1792.
The self-acting mule invented by Mr. William Kelly, of Lanark, but it only partially succeeded, and was abandoned.
— The Manchester Herald, No. 1, March 31, printed and published by Messrs. Faulkner and Birch, in the Market Place, price 3½d. It ceased March 23, 1793.
— Thomas Walker, Esq., upon the expiration of his office of borough-reeve, published the first account which had ever appeared of the different charities which had been under his official management and distribution, February 15.
— Two of the pinnacles of the Collegiate Church tower fell, one into the churchyard, and the other through the roof and gallery to the floor of the nave.
— The Dispensary, adjoining the Infirmary, erected. The sum of £4,297 17s. 6d. was collected after sermons in all the churches and chapels in Manchester, towards defraying the expense of the erection.
— Assembly and Billiard Rooms, Mosley Street, opened September 20.
— The Exchange taken down, and the site marked with a stone pillar and posts.
— Sir Richard Arkwright, knight, of Willersley Castle, Derbyshire, died August 26, aged 52 years, He was born at Preston, in the year 1732, and was brought up as a barber. After struggling through various adversities, he availed himself of other men’s inventions in the cotton manufacture, by which be is said to have acquired a fortune of nearly a million sterling within the space of twenty-two years. In 1786 he was high sheriff of Derbyshire, and was knighted by the king on presenting an address in his official character, He was a man of strong natural endowments,, which in early life he had not the means of improving. Like others who have pursued a similar career, and risen from small beginnings, be was irritable, overbearing, and perhaps too self-confident.
— The Second Manchester Subscription Library established August 29.
— An act was obtained for cutting a canal from Manchester to Ashton-under-Lyne.
— Independent Chapel, Cannon Street, erected. The site is now occupied by a warehouse.
— Calicoes first brought to perfection in England.
— Mr. Robert Peel attended a meeting to establish an association for the maintenance of constitutional order, December 11.
— The Police Act for Manchester and Salford came into force, June 24.
— Assembly Rooms built by 100 subscribers at £50. A further call of £20 was made to finish it, Opened September 20; sold by auction for £9,000, 1850, and warehouses built upon its site.

1792.
The Manchester Herald, No. 1, March 31, printed and published by Messrs. Faulkner and Birch, in the Market Place, price 3½d. The premises were destroyed by a political mob, December 10. It ceased March 23, 1793. The following curious handbill was circulated: “Violent Dissolution, being the Exit of Mons. Herald, of Manchester, a near relative to Mons. Argus, of London, who expired on Saturday last, to the great regret of the Jacobins, Painites, &., but particularly to the Black Cat” It advocated Liberal principles, and so its publishers became the objects of persecution. They were obliged to find refuge in a foreign land.

1793.
The effigy of Paine burnt by the populace, January.
— New Jerusalem Church (Swedenborgians), Peter Street, opened, August 11.
— The Salford Workhouse, Greengate, built.
— Commercial distress in Manchester and neighbourhood.
— An act was obtained for cutting the Haslingden canal.
— St. Clement’s Church, Lever Street, was built by the Rev. E. Smyth, and opened for divine service on Christmas Day. It has been licensed, but not consecrated by the Bishop.
— School and Schoolhouse erected at Blackley.

1794.
Thomas Walker, Esq. Mr. Collier, and others, were tried at Lancaster on a charge of having conspired to overthrow the constitution, and assist the French in the threatened attack upon this island. They were acquitted, March 3, and returned triumphantly to Manchester. Dunn, the principal witness against Mr. Walker, was tried for perjury, and sentenced to the pillory and two years’ Imprisonment, June.
— The Regiment of Independent Manchester Volunteers was incorporated in the 53rd, or Duke of York’s Brigade, at Chatham, April.
— St. Mary’s (Catholic Chapel), Mulberry Street, built by subscription.
— A feu de joie fired in St. Ann’s Square on account of the advantages gained by the combined armies against the French, May 10.
— The loyal associations in Manchester and Salford formed themselves into a corps for home defence.
— Mr. William Dunstan appointed governor of the New Bailey Prison.
— The poors rate for Manchester, at five shillings in the pound, produces £9,270 14s. The posthorse duty for the district was let for £7,640.
— The business of the post-office in Manchester was conducted by Miss Willet (post-mistress), with the assistance of two clerks.
— St Stephen’s Church, Salford, built by the Rev. N. M. Cheek, and consecrated July 23.
— St. Mark’s Church, Cheetham Hill, founded by the Rev. E. Ethelston; finished by his son, the Rev. C. W. Ethelston, fellow of the Collegiate Church, 1794; consecrated July 24.
— An act obtained for opening a navigation from Manchester to the Calder Navigation at Sowerby Bridge.
— An act for cutting the Manchester to Huddersfield Canal.
— The colours of the Royal Manchester Volunteers were consecrated in St. Ann’s Church by the Rev. Thomas Seddon, chaplain to the regiment, August 24.
— The Royal Manchester Volunteers raised; and subsequently became the 104th Regiment

1795.
An order was given that all public houses be closed by seven in the evening; and all private persons appearing in the streets after nine o’clock were compelled to give account of themselves. July 31.
--- The Manchester Gazette, printed and published by T. Bowden and William Cowdroy, in St. Mary’s Gate, March.
— Riots from a scarcity in corn, July 30.
— The Duke of Bridgewater’s Canals, from Manchester to Worsley and Runcorn, completed at a cost of £220,000 Mr. Brindley was the engineer.
— The Auxiliary Missionary Society instituted.
— The shock of an earthquake felt at Manchester, December.
— A petition sent from Manchester praying for peace.
— Messrs. Duck and Pott’s factory, in Oak Street, was burnt down, January 20..
— Mr. Titus Hibbert, a very eccentric and well-known character. He was the author of a scarce pamphlet, entitled “Thoughts on a Future State,” which he concludes with the following singular lines;—

— The Society of Friends’ Chapel, Dickinson Street, built; taken down and rebuilt, 1828.
— The Manchester Billiard Club formed in the Assembly Rooms, Mosley Street, December 11; discontinued December 13, 1850.
— The Thinking Club formed at the Coopers’ Arms, At the first meeting there were 300 present, and silence prevailed for one hour. December 28.

1796.
The gentry, clergy, and tradesmen pledged themselves, in a series of resolutions, to reduce the use of wheat flour at least one-third; pies and puddings ceased to appear on the family table.
— Mr. John Shaw, master of the punch house in Smithy Door, died January 26, aged 83. He was well known for his eccentricities, one of which was to turn out all his customers at eight o’clock in the evening; if any of them were obstinate he would immediately order a servant to bring him a whip; this hint was generally sufficient to tame the most refractory. He had occupied the above house upwards of fifty-eight years.
— Miss Ward, daughter of Mr. T. A. Ward, manager of the Manchester Theatre, made her first appearance on the stage, in the character of Miranda, in Mrs. Inchbald’s comedy of “The Child of Nature.” This lady was afterwards married to Gavin Hamilton, Esq., surgeon.
— Bread, meat, and wine rose 300 per cent. June.
— The Stockport, Bolton, and Rochdale Volunteers arrived August 24, and were reviewed on Kersal Moor, August 25.
— Smith and Ingle’s paper mills burnt down, Throstle Nest.
— Mr. Thomas Allen and Lady Morgan exhibited themselves here. She was 30 years old, and weighed 18 lbs. She was given the title of Lady by the king this year.
— A constable being sent to serve a warrant in the neighbourhood of Newtown was compelled by the people to eat the offensive document, and was then sent about his business.
--- “A Disclosure of Parochial Abuse, Artifice, &c., in the town of Manchester,” published by Thomas Battye, price 2s. January 25.
— A riot took place in the Theatre Royal during the singing of “God Save the. King,” March 7. The day after the playbills had the following heading: “God Save the King” will be sung at the end of the Farce, to give the Non. Cons, time to retire.
— Celebration of the King’s birthday, at the Bull’s Head, by the gentlemen of the town, June 4.
— First annual meeting of the Board of Health, May 27.

1797.
The first and second battalions of Manchester and Salford Volunteer Infantry drawn out for the first time. March.
— A large warehouse in Ancoats burnt down, and several hundred hands thrown out of employ, February 2.
— The formation of the Manchester and Salford Volunteers originated at the Bull’s Head, February 28.
— Mr. Cross’s collection of wild animals visited Manchester and Salford. The largest collection extant. May.
— The Manchester and Salford Volunteers completely equipped and incorporated, June 3.
— The Volunteers assembled in St. Ann’s Square, and fired a salute; it being the anniversary of the King’s natal day. July 5.
— Manchester and Salford raised £25,453 13s. 2d. for the support of Government.
— The Amphitheatre, Chatham Street, was opened by Mr. Handy. This gentleman’s numerous company of equestrians were subsequently all lost (except two or three who went by Holyhead, including himself) on their passage from Liverpool to Dublin.
---. Riots owing to the high price of corn and flour. November.
— Margaret Redmay, wife of Thomas Redmay, sexton of St. Mary’s Church, was killed by falling from the belfry of the steeple of that church, September 16, aged 66 years. She was assistant sexton over 40 years.
— House of Recovery, Aytoun Street, for sick and fever patients, opened.
— Lord Duncan’s victory over the Dutch observed with great rejoicings.
— “A Disclosure of Parochial Abuse, Artifice, and Peculation, in the Town of Manchester,” 8vo, 1796, by Thomas Battye, author of “The Red Basil Book; or, Parish Register of Arrears for the Maintenance of the Offspring of Illicit Amours,” 8vo, 1797.

1798.
St. George’s Church, St. George’s Road, was opened for divine service April 1. It was subsequently occupied by ministers of Lady Huntingdon’s connection, but was consecrated January 17, 1818.
— Colonel Ackers’ Regiment of Manchester and Salford Volunteers were drawn out at Piccadilly, and presented with their colours by Mrs. Hartley, February 14.
— Lord Nelson’s victory over the French, at the Battle of the Nile was celebrated by a splendid procession of the authorities and military, also public dinners and illuminations.
— Colonel Ford’s Manchester and Salford Light Horse Volunteers assembled opposite the house of Thomas Johnson, Esq., in High Street, to receive their colours. They were the gift of Mr. Johnson, and presented by Mrs. Ford. October 25.
— A man and five women were drowned opposite the New Bailey, They were in a wooden shed which projected over the river, looking at a coach and horses which had been lost at Stannyhurst, Old Bridge, the previous night (and on their passage down the flood had stuck fast between an arch of New Bailey Bridge), when the floor gave way, and those who were upon it were precipitated into the river, all but a boy and a girl being drowned.
— George Russell executed at Newton Heath for robbing the bleaching croft of Mr. Shorrocks, near Scotland Bridge, September 15. The next hung here was James Burrows, 1866. (See Harland’s Lancashire: he says 1796; Recorder says 1798.)
— Riots, owing to a failure in the crops of corn. December 16. The police offered premiums to such persons as brought each day the largest quantity of wheaten flour or oatmeal to the Manchester market.

1799.
The colours presented to the first battalion of the Manchester and Salford Volunteers (Colonel T. B. Bayley), when a sermon was preached by the Rev. Samuel Hall, chaplain of the corps. June 4.
— St. Andrews’ Presbyterian Chapel, Lloyd Street, built, and opened for worship, June 13.
— Messrs. Robinsons’ factory, opposite the New Bailey, was burned down, Damage £12,000.
— Soup shops opened to the poor, owing to the great scarcity of provisions.
— Great floods, which did much damage, August 17.
---. A general fast, on which occasion the first and second battalions of Manchester and Salford Volunteers were drawn out for the first time, and marched to church. Colonel Thomas B. Bayley commanded the first battalion, and Colonel Silvester the second.
— The following volunteer corps were reviewed by Major-General Nichols, viz., Colonel Ford’s Light Horse, Colonel Ackers’ Infantry, Colonel Thomas B. Bayley’s First Battalion, and Colonel Silvester’s Second Battalion.
— The officers of Col. Ackers’ regiment of volunteers presented their Colonel with a large silver vase and four goblets, May 29.
— Mr. Peter Clare, an ingenious clock-maker and mechanic, and father of the present Mr. Peter Clare, died July 30.
— Lord Duncan’s victory over the Dutch at Texel celebrated by illuminations, &c.
— A dinner given by the authorities of the town to Colonel Stanley and the officers of the First Lancashire Militia, on their return from Ireland. November 23.

1800.
Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, Great Bridgewater Street, built. A dearth prevails.
— Quantity of cotton wool imported was 56,010,732 pounds.
— The import of raw cotton was 56,009,000 pounds, and the value of cotton goods exported was £5,406,501.
— Christ Church, King Street, Salford, opened September 20. Bible Christians, or followers of Mr. Cowherd.
— Warehouses in Hodson Square burnt down, December 10. Damages £50,000, exclusive of the buildings.
— Dean’s cotton factory, Oxford Road, destroyed by fire, December 30. Damage £13,000.
— Mr. Jonathan Pollard’s factory, Ancoats, burnt down, February 3.
— James Ackers, Esq., of Lark Hill, Salford, high sheriff, was escorted from his residence by the whole corps of volunteers, and a numerous assemblage of gentry, &c., of the town and neighbourhood, forming a procession of upwards of a mile in length.
— Margaret Macaulay, a well-known beggar, died, aged 101.
— Mr. Salisbury’s factory, at Knot Mill, destroyed by fire; a young woman lost her life, January 29.

1801.
Messrs. Littlewood and Kirby’s cotton mill, on the banks of the Medlock, destroyed by fire, when twenty-three persons lost their lives, January 27.
— Union Public Corn Mills founded May 14, by John Tetlow, Esq., boroughreeve of Manchester.
— The cotton factory of-Messrs. Wareham & Co., Bury Street, Salford, destroyed by fire, May 20. Damage, £2,000.
— Mr. Perrins, principal engineer and conductor of the fire engines in Manchester, and formerly known as a pugilist, died January 6.
— The Court Leet jury presented eleven owners of factories for not consuming their smoke; they were fined respectively £100, but the fines were respited to allow time for their being altered. June.
— Presbyterian Chapel, New Windsor, Salford, erected; rebuilt 1817.
— Bolton and Bury Canal, to Salford, opened.
— By the first Parliamentary census, Manchester and Salford contained 12,619 inhabited houses, occupied by 18,560 families, which consisted of 39,143males and 44,810 females; total, 83,953 souls.
— Colonel Silvester’s Regiment of Manchester and Salford Volunteers were presented with their colours. They were consecrated in the Collegiate Church, by the Rev. C. W. Ethelston, chaplain of the regiment.
— Thomas Holme, Esq., of Kendal, and father of Dr. Edward Holme, the respected and learned president of the Literary and Philosophical Society of this town, died September 3.
— The Commercial Inn, High Street, opened September 30. Now converted into warehouses.
— The Treaty of Amiens celebrated in Manchester by illuminations, processions, &c., October 4. War renewed, 1803.
— The Scramble Club formed at “Old Froggart’s,” the Unicorn Inn, Church Street, becoming too small, it was removed to the Garrick’s Head Inn, Fountain Street. it next removed to the Spread Eagle, Hanging Ditch; from here it went to the Blackfriars Inn, where it remained till 1848, when it migrated to the Clarence Hotel. Jonathan Peel, cousin of the first Sir Robert Peel, gave it this name in a joke.
— Independent Chapel, Jackson’s Lane, Hulme, built.