Angela Ovenston (April 2008)
On a recent walk around the village, Michael Alexander from Kirkby Fleetham was interested to see how the old station house had been altered. His great-grandfather (on his mother’s side) was George Nathaniel Peacock, the station master at Husthwaite Gate Station from 1889 to 1916. Information about this family can be found in census data from the Civil Parish - Angram Grange, Ecclesiastical Parish - Coxwold. In 1891, at Station House, Coxwold, George Nathaniel Peacock the station master (aged 38, born at Bossall, near Flaxton in the North Riding) lived with his wife Margaret, (aged 30, born at Pocklington) and their children William (8) (who became Michael’s grandfather), Ethel Ann (4) and George (2) all born at York, together with his father Nathaniel, (widower aged 70, born at Kennythorpe).
By 1901, they had moved to Husthwaite Gate House where they had three more children - Frank (8), Nellie (6) and Henry (2 mths); Mr Peacock’s father-in-law Henry Curtiss (widower aged 60, a house painter born at Pocklington) now lived with them.
The family were staunch Methodists and son George was also good at cricket as shown from extracts from the Easingwold Advertiser between 1892 and 1917:
April 1892 Wesleyan Chapel Service of Song … Mr G.N. Peacock gave the readings June 1900 Wesleyan School Anniversary … G. Peacock … F. Peacock Feb. 1904 Tea and entertainment at Wesleyan Chapel for Dr. Stephenson’s children’s home. Prayers, hymns and recitations by … N. Peacock, F. Peacock … Mr Peacock May 1908 Wesleyan Band of Hope concert … Master Percy Peacock gave a dialogue May 1908 Husthwaite Cricket Team … G. Peacock Feb. 1917 Whist Drive in the school room organized by Husthwaite Ladies War Working Party- 30 tables – winners (ladies) included Miss Florrie Peacock….A dance followed and carried on until 3 a.m. in the morning…proceeds divided between Ladies War Working Party and National Egg Collection Society.
Alfred Peacock, a butcher in the village, is recalled by William Taylor (Husthwaite reminiscences 1900 – 1930s) as living in the building behind Laurel House, now called Swales Garth. According to Charlie Dowson (Husthwaite reminiscences 1930s – 1950s) Alfred Peacock, during a particularly hot spell, would preserve his beef by a process of salting. He later retired to live at Ashmount. Alfred C. Peacock died in 1932. It isn’t yet known if or how Alfred was related to George Nathaniel. (Note that Percy and Florrie above were not George’s children but may have been Alfred’s. Relationships may become clear once census data for 1911 become available.)The stationmaster, George Nathaniel Peacock must have been highly respected by the local community. A newspaper cutting kept by the family tells how he managed to stop a runaway goods train.