No. XXI

September 18th – John Mills, commonly called Little Britton, leg broke and much bruised in a coalpit at back of Edge. He died March 9th., 1796

September 19th – Manchester, this day new meal sold from 40 to 42 shillings per load; old meal same as last Saturday. Potatoes, cheap, and at Oldham new meal 2s. 2d. per peck.

A letter from John Kay, of the 12th of foot, but late of Busk, states that he is drafted out of the 12th regiment, is an invalid, and ordered for Gibraltar.

September 21st – British heroism. James Buckley, of Beartrees has 6 sons which are as follows: John now in Germany in the Oxford Blues; Joseph in the 16th Dragoons, now near Newcastle-upon-Tyne; James, a sailor with Lord Bridport, now off the coast of France. The three others were to young to be in the king’s service. James Buckley, the father, now in the 93rd of foot, at Kinsale, but under orders for the West Indies.

At Duckinfield this day there was one rush cart which was richly decorated. There were plenty of company. They have not had a rush cart since the year 1776 except this.

Sept. 21st – Owing to the fineness of the weather, the coocoo was seen this day, and was heard to sing on the 12th instant. The above is related by persons whose characters will bear the strictest investigation.

Colonel William Radcliffe, of Mills Bridge, near Huddersfield, died Sept. 22nd. His great property devolved to Mrs. Pickford, of Royton.

Sept. 24th – Old Tommy Raynor, of Old Clerks, died, aged 85 years.

Sept. 26th. – Manchester, this day, new meal from 44s. to 46s. per load, and flour rather advanced.

The following regiments are now at Portsmouth, under orders for the West Indies, viz.: The 2nd, 3rd, 8th, 19th, 25th, 29th, 31st, 33rd, 37th, 38th, 42nd, 44th, 48th, 53rd, 55th, 63rd, 92nd regiments of foot, and 22nd and 29th of Light Horse.

Oct. 3rd – This day attended Manchester market, and the following is the price of different articles, viz.:

October 10th – At Manchester this day meal and flour nearly same as last Saturday.

October 17th – Manchester this day new meal sold from 38s. to 40s. per load; old meal from 35s. to 37s.

October 19th – This day at Oldham new meal 2s. per peck, old 1s. 10d.; mutton 4½ d. and 5d. per lb.; beef, 4d. and 4½ d.; candles, 9d. per lb.; brown or white, 9d. per lb.; flour, 2s. 6d. to 4s. per peck.

October 14th – Oldham fair this day; much company and a deal of business.

October 20th – At Marsden this day a large quantity of flour, which was coming to Oldham, was seized by the mob and sold at an abated price.

October 14 – The sessions commenced at Manchester, when no bills were found against the Oldham rioters.

October 24th - Manchester this day the meal, flour, and potatoes same as last Saturday, and at Oldham the same.

October. – Fine weather, which began August 25th and continued till October 7th, the space of forty-three days, which was the finest ever known. The air was very warm, and sometimes very sultry and hot, all sorts of insects and reptiles, as if a second summer had commenced, and the earth seemed as if she sent forth a double portion of vegetation. The brooks for lack of rain were low, and the fishes as sportive and active as if in June or July. The birds by the uncommonness of the weather joined all products of nature with their melodious notes, which would have convinced the most rigid Atheist of the blessings of the Almighty God. It should not be forgot that fleas were very numerous, and very much annoyed poor people in bed at night.

October 31st – At Manchester this day new meal sold from 40s. to 43s. per load, and at Oldham 2s. 2d. per peck.

October 31s. – And this day died Sarah, wife of Isaac Hardy, of Unnook; disorder, consumption. Also, Martha, elect of the late James Ashton, of Wood, died.

Dec. 6th. – James Lees (Badger), Maggot-lane, sells meal 2s. 4d. per peck; treacle, 5½ d. per lb.

November 30th. – This day, at the Angel Inn, Oldham, Mellor’s estate, Sunfield, near Edge-lane, was sold for £1,000, and John Taylor, of Primrose Bank, was the purchaser. Likewise, the auction of near 400 volumes of books of Mr. Pickford’s begun selling by auction at Oldham.

Dec. 12th – This day, at Manchester, the price of provisions nearly same as last Saturday.

Dec. 16th – Wife of James Mellor, blacksmith and innkeeper, of Edge-lane, died, aged 45 years. Disorder, consumption.

Dec. 7th – Petitions against the Sedicious Meeting Bill and the Bill for better preserving his Majesty’s person, were signed by great numbers at Man’r. where there was a meeting for the purpose, and a petition for peace by the same party. The above petitions, signed by great numbers in Bolton, Stockport, Oldham, Royton, &c. The opposite party, under their old shield of Church and King, vehemently opposed them, praying in a petition that the above Bills might pass into law.

Political life then, as now, was a war of parties carried on chiefly by means of promoting petitions and counter petitions. Indeed, it was the only way in which the unenfranchised could make themselves heard in the Imperial Parliament.

December 19th – Manchester, this day meal and potatoes same as last Saturday. Flour since lower.

December 23rd – This day, Mary Wrigley’s furniture and stock in trade sold at her house, the Red Lion Inn, Oldham.

December 26th – Manchester, this day meal, flour, and potatoes same as last Saturday. At Oldham, meal 2s. 2d. per peck, flour, 2s. 10d., potatoes, 7d. per score, beef 5d. per lb., mutton 5½ d. per lb., and candles 8d. per lb. About this time Edmund Whittaker, of the Hare and Hounds, entered as tenant in the Red Lion Inn, Oldham.

December 28th – Chadderton, this day the great main of cocks between Sir Watts Horton Smith, feeder, and William Bamford, Esq., Butterworth, feeder, was fought here, when Mr. Bamford, won 8 mains out of 11, and 3 byes out of 4. There was a deal of company and much betting.

December 31st – A fine day and the year near its end, and the finest weather since the middle of November ever seen, which makes the situation of the poor more happy. There is a greater appearance of a plentiful Christmas than has been for some years past, for notwithstanding the high price of provisions, by the meer dint of industry the poor are at this time well stocked for the Christmas week.