Thomas Pinkard originally came from Wellingborough in Northamptonshire. He was the son of John, a brewer's servant, and Rebecca, nee Rippener. He was baptised 17^th March 1819. He married Hannah Ward at Walgrave, in the county of Northants on 11^th April 1841. They had three children, Rebecca, born 1842, Robert, born 1843 and Sarah born 1846. Hannah died in 1880. Thomas married Jane Spencer 27^th Nov 1881 at St. Sepulchre in Northampton. The ' Northampton and County Independent' ran a weekly competition under the heading 'Who is it?' featuring a photo of a local personality. In 1910 they published a photograph of Thomas Pinkard and some of the replies I have copied below.

Mr. Perkins wrote: -"The 'who is it?' in your journal of the 14th is our much respected Town Crier in bygone days, the late Mr. Pinkard, who I knew well. He lived in Kerr Street fifty years ago and was connected with the firm of Pinkard and Sheen, bill-posters. In those days, if there were any concerts on or any other functions, Pinkard would go near the schools when the children came out and shout out the news at the top of his voice, and it was soon known all over the town."

LOST-A WOODEN LEG

" I shall never forget seeing him and old Jimmy Gutheridge (beadle), and the late Charles Saunders (Clerk of the market) going to church with our good old friend the late Mr. W.J.Peirce when he was mayor in 1881.

"Pinkard used to brand the cattle on the Market Square before turning them onto the commons, and as a boy I have taken cows and horses up Kerr Street for him to brand on market days. Then he would go up the Butcher's Row at 10 o'clock at night, ringing his bell, telling them to 'Clear out.'

"A good story of Pinkard concerns a man named Dick Dickins who lived at Kingsthorpe. He had a wooden leg and was called by the boys 'Old Blue Face.' One night the policeman found him drunk on the Fountain on the Market Square. Dick was fast asleep and when he woke he had lost his wooden leg! Dick told Pinkard and off he went with his bell. Dick's leg was soon found. It was in Fish Street in the care of Mr. Keenan, the then Chief Constable. The reveller paid for his lapse, for the late Mr. James Barry sent Dick to the House of Correction for seven days, under the care of the late George Atkinson, Governor of the Prison.

A VERSATILE HUSBAND

From Mrs. Frost, Park Lane, Harpole.

"Mr. Pinkard used to live in Earl Street, and died there. He was married twice, if not three times, his last wife being Jane Spencer. His wife had on his death card the following lines: 'I shall be satisfied when I awake up in his likeness.'"

DIGNITY OUTRAGED.

From Mr. John Matthews, 10, West Street, Earls Barton.

" It was no uncommon thing to see a crowd of boys following Pinkard, for it was our privilege as boys to shout 'Hurrah!' after he had delivered his oration, but woe betide the youth who interrupted, for after he had rung his bell silence reigned supreme. I well recollect one unruly urchin being impertinent, and on this occasion our old friend Pinkard went for him. The lad retreated sharply and just escaped being the recipient of the order of the boot. Unfortunately Mr. Town Crier tripped, to the laughs and smiles of all (your humble servant included). The clang of that bell I shall never forget as it came down on the cobblestones. However, he was not put hors de combat for above a minute or so, and finished his oration, once more to the 'Hurrah' of us boys."

THE CHILDREN'S IDOL.

This reply came from Mrs. Watts, Hardingstone:

" What happy memories that dear old face and figure bring back to me .It is the late Mr. Pinkard, the old Town Crier. Didn't we as children adore him, with his red plush breeches and waistcoat, white leggings, and his hat we used to think fit for a king. When we heard his bell nothing else mattered; even dinner was forgotten. I well remember one dinner time hearing it-and am not likely to forget it, as through him I had two cuts of the cane when I got to school late. He was always in a jolly mood, and the funny things he would say-we children would scream with laughter and there would be scores of children from all parts who would follow him from one street to another. I remember this one-day especially; it occurred just on the cross-roads of Victoria Road and Bird's Piece (now St. Edmund's Road). When we heard his bell we all rushed, and there he sat with three men in an open cab-out for a spree, I expect, for they were all laughing. 'Now,' said he 'what would you say if you had half a holiday?' Of course we all shouted. ' Well, I have sixpence in my pocket, and the first one who says "hurrah!" shall have it.' That was a moment. Everything was forgotten, school, clothes shoes. It was a wet day, but we clambered round the cab irrespective of muddy wheels. Well, we tried hard, but when it was over he put the sixpence back in his pocket and said, 'I said it first when I said "Hurrah!"' I leave you to guess our feelings, also my feeling when I got to school."

SERMONS AND BEER

This reply came from Mr. Britten, 15 Castillian Street

"Nature formed Pinkard on generous lines, and his sonorous voice was a great help to him in his profession. He was connected with the old Baptist Church in Princess Street, and was a useful worker in the cause. His house of call was Bill Sykes, at the corner of Victoria Street. Bill Sykes was a model publican who brewed his own beer and claimed it was the best in the town. It was Pinkard's joke that the best of everything was good enough for him; so he went to Princess Street for his sermons and Victoria Street for his beer!"