Mexborough & Swinton Times, October 7th, 1932

Cobbling at 89

Joseph Taylor, of Wombwell

World’s oldest?

The papers announce the death of the world’s oldest shoemaker, Joseph Seaton (90) of Leigh, Lancashire.

A successor will have to be appointed, and we have great pleasure in nominating our local veteran, Mr Joseph Taylor, 42, Pearson field, Wombwell.

Mr. Taylor will be 89 next May. He started cobbling at the age of 14, and has remained “true to the last.” In his vocation he is not quite so energetic as he used to be, but he cheerfully takes what jobs come along, and is regarded as second to none as a craftsman. He ought to be after 75 years’ practice!

Mr. Taylor is a native of West Butterwick, and at the age of eight was tending pigs and geese on stubble for tenpence a day. He was promoted to the job of steaming pig potatoes, and at fourteen had qualified for practically all jobs on a farm.

He then took up shoemaking and at twenty-one was “loosed” from a seven years’ apprenticeship.

In Mr Taylor’s early days as a cobbler there were so machines for making boots, and no rivets. Oil lamps had not come in, and the shoemaker had to work long hours by candle-light. Notwithstanding this great strain on his vision, he can still see to read without glasses. For making a pair of Sunday boots, Mr. Taylor received In his early days as a cobbler 3s., whereas the rate today would be four or five times that amount.

He came to Wombwell as assistant to the late George Watkinson, in premises now occupied by Mr. Wainwright, newsagent.

Mr. Taylor making as many boots as he could sell in a wood shed at the rear of the premises. Later this old-established concern was acquired by his brother, Mr. George Taylor, for whom Joseph worked for the next forty years. Mr. Taylor attributes his healthy old age to a good appetite, plain living, and plenty of physical exercise. He has a cheerful outlook on life, and takes things as they come without grumbling.

For years he has been devoted to church work and has been active in Wesleyan circles since lie came to Wombwell in 1870. To all appearances he is a frail old man, but his looks belie him. He is active and spry, and there is not an aching bone in his body.