The Lincoln, Rutland and Stamford Mercury:
Friday February 18, 1791
Between nine and ten o’clock on Sunday morning last, a barn belonging to one John Harding, jun, of Ryhall, near this place, was discovered to be on fire, and from the wind being exceeding high at the time, the flames communicated to the dwelling-house of Mr. Daniel Pilmer, which was in part destroyed, with his furniture: from thence to two hay stacks, to a large wheat hovel, and two bean hovels, to the dwelling-house, stables, and other premises, all belonging to the widow Thompson, the whole of which were destroyed, together with a wagon, implements of husbandry, and chief part of her household furniture: also a range of work-shops belonging to Mr. WILLIAM LOCK, wheelwright, and a large quantity of seasoned wood in them.
The fire spread with such rapidity (the buildings destroyed all being thatched) that it was with great difficulty the poor widows livestock was saved from its fury. An estimate of the loss sustained is not yet taken: but it is supposed to be near 1000\s not a shilling of which was insured. Scarce a doubt remains but the fire proceed from some boys firing a gun off near the barn where it was first discovered.It is remarkable, that, upwards of fifty years ago the Widow Thompson was burnt out of her house on the same spot of ground, and then not able to save the least part of her property. That there are beings who have no feeling for the distress of their fellow creatures, we lament. Monsters in the shape of men robbed the poor sufferers of part of the property which was saved from the fire. A fellow was seen with a silver cream jug in his hand, whilst Mrs Thompson’s house was burning, and when asked what he was going to do with it, he immediately threw it into the flames: And a poor man, whilst assisting, had his pocket picked of a watch.In future accidents similar to the above, would it not be proper to appoint a sufficient number of constables to protect the property of the sufferers; and also the persons of those who render them assistance? Whilst acting in the latter amiable office, John Wingfield Esq. was violently assaulted by two men, who we hope will meet with that punishment due to the enormity of the offence.
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The Lincoln, Rutland and Stamford Mercury:
Friday June 8th 1792:
We, whose names are under-written, return thanks, in the name and behalf of the sufferers by the fire of Ryal, to the kind contributors for their liberal assistance, to whom the following state of money received, and the applications of it, is submitted. And we take this opportunity of acknowledging our obligations to the Clergy and others, who so readily promoted the subscriptions in their respective Parishes.
Received: Paid to:
£./s./d.
470/18/7 Anne Thompson 348/14/2
WILLIAM LOCK 55/15/6
William Buzley 35/12/0
Daniel Pilme 13/6/0
John Ardin 10/8/5
A Servant 00/4/0
Estimates 06/6/0
Advertisements 00/12/6
470/18/7
J. Wingfield, Thos. Foster, Richd Twopen
Wayne and Sandra's Family History 