Band of Hope Gala Car in Trippet Lane 1893. Source :Picture Sheffield.
Samuel was one of the founders of the Sheffield Band of Hope Union. Bands of Hope were temperance organisations for children under 16 which started across the country in the late 1840s, often attached to Sunday Schools, and provided educational and social activities such as galas, lantern slide shows and choirs. Children were expected to sign a pledge such as the one below from 1857 which also required abstinence from smoking and gambling.
Band of Hope Pledge 1857. Source: Picture Sheffield.
Samuel’s own childhood had been difficult which may explain his interest in child welfare. His early life was reported in his obituary:
His father … died when Samuel was only two years of age, and the son had a somewhat rough bringing up. He was taken to live with his grandfather at Attercliffe, and there being no Education Act in those days was put to work at his trade when five-and-a-half years old. He was in the workshop from four o’clock in the morning until late at night, and was often flogged by his uncle.
When he was a youth Samuel became involved with the Mechanics’ Institute and ‘made up for the lack of early education, and acquired knowledge which proved of great value to him in after life’. Samuel was apprenticed at 15 as a horn and scale cutter, the same trade as his father. He set up business on his own account in 1853 and by 1861 employed 6 men, 3 boys and an apprentice.
Samuel married Sarah in 1857. When they attended the annual festivity of the Heeley District Band of Hope Union in Meersbrook Park in 1895 their horse became frightened, throwing Sarah out of the carriage and injuring Samuel. Sarah died of her injuries a few hours later.
For many years Samuel was one of the Board of Guardians for the Sheffield Union workhouse as his memorial inscription records:
A guardian of the poor and leader in the temperance cause. A founder of the Band of Hope Union and Sunday school teacher 50 years.
‘He rests from his labours – his works do follow him.’
Samuel was interred in grave Y 83 in the Nonconformist area along with his wife Sarah and his mother-in-law.