Sheffield Indexers

Welcome to our forum ~ please post your questions below.

Sheffield Indexers
Start a New Topic 
Author
Comment
William Fearnley and Gutta Percha

Does anyone know anything about the Gutta Percha gang in Sheffield particularly in connection with a William Fearnley who was sentenced for being involved with this gang

Re: William Fearnley and Gutta Percha

Hi Maureen,

Sheffield Independent, 30 August 1851.
The Gutta Percha Gang.
Edward Hackford 24, Wm Fearnley 23, Wm Beattie 21, and Wm Broughton 18.
Indicted for assaulting three constables in execution of their duty.
They had forced themselves into the grounds of the Barrack Tavern.
Hackford sentenced to be imprisoned for 12 months hard labour, Fearnley
and Beattie each nine months and Broughton 6 months hard labour.


The report is very long, and describes the events of the assaults.

Gutta Percha is Indian rubber and was used for many things.
The main use seems to have been for the soles of boots and shoes.

Moira.

Re: William Fearnley and Gutta Percha

Hi Moira

Thank you for your reply. We have seen the article in the Sheffield Independent and are wondering if anyone has information about the gang especially as we think one of my relatives (William Fearnley) was one of the gang. William was 23 years old when he was convicted making him born around 1828 but without any more information it is difficult to tie him into our tree as there were many William Fearnleys in Sheffield. Are there any prison records which might give more information.
Once again thank you for your help.

Maureen

Re: William Fearnley and Gutta Percha

Hi Maureen
There is a long running thread on the Sheffield Forum about gang wars in Sheffield. Here are 3 extacts from that:
"Another set of Gangs in Sheffield were the "Gutta Percha" brigade. around the mid 1800's. Gutta Percha is a basic rubber substance and was used to manufacture crude coshes.)

"look at a book called sheffield gang wars every thing talked about is in it. its a very good book to read"

"i got the book 4 sale in the forum ""sheffield gang wars by j p bean"" if any 1 is interested ."

It is unclear whether the book refers to your gang as well as the more recent early 20th century gangs in Sheffield.
Just to add some technical background: Gutta Perca is a tree which yields a resin which sets to a very hard rubber. It seems that the gang you refer to was named because they used coshes made from Gutta Percha.
As Moira said it was used to make many things. Specifically it was the material of choice for early golf balls. They are still occasionally found in lakes on golf courses and can be very valuable.
Dave

Re: William Fearnley and Gutta Percha

Hi Dave

Thank you for the information. We will certainly get the book it does sound like an interesting read.
Many thanks

Maureen

Re: William Fearnley and Gutta Percha

Hi Maureen

I have this book but it only mentions 'Guttapercher' twice very briefly as being
around in 1860/1870's time frame on pages 11 & 23. No gang members are named.

The book is mainly about the gangs in the 1920's and it is an excellent read.

Some information here
http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/police-station-on-frontline-in-sheffield-gang-wars-1-6851920

Vicki

Re: William Fearnley and Gutta Percha

Hi Vicky

Thank you for the information. I am trying to find the connection with the prosecution of a William Fearnley in 1851 where it was stated that he was part of the Gutta Percha gang.

Once again thank you for the very interesting information.

Maureen