1802.
A great storm at Manchester, January 21.
— The Philanthropic Society, King Street, founded.
— Sir Robert Peel’s Bill, prohibiting the employment of apprentices for more than twelve hours a day.
— Lancashire Commercial Clerks’ Society established; the first claim upon the society was in 1808.
— Lord Wilton’s Regiment of Lancashire Volunteers returned from Ireland, where they had been stationed for five years, May 13.
— The non-commissioned officers and privates of Lord Wilton’s Regiment were entertained at dinner, by their colonel, in the College-yard, and after dinner they chaired him several times round the yard, and from thence into St. Ann’s Square, May 22.
— Colonel Ford’s Regiment of Light Horse Volunteers were disbanded, and the colours deposited at Claremont.
— A great storm at Manchester, which caused great destruction of property; a cotton factory was blown down at Pendleton, and it also forced out one of the dial plates of St. Ann’s clock, January 21.
— Colonel Ackers’ Regiment of Manchester and Salford Volunteers were disbanded; the colours were deposited in the Collegiate Church, March 10.
— Mr. Thomas Sowler, printer and bookseller, and grandfather of the present Mr. Thomas Sowler, printer and publisher of the Courier newspaper, died June 5.
— The first and second battalions of the Manchester and Salford Volunteers were disbanded. They were drawn up in Camp Field, when the thanks of the house of Commons and the inhabitants of the town, for their services, were read to them; the colours were deposited at the house of Colonel Phillips, at Mayfield, June 1.
--- A year of peace and plenty in England.
— Thomas Stanley and John Ireland Blackburne, Esqs., representatives of the county, attend a public dinner, given to them by the inhabitants of Manchester, July 22.
— Mr. James Ogden, author of the “British Lion Roused,” and several other poetical works, died August 13.
— Messrs. Shallcross and Barnes’ factory, in Portland Street, burned down, September 7. Damage, £20,000.
— Mr. William Sudlow, music-seller, Hanging Ditch, and father of the present Mr. Sudlow, organist at the Collegiate Church, died October.
— Commercial Clerks’ Society established.

1803.
Toll from New Bailey Bridge taken off, January 31.
— The Manchester Telegraph end Weekly Advertiser, No. 1; January. James Edmonds and Company.
— The Mercantile Gazette end Liverpool and Manchester Daily Advertiser, No. 1, August 6. This was the first attempt to establish a daily newspaper out of London, and originated with Dr. Solomon, the patentee of the well-known medicine, “Balm of Gilead.”
— The Argus, No. 1, Joseph Aston.
— Mr. H. Horrocks, of Stockport, takes out his first patent for a power-loom; a second patent taken out in 1805.
— The dressing machine invented by Messrs. Radcliffe and Ross, of Stockport.
— Mr. Todd, of Bolton, gets a patent for improving a power-loom.
— A patent obtained for perpetual cloth beam winding.
— £22,000 raised here for the support of Government.
— The following volunteer corps were raised in Manchester in the course of this year: Manchester Light Horse Volunteers, Shakspeare Philips, Esq., Colonel; Ackers’ Volunteers, James Ackers, Esq., Colonel; Silvester’s Volunteers, John Silvester, Esq., Colonel; St. George’s Corps, John Cross, Esq., Colonel; Fourth Class Volunteers, G. Philips, Esq., Colonel; Hulme Volunteers, Major Pooley; Pendleton Volunteers, Captain Abbot; Trafford Volunteers, Lieutenant-Colonel Cooke; Loyal Masonic Volunteer Rifle Corps, Joseph Hanson, Esq., Colonel.
— Francis Egerton, Duke of Bridgewater, &c., died March 8. He was born May 20, 1736: succeeded his brother John in the dukedom in 1748. He was a great patron of all our national institutions, and was a most liberal and benevolent disposition, contributing no less a sum than £100,000 to the “loyalty loan.” His canal property and coal mines at the time of his death were realising from £50,000 to £80,000 a year and not being married the title became extinct. He entailed the canal property on the second son of the Marquis of Stafford, Lord Francis Egerton.
— Colonel Hanson was presented at court, and was commanded by George III. to appear with his hat on, and in the regimentals of the Manchester Rifle Regiment, which he commanded, December 21.
— Charles Swain, the poet, was born, the author of several deservedly popular works. Of his last publication, entitled “ The Mind,” Southey has said of it and its author: “Swain’s poetry is made of the right materials. If ever man was born to be a poet he was, and if Manchester is not proud of him yet, the time will come when it will be so.”
— Jacquard looms invented by a person of that name, a straw-hat manufacturer, in France.
— Mr. Kennedy’s factory in German Street was burned down, and one of the firemen killed.
--- Bridge Street Market formed.
— The Philological Society of Manchester instituted for the cultivation of literature in general, and the diffusion of useful knowledge, September 23.
— The Townsman, No.1, Dec. 7. The editor of this theatrical paper was the eccentric and wellknown Mr. James Watson.
— Thomas Highs, of Leigh, inventor of the spinning jenny, died Dec. 10, aged 84. He had been supported during the latter years of his life by the liberality of Peter Drinkwater, Esq., and others.
— The officers of several of the Manchester and Salford Volunteer Regiments were each presented with a gold medal, as a testimony of gratitude from their fellow townsmen for splendid and patriotic services.
— Mr. Robert Walker, better known under his assumed name of “Tim Bobbin the Second,” died May 8, aged 75.
— Messrs. Pickfords, carriers, offered to place at the disposal of Government, should they be required, 400 horses, 50 wagons, and 28 boats.
— Mr. Ralph Briddock died July 17. He was a contributor to the poet’s corner of many of the local newspapers of the period, and also to the Lady’s Diary.
— The Manchester Gazette and Liverpool and Manchester Daily Advertiser, No. 1, August 6; printed by J. White, at the Hope Press, Liverpool, and sold by Gerard Bancks, bookseller, St. Ann’s Square; price sixpence. This was the first attempt to establish a daily newspaper out of London, and originated with Dr. Soloman, the patentee of the well-known “Balm of Gilead.”
— The Manchester Telegraph and Weekly Advertiser, No. 1, January 1, price sixpence; printed and published by James Edmond and Co., Bow Lane, with the following motto: “Laugh where we must, be candid where we can.”
— The cost of equipping, a Manchester Light Horse Volunteer was £25 8s. 6d.

1804.
Joseph Harrop, printer, bookseller, and proprietor of the Manchester Mercury, died January 20, aged 67. He was a native of Manchester, and served his apprenticeship with Mr. Henry Whitworth. He war succeeded in business by has son, James Harrop.
— Mr. James Robinson was married to Miss Ann Hilton, at St. John’s Church, by the Rev. John Clowes, February 6. This was the first marriage celebrated in that church, notwithstanding the clear rights for that purpose granted and confirmed thirty-five years before, by the Act of Parliament on which the church was founded.
— The Hay Market fixed in Bridgewater Street, and the Potato Market in Shudehill removed to St. John’s Market, March 24. Since established in Smithfield Market and Oldham Road, adjoining the Lancashire and Yorkshire Goods Station.
— The swivel loom improved by Mr. James Birch.
— The colours presented to the First Battalion, Fourth Class, of Manchester and Salford Volunteers, when a sermon was preached by their chaplain, the Hon. John Clowes, April 2.
— The British Volunteer, No. 1. June 30, printed and published by James Harrop, in the Market Place, price 6d.
— Duel between Major Phillips, commander of the Manchester and Salford Cavalry, and Mr. Jones, a private in the same corps, on Kersal Moor, July 9.
— Thomas Percival, M.D., “an author without vanity, a philosopher without pride, a scholar without pedantry, and a Christian without guile,” was born at Warrington in 1740, and died in Manchester August 30, 1804. A neat marble tablet, with a suitable inscription, from the pen of Mr. Henry, was erected to his memory in the Society’s room.
--- High floods in the Irwell.
— The “Manchester Guide,” by Joseph Aston.
— The Rev. R H. Whitelocke appointed postmaster in the place of Mr. James Harrop. printer.
— Rochdale and Halifax Canal to Knot Mill, opened December 20.
— John Leigh Philips and Colonel Hanson met upon Kersal Moor, to fight a duel, but were arrested and held to bail, July 25.
— The roof of the Rev. Mr. Cowherd’s Chapel, King Street, Salford, fell in, August 23.
— Colonel Cross’s Regiment, the St. George’s Corps of Manchester and Salford Volunteer Infantry, were disbanded. September.
— The Duke of Gloucester, accompanied by his son, Prince William, inspected the whole volunteer force of this town at Ardwick; after which they paid a visit to Chetham’s Hospital, September 30.
— Nathaniel Wood (or “Patten Nat,” as he was called), of Hanging Bridge, patten maker, died June 1, aged 60. A wag wrote the following doggrel upon him at the public-house he used to frequent in Salford

— Grand review of Volunteer Corps, consisting of 5,816 men, on Sale Moor, in Cheshire, by the Duke of Gloucester and his son, Prince William, April 12. Stand fell, and one person killed.
— The first procession to Ardwick took place this year to celebrate the birthday of George III., June 4.
— Lord Ellenborough decided in the case of Sir Oswald Mosley v. Stonehouse and Railton, that both the defendants were exempt from serving the office of constables, they being holders of Tyburn Tickets.
— The Rochdale Canal opened by the committee, who came from Rochdale to Manchester in two elegant boats, accompanied by the band of the first battalion of the Manchester and Salford Volunteers, and on the same evening a boat loaded with goods came from Rochdale to Manchester, and proceeded through to Liverpool next morning, December 21.
— High floods in the Irwell, which did considerable damage, January.
— St. Luke’s Chapel, Bedford Street, Chorlon-upon-Medlock, was built by the Rev. E. Smyth; consecrated 1858; rebuilt 1865, and is now a parish and rectory.

1805.
The Mail, printed and published every Thursday by Joseph Aston, No. 1, January 1. Price sixpence.
— The officers of the Manchester and Salford Rifle Corps presented to Joseph Hanson, Esq., their colonel, a splendid sword, a brace of pistols, and a pike, the whole of most exquisite workmanship, as a token of their respect.
--- The factory of Mr. G. Ollivant, Bury Street, Salford, destroyed by fire January 7.
— The factory of P. Rowley and Co., Oldfield Lane, destroyed by fire February 26.
— The factory of Wood and Foster, Garratt, destroyed by fire March 1; damage £20,000.
— The factory of John Read, at Islington, Ancoats, was destroyed by fire February 26.
— Murder of Ann Smith, aged 30 years, in Oak Street, May 31. Mary Jackson tried at Lancaster; but acquitted.
— The factory of Messrs. Buchan and Shaw, at Higher Ardwick, destroyed by fire July 14.
— Thackary and Son’s cotton factory, Garrett Mill, destroyed by fire December 22.
— The Manchester Academy, for the promotion of Fine Arts, attempted to be established by Mr. Craig, but failed.
— The factory of Messrs. Lee and Phillips, Salford, lighted with gas, being the first appearance in this district. Gas was publicly exhibited for the first time in England by Messrs. Boulton and Watt, Soho, Birmingham, upon the national rejoicings for the Peace of Amiens, in 1802.
— Two cousins of the name of Faulkner, belonging to Col. Hanson’s Rifle Corps, were practising at the target, in the grounds attached to Strangeways Hall, when one of them going behind the mark, was shot through the body by his cousin, June 7.
— The victory of Trafalgar celebrated on Ardwick Green, and subscriptions entered into for the relief of those who had lost their relatives in the engagement, November 21.
— The general thanksgiving for the victory of Trafalgar was observed in Manchester, when the various Volunteer corps assembled and proceeded to their respective churches, December 5.
— Mr. Hlndley’s cotton factory, George Leigh Street, Ancoats, was burned down December 20.
— Surface printing on calicoes by means of engraved wooden rollers, was invented by James Barton, engraver to Mr. Peel, of Church.

1806.
New Methodist Connexion Chapel, Broad Street, Pendleton, built
— The Portico, Mosley Street, opened January 20. Cost £7,000.
— The first stone of the Exchange laid by George Phillips, Esq., July 21. Newsroom opened January 2, 1809. The dining-room opened June 4, 1809. The post-office and other rooms added to the newsroom, October 22, 1839, making in the whole an area of 5,506 feet. Rebuilt 1872.
— Samuel Stockton, Joseph Holland, and John Powell, were executed at Lancaster, for committing unnatural crimes at Warrington, September 12.
— A new dressing machine invented by Mr. McAdam.
— Banns were published in St. Mary’s Church for the first time, October 19.
— The Lancashire Union of Independent Churches founded at Mosley Street Chapel, September 23.
— Broughton Bridge, built by Samuel Clowes, Esq. All but his tenants pay toll (1869).
---. In making the new road from Manchester to Middleton, the workmen discovered a number of bones and a lead coffin in Collyhurst Clough. They were the remains of persons who died of the plague in 1605. This piece of land, containing six acres, was given by Rowland Massey, Esq., lord of the manor, as a burial-place for those who died of this disease; and to erect cabins, and build upon, at all times when any infections of the plague shall appear in Manchester, for the relief and harbour of infected persons. March.
— Mr. Tate, an eminent portrait painter of this town, died, July. He was a favourite pupil of Wright, of Derby, and painted several firelights and landscapes of great merit.
— Messrs. Norton and Co.’s dyehouse, at the Wallness, was burned down October 9; damages £2,000.

1807.
James Massey. a prisoner in the New Bailey, charged with an unnatural crime, hung himself. and was conveyed away that evening and buried near the distance chair on Kersal Moor; from whence he was in a few days afterwards removed, and buried in the ditch where old Grindret was gibbeted; and not lying above a day or two there, was took up again, and interred near the Salford weighing-machine.
— The payment of cock money abolished by the feoffees of the Free Grammar School.
— Theatre Royal, Fountain Street, opened June 12, with the comedy of “Folly as it Flies,” and “Rosin;” under the management of Mr. Macready. Rent, £2,000 a year. Opened July 12 (Harland’s Historical Remains).
— Riot between the Orangemen and the Irish, in High Street, July 13.
— Mr. Alexander Duff improves the draw boy
— Independent Chapel, Grosvenor Street, opened December 3.
— New Methodist Connexion Chapel, Oldham Street, erected.
— Independent Methodist Chapel, Shaw Street, Salford, opened.
— The Baptist Chapel, York Street, built.
— The first packet boat from the New Bailey Bridge commenced sailing to Runcorn.
— Three boys sliding upon the ponds in Strangeways Park were let into the water, when two were saved by Mr. David Law, Jun., the other was drowned, November 29.
— The Annuitant Society formed January 9.
— The Grand Lodge of the Loyal Orange Institution of England established at the Star Hotel, Deansgate; Colonel Taylor, of Moston, elected Grand Master. February.

1808.
The post-office, Exchange, opened.
— A violent contest between the weavers and their employers respecting the rate of wages, May 24, 25; Lieutenant-Colonel Hanson appeared on the field, and took part with the weavers. One weaver killed by the military.
— Sir Oswald Mosley offers to sell the manor of Manchester to the inhabitants for £90,000, but the negotiation fails. £70,000 was offered.
— A petition, signed by 50,000 persons, sent from Manchester against the “Orders in Council,” passed in retaliation of Bonapartes Berlin and Milan decrees.
— Manchester and Salford Court of Requests established:
— The Manchester and Salford Waterworks Company established. Length of iron main pipes laid down was upwards of seventy miles, and the daily consumption of water 1,400,000 gallons; or thereabouts. Reservoirs were made at Bradford, Beswick, Gorton and Audenshaw. Office, No. 27, Piccadilly, Manchester.
— Shudehill Pits partially filled up, and a Methodist Chapel (Swan Street) built upon a part of their site. Converted into shops and dwelling-houses, 1823.
— John Whitaker, the historian of Manchester, and rector of Ruan-Langhorne, in Cornwall, died October 30, aged 73 years. He was born at Manchester, April 27, 1735, and educated at the Free Grammar School of his native town, and at Corpus Christi College; Oxford. In 1771, Mr. Whitaker published his first volume of the “History of Manchester,” 4to, and in 1772 he published his “Genuine History of the Britons Asserted,” 8vo, He left a widow and two daughters to lament the loss of an affectionate husband and father.
— The Circus, in Chatham Street, taken down, end dwelling-houses erected on the site.
— A number of Roman dishes were found in Castle Field. They were taken to the brazier’s, and sold as old metal; but were removed, through the medium of Mr. Lysons, of the Record Office, to the British Museum.
— A servant woman committed suicide by poison, and was buried at New Cross, September 22.
— The Regent Bridge, Regent Road, opened. A toll was taken until 1848, when it was made free.
— Nathan Meyer Rothschild settles in Manchester, as agent to his father at Frankfort, in purchasing cotton goods for the Continental market.
— Bradford reservoir demolished. (See Manchester water works.)