ANNALS OF OLDHAM No. C 1824 February 18th - Died near Cowhill, David Jackson. He was a pensioner. His wife, Harriot, died a few days since; both consumption. February 20th - Died, wife of William Jackson, carding engine maker, Manchester-street, Oldham. William Jackson was one of four machine makers in Oldham in 1815. His special branch was the making of carding engines. Perhaps no machine in the mill has undergone so little change as the double carding engine. The old-fashioned carding engine had wooden sides, while the pedestals and steps for the rollers and clearers were chiefly of solid brass, and the cylinders of cedar or baywood. It is not many years since Jackson’s engines went out of use. February 23rd - Died, Ann Lees, of Mumps, near Oldham, manufacturer. Prize ringing at Oldham begun on Tuesday, the 17th. First prize, Huddersfield; second prize, Hallifax. Wednesday, the second day: First prize, Manchester Old Church; second prize, Saint John’s, Manchester. Thursday, the third day: First prize, Saddleworth; second prize, Radcliff Bridge. A deal of different sets of ringers from the neighbouring parrishes rung for the above prizes, but where unsuccessful. A deal of company assembled. March 1st - Died, Betty, wife of James Heap, of Church-lane, Oldham; disorder, child-birth. And died Andrew Mannock, of Oldham, formerly of Over Cowhill; his age 68 years. March 11th - Thursday, sleet, snow and rain. March 12th – A deal of snow fell. March 13th – Snow and hail. March 14th – Fine morning, but a strong frost. March 14th – Last night died, far advanced in years, Sarah, widdow of the late Samuel Winterbottom. She died in Oldham, age 80 years. |
March 15th – Yesterday, died Jonathan Raynor, master of the Lord Cornwallis public-house, Henshaw-street, Oldham; his age, 49 years. On the 21st he was intered, and was attended by a large number of Oddfellows from different lodges. March 22nd – Died Matty, daughter of James Cheetham, of Busk; her age 20; disorder, consumption. March 22nd – Was intered wife of Robert Stevenson, formerly of near Trap Inn, blacksmith. March 24th – Yesterday and last night a very cold wind at north-east. March 31st – It still continues very cold, and last night it froze with great severity. About this time several persons began to brew malt liquor and retail it out, some at 3 1/2d., and some 4d. per quart. They obtained their licenses at the Excise Office. The liquor is not to be consumed on the seller’s premises. It is by virtue of an Act passed in the reign of George II. The drink of the Saxon Kings was always a great beverage in Oldham. I have before quoted Cobbett on the subject. No doubt the increase in the number of buildings and people increased the consumption of the stimulating liquor, and this seems to have been done to such an extent that the ordinary licensed houses could not supply the demand – the “off-license” being called into play. The ancient Oldhamer was a great beer bibber. He is said to have fancied that even the “birds of the air” sang about it. Who has not heard of that reputed conversation in song, between the throstles of Chadderton on the subject. They sang in antiphone, at least so a good authority says who heard them, somewhat as follows; and in the usual throstleyan tune, and measure:-
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April 1st – Yesterday was intered Ann, wife of Joseph Ward of Priesthill,, shoemaker and shopkeeper; her age, near 70 years. April 5th – Widdow of the late Mr. Samuel Marlor, of Oldham, cord wainer, interred this day. April 4th – Was interred at Oldham, Thomas Chadwick, of Denton-lane, age 70 years. April 17th – The weather very cold; the wind wich is high at north-east by east, with severe freezing at nights. April 18th – Was intered at Oldham, Liddia, wife of Wm. Dyson, of Fog-lane; age, about 65. April 23rd – Was observed as His Majesty’s birthday. There was ringing of bells and other demonstrations of joy. April 23rd – The ascent of Mr. Sadler in his balloon took place this day at Manchester, which made a very grand appearance to thousands of spectators. After sailing for about 30 minutes, and the space of 35, Mr. Sadler landed on Monks Heath, four miles from Knutsford. There were two aeronauts of the name of Wm. Sadler – father and son. The son was killed in a fall from a balloon in 1825. April 29th – The Oldham Cavallary Captain Taylor had a grand field day in the park at Chadderton Hall. May 10th – Up to the time since the comencement of this month very fine. May 11th – An uncomon cold day with the wind East, and one John Martin of Roundthorn, was apprehended on a charge of stealing some old leather from a coalpit, and wilst in custody cut his troat. He was conveyed to Manchester Infirmary with small hopes of recovery. May 16th – Died Ann, wife of Henry Clough, of Near Uinnook, Northmoor; her age, 66 years. May 20th – Last night very cold with a white frost this morning. It has been very cold since the 11th of this month, and a deal of hail and a large quantity of snow fell, and it was severe cold. May 21st – A very strong frost last night. At six o’clock this morning, all white over with frost. |
May 23rd – The weather still continues cold, and the late frosts have destroyed an emence deal of blossoms. A deal of snow and sleet as fallen, and the air is very cold. May 22nd – Died at Oldham Mr. Robert Whittaker, cotton manufacturer, age 78 years. E. Butterworth says: “Mr. Robert Whittaker, father of the late John Whittaker, Esq., of Higher Hurst, Ashton-under-Lyne, erected a manufactory in New-road or Manchester-street, 1791.” His son John began the cotton business in a small carding mill moved by horse power in a building adjacent to Bent Hall, and also as owner of a small number of spindles in a room near his dwelling in Duke-street. John was the founder of the large firm at Hurst some time before 1808. Among the events of this year we are told that a company of proprietors was established for a double railway between Liverpool and Manchester, formed May 20th, at 4,000 shares of £100 each; George Stevenson, engineer. The Bill was lost in committee, June 1, 1825. May 24th – Jesse Ainsworth, Esquire, of Pit Bank, near Oldham, gave a grand entertainment to a great number of his friends and acquaintances. About 200 sat down to a sumtious dinner wich was served in the open air. There was a band of musick and plenty of good ale and spirits served out on the ocation. The whole was conducted with greatest peace and harmony. A few days since died Edmund Cheetham at Shaw, formerly an eminent scrivenor, and James Taylor, of Denton-lane, formerly of Thorp. They were both far advanced in years. May 24th – A boy unfortunately drowned at the reservoir at Buckley’s factory, Oldham. May 26th – Died at Cowhill, George Dixson, formerly the farmer to Sir Watts Horton, baronet, at Chadderton Hall. It was a very hot day. May 28th – Extreem hot day. May 31st – This month is now past but it still continues very fine, but excessive droughty. The wind has been jenerly north or north-east, and the wind as at different times been very high, and caried the dust in such clouds as to very much incomode travellers. June 7th – Died, in Burnley-lane, Jane, wife of James Mellor; disorder, child-bed; her age, 37 years |
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