December 23rd – As five men were a drawing out of a pit at Broad Oak, Ashton parish, being all on at one time, the emence weight broke the rope, when three were killed and two severely bruised. December 28th – A boy about ten years of age accedently fell into a coal pit near Oldham, and was killed on the spot. December 29th – A few days since died Peter Brooke, shopkeeper, Broadway-lane; age 68 years. Last night died John Hilton, of Saint Hellens, North Moor, his age 63 years. December 26th – Died, at Manchester, Mr. William Lawson, formerly keeper of the Angel Inn, Oldham. 1820 The year 1820 began on Saterday, wich was a cold winter’s day. The earth covered with snow, and a very severe frost; trade being so bad that poor people in general felt very little of Christmas cheer, and the old English ancient hospetallity was nearly lost in some of the first familys in this neighbourhood, and people’s minds being soured by opression, made the lower class very uneasy. Peterloo had evidently made further cleavage between the classes and the masses in Oldham. The corn laws had called to new life the old members of the Jacobin party, and their members had been largely increased by men whose opinions were not so extreme. Peterloo was a blow at this fast increasing party, and even the genial rays of Christmastide failed to dispel the sullenness of party feeling. Perhaps E. Butterworth puts this in its truest light./ He says:- “For a time the portentous gloom took possession of the public mind, and the spirit of party animosity reigned triumphant; but the revival of trade and the consequent improvement in the condition of the manufacturing population abated the ardour of political feeling, which in the course of the ensuing year was moderated down to the usual standard. January 4th -Died at the Infirmary, Manchester, James Jackson, of Fog-lane, Oldham; age, 48 years; a spinner. January 5th – A disstressing missfortune happened at Oldham. A girl of three years old, of Mr.William Whittaker, manufacturer, was unfortunately killed by one cart wheel going over its head, and the wheel of a second cart going over her thighs. Her mother was a spectator of this lamentable event; it is imposible to describe her lamentable situation. James Locke, the person who had care of the two carts, was committed to Lancaster on a charge of manslaughter. A few days since the Rev. Wm. Robert Hay, the chairman of Manchester Quater Sessions, was endowed with the vickerage of Rochdale, void by the death of the Rev. Thomas Drake, the late incumbent. Mr. Kay’s present income is his living at Ackworth, Yorkshire, £800 a year; chairman at Manchester Sessions, £400 a year; and Rochdale, £2,500 a year; whole £3,700. It can hardly be expected that Mr. Hay was popular with the Radicals. Whether he was a pluralist to the extent of £3,700 of not I have no means of judging, and this statement must go for what it is worth. Clerical magistrates were decidedly unpopular, if we may judge by Hone, who in his “Total Eclipse,” 1820, says in doggrel fashion:-
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Trade brisk, but wages low. Strong fustian is moderate; for velveteens and cords 20d. a pond is generally given. Tabbys are wanted; the price generally 23s. a cut, with from 7-8 to 8. A pond of weft in. Hating is very slack, and prices low, even as low as 7s. 6d. a dozen. Weaving light goods is extreem poor; wages are low; factory business brisk, and of late no variation inn wages. The frost still continues were severe. Wages had fallen since 1818 in the case of tabbies from 27s. to 23s. Factory business at this time was showing signs of improvement, some new mills having been built, or in course of erection at this time. Though the tide of improvement in Oldham did not properly set in till 1821. A few days since died James Butterworth, of Block-lane, age, upwards of 60 years; and Betty Leigh, of Oldham; age, 67 years. January 16th -Was intered at Oldham James Jackson, of Acre, near Chadderton Fold. He was a great advocate for Parliament reform, and his funeral was attended by a great number of that fraternity, with white hats and crape. In May, 1801, he, with John Buckley and John Stansfield, were apprehended on a charge of administering unlawful oaths, and in August following, were upon the oath of one Sharples and other villains sentenced to seven years transportation. He lived to return, but his two companions died whilst abroad. He was aged about 55 years. January 17th -Last night a slight fall of snow, and the frost still continues very severe. January 18th Yesterday and last night very roof, and the wind very high, wich drifted the snow very much, but this morning the fury of wind is much abated. January 21st -Last night and this day till noon was one of the most tremendous storms of wind and snow perhaps ever remembered. It blew a compleat hurrycane. The fall of snow was not so great, but there was large drifts, and a deal of roads were rendered impasable. January 24th Last night it begun a very fine thaw, and continues to six o’clock this evening: and died James Clegg, of Barn-fold, Oldham. January 22nd Died at Royton, the Rev. Mr. Langhorn, minister of that place, a most upright good man, so that even envy never atempted to lower his good name amongst mankind. January 27th -Died, at Chadderton-fold, John Duckworth, a person that had been a long time in a state of blindness: his age, 80 years. January 30th -Last night died Miss Burdet. She had a long time resided in the family of Miss Whittaker’s, of Oldham, chandlers; her age 77 years. February On the 7th of last month Manchester Sessions comenced. There were for tryal 215 felonies, 88 misdemeanours, 65 traverses. Benjn Bloomaly, for stealing in Oldham, imprisoned one month. The body of ------------ Moorton was found near Hollinwood on the 30th of January past. This unfortunate man fell into the canal about six weeks ago, and in consequence of the frost could not sooner be found. February 5th -Last night died Kitty, wife of Samuel Whittaker, of Burnly Gate; disorder, consumption; age 36 years. February 6th -Last night died at Chadderton Workhouse, James Wood, formerly of Old Can, age 60 years. The Duke of Kent died on this 22nd. of Jany., and his Majesty King George 3rd on the 29th of January, 1820. |
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ANNALS OF OLDHAM No. XCII 1820 February 4th -Died at Edge-lane, James Mellor, a man emenent as a horse dealer, by trade a blacksmith; disorder, apoplexy; age, 67 years. February 9th -Died, at Oldham, Mr. John Travis, chandler, soap boiler, and grocer. A man universally respected. His age, 71 years. I have previously made a note on this John Travis. Up to a certain time his wealth increased, but misfortune is said to have overtaken him through his connection with the Rochdale Canal Company, in which undertaking he is said to have dropped a great amount of money. February 13th -Died James Marsland, master of the Roebuck Inn, Fog-lane, Oldham; disorder, consumption; age, 52 years. February 15th –-Died ---------------- Moorton, paper manufacturer, Streetbridge; disorder, inflamation of the liver. A few days since died, at Oldham, Caraline Brennand, daughter of the late Doctor Brennand, of Oldham; age, about 38 years. Robert Rawstrone, Esquire, of Rossal, near Poulton, high sheriff this year. Died at Cloughfield, near Whittaker fold, James Dunkerley; age 40 years. February 16th -Wednesday, the remains of his sacred Majesty George the III, were intered with great sollemnety at Windsor. Divine service was performed in all public places of worship in England, &c. &c. February 29th -Died at Bent, Oldham, Robert Lees, cotton manufacturer. He was father of John Lees, who was slain at Peterloo on the 18th of Aug. last. |
February 29th -It is with heartfelt sorrow I relate the death of George Beswick, of near Street Bridge, who was killed in a coalpit near that place. He was a very peaceable, civil, honest man; his unfortunate fate was universally lamented; his age near 57 years. The same unfortunate George Beswick had an uncle killed by a fall from a horse, and his father unfortunately killed in a coal pit, but a long time since. February 29th -Died Mr. --------- Siddall, of Church-lane, Oldham, spinner and manufacturer. He formerly was in great business in the above line at Hurst, near Ashton-under-Lyne. His age, about 60 years. March 2nd -This month comenced with extreem cold weather, and has been so for some time; the wind in general is very high, with severe snow storms, rain and hail, and all these in a few hours time, but it generall most severe freezing. March 8th -The weather still continues extreem cold; it freezes with uncommon severity, and the wind in general high at north, with continued falls of snow. March 21st -Died at Church-lane, Oldham, Mary, wife of John Lees, Esq., Lord of the Manor of Oldham, and collonal of the Oldham Local Malitia. She was a pious, vertios woman. She died sudden in her 71st year. This was John Lees’s second wife, her maiden name was Mary Bamford. She was mother to Mr. Edward Lees and to Mrs. Bellott and Mrs. Chippendale. March 24th -Died at Manchester-street, Oldham William Booth, hatter. Age 70 years. The weather this month as been extreem harsh and cold. March 30th -Moorhouse and others on their return from York in Oldham through Failsworth to Stockport had the horses taken from their carriage by the Reformers, and drawn in the greatest stile by the Radicals. This was James Moorhouse of Stockport, a companion in bonds with Bamford, Moorhouse had stood his trial at York for the part he took at Peterloo, and was found “not guilty.” |
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