Mexborough and Swinton Times March 18 1938

Darfield’s Oldest Man

Death of Mr. Martin Stenton

At the great age of 91, Mr. Martin Stenton, Darfleld’s oldest male resident, died on Wednesday morning at the home of his only daughter, Mrs. Fred Ibbotson, Barnsley Road   Darfield, with whom he has resided during the last few months.

Mr. Stenton was found unconscious on one of his favourite seats at Highfield a week last Sunday and never recovered.

He had had an interesting career, and by sheer hard work and steady determination had made a good deal of money, with which he lived in comfortable retirement during the latter years of his life. He was a pioneer of the wagonette service between Darfield and Wombwell, and loved to recall the fact that he paid only £4 for his first wagonette.

When competition came along he introduced hoods to his wagonettes. Later he bought one of the first motor buses known as the “Up-to-date.”

All through his long life gardening was his chief pleasure and occupation. He won scores of prizes at local horticultural shows. He greatly treasured a model of a villa and a garden design which he constructed over sixty years ago. The house represented hours of labour, for it was carved entirely with a pen-knife.

Mr. Stenton was born at Hemingfleld, but had spent the greater part of his life at Darfield, and loved to think he was the oldest Darfield resident.

Longevity runs in his family, for his grandfather (after whom he was named), lived to be 94. The funeral will take place at Darfield Churchyard to-morrow (Saturday).