Michael Heath-Caldwell M.Arch
Brisbane, Queensland
ph: 0412-78-70-74
alt: m_heath_caldwell@hotmail.com
Margaret Skerrett (ne Caldwell ) - 54/55
Anne Caldwell of Nantwich - 45/46
Elizabeth Caldwell (Bessy) of Nantwich - 37/38
Hannah Stamford of Linley Wood - 50/51 - Elizabeth Caldwell's sister
James Caldwell of Linley Wood - 43/44 - (1759-1838)
Elizabeth Caldwell (ne Stamford) of Linley Wood - 49/50
Hannah Eliza Caldwell - (later Roscoe) - age 18/19
James Stamford Caldwell - age - 17/18
Mary Caldwell - age 14/15
Ann Marsh-Caldwell - age 12/13
Margaret Emma Caldwell (later Holland) - age - 11/12
Catherine Louisa Caldwell - age 8/9
Diary of James Caldwell
January, Sunday 1st January 1804
At home.
Monday 2nd January 1804
At Longton calling upon Sir John Heathcote. Returned to dinner. Brewery
Tuesday 3: set off on our annual visit to Nantwich.
Wednesday 4th to Friday 13th January 1804
[bracketed together and labelled] At Nantwich.
Friday 13th January 1804
: . . . [Brapian - should this be Prussian] Blue, burnt terra sienna will supply a Pallet in . . .[bil] colours without red. P. Bayley.
Saturday 14th January 1804
Eliza & I, with Emma & Louisa returned from Nantwich
Sunday 15th January 1804
At home.
Monday 16th January 1804
Do. Engaged on the farm also copying & correcting Houghton's Essays.
Tuesday 17th January 1804
At Newcastle attending the Mayor at dinner it being the Sessions. Dined at the Roebuck & returned in the Evening.
Wednesday 18th January 1804
At home engaged looking over Accounts &c.
Thursday 19th January 1804
At Newcastle at the Brewery: & paying sundry Bills in the Inn also making arrangements for the Mayor &c dining at Linley Wood on Saturday 28th.
Friday 20th January 1804
At home. Engaged on the farm &c.
Saturday 21st January 1804
I this day entered the 45th year of my age
Sunday 22nd January 1804
At home.
Monday 23rd January 1804
At Newcastle on various matters. Mt Blunt returned with me to dinner.
Tuesday 24: Coursing with Mr Blunt, Gibbons &c. Saw four hares & killed one.
Wednesday 25th January 1804
Mr Blunt left us with whom I had much satisfactory conversation relative to Stamford & his plans at Cambridge at which University he is now entered of St. John's College.
Thursday 26th January 1804
At Trentham attending Meeting of Commrs. under the Income Act. Sr. Jno. Chetwode, Sr. Jno. Heathcote Mr Mainwaring & self. Very wet day & returned to a late dinner at six oClock much fatigued.
Friday 27th January 1804
At home Engaged with the workmen in the Meadow which we had begun to float.
Saturday 28th January 1804
At home. Messrs. Fenton, R Fenton, Sneyd, Northern, Spode, Sparrow, Bent, Hill, Swinnerton, Nicksson dined. Application from Mr Fourchiquour [JC spells this name in several different ways. As this is the most common of all the spellings I have used it throughout] relative to instructing the Children in french.
Sunday 29th January 1804
At home.
Monday 30th January 1804
Do. but stormy day.
Tuesday 31th January 1804
At Burslem with Eliza & Stamford. Found Mr Skerrett there who was putting up a new engine on the Bycars for raising the Coals on Mr Trevithicks principle.[Richard Trevithick's high pressure steam engine. This may have been one of the first of these type of engines built as much of Trevithicks high pressure work dates from around 1803 to 1804] Attended dinner. Mr Booth called.
Wednesday 1st February 1804
At home engaged in the ground planting &c. In the afternoon Stamford returned to Mr Blunts.
Thursday 2nd February 1804
At Trentham attending Deputy Lieutenancy Meeting for receiving Constables Militia returns & hearing appeals. Sr. Jno. Chetwode & self attended early & got through a good deal of business. Afterwards joined by Messrs Mainwaring Whitworth, Spode & Steadman. Mr Tollett also just called in.
Swore in Messrs. Gilbert, Kenright & Steadman as additional commissioners under the Income Act, & returned home to a late dinner having declined an invitation from Mr Mainwaring to dine with Sir Jno. Chetwode at Whitmore.
Friday 3rd February 1804
At home. Writing Letter to Mr Broughton. Engaged in the grounds. Mr Wood came to dinner. Conversation relative to proposals made by the Burton flint Co. the new engine &c. &c.
Saturday 4th
At home.
Sunday 5th February 1804
Do.
Monday 6th February 1804
Do. Engaged on the farm.
Tuesday 7th February 1804
At Newcastle with Eliza on horseback on various matters.
Wednesday 8th February 1804
At home. Engaged on the farm & in the grounds
Thursday 9th February 1804
Do. Miss Stamford returned from Knutsford
Friday 10th February 1804
Do.
Saturday 11th February 1804
Do.
Sunday 12th February 1804
Do. Engaged planting &c.
Monday 13th February 1804
At Newcastle on various matters - stating Account with Mr Bent relative to Rents &c of Dwellinghouse on the Marsh previous to my finally settling the same with Mr Beckett. Alcock. In the Evening wrote to Mr Rowley & offered to purchase the grounds with Mrs Johnson at a price to be fixed by Mr Henshall.
Tuesday 14th February 1804
At home. Engaged in the grounds
Wednesday 15th February 1804
At home. Engaged on the Farm
Thursday 16th February 1804
At Trentham attending Deputy Lieutenancy Meeting Sir John Chetwode Mr Mainwaring Steadman & self. Dined at the Roebuck on my return & conversation with Mr Kinnersley relative to Mr Suttons Title, which he was desirous me finally to arrange for him.
Friday 17th February 1804
At home.
Saturday 18th February 1804
At Aslburg calling upon Mr Hepingstall, making enquiries relative to Mr Fourchiquour, previous to engaging him as a French Tutor.
Page 270
Sunday 19th February 1804
At home. Confined with a bad cold.
Monday 20th February 1804
At Newcastle on a reference which had been made to me by Mr Thos. Cartwright of Nantwich by Mr Beckett relative to the Claim set up by the former to some buildings in the back lane & receiving the same with Mr Tho. Yoxall previous to making an Award. Returned to dinner, Alcock.
Tuesday 21st February 1804
At home. Messr. Furnival, William Bent, John Swinnerton & Walthall, with the Ladies dined. In the morning Mr Hodgson of Congleton called.
Wednesday 22nd February 1804
Do. Mr Cox & Mr Bate. the former relative to the renewal of his Lease, when I advised the opinion of Mr Atherton to be taken, - the latter on a matter in dispute with his Uncle - John Walter relative to his Tithe to Lands purchased from Barrons - John Oram relative to a Distress made on his Goods at Lane End - In the afternoon Mr Richard Hollins with a request from his father (who had unexpectedly returned home from Buxton very ill, & was pronounced by his Physicians past all hope of recovery), that I would call upon him, as he wished to consult me on his affairs &c. In the forenoon Mr Penlington also called relative to an execution which had appeared against Smallwood one of the Tenants.
Thursday 23rd February 1804
At Newcastle from thence to Hanley attending Mr Hollins, who I found in a very dangerous state. Consulting with him on his affairs; when I thought it best for him to make a fresh will. Taking his instructions accordingly, & then went to Newcastle, where I proposed the same, & got it engrossed, & afterwards returned with it to Hanley, Mr Hollins & his family having expressed a wish that I would do so, & attended the executors. Returned home late much fatigued.
Friday 24th February 1804
At home. In the morning Mr Fourchiquour whom I engaged to instruct the Children in French, & with whom engaged all the day as he staid to dinner. Mr F is an officer on half pay. I believe a Lieut. Col. He informed me that he had served as a Lieutenant in the same regiment as Buonaparte, who was at that time also a Lieut. He spoke of him as possessing boundless ambition, & thought his talents had been greatly exaggerated yet to use Mr F own expression "he is not a common Man."
Saturday 25th February 1804
At Burslem. Severe day.
Sunday 26th February 1804
At home. Sent to Mr Hill by Stanford the Copy of the Rental of Talk Chapel, which I had received from Mr Sparrow.
Monday 27th February 1804
At home. Mr James Cox relative to his Leases under Mr Lawton - Bill of Certs. Cox Agt. &c. &c. Engaged on the farm. Alcock.
Tuesday 28th February 1804: William Wilson advising relative to a Will. At Newcastle attending Agricultural Society as President. Mr Offley . . . &c admitted members. Mr Paoli relative to John Walters Title to Lands at Audley.
Wednesday 29th February 1804
At home. Engaged on the farm. Mr Wood dined.
Thursday 30th February 1804
Mr Johnson relative to the dispute with Tolaright about the Coals &c when Wednesday next was appointed for a Meeting at the Legs of Man Burslem.
Thursday 1st March 1804
At home. Engaged in Do. & various matters. Mr Keys
Friday 2nd March 1804
Do. In the house - unwell. John Walters relative to his Title.
Saturday 3rd March 1804
Do. Mr William Hindley dined. Snow.
Sunday 4th March 1804
Do.
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Monday 5th March 1804
At Newcastle on various matters. Delivered to Mr Thomas Sparrow the Articles of Agreement between the Navigation Co. & Mr Hales &c. returned to dinner, bringing back Eliza from Basford.
Tuesday 6th March 1804
At home. Writing again to Mr Rowley relative to the purchase of the But Lane Lands. At the Hollins with Mr Johnson to whom I delivered my Letter. Mr Fourchiquour being his first attendance on the Children.
Wednesday 7th March 1804
Wilson again, relative to the Will, of which he had delivered me an Extract, when I desired to see a Copy of the whole previous to giving any positive Opinion. At Burslem, with Letter received last night from Mr Johnson requesting that the reference might be postponed. Viewing the new engine which had been erected on Mr Trevithicks improved plan. Appeared to work well. Returned to dinner & found the two Miss Woods.
Thursday 8th March 1804
At home. Alcock.
Friday 9th March 1804
Do. Mr Wood came to dinner, & staid all night.
Saturday 10th March 1804
At Trentham attending Deputy Lieutenancy Meeting, for balloting for vacancies in the Militia & Army of Reserve. Sir John Chetwode, Messrs Steadman, Mainwaring, Spode Whalley & self. Returned home to a late dinner.
Sunday 11th March 1804
At home.
Monday 12th March 1804
At Newcastle on various matters. Received the first intelligence of the death of my old friend & acquaintance Hollins, of whom from the opportunities I had had of knowing his intentions & dispositions it may . . .said that he died as he had lived an honest Man.
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Tuesday 13th March 1804
At home. engaged in the grounds. Mr Fourchiquour.
Wednesday 14th March 1804
At Burslem. Attending with Mr Johnson &c Reference Wood & Caldwell & Tolaright. Engaged all day & appointed Friday for proceeding further. Miss Woods returned.
Thursday 15th March 1804
At home. Engaged in the grounds & planting &c at Oldcots. In the Evening Mr Keys.
Friday 16th March 1804
At Burslem attending again on reference. Mr Johnson of Congleton breakfasted on his road, looked at the new engine which appeared to answer perfectly well. Engaged on reference all day & Tuesday 10th April fixed for the Arbitrators Mr John Martin of Norton, & Mr Edwd. Eardley to make their Award, & for that purpose to meet again at Burslem.
Saturday 17th March 1804
At home. Considering Case under the Will of John Goodall & drawing opinion thereon. Afterwards engaged in the grounds.
Sunday 18th March 1804
At Talk Chapel with Eliza & the Children. Received Summons to attend on the Grand Jury at the Assizes at Stafford on Wednesday next.
Monday 19th March 1804
At home. Engaged in the grounds. Alcock.
Tuesday 20th March 1804
At Trentham attending Lieutenancy Meeting Sir Jno. Chetwode Messrs. Mainwaring Spode & self. Returned to Newcastle to have heard further witnesses on the Reference . . .[Cri..es] & Lloyd, but the parties did not attend.
Wednesday 21st March 1804
At home. Engaged on various matters & in the grounds.
Thursday 22nd March 1804
At Stafford with Stamford. Attended on the grand Jury & dined with the Judges. Sir Jno. Chetwode, foreman.
Friday 23rd March 1804
Discharged with the Grand Jury about one oClock. Dined at Stone with Messrs. Sparrow, Plant & T Fenton & got home in the Evening.
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Saturday 24th March 1804
At home. Mr William Cox relative to Mr Lawton. Delivered to him the Settlement Deed made on the Marriage of Mr & Mrs Lawton which had been left in my possession & also Mr Cox's Lease.
Sunday 25th March 1804
Do. Mr William Bent dined. Conversation on brewery Affairs &c.
Monday 26th March 1804
At Burslem. Returned to dinner. Alcock.
Tuesday 27th March 1804
At Newcastle attending Navign. Meeting - Returned to dinner. Mr Fourchiquour.
Wednesday 28th March 1804
At home. Mr Beckett Mr Harding & Mr Fletcher surveying Coals in the Copyhold Lands, within the Manor of Audley, which Mr Meynell had determined to dispose of.
Thursday 29th March 1804
Do. Engaged on the farm & on various matters. In the Evening Mr Funnaly.
Friday 30th March 1804
Do.
Saturday 31st March 1804
Do.
Sunday 1st April 1804
Mr Hill. Afterwards at Bradwall dining with O Sneyd to have met Mr Offley Crewe, but he was prevented from coming. Sparrow, Bent & Poole.
Monday 2nd April 1804
At home. Mr William Cox - Mr Penlington - Miss Bent & Miss . . .[haria] to dinner.
Tuesday 3rd April 1804
So. Engaged on the farm, &c. Mr Nigel Heathcote to dinner.
Wednesday 4th April 1804
At Lawton attending the funeral of the late Mr Lawton as a Pall Bearer.
Thursday 5th April 1804
Mr Blunt came to dinner. Perusing & correcting Houghtons Essays & the alterations I made to them.
Friday 6th April 1804
At Trentham attending Lieutenancy Meeting. Returned to dinner.
Saturday 7th April 1804
In the morning Mr . . .[Sherman] advising on various matters. Mr Bent &
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Sunday 8th April 1804
Mr Wm. Bent came to dinner
Monday 9th April 1804
At Home. Mr Penlington. Mr W Bent relative to Davies business & Letters to Sr. Tho. Broughton. Mr B dined. In the Evening attending Vestrey(sic) Meeting at Talk on the Hill relative to the Indictment of a Highway in the . . .[vicinity] & writing Letter to Sr. John Heathcote.
Tuesday 10th April 1804
At Burslem to have attended Reference of Tolaright business but the same was postponed. Returned to dinner.
Wednesday 11th April 1804
At Newcastle attending Newcastle junction Canal Meeting. Sir Nigel Gressley in the Chair. Afterwards dined at Basford with Sir John Heathcote & Mr Wm Bent.
Thursday 12th April 1804
At home. Engaged on the farm & various matters. In the Evening Mr Keys.
Friday 13th April 1804
Miss Bent & Miss Eliza left Linley. Mr Penlington & Mr W P. to dinner. Engaged with them & with the Tenants receiving Rents &c. &c.
Saturday 14th April 1804
At home. Mr Sherwin relative to the payment of his rent & the dispute with Sr. Tho. Broughton & Mr Salmon &c. &c.
Sunday 15th April 1804
Do. In the afternoon at Talk Chapel. Fine day. Commencmt. of Spring.
Monday 16th April 1804
At home. Engaged on the farm &c. Alcock
Tuesday 17th April 1804
Do. Do. Mr Fourchiquour
Wednesday 18th April 1804
Took Eliza & Mary to Betley dined with Sr. Thomas & returned in the Evening having promised to dine again tomorrow to meet Sir John Chetwode & Mr Swinnerton.
Thursday 19th April 1804
In the morning Mr Penlington & Mr Salmon. Dined at Betley. St J Chetwode & Lady Harriet with two of their daughters. Mr Swinnerton. Returned in the evening after a very pleasant day & urgent invitation from Sr. John & Lady Harriet to come to Oakley which I promised to do. Heavy snow.
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Friday 20th April 1804
At Burslem. Mr Wood having returned from London the Evening before. Received information of the opening of the Nantwich Salt Leg being referred for a week on Acct. of the weather.
Saturday 21st April 1804
At home. Mr Penlington & drawing Agreement for him to be signed by the Tenants of Bortich house farm, relative to Fox leaving & Henshall coming in. Engaged on the farm, but very cold day & in the Evening Snow.
Sunday 22nd April 1804
The morning presented the appearance of January from the quantity of Snow that had fallen in the night, lying between 3 & 4 inches deep on the plain. More snow in the forenoon & at one time uncommonly heavy. Mr Hodgson of Congleton came to dinner & staid all night. Conversation relative to the intended sale by auction on Wednesday next of his Properties at Congleton & Mow. Mr Rowley of Overton valued the trees in the Plantation on Mowcop & which had been planted 23 years (at first 18 inches) at 1/3d apiece on the acreage.
Monday 23rd April 1804
At home. Mr H left after breakfast. Eliza & Mary returned from Betley. Alcock did not come.
Tuesday 24th April 1804
At home. Rain. Engaged on the farm. Mr Fourchiquour.
Wednesday 25th April 1804
Do. Do. Began at the bottom of the wood. Much rain.
Thursday 26th April 1804
Do. Engaged with the workmen &c. In the afternoon Mr Cox & Mr Wm Cox relative to certain Amenities granted by Mr Lawton to his Brother & family Arrangements in which I was nominated sole Trustee. Mr Fritche.
Friday 27th April 1804
Mr Cox set out the boundaries of the fence at the Stone quarry &c as directed by James Hanford a very old person and who was present. Perusing Deed executed by Mr Lawtons & advising further thereon.
Saturday 28th April 1804
At Madeley attending Lieutenancy Meeting & when I qualified with Sr. John Chetwode & Sir Thomas Fletcher as a Commissioner of Land tax & assessed taxes - swearing in Assessors &c. &c. A hard day having left home at eight o'Clock & not returning till seven at night to dinner & having been all the time on my legs fully engaged.
Sunday 29th April 1804
At home but much fatigued. Mr Wood came to dinner. Consultation with him on various matters relating to the Manufactory &c. & particularly the proposals made by Messrs. Pitt & Calcraft to let to a Company of Potters their Clay mine in Cornwall.
Monday 30th April 1804
At home. Mr Cox relative to Mr Lawtons business. Alcock. Fine Spring day.
Tuesday 1st May 1804
Do. Cut Asparagus. Engaged on the farm. Mr Fourchiquour - Mr Blunt & Stamford came to dinner & staid all night. An uncommonly fine growing day.
Wednesday 2nd May 1804
Engaged in the morning on the farm. At Newcastle in the afternoon dining at Mr Sparrows. Admiral & Mrs Child Major Walkin, Gibson, Mr & Mrs W Bent &c.
Thursday 3rd May 1804
At home. Engaged with the workmen putting down the posts & chains under the Terrace, laying out the ground &c.
Friday 4th May 1804
At Newcastle attending the Lieutenancy Meeting to ballot for vacancy in the Militia, swearing in Assessors under the Law Assessed Taxes Acts &c. & afterwards at Butterton where I dined with Mr Swinnerton. Cheadle Reference &c.
Saturday 5th May 1804
At home. Engaged on the farm & Grounds
Sunday 6th May 1804
Do. Turned eight milking cows out in the field before the house. Remarkably fine growing weather.
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Monday 7th May 1804
[No entry]
Tuesday 8th May 1804
[No entry]
Wednesday 9th May 1804
At home. Began levelling the ground under the Terrace & putting down the Chain fence. Alcock.
Thursday 10th May 1804
Engaged with the men at Do. In the Evening Mr Funally.
Friday 11th May 1804
At home. Messrs. G Wood, W Bent & T Bent dined.
Saturday 12th May 1804
At Newcastle attending the Lieutenancy Meeting. Mr Kinnersley & self. Dined with Mr Kinnersley.
Sunday 13th May 1804
At home.
Monday 14th May 1804
At Burslem. Returned to dinner. Alcock.
Tuesday 15th May 1804
At Swinnerton with Mr Bent looking at Mr Tollets farm, Stock &c. & dined with him & Mr & Mrs Sneyd of Darlaston & Revd. Mr Robinson.
Spanish Sheep began to collect in 1798. Has now a flock of 60 & upwards. Fleece about 3lbs weight, which now fetches in price 6/3 per pound, or 18/9 the fleece. These sheep seem to stand the Climate well and are gentle & manageable. A stocking of the full Mans size made from the wool passes through a ring, at least Mr T passed one up to the calf of the Leg. These sheep do not appear at all to degenerate in this Country. Mr Tollet thinks they may rather improve. In five crosses with the Southern they become perfect Spaniards that is continuing to put the Ewe from a cross of Spaniard & Southern to a pure Spaniard & so on. 30,000 bags of Spanish wool, each bag 200 lbs weight annually imported. The great object to insure the breed of these sheep so as not to leave the staple manufacture of fine woollens dependant on a foreign supply. An Acre of Land such as that about Swinnerton, will maintain eight of these Sheep.
Wednesday 16th May 1804
At home. Engaged on various matters
Thursday 17th May 1804
Do.
Friday 18th May 1804
Do. Sir Thomas & Lady Fletcher with Mr & Mrs Broughton Mrs Swinnerton Messrs Ray & W Bent dined - Cut cabbage
Saturday 19th May 1804
At Alsager marking some small timber for Posts & Rails &c. Captn. Simpson relative to the reference to me of the dispute with Mr Twemlow respecting Pew in Hanley Chapel
Sunday 20th May 1804
At home.
Monday 21st May 1804
At Newcastle pursuant to engagement with Mr Simpson relative to the matter with Mr Twemlow. Dined at Mr Bents. Messrs. Perry, Breck, Hopkins & T Yoxall.
Tuesday 22nd
At home. Engaged on various matters.
Wednesday 23rd May 1804
At Maer Hall dining with Mr Jos. Wedgwood, Mr & Mrs Broughton
Thursday 24th May 1804
At home. Mrs Bent & the children
Friday 25th May 1804
Do. At Talk Chapel being the Feast day. Mr Bent came to dinner. Cut cabbage
Saturday 26th May 1804
Do engaged in the farm
Sunday 27th May 1804
Mr Bent came to dinner & Mr Wood. In the Evening Mr & Mrs Bent & the children left us. Mr Wood staid all night.
Monday 28th May 1804
At home. Alcock. Shipley brought a Gig which I had ordered at Stafford.
Tuesday 29th May 1804
Do. In the morning Mr Cox & Mr Timmins viewing the piece of ground below the Terrace and for laying down which I have claimed the Agricultural second prize. Mrs Boyley of Willock & Mrs Knight called. Mr Fourchiquour.
Page 280
Wednesday 30th May 1804
At home. Ann & Bessy with Miss Harwood &c came to Linley.
Thursday 31st May 1804
At Trentham attending Meeting of Commrs. of Assessed Taxes. Qualified & acted as Land tax Commr. Sr. Tho. Fletcher J Heathcote, Whitworth, Steadman & self. Dined & returned in the Evening. hard day of business.
Friday 1st June 1804
At home. Engaged on the farm &c.
Saturday 2nd June 1804
At Burslem
Sunday 3rd June 1804
At home. Unwell
Monday 4th June 1804
Do. Engaged in the farm & on various matters.
Tuesday 5th June 1804
Do.
Wednesday 6th June 1804
At Burslem. Dined with Mr Bent at Mr Woods after looking over the Manufactory, Colliery &c. &c.
Thursday 7th June 1804
At home. In the evening Mr Funnaly
Friday 8th June 1804
Do. The 20th anniversary of the happy day that united me to my Eliza.
Saturday 9th June 1804
Do.
Sunday 10th June 1804
Do. At Talk Chapel Mr Hill
Monday 11th June 1804
At Newcastle on various matters. Coombes & Lloyd &c. &c.
Tuesday 12th June 1804
At home. Mr Tollet, Mr Sneyd of Bradwall & Mr Bent dined. Mr Tollet staid all night. Got early potatoes.
Wednesday 13th June 1804
At Newcastle dined at Mr Bents with Mr Bent after going through the Brewery with Miss Harwood & the party. Took Miss Harwood & Eliza junr. in the gig with the young horse.
Thursday 14th June 1804
At home.
Friday 15th June 1804
At Burslem with Miss Harwood going over the works. Took Eliza in the gig.
Saturday 16th June 1804
At home.
Page 281:
Sunday 17th June 1804
At home. Mr William Bent & Mr Barrow dined - relative to the intended Application to Parliament for a repeal of the Restrictions of the malting of Barley on the . . .[louch] & drawing up Resolutions for the consideration of the Meeting of Maltsters & Brewers appointed to be held at Newcastle tomorrow in consequence of a circular letter which had been received from a Meeting of Maltsters & Brewers held at Bristol.
Monday 18th June 1804
At Newcastle attending such Meeting when Resolutions adopted & directed to be transmitted to the Chairman of the Committee at Bristol. Took Mary in the Gig with Marquis. Returned to dinner. Alcock.
Tuesday 19th June 1804
At Basford dining. Sir Thomas, Lady Fletcher Miss Fletcher Mr Parker Coke. Duke of Portland a Man in the habits of great profession & experience.
Wednesday 20th June 1804
Took E in the Gig to Basford. At Newcastle meeting Mr Bent, with memorandums relative to the difference of wide & narrow Canals, & on which he had requested my opinion, previous to his going into Lancashire to attend a meeting of the Proprietors of the Bolton & Bury Canal.
Thursday 21st June 1804
Called upon Mr Gilbert. On my return found Mr Blunt. In the evening went to Alsager.
Friday 22nd June 1804
At home. Engaged with Mr Blunt
Saturday 23rd June 1804
Mr Blunt left us
Sunday 24th June 1804
At home. Farm &c. &c.
Monday 25th June 1804
Do. Mr & Mrs Jos. Wedgwood came to dinner. Alcock. Musick.
Page 282
Tuesday 26th June 1804
Mr & Mrs Jos. Wedgwood who left us in the Evening. M Fourchiquour
Wednesday 27th June 1804
At Burslem
Thursday 28th June 1804
At Madeley attending Army of Reserve Meeting & Ballot. Sirs J Chetwode F Fletcher & self. Returned late to dinner.
Friday 29th June 1804
In the morning sisters A & B left Linley. Afterwards at Newcastle dining at Mr Kinnersleys to meet Mr Parker Cooke &c.
Saturday 30th June 1804
At Newcastle meeting Mrs Tomlinson of Cheadle pursuant to appointment advising relative to the dispute which had arisen between her & her son, & the best mode of settling their family affairs. Returned to dinner. In the evening Dr. Crompton & Sons.
Sunday 1st July 1804
At home. Engaged with Dr Crompton & advising relative to the best mode of provision being made for Miss Bilshaw - £2000 Money to be invested on Trustees, with powers in case of her Marriage to settle or dispose of the same in such manner as under the circumstances they should judge best. Mr Martin came to dinner, advising relative to the Action proposed to be brought against the Barton Boat Company for recovery of damages occasioned by the use of the bad flint, which they had sent to W & C - also, respecting the reference to me of dispute between Mr Josiah Wedgwood & Mr Birt of Basford. After dinner the Dr left Linley.
Monday 2nd July 1804
At home. Dr. & Mrs Northern called. Alcock did not come; Engaged on various matters.
Tuesday 3rd July 1804
At home
Wednesday 4th July 1804
At Newcastle Races. Slept at Mr Bents. For the morning engaged on the reference relating to the Dilphouse Estate.
Thursday 5th July 1804
Do. Returned home in the Evening. Mr Fletcher & Mr . . .[Dawson] . . . . . . [Stone ends elect].
Friday 6th July 1804
At Trentham. Land tax Appeal on Property Tax . Sir Thomas Fletcher, J Chetwode, J Heathcote & self. Met Sir Thomas early with whom looked over the Marquis of Staffords alterations in the House. On my return found Mrs & Miss Wedgwood who staid all night.
Saturday 7th July 1804
At home. In the Evening attending vestry Meeting at Talk on the Hill relative to Indictment of a Road within the Liberty. Mr & Mrs Skerrett came. Mr Penlington Junr. relative to the Road at Rode Heath.
Sunday 8th July 1804
At home. Rode Letter from Mr Beardmore.
Monday 9th July 1804
Do: Engaged with Mr Skerrett. Alcock.
Tuesday 10th July 1804
At Newcastle in the gig with Mr Skerrett. At Longfield to have brought Miss G Hollins.
Wednesday 11th July 1804
At home.
Thursday 12th July 1804
Began mowing. At Trentham attending Meeting & hearing Appeals under the Property tax. Sr. Jno. Heathcote & self. Dined at Longton. Mr & Mrs Gressley of Seal.
Friday 13th July 1804
At home. Mr Wood & Mr R Skerrett dined
Saturday 14th July 1804
Do. Engaged about the Hay. Mrs Tho. Peake & Children arrived.
Sunday 15th July 1804
Do.
Monday 16th July 1804
Do. Hay
Tuesday 17th July 1804
At Newcastle meeting Mr Blagg of Cheadle & Mr John Tomlinson & advising relative to the best mode of amicably settling the differences between the latter & his mother. Recommended an account, in the first place to be made out, of the difference that would remain between considering him as a Partner, & allowing him interest on his money remaining in his Mothers Lands, & a fair Rent for his Land, occupied & used for the benefit of the business. The reference which stood for this morning of the Delphons business postponed, on account of Mr Brandons being called to London.
Page 284
Wednesday 18th July 1804
At Oakley Sr. Jno. Chetwode dining & all night. Sir Tho. Lady W & Miss Fletcher, Mr Davison & Mr Bate.
Thursday 19th July 1804
From Oakley to Trentham meeting Sr. John Heathcote. Appeal over Property tax.
Friday 20th July 1804
Mrs Peake left Linley. In the Evening at Burslem with Mr Skerrett looking at the Engine &c.
Saturday 21st July 1804
Mr & Mrs Skerrett left us.
Sunday 22nd July 1804
Mr Bent dined. Consultation relative to the Communications to be made to the Committee found at Bristol for the purpose of obtaining a Repeal of the Clause in the Act 43 Geo 3 Cap 38. [This denotes the 38th Act passed in the 43rd year of King George III's reign] restraining the wetting of Corn and Grain making into Malt, when I undertook to extract & arrange a summary of our observations on this subject, to be transmitted to Mr Peters the Chairman.
Monday 23rd July 1804
At Burslem with Eliza. Bishop of Lichfield & Coventry to dine at Mr Woods on Thursday being the Consecration of the Land lately added to the Burial ground. Alcock. Received Summons to attend on the Grand Jury next week at the Assizes.
Tuesday 24th July 1804
Engaged all morning with the papers relative to the Maltings business. Drawing up summary of Observations with Latter to Mr Peters. In the afternoon with Eliza to Newcastle delivering the same to Mr Bent.
Wednesday 25th July 1804
Confined to the house all day. Unwell. Woods sent work on Perspective & his Apperatus(sic).
Thursday 26th July 1804
At Newcastle early in consequence of an invitation for the Mayor & Corporation to breakfast with the Bishop of L & C it being a Confirmation. Breakfasting accordingly at the Roebuck. Engaged afterwards till 5 oClock with Sr. Jno. Heathcote at Meeting for hearing further appeals under the Property Tax. Dined together late & returned in the Evening.
Friday 27th July 1804
At home. Hay &c.
Saturday 28th July 1804
Do. Accounts &c.
Sunday 29th July 1804
At Talk Chapel. Mr Hill showed me the . . .[adneasment] which he had obtained of the Chapel Lands, making the whole about 18 ½ Statute acres, & which he offered me at the Rate of 3 Gns. pr. term for the meadow at 25/- pr Acre for the rest of the Lands; making the whole £33.12 p.ternum. On speaking to Mr Beardmore for them I had intended the place if I could have agreed, he said that he could not properly rate it at more that £20 or 20gns. a year at the utmost. A considerable part of the Lands being not worth more than 10/- an acre and even the Meadow in a very impoverished state.
Monday 30th July 1804
At home. Finished the Hay Harvest . Alcock & his son, Musick.
Tuesday 31st July 1804
At home. M Fourchiquour. Mr A Fenton & Mr Vale dined.
Wednesday 1st August 1804
Do. In the morning looking over the Chapel Lands with Mr Cox when he gave it as his opinion that £20 a year was the full value
Thursday 2nd August 1804
At Stafford Assizes - attending on the grand Jury - But the business being very little returned in the Evening. Indeed two or three of us were not sworn in, owing to there being 23 attending who stood previously on the list.
Friday 3rd August 1804
At home.
Saturday 4th August 1804
Do.
Sunday 5th August 1804
Do. Informed Mr Hill by a Note sent by Mr Beardmore that both he and I declined the Offer of the Chapel Lands.
Page 286
Monday 6th August 1804
At Burslem. Mr Wood gone to Buxton. Alcock.
Tuesday 7th August 1804
At home. Letter writing. Mr Fourchiquour .
Wednesday 8th August 1804
At Newcastle dining at Mr Nicksson's
Thursday 9th August 1804
Do. Attending Meeting under Property Act Shilton Liberty. Sir John Heathcote & Mr Breck & returned in the Evening.
Friday 10th August 1804
Went to Maer Hall with Eliza, Lissy & Ann. Dined & staid all night. Stamford dined.
Saturday 11th August 1804
Eliza & I returned to dinner
Sunday 12th August 1804
At home. In the afternoon Mr Kinnersley & Mr W Bent. The former relative to the Title to the Lands purchased by him from Mr Thomas Sutton & the Draught of the Assessment of which I had received from Mr Thomas Sparrow in order to settle on the behalf of Mr K.
Monday 13th August 1804
At home. Engaged on the morning on the above business. At a Meeting of Coach masters, wagon keepers, Stable Keepers &c. held in London last week for the purpose of considering of giving the most prompt assistance to Government in the case of . . .[Funsion] Sr. Brook Watson, the Commissioning general, stated that the number of horses of all sorts in Great Britain exceeded three Millions
Tuesday 14th August 1804
At Sandbach with Eliza dining at Mr Furnivals. Mr & Mrs Wm Best Mrs & Miss Watkiss. On our return found Mrs Lawrence of Birmingham & Children.
Wednesday 15th August 1804
At Newcastle early attending Meeting in the Property tax. Sir John Heathcote & self. Returned to a late dinner bringing Eliza(sic) [Does JC mean Lissy?] & Ann in the Gig who were returning from Maer Hall.
Page 287
Thursday 16th August 1804
In the afternoon took Eliza in the Gig to Nantwich
Friday 17th August 1804
At Nantwich
Saturday 18th August 1804
Do.
Sunday 19th August 1804
In the morning returned from Nantwich. Found Mr Wm Bent who dined & with whom long conversation relative to the Brewery &c. &c.
Monday 20th August 1804
At home. Alcock
Tuesday 21st August 1804
Do. M Fourchiquour
Wednesday 22nd August 1804
At Burslem. In my return found Mr Heathcote. Mr Scott
Thursday 23rd August 1804
At Newcastle attending Meeting of Commr. on property tax Sr. John Heathcote & self. Sent a Letter by Joseph Heath to Mr Harding of Willoughridge Wells informing him that I had determined to accept the offer of the Coals in my Lands in Audley parish at £200. Returned to dinner.
Friday 24th August 1804
At home. Farm. Mr Turner of Newcastle upon Tyne came in the morning.
Saturday 25th August 1804
At Burslem with Mr Turner looking at the new engine &c. Returned to dinner. Mr Fourchiquour
Sunday 26th August 1804
Mr Turner went through the service. In the evening took him in the Gig to Peover & from thence walked forwards with him to Knutsford, when we found that Mrs Willett had died the preceding morning. Returned late.
Monday 27th August 1804
At Newcastle attending Meeting of the Proprietors of the Theatre. Mr Kinnersley with Draft of Assignment & Conveyance of Lands purchased by him of Mr Tho. Sutton with my observations thereon. Returned to dinner. Alcock. Mr W Scott, & Jas. Alcock. Musick. In the afternoon Mr Jos. Wedgwood on his way to Knutsford when he agreed to stay all night & go with me in the Gig in the morning.
Tuesday 28th August 1804
Took Mr W in the Gig to Knutsford, & paid the last tribute of sincere & much merited respect to an old & worthy friend: my communication with whom subsisted more than 27 years. Mr Turner Mr P Hollins Mr Josiah Wedgwood & self Mr Holland of Sandlebridge & Mr Jos. Potts were the attendants at the funeral. Mrs W was buried in the Chapelyard aged 78. Dined at Mr Hollands & returned in the afternoon when Mr Jos. Wedgwood went forward to Etruria intending to leave Staffordshire on Thursday
Wednesday 29th August 1804
At home.
Thursday 30th August 1804
At Newcastle attending final Meeting on the Property tax Mr Kinnersley & self. Found a Letter from the Board requesting the same Commrs. to act for the current year which I gave my consent to do in case the other Gentlemen would continue to act. Dined at Mr Bents. Dr Northern Mr Blunt & Stamford.
Friday 31st August 1804
At home. Mr Fourchiquour came to dinner in order to start tomorrow with Stamford.
Sunday 1st September 1804
At home. In the morning walked with the Gun but found very few Birds, the corn being so little cut.
Monday 2nd September 1804
At home. Mr Bent dined relative to the Steps most proper to be taken respecting the repeal of the Malting Restrictions in consequence of a Copy of Memorial to the Lords of the Treasury received from the Committee at Bristol.
Page 289
Monday 3rd September 1804
At home. Alcock
Tuesday 4th September 1804
Do. Harvest. Drawing up Resolution to be laid before a Meeting of Maltsters & Brewers intended to be held on Monday next, & making extracts from Correspondence with Mr Vansittart, the ideas in which had been adopted by the Committee at Bristol & introduced verbatim into their Memorial to the Lords of the Treasury. [Nicholas Vansittart was then senior secretary to the Treasury becoming Chancellor in 1812. He was the longest serving Chancellor in history(11 years) after Gladstone(12 years 4 months) although not particularly popular.]
Wednesday 5th September 1804
At Newcastle with the above paper for the perusal of Mr Bent. Afterwards attending(sic) to endeavour to settle dispute between Lord Turner & the Corporation relative to the improvement of the Road to Knutton Heath & which was effected. Returned to dinner & found Mr Wood with whom much conversation relative to the Manufactory. Steam engines &c. &c.
Thursday 6th September 1804
Resumed instructing the Girls on Writing. Engaged Drawing & stating Accounts with Mr J Martin. Afterwards dined at Mr J Hickins at Audley. Blunt returned with us in the evening. Pleasant day.
Friday 7th September 1804
Engaged in Do. Mr & Mrs Bayley of Wheelock called. Josiah Podmore of Tunstall for my opinion as to distressing for double Rent under a Notice to quit.
Saturday 8th September 1804
At home. Harvest. In the evening with Eliza at Newcastle.
Sunday 9th September 1804
Do. Note from Mr Hill relative to Chapel Land.
Monday 10th September 1804
At Newcastle attending Meeting of Maltsters & Brewers pursuant to Appointment relative to the further steps to be taken for obtaining a Repeal of the Clauses in 42. Geo 3. & finally arranging Resolutions &c. previous to the same being inserted in the public papers & transmitted to the Members for Newcastle. Returned to dinner.
Tuesday 11th September 1804
At Burslem. Application of improved Steam engine to operations in the Manufactory, & lessening the quantity of hard labour. Returned to dinner. M Fourchiquour.
Page 290
Wednesday 12th September 1804
At home.
Thursday 13th September 1804
Do. Alcock. In the evening Mr Fritch. Musick
Friday 14th September 1804
Mr & Miss Swinnerton & Miss McDough came to dinner. Mr Bent dined.
Saturday 15th September 1804
In the morning Mr Swinnerton left us. Mr Holland of Knutsford & Mr Chas. Aiken came to dinner but left Linley in the afternoon, as did Miss McDough [,] & the Miss S & Miss Potts & M Jno Lawrence Jnr. arrived in the Evening.
Sunday 16th September 1804
At home.
Monday 17 September 1804
Aris's Birmingham Gazette
At a Meeting of Maltsters and Brewers, held at the Roe Buck Inn, in Newcastle-under-Lyme, on Monday the 10th Day of Septmeber 1804, to consider of the further measures proper to be adopted for obtaining a Repeal of the Restrictions contained in the Act 42d Geo.III c.38,f.30,
Mr William Dent in the Chair
The Chairman reported, That having communicated to the Committee at Bristol, the Resolutions of the Meeting held at this place, on the 18th of June last, together with the substance of certain observations transmitted by him so long ago as June 1802, to Mr Vansittart, then Secretary to the Treasury, relative to the Restrictions in Question, he had since received from the Chairman of the Committee a printed Copy of a Memorial addressed by the Maltsters and Brewers of the City and County of Bristol to the Lords of the Treasury in which he had the satisfaction to find that a great part of the Observation so transmitted to Mr Vansittart had been adopted and introduced verbatim, whereby their Correctness and Force were more fully manifested and confirmed.
Resolved Unanimously
That this meeting being, from every enquiry and communication, as well as from their own experience, more and more convinced of the necessity and importance of obtaining a Repeal of the Restrictions imposed by the Act, and that as the Meeting of Parliament will soon be drawing near, no time should be lost, do bed leave earnestly to recommend it to the Maltsters and Breweers in the other parts of this populous County, immediately to consider of the steps most proper to be taken on this occasion; - - -
That the Chairman, together with Mr Caldwell of Linley Wood, Mr John Bagshaw of Newcastle-under-Lyme, Mr Thomas Peake of Keel, and Mr William Shufflebotham of Basford be, and they are hereby appointed such Committee, and two of whom to be competent to act; and that a Subscription be immediatly opened for defraying the expenses that may be incurred.
James Caldwell diary continues . . .
Monday 17th September 1804
At Newcastle fair. Brewery &c. Agreed to undertake Reference to me in a Matter under the will of Mr James Robinson deceased between Mrs Cook & Mr Goodwin. Dined at Mr Bents. Mr Sneyd & Capt. Gibson & Mr T Bent.
Tuesday 18th September 1804
At home. In the morning Mr H Salmon & his two Daughters called & breakfasted. Mr & Mrs Bayley of Wheelock & Dr. Northern dined. Alcock & his son. Musick which went off well.
Wednesday 19th September 1804
Mr & Mrs Bayley left us after breakfast. In the afternoon Miss Potts & Miss Stamford set off to Ollerton and I took Eliza to Longfield in the Gig. This day wrote to Mr Rowley London respecting his offer of the Estate late Mrs Johnsons at £800.
Thursday 20th September 1804
At home. Perusing papers in Cook & Goodwin. Wm Beech of Audley with Conveyance of a Farm in Audley & advising him thereon.
Friday 21st September 1804
In the night a great change had taken place in the weather which became severely cold accompanied by a high wind. At home all day. Engaged with various papers &c.
Page 291
Saturday 22nd September 1804
At home. Still very cold. Engaged with Accounts &c.
Sunday 23rd September 1804
Do. Mr Bent dined
Monday 24th September 1804
At Newcastle on various matters. Returned to dinner. In the Evening Mr Tinnock & Moses Barlow relative to the Notice which I had given Barlow to quit the Roebuck house & farm. In the morning John Lawrence left us.
Tuesday 25th September 1804
At home. William Beech again relative to his Title, when I redelivered to him the Conveyance which he had left, the Title appearing good. M Fourchiquour.
Wednesday 26th September 1804
Do. Engaged on the farm, Michael Ashore, Boardman &c.
Thursday 26th September 1804
Do. In the house all day. Not well. various Accounts &c. &c. In the evening Mr Funnaly.
Friday 27th September 1804
Mr Turnock & Moses Barlow relative to the Roebuck Inn & farm which I agreed to let to Barlow at 55 Gns. a year clear of all taxes & deductions. The wheat field to be laid to it & commence at Lady Day. Michael Ashmore relative to Post & Chain fence. Said that the Lord of the Manor of Audley had no claim to Timber; for that he himself had bought some time ago a lot of Timber growing in a Copyhold Estate, That the Lord pretended to set up some claim or other but abandoned it entirely. In the afternoon with Mr Johnson of the Hollins who said, he had received a Letter from M Rowley informing him that he had sold the Estate in Bent Lane to me, & had received from him Notices to quit for the tenant & which he had served accordingly.
Saturday 29th September 1804
At Burslem with Eliza in the Gig. Duke of Devonshires Service. . . .[Etrurian] of Blue printed ware . . .
No.66 Margaret St,Cavendish Square
London
James Caldwell Esq.
To W & C Broklesby
29th Sept 1804
Making an olive coat lapelled and materials - -
2 ½ yards superfine Cloth 23/- 2./
20 Coat 4 Breast bust treble gilt buttons 3/6 -6
A pair of superfine blue cloth Pantaloons lined compleat 1/
Box &c -
3rd January 1805
Making a blue coat lappuled and materials -19
1 1/2yards superior blue cloth 25/ 2-
20 Coat 4 Breast best tuble gilt buttons 3/6 -6
A superfine white diamante quilting Waistcoat 1 /2-
A pair of best drab patins and Breeches. Lined 2/-
Box &c -/2/3
16 March 1805
Making a black Court lapelled and materials 1/1/-
2 ½ yards superfine Cloth 23/ 2/9/-
A fine black cashmere waistcoat 1/2/6
A pair of do. Breeches, lined 1/7/6
Box &c. -/2/3
18 June 1805
Making a black coat lappeled and materials 1/1/-
2 ½ yards superfine Cloth 23/ 2/9/-
A rich black with Carathee Waistcoat 1/12/-
A pair of drab double milled cassmere Breeches, lined 1/12/-
A pair of superfine pants Do. lined. 1/3/6
Box &c. -/2/3
£27/2/4
Amount Bill sent £13/2/6
£40/4/6
J.S. Caldwell Esq. £20/1/6
Received overpayment of last account £60/5/6
J.S. Caldwell Esq.
16th June 1804
A superfine blue cloth coat lapelled compleat -
Bset gilt anox buttons for ditto -4/6
A superfine white diamond quilting waistcoat 1/1/-
A fine buff printed quilting ditto 1/1/-
A pair fine drab cassmere breeches 1/7/0
Box &c -/2/-
Oct.1804
A superfine brown cloth coat lapelled compleat 3/6/-
Fleurs faced silk -/1/6
A fine white diamond quilting waistcoat 1/1/-
A stripe torlmets ditto bound silk 1/1/-
A rich black silk waistcoat 1/0/6
A pair of rich black silk breeches 2/6/-
A pair of fine drab cassmere ditto 1/7/6
2 pair of white silk stocking a per 1/12/-
1 pair of rich black silk ditto -/16/-
Box &c -/2/-
£20/1/-
An
By Bill remitted 25th September
Bill
Diary of James Caldwell
Page 292
Sunday 30th September 1804
At home.
Monday 1st October 1804
Do. Engaged on the farm.
Tuesday 2nd October 1804
At Newcastle attending the Corporation as Recorder in election of the Mayor & in the morning the presentation & consecration of the Colours to the Newcastle Volunteers. The former by Mr Fenton the latter by Mr Blunt. Dined afterwards with the Mayor Corporation &c at the Roebuck. AS very pleasant & not ill spent day.
Wednesday 3rd October 1804
At home. Farm.
Thursday 4th October 1804
Do. At Burrow at dinner. In the evening Mr Skerrett relative to Miss Jane Audley's Acct. with the Estate of Mr Penlington &c.
Friday 5th October 1804
Mr Skerrett left Linley. Afterwards at Burslem by appointment meeting Messrs. W Sneyd, Capt. Gibson, Bagshaw, W Bent & T Bent viewing the engine &c. &c. & also together with Mr Wood came to Linley afterwards to dinner. In the morning Mr Peake arrived from the Sessions.
Saturday 6th October 1804
At home. Monsr. Fourchiquour with the Abbé de L'artre & Mr Blunt dined. Much, & pleasant conversation.
Sunday 7th October 1804
At Newcastle attending the Mayor as Recorder . . . Excellent sermon preached by Mr Leigh. Returned early in the afternoon & engaged in preparing for Journey to Cambridge the next day.
Monday 8th October 1804
At six oClock this morning left Linley Wood accompanied by Stamford & attended by Robert & arrived at Leinster about 7 where we slept. The next day dined at Huntington & arrived in good time at Cambridge. Mr Vale spent the Evening with us. Next day at 12 called at Mr Cotton at his Chambers who accompanied us to the . . . rooms of which Stamford having made his choice proceeded to procure the various articles of College Housekeeping. Appointed with Mr Cotton to dine with him the next day in order to meet Herbert Marsh the learned Translator of Michaelis & the no less able & celebrated Historian of the Politics of Great Britain & France to whom Mr Cotton had learned from Mr Blunt my wish to be introduced.
Thursday. Mr Cotton breakfasted with me pursuant to appointment & long conversation with him relative to my views in respect to Stamford, his prospects in life, Profession, allowance at the university & other topics proper to be discussed between Parent & Tutor. Highly gratified by this conversation which proved to me that Mr Cotton was worthy of my most implicit confidence: & that at Cambridge every advantage that education can afford may be acquired. Spent the Morning afterwards in viewing the Colleges Library &c. &c. Cambridge not so striking as Oxford, but nevertheless a fine Place. Kings Chapel superior to any thing at Oxford. Stamford & self introduced by Mr Cotton to Dr. Craven, Master of St John's a most benevolent, amicable & learned man. At four went to Mr Cottons where we had the pleasure to be introduced to Mr Marsh. Mr Cotton also introduced us to a Mr Toby, Son of Lord Borton a young student & engaging appearance, & Mr Cockburn Son of Sir James Cockburn, a fellow of St John's & who had gained the Seatonian prize & was also the Author of the Account . . . Lord Camelford, but by which performance he did not seem to have gained any reputation, it being considered as a mere Nullition of friendship. [The Seatonian prize was set up in 1750 and has been awarded annually ever since by Cambridge University for the best English poem on a sacred subject.] Mr Cockburn appeared to me to be a Man of parts, of considerable not to say high literary attainment, & to possess all the case politeness & manners of a Man of Fashion. Highly gratified with the hours I spent in this Society. Marsh to the most Profound learning & seemingly unbounded knowledge adds the greatest cheerfulness, gaiety, & vivacity & you only discover the former through the medium or rather in the garb of the latter. No Coldness, no pedantry, no austerity. He seems indeed like Learning & Knowledge at play. Dr. Curries observation to me on McIntosh was frequently in my mind. Tap him, said Dr Currie, to me, on any subject and he always flows. Mr Marsh very obligingly insisted on our spending another day together & after some friendly & kind contention it was settled that Mr Cotton & he should dine with me the next day. Mr Toby also agreed to be of the party. Mr Cockburn had gone early & I had therefore no opportunity of inviting him. The next day we accordingly met again. Conversation if possible more various & spiritual & interesting that the day before. Marsh a great admirer of the women, pronouncing the Society of accomplished sensible & well informed females one of our most rational & delightful pleasures; but he abhors pedantry & affection taken of any kind & says there can be no truly accomplished woman who is not augmented with whatever is necessary for the comfort & enjoyment of domestic life & playfully declared that he held a knowledge of the culinary art to be more indispensable than Musick, French or Drawing. We wandered over a variety of topics all of which he embellished rendering the greatest lively & amusing & the most light & trifling, important. Education, Manners, Customs & habits of other Nations, State of Learning &c. &c. succeeded one other till we declined to Commerce, Manufactories & Agriculture, & on the Cotter he gayly(sic) promised to write into Saxony to obtain for me information how to preserve Cabbages through the winter & which is done with success in that Country. This offer I gladly embraced as opening a door to further Communication with this truly superior Man. We parted with material kindness Mr Marsh promising at some time to visit me at Linley Wood & in the mean time to obtain information for me on any subject with Commerce or the Arts that I might wish for from abroad, when he said that his communications were extensive & of the first order having spent not less than 14 years in different parts of the Continent. In the evening Mr Blick Mainwaring & Vale supped. Also on six oClock on Friday I got into the Chaise on my return home, having thus gone through & concluded the last scene of one of the important Acts in the drama of human life, that of closing the school education of an only son.
[Written in pencil diagonally across the bottom of the page by James Stamford Caldwell] God for ever bless you, my kind Father!! J. S.C
Letter to
Mrs Caldwell
Linley Wood
Lawton
Cheshire
Cambridge October 10th 1804
If you could know my beloved Eliza, how selfishly I am following the impulses of my own heart in writing to you from this place, you would have little to thank me for, on the score of compliance with the wish, which you so kindly expressed before I left Linley Wood. Separation, my Eliza, I still find, as of old, to bring all its train of dear recollections and anticipations; and no sooner am I parted from you, than my thoughts turn, as if by some magnetic attraction, to the loved and valued objects that I have left behind. How it may be with others I know not, but for myself, I can only say that I have yet to learn (what I believe I shall never learn) that it is in the power of any lapse of time or advance in age, to abate the force, or blunt the edge of the strongest and the tenderest feelings of [my?] affection. Such be assured, that whilst a pulse beats, I shall ever experience towards you. We arrived here last night after a very pleasant journey; and as I have not time to enter into details of our proceedings, I shall only say that I have just left Mr Cotton with whom I am most entirely pleased and satisfied, after making choice of rooms, in which respect Stamford has been very fortunate, and providing Tea [keale?], gown and cap, and all the other important etceteras of college house keeping. Me Catton had very obligingly engaged us to dinner today but understanding that it would not be disagreeable to me to be introduced to Herbert Marsh, the celebrated scholar and historian of the politics of England and France, he has very obligingly changed the appointment till tomorrow, when we are to be introduced to each other. Cambridge, though certainly not so striking as Oxford, is nevertheless a fine place; nor will any accusation be against the Muses for having made the banks of the Cam one of their favourite abodes. Kings College went beyond my expectations. It is unquestionably the finest thing of the kind that I ever saw. It is 290 feet long, 78 feet high and 45 feet wide; all in the best style of the rich and ornamented gothic. But of all this when we meet. I have not yet totally abandoned the idea of returning by London though [Saturday?] will intervene, which is a [holiday?] in the Metropolis. I think that I shall give it up. If I go however, [wax] write again. Mr Ball[?] supped with us last night and has shewn us the most kind, pointed and unremitting attention. He will be a valuable acquaintance for Stamford, and is spoken of by Mr Catton in terms of great respect. Upon the whole everything wears as promising and comfortable appearance as one could wish; and we will therefore indulge the hope that the same kind power that has hitherto blessed our efforts for the happiness and welfare of our children will continue to us and to them his favour and protection. Next to him, what work as a Father and a Husband, do not I owe to you? My heart at this moment swells with gratitude, respect, esteem and love. Accept my Eliza all that these powerful sentiments and feelings can dictate, and share between you and my good and beloved girls my most tender and true affection. As Stamford is writing a line to you I shall leave him to speak for himself. Farewell, dear friend and partner of my heart and think of me ever as the most grateful and fondly affectionate of husbands.
James Caldwell
Diary of James Caldwell
Page 296
Sunday 14th October 1804
Arrived at home in the Evening & realised all the delight of returning into the bosom of a tenderly beloved & amiable family.
Monday 15th October 1804
At home. Engaged settling Accts &c. arranging papers &c. &c.
Tuesday 16th October 1804
At Stone attending meeting of the Committee & Genl. Assembly - Reference to me of dispute relative to Lands at Newchapel belonging to the Charity School formally taken for the use of the Canal; & also of the important question, which had been so long agitated, as to the hability of the Company to make a Concession for Coals & other Mines lying under the Canal. Invitation from Adml. Child to meet St Tho Broughton & Mr & Mrs Mainwaring of Whitmore at dinner on Thursday but declined it being engaged to attend the Sessions at Newcastle on that day. Returned in the evening.
Wednesday 17th October 1804
At home.
Thursday 18th October 1804
Do. The weather being so wet as to prevent my going to Newcastle.
Friday 19th October 1804
At Newcastle attending Agricultural Society Meeting. Prize of 5 Gnes. or silver cup adjudged to me for laying down with Grass seeds. Returned in the evening. [James used this price money to buy a silver salver which still exists in the Heath-Caldwell family. The inscription on it reads 'Premiums given by the NEWCASTLE and POTTERIES AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY to James Caldwell Esquire of Linley Wood, viz Ten Guineas for draining in the best Manner the greatest Quantity of Land in 1801, Seven Guineas for laying down Land in permanent Pasture in the best Manner in 1803, and Five Guineas for laying down Land for Pasture in like Manner in 1804'].
Saturday 20th October 1804
At Madeley to have attended Appeal under the assessed taxes but found the Meeting had been held the Saturday before. . . .[Mistake] of Mr Beechs Letter which I found on my return from Cambridge. On my return dined at Mr Bents with Mr Blunt & Mr Robt. Griffin.
Sunday 21st October 1804
In the house all day. Mr Bent dined.
Monday 22nd October 1804
At home. In the evening Mr Chas Aikin arrived.
Tuesday 23rd October 1804
At Burslem with Mr C. Aiken looking at the Engine &c.
Page 297
Wednesday 24th October 1804
At Newcastle early & engaged closely in the Counting House all day & till late in the Evening adjusting & settling the annual Brewery Accounts.
Thursday 25th October 1804
In the morning long walk & much conversation with Mr Aikin. Alcock. Mr Blunt came to dinner. In the evening Mr Fritche
Friday 26th October 1804
Unwell with a violent cold but under the necessity of going up to Talk to attend Copyhold Court, when Surrender passed of the Cart Estate (in the holding of Moses Barlow) purchased from Mr Turnock: & more particularly to explain to the Copyholders the reasonableness & necessity of resisting the Claim set up by Sir. Tho. Fletcher to Times uncertain within the Manor of Audley; when it was determined that a Meeting of the Copyholders should be held to consider of the business & the Steward, Mr Thos. Fenton, agreed that the fines required by Sir Thos. being one years in hand value instead of 20sh customary here shd. not be called for till Lady day next. [That is 25th March 1805]
Saturday 27th October 1804
In the morning early Mr Aikin left us. At Newcastle all day again finishing & finally closing Brewery Accounts for the year ending 6th Ocr. 1804.
Sunday 28th October 1804
At home.
Monday 29th October 1804
Do. In the Evening Mr & Mrs Bent previous to W B & I setting out to Manchester.
Tuesday 30th October 1804
Set off to Manchester with Mr & Mrs W.B. Mr B & I in the Gig Mrs B & Rowland in a Chaise. Arrived at Mr Jas. Hardmans at Somerville to dinner where we met T.W. & Mrs Atkinson with whom I returned in the Eveng. to the Back.
Page 298
Wednesday 31st October 1804
Engaged with Mr. J.H. & Mr. B. settling their Acct. & paying the money which I had agreed to advance Mr. B. in order to pay off Mr. H. Dined at the Bank Mr & Mrs H. Mr. & Mrs James. Mr & Mrs Thos. Atkinson Mr & Mrs Bent.
Thursday 1st November 1804
Engaged at Manchester. Called on Mr William. Hardman looked over his pictures & Coins. Fine Head by Rembrandt. Amongst his coins an Otho & an undoubted Queen Annes farthing. The latter a very beautiful coin. Sale of Pictures. A good Cuyp. [Aelbert Jacobsz Cuyp 1620 - 1691 Dutch landscape painter] Rathbone a Landscape Painter just come to Manchester whose style pleased me so much that I ordered five of his Pictures. [Probably John Rathbone c.1750 - 1807] Mr Simmonds the Surgeon where we had called to look at his pictures, and who took us to Mr Rathbones dined at the Bank with Mr R. Surgical & anatomical conversation. Population of Manchester estimated at 110,000.
Friday 2nd November 1804
Set off on our return home. Came to the Red bull at Lawton, it being the annual Meeting, to dinner.
Saturday 3rd November 1804
At home. Farm &c. &c.
Sunday 4th November 1804
Do. Mr Cooke relative to the Reference to me of the matter Cooke & Goodwin.
Monday 5th November 1804
At Newcastle on various matters. Called on Mrs Cooke pursuant to the Request. Brought Mary & Ann who had been spending a few days at Basford in the Gig. Found a very satisfactory Letter from Stamford. Alcock.
Tuesday 6th November 1804
At home. Engaged in Accounts Letter writing &c.
Wednesday 7th November 1804
Took Eliza to Burslem to see Mrs Wood. Long conversation with Mr Wood relative to the Manufactory &c. &c.
Page 299
Thursday 8th November 1804
Engaged all morning Planting the Ground at the entrance between the first gate & James Oldcots Cottage. Mr Wood came to dinner. In the Evening Mr Keys.
Friday 9th November 1804
At Newcastle settling Account of Feeding Stock &c at the Brewery. Afterwards dined at the Closing of the Bowling Green at Noahs Ark. Returned in the Evening. Subscribed 5 Gns. to the Dispensary & an annual one of 2 Gns.
Saturday 10th November 1804
At home. Engaged settling various Accounts &c. &c. perusing & making extracts from Brief in the Birmingham Canal cause tried at Stafford Assizes 1803 & which Mr Robinson had sent for my perusal thinking that it might assist me in my opinion on the important Question which had been proposed to be referred to me, as to the ability of Proprs. of Canals to pay for Coals & other minerals lying under the Canals.
Sunday 11th November 1804
At home.
Monday 12th November 1804
Do. Engaged on the farm. Alcock
Tuesday 13th November 1804
At Burslem. returned to dinner. Mr Fourchiquour.
Wednesday 14th November 1804
At home. Farm
Thursday 15th November 1804
Do. Engaged with the labourers taking down the old hedge before the farm & laying out the Road. Engaged Mr Holland as Gardener. 12/- pr. week & a house.
Friday 16th November 1804
At home. Perusing papers & Acts of Parliament relating to the duties on Malt, to enable me to prepare a Statement of the Case of the Maltsters proposed to be laid before the Marquis of Stafford. Afterwards engaged with the Men at the Farm & Road. Agreed with William Cooper for taking immediate possession of the Land lately purchased from Mr . . .[Rowlege.]
Page 300
Saturday 17th November 1804
At home. Engaged with the farm in the Plantation &c. Mr Penlington relative to Rect. of Rents & appointed Wednesday next. In the afternoon attending Vestry Meeting at Talk on the Hill relative to the Road indicted by Sr. John Heathcote
Sunday 18th November 1804
Do. In the afternoon at Talk Chapel
Monday 19th November 1804
At Newcastle on various matters. Returned to dinner.
Tuesday 20th November 1804
In the morning meeting Sir John Heathcote Mr Cox &c. relative to the Road, when it was finally agreed that it should be repaired by Talk but the . . .[expense]to abide the event of an enquiry to be made by Mr Cox & myself as to the boundaries of the Liberties of Talk & Lawton. Sir John Heathcote with Mr Bent & Mr Wm Bent & Mr Sparrow afterwards dined at Linley Wood.
Wednesday 21st November 1804
At Burslem to have met Mr Bent for the purpose of making further observations of the Steam in the new Engine, but Mr Bent being prevented coming Mr Beech met me, but the experiments could not be made with the accuracy we wished from the want of a thermometer, Mr J Wedgwood being afraid of hazarding his, being the one on the use of which we valued. Returned by Mr Bent by Newcastle. Marquis of Stafford &c. &c. Conversation relative to my calling on his Lordship. Mr Skerrett came to dinner. Mr Penlington & his son & receiving his Rents.
Thursday 22nd November 1804
Engaged with Mr Skerrett on the farm &c. Mr Haywood looking over Ground for new Plantation behind the Bath.
Friday 23rd November 1804
In the morning Mr Skerrett left us. Engaged on the farm. Began putting down the Post and Chain fence along the Meadow.
Saturday 24th November 1804
Attending Meeting at Trentham Inn Sir John Chetwode & T Fletcher, Mr Mainwaring & self swearing in assessors under Property tax for the current year having consented to act again as a Commissr. Returned to dinner. M Fourchiquour who staid all night.
Sunday 25th November 1804
At home. Mr Bent came to dinner. Appointed to call on Lord Stafford with Mr Bent on Wednesday next.
Monday 26th November 1804
Do. Confined in the house with a sore throat. Alcock.
Tuesday 27th November 1804
At home. M Fourchiquour
Wednesday 28th November 1804
At Trentham with Mr Bent of Basford, making a Call on the Marquis of Stafford. Polite & pleasant reception & engaged to dine with his Lordship tomorrow. On my return found the Cottage belonging to Talk Chapel on fire & which was burnt to the ground. Accident occasioned by children setting fire to the thatch.
Thursday 29th November 1804
At Do. accordingly Mr Bent, Lady Lavington, a very pleasant well informed woman, The Marquis & Marchioness, Lady Charlotte & myself formed the dinner party. A very pleasant day & much satisfied with the reception I met with.
Friday 30th November 1804
In the morning at Burslem attending Meeting under the Commission of Banks agt. Ralph Wedgwood, & proving debt as one of the Exor. of the late Mr Wedgwood, also a small Debt of my own. I assisting Mr Byerley in getting purchase . . . &c completed(sic). From there to Butterton to dinner. Eliza, Miss Stamford, Lissy, Emma & Louisa. Mr Thomas Sparrow. Staid all night.
Saturday 1st December 1804
Returned home to dinner after a long walk & much conversation with Mr Swinnerton on various matters.
Sunday 2nd December 1804
At home.
Monday 3rd December 1804
Do. Alcock.
Page 302
Tuesday 4th December 1804
Do. Uncommonly cold & severe day.
Wednesday 5th December 1804
Do.
Thursday 6th December 1804
Do. Engaged with Mr Haywood in the Plantation behind the Bath which we this day began. In the evening Mr Fritche.
Friday 7th December 1804
At Rode Heath attending Meeting of Sr. Tho. Broughton & Mr Salmon on Mr Penlingtons affairs, when I promised to consult the Creditors & . . . [put a piece] on the works to Sr. Tho. & also to consider if any means could be devised of making him secure in laying out Money on the Public house. On my return engaged in the Plantation.
Saturday 8th December 1804
Took Elizth. (by which name I shall hereafter distinguish her from her Daughter in these minutes) in the gig to Newcastle. Returned to dinner.
Sunday 9th December 1804
At home
Monday 10th December 1804
Do. Began levelling the Meadow, for the purpose of Irrigation. Alcock.
Tuesday 11th December 1804
Do. Engaged with labourers &c. M. Fourchiquour
Wednesday 12th December 1804
At Betley to dinner. Elizth. Eliza Mary & Miss Stamford. In the Evening Musick. Alcock Miss Bents & Mr Deanes. Staid all night.
Thursday 13th December 1804
Returned home to dinner.
Friday 14th December 1804
At home.
Saturday 15th December 1804
At Burslem
Sunday 16th December 1804
Do.
Saturday 15 December 1804
Staffordshire Advertiser
Monthly Report of the Pottery Dispensary, for November 1804
Admitted. 50 -
Discharged. 69 -
Remain on the books. 105 -
Innoculated with Vaccine Matter. 43
Donations - Since the last publication £. s. d.
Mrs Jervis Meaford 2. 2. 0.
James Caldwell Esq, Linley Wood 5. 5. 0
Society of Fellow, Lane End Lodge, No.11 5. 5. 0
Collections at the following places of Public Worship
Diary of James Caldwell continues . . .
Monday 17 December 1804
At Newcastle settling account of late Partnership of S & C with Mr Thos. Sutton. Returned to dinner. Alcock.
Page 303
Tuesday 18 December 1804
At home. Engaged with labourers &c. M. Fourchiquour
Wednesday 19 December 1804
Do. Perusing Papers in Goodwin & Cook & drawing Minutes of my Award. The like in a Case referred to me on Monday last by Mr Thos. Fenton & Mr Poole.
Thursday 20th December 1804
At home. Mr Blunt came to dinner.
Friday 21st December 1804
Do. Engaged with Mr Blunt.
Saturday 22nd December 1804
At Trentham. Attending Meeting of Commrs. under the Property Tax Acct. Receiving Assessments. Sirs Jno. Chetwode, T Fletcher H Heathcote Mr Mainwaring & self. Returned to Newcastle to dinner & engaged with Mr Thos Smith& Mr Sparrow in the business of Godwin & Cook & giving instructions for my Award.
Sunday 23th December 1804
At home
Monday 24th December 1804
At Longport by request of Major Davenport, inspecting the Longport Volunteers as a Deputy Lieutenant in order to certify the state of their Arms & Accoutrements. Good repair. Returned to dinner.
Tuesday 25th December 1804
At Hanley. Inspecting with Mr Steadman the Hanley & Shelton & Etruria Volunteers for the above purpose. Good order & repair & certified accordingly. Dined with the Lieut. Col.(Whitehead) & returned in the Evening. Gratifying Letter from Stamford & his Mother.
Wednesday 26th December 1804
At home. Mr Wood came to dinner. In the Afternoon Engaged with Tenants receiving Rents &c.
Thursday 27th December 1804
At Newcastle attending Meeting of Proprietors of Newcastle Junction Canal, when I proposed a special General Assembly should be held for the purpose of considering of creating a number of New Shares to be disposed of amongst the Proprietors at a reduced price in order to raise Money sufficient to repay the voluntary advance of £5 per share & the debts due from the Company. Afterwards dined at the Club & returned in the Evening.
Friday 28th December 1804
At home. Engaged in various matters.
Saturday 29th December 1804
Do. Mr Penlington & Mr Collison previous to my endeavouring to agree with Sir Thomas Broughton for Sale of Mr P.s Moiety of the Saltworks.
Sunday 30th December 1804
At home.
Monday 31st December 1804
Set off to Nantwich
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Heath-Caldwell All rights reserved.
Michael Heath-Caldwell M.Arch
Brisbane, Queensland
ph: 0412-78-70-74
alt: m_heath_caldwell@hotmail.com