ANNALS OF OLDHAM No. XCI 1819 October 3rd -The property stolen from Whittaker-fold was found in an old pit in that neighbourhood. The products of the earth this year have been abundant, and some kinds of articles are reasonable. Meal, from 1s. 9d. to 2s. 2d.; flour, 2s. 9d. to 2s. 11d.; malt, 2s. 7d. to 2s. 8d. a peck; pottatoes in Manchester, 5s. 6d. to 6s. 6d. a load; at Oldham, 7d. to 8d. a score; turnips, 4d. per peck; old butter, from 10d. to 12d. per pond; apples, from 2d. to 3d.; pears, 2d. to 3d. per pond; damson plums, 3d. per quart. There are apples at one penny per pond, and some three-halfpence per pond. October 13th was Oldham Fair. Much company and a deal of buissness done. Horned cattle and pigs very dear. Apples and pears in great plenty, and sold as low as one penny a pond. October 25th Died, Mary, widow of the late Robert Wrigley, formerly of the Red Lion Inn, Oldham. Her age about 70 years. And Mary, wife of Abraham Fitton, of Saint Hellens, Maygate-lane. Disorder, consumption. Her age about 30 years. October 7th -An inquest on Lees was adjourned to the Star Inn, Deansgate, Manchester, to sit on the 8th. A great ferment arose in consequence of the sexton opening the grave of John Lees. Various are the opinions on this subject. It was opened in the dead of night, and caused great fermentation. On the 13th the coroner adjourned the further proceedings of the inquest on John Lees until the 1st of December, then to meet again at the Star Inn. From Dowling, a London shorthand writer, I learn that, “In the night between the 6th and 7th Sept. John Lees, a young man about 22 years of age, died at the house of his father, a cotton manufacturer at Oldham, and Mr. Earnshaw, the surgeon who had attended the deceased, having certified that his death was occasioned by violence, several householders were served with summonses on the night of the 7th September to attend at the sign of the Duke of York at Oldham (in York-street) the next morning at half past ten o’clock for the purpose of inquring into the cause of death of the said John Lees. |
The names of the jury were: John Jackson, Thomas Wolfenden, James Coates, George Dixon, John Kaye, George Booth, Joseph Dixon, Thomas Jackson, John Newton, and John Ogden. Jonathan Mellor was constable of Oldham at that time. The inquest was first held at the Duke of York, then afterwards adjourned to the Star Hotel, Manchester. The jury were dismissed without giving in a verdict. For full particulars of the inquest I must refer my readers to the full report by Dowling. October 23rd -Robert Radcliffe, Esquire, of Foxdenton, and of _______, seven miles from Blanford, in Dorsetshire, his birthday; age 21 years. The crops of pottatoes and turnips this year have been abundant. Turnips have been sold in general 4d. per peck. Pottatoes have been sold 6s. 6d. to 8s a load, where they have fetched they have measured eight strikes. Those of 6s. 6d. have weighed 12 score. November 2nd – Last night died Thomas Buckley, of Burnly-lane, a person fancical to the flour and fruit garden, a staunch patriot, an enemy to opression. He was wounded on the memorable 16th of August, at Peter’s Field. He died of three days sickness. His disorder, sickness and loosness; his age 62 years. Bamford does not mention this Thomas Buckley in the list of persons wounded at Peterloo. At the sessions wich commenced at Manchester on the 25th of last month Joseph Barrot, otherwise Dunkerley, for robing John Chadwick, was transported for seven years. November 4th - Died, old John Taylor, of Primrose-bank, Oldham, a very great corn dealer; age, upwards of 70 years. A call out of pensioners whose pensions did not exceed 10d. per day whereordered to atend on the 4th, 11th, and 18th of this month. Hush sellers, or persons selling beer without license, of late a deal of misguided persons have followed this unlawful practice. Government is now persicuting them with the utmost severity. Several of late have been comited to Lancaster for the above offence. Hushsellers for the most part confined their business to selling beer. The licensing laws were then very exclusive. It was not till 1828 that houses were licensed to sell beer only. These houses were generally called Tom and Jerry shops. |
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November 7th – Last night the warehouse of Messrs. John and Abraham Clegg, of Bent Grange, Oldham, was broke open and robed of a considerable quantity of furr. A reward is offered for information of the offenders. November 13th – Benjamin Bloomally, of Chadderton, was detected making too free with a piece of beff at the shop of Hamlet Lees, Oldham, for which he was comited to the New Bayley for tryal. A few days since died John Williamson, keeper of the Bull’s Head public-house, Greenacres Moor. November 27th – Died Charles Beswick, keeper of the General Abercromby public-house, Pig-street, Oldham. Age 58 years. November 28th – Was intered, at Middleton, John Rhodes, of Three Pits, within Hopwood. He was one that was wounded at Manchester on the 16th of August, and is supposed to have died of his wounds. A great number attended him to his grave – 1300 with drab hats and crape, besides a number with cloaks. It is supposed that 10,000 people assembled on the ocation, and all departed in peace. Bamford mentions John Rhodes, of Three Pitts, as having received a sabre cut at Peterloo. He also says that Rhodes was in a weakly state of health when he attended the meeting. He never looked up after, and died in the course of some weeks. His death was said to have been caused by the injuries he received, but coroner’s inquest negatived that, if verdicts of inquests at that time might be considered satisfactory. November 26th – A fall of snow that thowed on the 28th. December 1st – Was a concert of vocal and instrumental music (at the Playhouse, Oldham), for the benefit of Thomas Whitehead, and old worn-out musician (a bassoon player), wich was numerously attended. December 6th – Died, in Oldham Workhouse, James Wood, late a considerable farmer at Chadderton Roofs and Chamber Hall, and Kennity House, his age upwards of 69 years. December 4th – A party of the 31st Regiment of Foot left Oldham for Burnley, and where replaced by a party of the 85th of Foot. December 11th – Died at the Cock In, Tounge, Elizabeth, widow of the late Edward Hide, master of the aforesaid Cock publick-house , her age 75 years. |
December 11th – Two pieces of cannon arived at Oldham for the protection of the town. This is the only note I have seen relating to cannon being imported into Oldham for its protection. From other accounts, it seems the town was in a very disturbed state. There was a sense of wrong lurking in the minds of many people on account of Peterloo, and the authorities were evidently alarmed at the “party animosity,” which, as E. Butterworth says, “reigned triumphant” at this time. December 13th – The Oldham Yeoman Cavallary where imbodied for one month this day to do duty in Oldham, and the watch and ward was begun in Oldham. They went on duty at eight o’clock at night, and left at two in the morning. They were provided with watch bills, &c. The authorities were apprehensive of further trouble, hence the keeping of watch and ward. The people groaned under a sense of wrong, and were supposed to be watching an opportunity to avenge that wrong. December 13th – The public-house Lancashire Rose, near Chadderton Hall, was sold and purchased by John Whitehead, price five hundred and thirty pond. This bargain was afterwards made void. December 16th – The Oldham Yeomanry Cavalary were disbanded this day. December 14th – Died, Mr. John Coupe, of Broughton, late steward to Samuel Clowes, of Broughton Hall. A few days since Thomas Allen of the Lancashire Rose, near Chadderton, entered a tennant on the Bull’s Head, bottom of Greenacres Moor. December 20th – John Wamsley and Wentworth Pollord commited to Lancaster on a charge of bad notes. A few days since died, at Oldham Workhouse, Jonathan Garside; age about 34 years. A short time since died, at Oldham, John Ashton, a man emenent as a country doctor; age upward of 60 years. A few days since – Siddall entered as landlord on the Lancashire Rose, near Chadderton. |
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