Loading more
Page 4
It cost nearly £100 to fit him out pay his passage and keep for one year but all has been done for the best and Mother & Self earnestly pray God may bless the enterprize to his benefit.
[May] 24th Whit Monday - This Day may be considered the most important in the History of Blackburn, being the Grand Inaugeration [sic] of the Laying of the Foundation Stone of the Blackburn Infirmary - The event was celebrated by way of Jubilee. First there was a Grand Procession in which joined all the leading Men of the Town the Corporate Body - the Gentry - the Ancient Order of Free Masons, - the Associated Societies - the Grammar Scholars, - the Sunday School Children of all Denominations, and a countless multitude of Spectators from all parts - The procession was headed by several first rate Bands of Music, Mr George Ellis taking the Lead, and Mr William Riley, the vocal parts.
After the Grand Masonic Ceremony, the different Societies adjourned for Refreshment to their respective Lodge Houses, - Then came the Balloon Ascent which was magnificent indeed - & rose with majestic Grandeur from the Market Place. After the Balloon, there were Balls, - Dinners & Amusements in the public park - The day was moderately fine. - and every one seem to enjoy the same wonderfully well. -
I walked with the Masons as Sec of Lodge 432
May 30 Died James Smith at Coroner's Hargreaves –
June 1st A Magnificent Day - 30th At Whalley with Mrs Tiplady - walked home, one of the pleasantest & most agreeable visits I ever had - Met John Baldwin at Whalley and walked to the top of Nab Hill
The Month of May this year realised in a higher degree my notions of Thompson's description of Spring than at any previous year - The Earth appears a perfect paradise, - and the Trees are full of beauty & bloom exceedingly
June 3rd Went to Haslingden - Prov G. Lodge Meeting - about 240 present - Walked in Procession, attended Church and Banquet, Sermon excellent - Dinner moderate singing good - John Nuttall was the first annuitant £20 from the Prov Fund - Weather exceedingly wet in the Afternoon. Home at Ten - got a severe curtain Lecture though neither cross drunk nor disorderly - gave immense offence to Mrs T. by purchasing a White Neck Tie at Hn. - Would not quarrel the consequence was that she got out of Bed & stopped down stairs until Two o'clock - What have I done to deserve perverseness equal to this -
[June] 6th & 13th Out both Sundays with Mary & Fanny weather splendid – Incomparable
[June] 15th Second Letter from Richard, dated May 20th 1858. Cape St Vincent -
Log for 10 Days.
June 19 1858 Alex Emmett arrested - sad affair.
[June] 21 Brought up before T. Hart, D. Thwaites, John Sparrow, John Baynes and M. Hoole - Convicted and required to pay the amount deficient, or be imprisoned three months, a full Court, the officers and advocates of the Society prosecuted under the 18th & 19th Vic. c 63.
Essy badly in the Measles, - Henry recovered therefrom.
The Amount stated to be collected by Mr Astley - 44.2.6
Weather in July exceedingly hot & fine - also drier than usual.
And now I thank God most heartily that I have lived to see this affairs finally closed.
June] 23rd My fiftieth Birthday - for all God's sparing Mercies I would be thankful - Age hastens on apace - Even in my day - I seem to have outlived nearly all my youthful friends and schoolmates, - those who are left he scattered ere and there like a few ungleaned stems of corn
Temptation on account of + + Truly the flesh is weak, tho' the spirit is willing -
June 30. Had considered that A Emmett affair would have been finished but in consequence of some unfounded rumours that there had been complicity on some part of the Board, and the Blackburn Standard having made some Strong allusions thereto - an Indignation Board Meeting was held and a very severe, and I think to me unjust document promulgated as if I had some sinister end in screening Emmett, but I wish it to be distinctly understood & recorded that in all this matter I have acted uprightly and if Mr Townley had manifested any firmness the thing would have been ended long ago.
July 2nd. Third Letter from my Son Richard at Bahia where he has safely arrived; the Letter is as follows: See Letters
[July] 9th At Gisburn Park with Mr & Mrs Baldwin very pleasant excursion and grand scenery - Wife also there.
[July] 11th At St Peter's Church - Morning Sermon by Mr Woodhouse on the Services of the Church, - In the Afternoon being very fine treated Mrs T and the Children to Ribchester Bridge - Son William stopped out all Night - but he was at Eatough's yet as we did not know, his Mother & self were very unhappy and had little sleep.
The Summer rich, fruitful and delightful, beyond any that ever I remember.
[July] 21st Meeting of Economical Loan Society all the Books delivered up to Me. Mark Knowles appointed Collector
[July] 23rd Public Vestry Meeting to elect Members of the [Burial] Board Dr Rushton, T. Clough, and Harral Johnson retired - also Mr Rutherford resigned - I was elected in his stead.
Dr Rushton in the chair - 1st Motion by Mr Hart J.P. That Dr Rushton be reappointed carried unanly [unanimously].
2nd Motion by Mr Littlewood that Mr Beattie be in the room of Mr Clough - then by Mr Beattie that Mr S. Littlewood be in room of Mr Clough then by Mr Johnson that Mr Clough be re-elected - Mr Tiplady objected that Mr Clough's Engagements were so multifarious he could not attend.
Voting Mr Beattie elected 37 to 27.
3rd Motion by Mr Cowburn That Mr Charles Tiplady be elected in room of Harral Johnson
Amendment that Mr Johnson be re-elected by Mr Whittle
Amendment 59 to 50. - Mr Johnson Elected.
4th Motion That Mr Charles Tiplady be appointed in room of Mr Rutherford.
Carried Unanimously. -
Thanks to the chairman &c & meeting concluded.
The Amount stated to be collected by Mr Astley - 44.2.6
| Cash paid Richd Hall | 40.0.0} | |
| 7/- per Cent Collection | 3.6.2} | |
| Balance due to him | 16.4} | 44.2.6 |
Copied from Jno Astley's book
July 24th Went to Blackpool to see Wife & children the weather rough - sea very fine - found them all well, returned 26th.
[July] 31st published the list of voters once More - 1555 Names a week of heavy work and toil, - but got through with diligence & perseverance - Same Day again Visited Blackpool & staid 4 four days.
Monday August 2nd At Furness Abbey, with Mary where spent a most agreeable day - was sea sick on going –
[August] 5th Ed. Whittle tried & reprehended on two Counts out of 15 but not discharge.
[August] 6th Fanny's Birthday - a fine big Girl - 12 years.
[August] 7th At the laying of the first Stone of St Paul's Schools by Miss Feilden, took part in the Ceremony as one of the Masonic Brethren, a very fine Day.
[August] 8th Sunday. Had the great privilege of hearing two magnificent discourses by the Revd Gervase Smith at the Wesleyan Chapel. In the Morning from the Acts of the Apostles the "Gift of the Spirit' In the Evening, The Conduct of Pilate & the Jews on the trial & condemnation of our Saviour - The Sermons were specimens of highly intellectual Compositions rising sometime to eloquence of dazzling splendour - interspersed with copious selections from choirs works, and beautiful selections of poetry all delivered in a first rate Style of Manly dignified & fervid oratory. A most remarkable Man.
[August] 9th Died, in his 86th Year, Mr Giles Cunliffe, a Tenant & Neighbour of mine. Buried at Darwen.
[August] 15th Sunday, Our Wedding Day - the 19th Anniversary - Spent the Day at Burnley with Mrs T. pleasant day. Went to the Wesleyan Chapel with Maria Eltoft in the Morning and after Dinner to the Pendle Water, with her and Sister and also Mrs T. - Staid all Night, and on Monday took Train to Todmorden, where we spent a pleasant time - Arrived in Bn at 9 o'clock p.m. - a most delightful visit, M a very smart interesting young Lady -
On my return, or at least a day or two afterwards was troubled with the bowel Complaint, but am better –
[August] 24th At Chew Mill, in the afternoon with Mary - but very unwell.
[August] 27th At Manchester & Belle Vue, did business with Mr Heywood - my wife was with me, we spent a very pleasant day after business - but the Train was long on the road returning.
[August] 29th Mrs Eltoft and her two Daughters, Sarah & Maria paid us a visit, - In the Morning to Church and in the Afternoon with Wife & children to Witton, - The weather, had threatened, but turned out delightfully fine - I had a long pleasant, and interesting walk with Maria, - and in the course of which this dear young Lady gave me her confidence, - but which I pledged faithfully not to divulge - and one great principle of Sharing being fidelity - I close in silence with this exception that her Mother & Sister with herself may be protected & blessed - Home to Tea. Thence sent them home by Train - E.L. very throng indeed. -
Edward Whittle's Effigy burnt at Great Harwood - Sad misguided people.
August 28th Died Little Joseph Callis - the remaining Son of Joseph & Mary Callis, Salford.
After a season of almost unparalleled days sunny and lovely summer weather - there is a change to wet not but that water was much wanted, and has afforded a great relief both to commerce and agriculture - In Nine cases out of Ten Sept 1st has been ushered in with fine clear bright skies - This Morning is a drencher and only a continuance of wet from Sunday Evening.
[August] 31 Ellen our Servant left. Gone to Liverpool.
Sepr 2nd Meeting at Over Darwen very comfortable business Meeting - At Night Anniversary of the Green Bank Lodge - was requested to preside, and the Company spent a very pleasant Night - Their kindness to me was really overpowering. - Brother John married - a person from Ramsbottom -
This Day died Thos Entwistle Swift the Solicitor & Clerk for the Blackburn County Court. - A Man whose character I am grieved to say will not bear honest investigation. –
Sep 5th Sunday Morning at Parish Church - Sermon by Rev R H Hart, a mystified discourse which few would understand, and still fewer profit by - on Justification by Faith - Afternoon at Cemetery - wet - Evening at Trinity Mr Haslewood - on Love to Christ - Extempore not much in his Discourse - I long for the sound, broad gospel Doctrines. Mrs T not well.
[September] On the 4th Letters from Bahia - Richard well, and apparently fully employed. - Mr Wilson also well -
Willie gone to Lytham to meet Thomas. –
Sepr 7th Tremendously enraged by a violent outbreak of my Wife who after various ill natured remarks, reproached me with a desire to get rid of her for Younger Woman, and then alluded to my attempted liberty with Ellen, - I was of course conscience smitten, - but having persevered in a determination not to molest Ellen by word or act, and having religiously abstained from doing so, I was not prepared for this Reproach, and was dreadfully cut up in my mind. - I have considered since how she came by this information, and find it has sprung from Mrs Roebuck's - and I put it on record that it is the most impudent step Mrs Tiplady & Mrs Roebuck could have been guilty off [sic] - and this be the manner in which she treats her husband, - I am not surprised at his recklessness and folly.
All confidence now between self & Mary is extinguished and I see nothing but sullen strife, rebellion and domestic misery in the future.
Reconciliation after mutual explanations effected - A warning to me to avoid the slightest deviation from conjugal rectitude.
Have been earnestly solicited to stand for St Mary's Ward - Wife much against it - Do not feel was interest in the contest but something ought to be done to stop the extravagant waste of money. The Election took place on the 10th when the most vile system of lying & personation took place. The Election was gained by Mr Turnbull.
Mrs Tiplady, like the rest of all good Wives, feels disappointed more than the husband, and so took on sadly at the above Event, and with one other circumstances seemed almost heartbroken, - In order to divert her, and recover her from this desponding state I took her to Studely Park on the 13th a most brilliant day we had - September resumed its wonted clear atmospheric, and for heat fineness and splendour was a one of the most glorious Days of the glorious days of 1858. and they were many. We left Bn at 7-10 a.m. ran up to Skipton, thence to Leeds - Harrogate & Ripon - Ripon a fine old Town now City - with Cathedral &c all houses respectable & very, very clean, - In the centre of the agricultural District equi distant from York on one hand and Leeds & Bradford on the other it possesses the advantages of a quick communications to each place, - We arrived in nice time 12 o'clock took Omnibus 6d each to the Park, and language would fail to give an adequate description of that most lovely spot. Suffice it to say that after walking amidst the gorgeous scenery of this beautiful park, we returned to Blackburn delighted with our day's cheap Trip. - The best of all was Mrs T. enjoyed the visit amazingly, and improved greatly in appetite and spirits.
[September] 12th Sunday Sermons at Parish Church for the School Revd Messrs Watson, Wrenford & Rushton
Afternoon Feniscowles - Mr Lambert Preston
Evening Trinity Rev D. F. Chapman, -
In all cases collections were made; - & to each place I attended.
[September] Friday the 17th to Chadburn [sic] Downham & Worston with Wife, spent very agreeable day. Home to the Burial Society Meeting - which was not very agreeable.
[September] 19th Sunday - Parish Morning - Good plain Sermon by Dr Rushton, from Amos - Summer Fruit Evening at Trinity -
[September] Tuesday 21. Quarterly Meeting of the Burial Society - A scurrilous placard was printed and circulated to the Members as they entered - but I treated it with silent contempt, a Deal of Discussion on the subject of appointing a special General Meeting of the Society to select a Committee for revising the Rules - Agreed to. - The Meeting was quiet and orderly.
[September] 22nd Died Richard Noblett, aged 32 Years.
At the Lodge in St John School Room - Not much business. -
[September] 23rd At the Masonic Lodge - Not much, except financial business - very wet night - slender attendance partly on account of Cushing's Grand American Circus being in the Town - I understand not near so good as previous visit - in fact - the Circus is divided -
Afterwards attending the Meeting of Managers for the Provident Building Society - appointed Auditors & other arrangements prior to the Annual Meeting -
Work very scarce - Home happy & free from strife, - Mary affectn & free from recriminations.
Friday (Sep 24) Attended a Meeting of the Burial Board at the Cemetery - present Dr Rushton, - Messrs Beatty, Tiplady, Pickup and Johnson - (2 o'clock pm) held us nearly 4 hours. In the Evening Meeting of the Victoria Building Society at the Castle Inn from there to the Angel Lodge of Fidelity, 336, - with Br John Ibbotson, Mr Robt Ibbotson was initiated. The Brs received John and myself with great cordiality –
Sunday, Sep 26th At Tockholes - Charity Sermon Preacher Revd P Graham, - a well composed Lesson Mrs T with me - fine day - This Day Died from the Effects of falling into a Sewer, J B Eccles Baynes Monday the Inquest was held over him - consisting of Charles Tiplady, foreman &c "Accidental"
[September 24] Tuesday - At Southport with Mrs Tiplady - very cheap also fine Day. There was a very heavy Train. –
[September] 30th The Comet brilliant & beautiful
Oct 2nd At the Anniversary Meeting of the Newtown Lodge, Darwen - very good Meeting - was kindly received - Chairman of the Company - John Kenyon Vice Chairman, about 150 present, at Mrs L G. Smalley's Indulged in no excess. Was at great liberty of speech
[October 3] Sunday - Very Wet Weather - which continued with little Intermission throughout the week more particularly Tuesday, Thursday & Sunday. The Comet occasionally visible - the best view of it on Friday night
[October 4] Monday. the Quarterly Meeting of the Tradesman's, Question respecting the Investment of funds. - left to me
[October 5] Tuesday at St John's Female Friendly Society - very rough weather collected £14:14:0 - afterward Victoria Building Society –
[October] Thursday - 7th Down to Whalley - wet & windy - a good show & numerous attendance - Dined at Edward Brewer's - got rather too much liquor during the day but home at 1/2 past Ten.
[October 8] Friday Meeting of the Burial Board - present Dr Rushton Main - Messrs Beatty, Tiplady, Pickup & Johnson subject revision of fees - adjourned to Monday at the Cemetery.
[October 9] Saturday the Confirmation - Great Dissatisfaction by the closing of the Church Doors - Many parents unable to obtain admission
[October] Sunday 10th Went with Frances to St Paul's to hear Mr Thomas Higham preach his first sermon - Text Proverbs "The path of the just is as the shining light - which shineth more & more unto the perfect" Diffuse & somewhat flowery Discourse - eloquent language - graceful and earnest delivery - semi calvinistic Doctrine - but well grounded on Scripture. The young Minister acquitted himself exceedingly well - & looked well in the pulpit - The Congregation was overflowing.
Domestic quietness been uninterrupted - Business Moderate - Health of self & family good - for all mercies God be praised - and all offences - we humbly pray forgiveness at the hands of a Merciful God.
Oct 10th Sunday Morning - Parish Church, - Evening down to St Paul's & as before.
[October 11] Monday at the Cemetery with Dr Rushton, T H Pickup and J Beatty, sundry propositions agreed to and an inspection of the Grounds made Evening - Weekly Meeting afterwards to Mr Jno Ratcliffe, Richmond Terrace, where I spent a pleasant hour with Uncle, John, C Parkinson and Thos Brennand.
[October] Tuesday the 12th Afternoon, Preston with John Baldwin returned early, - Building Club Meeting.
[October] 13th
[October] 14th Loan Society awkward business, shameful neglect & scandalous attempt at robbery - thence to a very pleasant Meeting at the Angel, - Mrs Pemberton, being a farewell supper to Thos Ainsworth. –
[October] 15th. Provident Building Club - also down to Walton le Dale with my Wife, and spent a very pleasant hour or two.
[October] 16th Saturday - The Fair - very throng upon the Market Ground. –
[October] Sunday (17) Morning at St Michael's, heard Mr Abraham Haworth, - good matter - but very Calvinistic - and a close imitator in style, method, gesture, delivery, position, attitude & intonation of Mr Wheeler, in fine a complete copyist - but withal an earnest preacher, and a capital knowledge of the sacred Book. - Sermon somewhat long Subject Esau Birthright Heard him again in the Evening at Trinity - liked his subject well - "They shall be equal with the Angels" - a good Congregation
Note. Son Thomas from Liverpool here, - very well in health, also Joseph Callis - come to engage a situation with Mr Daniel Thwaites. -
Business fair - health of family good - praised be God for all mercies
Nov 9th Alderman Baynes appointed Mayor
Mr Cunningham addressed the Inhabitants on that appointment showing his disappointment
[November] 17th published My Annual Book Almanack for the 20th Time
[November] Sunday 21st At Balderstone with Mrs Tiplady - fine frosty day.
Very dry and clear frost for many days.
Decr. 5th At Whalley with Mrs Tiplady
[December] 9 & 10th Grand Masonic Ball at Over Darwen good attendance, pleasant Company - but rather Expensive to me
Letters were received from a Mr Grattan Solicitor Chesterfield stating that a small Legacy of £90 was left by a Mrs Woodhead to the children of Mr Callis, & Miss Mary Callis - The following are some Registers requite to establish the claims of the family
Marmaduke Callis, died Decr 23rd 1786, aged 55 Years He was vicar of
John Callis, - (Mrs Tiplady's Grandfather) born at Bridlington, Yorkshire, October 28th 1759
Mary Callis, his Wife (Miss Ashmore) born at Mansfield April 8th 1757.
Married (the said John Callis) at Nottingham February 11th 1779.
William their Son, (my Wife's Father) born at Walesby Nottinghamshire December 4th 1779
John, born at Nottingham (St Nicholas Parish) May 18th 1788, Trinity Sunday.
Mary, (afterwards Mrs Starkie) born at Nottingham St Mary's Parish, August 31st 1791
Decr 20 to 27th Christmas Week - One of the darkest dampest & most dreary seasons that I have remembered - Thos visited us - he is in health - and all the family except Fanny.
[December] 4th Friday Night my son William & Myself went to the Grand Oratorio at the Peel Institution at Accrington. The performance was good, and there was an overflowing attendance. - 200 Performers, the elite of the District. Mr Barnes conducted in a masterly manner. The Hall is a very beautiful place & well adapted for public festivals.
Decr 31st 1858 - Repaid Mr Thomas Hart the sum of £30 borrowed on the 1st of May - with Interest 10/- which he charged at 3/- per cent.
Thus ends the eventful year 1858. - A year of unexampled Mercy to old England in which she entirely regained her warlike prestige, - re-conquered the rebellious Indians opened a satisfactory commercial Communication with China & Japan, - a year also in which her harvests were plenteous, her trade prosperous; and her people happy and contented, - and all this under the wise & merciful rule of an enlightened, talented, Conservative Statesman the Earl of Derby - Truly we may say that God hath appeared for us, and as Nations & individuals, we will cry out not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy Name be the Glory for thy Mercy endureth for Ever. -
Our family not settled - Mr Wilding delays. -
1858.pdf
1858 pdf includes the text above and footnotes by David Hughes
1859
Jan 9th Attended the parish Church, most excellent Sermon on behalf of the Society by the Rev J. R. Feilden, a Collection amounting to
In the Evening the Rev D. F. Chapman, a worthy young Clergyman, took his leave of the Holy Trinity Church, & removed to Preston, - There was an overwhelming Congregation present, who were deeply affected at parting with so excellent a pastor - His Text was appropriately taken from Rev. 3. v 20. "Behold, I stand at the Door and knock, - if any Man will open the door, I will come in and sup with him, and he with with [sic] me"
The whole of January was stormy, wet, dull and dark weather - but no frost. On the night of the 25th The colour pole, & Horse were blown down from the Tower of the parish Church
About the 18th or 20th I received Letter from M. of a private nature - alluding to a delicate question she expresses much thankfulness for sympathy -
[January] 27th Mrs Tiplady at Blackpool.
[January] 31st Died Mr James, Banker, highly respected.
Cash in the Bank £2147 - Mr Wilding
Feb 16th Died William Charnley, Sheriffs Officer a Man of wild & ungovernable habits - aged 49 - I should think he has been injured thereby. -
Henry Halton an old School fellow died. -
March 3rd Still very wet, - Visited Accrington & Burnley, paid some accounts.
Grand Masonic Ball - did not attend.
Also Masonic Provincial at Accrington wh: I did attend. Did not see M at Burnley.
[March] 10th The Annual Meeting of the Over Darwen Gas Works. Present Messrs. Shorrock, Hutchinson, Baron, Tiplady, Thompson, Whalley, Gibson & Johnson. A Dividend of £6 per Cent was declared - Certain recommendations from the Auditors were considered & ordered to be carried out.
Deaths: John Feilden Esq. Mollington, 90.
" Mr Dewsbury Draper,
" " Byers Grocer, suddenly –
[March] Tuesday the 15th R Townley, deficient £174.0.0
Thursday March 24th Died Adam Wilkinson, Secretary to the Widow & Orphan's Society, much respected.
Meeting @ Darwen to receive contracts &c - That for the New Gasholder, deferred on account of the stupidity of Seth Harwood Joiner.
Mrs Wilson wife of the Surveyor, dearly unwell - Sister Jane also unwell.
[March 24] Friday, Vestry Meeting of the Burial Board, Revision of the Fees &c - a Stormy argument in favor of the Cemetery being opened on a Sunday, - Compromise 1 to 4 Winter - 1 to 8 Summer. -
A Very Wet Spring.
March 31. Went to Bacup to assist in the valuation of a Printers Stock in Trade - along with Mr Vickerman of Bury we agreed tolerably well together - Value £371 - Mrs Harris - taker - Mr Bentley Solicitor -
Stopped at the Green Man - the Weather exceedingly cold but dry. On the following day returned home, The fee of £7.10.0 for 1 1/2 Days was charge & cheerfully paid.
[March] 31st & April 1st Ministry defeated. Majority, 39. - Parliament to be dissolved. –
April 3 to 5 Unwell - and on Tuesday had a severe Inflammation of the Kidney & Bowels with sickness - continuing mostly for a week –
April 6th Mrs Hugh Wilson died, aged 33 Years. Same day Letter from Son Richard - well but busy
April 11th Died by taken an overdose of Laudanum Mr J. B. Chadwick late Overseer of this Town, aged 57 years. - A Man whom I had known long but of very untidy habits. Buried at the Cemetery.
[April] 12th Recovered from my illness - for which I desire to be deeply thankful to Almighty God. –
Was appointed Chairman of St Mary & District or Ward - 330 Voters -
The Election of 1859. Saturday April 30th A Severe Contest.
| Hornby | 832 - of which 600 were plumpers |
| Pilkington | 750 |
| Murrough | 567 |
A turbulent week ending with the Death of my sister Jane, who died at Manchester on the Evening of Saturday the 7th of May. - On the 6th I received Letters from my Son Richard in S America who continues well. -
The weather, - I am afflicted with a bilious attack caused I think by railway Travelling & being unhinged in my mind
June 5th Mr Wilson of Bahia visited the Town and made arrangements for his children he looks well gave a good Report of Richard & on the 8th left Blackburn again for S America
Abel Haworth, a Collector - killed, June 5th
The Weather fine & sunny with showers
Whitsuntide 1859
On Saturday June 11th 1859 commenced the Whitsuntide holiday in this Town & Neighbourhood. Cheap trips by Rails to Liverpool Southport, Lytham, Blackpool & all the Sea Coast were originated and on this Day but particularly on Monday an immense number of people left Bn for the above places. Among the rest Myself and Wife with the entire family went to Liverpool and spent a very happy day. –
Received Letters from Richard July 5th all well, thanks be to God.
Weather in July exceedingly hot & fine - also drier than usual.
| Great Heat | July | Ther: | Rain |
| 6 | 80.1 | 0 | |
| 7 | 79.0 | 0 | |
| 8 | 78.0 | 0 | |
| 9 | 77.9 | 0 | |
| 10 | 81.4 | 0 | |
| 11 | 82.8 | 0 | |
| 12 | 89.2 | 0 |
[June] 16th Sent little Henry & Frances to Blackpool.
[June] 17th At the Wesleyan Chapel morning & Evening the Revd John Bedford preached two excellent Sermons for the chapel Trustees - At Tea with Mr John Baldwin with my Wife
[July] 14 Uncle Ratcliffe 76 - very infirm & feeble.
Same day died at Preston John Addison Esqre the Judge of the County Court, a Man universally esteemed by the profession, and by the poor
July 24th Went to Clitheroe & Waddington - a very hot and fine day - but I think it had a bad effect upon my health - as I was on the following day attacked with Rm [Rheumatism] of a very painful and violent character.
July 25 to 31st Dreadful attack of sciatica quite laid up with bad pain night & day -
30th The List finished 1668 Names & 1 Star.
Little Essy has been six weeks with her Brother Thomas at Bootle near Liverpool
August 7. very wet Day - St Peter's Sermons Rev R T Wheeler preached - Evening Service very throng.
My Rheumatism painful, but somewhat better.
August 8th 1859. Monday
This is the "day of days" in our Family Epoch, for on this Day, Mr Wilding brought the Family Affairs to a final close, at 3 o'clock pm When after a multitude of explanations, calculations and arithmetical Divisions - each party Entitled by Mr Lomax's Will took his or her portion.
Mine was as follows -
| Top of King Street | 15.6.6 |
| Union Street &c | 91.6.4 |
| From Mary's share | 3} |
| 11.10.0} | |
| £118.9.10 | |
| Bill for assisting Kaney | 2.0.0 |
| £120.9.10 |
August 9th 1859. In the presence of my Wife Mr Thomas Ratcliffe, Senr being also in the House I paid to my Sisters Anne, Elizabeth and Margaret, separately & respectively the sum of £40.5.2 each being Money lent upon my Stock in Trade and interest thereon up to the said Ninth Day of August
Amount belonging Mary as Administrator £105.3.1
| paid Brother James his Share | 11.13.0 |
| Do John | 11.13.0 |
| Do Jane (William's) | 11.13.0 |
| Do Elizabeth | 11.13.0 |
| Do Self | 11.13.0 |
| Do Anne | 11.13.0 |
| Do Lomax's Children | 11.13.0 |
| Do Margaret | 11.13.0 |
| Do Sister's Janes 3 Legatees | 11.13.0 |
| Expences | 6.1 |
| £ | 105.3.1 |
These amounts were all paid by me.
Augt 9th & 11th. Went to Accrington with Mrs Tiplady - My Rhum better.
[August] 11th At the Lodge very pleasant and happy Meeting.
My financial affairs
| Owing to Sisters | 78.0.0 |
| Aunt Callis | 20.0.0 |
| Building Club | 150.0.0 |
| £ | 248.0.0 |
| Houses | 500.0.0 |
| Gas | 96.0.0 |
| Shop Goods | 600.0.0 |
| £ | 1196.0.0 |
Aug 24th Agricultural Show at Blackburn, N. Lanc: very good and successful Show.
Same day (Wed.) Went to Blackpool, Mrs T had gone the day before
[August 28] Sunday at S Shore –
29, 30 & 31 Aug particularly rough at Blackpool high tides, much rain, stormy winds. No stirring out.
Sep 1. Finer, Journey to Lytham pr [per] Coach - very pleasant.
[September] 2nd Voyage & journey to Furness - and Dalton - fine day, nice sail. -
[September] 3rd In Blackpool, from I returned at night Rh. bad.
Tuesday Sep. 6 My Son Thomas married Elizh the daughter of James Forrest, Farmer, Revidge Fold.
Sep 16th Moderately fine - Afternoon to Miss Badger's with Mary - not many Nuts but a fine Afn upon the whole home at 1/4 past 8. -
Length of Great Eastern - 692 feet - Breadth 830 ft. Depth 58 feet. Tonnage 28,000.
Sept 27th After much rain - a fine day. Mrs Tiplady and children went to Southport
[September] 30th to Manchester with Mrs T. to pay certain small legacies of my late Sister Mary - very wet all day. Did some other Business & home early & to bed very tired
Oct 9. To Ribchester Bridge with Mrs T. very tired fine day. –
[October] 13th Darwen Gas (Special)
[October] 18th St Luke's Day - delightful visit to Burnley with Mrs T. got Tea with Mrs E & Daughters. - May the Almighty bless & preserve them.
[October] 21st First frost of the Season. Ice observed.
[October] 22nd The first signs of Winter appeared this Morning in a slight fall of Snow.
My Mind was exercised much in thinking about M. but was very calm, & rational.
Little Henry unwell. - Strongly tempted.
Ought not to have omitted that Letters from Son Richard & Mr Wilson on the 4th containing the joyful intelligence of their health and prosperity for wh: I humbly offer thanks to God.
[October] 23rd Sunday a very rough winterly day - Snow & sleet all day - Twice to Church P. & Ty [Parish & Trinity]. My Son Thomas & his Wife visited us from Liverpool.
"A Sabbath well spent
Brings a week of content
And strength for the toil of the morrow
But a Sabbath profan'd
Whate'er may be gained
Is the certain forerunner of Sorrow"
The above is the maxim of old judge Hale.
[October] 25th St Crispin - a Crisp frost this Morning Hoar - Ice & settled clear frost - very early and apparently like to continue.
Dahlias all Slain & withered.
David sick Hic Dolorenes, absent all Week -
[October] 25th Died William Briggs, Solicitor, aged 57. He had long been in a poor state of health.
[October] 26th & 27th Rough boisterous winds - especially in the Irish Channel. The Royal Charter lost with nearly all hands -and a most precious cargo just in sight of home. She made the passage home in 65 days - computed to be the swiftest that this Line of Steamers has ever attained - But the race is not always to the swift - nor the battle to the strong.
[October] 27th At the Mechanics Institute - Annual Meeting took the 3rd Resolution and was well received had great Liberty of Speech - whereas the Mayor who is proverbially a fluent speaker was at a loss for expression - Captain Jackson made a few judicious & pertinent remarks Mr I Lloyd was flowery - noisy - & impassioned as usual The Institution appears to be really prospering. -
Same Night at the Oddfellows Hall, to receive the subscriptions of the Widow & Orphan's - Commended the intelligence that I had received £4.0.0 from the Harmonic Society.
Also at the Conservative Registration Society - where some one I found had nominated me for St Mary's Ward which I declined. Then home and happily to my repose. - The mercies of God are great.
[October] 30. Sunday at the parish - Good sermon by Dr Rushton on the Three Hebrew Children - In the Evening at St John's - Mr Chapman preached an eloquent discourse from St Peter "What shall be the end of them who obey not the Gospel of God".
[October] 31. Very hard frost - with a probability of a hard Winter. We had a very throng week up stairs. The Lads did their duty well & I rewarded them for it. David to work.
Weather suddenly changed to rain increasing in the Evening to a Storm, with Thunder early on the Morning of the First Novr - which presented as uncomfortable a prospect for a Municipal Election as could possibly be.
Nov. 5. Excessively stormy Weather - In the Evening received a Letter from my Son Richard, who appears to have been sick but is recovered - In a foreign Land far from his Father's House - O Lord preserve & succour him in thy Mercy.
Sunday Nov 6th. In the Morning at the Parish Ch. heard Mr Wrenford, on the obligation of the Christian Sabbath -
In the Evening at the Wesleyan Chapel, being the Missy [Missionary] Meeting when the Rev John Rhodes preached from these words 2 Cor 8. v 9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. The Sermon was throughout a magnificent display of pulpit eloquence - argumentative, sound, scriptural & highly devotional - The preacher in debating upon the richness of the Redeemer portrayed in glowing language his existence with the Eternal before all world - his power as the Creator & Governor of all things, - his Divinity, - as having power to lay down his life & resume it &c He showed contrasted this with his poverty - becoming subject to Law for our sakes, living, suffering, dying the just for the unjust, and concluding with an earnest appeal to his hearers to accept the riches which Christ had then wrought out for us. The whole subject was handled in a masterly Manner and left on my mind a strong conviction of the wonderful condescension of our Saviour in the redemption of the World. O, God give me such faith in thy blessed Son that I may attain to His righteousness.
Nov 1. The Municipal Elections transpired.
Ellis Duckworth returned for St Mary's Ward.
Thos Lewis & T. Walmsley, Trinity Ward
J. C. Forrest & J. Ratcliffe, St Peter's "
Wm Stones & H. Pemberton, St John's
[November] 9th James Cunningham Esq. elected Mayor, by an almost unanimous vote.
Aldermen. Turnbull, Sparrow, Wilding, Hopwood, Cunningham and Rutherford.
Weather again settled down to a keen hard frost with a rising Barometer.
Work plentiful and good - Health of self and family good, for which praised be God.
Novr 13th The Mayor attended Church, There was a large concourse of people - A Sermon was preached in the P Church to a large congregation and a Collection made towards the Infirmary amounting to £41.0.0
[November] 17th At Manchester with Mrs T. on various business particularly getting New Debentures for the £1,500 belonging the Tradesman's Society
Sunday Parish - Wrenford - On the forgiveness of Injuries - Till Seventy-times seven. Evening Trinity - Welland - There remained a rest for the people of God - a good Sermon.
Mrs Tiplady had a fall wh: might have been of the most serious consequences -
Letter from Pannel's Attorney at Liverpool threatening prosecution for £22:19:0. This to an old Customer - Journey to Liverpool (Nov 21) - paid the Money - did not see him.
[November] 22nd William's 18th Birthday - an healthy young Man - quick but peculiar in temper. -
Weather - dismal - damp, dark & foggy -
Died (Dec 2nd 1859) Mr Moses Sharples late Cotton Manufacturer, - A person celebrated in the Warden's Bills - as "Little Moses" - So passeth this World away.
[December] 4th Dreadful rough Morning - heard Mr Skinner in the Morning - O Lord, revive thy Work - a very eloquent & lucid discourse delivered with much earnestness & devotion.
[December] 5th The Election for St Mary's Ward when Mr Dean was defeated - and Mr John Dugdale elected by a majority of 53. -
[December] 7th Letters from Richard to self & Uncle. My Son in good health - & writing very cheerfully.
[December] 9th Mr Alsop from Bahia called - he had seen Richard before starting home
[December] 10th Mrs Tiplady's Birthday (49) - Verily the world passeth away, and we hurry onward to the Grave. So teach us to remember our days that we may apply our heart unto wisdom.
[December] 11th The Ink is scarcely dry - when I have to record the death of Mrs. Riding of the Castle Inn, a house of frequent resort by the Conservative party.
Parish in the Morning (Hughes) He must increase, a good sermon - Evening St John's - Mr Robinson, on the Second Coming of Christ –
[December] 14 Do
[December] 15 Do exceedingly sharp -
[December] 16 Do Do
[December] 17 Saturday Morning - The Water frozen in the Tumbler glass at the bedside
Still very severe indeed but no Snow. Rishton Reservoir one Mass of Ice - Thousands of skaters &c - [December] 18 & 19th
[December] 18th At the parish Church - Afternoon & Evening home - very cold also Rheumatic.
[December] 19th Very hard frost. - 20 - Snow & very cold
Essy's Ninth Birthday.
[December] 21st Tendency to Thaw.
Uncle Ratcliffe dangerously sick - now 76 years old & feeble & infirm
[December] 22 & 23 Relapse into very hard frost - Mr Watson called, and brought from my Son Richard a Bottle of preserved Snakes of various kind - Mr W. gave a promising Account of my Son's health, & spoke encouragingly of his habits & industry.
Christmas Day (Sunday) - At the Parish Church Morning & Evening - There was nothing particular in the Services. A very wet Christmas
[December] 26th While all the world around seem given up to holiday festivity & jig - there are some heartless which destitute of these feelings - for as I came down to the Shop, I met, worn out with watching, anxiety & weeping - poor Mr Isaac Lloyd whose Wife had just departed this Life - He seemed in a dreadful state of trouble may God Almighty support & comfort him.
The frost is between thawing & freezing -
[December] 26th Thawing - Journey to Darwen, - thence to Tockholes round the hill side up to Sandford & Haydock Mill - where I met them & their workpeople - at Supper, in the Victoria Inn, - a large party - & very happy Meeting - proposed Army & Navy also the Workpeople - The Chairman & our next Merry Meeting plenty of good singing by Grime, Haworth, Duxbury & others - and perhaps as clean neat & pretty a set of Factory hands as ever sat down to supper. Home at 12 - Got 2 fingers nipped accidentally by a Coach Door in Pickup Brow.
Another year of life is gone
My mortal race is hastening on
To that tremendous doom
Where hopes and fears & toils & cares
That Made life's scenes of smiles & tears
Will sink into the Tomb.
1859
1859.pdf
1859 pdf includes the text above and footnotes by David Hughes