Hunger for knowledge highlighted by old minute book

A “FASCINATING” document recently acquired by Rotherham Archives has revealed that Wath-upon-Dearne was once a seat of learning.

The minute book details the foundation in 1828 of an “institute promoting useful knowledge”, which aimed to provide books and lectures to its members.

Founded by surgeon James Burman, inn-keeper Thomas Lister and the Rev William Moorhouse, the society rented a room at the Cross Keys Inn on Doncaster Road, purchased tables, slates and pens and started a library from books donated by members.

A spokesman for Rotherham Council said: “Borrowing the books was allowed on payment of fees ranging from 1d to 6d, depending on the book.

“This was a relatively low charge and suggests that the society encouraged the involvement of ordinary working men, with a number of skilled potters from Rockingham known to have been members.”

However, attendance dropped and the minute book ends abruptly in July 1829, with a list of those members in arrears.

Assistant archivist Celia Parker said: “This fascinating document shows how people, even in small communities, were keen to acquire and spread knowledge.

“In particular, few of the working men who attended would have had much formal education and being prepared to turn up after a hard day’s work shows how much they valued the opportunity to learn.

“Lectures were on a variety of subjects including astronomy, whether Mary Queen of Scots should have been executed, how best to help the poor and the advantages and disadvantages of agricultural machinery.”

The book will be on display in the Archives and Local Studies Service searchroom in Rotherham Central Library for the next two months. The searchroom is open every day apart from Sunday and Monday.