Carters, Carriers and Coachmen

Before the days of cars, buses, trains and taxis, those of Barton’s residents who needed to travel any distance were reliant upon a number of local horse-drawn carters. coachmen and carriers.

They ran regular services around the area and would have been used by local businesses, such as brewers who would rely upon many of them to distribute their ales if they had no vehicles themselves. The local pubs would often use them, and list them as an added feature of the services they provided. The following sample entries from trade directories illustrate what a comprehensive service they offered.

In 1826 the following coaches ran from the Waterside Inn, which was obviously the first point of contact with carriers when leaving the ferry from Hull:

‘The Royal Mail, to London, by way of Brigg, Lincoln, Peterborough, and Baldock (daily) at 9 in the morning arriving at 6 in the evening. The Express Post Coach, to London, by the same route as the Royal Mail, daily, except Sunday, at 6 in the evening arriving half past 5 in the evening. The Safety Coach, to and from Brigg, daily, except Sunday, arriving half past 9 in the morning and returning at 5 in the evening. Performed by Thomas Walkden & Co’.

Also in 1826 William Teanby ran from Fleetgate to Brigg on Thursdays, departing 5 am and returning at 6 pm, and to Winteringham and Winterton on Saturdays at 8 am returning at 6 pm.

James Jubb ran from Ferriby Road to Brigg on Thursdays & Fridays, departing at 7 am and returning 7 pm, and from Ferriby Road to Caistor on Friday evenings departing at 12 midnight and returning Saturday at 7 pm. Mr Jubb also ran from Ferriby Road to Hull via the Steam Packet vessel on Tuesdays and Fridays.

The carrier’s cart shown here is stood outside the Royal Vaults pub in Waterside Road, displaying products from Hall’s Barton Ropery, possibly in a carnival procession.

Robert Martin ran from Waterside Road to Caistor on Friday evenings departing at 12 midnight and returning Saturday at 9 pm.
William Arnold ran from the White Lion to Goxhill on Mondays arriving at 10 am and returning at 3 pm.
Robert Martin ran from Waterside Road to Hull via the Steam Packet on Fridays.
Wiliam Mower ran from Old Market Lane to Hull via the Steam Packet on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Wilson & Wattam ran from Fleetgate to Hull via the Steam Packet on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and from Fleetgate to Lincoln & Brigg on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 9 am.
John Bird ran from the Bay Horse to Ousby on Mondays arriving at 10.am and returning at 3 pm.
John Storey ran from the Blue Bell to Ousby on Mondays arriving at 11 am and departing at 5 pm.
George Welburn ran from Whitecross Street to Winteringham and Winterton on Saturdays at 8 am returning at 7 pm.
Richard Mundy ran from the Blue Bell to Wootton on Mondays arriving at 11 am and departing at 5 pm.

By 1896 the following ran from the George Inn:
James Needham to Barrow and New Holland on Mondays
Thomas Smith to Ferriby and Winteringham on Mondays
Edward Baker to Ulceby
F Collingwood to Ferriby on Mondays
Fred Hoodlass to Winterton on Wednesdays and Saturdays
John Cook to Wootton on Mondays

From the Wheatsheaf:
Charles Hewitt to Barrow and New Holland on Mondays
William Green to Barrow and Worlaby on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays
William Green to Ferriby, Horkstow, Wrawby and Saxby on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays
Henry Smith to Ferriby and Wintringham on Mondays
F Collingwood to Winterton on Mondays
Joseph Wilson to Wootton on Mondays

From the Red Lion:
Richard Hoodlass to Bonby, Brigg, Worlaby, Ferriby & Horkstow on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays

From the Blue Bell:
John Carter to East Halton, Killingholme & Grimsby on Mondays
Charles Crow to Grimsby on Wednesdays
Charles Crow to Limber on Mondays
G Drinkall to Goxhill on Mondays
Robert Smith to Goxhill on Mondays

From the White Swan:
W Scott to Elsham on Tuesdays
Mr Stainton to Elsham on Fridays
William Hogg to Thornton on Mondays

From the Waggon & Horses:
T Hoodlass to Worlaby on Tuesdays and Fridays
And William Stamp ran from Whitecross Street to Hull daily on the famous Stamp’s Barton Boat.

Several Taxi services were also based in the town, such as Parker’s who were based in Finkle Lane during the 1930s (see advertisement below).

By 1967 only the following were still listed as carriers, and none of them would usually carry passengers, only goods:
R J Chappell, 72 West Acridge
Osgerby & Son, 27 Waterside Road
R K O’Toole, Waterside Road
William Stamp, Burgate