Michael D.Heath-Caldwell M.Arch.

1802

Margaret Skerrett (ne Caldwell)- 52/53 

Anne Caldwell of Nantwich  -  43/44 

Elizabeth Caldwell (Bessy) of Nantwich - 35/36 

Hannah Stamford of Linley Wood - 48/49 - Elizabeth Caldwell's sister 

James Caldwell – at Linley Wood, Staffordshire  - aged 42/43

Hannah Eliza Roscoe (ne Caldwell) – aged 16/17

Stamford (James Stamford Caldwell) – aged 15/16

Mary Caldwell – aged 11/12

Anne Marsh-Caldwell – aged 10/11

Margaret Emma Caldwell (Lady Margaret Holland) – aged 9/10

Catherine Louisa Caldwell – aged 7/8

Anne Marsh-Caldwell mentions that her father, James, never went to school but he read widely and seemed to a certain extent to have been self-educated.  He became a lawyer and a businessman.  He was Deputy-Lieutenant for the County of Stafford and Recorder for the Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme (1802).

Diary of James Caldwell - 1802

January

Friday 1 January 1802:

At home.

Saturday 2 January 1802:

Do.

Sunday 3 January 1802:

Do. Received from Mr Plant of Newcastle the papers in a Cause in Chancery  proposed to be referred to the Sherriff of the County & myself. Swinnerton & .[others] agt. Wright & ors.[others] respecting the Coal mines in the neighbourhood of Cheadle.

Monday 4 January 1802:

Do. Engaged perusing the above papers. Mr Blunt came to dinner. Alcock. In the evening good Musick.

Tuesday 5 January 1802:

Do. Mr Blunt went to Newcastle but returned to dinner. Much conversation relative to Stamford &c. &c. Great snow.

Wednesday 6 January 1802:

Do. Engaged with Mr Blunt.

Thursday 7 January 1802:

Do. Do. Boudarde.

Friday 8 January 1802:

Do. Mr Blunt left us.

Saturday 9 January 1802:

Do. Stamford went to Nantwich. Engaged perusing papers again in Swinnerton v. Wright & also the Minutes and papers in Roebotham & Rogers previous to making any Award in the latter Cause.

Sunday 10 January 1802:

Do. Eliza very unwell with a Complaint in her face.

Monday 11 January 1802:

At home.

Tuesday 12 January 1802:

Do. Engaged in various accounts &c. &c.

Wednesday 13 January 1802:

Do. Do.

Thursday 14 January 1802:

At Newcastle relative to the Cause of Roebotham & Rogers & various other matters. Engaged to attend the Sessions on Tuesday next. Returned to dinner

Friday 15 January 1802:

At home.

Saturday 16 January 1802:

Engaged with Mr Swinnerton of Butterton all morning relative to the Cause of Swinnerton & Mr N. Wright . . . when I finally agreed to undertake the reference in conjunction with Sr. Jno. Heathcote. Stamford returned.

Page 207

Sunday 17 January 1802:

At home. Fine Thaw.

Monday 18 January 1802:

Do. Do.

Tuesday 19 January 1802:

At Newcastle attending the Mayor & dined at the Roebuck. Supped & slept at Mr Bents. In the night high wind.

Wednesday 20 January 1802:

Engaged all morning at the Brewery posting Books &c & returned home to dinner.

Thursday 21 January 1802:

At home. I this day compleated(sic) my 43^rd year. During the preceding night & through the whole of the day there was a most violent storm of wind, which did considerable damage in the neighbourhood & blew down four large fir trees on the highest part of the wood & completely broke off another in the middle. It also tore one of the largest oaks in the grounds  compleatly(sic) in two: but the building escaped without any material injury.

Friday 22 January 1802:

Do. Fine mild day. Engaged about the farm

Saturday 23 January 1802:

Do. Do.

Sunday 24 January 1802:

Do.

Monday 25 January 1802:

Do. Alcock who staid all night

Tuesday 26 January 1802:

At Newcastle on various affairs. Wood & Caldwell Johnson’s insolvency. Marsh Accounts, Beckett & Caldwell. Lloyds Account. Wedgwood’s do. &c &c returned to dinner.

Wednesday 27 January 1802:

At home. Fine mild day. Began yesterday the Asparagus beds in the Garden.

Thursday 28 January 1802:

At home. Engaged planting &c.

Friday 29 January 1802:

Do. Do. Removing the large laurels on the slope. Captain Sneyd called.

Saturday 30 January 1802:

Do.

Sunday 31 January 1802:

Do.

February,

Monday 1 February 1802:

At Newcastle on various matters particularly appointing a day for the draining to be viewed for which I had made a claim of the Agricultural Societys . . .

Page 208

Tuesday 2 February 1802:

At home. Engaged writing various Letters &c.

Wednesday 3 February 1802:

Messrs. Sneyd, Sparrow, Poole, Adams, Bent & . . .[Clornam] dined, but Mr Yoxall being prevented from coming the view of the draining was postponed. Very wet day.

Thursday 4 February 1802:

At home.

Friday 5 February 1802:

Do. Began taking down the fence which divides the Pool field from the large Hollins field & engaged with the Men.

Saturday 6 February 1802:

At home.

Sunday 7 February 1802:

Do. In the evening Thoma Hassell came to his place.

Monday 8 February 1802:

At Home. Alcock.

Tuesday 9 February 1802:

Do.

Wednesday 10 February 1802:

Do.

Thursday 11 February 1802:

At Newcastle attending a Meeting of the Corporation relative to the intended new branch of Road to Shilton from the Uttoxeter Road

Friday 12 February 1802:

At home. Engaged all morning in the matter of Roebotham & Rogers, & taking the examination of Mr Chas. Booth.

Saturday 13 February 1802:

At home.

Sunday 14 February 1802:

Do. Mr Wm Bent dined.

Monday 15 February 1802:

Do. Engaged all morning with Mr Breck & Mr Thos. Yoxall who came to view the draining for which I had made a Claim of the Gold Medal given by the Agricultural Society. Alcock. Mr Wilbraham called.

Tuesday 16 February 1802:

At Newcastle attending a meeting of the Agricultural Society when the Gold Medal was adjudged to me. Slept at Mr Bents.

Page 209

Wednesday 17 February 1802:

Engaged all morning at the Brewery & various matters at Newcastle particularly respecting my undertaking the Office of Umpire, in the disputed Accounts &c  of Harrison & Co.s Bank, which I at length consented to do, one of the Arbitrators refusing otherwise to proceed on the business. returned to dinner.

Thursday 18 February 1802:

At home.

Friday 19 February 1802:

Do. Engaged with workmen.

Saturday 20 February 1802:

Do. Do. Miss S. taken ill of a Qunsey(sic) [throat inflammation usually of the tonsils]

Sunday 21 February 1802:

Do.

Monday 22 February 1802:

Do. Alcock.

Tuesday 23 February 1802:

At Bradwall settling the Draught of the Agricultural premiums for the ensuing year with Mr Sneyd & from thence to Newcastle attending the . . .[secretaries]

Wednesday 24 February 1802.

At home engaged on the farm

Thursday 25 February 1802:

Do. Do. Sent M Robinsons gun to London

Friday 26 February 1802:

Do. Do. Mr Penlington

Saturday 27 February 1802:

Do. Stamford taken ill with . . . sore throat.

Sunday 28 February 1802:

Do. Mr Barrow dined advising relative to the Settlement of his family concerns with his mother & in the afternoon Mr Bent came.

March,

Monday 1 March 1802:

At Newcastle Fair purchased a milking cow for £19 returned to dinner. On my return met Mr & Mrs Hardman.

Tuesday 2 March 1802:

At home. Mr Barrow again on his affairs when I agreed to meet Mr Duckworth at Wilmslow to endeavour to settle the matters on dispute between his mother and himself. Purchased a bay Colt from Revd. Mr. Hickin for £24 . . .[nearing] 4 years old.

Wednesday 3 March 1802:

At Newcastle but Mr Hardman & Mr Bent being gone coursing to Keele & Mrs Wm Bent being confined on which account we could not dine with him I returned to dinner. found Mr Broughton relative to his affairs & the arbitration with Sir J. B. &c. &c.

Thursday 4 March 1802:

At home. Mr Fritche

Friday 5 March 1802:

Do.

Saturday 6 March 1802:

Do.

Sunday 7 March 1802:

Do.

Monday 8 March 1802:

Do. Alcock.

Tuesday 9 March 1802:

Do.

Wednesday 10 March 1802:

Mr Skerrett the Revd. Mr Salmon & Mr Penlington dined relative to Mr Penlington’s affairs when I finally proposed the following arbitration viz. Each party to nominate an Arbitrators(sic) which Arbitrators should choose a Counsel to settle all legal points that might arise & an Umpire to decide any question between the Arbitrators. Mr S. promised an answer in a week or 10 days.

Thursday 11 March 1802:

Engaged with Mr Skerrett surveying Mr Penlingtons Estates out all morning.

Friday 12 March 1802:

At Newcastle. returned to dinner.

Saturday 13 March 1802:

Mr Skerrett left us.

Sunday 14 March 1802:

At home

Monday 15 March 1802:

At home. Alcock who staid all night. In the afternoon Mr Barrow on his affairs in consequence of a letter recd. from Mr Duckworth.

Tuesday 16 March 1802:

At Newcastle to converse with Mr Bent on Barrows affairs. Attending Uttoxeter Turnpike Road Meeting when order made for the intended new branch to Shilton.

Page 211

Wednesday 17 March 1802:

At home.

Thursday 18 March 1802:

Do. Mr Boudarde

Friday 19 March 1802:

Dined at Butterton Eliza Miss S Louisa & self. Dr Northern. very cold wind.

Saturday 20 March 1802:

At home. Began sowing oats in the field under the wood. very cold but clear.

Sunday 21: In the morning received a Letter from Mr Broughton relative to proposals from Sir Thos. Broughton for concluding the Saltworth affairs which I sent to Mr Gilbert. At noon Mr & Mrs Barrow & Mr Martin arrived relative to their affairs which after much discussion & consultation I put into a train for being settled. In the afternoon Mr Gilbert, relative to Mr Broughtons affairs & with whom I was engaged till late at night.

Monday 22 March 1802:

Mr Broughton arrived at noon, and in the afternoon Mr Gilbert, engaged till late at night in the discussion of these affairs, when Mr G entirely concurred in the opinion I had given Mr B to relinquish his share in the partnership upon the terms offered by Sr. T. B.

Tuesday 23 March 1802:

Mr B went after breakfast having furnished him with a memorandum of the Calculations made by Mr G & myself & which had decided our opinion.

Wednesday 24 March 1802:

At Burslem. Began taking down the fence between Mr Shaws Ground & the Hollins which promises to be a great improvement – Mr Turnock.

Thursday 25 March 1802:

At Newcastle again relative to Mr & Mrs Barrows affairs perusing Draft of a Deed when I recommended it to be laid before Counsel.

Page 212

Friday 26 March 1802:

At home

Saturday 27 March 1802:  

Do. In the evening Mr Josiah Potts arrived.

Sunday 28 March 1802:

Do. Mr Potts left us in the morning. Parted with the little bay horse.

Monday 29 March 1802:

At home. Alcock.

Tuesday 30:

Do. Engaged with William Dale receiving Rent & afterwards with Walker.

Wednesday 31 March 1802:

At home. Rogers who appointed to try his Witness on Tuesday next

April 1802

Thursday 1 April 1802:

At Burslem on various affairs looking over Grange Farm &c. Mrs & Miss Wood appointed to come to Linley on Saturday.

Friday 2 April 1802:

At home

Saturday 3 April 1802:

Mrs & Miss Wood came to dinner. Mr Blunt & Mr Vale also dined. In the Evening Mr Wood came.

Sunday 4 April 1802:

Mr Bent dined advising relative to the purchase of Miss Beards Land in the Kings field at Newcastle & also relative to the proposed tax on Malt hops and Beer.

Monday 5 April 1802:

At home engaged with Mr Wood. Alcock.

Tuesday 6 April 1802:

Engaged all morning in the Cause of Roebotham & Rogers examining Witnesses on the behalf of the Defendt. In the evening engaged with Mr Cox advising on sundry matters.

Wednesday 7 April 1802:

At Basford calling upon Mr James Bent on his return from Egypt. Sundry matters at the Brewery Mrs Barrow &c but returned to dinner.

Thursday 8 April 1802:

In the afternoon went to Newcastle with Eliza & Hannah to attend a Ball & supper in consequence of the signing of the definitive Treaty, which was very numerously attended. Returned late.

Friday 9 April 1802:

Engaged all morning with Mr Bent drawing up observations on the proposed tax on Malt hops & Beer & writing Letters to Lord Granville Lewison Mr Egerton & Mr Borthe therewith. Bent dined.

Saturday 10 April 1802:

At home, Engaged on the farm, workmen &c.

Sunday 11 April 1802:

Do. Mr Wood.

Monday 12 April 1802:

Do. Heavy Snow. Mr Wood went before dinner. Alcock who staid all night.

Tuesday 13 April 1802:

At home.

Wednesday 14 April 1802:

Do.

Thursday 15 April 1802:

Do. Mrs & Miss Wood returned home.

Friday 16 April 1802:

At Newcastle dining with Mr Bent Jas. Bent Mr Wood of Burslem Mr R Wood J Bent . all night.

Saturday 17 April 1802:

Engaged all morning settling Brewery Books returned to dinner. Hannah Stamford & 2 girls went to Nantwich.

Sunday 18 April 1802:

At home.

Monday 19 April 1802:

Eliza &c went to Nantwich. dined myself at Burslem. settling accts.

Tuesday 20 April 1802:

At Stone attending Navigation Meeting

Wednesday 21 April 1802:

Returned from Stone

Thursday 22 April 1802:

Went to Nantwich

[Friday 23 to Friday 30 bracketed together and labelled ‘At Nantwich’]

May, Saturday 1: Returned from Nantwich in the afternoon leaving Hannah behind. Eliza Mary & self on horseback.

Page 214

Sunday 2 May 1802:

At home. bad cold

Monday 3 May 1802:

Do. Alcock

Tuesday 4 May 1802:

Do.

Wednesday 5 May 1802:

Do.

Thursday 6 May 1802:

Do. Mrs Jos. Wedgwood &c called. Boudarde

Friday 7 May 1802:

Do. Engaged receiving Mr Penlingtons rents who with his son dined. In the afternoon Mr Blunt relative to Newcastle Election, & the intended nomination of Mr Smith the Banker to succeed Mr Egerton

Saturday 8 May 1802:

At home.

Sunday 9 May 1802:

Mr Wm Bent with Mr Jas. Bent & Captain Sneyd dined. Mr . . .[Fort] relative to the reference made to me by the Assessors of Mr . . .[Tilston] of the value of the . . .[Shor?] in Newcastle with . . .[work]

Monday 10 May 1802:

At home. Alcock. Stamford returned in consequence of Mr Blunt being engaged on the Cause which Mr Bortle & Mr Smith had commenced this morning at Newcastle.

Tuesday 11 May 1802:

At home.

Wednesday 12 May 1802:

Dined at Botley at Sir Thomas Fetchers Mrs & Miss Wedgwood & Mr & Mrs Jos. Wedgwood.

Thursday 13 May 1802:

At home. Boudarde. Miss Stamford returned with Anne & Bessy.

Friday 14 May 1802:

At Newcastle relative to a Memorial against the 30. Clause in the Beer Ale & Malt additional duties Act & engaged all morning with Mr Bent on this business. returned to dinner & found Mr Wood with whom engaged on the Colliery & other matters.  . . ., Wedgwood &c having at length signed an Agreement respecting the getting & . . . of their Coals. In the Evening Mrs & Miss Crompton & 3 children arrived.

Page 215

Saturday 15 May 1802:

Engaged all morning in preparing a Memorial to be sent by the Maltsters to Mr Vansittart for a modification or repeal of the . . . Clause in the Act, & stating the nature of the case &c. In the forenoon lost the bay carthorse Ball owing to a Complaint in the Bowels occasioned as we supposed by his having been suffered to eat too much coarse grass under the hedges. A most excellent & valuable animal, that it will be very difficult to replace. In the afternoon Miss Willett arrived.

Sunday 16 May 1802:

Between 6 & 7 o Clock this morning a heavy fall of Snow which completely(sic) covered the ground & loaded the trees giving the Country the appearance of December.

Monday 17 May 1802:

At home. Snow in the morning 3 or 4 inches deep on the level. Alcock.

Tuesday 18 May 1802:

Do. still very cold got a few early potatoes out of the open border.

Wednesday 19 May 1802:

Do. Miss Wedgwood dined.

Thursday 20 May 1802:

Do. Boudarde

Friday 21 May 1802:

Do.

Saturday 22 May 1802:

Mr Sparrow called went with him to Rode relative to the action brought by Mr Wilbraham agt. some . . .[workmen] of the . . .[Navigt.] Co. for getting Clay. Mr Sparrow dined.

Sunday 23 May 1802:

At Newcastle in consequence of a Letter from Mr Sparrow attending the returning Officers advising on sundry matters relative to the Election. dined at Mr Sparrows with Mr Bent.

Page 216

Monday 24 May 1802:

At Newcastle attending a Navigation Meeting relative to the demand made by Mr Breck for injury done by making the Canal. Finally settled the damages in the Cause of Roebotham v Rogers at 200 Guineas. Settled also the value of the Shares in Newcastle water works which had been referred to me to pay 7 ½ p Cent to the purchaser & engaged on various other matters but returned to  dinner. Alcock.

Tuesday 25 May 1802:

Engaged all morning on the Canal viewing the Trespass for which Mr Wilbraham had brought his action, taking the examination of witnesses &c & afterwards writing a state of the Case & Letter therewith to Mr Sparrow.

Wednesday 26 May 1802:

At home. In the evening Mr Wilbraham & Mr Witterham called the former with a message from Mr Bootle.

Thursday 27 May 1802:

At Burslem. On my return found Mr Bent & Mr William Broadhurst of Mansfield who dined much discussion & consideration of the Maltsters prohibition Clause. when I recommended a deputation of Maltsters to wait upon Mr Vansittart. Boudarde.

Friday 28 May 1802:

At home. Miss Wedgwood & Miss Willett called. Got early potatoes for use.

Saturday 29 May 1802:

The Ladies at Newcastle to see the Brewery. fine rain

Sunday 30 May 1802:

At home.

Monday 31 May 1802:

Mrs Crompton &c left us. Alcock.

June, 1802

Tuesday 1 June 1802:

Dined at Etruria with St. Thos. Fletchers family.

Wednesday 2 June 1802:

At home engaged with Accounts &c. Executed award relative to the value of the Shares in Newcastle Water Works which I fixed at £66.12/6 each. the original subscription being £50. Also sent final instructions for my award in Roebotham v Rogers fixing the Plts. damages & Costs at £210. Eliza brought Mrs W Bent to dinner.

Thursday 3 June 1802:

At home. Boudarde. In the Eveng. Mr Bent.

Page 217

Friday 4 June 1802:

At home

Saturday 5 June 1802:

Do. In the evening Mr Bent

Sunday 6 June 1802:

Do. In the evening Mr & Mrs Bent returned. Violent flash of Lightening in the afternoon

Monday 7 June 1802:

At Newcastle fair. Bought a Mare & a Cow for the Brewery returned to dinner & in the Evening went to Burslem with Eliza Ann & Emma

Tuesday 8 June 1802:

At Burslem

Wednesday 9 June 1802:

Do. but returned home in the Evening

Thursday 10 June 1802:

At home. had Cold. Blunt came to dinner. Funnaly.

Friday 11 June 1802:

Do.

Saturday 12 June 1802:

At Bostock house with Mr Penlington fishing

Sunday 13 June 1802:

At home.

Monday 14 June 1802:

Do. Sr. Thos. Lady & Miss Fletcher Miss Braybent Mr Fletcher Mrs & Miss Wedgwood Mrs Darwin & Mrs Jos. Wedgwood dined. Mrs & Miss W staid all night.

Tuesday 15 June 1802:

At Newcastle relative to the further representation to Mr Vansittart on the subject of the prohibition of  . . .[wetting] Malt. Finished the paper returned to dinner.

Wednesday 16 June 1802:

At home. Mr & Mrs Shepherd Mr B & Miss Rowerson called on their way to Paris.

Thursday 17 June 1802:

At home. Boudarde. In the eving. Mrs & Miss Woods came

Friday 18 June 1802:

At home. In the Evening at Etruria returned with Miss Stamford. Conversation relative to the unpleasant situation of Mrs Mills, when I promised my advice & assistance. On my return found Mr Wood.

Saturday 19 June 1802:

At Newcastle relative to Counsel being employed for the returning Officers at the approaching Election; a measure which I strongly recommended and it was finally agreed to request the four Candidates to fix upon Counsel that would be satisfactory to themselves & that they should be written or applied to accordingly by the Town Clerk, Found a handsome & satisfactory Letter from Mr Vansittart. Mr Wood.

Page 218

Sunday 20 June 1802:

Mrs Clement Sneyd & Mrs Mills called & dined. . . .[????dation] to her affairs, Children &c. In the evening the Woods left us.

Monday 21 June 1802:

At home. Engaged in reading Election Cases &c. Alcock.

Tuesday 22 June 1802:

Mr & Mrs Potts of Ollerton came to dinner.

Wednesday 23 June 1802:

Engaged with Mr Potts.

Thursday 24 June 1802:

Do. Boudarde. In the afternoon Mr Clemt. Sneyd, who brought for my perusal the Settlement made on the Marriage of Mrs Mills & the will of the late Mr Mills of Barlaston with or. [?other] papers. Engaged with these affairs till late Mr Sneyd staying all night.

Friday 25 June 1802:

Mr Sneyd went after breakfast. Engaged with Mr Potts.

Saturday 26 June 1802:

Mr & Mrs Potts went after Breakfast. Stamford returned from Nantwich & dined with me at Burslem. Returned in the Evening with Miss S. P. & Mary.

Sunday 27 June 1802:

Dined at Mr Furnivals at Sandbach. Mr Bent Walthall & Barrow

Monday 28 June 1802:

At home engaged in reading proceedings of  . . .[Committee] on Newcastle . . . & Elections. Alcock

Tuesday 29 June 1802:

Do. Do.

Wednesday 30 June 1802:

At Newcastle races. dined at the ordinary & returned after the Ball [The ordinary was a public meal provided at a fixed time and price in an Inn]. No race for want of horses.

July, 1802

Thursday 1 July 1802:

At Newcastle again. Sr. Rob. Lawley began canvass in lieu of Mr Smith who had declined. At the play & afterwards returned home.

Friday 2 July 1802:

At home

Saturday 3 July 1802:

Do.

Sunday 4 July 1802:

Do.

Page 219

Monday 5 July 1802:

In the Evening went to Newcastle in order to attend the Election as Recorder.

Tuesday 6 July 1802:

At Newcastle attending the Election Candidates. E. W. Bootle, Sr. Rob. Lawley, Oliver Beckett & Joseph James dined at Wilkins. slept at Mr Bents.

Wednesday 7 July 1802:

Do. Do.

Thursday 8 July 1802:

Do. Do.

Friday 9 July 1802:

About one oClock Election ended. Majority of 65 for Mr Bootle & 64 for Sr. Rob. Lawley. In the Evening returned home with the satisfactory reflection of this arduous business having been gone through in a manner that gave satisfaction to both parties, and without the smallest accident or mischief having been done through the whole course of it, though much was apprehended from the violence and heat of the parties at its commencement. Found Miss Harwood and Bessy at Linley Wood on their return from Matlock.

Saturday 10 July 1802:

At home. Much indisposed in consequence of the hurry & fatigue of the Election.

Sunday 11 July 1802:

Do. Mr Jno. Garnett dined.

Monday 12 July 1802:

At Burslem, Mr Wood returned with me to dinner. Found Mr & Mrs Broughton. The former relative to the final settlement of his affairs with Sr. Thos B. Alcock.

Tuesday 13 July 1802:

At home

Wednesday 14 July 1802:

At Nantwich Races

Thursday 15 July 1802:

Do.

Friday 16 July 1802:

Returned from Nantwich. Met Miss H & Bessy on their road to Nantwich.

Saturday 17 July 1802: At Newcastle to have met Mr Wood relative to Colliery business but he did not come. Dined at Mr Walthalls with Mr & Mrs W Bent

Page 220

Sunday 18 July 1802:

At home

Monday 19 July 1802:

Do. Mr Tollett called engaged to meet me at Foxlow on Friday at 11oclock for the purpose of looking over his farming Improvements & afterwards to dine at Linley Wood. Alcock. Miss S with Mary & Louisa set off to Prestatyn.

Tuesday 20 July 1802:

At home. Mr Jas. & Mr Thos. Bent dined having accompanied Miss Bent & Miss Furnival who came to spend a few days.

Wednesday 21 July 1802:

At home very wet. engaged in reading

Thursday 22 July 1802:

Do. Do.

Friday 23 July 1802:

At Foxlow meeting Mr Tollett & Mr Skerrett who afterwards dined at Linley & Mr S staid all night. Great improvements making by Mr T upon his farm particularly in watering meadow, & in Stock. The Devon & Hereford Oxen very fine, & the former promising to be useful for Draught, being lighter & more active than the . . .[bruds] used in this Country.

Saturday 24 July 1802:

Dined at Botley Hall. Mr T, Messrs Rob Hill, Jno. Hill, Mr & Mrs Hinchliffe, Northern Mr & Mrs Wickstead. Engaged to dine with Mr Hinchliffe on Monday second..

Sunday 25 July 1802:

At home.

Monday 26 July 1802:

Do. Alcock

Tuesday 27 July 1802:

At home.

Wednesday 28 July 1802:

Do. Mr & Mrs Skerrett arrived

Thursday 29 July 1802:

Do.

Friday 30 July 1802:

Do.

Saturday 31 July 1802:

Do

Page 221

August, 1802

 Sunday 1^st August 1802:

At home. Mr William Bent dined

Monday 2 August 1802:

Dined at Mr Hinchliffes pursuant to my engagement. Mr & Mrs Wickstead & Dr Northern.

Tuesday 3 August 1802:

At home. Alcock & his son. Musick

Wednesday 4 August 1802:

At Burslem Mr Skerrett having gone to Nantwich

Thursday 5 August 1802:

At home. Mr Wood dined. Boudarde. In the Evg. Mr S returned.

Friday 6 August 1802:

Do. Messrs Yoxalls, Mr & Mrs R Skerrett & Mr Joseph Adams dined.

Saturday 7 August 1802:

At home. This morning the first brick laid of the new Building in the Alsager Estate. Blunt dined. Miss Stamford & the Children returned from Prestatyn.

Sunday 8 August 1802:

At home

Monday 9 August 1802:

Do. Alcock.

Tuesday 10 August 1802:

Do.

Wednesday 11 August 1802:

Do. Ann & Bessy arrived from Nantwich

Thursday 12 August 1802.

Do.

Friday 13 August 1802:

Do.

Saturday 14 August 1802:

Mr & Mrs Skerrett left us. At Burslem on various matters previous to my setting off on my intended Tour into Scotland

Sunday 15 August 1802:

At home.

Monday 16 August 1802:

Set off to Manchester on my journey into Scotland.

[gap in the entries until September]

September, 1802

Friday 3 September 1802

Returned from my Journey and arrived at Linley Wood about four oClock in the afternoon after a very pleasant & satisfactory excursion.

Page 222

Saturday 4 September 1802:

At home.

[The next entry actually begins on the next line after the previous entry with the date written adjacent to the last line of the entry, not as I have rendered it below]

Monday 27 September 1802:

A number of engagements the consequence of my absence from home so completely occupied my attention for a short time after my return that the Journal was neglected but I resume it this day when I went to Stone to attend the Navigation Meeting

Tuesday 28 September 1802:

Returned from Stone with Mr Kinnersley in his Carriage to Newcastle calling at Trentham on Mr Jas. Hardman.

Wednesday 29 September 1802:

At home. Began putting up the post & Chain fence before the house.

Thursday 30 September 1802:

At Newcastle attending the Agricultural Meeting & returned in the Evening.

October, 1802

Friday 1 October 1802:

At home engaged with workmen.

Saturday 2 October 1802:

Do. Mr Blunt & Mr McEvoy dined previous to the former [JC means ‘latter’ – see entry for 9^th.] beginning to instruct the Children in writing of accounts & which he engaged to commence on Saturday next & to continue each Saturday afternoon at a salary of 10 Gns per Annum.

Sunday 3 October 1802:

At home.

Monday 4 October 1802:

Do. Alcock & his son

Tuesday 5 October 1802:

At Newcastle dining as Recorder with the Mayor. Staid all night & slept at Bents.

Wednesday 6 October 1802:

Engaged all  morning in examining & settling Brewery Accounts previous to their final closing for the year. Dined at Mr Bents. Barbor relative to the Cotton weaving scheme which was at length determined upon. On my return found Miss S & Ann & Bessy returned from their Northern journey.

Thursday 7 October 1802:

At home. Boudarde. busy sowing wheat. Workmen finished putting up posts & chains.

Friday 8 October 1802:

At Burslem. Looking at the draining on the farm &c. &c.

Saturday 9 October 1802:

At home. In the afternoon Mr McEvoy who began his instruction of the Children in writing &c. &c.

Page 223

Sunday 10 October 1802:

At home.

Monday 11 October 1802:

Do. Alcock & in the afternoon his son. purchased a bay colt from Wilshaw at £28.2

Tuesday 12 October 1802:

Do. Engaged on the farm

Wednesday 13 October 1802:

Do. Do.

Thursday 14 October 1802:

At Burslem. Found Mr Wood returned from Chester much indisposed.

Friday 15 October 1802:

At home.

Saturday 16 October 1802:

At Newcastle. Long conversation with Mr Bent previous to his going down to Manchester on the Cotton business. In the afternoon Michael Ashmore relative to dispute with Mr Babington.

Sunday 17 October 1802:

At home.

Monday 18:

At Burslem. Mr Wood better

Tuesday 19 October 1802:

At home. Heavy rain so much so as to prevent my going to Alsager on dispute between Messrs Babington Twemlow & Ashmore.

Wednesday 20 October 1802:

At Newcastle. Breakfasted with Bent in consequence of the information he had procured at Manchester & determined finally to relinquish the Cotton Scheme. Retd. to Dinner.

Thursday 21 October 1802:

In the morning Mr Twemlow & afterwards meeting him Mr Babington & Michal(sic) Ashmore at Alsager Lodge & finally settling the dispute amongst them relative to the farm held by Michal A. under Mr B & Mr Twemlow . . .[coming] upon the same. On my return found Mr Skerrett & Mr Penlington. Engaged receiving the rents of the latter. Boudarde

Friday 22 October 1802:

Engaged with Mr Skerrett on various matters &c.

Saturday 23 October 1802:

In the morning Mr S left us. In the afternoon very heavy rain.

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Sunday24 October 1802:

At home.

Monday 25 October 1802:

Do. Alcock

Tuesday 26 October 1802:

Do.

Wednesday 27 October 1802:

At Betley House to dinner. In the evening Musick. Alcock & Fritche.

Thursday 28 October 1802:

Returned to dinner. Mr Fritche.

Friday 29 October 1802:

Prevented going to Newcastle agreeable to appointments to close Brewery annual accounts by heavy rain. At Noon Ann & Bessy left us,

Saturday 30 October 1802:

At Newcastle closing Books &c. A good account. Returned in the Evening.

Sunday 31 October 1802:

At home.

November, 1802

Monday 1 November 1802:

At Burslem. Alcock

Tuesday 2 November 1802:

At home. Engaged on the farm

Wednesday 3 November 1802:

Do.

Thursday 4 November 1802:

Do. Mr Blunt dined & Boudarde.

Friday 5 November 1802:

Mr Blunt left us after breakfast. Dined with Mr Gilbert &c. at the Red Bull being the Mayors feast. Elected Mayor for the ensuing year.

Saturday 6 November 1802:

At Wolstanton attending the funeral of Mrs . . .[Shordor]. Sir Thomas Fletcher, Admiral Child, Mr William Sneyd of Darlaston, Mr Thomas Sparrow, Mr Bennett & self Bearers. Afterwards dined with Mr William Sneyd of Bradwall at Mr Sparrows.

Sunday 7 November 1802:

At home.

Monday 8 November 1802:

Do. Mr & Mrs Alcock &c dined. Cockshooting party in . . . Mr C Lawton &c. Musick

Tuesday 9 November 1802:

Cock shooting with Mr Cox: but found the Cover cleared

Wednesday 10 November 1802:

At . . .[Scabridge] dining with Mrs Swinnerton

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Thursday 11 November 1802:

At home. Boudarde

Friday 12 November 1802:

At Butterton with Mr Swinnerton

Saturday 13:

Returned from Butterton by Newcastle & Burslem. Found Mr Wood unwell.

Sunday 14 November 1802:

At home

Monday 15 November 1802:

Do. Conversation with Mr Chas. Lawton relative to Swallow Moor, Shooting &c. Alcock

Tuesday 16 November 1802:

At Burslem. Mr Wood still indisposed.

Wednesday 17 November 1802:

At home. Engaged all morning in the Plantations, removing Trees &c. In the afternoon Children writing. Evening Reading as usual. Mr Beardmore fetched wine from Mr Hill &c from Nantwich

Thursday 18 November 1802:

At home engaged again in the Plantations. Drawing case relative to Wm Dales conduct on the Alsager Estate. Boudarde. Mr Blunt came to dinner. Cold day with wind & at night heavy rain.

Friday 19 November 1802:

Do. The morning cold & rainy which prevented my going to Burslem. In the night a Fox had committed his depredation on a Turkey. NB. Examine the earth at the back of the fir wood. In the afternoon Mr Gibbons & Mr Bretherton relative to the information laid against them under the Stage Coach Act & advising them thereon. In the evening Miss Lawrence.

Saturday 20 November 1802:

At Burslem. Mr Wood still ill with a Rheumatic attack. Heavy Fog. Mr Salmon relative to his Title to the Rock Property, & advising him thereon. Mr McEvoy.

Sunday 21 November 1802:

Miss Lawrence went early. At home as usual.

Monday 22 November 1802:

At home. Sent Measures of Barkley to Newcastle. William Dales cattle still on the Clover. directed William to observe it. Alcock all night. At night drawing Mr Woods will, in consequence of an unfavourable account of him & to prevent the mischiefs of procrastination & . . . affairs of so much consequence.

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Tuesday 23 November 1802:

At Burslem, Mr Wood still very indifferent. Left the will with him & returned to dinner.

Wednesday 24 November 1802:

At home. Engaged on various matters, Boudarde.

Thursday 25 November 1802:

At Burslem. Mr Wood still very indifferent. In the evening Mr Fritche.

Friday 26 November 1802:

Engaged in planting willows at Swallow Moor Gate. Mr Penlington & Mr George Audley. The former relative to the road through the Packhorse farm, the latter relative to the annuities given under the late Mr Ps will to himself & his sister. Advising on these matters. Mr P. & Mr A to dine here at three on Thursday next.

Saturday 27 November 1802:

At Burslem.

Mr Wood still very indifferent.

Sunday 28 November 1802:

At home. Engaged as usual.

Monday 29 November 1802:

At Newcastle on various matters. Brewery. Proposed purchase from Beckett of his share of  House &c on the Marsh. Purchase from Turnock & paying £500 in part. Left with Mr Swinnerton by an order on Kinnersley,. Conversation relative to the intended new Bank. Appointments with the Mayor &c to dine at Linley on Friday the 10^th.

Tuesday 30 November 1802:

At home. Engaged with William Dale, when I amicably settled with him all disputes & received his rent. Settled with Mr Cox the straightening of the . . .[sunk] fence. The rent of the Stancliffe wood to be 2 Gnes.

December,

Wednesday 1 December 1802:

At Burslem. Mr Wood better.

Thursday 2 December 1802:

At home. Mr Penlington Mr Geoge Audley & Mr W Penlington dined.

Friday 3 December 1802:

Do. wet stormy day.

Saturday 4 December 1802:

[No entry]

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Sunday 5 December 1802:

At home.

Monday 6 December 1802:

At Burslem. Mr Wood better.

Tuesday 7 December 1802:

At home. Engaged on various matters.

Wednesday 8 December 1802:

Coursing with Mr Wm Cox & Gibbons, but no Success.

Thursday 9 December 1802:

At Trentham attending Deputy Lieutenancy Meeting for receiving Constables Lists of Militia & hearing appeals, & detained till late & not being able to get through the business adjourned to Wednesday next at ½ past 11.

Friday 10 December 1802:

Mr Smith the Mayor Messrs Fenton Clannam Poole Nutkisson Miller Plant Sparrow Hollins Martin & Jn. Swinnerton dined

Saturday 11 December 1802:

At home.

Sunday 12 December 1802:

Do.

Monday 13 December 1802:

Do.

Tuesday 14 December 1802:

At Wheelock dining at Mr Watkiss. Mr & Mrs Bayley Mr & Miss Furnivall.

Wednesday 15 December 1802:

At Trentham attending adjourned Deputy Lieutenancy Meeting. Sr. Jno Chetwode Mr Powys Mr Kinnersley Hardman & self. dined with Mr K on my return.

Thursday 16 December 1802:

At home. In the morning sprained my shoulder. Boudarde. Mr Blunt dined & staid all night.

Friday 17 December 1802:

At home.

Saturday 18 December 1802:

Do.

Sunday 19 December 1802:

Do. Bent dined.

Monday 20 December 1802:

Do. Alcock. In the evening Mr Skerrett & the Colonel arrived.

Tuesday 21 December 1802:

Engaged with the Gentlemen.

Wednesday 22 December 1802:

Mr S & the Col. left us. Mr Penlington on his affairs.

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Thursday 24 December 1802:

At home. Mr Boudarde. In the evening sent the origl Agreement between  . . .[Gallimories] & Wood & Caldwell to Mr Wood by a Messenger who brought some Bills &c.

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