Postman who ensured the mail always got through

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MANY postmen have made heroic efforts to get through dale snowdrifts to deliver mail over the years, but a feat by John Smith was one of the most notable.

He was employed by the Postmaster General as a contractor, with the task of moving bags of mail between places.

During one of the hardest winters in 1853 he had the job of transporting batches between Darlington and Barnard Castle. He struggled through in tough conditions for several days but then the drifts became much deeper.

He was told in Darlington that there was no way he could get up the dale. But the determined fellow set off in a horse drawn carriage and after a long struggle surprised everyone by arriving in Gainford.

He handed over a bag of mail and was assured it was absolutely impossible to go any further as the road was completely blocked. Give up? Not him. He unhitched the horse from the carriage, put a saddle on it, clambered aboard and pulled a large mailbag up beside him.

He knew he could not get there by road so he rode down to the River Tees and kept close to its bank as he headed upstream. There were blockages on the way but he managed to get round them and eventually reached the town.


Some friends were so impressed that they bought him a silver snuff box and had it inscribed: "Presented to Mr Smith by a few friends in Gainford and neighbourhood for his exertions to ensure the regular arrival of mail during the severe weather in the early part of the year 1853."

He married Martha Ewbank of the King's Head Hotel in Barnard Castle and managed it for some years while continuing with the mail work. He was skilful in looking after the hotel's team of horses. which were hired out to local businesses and visitors.

They were also used by the town's part time fire brigade to pull water tenders to outbreaks. John was proud of the fact that Charles Dickens stayed at the King's Head in 1838 and he liked to talk about the novelist to guests.

He set out a flower garden behind the hotel and it became an attraction for visitors. He was so well respected that when he died aged 62 the town's main shops closed and householders shut their curtains.