Page 3

[July] 25 Audit of the Widow & Orphan's was wrong in my account £1:3:0 made right.

The whole week very busy with List of Voters.

July 31st The List finished yesterday. This afternoon went to Whalley - weather hot & fine

Aug 1 Glorious Weather - but fearfully hot. - Went to Whittle Springs with Mrs T. spent a happy day - but rather overheated. –

[August] 3rd Sunday at Whalley Church in the Afternoon

[August] 4th Dined with Steam Engine Makers at Stevenn [Stevenson's]

[August] 5th Tuesday Ill of the Bowels - Weather very hot & cloudless.

Aug 6th Fanny's Birthday (10) a fine healthy strong girl. Meeting of E Loan Society - stormy & unsatisfactory

The Revd Peter Kay died of Carbuncle on the Spine - one of the finest Men in Blackburn - Aug 6th.

[August] 7th At the Over Darwen - also Chairman of the Festival of the Green Bank Lodge - Dinner at Stevenson's a full & pleasant meeting - Thunder & rain.

[August] 8th Thunder & rain - the Rev P. Kay interred amid the lamentations of a large body of his hearers at St Alban's Chapel. Aged 53 years

[August] 9th A Wet Day = all through –

[August] 10th. Sunday - Parish Church - Mr Moss - home in the Afternoon - Evening visited Mr Kenworthy who has been in a dangerous illness for 18 months very feeble but cheerful.

[August] 11th Anniversary of Green Bank Lodge - chairman

[August] 17th Sunday at Great Harwood Church - Rev G. Fielding a good singing affair - but Miss Whitham was too frivolous in some things for Handel - Collection about £36 - had Dinner & Tea with Mr Catterall

[August] 18th Institution of New Building Society, got up mostly to put Chadwick into a job. - full Meeting - all went off unanimously - Appointed a Manager, chairman.

[August] 21 Harwood Fair - wet - revising Bye Laws of the District.

[August] 23rd Mrs T. went to Balderstone with Essy - stopped Ten Days

Sepr 6th. Visit to Mrs Badger's Worsthorne with Mary.

[September] 10th Borrowed of T. Hart £25:0:0

repaid Jan 22nd 1857 @ Interest 8/6

Lawyers are so dreadful dilatory - that I set to this Day and wrote a copy of my Will - which will be found to be equitable I trust to all parties.

Sepr 29th Paid Sarah Tiplady of Manchester £90 belonging to my Nieces - and on the 7th Octr £3 each to the Nieces of my Brother Lomax

[September] On the 27th Died young Henry Eccles, son of the late Member W. Eccles –

Oct 13th The Great Eclipse of the Moon, commenced @ 23 Min past Nine, and ended in the Morning of the 14th It was well seen, the Night being exceedingly fine and clear - About the end of the Eclipse on the morning of the 14th October.

Died William Kenworthy Esqre Brookhouse after a long lingering and painful illness of 18 months - He was a man of wonderful genius in Mechanics, and rose to the pinnacle of fortune by the exercise of his Talents.

[October] 13th Elected Secretary of the Tradesman's Society.

​

Nov 2nd Visited Blackpool in Company with my Wife, attended Church in the Morning and Wesleyan Chapel in the Evening - The Sermon in the Evening was preached by a talented Gent from these Words "Keep thy Soul with all Diligence" Left on the 4th for Home, and Mrs T. remaining for some days.

On the previous Day went to Over Darwen to the Dinner of the Darwen District, (Nov 1) a very orderly, pleasant and instructive Meeting

The Weather in November was inclined to the frosty and it ended with a clear dry frost but on the 2nd of December there was a heavy fall of Snow much heavier than has been seen for some years - so early in the Winter. -

George sick - Bramley & his Brother left - Son Charles sick - James put his wrist out -

Decr 1 Edmund Banks assisted in the Binding

Money scarce & Credit scarce - Work good, health good - thank God for all his Mercies -

In all our difficulties & trials may we look to Him.

1856 Decr 31 On a Sick Bed - ill of cold & pleurisy which gave way after several day illness –

[December] On the 28th Died Rev Gilmour Robinson of Tockholes very deeply lamented & respected by the whole Township

The Year has been fruitful in changes, & not unfruitful in deaths. It began with the sudden demise of Mr Perfect Esqre followed by the equally sudden death of Mr Charles Boardman, then followed James Pickup Esqre then W Kenworthy Esqre & lastly at the close the above respected Gent Rev Gilmour Robinson - All these were members of the Xtian [Christian] Knowledge Society - and when I reflect how full of Life vigour & hope, Interred in the cold grave.

Their Memory & their sense is gone,

Alike unknowing & unknown.

I can only be overwhelmed with gratitude to be spared a little longer yet. While the Ink is scarcely dry - I must had [sic], Mr James Pemberton, aged 66 - very suddenly

In the Town great Meeting on the subject of an Infirmary in consequent of the generous offer of W Pilkington the Mayor who has given £2,000 to the object
​

Jan 23rd Friday - Meeting respecting the Income Tax at the Town Hall, the Mayor W. Pilkington Esqr in the chair, present also Jas Pilkington Esq, M.P., Mr J Feilden Esqr M.P. - T Dugdale, R. Hopwood, Wm Hoole, T C. Ainsworth, E Briggs, - Jno Baynes, C Tiplady on the platform. Resolutions were carried approving of an immediate removal of the War addition (9d.) Thanks were voted to the chair.

29th Mayor's Grand Ball - the Most splendid affair that has occurred in Blackburn - To be followed by a Grand Masonic Ball.

The Month of February commenced with cold frosty weather on Sunday, in the Afternoon there were slight indications of Snow, which came down on Monday, Candlemass Day in overwhelming force, and continued so about a foot deep on the level, and in drifted heap more than four feet deep - On Wednesday Night a further increase in the depth took place - On the 3rd Died very suddenly Mr France Feilding, Knuzden Brook and on the same day equally sudden Mr Thomas Haworth, Iron Merchant Ainsworth Street - highly & deservedly respected.

Feb. 5. Grand Masonic Ball, at the Town Hall - when upwards of 400 attended. In fact all the elite of the Town, Though not much of a Ball Man, and no dancer I and my Wife & one Son attended. - The surplus to be devoted to the Infirmary. 
The Thaw commenced on the 5th and continued two or three days until the Snow disappeared.

Feb. 5th The 41st Meeting of the Society took place in the parish Church - present Rev W Rushton, J. C Kershaw, R Dobson, T. Sharples, R H Hart, Rev R Moss. - J Hargreaves, R Parkinson, J Beardsworth, - J B S Sturdy

Feb. 19th. 1857 My Cousin Robert Ratcliffe died at Manchester - he was buried at St. Peter's Church, - 23rd Feb. - Uncle - Cousins John & Thomas - self & Brs James & George Stones & Willie Boardman - Robt left an ill Daughter.

[February] 24th Proposition = 432 JH & T.C. - Sansom's

3rd March Initiative TC & Mr. – Dined

March 1st The Weather Magnificent - Morning St Peters Afternoon Accrington - excellent discourse "Matthew the Publican"

[March] 3rd Monday - We made a Supper for the Work people to which attended. David and his Wife, George and his Wife, John Hargreaves, J. C. Robinson, My Sons William & Charles, - the Lads - Eo Woods and William Sharples, and a right good supper it was - They all enjoyed themselves.

In Consequence of a Defeat of the Government on Mr Cobden's Motion, (16) Lord Palmerston resolved to dissolve the House, and this caused a General Election. Our Candidate were for Blackburn

1857	{ James Pilkington Esqre	}	No Poll
March 27	{ Wm. H. Hornby Esqre	}	show of hands
	{ Jonathan Peel Esqre	}	Retired

Major Feilden was obliged to retire - a most active Canvass was got up for Mr Hornby and a requisition signed by a Majority of the Electors pledging their support. He was quickly at the head of the Candidates, and so little chance had Mr Peel of success, and so much afraid was Jas Pilkington of being defeated that Mr Peel was induced to retire. The Nomination & Election was on Friday March 27th 1857. There was no poll - Mr Hornby had a tremendous Majority at the Hustings being followed by nearly 600 voters - The Town was in a state of jubilee with joy - & all things passed off peaceably and well - I was on his Committee. - Never was there more complete defeat of the Radical Interest both here and at Manchester, Salford, Huddersfield, Rochdale, Preston, Bolton and Clithero

Cobden, Miall, Gibson, Bright, Clay, Barnes, Armitage &c thrown out, Also Gladstone & Peel

April 23rd. Mechanics Soiree - Having a severe cold I did not attend but my Wife & three Sons were there. I was very angry with them for stopping so very late - one five in the Morning -

James Hopwood, Market looker died - worried & fagged to death by too many Masters.

Old Richd Brown, the Steward of Hy Sudell died - aged 83 years - For a long period he held the Anniversary of H. S. at the Fox and Grapes.

May 7th Mr Thos Thwaites, the Liquor Merchant died this day in a railway Carriage coming from Bacup to Blackburn - Mr Robert Duckworth Inn keeper was present with him in the Carriage. "Truly in the midst of Life we are in Death".

Same Day at Darwen Gas Meeting - Mr Brandwood was not present - His two sons Thos & Wm were both interred in one Day.

May 12 & 13th Had a severe attack of the Cholera which lasted several hours, I was under the hand of Mr Pickop Surgeon and was much prostrated - Threw myself on the Club, but was heartily tired of one weeks confinement - on Sunday (17th) went to Chatburn & Worston with my Wife, and returned on the following day much benefitted by the out.

Rev Hy Boardman died Monday May 23rd 1857 - aged 29 years -

John Whalley died June 2nd 1857.

June 1st A Glorious Whitmonday - the finest Weather that could possibly be desired. On the previous day was down at Ribchester in the Afternoon with my Wife - got Tea at Thos Dewhurst Ribchester Bridge

June 9th Journey to London

This Journey was undertaken in consequence of a Summons from the Blackn. Railway to appear as witness before the House of Commons in respect to giving Evidence before a Committee for the purpose of assisting the Blackburn Line to obtain an Act of Parliament to extend their Line northwards to Settle, and Southwards by Radcliffe Bridge to Manchester - The Bill was lost.

I left home on Tuesday June 9th & went onto Manchester from thence to London by Express Train. - We arrived at Ln. at half past Ten or 1/4 to 11 o'clock, and witnessed the tremendous fire at Pickford's Warehouse at Cambden Town - near the Euston Square Station. I obtained lodgings at Mr Knights the Coffee House, No 26 Charing Cross where I remained 7 days.

On Wednesday attended Committee - not examined - Mr Flannagan in Box all day capital Evidence. Evening at Dr. Johnson's with Lyons.

[June] Thursday (11th) Attended Committee - Flannagan concluded Green begun - Evidence rather confused - closed at 4. Evening at Evans & Drury Lane. Miss Ellen

Friday Attended Committee - was examined, Mr Hornby underwent a long Examination this Day - good Evidence. After him Mr Lewis closed at four & adjourned until Monday.

[June] Saturday (13) Went to the Grand Rehearsal at the Crystal Palace about 11,000 present Day beautiful - singing delightful sight splendid - company agreeable - well worth the Money 10/6 - Chorus & Songs were give from Judas - Messiah and Israel in Egypt - Miss C Novello, Sim Reives, Her[r] Formes & Mr Weiss - principals - Costa - Leader 500 Instrumentalists and 2,000 vocalists from all parts of the Kingdom. Magnificent display of Musical Talent - crowned with complete success.

[New Page]

Sunday Morning - Temple Church - Afternoon to Richmond being kindly treat by Mr Withers - Evening at a Saloon for a few minutes.

Monday I attended in the City - Making sundry purchases.

Tuesday Morning came down to Atherstone & saw my Sister-in-law - who was very well - slept there

[June] Wednesday the 17th down to Manchester - at the Exhibition - and then home.

Friday & Saturday at Home.

Sunday poorly in my side some time

Monday the 11th of Feby Died the Rev Wm Hartley late of Balderstone. - 1861

June 18th. Edward Briggs Cotton Spinner hung himself in the Engine House of one of his own Mills - awful occurrence.

Sale of the Property belonging the late James Lomax

Thursday June 18th 1857.
​Sold by Mr Salisbury at the Old Bull Inn.

		£	s	d​
Lot 1	House, Union Street, - Mr Jardine and small house behind	235	"	"
Lot 2	House, Union Street, Mr Jardine	275	"	"
Lot 3	House              Do        Miss Tiplady	145	"	"
Lot 4	House Ainsworth Street          Do	155	"	"
Lot 5	Shops Astley Gate, W Strong	485	"	"
Lot 6	2 Houses Cock Croft T. Dugdale	96	"	"
Lot 7	2 Houses         Do        J. Feilden	124	"	"
Lot 8	6 Houses Snig Brook, J Cunningham	185	"	"
Lot 9	1 House, St Paul's Street	82	"	"
Lot 10	2 Houses at Bottom Gate, Beer House &c &c	150	"	"
	£	1,932	"	"​

June 23 Funeral of Mr Edmund Briggs - Cotton Spinner

My Birthday - (49) Tempus fugit.

James Ferguson hung himself, Joiner

Weather for the last 10 Days very hot - This Day was remarkably hot & sultry. I should say the finest Summer Weather for many years.

Aug 2nd At Burney with Mrs T. - attended Wesleyan Chapel in the Morning - Revd Levi Waterhouse Good Sermon - Devotional Congregation - handsome & spacious Chapel - & orderly schools - very much pleased Mrs Eltoft and Daughter outstripped all previous kindness - went with them in the Afternoon to Townley

[August] 4th Young Dr R T. Martland died suddenly - It is feared that the immoderate use of Spirits has caused his death.

Received from the Legacy Office - the usual papers - for Administering to Sister Mary's effects.

[August] 6th Fanny Birthday - 11 Years - New Sign put up and it began to rain as soon as up - and rained all that day & the following - at 2 o'clock on the 7th Day.

Tremendous Flood - Water up into the Property in Church St & Golden Lion Street -

[August] 14th George Dewhurst, Reed Maker, Queen Street died aged 67 years. A Man notorious in his day for Reform principles - a Councillor for St Paul's Ward. -

Buried in the Cemetery Aug 19th 1857 very fine

[August] 16 At Clitheroe, Mitton & Whalley with Wife.

[August] 19th. Died Mr Robert Riding of the Golden Lion - He was a noted sportsman and was usually named Cock Robin. No doubt excess & irregularities hasted his End. -

Buried at the Parish Church (24th)

[August] 21s & 22d Great Domestic disturbances between Brother John, Sisters & Myself - on the occasion of his intention to marry a Strumpet or little better. He very headstrong & self-willed, but ultimately he was persuaded to give it up. Wrote twice to Mr Walker of Bury - John bought a Mangle & Furniture for her.

[August] 25th Mary went to Blackpool and I followed on the 28th. Had the Bowel Complaint all the time, and left on the 1st Sept no better - put myself under medical Treatment up to the 10th of Sept rather better.

[August] 29th Died little "Willie" & on the 6th Sepr little Richard the son of my Brother in law Joseph Callis - now at Chicago N America

[August] 31st. Died James Parkinson, Stone Mason and Measurer, Queen Street, aged 52 years.

At Home all Week - poorly weak & unfit for Work -

Novr. 8th Sunday. Afternoon with Mrs. T to Whalley walked all the way - Night to Trinity after return, Dr Robinson preached an admirable Sermon on Home Education

Novr 11th Borrowed of Thomas Hart £20:0:0 to be repaid with interest £5 per cent, Febr 13th 1858.

[November] 15th To Pleasington at Geo: Stones' to Teas, thence home with Wife -

[November] 17th At Manchester, with the District Officers, J Brooks and C Roylance, on an appeal Case against a Levy of 10/- per Member, Upset by Preston objecting that the lodges were not summoned.

[November] 18th Mrs T. lost her purse, source of vexation and privation, - not much lost.

[November] 19th. Mrs Stott broke her leg, badly - in putting out the Clothes Lines.

[November] 23rd John Balshaw, the Town Cryer, called and informed me that Alexr Emmett, the Secretary of the Burial Society had absconded and taken with him a portion of the Funds - Immediate steps were taken by the Board to prevent unnecessary confusion - A Board Meeting was held and adopted resolutions appointing E Whittle & W. Eaves joint Secretaries until the Annual Meeting - Legal advice was also taken as to what steps should be taken to apprehend him & bring him to justice. - His defalcations amount to about £100

[November] 27. The same unpleasant Business at the Board when Mr Whittle charged the whole Board with neglect. - Very stormy & cross language followed.

[November] 25 The Frost began, and is now very severe but ended on the 30th of Nov.

Decr 1. This Day is remarkable for Two things 1st John Salisbury's Account was settled after a tedious delay of some years - for which I am thankful being very nearly destitute - 2nd My Wife found her Keys, which had been lost a Week.

Business flat but we must wait patiently for better times -

23 Nov. My Son Richard went to Mr Wilson, the surveyor first time this Morning -

Dec 28th Monday Sale at Clitheroe, Type, went purchased a fount or two. Evening Grand Banquet of 432, very rich & expensive affair - Too much so for the times. Br H presided, - ended 11 p.m.

[December] 29th. Willie not well - John not recovered - very busy

[December] 30th (Wednesday) Daniel Hawthorne Manager of the Over Darwen Gas Work interred at Trinity Church I & R Thompson attended. W. Evans elected Secretary of the Burial Society.

[December] 31st Grand Ball of the Oddfellows at the Hall in King Street. My son attended (Charles) I went to Over Darwen. We appointed Mr Jas Hawthorn Manager pro-tem until March 1858. - Brought in New Year home

Jan 1. Friday Willie very poorly - Banquet of 336, did not attend - Audit of the Tradesman's Society very satisfactory. Building Society could not attend.

Great indignation Meeting held on the Market place by Messrs Brown, Crossley, Gregson & others respecting Emmetts deficiency - The Board condemned &c. - The Board could not help Alexr running away with the Money. - (Jan 2.)

[January] 3rd Sunday - Morning at the Parish - Evening at Trinity –

[January] 4th Annual Meeting of the Tradesman's Society - slender but comfortable attendance. 20/- subscribed to the children of the late Nancy Walmsley. Broke up in good time. Willie recovering.

[January] 5th Female Friendly Society Meeting St John's

The Weather had continued beautiful & mild up to the 2nd Day of January - almost as warm a Summer. The flowers were in full Bloom. Daises, polyanthus, auriculas &c &c - but on the 3rd Sunday, the Wind veered one or two points S.E. bring up a keen blast for several hour, and still veering more Easterly until the Night of the 4th when the frost began the 1st Ice being upon that night - On the 5th the storm increased in force, the frost hardened - the cold was now intense - & so till the Wednesday the 6th wh: was a bitter day indeed, followed a Storm of Snow from the S.S.W. & back again to the S.E. - a complete Thaw.

Jan 7th. Joseph Callis returned from Canada.

[January] 10th Sunday Parish Church Morning - Sermon by the Revd John Leyland Feilden, Subject, "and that Rock was Christ". The Revd Gentleman gave a most magnificent discourse from the above Words, full of real Gospel Truth, - earnest, interesting, affectionate, eloquent and was listened to by a large Congregation with profit, all being greatly affected. -

Willie a little better.

Evening at Trinity - had Sisters in Law to Dinner

Joseph Callis having assigned his Estate over - Wm Forrest took the gains at a valuation, whereupon Joseph was ejected from Salford - denied Lodgings and became houseless & almost penniless - without Home, without business - separated from his Wife and children, bankrupt in purse - and in commercial character, for pity's sake my wife & self gave him Two Nights Lodgings on Saturday the 16th & Sunday the 17th January 1858.

[January] Sunday 24th At the parish Church. Sermon on Humility by Rev R H Hart. Afternoon with Fanny & Mother to Langho and Whalley. Evening at Trinity - Rev D. Chapman - sermon on all things working together for Good - a Calvinistic Sermon.

[January] Monday 25th Married, the Princess Royal to the Prince of Prussia, - not much rejoicing here - but great stirring in London. - Night my sons Charles & Richard fired several rounds in honor of the Event, I scolded because Charles used Ball - which I would not permit.

[January] Thursday 28 at Darwen - Night at Widow & Orphan's Annual Meeting - re-appointed Treasurer for the Ninth Year - Society very prosperous - Afterwards at (432) rather full Meeting - Mr G. P. Hartley instated.

John Hargreaves - returned to his Work Jan, 25th

Tuesday & Wednesday Feb. 2 & 3 Sold to Mr William Stones the Shops at the Top of King Street for £485:0:0 he to take immediate possession and the forthcoming Rents. - Agreed T Ratcliffe Senr & Junr, Jno Ratcliffe - C Tiplady.

The Accounts of the Burial Society having been re-audited were found to be correct with trifling difference of 3/10. The public Mind is somewhat settled down.

The Weather for the most part frosty & very cold.

[February] 20th Died Mr Joseph Yates, cousin to Mr D. Thwaites of Eanam, - after a short but painful illness of 8 or 10 days. Aged 44 - Interred at Harwood.21st Sunday at the parish Church, sermon by Mr Hart.

Died Jim Leaver a sad dissolute character. -

Edward Rycroft an industrious & hardworking Man - Flagger & Slater.

Feb. 21. Also to the great regret of his Flock & District, the Rev Thos Sharples, M.A. Incumbent of St Peter's Church the Rev Gent was highly respected as a consistent & faithful pastor, - and one whose merits & character will be long remembered. His end was eminently peaceful. In him I lose a sincere friend. Aged 50

Politics - Lord Palmerston being defeated on the Conspiracy for Murder Bill resigned - The Earl of Derby formed an administration - Feb. 20th & 22nd Not supposed to exist very long. –

Feb 24th Handel's Birthday - Supper of the Choral Society T. Clough presided. Very pleasant Meeting.

[February] 28th Sunday. In the Morning the Rev Dr Robinson preached a funeral Sermon in St Peter's Church improving the death of the Rev J. Sharples - There was a very crowded congregation - The Rev Gent preached a Most affecting discourse from the 17th Chap of John - 24th verse - It need scarcely be remarked that the vast concourse, including many from other Churches listened with devout attention - & the lamentations & tears - fully attested the deep esteem in which the late Rev Gent was held by his flock, & the inhabitants of Blackburn. -

February has been remarkably free from Rain or Snow for three full week east winds prevailed & very dry but freezing cold - & frosts - on the 28th indications of a change were apparent, and this Morning March 1st a heavy fall of snow took place.

The Burial Society stormy halted for the present.

March 2nd. Died Thomas Parkinson, 61, after repeated warnings from taking liquor in excess. His brother died about 6 months since. -

During the first Week in March the Weather has been very stormy with frequent falls of Snow - especially on the 4th 5th & 7th with strong E & N E Winds –

[March] Sunday (7th) re-opening of the Wesleyan Chapel, when Rev Dr Hannah officiated. Subject "Christian Love" its peculiar characteristics - Afternoon, Mr Nattrass powerful & eloquent Sermon - The justice (severity) and goodness (mercy of God) - Collections were made on the occasion. Services impressive and profitable £52.0.0

Large quantities of Snow continues to fall day by day putting on the Earth the full appearance of the depth of Winter - previous to wh - say at the end of Feby. a Robin visited us - when I remember predicting very winterly weather. –

[March] 7th Old Ellen Barlow died aged 90 Years.

[March] 11th Annual Meeting of the Darwen Gas Company Jas Hawthorn poorly - the Business was mostly of a formal Character. - Appointment of a Manager deferred.

[March] 13th Rumour of Mr Catterall's Death - untrue.

[March] 14th Brock-Hollinshead died aged only 37 Years - lamented much by his family & a numerous circle of friends & of the fraternity.

[March] 16th Quarterly Meeting of the Burial Society - the old Board resigned in a Body - Whittle behaved badly to the Board - a regular Disputed Meeting - Great numbers nominated for the Board - all the old Board rejected except four - viz: Holden, Nuttal, Green and Tiplady - new Members, Pooley, Crossley, - Cutler, Akeroyde &c. &c.

After this a Motion was got up to re-elect the President and after that the Vice-President, the former of which elected unanimously & the latter rejected in favour a Stranger one Bradshaw Birtwistle the son of John Birtwistle of Ewood. 

[March 19th] Friday Mr Hollinshead interred at St Peter's Church a large concourse of Inhabitants lined the way - and about 30 Free Masons attended the funeral in private costume. - The Brethren also attended Ch: on Sunday.

[March] Sunday (21) Dr Robinson improved the death of Mr Hollinshead, at Trinity Church @ Night - to a large Congregation who were most deeply affected.

The Weather for the most part beautiful as Summer. The Eclipse which happened on the 15th was not seen here by reason of the bad state of the Weather & so cloudy. The following amusing Letter was written by Jno Salisbury on that subject.

​

Lady Day. Mr Bradshaw Senr. hung himself this Day. The cause "Drink & Poverty of Condition".

Old Sammy Briggs interred at the parish Church, aged 80. Thos Nightingale Aged 78 Years –

March 28th Afternoon with Wife & Fanny to Tockholes heard Revd W. Walling - first rate gospel Sermon thence home - good attendance - fine Day - tired when I got home - Saw  the Revd Gilmour Robinson's Grave. -

March 30th public Rumour with its thousand tongues has been busy with the doings of Mr H . R. Hargreaves a most respectable Solr. & the Son of our highly esteemed Coroner - along with a Miss Fair Confectioner, a crafty middle aged pus - who it is said has inveigled Henry into Marriage.

April 3rd My Wife reproached me with having attended a Masonic Meeting the Evening but one before, whereupon I retorted rather angrily - which led to unpleasant words and a very unhappy Easter Day - why she should then seek to provoke me I know not - for of attending the said Meeting either led to profligacy, profanity or unpiety I would attend no more for ever.

[April] 4th Thomas here from Liverpool - well in health - and still at Turner & Dunnett. The weather rough - wet and tempestuous - quite a change from the end of March –

The Rev F W. Chapman delivered a good Sermon on the spiritual knowledge of Christ, and the power of his resurrection - He seems to me to have the "root of the matter in him". He dwelt most forcibly on the inconsistency & indeed impossibility of a Minister preaching the power of the resurrection without an intimate personal experience of the same in his own soul, to which I fully agreed for some of the Sermons now-a-days are little better than sounding brass or tinckling Cymbals - Words without feelings & declamations devoid of efficacy.

To bed & prayed heartily for a spirit of Meekness and for the forgiveness of my sins - unreservedly on God's Mercy & fell asleep in peace.

Director of the Over Darwen Gas Company

Member of the Board of Management Bn P. Burial Society

Secretary of the Tradesman's Commercial Society

Manager of the Victoria B Bg. Society

Annual Member of the Mechanic's Institution,

Treasurer of the Widow & Orphan's Fund,

Paymaster of St John's School Sick Society

Trustee of Green Bank Lodge I. O. F

Agent to the Christian Knowledge Society

Member of the Blackburn Burial Board.​

April 5th1858 Easter Monday - Cold - Blustering Stormy Day old William Monk died - aged 68 Years our oldest Tenant.

[April] 6th Easter Tuesday - the 24th Anniversary of the Female Friendly Society held good Meeting - very orderly clean, and healthy appearance of the Members enjoyed a good hearty Tea. Mr Hart not so fidgety Funds wonderfully increased £1016 - netted £70 during. Books all right.

Best of all the disturbance between Mary & Myself settled amicably - I would rather die than be drawn in to sin against - Through manifold Temptations from Women - & thro' infirmity of disposition I have yet - preserved my chastity - In fact I know no other.

April 9th First Meeting of the New Board - very full attendance - Mr Dugdale handed in a Protest against the Decision of the Quarterly Meeting - the Board by an uns [unanimous] vote resolved not to disturb that decision some very important entered into - The Board acted in a very caustious [sic] dignified & business-like Manner all through the proceedings & concluded in harmony at 1/2 past Ten o'clock

[April] 18th Sunday - Excellent Sermon for the Girl's Charity parish Church by Rev J. C. Kershaw. £25 - Afternoon to visit Mrs Badger of Worsthorn - very fine. Wife & Fanny with me. The only drawback is using the Rail on a Sunday which do not like –

[April] 15 to 22nd Serious consultations about Richard whose Master, Mr Wilson, is about to leave this part for South America, and R wants to go with him - The expence is great. Mr Hutchinson, Mr Townley, Mr Hart, Mr Brierley Surveyor, and many others think it a good opening. I pray for the best

[April] 21st William Whalley - late of Navigation Inn, died

[April] 24th Day of April 1858 Made final Terms for my Son Richard to go out with Mr Hugh Wilson, Surveyor, to the Brazils in South America, as Apprentice, for the term of three. I to pay £60 (outfit) passage & keep for the first year. - Messrs Wilson & Watson covenanting Wages for the second & third year, Mr Wilson to take the responsibility of watching over Richard – should sail on Monday, the 10th Day of May, 1858.

Richard bound Apprentice this Day, for three Years to Mr Hugh Wilson, - by Messrs L & W Wilkinson, Solrs. April 26th 1858.

Made conclusive Terms with Mr Wilson, and paid him £60 as per Agreement, - part of Richard's Luggage went this Day to Preston, per Rail & so on to Southampton May 4th 1858.

[May 5] All of us were fearfully alarmed this Morning (5th) by Charles having a sick or Epilepsy fit, he recovered shortly after.

[May] 6th Meeting at Darwen Setting of Gas Holder

7th of May - a Memorable Day in my Domestic Circulus Son Richard left us for Southampton & Brazils - His Mother & Myself took him to Manchester, and delivered up into the care of Mr Hugh Wilson. He was in cheerful spirits & seemed reconciled to his new position. I pray God to bless the undertaking - We have done all we could to fit him out respectable - and of his health be spared - I have good hopes he will be useful to Mr Wilson.

Night Meeting of the Board.

[May] On the 6th at Darwen, full Meeting - very important Setting of Gasholder - Estimates referred to a Sub-committee Hutchinson, Thompson, Walsh & Baron, - agreed, - after the Meeting Mr Baron took Thompson, Johnson & myself to his Hall, where we had a comfortable cup of Tea. - Most beautiful place.

[May] 7th With Mrs Tiplady at Belle Vue Gardens for 3 or 4 Hours, - Grand preparations making for the forthcoming Whitsuntide Holidays –

[May] 8th Night, Bay Horse, Disgusted with the conduct of J. B. - whom I consider a Man of violent measures.

[May] 19th Received first Letter from my Son Richard, dated 13th May - from Lisbon, whither they had safely arrived and all in good health & spirits.