monastery in Paris, and were styled Jacobins. The name of “Jacobin” was for this reason applied as a term of reproach to the English advanced politicians of that day. In the early stages of the French Revolution English politicians of almost every shade of opinion either sympathised with it or regarded it with indifference, but as the most horrid deeds continued to be perpetrated in the name of liberty, sober English politicians began to side against it, and the advanced politicians were, by degrees, left in small minorities, scattered over the country throughout England and in some places in Scotland. Burke seems to have been in advance of Pitt in his distrust of the revolutionary changes, and, according to Green, he took his part against the movement from the fall of the Bastilles, and in the January after that event we find him saying:- “The French have shown themselves the ablest architects of ruin who have hitherto existed in the world. In a short space of time they have pulled to the ground their army, their navy, their commerce, their art, and their manufactures”. The close friendship which had existed between Burke and Fox was abruptly broken off through their differences of opinion on this subject. Fox became the apostle of discord, and Burke the apostle of liberty and justice. Burke, however, made his influence felt among the thinking English public through his “Reflections on the French Revolution”, which Green says echoed the general sentiments of Englishmen, and in a short time met with a sale of thirty thousand copies. In Oldham and some other Lancashire towns the Jacobins met with but scanty support, although they were know to exist at this time in Royton, Lees, and on the borders of Saddleworth. 1793 January 4th – This year commenced with very temperate weather for the season, but peoples’ minds far from temperate, for a kind of frenzey has burst out amongst the people of this land under to cover of loyalty and shielded by the cryes of Church and King and King and Constitution, have burst out theyr disgust against the people that have countenanced the oppinion of Thomas Paine. The effgie of Thomas was burnt &c., in most towns and villages of England. Green tells us that “the general sympathy which the French Revolution had at first attracted passed slowly into disgust at the violence of its legislative changes, the anarchy of the country, the bankruptcy of its treasury, and the growing power of the mob in Paris”. On New Year’s day Tom Paine’s effgie was with the greatest solemnity brought out of the dungeon and placed in a cart, and from thence attended by a band of musick playing “God Save the King”, besides sixty two musketiers was taken to the gallows erected over a large bonfire in the street, where he was for some time hung by the neck, and then let down to the fire, and then consumed to ashes. A similar procession took place the same day in Failsworth, and a very superb new pole was set up on the occation, and a large crown placed upon it.
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This was the formal way in which Oldham expressed its opinion of Thomas Paine and the French Revolution. Many respectable people were at first indifferent on the subject, but, like many such movements, it adherents “overplayed the tune”. It will be seen that the authorities of the town were at that time greatly opposed to the Revolution. The “dungeon” being used would mean that the town officials both in Church and State in Oldham lent their assistance in the melodrama. The sixty-two musketeers would no doubt fire a shame volley over “Tom’s” grave, and the gaping throng would no doubt exult over his body being “hung by the neck”, “let down to the fire”, and then “consumed to ashes”. The land of “Benjamin” was not behind. Few people regard Failsworth Pole, amongst its other meanings, as a standing protest against the French Revolution; yet so it is, if we are to believe these annals. January 6 – This morning was found, near Newton Heath, James Lees, of Greenacres-moor. He was returning home from Manchester the night before, and was starved to death. I cannot properly identify this James Lees, but E. Butterworth mentions a Mr. James Lees, who built a small cotton mill at Fowleach, Greenacres-moor, who was grandfather of the late Mr. Earnshaw, surgeon, of Mumps. Probably this is he. The father of this James Lees was John Lees, a Quaker, of Turf-lane, Royton, who invented the revolving feeding cloth (afterwards the lattice) for feeding the carding engines, and was one of the witnesses in the great Arkwright trial. Jan. 8th – Last night Edmund Buckley of Busk, for rude behaviour lodged in the dungeon all night. Jan 4th – This day was intered at Oldham John Mellor, of Stampstone, formerly an eminent singer. The Mellors seem to have been an eminently musical family. In the musical society formed at Oldham Church in 1695, and for some time conducted by the famous Elias Hall, a copy of whose manuscript records is in my possession. Ralph Mellor sang in the highest rank on the south side of the church. In 1701 Jerimiah Mellor was a singer. In 1702 I find Anne Mellor a singer. Ralph Mellor was a singer from 1703 to 1706. His name also appears in the subsequent records of the society, together with the names of Mary, Thomas, John, Jane, Dan, and Joseph Mellor. Who can wonder that the Mellors are fond of music. I may here be excused for giving a note found in the history of Oldham, published in 1856, on my good old friend, Mr. Samuel Mellor, late of Leesbrook, as follows:- “Mr. Samuel Mellor is a native of Royton, but went to retire at Leesbrook about 1829, previous to which he was engaged in several of the choirs of the town. In 1840 he was engaged, along with Mr. and Mrs. Winterbottom, for the choir of the chapel at the Manchester Blind Asylum, but in three years after he joined the choir of St. Luke’s Church, Cheetham Hill, where he still officiates (1856). Mr. Mellor has a fine bass voice, and he sings in oratorios remarkably well”. Who that ever heard Sam in his “Trumpet shall sound” will easily forget him? Peace to his manes! May her hear that trumpet “when the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed”. |
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ANNALS OF OLDHAM No. XII Jan 8th 1793 – A few days since died Fanny Barnes, butcher, Oldham. Jan 9th – Owing to the expectancy of an approaching war the lots for this part of Lancashire Militia were this day drawn at Rochdale.
Manchester, January 3rd – The Strangers’ Friend Society, established here last winter, have again made the most minute researches into the miseries of human nature, and have relieved a great number of objects, and, as usual, made not enquiry as to their religion or nation. As already stated, this society was founded on religious principles in the first instance, and rendered great service in relieving the wants of the poor, its motto evidently being, “Be not careful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Betty, wife of Edmund Clegg, of Burley-lane, died January 18. Disorder, a fever (which all the family were attacted with at different periods. Age 31 years. Jan. 22nd – An uncommon fine open winter thus far. Jan. 22nd – James Duckworth died at Chadderton Workhouse, age 76 years. Middleton, Jan. 23rd – This day the new Militia men for Manchester and Midleton divisions where swore in at the Boar’s Head Inn here, and owing to the probability of a war, substitutes were hired from 5 guineas and a half to 10 guineas. Jan. 26th – At the conclusion of Manchester Sessions James Needham and B. Butterworth were discharged, no bill being found. (See annals for 1792) Manchester, Jan. 26th – The recruiting business goes on with the greatest alacrity in this place; their
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being no fewer than 54 recruiting parties of different regiments. James Rowland, keeper of the Angel Inn, Oldham, died Jan. 28th. Alice, wife of James Woolstoncroft, of Bottom of Northmoor, died Jan. 30th, age 75 years. Oldham, Jan. 29th – It is with extreme concern that we hear that on Saturday night last Nehemiah Ogden and John Lees went a courting to a young whoman who lived servant with George Scoles of Blakeley, when they all three agred to rob George Scoles, and the young woman fecht down a box wich contained bond and notes to a considerable amount, besides upwards of 40 guines in gold, wich they got clear off with. Suspicion falling on them they were apprehended, and all three committed to the New Bailey. We sympathize with they’r parents. They are persons of credit and respectability. We hear that they were re-examined at the New Bailey on the 2nd. of Feb., and on further proff where recommitted to the New Bailey. Execution of Louis XVI, King of France, Jan. 21st. To enter into the merits or demerits would be too large a piece for such a small book. Suffice it to say that he was born Aug. 23rd, 1754, crowned May 10th. 1774, beheaded Jan. 21st, between 11 and 12 o’clock forenoon. News of the above arrived at London on the 25th of Jan., at Manchester very early on the morning of the 27th, 1793. Louis was ignorantly regarded by the blood-thirsty mob of Paris as the cause of many of their miseries. They had tasted blood in the massacres of the previous September, when hired murderers had gone from prison to prison butchering royalist prisoners. Louis himself had been their prisoner ever since the previous August and nothing would appease their hatred of royalty but chopping off his head by the guillotine. On the 19th of this January Louis received sentence of death, and on the 21st as here stated, being Monday, at twenty-four minutes past ten a.m., he died on the scaffold, suffering many indignities from his persecutors, protesting his innocence of the crimes laid to his charge, and praying for his murderers. From the time of Louis’ suspension from office, says Green, “the Revolution if by Revolution we mean the progress of France towards political, social, and religious freedom, was at an end.” …..”The Government was a simple despotism, and despotism, as ever, began its work with bloodshed and terror.” Then succeeded the declaration of war against England, Spain, and Holland, and the reign of terror. Paris was the scene of bloodshed, rapine, and plunder, as if “hell were empty and all the devils here.” I drop in here a literary medallion of the execution of Louis as rough-hewn by Thomas Carlyle:- |
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William Rowbottom's Diary as published in the Oldham Standard |
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