It would seem that the frost was not continuous. A thaw began on the 26th January in London, and the ice of the Thames came down in a huge “pack” which was suddenly arrested between the bridges by the renewal of the frost. On the 31st people began to pass over it; thousands of persons ventured across. Over 30 booths were erected on the ice for the sale of liquors and viands, and for the playing of skittles. Music and dancing were indulged in. As the frost continued, a frost fair was held between London and Blackfriars Bridges. Printing presses were erected on the ice. When the ice broke up tents, merry-go-rounds, and printing presses were seen floating about on detached pieces of the ice, and some of the more adventurous people had a narrow escape with their lives. January 30th - This day was intered, at Oldham, John Sprowel, of near Hole Bottom, in Oldham, aged 100 years and 8 months. In this storm it has been remarked that more old people have died than for any winter a long time ago. January 30th - Died Mary, wife of Samuel Butterworth, of Scoles-fold, Maygate-lane, aged 80 years. And Henry Barlow, a cotton carder. Disorder, consumption. January 31st - Was intered at Oldham, Mr. Wood, formerly of Horsedge-fold, a very old man. This day a very roof cold day, with a fall of sleet and snow with the wind west, at night it terminated in freezing severely. February 1st - In consequence of the great fall of snow on the 29th of last month, the mails from London were again stoped. February 3rd - Was interred, James Buckley, formerly of Cow Hill, but he died in Hollinworth Workhouse, aged 74 years. A few days since died in Failsworth, far advanced in years, the celebrated Doctor Holland, aged 75 years. Can any of my readers tell me about the celebrated Dr. Holland of Failsworth? On the 31st of last month, died at Oldham, Henry Barlow, cotton carder, disorder, consumption, aged 35 years. January 20th - Died at London, Mr. James Chadwick, formerly of Beartrees, age 62. January 25th - Bonoparte left Paris for the army.
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Monday, January 31st – In the morning, Mr. Lloyd, a thief-catcher from Stockport, apprehended James Barnes, master of the Punch Bowl, on a charge of uttering forged bank of England notes, he was conveyed to Stockport, and was there committed to Lancaster to take his trial for the same. February 6th - Yesterday a deal of sleet and snow, and last comenced a fine thaw. February 8th - Yesterday uncomon fine thaw. February 2nd - One Howard, who is comonly called Stump, attempted to hang himself at the Wheat Sheaf, Bent, Oldham February 5th – One, Thomas Burdikin, in a fit of despair, cut his throat, but not efectually, near Hole Bottom. He had for some time been attacted with a fevour on the brain. February 9TH - It is with heartfelt pain we relate the unfortunate death of Brearley, of Highgate, near Royton, who was killed yesterday at Coldhurst. He was at the bottom of a coalpit, and a tub fell on him, and crushed him in a shocking manner. His age 10 years. February 9th - Was intered, at Royton, Alce, wife of John Butterworth, of High Gate, age 63 years. During the last hard frost, the ground in Oldham churchyard, on the north-east quarter, was froze 28 inches deep – was proved by the sexton in making graves. And during the late storm, a very large quantity of fish have been killed, and a deal of birds have shared the same unhappy fate. Several field fares have been picked up in this neighbourhood. February 13th - This morning died Thomas Whittaker, of Chadderton Mill, bricklayer; disorder, fits; age 59 years. February 17th - Died, at Oldham, Joseph Scoles, comonly called Great Dody. He was allowed to be the biggest man in this kingdom. He was 6ft. 2 ½ in. high, very strong made, but uncomon corpulent, and notwithstanding he had very good use of his limbs, and was very active. A short time before his death he weighed upwards of 21 score of pounds. Age 56 years. I remember seeing exhibited many years ago some of the clothing said to have belonged to Big Dody. The waistcoat was large enough to enclose several ordinary mortals, and, from all accounts, the description of a fat man, given by one of our comic poets, hardly comes up to the mark respecting Big Dody, when he says:
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February 16th - Was intered at Oldham, Mrs. Mary Butterworth, widdow of the late Mr. James Butterworth, formerly innkeeper at Waterhead Mill, but late of Mumps; her age 66 years. This Mr. James Butterworth was overseer for Oldham, and at one time kept the Bull’s Head Inn, at Millbottom. Laurence Rawstrone, of Penwarthen Hall, near Preston, High Sheriff for Lancashire, this year. Feb. 14th, 15th and 16th – The Oldham Local Militia assembles to volunteer their services. Feb 15th - Last night it commenced very severe freezing. February 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 22nd - It still continues to freeze. February 21st - Was interred at Oldham, James Hardy, of Hargreaves, formerly of Millfields, in Thornham, and on the 7th his sister Sarah, widow of the late Daniel Knot, shoemaker, and formerly post. February 21st, 22nd, 23rd, and 24th. – Severe freezing. February 25th - Yesterday severe cold, and froze uncomon keen. Was intered at Saddleworth, Mr. Jos. Mellor, attorney-at-law, of Ashton-under-Lyne. February 27th - Yesterday died Ester Butterworth, of Top o’th’Northmoor. She was first the wife of Jonathan Whitehead, and lastly the wife of James Butterworth of Nod; her age 76 years.
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A short time since George Evans entered as tenant at the Collier’s Arms, Werneth, formerly Abraham Fletcher’s. This month concluded with extreme cold weather, and has been so for a long time. Advance in price of different articles. Beef 10d. to 11d. a pond, mutton same, treacle 8 1/2d., sugar 14d. to 15d. a pond. March 5th - Last night it froze very severely and fell a quantity of snow. March 6th - It froze uncomon keenly last night, and today has fallen a deal of snow. March 7th - Last night it froze most severely. March 8th - Last night the frost not so severe. but yesterday an extreme cold day, and some snow fell. March 3rd - John Seal was aprehended in Oldham on a charge of stealing a mare near Wakefield. He was a native of that county. He was taken before Mr. Horden, who committed him to Lancaster. Last week two lamentable misfortunes hapened in this neighbourhood: one a man was burned to death in a coalpit in Werneth. He as left a wife and six children to bemoan their loss: and one, Lewis, miserably bruised in a coalpit at Couldhurst. March 14th - Last night, died William Booth, master of the Three Crowns, Failsworth, in an advanced age, 63 years. On the 13th died Mrs. Clegg, of Old Bent Hall, Oldham. She was very far advanced in years. |
Page 113
William Rowbottom's Diary as published in the Oldham Standard |
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