Joseph introduced a new method of twisting-in warps, by which he saved a little money and clothed himself respectably. He found a wife and went to live with her parents at Middleton, where he began to sell drugs and compound medicines, drawing teeth and practicing the art of surgery. There was only one point in which he was deficient, and that was the “art obstetric,” but even that he hoped to acquire. This was how he became to be known as the “Doctor.” Joseph was a man some 5ft. 6in. in height, with rather good features, small, light-grey eyes, dark whiskers and hair, with a curl on his forehead (of which he was remarkably proud). He was well set in body, but light of limb. He had an assured look, and sometimes carried an air of bravado richly grotesque. In disposition he was (till afterwards corrupted) generous and confiding, credulous, and proud of his person and acquirements; a book buyer, but little of a reader, less of a thinker, and no recollector of literary matters. Hence, with an imperturbable self-complacency, he was supremely oblivious of the world, its history, manners and concerns, except such as directly interfered with the good or evil of his own existence. During his political troubles his attire as a doctor was somewhat too seedy. His hat was somewhat napless, with sundry dinges on the crown and upsettings and downflappings of the brim. He wore during one of his flights, a long drab topcoat, with undercoat of dark uncut fustian, which, by his almost incessant occupation in “the laboratory” preparing “powders, pills, and potions,” had become shiny as a duck’s wing, and almost as impervious to wet. His hamsters were in the same shining condition as his coat, and of the same material, while his legs were encased in top boots, with a leaky seam or two and a cracked upper leather. Doctor Healey may occasionally help us as a promoter of mirth, and we will enjoy (says Bamford) the heart-raising cheer he provides: “We quarrelled, and our friendship was dissevered.” Healey was evidently Sam Bamford’s “Mr. Winkle.” Bamford’s “Life of a Radical” would certainly have lost some of its humour but for Doctor Healey. Who can forget the Doctor on his travels at a farmhouse, drawing two teeth instead of one, and breaking a cream mug and “shedding the cream” into the bargain, and instead of having to receive something for his trouble, got into the hands of the constable and overseer, who settled the matter by charging the Doctor three shillings for breaking the cream mug and ordering the farmer’s wife to pay him half-a-crown for drawing the teeth, the Doctor losing sixpence by the transaction, and the girl two teeth instead of one? Who will forget Sam Bamford and the Doctor both sleeping in a bed away from home, and the Doctor “sein’ a leet i’th’ welkin”? |
Or the Doctor declaring in the New Bailey, with mock majesty, “Bring me that bundle; I say I am a reformer, and such I will live and die. My name is Doctor Healey, and I will never flinch, so help me God. I say, bring hither that bundle,” and Bamford lying down with laughing at him all the time? Who will forget the Doctor, before Lord Sidmouth, spelling his name, but not being able to write it, and to settle the matter, sending up to his lordship a prescription label which some wag had filled up for him: “Joseph Healey, surgeon, Middleton; plase take 200 table spoonfuls of this mixture each two hours,” setting Lord Sidmouth and the rest of the Privy Council in a roar of laughter? Or who can help smiling at the incident in Lincoln Jail, when Bamford introduces Sir Montague Cholmley to the Doctor at a time when the Doctor is washing his shirt and up to his elbows in soapsuds? Healey seems to have settled in Oldham after his numerous trials for political offences, and though he was by no means such a man as Bamford, yet he did what he could for his cause. February 24th - James Hollond, of Royley Clough, a collier of that place, met with a serious missfortune in a coalpit there, he having the missfortune to be seriously crushed wilst at his work thereby, a large stone falling on him. He, being a quiet, peaceable man, was universally pittied. He was taken to Manchester Infirmary, with strong hopes of his recovery. February 26th – Last night the counting-house of Mr. Haygh, of Acre Mill, Greenacres Moor, was broken open and robbed of £165 in cash, and not a trace left that could lead to any discovery. Died at Manchester Infirmary, James Holland, after suffering the most tortering and afflicting pains in consequence of the missfortune he met on the 24th instant. As stated before, he being a quiet, peaceable man, was universally pittied. Peace to his ashes. March 1st – One, Anna Clough, a poor woman in a state of derangement, drowned herself in a well in a cellar at Top o’th’ North Moor. March 4th – This day the body of Bannister Clegg was found in a pit in Chadderton Park where it had lane some time. He resided in that neighbourhood, and was a poor weaver, age 38 years. March 11th –Died at her son’s in Royton-street, Oldham, Suseanna, widdow of the late Abraham Wild, of Broadway-lane, age 70 years. |
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March 7th Last night Edmund Whitehead arrived at Northmoor from Lancaster Castle, where he had been confined for hush-selling. That is selling malt liquor without taking out license for that purpose. March 19th – The coroner and jury held an inquest at Royton-street, Oldham, touching the death of George Wild, who died, as is supposed, in consequence of a wound he received by being stabbed in the belly with a knife by one Abraham Walton. The case was not decided on, but was adjourned to the 22nd of this instant, when on the 22nd the jury’s verdict was manslaughter, and Walton was, of course, committed to Lancaster Castle, to take his tryal for the same. March 27th – Yesterday and to-day have been two of the finest days that have been seen for a long time, and seldom two such days in the month of March. March 28th – Was an exalent fine day, and within few days past Mary Meller, of Cockhouse Fold, Oldham, Miss Sarah Whittaker, of High-street, Oldham, have both been robbed of considerable property. March 31st – Wednesday, the last day of March, a dull day. March 30th – Died, James Hadfield, for upwards of twenty years, a faithful servant of Mr. James Rowlands. April 1st – Last night a severe cold night, with severe freezing, and very cold this morning, with the wind north. April 2nd – Severe cold. April 3rd – Last night a severe cold night, and a deal of snow fell. April 4th – Last night severe cold, and a deal of snow fell, and Thomas Kershaw, of St. Hellens, died, age 50 years. This day at Chadderton, John, son of Mary Bamford, generally called Mary at the End. April 9th – Was Good Friday, and was a fine day. April 10th – This morning, at near Cowhill, died Sharples, formerly an attorney-at-law; his age, nearly 73 years. April 8th – Was a severe day of wind. April 17th – Was a shower of rain. It rained to that degree as greatly to astonish the beholders. |
April 21st – A veri wet day, and as been so for several days past. April 22nd – A man on being seriously insulted by his neighbour, concerning some hen egs, summoned by his neighbour. May 11th – Died at the White heart, Magot-lane, John Kent, master of the said inn. May 23rd – An exalent fine day, as been so for some time, and a deal of company from several parts of the neighbourhood. A deal of company of all descriptions have made a tender of their services. The fine weather still continues, and every appearance of a fine spring. June 3rd – A fine morning, and great preparations for Kersal Moor. June 3rd – As been an excessive heavy shower. June 7th – As been severe cold for several days past. June 8th – As been severe cold and wet for several days. This is the end of Rowbottom’s annals. The remainder of this year I have gathered from other sources March 13th – Roman Catholic preaching room, Priesthill, opened. March 14th Providence Independent Chapel, Regent-street, erected by subscription, opened. March 15th – Ellen Barker, of Millbottom, swallowed 3oz. of arsenic. March 22nd – Robert Halkyard, of Millbottom, killed by a shaft outside Messrs. Moss’s mill. May 16th – St. James’s School opened. June 28th – Arrival of a new peal of 12 bells for Oldham Church, accompanied by bands of music. July 25th – Formal opening of new peal of bells at Oldham church. July – Progress of the works at the Bluecoat School suspended. The funds up to this had been subscribed by the general public. |
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William Rowbottom's Diary as published in the Oldham Standard |
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