Presentation to the Gardener at Thrybergh Hall

The half-yearly rent day in connection with the Thrybergh Hall Estate was held on Friday last at the Reresby Arms Hotel, Denaby Main. Mr. Swithinbank, the Steward, was in attendance to receive the rents. At 4 p.m. a most substantial dinner was provided for the tenants, about 40 of whom did ample justice to the good things placed before them. The spread was as follows: round of beef, roast leg of mutton, boiled fowls, and tongue, roast goose, plum pudding, pastry, etc.

Mr. Whittaker, Thrybergh, occupied the chair, and Mr. Spooner, Denaby, the vice-chair. The tables having been cleared and glasses replenished with wine, Mr. Swithinbank proposed the health of the Lord of the Manor of Denaby, T. G. Fullerton, Esq., and in doing so said he was requested to convey their respected landlord’s kind regards to his tenants, with a hope that in May next he would be able to see them again. He would not soon forget the reception he met with from them in May last. The last year had not been so good as the year before. Farmers, like other people, had felt the bad state of trade. He was pleased to meet them for the first time at Denaby. He hoped this would be a good inn where they could take their ease. The curse was in the drinking shops, and not in connection with good hotels. He earnestly hoped that Mr. Slater would keep the house thoroughly respectable, and not make it a place for people to come and drink and make beasts of themselves, or for men to come and concoct matters against their employers. The health of T. G. Fullerton, Esq., was then drunk with musical honours.

A covered dish was then laid upon the table, and on the cover being removed there was found upon the dish a very rare and costly edition of the Sacred Scriptures, together with a handsomely bound Church Service and Hymn Book. Mr. Swithinbank said he had great pleasure in presenting this rare and costly edition of the Bible to Mr. George Newton, the gardener of Thrybergh. It was presented by him on behalf of T. J. Fullerton, Esq., and Mrs. Fullerton, as a mark of esteem. The services of Mr. Newton were highly valued at Thrybergh. He earnestly hoped that this valuable book would prove a benefit to him in life, and still greater hereafter. Mr. Swithinbank, on behalf of himself and Mrs. Swithinbank, also presented Mr. and Mrs. Newton with a beautifully bound church service and hymn book. The Steward having said “good bye,” three hearty cheers were given as he left the room.

The following is a copy of what was written inside the Bible.—“Presented to George and Elizabeth Newton, of Thrybergh, as a mark of esteem by Thomas Gray Fullerton and Euphemia Margaret Fullerton, Thrybergh Hall, Nov., 1877.”

In acknowledging the present, Mr. Newton, who was labouring under considerable emotion, said he begged most sincerely to thank T. G. Fullerton, Esq., Mrs. Fullerton, Mr. and Mrs. Swithinbank, for the beautiful presents they had bestowed upon him. He had been 19 years in the service of the Fullerton family, and he had invariably met with the greatest kindness at their hands. He begged to propose the health of Mr. Charles Fullerton. This toast having been duly honoured, Mr. Whittaker gave the health of Mr. Swithinbank, which was most heartily received.

Other toasts followed and the proceedings terminated. Great praise is due to Mr. and Mrs. Slater, the worthy host and hostess, for the efficient manner in which the dinner was served.