May 28th -Excellent weather still continues, but in consequence of the excessive heat it caused a great drought. May 30th -The weather continues very fine, but very hot and droughty. June 2nd -It is with extreem concern that I state that James Wamsley, of Burnley-lane, and another young man of the name of the name of William Clough, of near Todmorden, where aprehended on a charge of stealing flannel at Rochdale, and where committed to the New Bayley for tryal. June 4th -Was interred Isaac Hardy, of Fire-street, Northmoor; age, 71 years. June 6th -At Manchester this day, pottatoes sold from 5s. to 7s. a load. Meal and flour was rather higher in price than last market. Radcliffe Buildings, at bottom of Maygate-lane, where begun to be builded in the year 1816, and continued in 1817 and 1818, and perhaps will be continued other succeeding years. John Buckley and his son on there rout for the fulfilment of there sentences passed through Manchester on the 27th of May. June 15th -Some exalent fine rain and a little thunder. It rained a little on the 12th. June 16th -For the past five weeks it has been uncomon hot, which droughted the earth very much. The sun as shined with such splendor, and it as been so excessive hot as was seldom ever experienced before. June 20th -The weather rather cooler, and moderate fine rain, and in great quantity. June 19th -Died John Burgess, joyner, Maygate-lane, a man of peaceable disposition of mind, aged 67 years. June 22nd -Died wife of Daniel Clough, of Maygate-lane, age 48 years. June 22nd -Monday, the Society of Oddfellows held there annual meeting at there lodge room, the White Hart, Peter Holt, Magot-lane. From thence they went in grand procession, attended by a select band of musick, to the Church, where an exalent sermon was preached on the ocation from _____________, by the Rev. Mr. Fallowfield. It was the grandest thing of the kind we ever witnessed. After service they partook of a sumtious dinner, and the evening was spent with the greatest harmony. Upon the whole, it was the grandest procession we ever remember to have seen. |
The sale of Chadderton Hall commenced on Wednesday, the 23rd, of all the goods, furniture, china, pictures, glasses, &c., the property of Sir Thomas Horton, baronet, late of this place, but now of Halifax. The sale continued for several days, and till all was sold. I suppose this marks the period when the Hortons finally left Oldham. Their presence in Chadderton had given a sort of grandeur to the place for a number of years on account of their style of living. Our old nobility often set an example of what was really liberal and virtuous, and I rather think their place is but badly filled by the new aristocracy, even though it be the aristocracy of labour. June 23rd -The Oldham Yeomanry Cavalry marched out on their rout for Wigan, where they are to do duty for several days. They consisted of 30 fine-looking young men, commanded by Captain Taylor. July 1st: They arrived from Wigan at Oldham again, when they sat down to a sumtious dinner at the Angel Inn, where they were received by every demonstration of joy by a numerous, but select party of friends, the bells ringing, and other demonstrations of joy. This month has been a remarkable month, and all kinds of vegetation is abundant. Gooseberrys at Manchester they have been sold as low as 15d. for 12 quarts; at Oldham they have sold at 2d. per quart. Cabbages have been sold very low at Oldham; the belman cryed them 5d. per dozen.; pottatoes very ones at 1d. per pond, at some places, 5 pond for 4d. Besides market produce, Oldham was supplied with gooseberries from some of its native gardens. Great proficiency was attained in the art of growing big gooseberries, and the old house-wives had always a preference for home grown fruit for preserving, or (like the wife of the Vicar of Wakefield) for making gooseberry wine. July 6th -Died, at Hollinwood, John Tetlow Badger, age 60 years. July 15th -The most seasonable weather ever remembered, and the farmer is getting exalent hay, but the crops in general are light. July 15th -One Enos Bardsley, a youth of 19, a hatter, was drowned whilst bathing in a pit called Black Pit, near Lyon Dam, Oldham. One George Medcalf was drowned in the same pit, August 6th, 1797. July 10th -The Post Office in Oldham, near the Spread Eagle Inn, kept by James Butterworth, was removed to near the Market Place, and William Bamford to be the Postmaster. Hence the origin of the Old Post Office Inn. |
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July 6th -Died sudden, at Chadderton, far advanced in years, Robert Lord. July 29th -Was intered, John Smethurst, son of James Smethurst, Innkeeper and auctioneer, of Shudehill, Oldham. He belonged to the Oldham Yeomany Cavalry, and was intered with military honours. Disorder, consumption; age 36 years. July 30th -A meeting took place at Four Lane Ends, Northmoor, to consider of the propriety of advancing the prices of fustian weaving. A very great number of spinners have struck work at Manchester, Stockport, Bolton, &c., in order to raise the price of labour. The hatters have succeeded in raising the price of ruffing. The dyers have succeeded in raising their wages. We here see what revenge the working classes were taking on their employers. There can be no doubt that much of this feeling was prompted by the fact of dear provisions which had been caused by the passing of the Corn Laws. The landlords had raised the price of corn by combination. Why should not poor people raise the price of labour by the same means? July 21st -Manchester Sessions comenced. There were upwards of 170 prisoners for tryal, of whom 35 where transported. James Wamsley and William Clough each a year imprisonment. Most uncomon hot weather concludes this month. August -This month comences with extreem hot weather, and corn of all kinds is at hand. Widdow Royle, of Beartrees is cutting oats this 3rd of August. It is still very droughty, and although the hay harvest was so early, there is very little appearance of after grass. 16th July, 1818 – John Wamsley was aprehended by Robert Chadwick, &c., on a charge of uttering a forged one pound note to Samuel Redfearn, butcher, Oldham, but the charge being weak Mr. Horden dismissed him upon bail. August 12st -The weather still continues hot and very droughty. The air is clear, and no apearances of clouds. The corn is all at hand, and the farmers are buisely employed in cuting and housing, and upon the whole it is the earliest harvest ever remembered. August 16th -A very hot day, and the drought is such as was never known before, and such is the scarsety of water that it is obtained with the greatest difficulty, even for necessary purposes. August 17th -In consequence of the drought the crops of onions are light, and so uncomon small in size they are selling at 6d. to 8d. a pond. August 15th -New meal sells from 2s,. 9d. to 2s. 11d. a peck. Widdow Royle, of Beartrees, within Chadderton, sells an exalent article of new meal at 2s. 9d. a peck. |
August 22nd -The excessive drought still continues. August 24th -The drought, wich was never equiled, still continues.. August 25th -The drought still continues, and so scarce is water, that people have to fetch it a long way even for comon uses, and so great is the want in above Oldham that they are winding the water out of several old coal pits to relieve the factorys and other domestic uses. There is but very little after grass or edige, and the pastures are burned up for want of rain. Up to this time Oldham seems to have derived its water supply from its native springs. In a period of drought such as this people had to carry water for domestic uses, in some cases for long distances, waiting up during long nights at the local pumps or wells for turns to get a canful of water to supply the daily family need. August 27th -yesterday some fine refreshing rain, and the air is become a deal cooler. August 28th -It still continues raining but very moderately, and has become a deal cooler. August 22nd -Died at Hollinwood, James Pollit. He was one of the first footmen of his time, and won a deal of matches in the racing line, and was a considerable feeder and trainer of footmen, and was father to the celebrated Jonathan Pollitt of racing memory. His age 64 years. The name of Pollitt was known all the country over for race running. The rival name was one “Abraham” – I rather think Abraham Wood. “Pollitt and Abraham” were associated in the Popular mind as race-runners, so much so that I have heard of a cotton spinner who called his two carding engines “Pollitt and Abraham” in their honour. August 27th -John Wood left home for Lancaster, he having become bail for one Hamer, a sheriff’s officer. He was imprisoned for his good-will. August 29th -was Oldham rushbearing Saturday. There were seven carts and one waggon from the following places:- Denton-lane, Cowhill, Bent, Red Tom Nook, Glodwick, Lowermoor, Broadway-lane, and the waggon from Millbottom. They were all superbly dect with silver plate and other rich emblems. On Sunday a deal of company; on Monday a very great number, said to be more than was ever seen before at any former Wakes. The condition of the people was no doubt greatly improving. As the factory population grew, more money was distributed in wages, and the yearly carnival was always an opportunity of showing hospitality and indulging in beef, beer, and other luxuries. September 5th – Died at Whitaker’s Roe, Northmoor, suddenly, John Ogden, a worthy man, and much respected; age, 52 years. |
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