Silkstone Man Killed by Lightning 1899

 Silkstone Man Killed by Lightning 1899

There was no newspaper report of the meteorite landing in John Haynes' pond in the early 1870s (see previous blog). Luckily for us John Ness Dransfield's personal recollection forty years after the event gave us chance to share this story.

There were reports on and around 18th June 1872 that a "dreadful thunderstorm" hit the area - maybe this was the same event ? Two houses in the village were struck by lightning and it was reported that the daughter of a John Schofield was hit by lightning "whilst in the act of putting a knife to her mouth". It was said that she was "black in the face and insensible" and that "she never spoke until the following day, when she was restored to consciousness."

The thunderstorms of June 1872, said to be the worst in living memory in some areas, were widespread throughout Yorkshire and the North of England and although there were lots of newspaper reports of damage, and some deaths, there was no specific reference to Silkstone. Damage to a house in Thurgoland was reported and three deer in Stainborough Park were killed by lightning. The Silkstone account of John Schofield's daughter was given by GH Teasdale in his recollections of the village printed in the Barnsley Chronicle in 1901.

A thunderstorm which occured on 12th July 1899 did, however, receive considerable press coverage at the time as a local Silkstone man was killed by a lightning strike while working in a field on the edge of the village.

On that hot Wednesday afternoon four men and a young boy were gathering hay in a field called Pop Pit Field* near Pot Houses just below the church near to the waggonway. They were James Arthur Sisson, son of Thomas Boyer Sisson of Pot House Farm whose field they were working in, and father and son Albert Andrew Sisson and Albert Edward Sisson. Albert Andrew Sisson was a butcher / farmer / grocer in Silkstone and brother of Thomas Boyer. Albert Stead, a 29 year old miner who lived at Pot Houses was helping along with a 12 year old boy Gilbert Turner.

Gathering in the hay by hand at that time was a communal activity with family, friends and neighbours taking part. Albert Stead lived at Pot Houses near to the farm run by Thomas Boyer Sisson and Gilbert Turner lived two doors away from the butcher's shop owned by Albert Andrew Sisson on the row of houses then known as Shaw's Houses on High Street.

A typical Victorian image which could almost be identical to the Silkstone men and boys working in the fields in 1899

The hay had been gathered in and loaded onto a horse drawn waggon and they were in the process of building a haystack in the field for the hay to dry out. Although there had been a few flashes of lightning, the rain had not stopped the men from working. James Sisson and young Gilbert Turner were on top of the hay stack and Albert Edward was on the cart forking hay up onto the stack when a lightning flash hit them.

Albert Edward Sisson was thrown off the wagon and lay injured on the ground. Albert Andrew Sisson who was attending the horse was thrown to the ground as was the horse. James Arthur Sisson was thrown off the stack on to the floor. Gilbert Turner escaped unhurt and managed to climb off the stack and he ran off to get help which was soon at hand as Thomas Boyer Sisson had dashed from the farmhouse and was first on the scene.

To his horror he found his son, James Arthur Sisson, had been killed on the spot. His cap and trousers were torn and his boots had burst open. Reports on Albert Edward Sisson vary. Some say he was dazed but still conscious, but others say he was rendered unconscious but came round in an hour or two. Both men were taken to their homes and Dr Rowley of Barnsley, who happened to be in the village, was called to attend to them.

At an inquest held at the Ring O' Bells next day Mrs Elizabeth Bostwick, who helped to wash and lay out the body, gave evidence that the only mark found on James was a scorch mark on the side of his neck no bigger than a shilling. The coroner, Major Taylor, considered that the fall from the stack had not caused any injury and the electric shock had killed him instantly. He gave a verdict of "killed by lightning".

It was further reported that the horse was not injured and fully recovered after twenty minutes or so. Dr Rowley reported that the lightning had struck Albert on the hip where his skin was scorched, and the lower part of his body and his legs were affected causing him to be temporarily paralysed. At the time of the inquest he was still confined to bed but reportedly progressing favourably.

There were concerns over Albert Edward who was a well known local cyclist and had won many events and trophies cycling for the Barnsley Dearne Cycling Club, but it appears that by mid August he was back winning races so had fully recovered.

The two images above are the hand written notes made by the coroner at the inquest on the death of James Arthur Sisson held at the Ring O' Bells on Thursday 13th July 1899

*Note that the coroner's reports includes a reference to Albert Stead being present though there is no reference to him in any of the newspaper reports at the time.

The funeral of James Arthur Sisson, aged 27, was held at Silkstone Church, where he was laid to rest, on 15th July 1899. Thomas Boyer Sisson had reserved a family plot in the graveyard and after James Arthur was laid to rest both his father and mother were laid in the same plot in later years.

The two photographs above show the Sisson family plot and a close up of the headstone in Silkstone Churchyard

*Almost all the newspaper reports at the time refer to Sissons and not Sisson. The family name is Sisson as shown by Census returns and other on line documents and by the family grave in Silkstone churchyard. The coroner's report correctly names the family as Sisson.

*Newspaper reports refer to the field where the men were working as Pop Pits Field. The coroner's report refers to the field being at Smithy Close belonging to Andrew Albert Sisson. (Thomas Boyer Sisson's own words).

It is thought that the men were working in the hayfield (field number 4 on the above map) when lightning struck. The field was referred to as Pop Pits Field in a newspaper report (Pop Pits are marked), and Smithy Close in the coroner's report (Smithy is marked). Reports also note that the field was close to the church and to Pot House Farm (now Pot House Hamlet). To locate this field on the modern landscape the waggonway runs between fields 4 and 3 and the pass bye (now re-built in its' original location) is also shown.

Footnote - this was not the only tragic death that Thomas Boyer Sisson had to deal with in his life. As well as losing a son, he also lost a brother in another tragic accident that will be the subject of a future blog.

Text and Research Andy Horsfield - Heritage Silkstone April 2026