Diary of Charles Tiplady 1850 -1859

[February] 22nd In consequence of my printing a placard Headed 'the Sweating System', calculated to injure Mr Turner of Bn. I was this day served with "a Writ" and though the Tailors would defend it - I was advised not to allow it to go to a Trial - the evidence being paltry. - I went to Preston with Mr Leonard Wilkinson on the 6th Day of March, and settled the business - The Tailors upon this were in a great rage at me, as having made them into public liars, by denying the Allegations of the placard. The whole affair besides loss of time, anxiety and other inconveniences cost me £52:0:0 which the Tailors refused to pay. - This is not the first time I have been led into an Error by the over officiousness of William Durham, at whose request, I printed the Bill.

March 28th The remaining part of Mr Callis's property was sold at the following prices

House & Shop Penny Street	360:0:0
House, Shire brow	35:0:0
Pew, in St John's Church	14:0:0
£	409:0:0

It was considered a good & fair sale, I could have bid higher but consider the above quite the value.

Monday Ap. 1. - Short time Committee, - paid over to the Treasurer £8:0:0 being a Donation from John Livesey, Esqr.. Great Tea party at St John's - where the Wife of Mr Wheeler had a portrait of her husband presented to her.

[April] Tuesday - 16th Annual Meeting of the St John's Female Friendly Society - about 300 sat down to Tea. - Mrs Hart presided.

[April 17th?] Wednesday. - The public Meeting of the Ten Hour's Act was held this Day at Darwen. I attended as a Deputation with, John Gardner & Andrew Wade. - A good Meeting but very hot Night - There were about 8 from Bolton. There were refreshment at Mr Hutchinson's - Revd. H. Dunderdale in the chair.

Salford	772:16:0​
Penny St	360:0:0
	1132:16:0

I also this day took the Premises from Mr Dutton, which I now occupy in Church Street for a Lease of 14 years at £34:0:0 per annum. - His maintaining the outside & I the inside in proper in proper repair.

This year completed our Twentieth year's occupation. I paid for the lease £3:0:0

[May] On the 12th Mrs Swails, wife of E Swails, Librarian, Died and left a large family.

July 2nd The Greatest Statesman of his day, Sir Robt Peel died, after 2 days lingering from the effects of a serious fall from his horse.

July 22nd In the presence of Mr Kenyon, Mr Wraith, Mr Charles Callis, & William Tattersall, received the Legacy from the Estate of William Callis, amounting to £148:7:10 including the share for Nancy.

Septr 29th The Short Time Committee held their last Meeting at the Rechabites Hall, when the Accounts were audited & settled. –

Sept 1st At Skipton and at Bolton Abbey - Very large market for Cattle at Skipton, it was a glorious, fine Day. - The ride to Bolton was pleasant, tho' I was not well, I never saw finer scenery in my Life. Got Tea with Mr Tasker, who was very kind, & also his Son.
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Monday - none

Tuesday. Audit of Oddfellows, - at Thos Hitchen's in King Street, - until 10 o'clock - then to Choral Society. - Angel

Wednesday, (25th.)  Quarterly Meeting of the Loan Society at Feilden's Arms - Leyland Street - Society very prosperous. P. Little captious & uncomfortable - C [Choral] Society at 10

(27) Down to the Subscription Library, which I am sorry to say is in a miserable Condition, - in debt, without funds, and obliged to remove from the present Central situation, Mr Lund in the chair. It was agreed that an Advertisement for a New Librarian & New Premises should be inserted in the Standard. Left at 1/2 Eight, then went down to Mr Hoole's, where I inspected the Plans for the New Town Hall. - They are very beautiful, and the Pile of Buildings will be an ornament to the Town - Left at 1/2 Nine, & had a sandwich at Mrs Houlker's where I fell into Company with Mr Kenworthy & others, for an hour or two. - He talking of going to America, which I do not credit -

(28) Heard this Morning from my Wife of the unexpected and lamented Death of Henry Grimshaw, a very old friend to me and one whom I highly respected. He had done business with us ever since we began business. - This report was not true.

28 (29) Was glad to hear that H. G. was living - Down to the Loan Society in the Evening where a dispute arose by A. E. respecting an allowance to his Wife, I thought him very selfish & refused to comply. -

(30) Sunday - Parish Church Morning & Evening - Mr Wheeler, in the Evening - preached his favorite Doctrine of Election, which I look upon as rank fatalism - His Sermon made a sensation in the Town

Monday Sep 30th Attended the District Meeting of Oddfellows as Treasurer - very uncomfortable squabbling, W. Fielding & others voted factiously - The Directories were given to Thos Woods - I left at 1/2 past five from Ewood Bridge & came to the Assembly Room, where the Poll was about Commencing - Having been appointed a Scrutineer with Mr R Edmondson, Chandler. After some arrangements had been entered into the poll commenced & was kept up with spirit until nine o'clock at which time the numbers stood as follows –

For the introduction of the New Rate	158
Against it	9
Majority	149

 The poll was then adjourned until Tuesday Oct^r 1^st 1850 when the entire numbers stood then​

For &c	295
Against	21
Majority	274

Decr. 19th. My Wife was delivered of a Daughter "Esther" she did pretty well untill [sic] her Breast gathered. - The children came home to Christmas, - Charles from Whalley - Willie & Richd from Bury. - They afterwards returned to those places.

​1850.pdf

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Sunday Feb. 2. Morning parish church. Dr Boudrey Afternoon Trinity Mr Robinson on the prayer Book Church bad hearing place - Evening at home & at my Mother's, to bed early - with prayer –

[February 3] Monday. Besides usual work - Meeting at the Op Con [Operative Conservative] Association, in the Evening - requested to be the President for the ensuing year - agreed - Meeting cold, formal, slender.

[February] Tuesday - 4th. At John's School - Monthly Meeting female friendly Society - Took £23-15-9 - cold-stormy night - called Angel.

[February 5] Wednesday - Victoria Burial Society, - Meeting of the of the [sic] Managers - preparatory to the 2nd Monthly Meeting

Thursday Feb 6th. Trade Protection Society Annual Meeting at St Leger. slender, only nine present viz: Sturdy, Brooks, Fowler, Tiplady, Hirst, Pickop, Roylance, Duckworth, and Barlow. Report agreed.

[February 7] Friday. Second Monthly Meeting, Vic: Building Society Took £107 - very busy. Thompson, myself, W. Stones & Whitworth officiated.

[February 8] Saturday, At the Shop tolerably busy - closed at 1/2 Ten

Feb 19th 1851 Daughter Esther christened at the parish Church. Sponsors Uncle Ratcliffe, and two Miss Elltofts of Burnley. - Monk officiated read the service very rapidly.

Mrs Vose had one christened same time, "Mary Elizabeth"

March the 6th Went to Great Harwood, and assisted Mr Dobson with some School Club Rules, dined with him a pleasant Day, and invigorating, Returned at 3pm same Evening went to Over Darwen, Gas Meeting when a Dividend of £7 per Cent was recommended

[March] 7th Sale of shares at the Victoria Building Society 14 shares at £16:10 per share.

March 27 &c Auditing the Town's Books

[March] 29th Capt Warburton held a "Court of Enquiry" in relation to the Incorporation of the Town. - There was a tolerable attendance - It was very satisfactorily arranged that the Town be divided into six Wards. viz:

1 - St Mary's Ward

2 - St John's   Ditto
3 - Trinity   Ditto

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April 2nd Mrs Thomas Hart died at Lytham suddenly.

[April] 16th. On a jury at the Workhouse, enquiring into the death of Thos Holden, who was found in the Railway Tunnel at Eanam, long enquiry - 8 hours - Verdict Accidental Drs Pickop & Wilding were examd. It was said by rumour that the former had neglected the Man. - It did not turn so no evidence - tho' some of the jury thought the man's thigh should have been set earlier.

May 1st The Great Exhibition at London - opened.

This Day I appeared against a Travelling Flying Stationer, named G Blain, who was convicted of selling Goods without a Hawker's Licence. - Fine £10:0:0 Done in self Defence.

Same Day an Oratorio at St Paul's Church, Conductor Mr Jopson - A large, but not very efficient Orchestra.

June 4th 1851 Attended a Meeting of the Directors of the East Lancashire Company - on Saturday the 7th of June on the subject of the Blackburn and Darwen Railway. - Arrangement were made whereby I went to support Mr Allsop & Hall to oppose an Amalgamation with the L. & Y. Compy [Lancashire & Yorkshire Company]. - We had a free pass. I was in Company with Mr Thwaites.

May 13,14 & 15. Having a strong desire to visit York, I took the advantage of a cheap Trip (11/6 2nd Class there & back) - from Blackburn, on Tuesday the 13th. There was a great Race to take place that Day between the "Flying Dutchman" and "Voltiguer" for 1000 Guineas. - I cared little for the Race but thought it would add something to my experience by going the journey.

We started from Bn at half past 8 with about 12 Carriages (E. L. [East Lancashire] Line) and had a pleasant Trip up to Colne. The Morning was delightfully fine with occasional cloudiness. - At Colne about 13 other Carriages joined the Train, and thus we proceeded up to Skipton, - Mr W Hirst pawnbroker was in the same Carriage with myself and we agreed to stop at the same place. - We went on from Skipton at 10 a.m. taking up passengers all the way until we reached Shipley, Keighley & Bingley and about 30 or 35 more Carriages well laden, were added to the Train making about 60 in the whole. - We had here a stoppage of 3/4 of an hour and it was thought at one time we could not well proceed without more strength - However with 2 powerful Locomotives in front and one in the rear - we went on at a easy pace to Leeds, where we stopped about 10 Minutes, and the line being very level from Leeds to York, one Engine was detached from us; At Leeds the clouds threatened Rain, and there was a shower or two - The place itself seemed enveloped in smoke, and presented an unpleasant appearance so far as we could discern from the position in which we viewed it. - From hence we passed onward through a most delightful country to York, where we arrived at half past one - p.m. - We secured lodgings at the Golden Fleece Pavement, kept by a Widow Lady named "Young" and under all circumstances were made as comfortable as we expected. Though I cared little for the Races, yet as I was in York I went and witnessed the exciting spectacle between "Voltiguer" & the "Flying Dutchman" the latter winning by about a length. After races went to the Cathedral or Minster, had a splendid view from the Tower, clear view of 50 Miles - very fine, not so much as a Cloud - Then went to the Railway Station to see the Multitudes return home, Vast numbers of Trains and people to all parts viz: London, Liverpool, Birmingham, Newcastle, Scotland &c &c - In the Evening slept with W Hirst. On the following day went to the Museum very striking curiosities. York contains 28 Churches - Left at 2 o'clock, went from there to Harrogate, which I had got view of - Weather still fine - Tasting warm water - horribly bad, like rotten eggs. Left at noon, came up to Leeds, where Mr Hirst left me & came home, - I stopped at Robt Whalley and had a snack there - then left and came up to Skipton & Colne, where I met with Mr R. Hutchinson & Jno  Ratcliffe coming home. Arrived safely home.

Sepr 12th Went with Mrs Tiplady & Fanny to Ribchester a most pleasant & delightful day. Mr Brodie kindly took us in his white-chapel - visited the Church and also Stydd Church gathered a few nice nuts for the Children

Oct 9th Went with Uncle Ratcliffe to see the Queen to Liverpool very wet day - uncomfortable - Saw the Queen at the Exchange very throng - Prince Albert & the young Princess & Prince were with them - On the following day to Manchester with Mary, very fine - a splendid Illumination none equal to it in London. - The crowd immense - A very nice treat indeed

The Library - We left the Library under the following circumstances. We were under Notice to quit in November but I could not prevail upon the Committee to allow me to sell the Books for £60, until the 29th of October. - On that day however Mr Hoole agreed & I went with him to pay the Rent for 3 half-years viz £28:10:0 and it was agreed the Books &c should be cleared  out by the 12th November, but Mr Boardman should then have liberty to Let the Rooms - Accordingly Mr Johnson who bought the Books got them out expeditiously by the 1st Novr & I sold the shelving &c to Mr Sandford per valuation giving him instructions to clear all out immediately so that Mr John Boardman could have possession. - He did so & on the 6th Nov Mr Bn. [Boardman] came to me in the Evening & we had some conversation respecting the Removal. I told him what I had done, and he said all was right, but he thought he had better have some Notices fixed up on the House showing that he had Rooms to Let, I said he ought to have and he ordered me to print some copies off, as follows "Two Rooms, for Offices, To Let. Enquire within". He requested me to send a Servant to affix one Notice upon the outside, wh: Notice remained up for 7 days, & was up on the 13th November. On the morning of that day he came to me & said Sandford had not given him the Key, and he should now look upon the Library for another years Rent - I told him I did not know but that he had had possession a Week, - On going to Sandford he produced the Key - went with Myself & Mr Boardman, he unlocked the Door & all three went in to the Room, it was empty - all our Property was gone. - He said the Gas should be secured & the Windows Mended, I promised this, & left him then in possession of the Room. - Mr James Woodfall the same day completed the repairs in the Windows & the Gas Piping. - Nov. 20 1851.

May 13th 1852. He has not claimed the half-years Rent either verbally or by Letter on the 12th.

He died shortly after -

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Thursday, the 1st Jan 1852 New Years Day Audit of the Oddfellows Accounts.

Friday – The Meeting of the Victoria Benefit Building Club.

March 1st 1852. Appointed as Auditor to the Corporation in company with Mr Blakey which office I hold over year, and declined proceeding any further.

James Pilkington Esq.	845
William Eccles, Esqre.	580
John Hornby, Esqre,	509

Every species of falsehood, bribery, intimidation & co-ercion was resorted to - in order to gain the [sic], but the most glaring was the parading a Big Loaf - & Little Loaf - labelled Hornby's Loaf and Pilkington's Loaf - JH had 220 Plumpers.

Sepr 9. 1852. Since the Election death has made great inroads among the Tory party the following having deceased

Mr John Lewis, Grocer,	John Alston, Gentn.
"  Thos Bolton, Gentn	James Forrest, Cotton Spinner
"  James Haworth, Draper	John Pemberton, Farmer

On the 26 Augt Mrs Livesey, wife of the Sexton of the parish Church was killed by falling down stairs at Mrs Cliff. Mrs Cliff died shortly after.

Sepr 27th Meeting of the Oddfellows, proposed for Prov G M of the District, a rather fractious Meeting.

[September] 28th Tuesday Auditing with Mr Mitchell the Books of the Econl  [Economical] Loan Society, - Books very carelessly kept by the Secretary.

[September] 29th Meeting of the Provident Loan Society, passed the Accounts, Thos Greenwood in the Chair - 15 shares sold 5 @ 2/6 5 @ 2/8 & 6 at 2/10. Realised 15 per cent.

Oct 20th This Day we lost, by death, our excellent and beloved Mother, after a severe illness of four months. She died perfectly happy & resigned in her 76th year.

Oct 26th We interred our respected and venerable Mother this Day at the parish Church Blackburn - There were present Members of our Family besides Cousins Ratcliffes & Sharps viz

Brother James & Maria, - with Elizh. James, William, John and Mary Anne their children

Sarah from Manchester

Myself and Mary with Thomas, Charles William, Richard, Frances, Henry and Esther our children

Anne, Elizabeth, Margaret and Jane our Sisters

John and Sarah from Bury - Jane William's Widow

After the Funeral I read Mothers Will, which was satisfactory

Jan. 3rd Meeting of the Tradesmens Society at the Bull, flat Dinner, not well having Rheumatism. Elected to the Office of President by Ballot.

[January] Friday the 7th Attended the Building Society collected £170 or thereabouts.

Printed the Directories & Reports for the Oddfellows 2000 Copies –

Jan. 31. Meeting of the Managers, Vict [Victoria] Building Society & prepare and pass Report for Annual Meeting.

Feb. 1. Meeting of St John's Female Frd [Friendly] Society of which I am Clerk.

[February] 2nd Meeting of the Green Bank Lodge (summoned) Subject to let out Money. - Agreed to lend Robert Smalley the sum of £400 on legal Security, also agreed to revise & register the Lodge Laws. full attendance.

[February] 3rd Attended the Marriage of Mr Henry Hargreaves of Mellor, He married a Miss Ewart of Preston, a pleasant party, my Wife was also present.

[February] 4th Meeting (monthly) of Vict B B [Victoria Benefit Building] Society attended to receive Money as Manager with Mr Charles Whitworth and delivered out the Annual Report, same Night purchased 2 shares of Saml Pemberton, 4/8 per share and transfer. –

[February] 5th Saturday, - Went to British Queen Lodge and advised them to register Laws &c. Home at Eleven, - There are few weeks in which I have not to attend Meetings as above.

[February] 6th Sunday (Parish Church) Attended with Wife also Sacrament.

[February] 7th Meeting of Short time Committee a request was made to pay the expences of a certain Meeting to be held for agitating the question of a restriction on the moving power, which was granted under certain Conditions.

In consequence of Aunt Carus not having made a Will, and my Mother not having mentioned it in her Will, my eldest Brother as Heir-at-Law takes possession of my Aunt's property - and also my Sister's Mary's share of our Grandfather's Property.

At the end of this Book will be found a Copy of my Will made and signed on the Eighth Day of February 1853, and I solemnly adjure my Wife & Children as they shall answer it at the bar of Almighty God to carry the same into Effect. – Abrogated

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	Debts		Credits
To Hy Kenyon	200:0:0	Houses	550:0:0
W & O [Widows & Orphans] Fund	100:0:0	Gas Shares	100:0:0
Sisters	50:0:0	By [Building] Society
Stock	380:0:0	Loan Society	15:0:0
Hearts of Oak	20:0:0	Railway	20:0:0
	£750:0:0		£740:0:0

NB - Of the above £380:0:0 - £40 belongs to me in right of inheritance by the death of my Mother. -

Thursday the 17th of June 1853. Died William Eccles Senior, Esqre late M P for this Town, - It is supposed that the being unseated for Bribery & Corruption preyed much upon his mind, and in fact the Mode in which he allowed himself to be brought out would not, could not bear reflection.

On the same day died "William Thom" a violent Radical & Scotchman, - Thomas Hitchen P P G M [Past Provincial Grand Master] died the day before of long lingering consumption.

[June] 17th Captain Whitle of Whalley died.

Copy of a hand Bill in reference to the Death of William Eccles:-

To the reasonable and discerning Electors of Blackburn

Respected Friends,​

My plain and unassuming Address of the 25th inst has been replied to by "An Independent Elector" in a long and scurrilous Address, characterised alike by unblushing effrontery & savage ferocity.

June 23 - My 45th Birthday

[June] 24th. Dr Dugdale unanimously elected Alderman.

[June] 25th Funeral of the late William Eccles, Esqre public procession to the Chapel Street Chapel. - Sermon afterwards - at St John's Church, and at Chapel Street

Monday June 27th. Quarterly District Committee at Pleasington where I gave an explanation of our Mission to the A.M.C. [Annual Moveable Conference] - a pleasant Meeting.

[June] 29th At the Economical `& also the Provident Loan Society. - the quarterly Meeting - Dividend paid at the latter in the Chair at the P L S.

[June] 30th Attended the Hornby Testimonial Committee great blame to John Sagar for neglect - at the "King's Head"

July 1st Building Society - Monthly Meeting

[July] 2nd Saturday Audit of the District Books.

July 15th Mr Hopwood Senior the most remarkable Man of his day in Blackburn

[July] 1[7] Died Eccles Shorrock Esqre the King & Potentate of Over Darwen, - This Man by dint of perseverance rose from the position of a Weaver to a princely fortune.

Died Sepr. 13th. Mrs Sarah Tiplady of Bury, Wife of my Brother John after a very long and singularly afflicting illness. -

The 8th 9th & 10th of Septr will long be remembered in Blackburn as the days on which the Hornby Testimonials were given, It is almost impossible to furnish an outline of those festivities which occurred on the occasion but one may instance that there was a Presentation, Banquet, Ball & Grand Procession such as never was witnessed in the Town before.

The presents consisted of a Grand Candelabrum value £350 to Mr W H Hornby.

and to Mrs Hornby a beautiful folio family Bible value £35:0:0.

Mr Charles Boardman was Chairman of the Committee Mr W Peel - Vice & I was Vice Chairman at the Dinner, Mr J W Pemberton was Secretary throughout.