Page 2

P.S. 10 Whitehead apprehended John Brennan, a creeler of 19 Francis Ann Street for stealing from a shop in the market house one currant loaf value halfpenny on the 4th October 1872 which was the property of William Furthergill, confectioner, Clayton Street. Committed for 1 month.

Elizabeth Ann Layfield, a prostitute of 11 Back King Street, was apprehended for stealing 4/- from Henry Lorrrace, a mechanic of 25 Leyland Street while he was with her at 11 Back Ring Street on the 25th October 1872.  She was committed to Lancaster Castle for 2 months.

P.S. 10 Whitehead apprehended Jemma Jane Robinson, a cardroom hand, from 35 Follywell Street for stealing a collarette (fancy collar) valued 3s 1d from a market stall belonging to W. Cowell of Northgate on16th Nov 1872. She also stole 7½ yards of Alpaca from a market stall on the same day valued 8/-, the property of Anderton Whittaker of King Street. On the same date she had also stolen a woollen handkerchief value 2s 4d from a market stall, the property of James Rushton, a draper of 12 Northgate.  She was committed for to Lancaster Castle for 1 month on each charge.

P.S. 10 Whitehead reported James Kenyon, an Inn Keeper of Greaves Street for being drunk and disorderly in Addison Street at 10.15 p.m. Sunday 8th December 1872 fined 10/- and costs

1873
Thomas Forrest of Bury was charged on the 18th July 1873 for neglect of family. Committed for 1 month £1 reward.

Joseph Potts Chief Constable of Blackburn
in 1875

Thoughts and observations of PS Charles Whitehead, noted in his Police Log Book at various times during 1850 – 1890.

5th December 1864
The Watch Committee having promoted P.C. 23 Charles Whitehead to the rank and pay of Sergeant which will take place forthwith but will remain on his beat until Monday the 12th inst. and will assist P.C. Kitchen who will succeed him on the beat to know the inhabitants.

The heat on the 15th of July 1868 Wednesday 124 deg., never as hot since 1826, a dreadful dry summer all burnt up, grass corn burnt up, water scarce in some places fetch it for cattle a long way.

On the 16th of July 1868 was the nomination day for MP’s. 17th Voting Day all quiet, the 18th the declaration of the Polls when Hornby was 4000-978, Feilden 4,826, Potter 4,399, Montague 4,164. On the 12th March 1869 the Judge Mr Willies opened the Courts to try the Petition on the 16th of the same month both was unseated (Great Dissatisfaction)

P.S. 23 Charles Whitehead joined the Blackburn Police Force as Constable on the 29th December 1856. Promoted to 3rd Class on the 16th November 1857; 2nd Class 2nd May 1859; 1st Class 5th December 1859. Received the first increase shilling per week for Good Conduct on the 5th December 1862. Promoted to the rank and pay of Sergeant on the 5th December 1864 and advanced one shilling and six pence per week on the 9th January 1866, first increase of 4s per week 2nd December 1867.

Funerals at the Blackburn Cemetery in the month of October 1869 was 222, in the following month Nov 233. January 1870 Funerals Blackburn 263.

1870
The Metropolitan contains 26 Superintendents, 256 Inspectors, 946 Sergeants and 7656 Constables. The City Police force containing 12 Inspectors of Divisions, 14 Station Sergeants, 12 Detective Sergeants, 56 Street Sergeants, 600 Police Constables.

Funerals in March 243 Blackburn 1870.

Church of England Denomination - July 1869 12,104 in the Corporation Park, June 1870 in the Park were 13,351.  From the 25th Dec 1870 to 1st January1871 there were 13 deaths in London through the effects of the cold and hard frosts. Some of the lakes would bear horses and sledges. Sunday night January 1st 1871 was the coldest night ever known. I was on duty in 3 Section.

13th January 1871 Charles Whitehead weighed 8 stone 17lb.

31st January 1871 new rollers for Squeezer.

On the 5th of February Sunday 1871 the frost broke having had 7 weeks of the hardest frost for the last 49 years.

Weight of Charles Whitehead 23rd January 1873 - 8 stone 19lbs

The following Churches were consecrated as follows, Saint John’s 31st July 1789, Saint Paul’s 1792, Parish Church 13th September 1827, Saint Peter’s 11th September 1821, Mellor Church in 1829, Witton Church 1838, Trinity 1846, St Michael’s 1896, St Thomas’ 1865, Christ Church

1869.
London and North Western and Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company have 1,938 miles of railway Capital £83,000 (1871)

The bells were put up in the Parish of St Mary’s Church, Blackburn, 6 in number in 1737.

Queen crowned on the Tuesday 28th June 1838.

Paste Blacking
Mix thoroughly half a pound each of ivory Black and treacle then add one ounce of powdered alum, one drachm of Turpentine, one ounce of oil of vitriol, mixing well together.

September 1870
The fruit harvest of 1870 is described by the Gardener’s Magazine as one of the best within the experience of the present generation.
Wednesday. 15th March 1871

On Wednesday night a very heavy snow storm 2 feet thick broke the Telegraph wires. On Thursday 16th a heavy rain, snow went.

Government Inspector on the 20th March 1871. Inspected us – a beautiful day all right at 11 p.m.

on Friday the 17th March 1871 the shock of an earth quake was felt in Lancashire but very heavy about Preston. Shook pots out of place.

At 5.30 a.m. on the 25th March 1871 a fire took place at a confectioner’s shop at the top of King Street.  Mrs Kilmer and her child and 2 servants named Dickinson aged 21 and Craven age 15 years. A very great fire and an awful sight.

26th February 1871 Mrs Hacking came and stayed till 30th Oct 1874. [Whitehead lodged with the hackings when he first came to Blackburn.

19th April 1871 Robt Houseman Agnes Dan and Hannah Wiggins came from America and left to return back and they sailed on the 22nd June 1871

The Census in Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council 3rd April 1871
Blackburn population 76,357; Inhabited houses 14,689; Uninhabited 1,093; Buildings 158; Males 36,084, Females 40,253. Total 76,337. St Peter’s Ward - 10,125, St Paul’s – 14,499, St John’s – 13,062, St Mary’s – 3,753, Park – 20,202, Trinity – 14,697, Total 76,337

Whit Monday in 1871 was on the 29th of May but has never been on that date of 172 years before but will be on the same date in 11 years that will be in 1882.

On the 10th of October 1830 the Bill for granting Beer Licenses was passed and within 19 days. 800 were granted in Liverpool alone and by the end of the first year 24,342 were granted in England and Wales at 3 guineas each.

30th September 1871 a snow storm fell in Blackburn (Audley)

Cockroaches

A tea cup full well bruised plaster of Paris mixed with double the quantity of oatmeal with a little sugar.
Scurf in the head – Borax and Camphor each a quarter of ounce, Brandy 2-ounce, Water one pint. Bathe once a day.

Indelible Marking Ink
Press the juice from ripe sloes until you have half a pint then burn 2 ounce of horse beans in a tin. Shovel punt them in linen rag. Simmer them in the sloe juice half an hour. Strain decoction through a muslin rag. Take care the linen is dry before making.

April 1872
The Great Bell at York Minster is the largest in the country.  Its weight is 27,000 lbs
Great Tom of Oxford weighs 12,000 lbs
Saint Pauls London weighs 11,500 lbs
The largest Bell in the World is the Great Bell of Moscow which has never been rung. Weighs 443,722 lbs.

In 1871 in London every eight minutes one person dies and every five minutes one is born–from 1851 to 1871 the population increased 800,000 and it is a world of itself.

With grateful thanks to June Riding (Community History Volunteer) for transcribing P.C. Charles Whitehead's log book, and also, to Stephen Smith (Community History Volunteer) for his introductory notes. April 2019.