'Stories from the Stones'
Please visit the Contents Page for this section, where you will find other 'Stories from the Stones.'
These same stories are also published on Penistone Archive Group's Facebook page, their Journal and in 'The Bridge' magazine issued by St John's church, Penistone. Many thanks to their tireless author, Mr Steve Lavender, for his worthy contributions to local history and this website. - JB.
Story 10 - Robert Bramall, 5th June 1749 - 31st August 1822, Mary Bramall 1760 – 26th February 1834
One of the delights of living in Penistone is hearing the bells of St John’s Church ringing out across the town. When I lived across the other side of Waterhall Park the sound of the bells drifting across the valley on a Thursday evening was something that we always looked forward too. So, when the bells began to ring again after nearly 18 months of silence it was of particular significance to the town and a sign of a hope that we might be returning to normality.
The story of the bells is discussed in a variety of books about the town – but for those of you who may not have seen those here is a brief review: it is most likely that the original six bells were installed into the Church tower around 500 years ago. At this time the bells were not only rung for special occasions for example:
They were also rung as an aid to travellers making their way across the moors on foggy days, rather like how a foghorn on a lighthouse works today. The original six bells were cast with heraldic arms and five had an inscription as well. I don’t have the space here to cover all the details of the bells but I encourage you to visit Jack Briggs' Penistone Pictorial site (Church History page) for plenty of information and some photos.
Just out of interest, one of the bells is inscribed as follows: 'Maria, Saneto Protégé, Virgo Pia Quos Conuoca' and is translated as 'Blessed Virgin Shield Thou Whom I Call Together.'
Robert Bramall
Our Story this month is of Robert Bramall born in Penistone 5th June 1749. He married Mary Goddard in Silkstone in March 1781. Robert would become a well-respected sexton for St John’s Church by 1800 and his duties would include taking care of the church and its burial ground, gravedigging and bell-ringing.
At the age of 73, in the August of 1822, Robert would be involved in a bell-ringing event when tragedy struck. Taken from his death certificate, we find that Robert was killed when his tenor bell overturned and, as he struggled to hold onto his rope, he was lifted five or six yards off the floor.
On releasing the rope, he fell with such violence that he lived only a few days. The death certificate also records that he had been a good and attentive sexton. His wife Mary lived on until 1834 and is buried alongside him. The couple had five children and one, Ellen (who was married to Jonathon Brown), is also interred with them.
To continue with the story of the bells, in 1924 it was decided to have the original six bells recast and two further bells added to create an octave. At the same time the church clock was replaced and a second face added to the south side of the tower. The first peal of the eight bells welcomed in New Year 1925.
We are grateful to hear the bells ringing out again and thank those who perform in the belfry for their service. I hope that maybe when you hear the bells ringing you might just spare a thought for Robert Bramall and his sad story. We will remember him.
My thanks to Richard Galliford; Jack Briggs; Penistone Archive Group; J.N.Dransfield’s History of Penistone. Steve Lavender, Chair Friends of St John’s Church Penistone, August 2021. As a footnote to the bell-ringing, the pleasant sounds of Penistone church bells can be heard every Thursday evening from 7.30pm as they practice their change-ringing.
William Wordsworth - "Be hushed by every thought that springs, from out of the bitterness of things."