyner the smith ...’ Bradford Manor Court Rolls (1344)
Burley in Wharfedale forge or smithy
|
The first reference to Rayners in the village is the baptism at Burley Parish Church, in 1808, of Joseph, son of William Rayner 'blacksmith of Burley', and Charlotte. Blacksmiths, other than Rayner, are also mentioned at this time in Burley baptismal registers:
It seems reasonable to suppose, therefore, that this forge came into the actual possession of the Rayner family between 1810 and 1820, when the above William Rayner (born 1781 Yeadon) was then the forgemaster.
|
Rayner smithy, Malt Shovel corner Burley in Wharfedale. Image courtesy of Burley Archive
|
|
William had ten children, and two of his sons, James (baptised Burley Parish Church 1814), and Thomas (baptised Burley Parish Church 1817), appear to have succeeded to Burley in Wharfedale forge somewhere between 1840 and 1845.
Thomas was certainly living in Back Lane, Burley, in 1844 when his son William was born. After Thomas left to start Burley Woodhead forge, in about 1850, Burley forge continued under James and his descendants. |
On the left, the smithy or forge at Burley Woodhead. Image courtesy of Sally Gunton
|
|
A new forge or smithy was built at Burley in Wharfedale. This building was on the same plot of land as the earlier one, but built end-on to Main Street.
It was a single storey building about thirty feet long, set on the corner of a sharp bend in the road opposite the Malt Shovel Inn and St Mary's Church.
The forecourt contained a circle of large stones upon which the wooden cart wheels were placed before the heated iron hoops were hammered on to them, and quenched with water drawn, from either one of the two channels that fed the cornmill pond across the road. The forge was in operation until just before the Second World War, when modern engineering methods began to supersede the traditional blacksmith's craft. Burley forge eventually passed to James's son, William (born 1842), and then to his grandson, Samuel (born 1871, died 1937). Samuel's son, ‘Charlie’, acted as striker for his father in the latter day’s of the forge, and was reputed to be quite a ‘character’, but he did not continue the business after Samuel died. |
Rayner forge building, Main Street, Burley in Wharfedale. Image courtesy of Yvette Horton
|
Burley Woodhead forge or smithy
|
My grandfather, Ernest John Rayner, trained as a blacksmith under his father, William, at Burley Woodhead, in the late 1880s, but became a coachman in Ilkley around 1900, an occupation which enabled him better to indulge his love of horses. William was born in 1844 at Back Lane, Burley, in one of two small cottages, now, alas, no longer standing. The area at that time must have been one of considerable charm and beauty, for in the tithe documents dated February 1845 we read:
“Land (smithy) Burley, owned by Maude William Jennet Esq., occupied by James Lister and others, consisting of two cottages and gardens, blacksmiths shop and orchard.” What may be the same two cottages are also mentioned in Two Thousand miles in Wharfedale, by Edmund Bogg, who writes: “The village is large, well built and clean, a few seventeenth century houses still remaining. In the back lane, south of the main street, are two of a century earlier The occupier of one, having taken charge of a goat during the absence of its owner, was aroused by his housekeeper during the night, with the startling information that some person was trying to break in from the roof.” The culprit turned out to be the goat, which, after being well soused with water, leapt from the thatch to terra firma. It seems that William had travelled to Bradford in his journeyman days, for he married in 1867 at the Parish Church, the daughter of a Durham joiner, Mary Ann Bell, who was living in Bradford. The Rayner's first child, Thomas Henry, was born at Cavalry Barracks, Bradford Moor, in 1869, although William was probably only a civilian farrier attached to the army. Their second child, Ernest Howarth, was born at East View, Idle, in 1871, and baptised at Bradford Parish Church, but died in infancy. |
Rayner Burley Woodhead smithy. Image courtesy of Burley Archive
|
By 1873 William had returned to Woodhead to take charge of the forge, which his father, Thomas, had started in about 1850. William's third child, Ernest John, was born at Woodhead in 1875.
Although the work done at Burley Woodhead forge was that of a general blacksmith and farrier, it specialised in quarry tools, picks and masons' chisels, and had earned a reputation for the tempering of tool edges, a service which was no doubt very much appreciated by those working the quarries around Burley & Ilkley Moor.
Research & text by David K Rayner
Although the work done at Burley Woodhead forge was that of a general blacksmith and farrier, it specialised in quarry tools, picks and masons' chisels, and had earned a reputation for the tempering of tool edges, a service which was no doubt very much appreciated by those working the quarries around Burley & Ilkley Moor.
Research & text by David K Rayner
Summary
William Rayner (1844-1911) Village Blacksmith
William Rayner (1844-1911) Village Blacksmith
|
Born Burley in Wharfedale. Married Mary Ann Bell. They had at least two sons - Thomas Henry Rayner (b1869) & Ernest John Rayner (b1875).
In 1872 William was a blacksmith at Bingley. 1876 blacksmith at Baildon 1877-1881 blacksmith at Saddleworth, Oldham. 1882-1891 blacksmith of Burley. Lived at 4 Back Lane, which was to the rear of the forge on Main Street, Burley in Wharfedale. The image in front of the forge or smithy, opposite the Malt Shovel on Main Street, shows the local sexton or grave-digger on the left with large church keys & spade. To the right is William Rayner with leather apron, rasp, spikes and horse shoe. The posters behind are marked Dacre & Son.
|
The sexton and William Rayner Burley in Wharfedale Forge. Image courtesy of Rayner Archive
|
|
Thomas Henry Rayner (1869-1942) son of William Rayner.
Originally a papermaker at Otley paper mill, he later became a stoker at Greenholme Mills and part-time caretaker at Woodhead Methodist Chapel. Married Lily Horner. He's buried along with his father William Rayner at Menston Parish Church. |
c1930s Thomas Henry Rayner and Lily Rayner nee Horner - Rayner Archive
|
Ernest John Rayner (1875-1908) son of William Rayner.
Trained as a blacksmith but became a coachman at Wharfe View, Ilkley.
Trained as a blacksmith but became a coachman at Wharfe View, Ilkley.
Ernest Rayner Pony and Cart. Image courtesy of Rayner Archive
|
Ernest Rayner and Pony. Image courtesy of Rayner Archive
|
Ernest Rayner 1875-1908 on horse. Image courtesy of Rayner Archive
|