March 5th – An accident happened at the weaving factory of Messrs. Collinge and Lancashire, at Greenacres Moor, where one Thomas Quinn, an Irishman, was attending the power looms. He was caught by a strap and torn in a shocking manner, and died on the spot. This is the first mention of the power loom in Oldham in these annals. Though power looms had been invented many years before, they did not come into general use in Oldham, according to Higson, until about the year 1825. And on the same day died at Fountain-street, Oldham, Dina Crompton, a woman that vended muffins from door to door. She in her youth resided at Busk, and her name was Woolstencroft. She first married one Woolstenhume who was killed by a cart going over him. She lastly married a Crompton. Her age, upwards of 80 years. He maiden name Dina Woolstenhume. At this time a fever of a very ill kind is very prevalent in this part of the country, and particularly in Royton and its environs and Cowhill. A deal have died of it. It bears the name of a typhus fever. March 11th – Died at Royton, Nancy, wife of Mr. Hey, innkeeper, in Sandy-lane. She was first wife of John Coates, who was formerly landlord of the same house., her age 39 years. March 19th – Died at Oldham, John Horrocks, master of the Cheshire Cheese public house. And James Smethurst, master of the Dog public-house, Shudehill, Oldham, age 63 years. And Catherine, wife of George Wright, the younger bookseller, Holebottom, Oldham, age 38 years. And widow of the late Joseph Scholes, commonly called Old Dib; she died in Oldham. And John Mills, of near Glodwick, he formerly spun for Edmund Tetlow at Oldham. I merely call attention here to the old name of Shude Hill. “Shude” is a word which has puzzled old dictionary-mongers. It is probably a corruption of Shoote Hill – evidently a hill ascended by a steep, narrow road. This road was on the line between “Cross in the Town End” and the Pighill Style Cross. Shude and Shut both seem to have come from the same origin, although they are differently pronounced. “The little Shut” was evidently spoken of in contradistinction to “Shude Hill,” which was probably the great “Shut”. March 19th – Died at Maygate-lane, Betty, widow of the late Jos. Ogden, of that place. Her age upwards of 70 years. |
And Thomas Greaves, manufacturer; his warehouse Back King-street, Oldham. March 23rd – Died suddenly, wife of Edmund Hopwood, of Cowhill, slater by trade. March 25th – Died Sally, daughter of James Scholes , of Naylors. Disorder, a typhus fever. Her age 22 years. This is the fourth person dead in this family since Christmas. April 5th – The weather has been such as was never equalled, for fine. It has been for several weeks without any great quantity of rain, and in general warm. The sun very brilliant, and the earth quite dry, and such a seed time that was scarcely ever known before. The air was very warm and serene. There has been no rain for about three weeks. There was very heavy dew in the night, and sometimes it was slight frost. It is an uncommon seed time, or for any work in the ground. Upon the whole it was the finest weather ever remembered at this time of year. April 6th – Died at Royton, Edmund Crompton of that place. Age 77 years. April 14th – Died at Hollinwood Hannah Garlick, widow of the late Mr. Garlick, of that place. She was sister to the late John, James, and Edmund Tetlow. Her age 60 years. April 13th – Died at Ratcliffe Row, St. Helen’s, Betty, wife of John Holden. Disorder, consumption; age, about 50 years. April 20th – An uncommon fine spring. It has been an exalent seed time. April 24th - Last night it commenced a most tremendous high wind at east. It was most cruel cold, and greatly injures blossoms, buds, and all kinds of vegetation. April 25th – It continues most tremendously boisterous and rough. April 26th – It has abated. April 27th, 28th, 29th, and 30th, were such days as never was seen for warmth, and fine warm showers which causes grass to come astonishingly. The gardens look in excellent condition; the blossoms look remarkably fine. Bacon is now selling 8 1/2d. and 9d. per lb.; beef and mutton each 8d. per lb.; chees, 8d.; butter old, 11d. and 12d. per lb. |
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ANNALS OF OLDHAM No. CIV 1825 Since my notes under 1823 on the death of Thomas Whitehead, bassoon player for 55 years at Oldham Church, I have had lent me by Mr. Robert Jackson, the respected organist at St. Peter’s, among many other interesting musical papers which belonged to his late father, Mr. Thomas Jackson, a programme of a jubilee concert for the benefit of Thomas Whitehead, a member of the Oldham Musical Society for 50 years past, at the Theatre, Oldham, on Wednesday evening, December 1st, 1819. The leader was Mr. E. Sudlow; the leading singers were Mr. Isherwood, Miss Deborah Travis, Mrs. Taylor and Miss Clough; concerto oboe, Mr. Hughes; bassoon, concerto, Mr. T. Whitehead. The glees were evidently sung by members of the Musical Society. Many of the songs must have been chosen for their appropriateness. The opening glee was “Rose of the Valley” –
Mr. Isherwood sang “Angel of Life” –
Miss Deborah Travis sang –
And as an introduction to the bassoon concerto, Miss Travis sang –
It is stated on the programme that “this was the last bassoon concerto he can have the honour to preform in public. I thank Mr. Jackson for the loan of these memorials of the past. We know but too little of our old musicians. |
Last night died at near St. Helens, Northmoor, Joshua Kershaw, of that place. He was an inoffensive, peaceable man. He died suddenly; his age, 79 years. This day the public-house situate in Royton-street, and Maygate-lane, at present the Joiners’ Arms, William Harrison, landlord, were sold at the house of John Clay, publican, in Clegg-street, Oldham. Were sold by auction, and purchased by William Meadowcroft, publican, for £590. May 17th – An account arrived this day giving an account of the death of John Woolstencroft, of Burnley-brow, who was in the 1st Regiment of Foot, or Royal Scots, who died in the East Indies, October 3rd, 1824. May 17th – Last night died Richard Fletcher, master of the Angel Inn, Oldham: disorder, consumption; aged 56 years. May 22nd – Was Whit Sunday. A very fine day, but excessive hot, and all sorts of vegetation in the highest perfection, and gardens in full splendour. May 24th – Died at Hollinwood, Henry Whitehead, for a long time innkeeper at that place, but had lately retired from the public line; disorder, rheumatism; age, about 64 years. May 25th – Died at bottom of Maygate-lane, Nancy, wife of William Raynor, shopkeeper, of that place; disorder, consumption. May 30th – This month has been a very fine and pleasant one such as scarce as was ever known before. It has been very warm, and the most pleasant showers of rain have been sent out at proper times for replenishing the earth that corn grass and blossoms have the most promising appearance. May 24th – Last night the most tremendous loud cracks of thunder and very terrific flashes of lightning, and one person lost his life. It rained excessively. June 1st – Died at Oldham, George Marsh, formerly a very eminent bailiff of that place. June 1st – Sale of the estate in Burnley-lane at the Lamb Inn, Oldham, the property of Boardman, and now in the occupation of James Bloomley and Benjamin Bloomley; and 3 acres and 35 perches of land was purchased by John Andrew, spirit merchant, Oldham. The second lot, consisting of two cottages in the occupation of John Mellor and James Bradley, were purchased by Robert Smith, of Beartrees, for £155. These premises were sold July 11th, 1806, and purchased by Boardman. John Andrew gave for his purchase £699. |
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