ANNALS OF OLDHAM No. LXIII 1811 Every day furnishes new proofs of the misereys of the country. Fine calico, which last summer was 26s. a piece, is now no more than 10s. a piece; and a sort of handkerchief, which last summer was 5s. a dozen, is now only 1s. 9d. a dozen. February 8th – One George Moore, was apprehended in the shop of Mr. Critchley, mercer and draper, in Oldham. He bought a large quantity of goods, and presented for payment a bill of exchange which was stolen out of the post bags between Frodsham and Manchester. He had a woman with him. He was taken before Mr. J. Horden, and by him committed to Lancaster for tryal. February 11th – The house and shop, late Thomas Ogden’s, muffin baker, was sold by auction to James Greaves, for about £200. These premises are situate near Buggard Hole, Oldham. Greaves afterwards sold them to Thomas Ogden, of Maygate-lane, badger. “Boggart Hole” has long been a thing of the past in Oldham. As far as I can gather, it was a place near the site of the wooden erection recently pulled down in Henshaw-street as any one can guess. A busy place enough to-day, adjoining Tommyfield, and is intended some time, I suppose, to be part of the Oldham Market. The age of “Boggart” in Oldham is gone for ever. February 17th – Severe frost and fall of snow for several days. February 23rd – Some fine warm days last past. Samuel Cheetham Hilton, Esquire, of Moston, near Blakely, high sheriff for Lancashire this year. Samuel Cheetham Hilton’s general residence in Pinnington, near Leigh, about eight miles from Bolton. February 18th – Yesterday died Mary, wife of John Mellor, of Chappel Croft, Oldham; age, upwards of 50 years. February 28th – This day at the sessions at the Spread Eagle, Oldham, Ann, wife of Neddy Radcliffe, of Nathan Roe, Oldham, committed to the New Bayley for tryal, charged with endeavouring to steal a warp from Richard Haywood, alias Dick of Jackey’s, of Maygate-lane.
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March 10th – Wife of Joshua Kershaw, of Dollstile, Oldham, intered this day; age, 61 years. March 8th – Last night died John Scofield, master of the Beaver, otherwise the Scuer (Skewer) Inn public-house, Oldham. Disorder, consumption, age; 41 years. March 5th – Last night, Sergeant Joseph Bradley, of the Oldham Local Militia, fell down the stone steps at the backside of the Lamb Inn, Oldham, and was much hurt in his head.. March 18th – Uncomon fine weather for several days. March 22nd – Exalent fine weather, and has been for several days past, and never a finer apearance of spring. March 25th – Never a finer spring was. It is as serene and warm as in a fine May, and the farmers are busily employed in harrowing, and vegetation is very forward. March 30th – Died, Josua Taylor, of Hudson-fold, Northmoor. March 29th – Died Thomas Jackson, comonly cald Tom of Axes. Bang beggar of Oldham church. March 31st - Malt, the best of this article 2s. 6d. to 2s. 8d. a peck. Fine spring, such as was never known before by the oldest person living. Since this month came in, it as been uncomonly warm, the sky serene and clear, the wind sometimes north-east, sometimes east, but mostly calm. All sorts of blossoms making rapid appearances. Flowers and vegetation in uncommon forwardness, and the flaxfinch, the goldfinch, the red robin, the hedge sparrow, the skylark, titlark, and the stump wren vie with each other to welcome this fine spring, and the Lady Smock is in full blow. March 5th – The British general, Graham with 5,000 British troops, totally defeated the French General, victor, with 8,000 French troops, at Bardossa, near Cadiz, in Spain. The French lost 3,000 men ; they took two collors, six pieces of cannon. The English took Generals Rollin and Laval, and a staff officer, 9 captains, 8 subhaltrans, and 420 rank and file prisoners. The French Generals died soon after. The English lost 2 captains, 5 ensighns, 6 sergeants, 187 privates, 2 drummers, 24 horses, killed; 5 lieutenant colonels, 1 major, 14 captains, 256 lieutenants, 8 ensighns, 1 staff officer, 45 sergeants, 4 drummers, 936 rank and file, and 42 horses, wounded; total killed and wounded 1,243. |
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April 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th. – Uncomon fine days, and never a finer apearance of spring. The French were in large force in Spain, and were both well appointed and well disciplined. The battle of Barossa was fought between the French and the allied forces of Britain, Spain, and Portugal, at Barossa, in Spain, on March 5th, 1811 as here stated. The allies counted 12,000 men, against the French 16,000, and though the British had but 4,000 men, under General Graham, and the lazy Spaniards gave them no support whatever, the French were defeated with great loss. April 7th – The fine weather at an end, for last night it rained very much, and turned to a severe frost as much that it is feared it as destroyed all the blossoms, &c. April 8th – Last night it froze with uncomon severety. April 9th – Last night it froze again with uncomon severety, so that the shrubs and the flowers are destroyed, and the grass withered up. April 12th – Yesterday died Jonathan Raynor, formerly of Scolesfold, and lately landlord of the Cornwallis, in Springfield, Oldham, Maygate-lane, aged 77 years. He had been a soldier for a great part of his life. He was a Freemason, and was buried with all the formalitys of Masonoroy. April 14th – Died, Dalton, drummer in the Oldham Local Militia; disorder, apoplexy; age, 26 years. He was buried on the 17th with military honours. The honour paid to our militia, even though it only shows itself in military honours on the death of a drummer, is evidence of the extreme interest taken in the wars. Oldham always did its part in finding brave boys who were both able and willing to serve, and if necessary, die for their country. April 18th – Died, David Whitehead, of Grimbes, age 76 years. Uncommon fine weather still continues. April 22nd – The house in Cross-street, late the property and residence of Joseph Cook, deceased, was sold by auction, and purchased by Dr. Bellot for 480 guineas. These premises are in Oldham. April 23rd – Died, George Ouzey, of Hollinwood, carter. He died of a few hours sickness. Age 40 years.
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April 28th – One Whitehead, a man, 75 years of age, from near Castleton, fell into the cut near Linnit Inn, and notwithstanding he was got out immediately, died three hours after. April 26th – Elopement. A few days since, John Lee, of Bent, Oldham, shopkeeper, eloped with Grace, wife of Thomas Greaves, of Oldham, late a considerable grocer but lately failed. They took a large quantity of money and goods with them, particularly the woman, who stole her husband’s shoes, stockings, shirts, &c. They are supposed to be gone to the island of Jamacoa. A short time since the Huddersfield and Ashton Cannel was opened and the first vessel sailed through. In consequence there was great rejoicing, musick, ringing of bells, and every demonstration of joy. This would be the part of the canal which connected Liverpool and Hull. This length was authorised in 1794, and partially opened in 1798, though other parts were not opened till 1811. This canal was 19 ¾ miles long, the entire route being 147 miles long, being the shortest cut between the east and west coasts. It was found necessary to raise more money than the promoters first set out for, and so a further Act was obtained in 1806; the authorised capital was £357,593. It does not seem to have made startling dividends, paying 1½ per cent. In 1833 and 2 per cent. In 1842. See Harvey in Wholesale Annual. April 17th – Last night an affray happened at Ashton-under-Lyne. John Wright, of Charlestown, had a scuffle, and received a blow which killed him on the spot. May 1st – Manchester sessions commenced. Ann Radcliffe, no bill; and Betty, wife of Israel Goddard, hatter, of near Horsedge, charged with stealing various kinds of goods from Richard Bamford, but upon true investigation it apeared that Mrs. Bamford had given Mrs. Goddard the goods (no bill); and John Buckley, against whom a bill of indictment was prefered on a charge of stealing hay, of Mr. Thomas Whittaker, when the grand jury threw the bill out. May 2nd – Oldham fair; wet day; very little company. May 6th – A deal of rain for several days, and is extreemly cold. May 6th – Last night died rather sudden, Wilson, wholesale grocer and tea dealer; age 29 years. |
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William Rowbottom's Diary as published in the Oldham Standard |
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