John Marsh & Company

John Marsh & Company were omnibus and cab proprietors and undertakers in Halifax.

The business was founded by Charles Ramsden [1870].

Later, it was owned by John Hardwick.

In 1885, John Marsh acquired the business and established a horse-drawn omnibus service at the Royal Hotel, Sowerby Bridge. The service ran between Sowerby Bridge, Ripponden and Rishworth. He had about 12 horses.

In 1886, he began a service to Halifax. He had about 60 horses. These were stabled at Hall Street Livery Stables, Halifax which Marsh occupied from September 1886. These were on the site of the old cattle market.

They also had premises with stables at Fenton Road Mills, Halifax.

His son, John Marsh took over the business.

By 1897, they had 120 horses.

In February 1897, the business became John Marsh & Company Limited.

Directors of the Company were:

• James Turner Riley
• William Gaukroger
• W. H. Foster of South Grove, Halifax
• James Riley Atkinson
• John Marsh

In 1898, the service was superseded by the new electric trams.

The business closed in 1900.

Their services changed to motorised taxis in Halifax.

In 1905, they were at 14 Commercial Street, Halifax.

The Company's stock was sold in 1912 when they were operating 6 motor taxis.

The Business is discussed in the book Halifax Pubs: Volume Two

Marsh's Sale 1900

On 6th April 1900, a special general meeting of the shareholders of the company was told that

the tramways had a much greater effect on the company's business than was anticipated when their company was formed. Not only had the bus receipts suffered, but the coach and cab business had also been adversely affected. The receipts for the first year of the company's existence were £11,575, and for the second year they were £10,433, and last year they fell to £6,580. It was decided to wind up the company

On 18th May 1900, Marsh's Sale evoked a great deal of interest with buyers coming from Kirby Lonsdale, Sheffield, Malton, Wath-on-Dearne and different parts of Lancashire. The omnibuses etc., went very cheap, but the handsome new Washington funeral car fetched more than it cost.

• Station broughams: £16 and £37
• Square-fronted brougham: £3 3/-
• Circular-fronted broughams: £3 10/-, £5 10/-, £13, £23 and £17,
• Gigs: £6 and £9 10/-,
• Princess hansoms: £15, £30 and £14,
• Bus to carry 14: £7
• Garden-seated bus to carry 28: £10
• Garden-seated buses to carry 28: £12, £15 and £17 10/-
• Bus to carry 24: £3 5/-
• Bus to carry 30: £3 15/-
• Bus to carry 32: £3 10/-
• Bus to carry 34: £3 15/-
• Side-light mourning coaches with coffin boxes: £41 each
• Clarence carriages: £64, £66 and £73
• Glass-sided hearses: £30, £31, £70 and £81
• Washington Funeral car: £145
• The competition for the horses was also very keen and in this respect the sale proved one of the best that has taken place in the district for some years. Forty three animals were offered, and fetched a total of 1,089 guineas. The following is a detailed list
  • Brown horse – Tommy – 8 years – 8½ guineas
  • Bay horse – Royal – 8 guineas
  • Brown horse – Gangway – 17 guineas
  • Brown mare – Kate – 8 years – 8½ guineas
  • Brown mare – Star – 13 guineas
  • Brown mare – Biddy – 15½ guineas
  • Grey horse – Bismark – 8 years – 28 guineas
  • Black mare – Lucy – 9 years – 28 guineas
  • Bay horse – Squire – 20½ guineas
  • Brown horse – Raglan – 8 years – 13 guineas
  • Brown mare – Lucy – 8 years – 15 guineas
  • Brown horse – Huntsman – 8 years – 30 guineas
  • Brown mare – Maggie – 8 years – 16 guineas
  • Brown horse – Darkie – 8 years – 21 guineas
  • Brown horse – Barney – 26 guineas
  • Bay mare – Nellie – 8 years – 32 guineas
  • Bay mare – Winny – 16½ guineas
  • Bay horse – Joe – 7 years – 30½ guineas
  • Bay horse – Gamester – 8 years – 30 guineas
  • Bay horse – Newton – 6 years – 40 guineas
  • Bay horse – Clarence – 8 years – 53 guineas
  • Dun pony – Biddy – 7 years – 22 guineas
  • Bay mare – Peggy – 5 years – 28½ guineas
  • Grey mare – Madge – 7 years – 21 guineas
  • Grey mare – Brandy – 8 years – 32 guineas
  • Grey mare – Jane – 23 guineas
  • Grey mare – Dolly – 25 guineas
  • Grey horse – Victor – 7 years – 36 guineas
  • Black horse – Jim – 6 years – 27 guineas
  • Black horse – Jerry – 6 years – 19 guineas
  • Black horse – Socks – 23 guineas
  • Black mare – Nancy – 8 years – 18 guineas
  • Black Belgian gelding – Duke – 8 years – 10½ guineas
  • Black Belgian mare – Empress – 8 years – 34 guineas
  • Black Belgian mare – Duchess – 9 years – 34 guineas
  • Black Belgian gelding – Major – 31½ guineas
  • Black Belgian gelding – Marquis – 21½ guineas
  • Black Belgian mare – Countess – 46 guineas
  • Black mare – Melody – 8 years – 47 guineas
  • Black mare – Trilby – 25 guineas
  • Black mare – Bell – 6 years – 30 guineas
  • Black horse – Charlie – 8 years – 34 guineas
  • Black horse – Peter – 6 years – 31 guineas

The company's assets were sold at auction on 4th July 1900 at the Plummet Line, Halifax, by order of the High Court of Justice.

The auctioneer described the prices as

a sacrifice and a slaughter

In 1924, John Marsh & Company advertised

and were at

• Hall Street
• 37 Silver Street

See Isaac Hitchen

This & associated entries use material contributed by Roger Beasley, Derrick Habergham & Alan Longbottom

Page Ref: MMM999

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