21st.-Was intered, at Oldham, Ann Lees, comonly cald Nan of Muds, a woman who in her younger days was much famed for her gallantry; her age 43 years. 25th -Was Oldham Wakes Saturday. As usual was numerously attended, There where several rushcarts, viz., from the following places:- 1st, Cowhill; 2nd, New-road, near Dan Lee’s factory; 3rd, Fog-lane; 4th, Red Tom Nook; 5th, Mill End; 6th, near Greenacres Moor; 7th, Millbottom. 26th -Sunday, a fine day, and a deal of company. 27th -Monday, a fine day, and several rushcarts. 28th -George, son of Mr. Abraham Clegg, of Bent Grange by drinking a large quantity of rum, died in the greatest agonies. September 3rd -Was the day for granting licenses to publicans for the parishes of Oldham and Ashton-under-line; held, at Angel Inn, in Oldham. The magistrates were the Rev. John Hulme, of Chamber Hall, and Frances Duckenfield Astley, of Duckenfield Lodge. No license was witheld and a few new ones were granted. 1st -James Lowe was executed at York for housebreaking. He was a native of Oldham, and born of honnest, industrious parents. He left a wife, and one child, living in Horsedge Fold, near Oldham. The crime was committed near Huddersfield. Mineral springs, or water, wich appears to be coalpit water, as gained great fame at a place near Lees. Its fame is great at present among the people, and especially the superstitious. The “mineral springs” here mentioned were supposed to be a very important discovery. Rowbottom hints that the idea of their excellence only existed in the minds of the superstitious. “Alum water fields” are well known to almost every Leesite of the last generation. These fields are now intersected by the London and North-Western Railway, and near to where the embankment crosses the Medlock was the place known as the “Alum Water.” |
At this place, about the years 1821-2, preparations seem to have been made for carrying a wooden bridge across the brook, and some loads of stone were carted down with the intention of building a bath-house. The oldest inhabitant remembers a pen-trough which conveyed water from the brook to what was known then as “Brearley” Mill, now Stanley Mill, and on the side of this pen-trough were inscribed the words “The Lees fountain of health;” though whether or no this was intended as a joke is not certain. From some cause or other the idea of making Lees into a health resort completely failed. A great sensation was created at the time, and the opinions of what were considered clever men were obtained on the medicinal properties of the water generally spoken of by vulgar people as “Alum Wayter.” I have before me “An Essay on the analyses of mineral waters, particularly the recently discovered chalybeate water at Lees, near Oldham, Lancashire, with some observations on its medical properties, and a comparison between the Lees spa water and that of Hartfell spa water, near Moffat, in Scotland, by D. Neild, surgeon, printed by T. Walker, Halifax, 1822, in which we are told that this chalybeate spring issues into the brook which runs from Waterhead Mill, to Lees. The source of this water is said to be in a coal mine at Derker, and this water is the loose of that mine. It runs through a tunnel from the mine to the spa. A wine pint of this water contains of solid matter from 19 to 20 grains, of which 18 grains are sulphate of iron; the remainder is sulphate of lime and clay. About three weeks since (1821) a gentleman sent in a bottle of the Lees spa water, requesting me to analyse it, which I did, and found it to be an excellent tonic, and under proper regulations it will prove a valuable medicine in almost all cases where chalybeates are necessary. Mr. Neild mentions thee cases of patients taking the water as medicine, and it seems to have done them good. The opinion of W. Henry, M.D., F.R.S., of Manchester, is also given. He speaks of the Lees water as a powerful tonic. Despite all this the fates were against Lees becoming a second Harrogate; the movement subsided, leaving hardly a trace behind, except in this annal. 3rd -James Scholes, late overseer of the poor of Chadderton, for refusing to make up his accounts and being seven hundred pounds deficient, was this day committed to Lancaster by the magistrates at the Angel Inn, Oldham. |
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ANNALS OF OLDHAM No. XCVI 1821 Rise of grain as taken place within these last fourteen days. Flour has advanced from 2s. 1d., and at some places from 2s. 3d. to 2s. 9d. to 3s. 3d. per peck. Malt has risen 10s. a load.; meal and potatoes have advanced a little. It is attributed wholly to the uncommon wet weather, which it as and still continues to be. 14th -Died at Colddhurst, High Barn, Robert Woolstencroft; age 66 years. 18th -Uncommon wet wheather still continues, and the corn is in a spoyling state. 24th -The corn still continues in a spoiling state, and in consequence of the wetness of the wheather. October 1st -Yesterday died at Bent, Oldham, John Buckley; age 68 years. 10th -Mary, daughter of John Tower, of Back King-street, Oldham, unfortunately killed by cart wheel running over her; age near 4 years. 8th -The uncommon wet weather still continues, and as done so for several weeks past, which is very detrimental to such corn as is not housed. 13th -The weather has taken a turn for the better. It has turned from very wet to very fine. 14thYesterday a conflict took place respecting a public-house near Grange Bar, when John Bradley gave his antagonist, Jon Field, such a violent kick that he immediately expired. Bradley, of course, was commited to Lancaster. 17th -One --------- Lancashire, in a fit of despair, hanged himself, at his house near Middleton. 22nd -Was a very fine day but cold. 24th -The Friendship Inn, a public-house in Oldham-lane, was sold by auction, and was purchased by Mr. James Clegg, of Barn Fold, for £805. 22nd -Manchester Sessions commenced, when Susan Wamsley, for stealing an ale glass, seven days’ imprisonment. |
The month concludes with extreme wet weather. The pottato crops this year have been various, and farmers in general have sold them seven shillings a load. November 7th - Died, at Mills Hill, Miss Hannah Scoles, of that place; age 85 years. 11th -Died, at Yealds Green, near Chaderton, James Cowper; age, 68 years. 16th -Died, at Coldhurst Hollow, Mr. Edmund Whitehead, hat manufacturer, age, 80 years; and Susannah, wife of Thomas Jackson, innkeeper, bottom of West-street, Oldham, age, 55. Some time since the Post Office in Oldham was removed from the Market-place to a house in Lord-street. William Bamford, postmaster, and James Mellor, of Manchester-street, Oldham, obtained a license last September for retailing spirits. December 1st -Most tremendous high wind commenced at an early hour last night, and was very astonishing high this morning, December 1st. It came in a west derection. The shiping on the Scotch and Irish coasts suffered very much, as well as on the Lancashire and Yorkshire coasts. It blew down a deal of houses in Liverpool, Manchester, and other places; a deal of unfortunate beings perished in the ruins. At Oldham and its neighbourhood, it was awfully terrific. It blew down several new built buildings uninhabited, blew down the Primitive Methodist or Ranters’ Chappel, blew down the large chimney at Mr. Cusson’s factory, wich fell upon a cottage house and buried the family in its ruins. Some had limbs broken, but happily no lives were lost. Nearly every thatched building or hay or corn rick was unroofed. Upon the whole, there as not been such a dreadful high wind in memory of the oldest person living. 8th -The coronor held his inquests on two persons this day, one a collior of the name of Meadowcroft, a man of 72 years of age, who was killed in a coal-pit, the other a little girl who was burned to death. 8th -Last night, died, at Little Green, Peter Savill, corn dealer, of that place. 10th -Was intered, Edmund Hall, of Koyle, but late of Scowcroft; his age 86 years. 16th -Uncomon fine open weather, but at some periods, showery. |
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