'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 19 - Rev Samuel Sunderland (1806 - 1855) - Curate, PGS Headmaster and Vicar
From St John’s Church Burial Ground Project.
Whilst working on the Burial Ground Project we found that only a few individuals have plaques placed on the walls inside the church as well as a burial tomb outside. One of those so honoured is that of Samuel Sunderland. Samuel was born in Wakefield on 29th August 1806 and educated at the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School. From there he was awarded the Cave Scholarship which allowed him to study at Clare College Cambridge. It was around this time that the parishioners of St John’s were becoming increasingly unhappy with their vicar Martin Naylor, who since his appointment in 1809 had spent very little time in the parish. In due course Naylor would ask Sunderland to assist at St John’s and so began his time in Penistone.
So it was that Samuel Sunderland arrived in Penistone and was an immediate success as Curate in 1829, Headmaster of Penistone Grammar School in 1836 and Vicar in 1841. Through our research into the development of football in the Penistone area we believe that Samuel Sunderland would have had an influence on the local lads (boarders and day boys) studying at the Grammar School by bringing his knowledge and skills of the game from his time in Cambridge. The Grammar School was, at that time, situated across the road to the north of the church in the area called Kirkflatt. It was surrounded by the type of landscape which would make it natural for the lads to be able to expend their energy playing football.
During this period Sunderland would come across three lads named John who would contribute to the development of football in the Sheffield area most considerably. These are, John Ness Dransfield; John Charles Shaw and John Marsh. John Charles Shaw has been covered in Stories of the Stones 16 and the other two will be featured in upcoming stories.
Samuel was married to Eleanor in 1843 and they had four children. He was an immensely popular member of the community, and it came as a great shock when he was involved in an accident resulting in his death whilst out on a day trip to Rowsley in the Derbyshire Peak District. He died on 18th July 1855. Samuel and members of his family are buried in a tomb just to the north of the church and as he was so well liked the Penistone parishioners raised funds for a plaque inside the church (shown here) recalling his 26 years service to the community.
It seems appropriate to conclude this work with words from the plaque being a timely reminder to expect the unexpected.
We will remember Rev Samuel Sunderland, his service to our community and his contribution to the development of football.‘The memory of the just is blessed.
Be ye also ready for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of Man cometh.’
S.J.Lavender, Chair Friends of St Johns Church, June 2023.
I would like to acknowledge the research work of Kevin Neill in contributing to this Story and the book 'Penistone Church Football Club 1906' by Lavender, Neill and Galliford 2022.
Further Reading
A book covering the early history of football in the local area and Penistone Church Football Club (PCFC) was published in 2022. The book can be purchased online from pcfcbook.sumupstore.com or in person from Clarke’s Chemist Penistone, the Royal British Legion or Penistone Church Football Club, costing a very affordable £10. See also the Vicars page for a few more details about Rev Sunderland.
William Wordsworth - "Faith is a passionate intuition"