1887 Auction at Miners Arms

 

- BY TONY KING

 

It is always interesting to see how people lived in bygone days. One insight comes from viewing advertisements placed when their personal possessions are being auctioned.

 

Rachel Morgan, publican of the Miners Arms, decided to retire in 1887. The auction of her possessions was advertised in the Wrexham Advertiser. In the advertisement “pier glass” was a tall mirror and a “salting turnel” was a vessel used in cheese making. The “wringing and mangling machine” predated modern spin dryers!

 

“Important and unreserved sale at Miners Arms, Maesysafn Mine, near Mold. Mr. Aston has received instruction from Mrs. Morgan (who is retiring from business) to sell by auction on Tuesday August 2nd, 1887, at the above address, the whole of the household furniture and effects contained in:

TAP ROOM - fender, fireirons, iron stool, 16 brass candlesticks, copper kettle, warming pan, coffee mill, six chairs, armchair, two round tables, long sycamore table, quantities of spittoons, jugs, glasses, plates, dishes etc.

BACK KITCHEN - round table, cupboard, three chairs, fender, fire irons, iron stool, kettle, saucepan, meat safe, wringing, and mangling machine, milk cans, brownware etc.

PARLOUR - fenders, fireirons, ash pan, pier glass, ornaments, mahogany china cupboard and drawers, barometer, mahogany hair-seated sofa, mahogany dining table and cover, silver plated tea and coffee service, ditto castors, decanters, stuffed birds under glass shade, old engravings, twelve chairs, square table, mahogany card table, cornice pole and hangings, etc.

THE BEDROOMS - are furnished with wood and iron bedsteads, mattresses, feather and flock beds, washstands, dressing tables, cane-seated chairs, toilet glasses, toilet ware, carpets, oil cloth, stair rods, fenders, old oak chest, cornice poles, curtains etc.

THE OUTDOOR EFFECTS - churns, water tubs, milk pans, water cans, garden tools, buckets, ladder, wheelbarrow, salting turnel, chaff cutter, stack of hay etc.”