Michael Heath-Caldwell M.Arch
Brisbane, Queensland
ph: 0412-78-70-74
alt: m_heath_caldwell@hotmail.com
Hannah Stamford of Linley Wood - 75/76 - Sister of Elizabeth Caldwel, ne Stamford
Elizabeth Caldwell (Bessy) of Nantwich - 62/63 - Sister of James Caldwell
James Caldwell of Linley Wood - 69/70
Elizabeth Caldwell (ne Stamford) of Linley Wood - 74/75
Hannah Eliza Roscoe - age 43/44 - daughter of James and Elizabeth C.
James Stamford Caldwell - age - 42/43 - son of James and Elizabeth C.
Lady Margaret Emma Holland (ne Caldwell) - age - 36/37 - daughter of James and Elizabeth C.
Arthur Cuthbert Marsh - age 42/43 (London) (1786-1849)
Anne Marsh-Caldwell – age 37/38 (Lady Mary’s mother)(London)
Eliza Louisa Marsh-Caldwell – known as Louisa – age 10/11
Frances Mary Crofton (ne Marsh) - age 9/10
Georgina Amelia Marsh-Caldwell – Gies – age 8/9
Rosamond Marsh-Caldwell – Posy - age 5/6
Martin William James Marsh - age 3/4
Mary Emma Marsh (Lady Mary E. Heath) – age 2/3
Hannah Adelaide Loring (ne Marsh) - age 0/1
Diary of James Caldwell of Linley Wood continues...
Page 109. 1829 January
Thursday 1st January 1829
The morning which brought in the new year, cloudy and rainy, but ended in a mild day. Mr. Holland went after breakfast. Unwell myself & in the house all day. Engaged on private annual Accounts etc. Wrote to Mr. [Spier], [Bath], & sent William Caldwell's half years Interest.
Friday 2nd January 1829
Engaged again on the Oxford Canal Case, which I nearly completed. Received by the Post another harassing Letter from Mr. Wedgwood relative to the Marsh's Trusteeship, and asking for a General Bond of Notoriety from me & a cause equally unreasonable, unprecedented and irregular, and which I feel myself harassed not to comply with, having already done everything for his satisfaction that the most scrupulous sense of honour and integrity on my part could require, or that could occasionally and justly he asked on his.
On mentioning the matter to Mr. A. Marsh he expressed his strong disapprobation of my giving my Bond, and said that in giving the Indemnity which I had already done, he thought that I had done too much, at least till it were ascertained whether the Trustees had insomuch any liability or not.
Saturday 3rd January 1829
Looked over the Marsh's papers, & wrote a Letter to Mr. Wedgwood, delivering again the proposed Bond. Selected & arranged Papers etc. preparatory to going to Macclesfield on Monday next.
Sunday 4th January 1829
Unwell. Service.
Monday 5th January 1829
Went to Macclesfield & engaged all day on annual Brewery Accounts. Dined & Slept at the Hotel.
Tuesday 6th January 1829
Up early, Breakfasted at the Hotel. Afterwards met Mr. Bent at the Brewery. From thence walked to look at the Macclesfield Canal, which appeared to be in good progress. Called at Sutton Hall, where the Carriage met me & from thence returned to Linley Wood.
Received by the Post Letter from Mr. Barker of Birmingham relative to the proposed B & London Canal, with a Birmingham Newspaper containing a List of the dissenting Landowners to which the [farm] of Lord Hertford had been added, in pursuance of directions given to Mr. Barker by his Lordship from . . .
Page 110. 1829 January
Wednesday 7th January 1829
At home. Fine mild Frost, which had commenced on Monday last. Engaged again on annual private Accounts.
Thursday 8th January 1829
At home. Received by the Post Mr. Telfords Report relative to Knypersley Reservoir. Also another harassing Letter from Mr. Wedgwood on the Marsh's business.
Friday 9th January 1829
Unwell. Considered Mr. Telford's Report. Wrote Letter to Mr. Wedgwood. Received Letter from Mr. Vaughan requesting me to fix a day for my seeing him here. Mr. Holland came in the evening & staid all night.
Saturday 10th January 1829
Re-copied Letter to Mr. Wedgwood so sent by the Post & to get here with one from A. Marsh, & another from him to me received in last meeting containing the proposition of the Indemnity to . . . . . . In the House all day. Wrote to Mr. Vaughan & fixed Thursday next for seeing him.
Mrs. Wedgwood & Elizabeth W. came to dinner & by whom I sent the above Letters to Mr. Wedgwood. She said that [Hensley] W had been at Maer a short time. This I strongly suspected !!!
Sunday 11th January 1829
Service as usual. Arm still continuing in a state of great suffering, we determined upon a consultation of Dr. Northen & Mr. Holland, & for this purpose Eliza wrote a Letter to Mr. Holland & which though it was afterwards thought better to defer sending for another day.
Monday 12th January 1829
Eliza in having been called upon to[serve] at 2 o'clock this morning to Anne, & finding her not in the least better, the Letter to Mr. Holland was sent by Thomas Latham by this fast coach & which passed about 5 o'clock. Engaged on sundry matters & accounts preparatory to going to Newcastle tomorrow. Wrote to Mr. S. Peake relative to Money payable under Anne Marsh's Settlement.
Tuesday 13th January 1829
Went to Newcastle where engaged attending the Sessions. Two Cases only for Trial, one for Larceny, W. Glover, a Boy not quite 12 years of age & the other for an assault. Both found guilty. The Boy having been already confined 2 months, I gave him a good lesson in passing sentence, which was imprisonment for 3 days in the common Gaol of the Borough. For the Assault 7 days in the same place.
Afterwards dined with the Mayor etc. at the Roebuck. Having first discharged the Tradesmen's Bills in Newcastle. On my arrival at home found a Letter from Mr. Sneyd of [Byrley] Lodge on Navigation business, & another from Mr. Barker with a Birmingham Paper containing the Prospectors of the proposed London and (Page 111) Birmingham Junction Canal.
Wednesday 14th January 1829
Engaged on Navigation business in consequence of the Letters received last night & considering the Answer to be given to Mr. Sneyd. Wrote Letter to Mr. Wedgwood in consequence of one received from him by Arthur Marsh. In the afternoon Mr. James Trubshaw called & with whom engaged some time relative to Knypersley Reservoir, when I desired him to furnish me with his further observations, in Writing, to which he promised to do.
Thursday 15th January 1829
Wrote Letter to Mr. Sneyd. James Potter called, & with whom engaged a considerable time, reading to him Mr. Telford's Report & taking down his observations & explanations thereon. Afterwards engaged with Mr. Vaughan, who came between 11 & 12 going through Minutes of the Select Committee & considering various matters preparatory to Miss . . .on Monday next. Closely engaged upon Navigation business from Breakfast to nearly 4 o'clock without quitting the Desk.
Consultation took place between Dr. Northen & Mr. Holland, attended by Mr. Davenport on Anne's Case, when they strongly recommended her Journey to Town, & fixed Monday next for that purpose. At night, unwell.
Friday 16th January 1829
Unwell & in the house all day. Engaged again on Navigation Papers & business though, from late circumstances became doubly harassing and troublesome to me. A. Marsh mentioned his having received a Letter from Stamford!!!
Saturday 17th January 1829
Again engaged on Navigation Papers, & wrote to Mr. Barker of Birmingham. Selected & arranged Papers & made Minutes of Business for the Select Committee on Monday next.
Received by the Post another harassing, & almost insulting Letter from Mr. Wedgwood, though accepting the proposition made on my last. Received at the same time Letter from Mr. James Trubshaw relative to Knypersley Reservoir & another from Mr. S. Peake relative to the payment of the money made in Eliza Roscoe's Marriage Settlement. Dr. Northen came in the Morning to see Anne, for a state of great suffering myself, being almost to be [down] with vexations & execution of one kind or other.
Monday 18
At home. Service.
Page 112. 1829 January
Monday 19th January 1829
Went early to Stone, where engaged all day on Select Committee. In the evening Mr. Wedgwood proceeded to London, where I understand to be on Tuesday the 10 of February. Saw Miss Moreton, who invited me to dine with Sir George, on Wednesday next.
Tuesday 20th January 1829
Engaged again with Sir George Chetwynd, settled on Case for the. . .& brought with me a Plan of Canals to be [prefixed] to it, whereon [endured] more complete by Mr. James Potter. Brought Sir George to Cobridge, & arrived at home to dinner, but harassed & oppressed in mind & body & very unwell.
Wednesday 21st January 1829
I this day completed the 70 years of my age. James Potter came, & with whom engaged relative to the proposed Plan of the Canals,& when he promised to call upon Sir George Chetwynd this evening at Wolstanton. Received Copy of the Case as settled by Sir George & myself from Mr. Vaughan.
Staffordshire Advertiser
Saturday 21 February 1829
Donations in Aid of the Distressed Poor in Congleton.
Randle Wilbrahm Esq., £20.0.0
Mrs Wilbraham £5.0.0
Miss Wilbraham £5.0.0
Randle Wilbraham jun. Es. £2.0.0.
Lady Sykes £2.0.0
Charles W.J. Shakerley Esq. £10.0.0
Geoffrey Shakerley Esq. £2.0.0
Davies Davenport Esq., M.P., £10.0.0.
Mrs Davenport £10.0.0
Wilbraham Egerton Esq., M.P. £10.0.0
Sir Edmund Antrobus Bart.. £10.0.0
Gibbs Crawford Antrobus Esq., M.P. £10.0.0
Charles Bourn Lawton Esq. £10.0.0
Thomas Kinnersley Esq., £10.0.0
An Enemy of Huskissonian Policy and Peelish Principles £10.0.0
Rev.Royds, Brereton £5.0.0
Stamford Caldwell Esq., Linley Wood £3.0.0
Stamford Caldwell jun. Esq. £2.0.0
- - -continues - -- (all the usual suspects).
Diary of James Caldwell continues...
Thursday 22nd January 1829
Engaged all Morning on the Case received from Mr. Vaughan & making various alterations & additions which on a further perusal, & consideration it appeared to require. Copied & sent to Mr.Vaughan by Post, the Resolution of the Select Committee relative to the intended application by the Inhabitants of Gainsborough for perusing that plan to be in another Post.
Friday 23rd January 1829
Engaged again on Navigation Papers. Made a fair Copy of the Proceedings of the last Meeting of Delegates at Birmingham. Wrote to Mr. Ward of Newcastle relative to the Mortgage of Stoney fields to me for £5000.
Received Letter from the Mayor of Newcastle requesting my assistance in completing purchasing & supporting a Petition to Parliament against any practical power being granted to the Roman Catholics, but which I entirely declined, stating that I was by no means satisfied of the Policy or justice of the Measure.
Saturday 24th January 1829
At home. Engaged again on Navigation papers particularly as to the opinion & benefit of the Double Locks & wrote to Wm. [Faram] requesting further particulars.
Page 113 1829 January
Weather extremely severe.
Sunday 25th January 1829
At home. Service.
Monday 26th January 1829
Re-copied the Parliamentary Case & sent off by the Post to Sir George Chetwynd & wrote to him therewith. Wrote also to Mr. Ward proposing to see him at Newcastle on Wednesday next. Wrote also to Mr. Balgary on the . . .business. Received Letter from Wm. [Faram] appointing to come here on Wednesday Morning next with Calculations etc. relative to double Locks. A slight tendency to a Thaw.
Tuesday 27th January 1829
Wrote to Wm. [Faram] to postpone his coming here till Thursday on account of my engagement tomorrow at Newcastle. Engaged all morning looking over & selecting papers to be taken to London. Stamford came to dinner.
Wednesday 28th January 1829
Went to Newcastle & saw Mr. Ward making arrangements relative to the Mortgage from Mr. Bent's Executors etc. & appointed to be at Stoke on Thursday the 5 of February & be admitted at the Copy hold Case. Stamford accompanied me to Newcastle & back & afterwards dined. Received Letter from Edward [Madon] requesting me to hold his Case by Proxy. When at Newcastle called upon Mr. Wilkinson who said that he had been requested by Sir George Chetwynd to see me and suggest James Potter's immediate Resignation.
Thursday 29th January 1829
Wm. [Faram] came, & with whom closely engaged all morning on Canal business, & various Statements & Calculations relative to the Double Lock saving of time etc. preparatory to my Journey to Town. Wrote to Colonel [Madon] accepting his Proxy. Sent a note to James Potter requesting to see him tomorrow Morning, or tomorrow Evening. Received Letter from Mr. Sneyd of [Byrley] Lodge requesting me to hold his Proxy & Mrs. Mary Sneyd's. Wrote to Mr. Vaughan requesting to know the number of Proxies that I now hold, & how many more I could accept.
Friday 30th January 1829
For greater certainty as to Proxies, wrote & sent to Mr. Wilkinson per Samuel Jones, requesting him to furnish me with a list of my [present] Proxies, being unwell with inflammation of the Chest. Wrote to Mr. Sneyd of [Byerley] Lodge accepting his Proxy & Mrs. Mary Sneyd.
Saturday 31st January 1829
Still very unwell. James Potter came, & with whom engaged a considerable time relative to the intended Plan for our Parliamentary Case. Having proposed his willingness to relinquish his situation at the Reservoir immediately. if desired, & said he would address a Letter to me accordingly. Received Letter from Mr. Ward relative to the Stoney fields Security. At night much Fever & Suffering.
Page 114. 1829 February
Sunday 1st February 1829
A very bad night & so unwell as to be unable to go through the Service, but made Progress in the evening as usual.
Monday 2nd February 1829
Another bad night almost without sleep. Engaged putting up Navigation Papers to take to London. Wrote to Mr. Wedgwood, in reply to a Message from him, through Mr. Vaughan, relative to the Saving of time by the Double Locks, & with offer of half my . . .in London, if it would be any accommodation. Mr. Fairbanks relative to the Saving of Water by the addressed Tenant, & when he desired him to make me particular agreeing & let me know the result. In the evening Mr. Davenport came to see me.
Tuesday 3rd February 1829
Another bad night. Wrote to Mr. Sneyd of [Byerley] Lodge informing him that I could not contain . . .of his & Mrs. Mary Sneyds . . . Also to Mr. Williams of Sandbach, relative to the Lawtons of Act of Parliament for completion of my selecting applied for this Session., as Mr. Williams had informed me would be done. Received from Mr. [Faram] Statement as to the Saving of time by the double Locks. Not well enough to venture out of doors.
Wednesday 4th February 1829
Rather better night, but still very unwell. Mr. James Potter with the Plan for the Case & considering the same with him previous to sending the same by a Messenger today to Mr. Vaughan to be forwarded to Sir George Chetwynd. Mr. Fairbanks relative to the Saving of Water by the [additional] Tunnel, & noting his reservations thereon. Received a Letter fro Mr. Wedgwood desiring me to send Wm. [Faram's]observation to Mr. Vaughan, in order that he might make his remarks thereon & furnish Mr. W. with a Copy. Thaw which began last night.
Thursday 5th February 1829
Wrote to Mr. Vaughan, & sent Wm. [Faram's ] Plan & observations thereon as desired by Mr. Wedgwood. Wrote to Stoke Council. Paid off the Mortgage on the Stoney fields Estate due to Mr. Thos. [Mayor] & Mrs. [Astley] who surrendered to me & I was [assumed] [Tenant]. The Deeds in his possession were delivered to me by Mr. [Mayor] & which Mr. Ward assured me were the whole & [configured] the House & the Land purchased from Mrs. [Hatrell].
Friday 6th February 1829
On inspection of the Deeds not being satisfied that they [configured] the House I went again to Newcastle & I saw Mr. Ward, who reported what he had before stated, & explained the House not being maintained as arising from the old description of the Land being followed, but said that Mr. . . .could explain the matter, & reported to me that he & the other Executors could complete the Mortgage (Page 115.) agreeably to their agreement.
The Deeds relating to the Freehold Land to be exchanged with Lord Stafford were shown to me by Mr. Ward, & left in his hands for me, with this the business was completed, & as . . .was made on the paper containing the Deeds accordingly. Called upon Mr. Wilkinson on Navigation business.
Saturday 7th February 1829
On looking further into the Papers being more convinced that the Deeds delivered to me were not the whole, wrote again to Mr. Ward, who sent word back that he would meet me tomorrow afternoon at the Roebuck, Newcastle at four o'clock. Busily engaged all day preparing for my Journey to Town. Received by the Post Letter from Mr. Sneyd of [Byerly] Lodge inclosing his Proxy, & Mrs. Mary Sneyds, which Mr. S. said she would not contract to any but myself.
Sunday 8th February 1829
After dinner set off to London. Saw Mr. Ward at the Roebuck Newcastle who had found the Deeds etc. relating to the other parts of the Stoney fields property agreed to be intended on my Mortgage & which he promised to hold for me accordingly. Arrived at Stone where I slept.
Monday 9th February 1829
Left Stone about 8 o'clock having been engaged with Mr. Vaughan before I set off & arrived at Stoney Stratford between 6 & 7 where I slept.
Tuesday 10th February 1829
Arrived at No. 8 Palace Yard at 2. From that time to Thursday 16 April when I left Town on my return home & arrived that night at Newport Pagnel where I slept & . . . . in Town [market].
Staffordshire Advertiser
Saturday 21 February 1829
Donations in Aid of the Distressed Poor in Congleton.
Randle Wilbrahm Esq., £20.0.0
Mrs Wilbraham £5.0.0Miss Wilbraham £5.0.0
Randle Wilbraham jun. Es. £2.0.0.Lady Sykes £2.0.0
Charles W.J. Shakerley Esq. 10.0.0
Geoffrey Shakerley Esq. £2.0.0
Davies Davenport Esq., M.P., £10.0.0.
Mrs Davenport £10.0.0
Wilbraham Egerton Esq., M.P. £10.0.0
Sir Edmund Antrobus Bart.. £10.0.0
Gibbs Crawford Antrobus Esq., M.P. £10.0.0
Charles Bourn Lawton Esq. £10.0.0
Thomas Kinnersley Esq., £10.0.0
An Enemy of Huskissonian Policy and Peelish Principles £10.0.0
Rev.Royds, Brereton £5.0.0
Stamford Caldwell Esq., Linley Wood £3.0.0 (James Caldwell?)
Stamford Caldwell jun. Esq. £2.0.0
- - -continues - -- (all the usual suspects).
Letter
to James Caldwell
from Eliza Caldwell
James Caldwell Esq.
8 New Palace Yard
Westminster.
Brook Farm
19th March 1829
You will think my dearest friend that my letters come quick upon you, this will not be a long one; but I wish to tell you of my plans that your dear letters may not be longer in reaching me, as they would be in travelling from place to place. I left the hospitable house at Eton yesterday, and am going to Nantwich tomorrow.
I could not think of returning home without paying a visit to my dear Bessy; it being of more importance to her than any of my friends to have a little of my company. This is so vain a speech that I could find in my heart to blot it out. It shall go however I would not tell you of my plan till their accomplishment best you should feel nervous at my crossing the water, and the other road is so rough it was not prudent to attempt it.
My letter shall be finished when my tremendous voyage is over. My sister and Eliza are to accompany me so far. When a few days are passed at Nantwich my greatest happiness would be to return and meet you at our peaceful happy home. This I fear will scarcely be so soon as my wishes. I mean however to be at Linley Wood a few days before you. Pray direct to me at Nantwich for a week or ten days.
The weather is ungenial, no cold has attacked me, and I feel tolerably well. I wish my dearest Caldwell that you could tell me that your cough was gone. It hangs on a terrible long time. I can not tell you how anxious I am to hear from you again, if only one line for you are ever in my thoughts.
I am rather glad that the Potts’s are not at Chester, as it would have been terrible one to have made a call in my road. Don’t mention my passing through the city if you see them, which I hope you will if you have not done it.
Nantwich, Saturday morning.
I came here most safely to tea yesterday. We came up the river as far as Eastham, Mr Roscoe taking care of us. The water was rough, the wind in our favour and being high tide we had not one step either up or down. The vessel was not full and I enjoyed the little voyage very much, and the road from Eastham was all smooth and good.
I find Bessy’s cough exceedingly troublesome and Mr Skerrett is grown thinner and did not appear to looking very well. They had a melancholy piece of intelligence to communicate, which I am sure you will be very sorry to hear. Mr Garnett of Filstone has been thought in rather a declining since Christmas; but was not considered in danger, he walked out of d—last Wednesday but one, and died very suddenly the Friday following and was buried last Thursday.
Mr J Garnett came to the funeral, also Mr Atkinson and his eldest son. The Atkinsons are going to London and many persons think that they will not reside again at Maple [Hays]. I had planned to send this last night not calculating on its being no post day. Any letter that you may have sent to Liverpool will find me here. I do most earnestly wish to see you again my dearest best of friends.
Farewell dearest one as you are beloved by your faithful and tenderly affectionate wife,
E.Caldwell
Bessy’s kindest love to you – did not walk out on Wednesday but was so well as to have intended.
Diary of Anne Marsh-Caldwell
10th March 1829 – At Boulogne
Sunday – Poor Mary’s death confines us to the house, but our little Mary ill of a cold, baby with her. Louisa with a sore throat. Weather very cold.
Diary of James Caldwell resumes.
April.
Friday 17th April 1829
Arrived at Derby between 4 & 5 o'clock. Sent a Note to Mr. Balgary but found that he now resided at [Spondon]. Called upon & saw Mr. Barker who said he would send a Messenger to Mr. Balgary & from whom I received a Note requesting to see me the next Morning at [Spondon]
Saturday 18th April 1829
Went to [Spondon]. Saw Mr. Balgary who made many excuses and apologies for not having sent the . . . or in Harrisons Affairs as promised but which he promised to do in a week on my sending him most to which . . .the former account had been settled. Called afterwards upon . . .to learn in what way we could most agreeably to himself make him some . . .for the . . .he had had in this business, but being unable to discuss this the matter . . .for his direction. Mr. H. . .saying that he should go . . .this Summer & spend a day at Linley Wood & he said he had some time ago given up all the Deeds & papers in his relating to Harrisons property to Mr. Balgary except a . . . . . .[Bible] & which he did not at any time give up to us. Arrived at home April 18 between 5 & 6. Mr. Booth to inform me of what had been done on Bougheys business, & on whom he had just served a Notice by direction of Mr. Tomlinson.
Sunday 19th April 1829
At home. Service. But much fatigued & unwell.
Monday 20th April 1829
Wrote to Mr. Balgary & sent him by Post a Copy of Harrisons Accounts as last settled. Went to Stone to have met Mr. Wedgwood in Select Committee but soon after my arrival received a note from him saying that he was so much indisposed that he would not come. Engaged with Mr. Vaughan on various matters, preparatory to the General Committee tomorrow.
Tuesday 21st April 1829
At Stone all day engaged on Committee. Returned in the Evening, The secondary copy of [growth] cash & little Gain raised by those of who in all great undertaking can discount the immediate expense without drawing people of vision to enhance the future profit.
Wednesday 22nd April 1829
At home. Busily engaged arranging London Papers etc. etc. . . . .Mr. [Henshall] [Moss] to consult me relative to a Marriage Settlement etc. Much tired and very unwell. Wrote to Mr. [Whieldon] about Stoke Wharf.
Thursday 23rd April 1829
At home. Engaged again on Papers etc. Wrote Letters to Mr. Sneyd of Byerley} Lodge. Mr. Woodward (of) Coventry. Mr. Scott . . .London & to Mr. Vaughan. Weather very cold and inclement. Eliza called at Lawton Hall.
Friday 24th April 1829
In the morning heavy snow, but which did not continue long. Mr. Crossley & Mr. Wm. [Faram] called to consult me as to the regulatory Lock on the Macclesfield Canal, & the erection of it in a manner somewhat different from that directed by the Act of Parliament, and also whether the Lock had not better be erected by this Company or being paid the expense of Navigation by the Macclesfield Canal Company.
After much conversation with them, I told Mr. Crossley that I thought the safest way would be to follow the Act of Parliament (on which he agreed) and that if he would deliver to me an Estimation & Report of what the Macclesfield Canal Company would allow for the erection of the Lock by this Company I would consider the matter & after consulting the Select Committee would give him an answer. Afterwards engaged settling London Accounts, arranging papers etc. but wearied & unwell.
Saturday 25th April 1829
At home, but still unwell & in the house all day. Wrote to Mr. Wilkinson relative to the time of the Meeting Mr. [Lee] of Redbrook & to Mr. Skerratt of Sandbach appointing to go to Sandbach on Monday next on Penlingtons Affairs.
Sunday 26th April 1829
At home. Service. Stamford came to dinner. Letter from Mr. Skerratt informing me that he should be from home tomorrow.
Page 117. 1829 April.
Monday 27th April 1829
At home, but still unwell. Received Letter fro Mr. Wilkinson inclosing an Agreement to be signed by Mr. Lee, agent of Mr. [Moreton] for sale of the Land wanted at the Regulating Lock on our part of the Macclesfield Canal & with which he requested me to see Mr. Lee at the Red Bull on Friday next, & complete the business with him. Wrote to Mr. Wilkinson promising to meet Mr. Lee as requested.
Tuesday 28th April 1829
At home. Still unwell. Violent storm of Wind & Rain. Received Note from the Mayor of Newcastle Sessions on Tuesday next.
Wednesday 29th April 1829
Mrs. [Batkin] of Burslem relative to obtaining her son a Discharge from the Army, when I advised her to request the Rev. Mr. Whieldon as [directions] Rector of Burslem to write to General Lord Hill & request his consideration of the Case. Wrote to the Mayor of Newcastle promising to give my endeavours to attend the Sessions on Tuesday next. Heavy snow. Mr. Booth called with a Letter from Miss' Tomlinson & Notice to serve on Boughey this morning, the latter of which I signed & also a Copy to be kept, & gave them to Mr. Booth.
Thursday 30th April 1829
Wrote to Miss Tomlinson in reply to their Letter received by Mr. Booth. Still unwell. Mr. Booth of Tunstall to whom I sold the Cheese at the [unseemly] low price of 50 Gs. per Ton. Wrote to Miss' Tomlinson on Bougheys business.
May.
Friday 1st May 1829
After breakfast went to the Red Bull, where I met Mr. Lee of Redbrook & Wm. [Faram] & proceeded from there to Hall Green, where we viewed the Land belonging to Rev. Mr. Moreton needed for the Canal & for the purchase of which 12 purchases I entered into an Agreement with Mr. Lee at the Rate of £120 per acre, & compensation at the Rate of £60 per Acre to be paid for the injury done to the other Land by the . . .being [canal] operation, & by which manner was water mentioned was inverted into a high Spout Bank. On mentioning to him the manner of this he said Mr. Moreton had not dispensed of his necessity to Mr. Wilbraham. He showed me a [Course] Memorandum on . . . paper signed by Mr. Wilbraham, & of which he supposed Mr. Moreton had signed another part, being an arrangement as to the right by cash [informality] of some small matter thereto an arrangement on the Agreement parts of the Common to be held by each, but who he said then comes not on the most important the Landowners or their Right of Commoner, nor would Mr. Wilbraham support on this for the Land on the behalf of Miss Dawson & Miss . . .& without Mr. Moreton's [joining]. Received Letter by the Post from Mr. Whieldon relative to Stoke Wharf.
Saturday 2nd May 1829
Wrote to Mr. Vaughan in consequence of the Letter received from Mr. Whieldon. Stamford dined, on his return from Stafford Sessions.
Page 118. 1829 May
Sunday 3rd May 1829
At home. Service. Received Letter from Mr Scott informing me of the Sale of the 10 Birmingham & Liverpool Junction Canal Shares at 38. . .
Monday 4th May 1829
Wrote to Dr. Holland informing him of the Sale of the B & L Canal Shares & authorizing him to execute a Transfer on [occasioning] the difference £170. Engaged looking over & arranging sundry Deeds & papers. Letter from Mr. Vaughan expressing his intention of being at Linley Wood this morning to talk over sundry matters, but as he did not come, I wrote to him by this Post desiring to see him any day except tomorrow or Thursday. Engaged on Papers previous to going to Newcastle tomorrow. Affidavit to be made on Bougheys business, received from Tomlinson etc. etc.
Tuesday 5th May 1829
Went to Newcastle where engaged the whole of the day attending the Sessions, when 5 Persons were tried & convicted and upon whom I passed sentence.
One of the Prisoners, Peter Robinson convicted of stealing some articles from a furnished House from which he lived, & taking things he had stolen & pawned thereon.
Mr. F. Tomlinson & Mr. Booth met me when I made the necessary Affidavit on Boughey business. Saw also Mr. Ward & who I fixed to meet at the Court at Stoke on Thursday in order that the Mortgage from Mr. Bent's Estate might be completed.
Dined with the Mayor etc. at the Castle Inn.
Returned home at night where Eliza informed me of the death of Mr. Crompton of . . .Ville which took place on Monday morning last. Soldier with the 8 Regiment of . . .was one of the Persons who carried Bonaparte, to his General at St. Helena. The Man had an excellent character from his Officer. He at first pleaded guilty, & at the suggestion of the Court pleaded not guilty. There being reason to believe that he had been [desirous] to commit the offence from necessity & that maintained & discharged to restore the property, he was sentenced to one weeks imprisonment.
Sent Message to Nantwich & to Sandbach with Letter to inform Bessy & Mr. James Skerratt that my Journey was postponed to Friday next. Received Letter from Mr. Thomas Collison with intelligence of the death of Mrs. Simms. Engaged on papers previous to attending Stoke Court tomorrow.
Thursday 7th May 1829
Mr. John Ward brought me a Note from his Father postponing the passing of Surrender of Stoney fields to the next Court Day on account of Dr. Thomas Bent not having yet signed the Letter of Attorney to surrender. James Barker paying money on account of Rent. Mrs. Boughey having called but who I declined seeing. I sent Samuel Beardmore to enquire what they proposed to do, when he brought word that if I would give them something they would give up the possession. After this I . . .met them seeing it might be . . .or make any bargain with them, I sent word that they must [leave] themselves entirely to me, as I could not make any promises.
Page 119. 1829
Friday 8th May 1829
Samuel Beardmore having delivered to me a very coarse & insulting Message from Boughey. I wrote a Letter to Mr. Tomlinson & which I sent by S. Beardmore desiring him to go into the proceeding for recovery of the possession of the House etc. in the speediest & most affective manner.
Afterwards went to Nantwich, intending to have left the Carriage with Mr. Walsh to be repaired, but he being gone to Chester I brought it back, appointing Mr. Walsh to come over to Linley Wood on Tuesday next.
Dined with Mr. Skerratt in Dysart Buildings, & returned in the evening. Mr. Skerratt mentioned to me his probable Loss £4000 in the Salt Concern & gave me, for my perusal a fresh [Bill] which Mr. Edleston had proposed by his direction. Fine warm day. The first that could properly be called Spring, but cabbage still very young.
Saturday 9th May 1829
Mr. Booth called & informed me that the Proceeding against Boughey was regularly going on. Engaged on Papers previous to seeing Mr. Vaughan who came in the afternoon & staid to dinner, & with whom arranged various Navigation business. Engaged to meet Mr. Salt at Stone on Friday to examine & settle the Accounts.
Sunday 10th May 1829
Received Letter from John Trubshaw relative to Knypersley Reservoir, and on other business. Service. Stamford came to dinner.
Monday 11th May 1829
Perused Draft of the Will of Mr. Skerratt which had been prepared by Mr. Edleston, & which Mr. S desired me to look over. Mr. Barker of Birmingham called, & with whom engaged a considerable time on the Accounts relative to the apposition to the London & Birmingham Canal Bill & the appointment of the same between the several Companies, when I promised to lay the accounts before the first Meeting of the Select Committee, with the observations made by Mr. Barker thereon. Wrote to Mr. Whieldon relative to Stoke Wharf, & consenting on the part of the Company to continue the present occupation to Michaelmas next, the coaching man approved by Mr. Vaughan. Mr. Watson of Congleton relative to the possession of [Kingsley] House, when I stated to him how the business was situated.
Tuesday 12th May 1829
Wrote to Mr. Collison of Liverpool in reply to his Letter informing me of the death of Mrs. Simms on the 5 instant. Mr. Walsh the Coach Maker at Nantwich came, & with whom examined the Carriage & gave directions for the repairs. Mr. Dawson called relative to Bougheys business, & with a Letter which I declined receiving, & saying that his behaviour had been such that I could have no further communication with him, & that the Law must take its course. That I believe to the present application was a means to delay the proceedings.
Received from Wm. [Faram], Mr. Crossleys, Plan etc. relative to the building of the Regulating Lock on our part of the Macclesfield Canal. Received also by the Post Letters from Sir George Chetwynd, & Mr. Vaughan.
Wednesday 13th May 1829
Selected & considered sundry Letters & papers preparatory to going to Stone on Friday next, & wrote & sent Letter to Mr. Wedgwood requesting him to meet me there.
Thursday 14th May 1829
Called at Lawton Hall to make enquiries after Mr. C. Lawton, but Mrs. L. being out, I only saw the Servant. In my way there met Mr. Wickstead who was coming to L. Wood, & with whom I turned back, & afterwards went to L. Hall. Engaged putting up papers etc.
Friday 15th May 1829
Went early to Stone. On my way stopped at [Kinnersleys], & executed Letter of Attorney for Sale of £300 4 [Court] Mr Thomas Salt met me, & with whom & Mr. Vaughan examined & observed the Treasurers Accounts & afterwards examined with Mr. V the Cash Book.
Mr. Wedgwood came about 2 o'clock, with whom engaged on Select Committee. Sat from in the whole ½ past 10 to ½ past four. Mr. V dined with me at the Crown & returned in the evening. Found Letter from Mr. Littleton with enquiry as to the Goods upon the Canal, what he wanted to know with reference to Sir R. business intended Motion on the State of the Country. His Letter also contained a strong expression of his opinion in favour of opposing the Trade more . . .to the East Indies and to China..
Letter from Dr. Holland informing me that he had executed a Transfer of the 10 Birmingham & Liverpool Junction Canal Shares to a Mr. Lloyd of Manchester a person of whose responsibility Mr. Scott the . . . had satisfied him, & that he had received the balance of £167.5s after taking out £2.15s Mr. Scott's Charges.
Saturday 16th May 1829
Wrote long Letter to Sir George Chetwynd. Wrote also to Mr. Vaughan relative to the present state of the Trade upon the Canal, to enable me to reply to Mr. Littleton's Letter. Engaged on various matters. In the evening Mr. Pritchard relative to the Macclesfield Canal, & the postponement being made to the time limited of the Contract of certain parts of the work & of the particular expediency of which I requested to have a joint Report from himself & Wm. [Faram].
Sunday 17th May 1829
Turned 16 milking cows out below the . . .Service. Unwell.
Monday 18th May 1829
At home. Received Letter from Mr. Vaughan with Statement if Tonnage to enable me to reply to Mr. Littletons Letter. Wrote to Mr. Vaughan in answer.
Page 121. 1829 May
Monday 18th May 1829
Received also Letter from Mr. Wedgwood relative to Gile's Account & the settlement of which I desired Mr. Vaughan by my Letter to him to postpone till the Meeting of the Select Committee on the the 8 of June.
Tuesday 19th May 1829
Engaged on papers preparatory to writing to Mr. Littleton. Received by Post further Letter from Mr. Vaughan. Wrote to Mr. Littleton. Received from Clough Hall a present of Cake, on the marriage of Mr. & Mrs. Kinnersley which took place at Astbury this morning. Wrote to Mr. Skerratt of Sandbach appointing to call upon him on Friday Morning next on the Penlington Affairs.
Wednesday 20th May 1829
Wm. [Faram] called & with whom engaged a considerable time & giving him instructions on various matters Mr. . . .Bridge Regulating Lock etc. companionably to the orders of the Select Committee. Eliza sent a Note of congratulations to Clough Hall. Mr. Skerratt & Bessy arrived from Nantwich & with whom engaged.
Thursday 21st May 1829
At home. Engaged with Mr. Skerratt. Looked over sundry Navigation Papers & made ready for next Meeting of the Select committee.
Friday 22nd May 1829
After breakfast went to Sandbach. Saw Mr. Skerratt on the Penlington Affairs, making arrangements relative to the payment of Canal Money in order to which it appeared to be necessary that his hope should take out Letters of Administration with the . . .[arranged] of the late Ralph Audley.
Mr. Skerratt also promised to see Mr. Low relative to the inclosure in Rode Heath, & accepting which I directed on a Case to be proposed of the opinion of Counsel. Called also upon Mr. . . . when he informed me that everything was now settled & that the application to Parliament would certainly be made in the next Session of Parliament & any [Title] be completed. He said that this would have been done in the present Session, but that some very . . .difficulties had arisen & particularly with report to suffering the [Reservations] of the Staffordshire Estates. Returned to dinner.
Saturday 23rd May 1829
Turned the milking cows into the House Field. Mr.Vaughan came & with whom engaged all morning considering various matters & on Minutes preparatory to the next Meeting of the Select Committee & Committee.
Sunday 24th May 1829
Service. Stamford came to dinner. In the evening a large Gang of Gypsies consisting of 6 Caravans passed going upwards, & who took upon themselves for the night near the entrance into the Grounds.
Page 122. 1829 May
Monday 25th May 1829
At home. Made a copy of my Will. Engaged on sundry Papers. Eliza, Mr. Skerratt & Bessy went to Rode House. Called upon Mr. Johnson of the Hollins who said Mr. Shaws Colliery could not last long, what coal there was being full of . . .That if he had any coal, it must run into my Land & that a watch should be kept upon this. Wm. [Brittain] .had told me the same thing a few days ago. Got early Potatoes for the first time. Being ready this week later than last year.
Tuesday 26th May 1829
At home. Wrote to Mr. Balgary of Derby on Harrisons business & again requesting his Account.
Wednesday 27th May 1829
At home. Engaged with Mr. Skerratt etc. In the evening took him & Bessy to look at Harecastle Tunnel.
Thursday 28th May 1829
Received Letter from Mr. Williamson relative to his Coals adjoining Harecastle old Tunnel requesting me to refer to the Acts of Parliament & preparing to call upon me tomorrow. Mr. Wedgwood & Elizabeth came to dinner, & returned in the evening.
Friday 29th May 1829
Perused & considered the Clauses & Provisions on the several Acts of Parliament relative to the Coals in question preparatory to seeing Mr. Williamson. Mr. Skerratt & Bessy left us about 11, the Carriage taking them home. Wrote Letter to Mr. Lee of Red Brook, relative to the Inclosure on Rode Heath. Last upon made by Mr. Penlington. & Mr. Wilbrahams Claim thereon. Mr. Williamson came & with whom I conferred upon the subject of his Lands, which I promised to bring under the consideration of the Select committee at their next Meeting. He said that he should be satisfied to become the future to my two . . . persons.
Saturday 30th May 1829
Called at Lawton Hall, & sat some time with Mr. Charles Lawton, who I found most recovered from his late accident. Made further Minutes for the Meeting of Select Committee etc.
Sunday 31st May 1829
At home. Service.
June
Monday 1st June 1829
At home. Looked over & selected papers relative to Mr. Giles & the G.T.Company.
Tuesday 2nd June 1829
Called at Betley Court, but they were from home & at the Hill. Called at the Revd. Mr. [Lawtons] but he was from home, as also were Mr. Tollet & Mr. Armistead. When I called at Betley Hall, Miss Stamford accompanied me to Betley & called at the Court at the Hall. Wrote to Mr. Peake relative to the payment of the £3000 under E. Roscoes (Page 123) Settlement & informing him that it lay on . . .Lands ready to be first to the Trustees under the Settlement.
Wednesday 3rd June 1829
Very unwell with a severe cold & violent Cough & confined to the House all day. Looked over & selected for the next Meeting papers relating to James Potter etc. At night Rain which had been long & much wanted.
Thursday 4th June 1829
Bad night & still very unwell. Mr. Davenport came to see me. Received Letter from Mr. Lee relative to the . . .on Rode Heath. Looked over papers relating to James Potter etc. for Committee.
Friday 5th June 1829
Very unwell. Wrote Letter to Mr. Lee.
Saturday 6th June 1829
Mr. Wm. [Faram] came, & with whom engaged considering the Plans & Estimates of the proposed regulating Lock at Hall Green & to which place I afterwards accompanied him, in order to view the place, & the work ever going on. This evening I went through where they are now waiting yields on some of whom to equal at the Court, ascending to [Farams] calculation, to 4 Locks per day.
Sunday 7th June 1829
At home. Service. Stamford came to dinner.
Monday 8th June 1829
Set off early to Stone. Called at Kinnersleys procured a Draft for £3000 which I committed to Mr. Peake in discharge of my Counsel to pay that sum contained on Eliza Roscoes Marriage Settlement. Left the Letter with a Messenger to be put into the Post Office. Engaged at Stone on the Committee all day. Sir George Chetwynd prevented attending by indisposition.
Tuesday 9th June 1829
Engaged at Stone all day on General Assembly. Little [discussions] of F.T. & his party. Reference being made to the former proceedings, it was sarcastically said " that it would not do to look back or it would be better not to look back conveying in a pointed & offensive manner, the idea that what had been heretofore done would not be a division." He spoke also . . .was afterwards noticed to me of not being with other witnesses of the same paltry nature. I did not think it worth while to notice the former expression more than necessary. I was sorry to hear such expressions used as I was upon the Select Committee had uniformly acted to the best of their ability, & did not deserve these . . . of Insurrection or Remarks.
Mr. Tomlinson returned with me in the Carriage. We talked over Bougheys business the last of possessions having been executed this day. When at Stone received by Mr. Williamson from Mr. Ward relative to the Sale of Newcastle [Brewery]
Wednesday 10th June 1829
Fatigued and unwell. Wrote to Mr. Mills of Grendon Hall with enquiry after Sir George Chetwynd, & to inform him of the next Meeting of the Select Committee. Wrote also & sent Letter by a servant to Mr. Ward, with my assent to the draft of the Newcastle Brewery.
Page 124. 1829 June.
Thursday 11th June 1829
Revised & corrected for insertion in the Books the proceedings of the Committee and General Assembly, and sent the same by Post with a Letter to Mr. Vaughan. Called at the White Lion, which I found in the possession of Watson, the same having been delivered to him under the wish of possession on Tuesday last. Mr. Tomlinson called, & left the probate Copies of the Wills of Mrs. Bentlley & Miss Stamford & which I delivered to Miss Stamford. He afterwards came to dinner, which I had suggested him to do when he called in the Morning.
Friday 12th June 1829
At home. Unwell. Finding that several Hollies in Swallow Moor & [Stonecliff] Woods had been hacked & the Bark taken away. Sent the capable Samuel Beardmore to make enquiry & I went afterwards examining sundry [Persons] but without being able to obtain sufficient Evidence. Drew up & sent to the petition advertisement for desiring of the offenders, & offering 5 Gns. Reward.
Received from Mr. Lee further Letter relative to the trespass done to the [Row]. Mr. Breretons Land at . . . by the Savage of the Brereton Green Turnpike Road, suggesting me to make enquiry about it.
Saturday 13th June 1829
Wrote to Mr. Williams of Sandbach Clerk to the Trustees of the Brereton Green Road in consequence of Mr. Lee's Letter. Unwell & at home all day. Received by Post Letter from Mr. Peake acknowledging the Receipt of a [Bail] for £3000 under E. Roscoe's Marriage Settlement, & with observations as to the insistent of the Money.
Sunday 14th June 1829
Still unwell. Wrote to Mr. Roscoe, & sent him a Copy of Mr. Peake's Letter. Service. Received by Post Letters from Sir George Chetwynd & Mr. Vaughan.
Monday 15th June 1829
Wrote to Mr. Peake, also to Mr. Hollinshead of Leek informing him of Stamford to whom he had written a Letter being in Town. Still unwell. Light showers.
Tuesday 16th June 1829
Engaged on the Penlington Papers, & wrote to Mr. Blakelock of the [Temple] relative to the payment of the £120 due to the late Mrs. Simmons. Still unwell. Early this morning fine Rain.
Wednesday 17th June 1829
At home. Unwell. Mr. Davenport came in Painful discussion & consideration with Eliza relative to Stamford's strange proposition of purchasing the Situation of Counsel in the Palace Court, & to whom she afterwards wrote an excellent Letter expressing my entire disapprobation of the . . .but having him to not as he pleased.
Declined interfering solution to the execution of Miss Stamford's new Will, & which I expressed to her. Mr. Booth came & with whom engaged relative to repairs of the White Lion House, & other matters.
Thursday 18th June 1829
Bad & restless night, & unwell.
Friday 19th June 1829
Engaged at Miss Stamford's particular Requests in her papers & affairs & drawing a codicil to her will which she was desirous to execute previous to setting off on her intended journey into Cornwall.
Page 125. 1829 June
Saturday 20th June 1829
At home, but still unwell. Mr. Davenport came again. In the evening Miss Stamford executed her will & codicil in the presence of Mr. Fairbanks, James Barker & Joseph Hudson, who she chose as witnesses thereon.
Sunday 21st June 1829
In the night fine & much wanted Rain. Service. In the evening heavy Showers. "those who would [support] Religion from a holy life and make it to consist mainly in speculative opinions, or in outward solemnization of worship do greatly . . .Religion. The design and way of power of Religion, is to make Men good and happy; the design of the Revelation of the Gospel is to destroy Supposition, and to restore the truth of Religion, by correcting Men's opinions and expressing their manners." Clarke
Monday 22nd June 1829
Wrote to Mr. Balgary of Derby again pressing for his Account in Harrisons business. Received Letter from Mr. Skerratt on Mrs. Simms business & debt of £120 due from the Estate of the late Mary Penlington.
Tuesday 23rd June 1829
At home. Engaged closely on the Penlington Papers in consequence of the Letter received from Mr. Skerratt. Wm. [Faram] with Letter from Mr. Crossley relative to the payment by the Macclesfield Canal Company for the regulating Lock at Hall Green & which matter waited for a Meeting of the M. C. Committee.
Wednesday 24th June 1829
At home. Mrs. Wedgwood of Mare, Elizabeth & the two Miss [Allens] came to dinner.
Thursday 25th June 1829
The Party left after breakfast. Engaged again on the Penlington papers previous to going to Sandbach tomorrow. Received by Post Letter from Mr. Bouvarie relative to the Huddersfield Shipping Company carrying Goods to Manchester from London.
Friday 26th June 1829
Wrote to Mr. Vaughan in consequence of the Letter received from Mr. Bouvarie. Went to Sandbach to see Mr. Skerratt previously to writing to the Executor of Mrs. Simms & with whom again looked over the Account with . . . Called also upon Mr. Williamson, who informed me that he had written to Miss [Brooks] & relative to Mr. . . .Land. Mr. Williamson, showed me the Lawton Deeds executed by the Parties which the whole of [Parliament] having approved. Returned to dinner. Unwell.
Saturday 27th June 1829
Bad night. Wrote to Mr. Lee of Redbrook, informing him of my having seen Mr. Williamson. Engaged again on the Penlington Papers, & wrote Letter to Mr. Field, 11 [Throgmorton] Street, London one of the Lawton Mrs. Simms Executors. Received by Post from Mr. Vaughan appointing to see me here on Monday morning next, & one from Wm. Bent appointing to dine here the same day.
Sunday 28th June 1829
Unwell. Service.
Monday 29th June 1829
Letter from Mr. Vaughan postponing his coming to Linley Wood to Wednesday next. Wrote Letter to Mr. Thos. Collison on the Penlington Affairs with copy of the one written to Mr. Field. Wm. Bent came to dinner.
Tuesday 30th June 1829
Mr. Bent went early. Mr. Pritchard called & with whom engaged relative to Mr. Williamson's Coals necessary to be brought in Harecastle Tunnel, the Report upon which was depressed at his request for 10 days or [appropriate]. Engaged with Wm. [Faram], & Samuel Beardmore for making a watering place in Linley Meadows.
July
Wednesday 1st July 1829
Mr. Vaughan came to breakfast & with engaged the whole of the morning on Navigation business. Stamford dined. Rain all day.
Thursday 2nd July 1829
At Stoke [Court] where surrender passed of Stoney fields House etc., for seeing the payment of £4900. Saw Mr. Heathcote. Mentioned to him the Turnpike Gate at the Hollins which knowledge that was very relevant & immediate. Returned to dinner. N.B. Mr. John Ward delivered to me the Deeds etc. relating to the Copyhold property, but there relating to the Freehold remained on Mr. Wards Lands to be completed, but to be held for me this part of the Security would be completed.
Friday 3rd July 1829
Eliza & I called at Clough Hall & saw Mr. & Mrs. Kinnersley. Found Mr. & Mrs. & Mr. Tomlinson there. Received Letter from John Trubshaw appointing to come here tomorrow morning.
Saturday 4th July 1829
John Trubshaw came & with whom engaged considering Plans, Estimates etc. relative to Consall Forge business, preparatory to the same being laid before the Select Committee on Monday next. Received by Post a most unsatisfactory Letter from Mr. Balgary of Derby. Received also Letter from Mr. Lee of Redbrook relative to the Land taken for the Brereton Green Road & thanking me for the attention I had shown to this matter.
Sunday 5th July 1829
At home. Service.
Monday 6th July 1829
Went early to Stone, where engaged all day on Meeting of the Select Committee.
Tuesday 7th July 1829
Returned from Stone. Brought Sir George Chetwynd in the Carriage to Cobridge. Arrived at home to dinner. Mrs A. R. . .
Wednesday 8th July 1829
Wrote to Mr. Bouvarie. Also to Mr. Copps] of Leamington relative to a dispute which he had had with Stamford respecting the admission of an under number of [Possessions] into one of his [loaders]. Looked over the Consall Forge papers preparatory to drawing a Case for Counsel. Eliza & I called at Lawton Hall. Saw Mrs. L. & Mr. C. Lawton being out.
Thursday 9th July 1829
Engaged again on Consall Forge Papers. Mr. & Mrs. Kinnersley called.
Friday 10th July 1829
[Deferred] Drawing further Observations on Consall Forge Case previous to taking the Papers to Mr. Wilkinson. Mrs. [Swinton] Holland, Mrs. [Lear] & Miss Eliza Holland came to dinner, & returned in the Evening.
Saturday 11th July 1829
Went to Newcastle with the Consall Forge papers & Plans which I delivered to Mr. Wilkinson along with my observations to assist them on preparing a Case for the opinion of Mr. Wilkinson. Eliza & the two elder Roscoe Boys accompanied me to Newcastle. Returned to dinner.
Page 126. 1829 July
Sunday 12th July 1829
At home. Service. Received Letter from Mr. Ward relative to Newcastle Brewery business & inclosing one from Wm. [Bane]. In the evening Miss Stamford & Eliza Roscoe arrived.
Monday 13th July 1829
At home, unwell. Considered Newcastle Brewery business etc. previous to replying to Mr. Ward's Letter.
Tuesday 14th July 1829
Wrote Letter to Mr. Ward, to accompany Wm. Bents Letter. Received Letter by Post from Mr. [Bouvarie] relative to Huddersfield Shipping Company. Stamford came to dinner, & returned in the Evening.
Wednesday 15th July 1829
Sent the Letter to Mr. Ward by Samuel Jones, & received one back inclosing the Stoney fields [advert] & Mr. Pearson's Rent. Engaged on sundry matters. Light Showers but the appearance of improvement in the weather. Mr. Ward by his Letter in reply to mine made me an offer of the Stoney fields property at £5750.
Thursday 16th July 1829
Engaged on Navigation Papers. Copied the Minutes of the last Select Committee Meeting for insertion in the Book. Considered again the Consall Forge Case & made additional Observations. Miss Sarah Wedgwood came to dinner.
Friday 17th July 1829
At home. Rain almost the whole of the day. Wm. Roscoe came to dinner.
Saturday 18th July 1829
Engaged on papers preparatory to setting off tomorrow Evening on Survey of the Southern end of the Canal. Stamford called in the evening on his return from Stafford Sessions.
Sunday 19th July 1829
Service. In the evening went to Stone on Survey of the Canal.
Monday 20th July 1829
From Stone to Buxton.
Tuesday 21st July 1829
From Buxton to Shardlow & back.
Wednesday 22nd July 1829
From Buxton home, where I arrived about 5 o'clock. Mr. Roscoe had gone on Monday.
Thursday 23rd July 1829
Began [monitoring]. Revised Minutes of proceedings of Select Committee on the Survey of the Canal. Wrote to Mr. Woodcock of Coventry relative to the Shortening of the . . .Canal between Woodend Lock & . . .Wharf, & by which a saving in distance of 2 miles & [6/6] at . . .Received from Mr. Williams of Sandbach Mr. Telfords Report of the April . . .the improvement of the London & Liverpool Turnpike Road.
Friday 24th July 1829
Looked over the Oxford Canal Bill with a view to the proposed Trent & Mersey Canal consolidation Acts Bill. Busy Morning, but stopped in the afternoon by a violent storm of Rain with Thunder & Lightening.
Saturday 25th July 1829
Stopped mowing on account of the uncertain state of the weather. Stamford came to dinner, with whom I considered & conferred upon the proposed Trent & Mersey Consolidation Bill, & delivered to him a Copy of the Oxford Bill, which I had this morning perused & made observations upon. Returned him also the . . .
Sunday 26th July 1829
Service.
Monday 27th July 1829
Wrote t Mr. Field. Busy in the Hay. Received Letter from the Mayor of Newcastle requesting my attendance at the Sessions tomorrow. Received Summons to attend on the Grand Jury at Stafford Assizes on the 6th.
Page 128. 1829 July
Tuesday 28th July 1829
Went to Newcastle & attended the Sessions. Sat in Court between 7 & 8 hours, there being some Cases, particularly one of Nuisance, which took up much time. Dined afterwards with the Mayor etc. at the Roebuck.
Wednesday 29th July 1829
The weather changed in the night to Rain. On my arrival at home last night found a satisfactory Letter from Mr. Woodcock relative to the proposed improvement of the Coventry Canal.
Thursday 30th July 1829
Revised, reconsidered & copied afresh the further Observations for Counsel relative to Consall Forge & Mills. Still Rain. Evening fine & promising a change of weather. Saw Mr. Benjamin Eardley relative to the Colliery Water turned upon my Land, when I told him that if it continued I should bring [action], but would defer it some time to see if he could make alternative arrangements.
Friday 31st July 1829
Revised & Copied afresh Minutes of the Select Committee on their latest Survey. Brought in the Hay. Weather still very [casual]. Showers coming on in the afternoon. Began mowing the Croft behind the Garden.
August
Saturday 1st August 1829
Perused & made Extracts from the probate Copy of the Will of the late Mrs. Simms, & afterwards wrote to Mr. Field & sent him therewith the Post etc. as requested by Mr. Skerratt for Mail.
Very busy in the Hay. Received Letter from Mr. [Beck]of Coventry relative to the improvement of the Coventry Canal between [Woodhead] Lock & Sheelhay] Wharf & wrote Letter to him in reply. Stamford dined, & with whom long conversation relative to the proposed Trent & Mersey Consolidation Acts Bill.
Sunday 2nd August 1829
Fine day, but declined doing any thing in the Hay, it being Sunday. Service.
Monday 3rd August 1829
Weather again changed to Rain this morning. Engaged on papers preparatory to going on further Survey of Canal tomorrow.
Tuesday 4th August 1829
Left Linley Wood at ½ past 5. Called upon Sir George Chetwynd at the Roebuck Newcastle & took him in the Carriage to Etruria Wharf, from where we proceeded with Mr. Wedgwood, Mr. [Landon] & Mr. Vaughan along the Caldon & Lock Canals to Leek Wharf, & from thence to Rudyard Reservoir which we viewed & then separated on our return home being prevented going to [Froghall], Caldon Low & Consall by the great inclemency of the weather. Mr. Wedgwood & I came together to Etruria, where he took his Gig, & I arrived at home to dinner about 6.
Wednesday 5th August 1829
Sent to William [Faram] & considered with him the proposed communication with the River Weaver previous to writing to Mr. Davenport & Mr. Egerton as requested to me by the Select Committee yesterday. Being busy in the Hay & carried 25 Loads, a great & sudden change having taken place in the weather, today being remarkably fine.
Eliza Received by the Post a letter from Dr. Holland with intelligence of the death of their poor little girl Eleanor, who had been sometime ill & died rather suddenly on Monday morning last.
Thursday 6th August 1829
Wrote to Mr. Davenport & to Mr. Egerton. Again very busy in the Hay. Looked over & considered the Trent & Mersey, Oxford & other Canal Acts & making extracts & minutes preparatory to the intended Consolidation Acts Bill & to afresh drawing the same.
Friday 7th August 1829
Engaged again on Navigation papers. So dense fog that nothing could be done in the Hay till Evening.
Saturday 8th August 1829
The weather having cleared up, busily engaged in the Hay, & finished the Harvest, which though terrible & uncertain yet we got through with very well, the Hay not being the . . .& got together dry & warm. Wm. [Faram] brought note from Mr. Vaughan appointing to come to Linley Wood on Monday next. Received by Post Letter from Mr. Egerton agreeing that he should be happy to meet me at Capesthorne any day after the 18 that might said Mr. Davenport. Late in the evening Mr. Johnson, Mr. T. Kinnersley & Mr. Philips came with Stamford from Stafford. Mr. [Mahon] with whom the Party was formed, was prevented coming by business.
Sunday 9th August 1829
Eliza & the Gentlemen went to Talk Church. In the evening Service as usual. Dr. Northen dined.
Monday 10th August 1829
The Party left us after breakfast, the Carriage taking them to Stone. Engaged all morning perusing & considering the Clauses in the Oxford Canal & various other Acts with a view to the intended Trent & Mersey Consolidation Bill & drawing the results of such Bills. Afterwards engaged with Mr. Vaughan who came to confer with me on various matters, & staid to dinner. Mr. [Andrew] Booth & Mr. Daniel Burgess consulting me on the hill & affairs of the Joseph Burgess.
Tuesday 11th August 1829
Went to Newcastle Eliza accompanying me in the Carriage. Called at Mr. L . . .to have conferred with him on the Stoney fields business but he was from home. Eliza called upon Mrs. [Martin] & Mrs. Hyde. Soon after my return Wm. [Farem] came with whom engaged a considerable time in consequence of a new Scheme, which he heard was agitation of 'sinking' the River Weaver & to communicate with the Wardle Canal. Two Mr. Philips called late in the Evening with a Memorial in favour of Miss [Boothen] Mr. John Philips Father who lay at the point of death to the Distributions . . of Stamford at Newcastle & whom again . . .being signed by Mr. Kinnersley & others I signed as Recorder.
Wednesday 12th August 1829
Closely engaged from ½ past 8 in the morning to 2 o'clock examining the various Acts of Parliament Meeting & arranging Clauses & having sundry . . .Clause requiring great care & attention.
Thursday 13th August 1829
Engaged again all morning on the above. In the evening sent the Papers to J. S. C. I have omitted a Call made at Trentham but Lord & Lady Stafford were in Shropshire.
Diary of James Caldwell
Friday 14th August 1829
Engaged all morning searching out & copying Cash Acct. with the Trent & Mersey Canal Company from the year 1826 to July 1829 both inclusive with Statement of any Invoices to & attendances in London during that period. Received Letter from [Miss] [Alex] Reid & Co Anderton relative to their being allowed a Quarterly Account of Tonnages.
Received Letter also from Arthur Marsh with intelligence of the unfortunate result of the Proceedings before the Lord Chancellor in the Case with the Assizes under his Fathers Bankruptcy & affecting the Indemnities under Anns Marriage Settlement.
Saturday 15th August 1829
Wrote to Reid & Co in reply to their Letter. Engaged on papers preparatory to seeing Stamford, who afterwards brought for my perusal the Draft of the Consolidation Bill, in which he had made considerable progress, & with whom considered various Clauses which it might be expedient to introduce.
Received Letter from Mr. Williamson of Newcastle requesting my support to an application which he intended to make for the situation of Distribution of Stamps for Newcastle & the neighbourhood, when I informed him by the Post of my having already signed a Memorial, as [Banker] of the Borough, in favour of Miss J. E. Phillips. Stamford dined, but returned home in the evening. Rain all day.
Sunday 16th August 1829
Service as usual. Received a present of a Brace of Grouse from the Revd. Mr. Carter.
Monday 17th August 1829
Received Minutes of the Select Committee on the later Survey of the Caldon & Lock Canals, & copied the same afresh for entry in the Book. Wrote to Mr. Balgary of Derby, urging again his sending his Account on Harrisons Affairs, & copied & sent him a Statement of the Rents that have occurred since his last Account delivered in 1825.
Tuesday 18th August 1829
At home all day. Mrs. [Poynton] with Copy of the will of her Father for my Opinion & advice. Engaged on the Farm & sundry matters. Miss Stamford returned from Nantwich.
Wednesday 19th August 1829
Samuel Wakefield relative to the . . . of William Aston . . .in the Tunnel, & whose Widow he had married. But who was now dead. Mr. Kinnersley to request that a young man who had been appointed Clerk to the Macclesfield Canal Company might be shown the manner which the Trent & Mersey Canal Books were left, to which I told him that I saw no objection, but referred him to Mr. Vaughan. Began cutting wheat in Barley Swallow Moor. Turned three feeding cows into the piece of Land bought from Miss Hatchells. Received Letter from Mr. Davenport informing me that he had a been prevented answering my Letter sooner owing to the illness of Mrs. Davenport at Baginlow Hall & where it was impossible for him to leave her for several weeks to come.
Thursday 20th August 1829
In consequence of the Letter received from Mr. Davenport, wrote to Mr. Egerton proposing to see him at Tatton Park any morning that would be the most convenient to himself. Went to Newcastle. Called upon Mr. Williamson & conferred with him on the Parish Notes Appeals, & the Consall Forge business. Called upon Mr. Ward when he promised to enquire the lowest price that would be taken for the Stoney fields property, & Alma [house]. Eliza & Miss Stamford called at Wolstanton. On our return met Mrs. [Moreton], Mrs. & Miss [Pearson] who had been calling at Linley Wood, & who now engaged to dine with us on Tuesday next. Busy cutting Wheat.
Friday 21st August 1829
In the night the weather again changed to Rain. Perused & considered Papers relating to River Weaver. Stopped cutting Wheat from the [unfavourableness] of the weather.
Saturday 22nd August 1829
Reorganized & copied upon my Accounts with the Navigation & Co. Received Letter from Mr. Egerton appointing Monday next for my seeing him at Tatton Park, with invitation to dine & stay all night. Engaged again on River Weaver papers preparatory to seeing Mr. Egerton. Rain almost the whole of the day.
Sunday 23rd August 1829
At home . Service. At noon the most violent & heavy shower of Rain I had ever seen since we came to Linley Wood. One Flash of Lightning & one clap of Thunder but not any wind or any . . . the fall of the Rain.
Monday 24th August 1829
Went to Tatton Park agreeably to Mr. Egerton's appointment, when I arrived a little before 12 & had conference with him relative to a Canal communication between the River Weaver & the T.& M. Canal & then I showed him a Plan which Wm. Faram had some time ago made of a communication at [Water] Bridge. Mr. Egerton said he had taken little part in the affairs of the Weaver, but that he would make inquiry & I should hear from him. I told him, that all that I had been authorized to say was, that of a communication was withheld by the Trustees of the Weaver & the Public the Committee would pay consideral attention to any application to them, on the subject & I thought the Proprietors could not object to making the communication on fair & reasonable terms.
Mr. W. Egerton thought obligation sufficient on our part for the present. Mr. Egerton pressed me very much to dine & stay all night, & on calling at the Hollands on my return I found that on the expectation of this he had invited Mr. Holland to meet us. The Three Miss Pilkingtons of Bolton came to dinner from Ashcombe. Stamford also dined & staid all night.
Tuesday 25th August 1829
Looked upon the part of the Draft of the intended Consolidation Bill which Stamford had brought for my consideration. Afterwards engaged on the Farm. Began again cutting wheat, the day proving dry. Received by Post Letter from Sir George Chetwynd on Navigation business, particularly the proposed improvements of the Coventry Canal about which difficulty appeared from some of the Propositions. [Mrs. Martin], Miss Pearson who were to have dined here today, were prevented coming by the death of Mrs. Dibbs. In the evening some [Music].
Wednesday 26th August 1829
The weather again changed to heavy Rain which was combined with high wind. Engaged on sundry Navigation Papers, Plans etc. The Ladies left us between one & two o'clock on their return to Ashcombe, the Horses taking them to Hanley. Stamford dined & returned home in the evening.
Derby Mercury
Wednesday 26 August 1829
Arrivals at Buxton, since our last
. - - -Mr Stamford Caldwell,
Thursday 27th August 1829
Very stormy night. Wrote to Mr. Vaughan. Wm. Faram called & with whom engaged a long time relative to the proposed communication with the River Weaver, making Calculations of imperative Tonnages, Freights & advantages as relative to the Communications [Anderton] etc. etc. Wm. Brittain informed me Mr. Eardley was cutting through the fault which separates Mr. Shaw's Coals from mine, & that the whole of their water was thrown through my Drains upon my Land. He said it might be necessary to sink a Pit to prevent their getting my coals, & on this case he advised me to get Coals for my own family use & which he said might be done at a very trifling expense. In the afternoon heavy Rain.
Friday 28th August 1829
The morning being fair we resumed cutting the Wheat. Mr. Benjamin Eardley called his purpose from Mr. Shaw that the Question about the Water from the colliery might be left to Reference. I told Mr. Eardley that as a leaving of the matter to Reference might be deemed an admission of some doubt or question on my part, I could not consent to it, there being as I apprehended neither doubt or question about it. That I was very nearly to try the matter fairly at Law, of Mr. Shaw where to desire me to the necessity of bringing an action, or that I was ready to take into consideration any proposition that he might make for an amicable adjustment, but that I could not,& would not greatly submit to the injury doing to my property. Finished Cutting the Wheat.
Saturday 29th August 1829
Began cutting Oats in the further part of the Land purchased from Mr. Jenks. Called upon Mr. Sneyd of Bradwall. Received by Post Letters from Mr. Vaughan & from Mr. Ward of Newcastle. Stamford called in the evening.
Sunday 30th August 1829
At home. Service. "The significance of a Word, well known and understood by those who first made use of it is very insensibly varied, by passing through many mouths, and by being taken and given by multitudes in common discourse, till it often comes to stand for a complication of notions, as distant from the original intention of it, may as contradicting to it as darkness is to light". Handley
Monday 31st August 1829
Sent Letter to Mr. Ward in reply to the one received from him on Saturday last relative to the purchase of Stoney fields property, & which I declined, the lowest price being paid at £5750. In the morning heavy Fog, but which dispersed so much about noon, that we again began cutting oats. Engaged on Navigation papers, & completing Accounts & Statement of Parliamentary & other extra Attendances. Received Letter from Mr. Egerton relative to proposed Communication with the River Weaver. Mr. Wickstead & Miss Eliza Tollet called.
September
Tuesday1st September 1829.
Received Letter from Mr. Pritchard requesting to see me, when I appointed Saturday morning next between 9 & 10. Engaged on sundry matters previous to setting off to Nantwich this morning with Eliza & where we propose staying till Friday next. Busy cutting oats, & sent hands to work, the weather appearing dubious. Arrived in Dysart Buildings to dinner.
Wednesday 2nd September 1829
At Nantwich. Viewed the Aqueduct of the Birmingham & Liverpool Canal, & the Wharf of the . . .& Chester Canal. Dined at Mr. Skerratt's with Mr. Richardson. The Revd. Mr. [Gaston] was prevented coming by being unwell. In the evening Mrs. Clarkson, Mrs. Richardson, & Miss [Mainwaring] came to Tea.
Thursday 3rd September 1829
Walked with Mr. Skerratt & looked at Mr. [Botts] new House at [Straw] Bridge. The situation somewhat being an entire seclusion from every object, but near Plantations. The stones which I understood, to be brought from some quarry near Mucklestone were beautiful & appeared to be hard & good. Mr. Skerratt dined with us in Dysart Buildings.
Friday 4th September 1829
Called with Mr. Skerratt upon Mr. [Gaston]. Found the Revd. Mr Hawkes & Mr. Thos. Garnett on return to Dysart Buildings. Left Nantwich about one, & arrived at Linley Wood to dinner, having passed our time at Nantwich very pleasantly & agreeably. Mr. & Mrs. & Miss Richardson had called at Linley Wood yesterday. Found Letter from Mr. [Palin] an Attorney at Birmingham with a demand of the Balance stated to remain due to Mr. Wm. Evans from the Navigation Company.
Saturday 5th September 1829
Mr. Pritchard came agreeably to appointment bringing with him a Plan & Report upon Mr. Williamson's Coals to be left for the production of the Tunnel, & with whom engaged all morning on this business, when he finally recommended that before anything further was done, we should request Mr. Williamson to furnish us with his own Plan of the Coals & specify how & when he proposed to work the Mines. Mr. . . . called to show me a Drawing which he had made of Linley Wood, very well done in Hard Lead pencil. I told him that I should be glad to have a Drawing made, but that the one he had done was not from the proper point of view. Called at Rode Hall with Eliza. Saw Mrs. & Miss Wilbraham, the former of whom promised to dine with us next week, to meet the Kinnersley's.
Sunday 6th September 1829
At home. Service. Stamford came to dinner & with whom afterwards engaged on Draft of the Consolidation Bill. Mr. Robert Heath who I thought it necessary to see previous to going to Stone, came in the afternoon & with whom engaged a considerable time relative to Mr. Williamson's land at Harecastle Tunnel & Mr. Pritchard's Plan & Report thereon, whom Mr. Heath repeated what he had before advised & the leaving 30 years as necessary for the support of the Tunnel, & the prosperity of the Mines, & which he said he should himself do, if they were both his own.
He concurred with Mr. Pritchard & myself that Mr. Williamson should in the first place be requested to furnish a Plan of his Mines, & specify how & when he intended to work them. Sent Noted to Mr. Randle Wilbraham & Mr. Chas. Wilbraham requesting there Company at dinner on the 17.
Monday 7th September 1829
Went to Knypersley Reservoir meeting Sir George Chetwynd & Mr. Wedgwood on survey of the Reservoir. Mr. Sneyd of Ashcombe & Mr. Mayer attended in consequence of an Escape of Water being again observed at the discharging pipes. From Knypersley to Stone where engaged all evening on business, particularly the Draft of the intended Consolidation Acts Bill, which J. S. Clark before us.
Tuesday 8th September 1829
Engaged closely all morning on Committee. Dined at Stone, & returned home in the evening. Received whilst the Committee was sitting an Account from Mr. H. Williamson of Leakage of the Reservoir though the part at first faulty but which was afterwards repaired by John Trubshaw.
Wednesday 9th September 1829
Wrote to [Miss] [Alex] Reid & Co. Anderton. Called at Trentham, but Lord & Lady Stafford were in Shropshire. Wrote to Mr. Vaughan.
Thursday 10th September 1829
Perused the Acts of Parliament with the Opinions formerly given by Mr. [Bower] & Mr. Harrison as to the liability to make compensation for Coals under the Canal, & made Minutes for a further Case & Opinion of demand necessary. Still Rain, & at night very heavy.
Friday 11th September 1829
Between 7 & 8 o'clock this morning Mr. Cooper of the Lawton Arms came to inform me of a melancholy Accident which had happened to the Birmingham & Liverpool Mail by the breaking down of the Bridge near Mr. Poyntons just as the Coach was passing over at 3 o'clock this morning, whereby two out of three, inside Passengers, were drowned, the other having by [extensive] effort saved himself by getting out of the Window, & jumping off the Coach Wheel to the Land.
The Coach with one of the Horses & the two passengers were still under Water, no appearance of them being [discovered] I immediately gave him a written [note]to James . . .to go himself, & take all the Canal People that could be of any use, with the [Drags] & other Apparatus for finding & getting of the Coach, & B. . & meet as soon as possible at the place myself to answer & stimulate their utmost exertions & rendering service in my power.
I arrived there between 8 & 9 & found Faram & a great number of the Company's People actively engaged. It was not however till between 11 & 12 that the Coach was got up with one of the Passengers, & the Horse.
Immediately on my arrival on the spot, I sent for the Constable of the Township John Beresford, & dispatched two Messengers to get surgical assistance, in order that a . . .arrived might be had when the Bodies were found & we also provided from the [Lawton] houses Blankets etc.
On one of the Bodies being found, I had it conveyed to the first House, & had got it undressed, where Mr. Holland of Sandbach arrived, & to whose care I committed it, I took an Account of & delivered to the Constable the money & other articles in the pockets, & about the person of the deceased, who from the observation upon a Note, I found to be a Mr. [Bennett], but as there was no place of abode mentioned, I could not tell his residence.
The Guard, who had himself had a most providential escape, having been carried by the violence of the current through the Crash of the Bridge, & a considerable way down the Stream but fortunately got hold of some Alder Bushes said the two passengers had taken the Coach from Birmingham & that one was from Liverpool & the other from Manchester but he could not tell which was which.
The name of the other Gentleman lost was [Trueman]. After leaving Mr. [Bennetts] body I went again to the Bridge, & not long after returned to the House to see how things were going on, where I met Mr. Holland who said that after having been so many hours under water, all attempts to restore . . .were entirely useless. Life having been long expired but if I wished it he would use all the proper means. I desired him not to lose a moment in doing this, as however fruitless, it might still seem to afford the greatest consolation to the [Friends] of the deceased, by satisfying them that human endeavour & assistance had been afforded.
He then assured me that he would continue his efforts, & performed the proper [Observation] & he also gave me his assurance that he would wait till the other Body was found & [resume] the same cause, & that he would report to me.
Having given directions to the People to continue their efforts to find the other body, & having been nearly three Hours standing on the wet ground. I thought it prudent to return home & direct the Constable to come to me, in the evening bringing the papers, which we had found in the pocket of the deceased together with any further information that he could obtain relative to him & his unfortunate companion, & that I would then write accordingly to their Friends.
A more distressing & miserable morning I scarcely encompassed. Revd. Mr. Mainwaring, Mr. Morris etc. came sometime after upon the Spot. In the evening John Beresford came & informed me that notwithstanding every endeavour had been used the other body was not yet found.
He brought the papers which upon more careful examination led me to conclude that Mr. Bennett was from Liverpool. John B. said Mr. Cooper had written both to Birmingham & Liverpool directing enquiry to be made about the unfortunate persons, but I desired him to call upon Mr. Cooper on his return with my recommendation that he would immediately go himself to Liverpool & Manchester to find out who they were & communicate the intelligence . . .& properly to their Friends.
I also directed John B. to keep watch himself, or direct some proper person to watch till the Body was found to take care of it in what way found about the person etc. & go as early as he could to [Knutsford] tomorrow morning to give Notice to the Coroner (Mr. Hollins) of what had happened. Received by the Post Letter from [Alex] Reid & Co.
Saturday 12th September 1829
Went again to the Bridge & on my way met the Father in Law & another relation of Mr. Trueman, whose body had not long before been found after a considerable time below the bridge. I did not speak to the older person, not knowing who he was, but the other following was a short distance with Mr. Cooper, addressed me & expressed in the strongest terms their thankfulness for my attention & the service I had rendered & also for the great exertions made by James Faram & all the Men employed under him.
I thought it right to call at the Cottage where the Bodies lay which I when looked at, found that they were very neatly & properly laid out for the inspection of the Coroner & the Jury. Happened that Mr. Trueman was a Tradesman (a Draper) from Walsall, about 45 years of age & had left a wife & 5 children.
On my return I called again at Mr. Coopers to enquire whether I could render any further Service to the Friends of the deceased, when the Father in Law came out & again expressed in the strongest terms their gratitude for what I had done & said it was their greatest consolation to feel so assured as they did, that nothing had been omitted.
He said the deceased was a smart worthy & respectable man, & would be an unspeakable Loss to his Family. I now learnt from Mr. Cooper that the Son of Mr. Bennett had just before arrived, & that I must have met him as he was gone down to the body of his Father. He said he had not yet learnt any particulars respecting Mr. Bennett. I desired him to make the same offer to this Gentleman of any further service in my power as I had desired him to do in the case of the . . .and so echoed my share in this melancholy business.
In the evening received from Mr. Landor the Draft of the Appeal agreement the Burslem considered Poor Rate, with observations made by Sir George Chetwynd, & a request that I would peruse & settle the Draft.
Sunday 13.
On sending down to John Beresford this morning I was informed that the Coroners Inquest had sat last night, & that the bodies had been taken home this morning by the respected friends.
Service. In the evening James Faram ( to whom I was just sending) called to report to me the structure of the temporary wooden Bridge which had been thereon . . .the [Brookhurst Lynbank] which being by no means satisfactory. I desired him to look at it again carefully tomorrow morning as early as possible & afterwards call upon me, when I would if necessary communicate with Mr. Wilbraham upon the subject.
He said Mr. [Sherwin] the Surveyor of the Road speaking of the old Bridge acknowledged that he had no knowledge of the construction of Bridges, however competent he might be to make Roads. Faram said the second Body had not fallen out of the Coach when they were raising it. Mr. Bennett was found sitting on the Bottom of the Coach with his [feet] to the door. He did not think much effort could have been made by the other Passengers to extricate the Sufferers, there being no time for it, & did I myself understand this from what he said to me.
Monday 14th September 1829
James Faram came early bringing a Plan of the temporary Bridge which appeared to me to be so insufficient that I desired him to call upon Mr. Willbraham to whom I wrote a Letter, with this Plan & another showing how the bridge ought to be constructed. Afterwards engaged perusing & considering the Draft of the Consall Forge & Case for my perusal & consideration. Closely engaged on Navigation business almost the whole of the day. James Faram sent me word that Mr. Wilbraham had directed everything to be done for the security of the Bridge as recommended.
Tuesday 15th September 1829
Wrote to Mr. [Landor] with the Draft of the Notice of the Appeal which I returned by the Mail. Received Letter from Mr. Williamson with large plan of his Mines in Harecastle Tunnel for my inspection, & wrote to him acknowledging the receipt of the same. Mr. Brody for my opinion upon the Will of Stamford dined. Received Letter from John Trubshaw with Statement relative to Knypersley Reservoir.
Wednesday 16th September 1829
Perused Consall Forge Case. Mr. & Mrs. Chas. Lawton called. Engaged on sundry matters. Fine day & promise of better weather.
Thursday 17th September 1829
Wrote to Mr. Vaughan. Called at Coopers, who informed me that the temporary Bridge had been made from property in use under the direction of James Faram by order of Mr. Wilbraham. Saw Wm. Faram at the Red Bull, where I also called, who informed me that Reid & Co were making great efforts to drain the [Trade] off the Canal via Anderton. Called also at Red Bull Wharf. Mr. Randle, Mrs. Wilbraham & Miss [Sybill], Mr. & Mrs. Kinnersley & Dr. Johnstone of Birmingham (who was on a visit to Mr. Kinnersley), Mrs. Chas. Lawton, Revd. Mr. Mainwaring & Stamford dined. Weather again changed to Rain in the evening.
Friday 18th September 1829
Rain in the night. Perused again the Consall Forge Case, & wrote to John Trubshaw for further information relative to the Flint Mines. "Men are proud and not unreasonably, of an illustrious Ancestry, but to those who have achieved their own admonishment in the face of such disadvantages as many have had to struggle with the obscenity of their origin is their most honourable distinction; nor can anything be weaker or more absurd than the vanity which has laid some distinguished Men of humble birth to conceal their real extraction from the world." Men. . .. Pursuit of Knowledge.
Received by Post Letter from Mr. Vaughan with further satisfactory Accounts of Knypersley Reservoir. Considered again the Provision in the Acts of Parliament relative to Coal Mines preparatory to seeing again Mr. R. Heath respecting Mr. Williamson's Harecastle Mines. Eliza called upon the Ladies at Rode Heath.
Saturday 19th September 1829
At home. Made further observations in writing relative to the Mines in Harecastle old Tunnel. Fair day, but the Oats not sufficiently dry to be carried.
Sunday 20th September 1829
Service. Received by the Post Letters from Mr. [Blount], relative to the proposed Canal Communication with the Navigation Services at Caldon Lowe, from Mr. Wedgwood relative to Knypersley Reservoir & from Mr. Randle Wilbraham relative to Badgers on the Brereton Green Road which, in consequence of the late accident, I surrendered being examined. In the morning Rain again. It was good advice that M. . . .gave in one of his Letters to a Friend : " Fear God, and think of yourself every day as about to die."
Monday 21st September 1829
Wrote to Mr. [Blount] in reply to his Letter: also to Mr. Randle Wilbraham. In consequence of Mr. Wedgwood's' Letter, wrote to John Trubshaw requesting to see him here. Complaint in one of my Eyes. Viewed again with Saml. Beardmore. Daniel on the injury done water from the Colliery, when Daniel said he understood that Mr. & Mrs. Eardley had settled the matter with me, but that not being so, he would immediately speak to him again about it. Turned the three feeding Cows onto the Land on the other side the Turnpike Road.
Tuesday 22nd September 1829
My Eyes so troublesome accompanied with pain in the heart, so to make reading & writing equally inconvenient. Rain again, which prevented any thing being done with the Oats.
Wednesday 23rd September 1829
Eyes & head still painful. John Trubshaw came early, & with whom closely engaged the greatest part of the Morning, relative to Knypersley Reservoir, Consall Forge Case & the proposed Tunnel Communication with the Limestone Quarries at Caldon Lowe. Wrote to Mr. James Trubshaw requesting him to inspect the Reservoir, & inviting him to come afterwards to Linley Wood. The day fine, but on examining the Oats found they were not quite dry enough to carry.
Thursday 24th September 1829
Considered again Mr. Blount's Letter relative to the Limestone Communication, & wrote to John Trubshaw for sundry further particulars. Perused & Copied afresh for insertion in the Book. The Minutes of the proceedings of the Sel. Comm. & Committee at their last Meetings. The day proving fine, busy carrying Oats, after much the most wet & unkindly harvest that I can remember.
Friday 25th September 1829
Went to [Kidison] to confer with Mr. Rob. Heath on the subject of Mr. Williamson's Newcastle Mines, but he being from home I left a Message desiring to see him when it was convenient. Saw Wm. Faram to enquire from him the price of Tunnelling through Rock such as that at Caldon Lowe, & which, having consulted Mr. Pritchard, he afterwards started at £8 or £10 per yard forwards for a Tunnel of 9 feet by 9 being the dimension of that proposed by [Mr. Blount].
Finished carrying the Oats. When at [Kidison], saw Mr. Williams who again informed me that every thing was in such . . .in the Lawton business, & that they should certainly go to Parliament the next Session, & complete my Title & that he would state the particulars as to the completion of my Title. Mr. Tomlinson, Mr. & Mrs. Wedgwood, Eliza Wedgwood & Stamford dined.
Saturday 26th September 1829
Mr. Vaughan came, & with whom engaged a considerable time on Navigation Business. Returned to him the Copy of the Minutes of the last Select & General Comm. Meeting previously in the Book. Weather which had been fair the last 3 or 4 days again changed to Rain. The Wedgwood's went; the Carriage taking them to Newcastle, & Stamford went to Macclesfield. Rain again.
Sunday 27th September 1829
Service. Showery & constant.
Monday 28th September 1829
Perused Settlement made over the Marriage of Mrs. Hudson & other Deeds relating to her property at Audley, & advising her thereon. Considered the Plan delivered by Mr. Williamson of his Mines in Harecastle Hills preparatory to conferring with Mr. Robert Heath.
Weather the same as yesterday, & the ground quite saturated with wet. Stamford brought for my perusal the Copy of so much of the Acts Consolidation Bill as was ready, & conferred with him thereon. He staid to dinner, & returned home in the evening. Examined Mr. Kinnersley's Cash Book from January 1829 to this day, & found the same correct.
Tuesday 29th September 1829
Received invitation from the Mayor of Newcastle to dine with him on Tuesday the 6. Oct., & which I accepted. Perused the Copy of the Acts Consolidation Bill left with me recently by Stamford.
An astonishing work of Art the difference between muse rarity & intrinsic worth cannot be too strongly marked, or frequently repeated as the want of this discrimination . . .their progress, by helping us too intent upon nominal & . . .in value & too regardless of those real . . .which should alone engage the attention of Men of Taste.
Dined Lawton Hall with a large Party, Mr. & Mrs. John Crewe of Manchester, Mr. & Mrs. Kinnersley, Mr. & Mrs. Tipping, Revd. Mr. & Mrs. Wood, Mrs. Simpson, Mr. Mainwaring & J. Caldwell. We had some Singers (Weavers from Nottingham, who from the want of work were travelling about the country) who after dinner interested & indeed gratified us much by their singing served . . .or Glees in so good tune, & their voices so well harmonized as to produce the effect of wind instruments. They reminded me of the Tyrolean Singers where a year or two ago attracted much attention: I thought by no means equal to them in power or execution, yet I thought full as pleasing & agreeable. The Hunting Chorus from . . .was sung particularly well. The Tenors & Bass very good.
Wednesday 30th September 1829
Went to Newcastle with Eliza. Called & conferred with Mr. Williamson relative to the Burslem Appeal & other matters. On my return received by the Post Letter from Sir George Chetwynd on Navigation business. Fine day, but night frosty.
October
James Caldwell correspondence
Oct 1st 1829
Vote of General Assembly. The Preparations of the Trent and Mersey Navigation.
Trent & MerseyCanal
General Assembly 1st December 1829
Resolved.
That this Assembly is fully sensible of the valuable and important services rendered to this Company by Mr Caldwell, the Chairman of the Select Committee, and that he be requested to accept the Sum of Five Hundred Guineas, in addition to the Sum annually allowed him as a testimony of our high opinion of his services during the last three years.
Diary of James Caldwell
Thursday 1st October 1829
Wrote to Mr. Wilkinson, in consequence of Sir George 's Letter relative to the Burslem Appeal. Engaged on the Farm. Remarkably fine Autumnal day, but the Leaves falling fast.
Friday 2nd October 1829
Perused & considered again several parts of the Draft Consolidation Bill. Eyes again troublesome. Received by Post Letter from Mr. James Trubshaw accepting my invitation to dine here after his survey of Knypersley Reservoir on Monday next. Weather again changed to Rain.
Saturday 3rd October 1829
Wrote to Mr. Wilkinson to enquire the result of the Meeting held at Stone yesterday, relative to the Burslem Poor Rate previous to writing to Sir George Chetwynd. Sent the Letter by Samuel Jones, & on receiving Mr. Wilkinson's Reply wrote to Sir George. Eyes still troublesome. Rain.
Sunday 4th October 1829
Service.
Monday 5th October 1829
Eyes still very troublesome. Engaged all morning selecting & assaying various papers. Mr. James Trubshaw came early in the afternoon, & with whom engaged closely on Navigation business, particularly Knypersley Reservoir, the proposed Tunnel at Caldon Lowe, improvement of the present Railway etc. He staid to dinner, but went in the evening being engaged to attend some experiments intended to be made by Mr. Stevenson of his Locomotive Steam Engine tomorrow morning at Rainhill, upon the Manchester & Liverpool Railway.
Tuesday 6th October 1829
Wrote & sent the Letter by Samuel Jones to Mr. [Grant] of Leek at the Bulls Head, Congleton, informing him that Stamford would be at home the latter end of this week. Dined with the late Mayor of Newcastle & a large Party, on his going out of office, at the Castle Inn, & where I heard of the sudden death by Apoplexy of Mr. Spode of Stoke this morning about 12 o'clock.
Mr. Ward who was one of the party at dinner offered me the Stoney fields property at £5500. On my arrival at home in the evening found Miss Stamford who had returned from her sad excursion. Rain. Mr. . . .said he attributed the [super inequality] of the Caldon Lowe Limestone for the smelting of iron, to its being pure from & without any [insurrector] other mixture or infragnation.
Wednesday 7th October 1829
Mr. William Faram came, & with whom considered the making of a short deviation of the Turnpike Road from the Lawton Arms to the Canal Bridge on Rode Heath, in order to do away with the obstruction arising from the Aqueduct at [Chells] Hill so heavily & justly complained of, but which does not admit of being altered. Heavy Rain. Received by the Post Letter from Mr. Wilkinson with Copy of Mr. [MacMahons] opinion on the Burslem Appeal Case for my perusal & Consideration, & mentioning that Sir George thought the matter of so great importance as to render a Meeting of the Select committee experiment.
Page 15. 1829 October
Thursday 8th October 1829
Perused & considered Mr. MacMahon's opinion sent me by Mr. Wilkinson with the other Letters & papers relating to the Burslem Appeal Case.
Received invitation from Mr. Twemlow of Betley Court to dine there on Wednesday next.
Mr. Wilkinson soon after came, bringing with him a printed Copy of the Notice of Appeal, with a Letter from Mr. Landor, requesting him to consult me on the expediency of abandoning the present Appeal, entering a fresh Appeal against the next Rate, & which, finding that there was no probability of our being able to pressure the necessary evidence in time for the ensuing Sessions, I agreed with Mr. Wilkinson in thinking would be the best course, in case the Burslem People would not agree to despite the fresh Appeal, & for which purpose Mr. W. said he would again apply to them.
Friday 9th October 1829
Mr. Vaughan came to consult me on several matters, particularly as to an Application being made to the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal Company, for a Revaluation of the Tonnage upon Caldon Lowe Limestone going to the Iron works in the South of Staffordshire, & whom I undertook to write to Mr. [Littleton] upon the subject, & sketched out a Letter which Mr. Vaughan approved.
In the evening Wm. Faram came, relating to his attending the experiments with the Locomotive Engines at Rainhill tomorrow morning, which I desired him to do, & to report thereon.
Received by Post Letter from Sir George Chetwynd relative to the Coventry Canal, Burslem Appeal etc. etc. expressing a hope not to be called to attend on Select Committee Meeting till after the 28 instant.
Saturday 10th October 1829
Perused & considered various Navigation Papers & Minutes & thinking it an early Meeting of the Sel. Committee proper not withstanding Sir George's Letter, wrote to Mr. Vaughan & requested him to write to Mr. Wedgwood & propose his Meeting at Stone on Friday next the 16th or Saturday the 17th, as most convenient to himself.
Wrote also to Mr.James Trubshaw & Mr. John Trubshaw desiring to be furnished with their Reports on Knypersley Reservoir & the Tunnel at Caldon Lowe, with more times. Wrote also to Mr. Rob. Heath being anxious to consult him further relative to Mr. Williamson's Mines, & when he appointed to come to Linley Wood on Monday next at 10 o'clock.
Leamington Spa Courier
Saturday 10 October 1829
Fashionable Movement.Arrivals at Regent Hotel
- - - Mr J. Stamford Caldwell, -
Diary of James Caldwell continues...
Sunday 11th October 1829
Eyes still very troublesome with considerable pain in the head & from which I had been suffering several days past. Service.
Monday 12th October 1829
Mr. Robert Heath came pursuant to Appointment relative to Mr. Williamsons Mines & after a . . .journey he took the plan delivered by Mr. Williamson, in order to make the necessary Calculations, & which he promised to bring to Linley Wood on Thursday morning next.
Went to Newcastle to speak to Mr. Williamson again relative to the Burslem Appeal, & other matters. Mr. F. Twemlow joined us, & with whom & Mr. M. Long conferred upon the subject & the proceedings sent to propose for obtaining a . . .of the . . .
On speaking afterwards on the general Affairs of the Canal, Mr. F. Twemlow, after a violent Tirade against the late Mr. Lister, said it had no evidence of the concern being conducted upon high [Gentleman] would be liberal Principles & Systems.
He professed & approved only the good old [Missive] of Trade. Look after yourselves. Indignant as I felt at their . . .sordid failing, this acknowledged yet wishing to [avail] invitation I sent reply that I thought the Proprietors had no reason to complain of their interests not being duly looked after, that he did not think the Canal Company were considered by the Country as at all deficient in taking care of their . . .but had . . . of the contrary.
The rift of F. Twemlow which I have long suspected, his conduct, this morning, fully revealed most truly can I say that my own object throughout has been, that the [Course] might be conducted in a manner equally just and liberal towards the Public & honourable, wise, and judicious as relevant to the Company that with . . .case, where any other system is adopted!!!
Saw Mr. Booth & requested him to give his opinion of the balance of the Stoney fields property, which he promised to furnish me with. Called upon Mr. Ward, & told him that I had wanted a valuation to be made, & as soon as I received it, I would I would give him a prediction of how the highest price that I would give.
Returned to dinner, Eliza having accompanied me in the Carriage, & called upon Mrs. Sparrow & Mrs. Wilkinson.
Tuesday 13th October 1829
Received Letter from John Trubshaw appointing to come to Linley Wood on Thursday Morning not with his Report relative to the proposed Caldon Lowe Tunnel, & of which he said he had received in Section from Mr. Blount.
Received also Letter from Mr. Vaughan, in consequence of which, Letters to him. Mr. Wedgwood, & Mr. Wilkinson, appointing Friday next for a Meeting of the Select Committee at Stone. Engaged on various Navigation Papers preparatory to such Meeting.
Wednesday 14th October 1829
Revised & completed Minutes of Business for Friday next. Received Letter from Mr. James Trubshaw relative to Knypersley Reservoir etc. & one from John Trubshaw appointing to come here tomorrow, also Letter from Sir George C. relative to Coventry Delegation etc.
Dined at Betley Court. Sir Thos. & Lady & Miss Boughey, Mr. & Mrs. Twemlow of Peats Wood, Mr. Wickstead & the Revd. Wm. [Clive]. Returned in the evening though I had engaged to stay all night, in consequence of my engagement tomorrow Morning with Mr Robert Heath & John Trubshaw.
Thursday 15th October 1829
John Trubshaw came bringing his Report on the propose Caldon Lowe Tunnel etc. & with whom engaged on this & other matters.
Mr. Robert Heath also came bringing his Valuation of Mr. Williamson's Coals necessary to be left for the production of the two Tunnels through Harecastle Hill. Engaged with Mr. Trubshaw & Mr. Heath the whole of the morning. Revd. & Mrs. John, Mrs. & Miss Lawton. Revd. Mr. & Mrs. Carter, Revd. Mr. Mainwaring & Stamford dined.
Friday 16th October 1829
Went to Stone, taking Mr. Wilkinson with me in the Carriage from Newcastle. Met Mr. Wedgwood & with whom engaged all day on Select Committee. Returned home in the evening with Mr. Wilkinson.
Saturday 17th October 1829
Wrote to Sir George stating to him what was done yesterday at the Meeting.
William Faram came, & who gave me an account of the Experiments with Locomotive Engines made last week at Rainhill, & which I had requested him to attend. His Report agreed with that made by Mr. James Trubshaw by Letter.
Mr. Booth came bringing with him his Valuation of the Stoney fields property. Afterwards rode with him over the Farm, & Lands in my own holding, to consult him about proposed Draining & the improvements, discussing also the Turnpike Gate at the Hollins.
Eliza received by the Post a Letter from Dr. Holland with the heart breaking intelligence of the Malady of our poor Emma!
Sunday 18th October 1829
Unwell. Service. Another & worse Account from Dr. Holland of my dear, my heart dear Emma. Oh what a Cloud threatens to involve in the deepest gloom all that remains to me of life!!!
Monday 19th October 1829
The same. Perused & considered again the Clauses in the Act of Parliament relative to the satisfaction to be made to . . . Stamford dined, & received from Mr. Wilkinson the Brief in the Burslem Appeal Case & which I spoke to Stamford upon.
Tuesday 20th October 1829
The same, which joined to the present distressed state of Mind prevented my attending Newcastle Sessions. Corrected & Copied afresh the Minutes of the last Select Committee Meeting for entry in the Book. A more favourable Account received by the Post of our poor Emma. Weather again turned to Rain, which prevented working in the Fallow.
Wednesday 21st October 1829
Selected & assigned sundry Navigation Papers, Letters etc. Rain almost the whole of the day. Another Letter from Dr. Holland confirming his last Account, but offering Little eventual hope or Comfort as to the primary Malady, & expressing our poor Girl's wish to see her mother as soon as she got home from Putney where she has been some time.
Page 18. 1829 October
Thursday 22nd October 1829
Received Letter from John Trubshaw relative to Knypersley Reservoir etc. & proposing some further Alterations for my consideration. Wrote to Mr. Balgary informing him that I should be at Derby on Friday the 30 instant, in order to settle Harrisons Case & business. Weather rather more favourable. No further Account from London. William Faram sent me the Model of the Double Locks now working on the Trent & Mersey Canal.
Friday 23rd October 1829
William Faram came & with whom inspected the Model & engaged a considerable time on Canal matters. Suggested to his consideration whether any means of practicability the spur of Boats upon Canals without Steam as by some application of Paddles etc. worked by a Wheel or Crank. Busy sowing wheat
Saturday 24th October 1829
William Faram came again to settle & discharge the Account for Stone had by Mr. Pritchard for the Companys part of the Macclesfield Canal. Considered with him again the subject of yesterday, when he said he would see me again in a few days. It appeared to us both that something useful might be done, possibly by wheels as the Stern of the Boat, worked by a crank etc. Fine day, & busy again sowing Wheat.
Sunday 25th October 1829
Service. Letter from Dr. Holland to Eliza with much the same account as the last of my poor Emma.
Monday 26th October 1829
Went to Newcastle. Called upon Mr. Wilkinson relative to the payment of the Lawton purchase Money for Land taken for the company's part of the Macclesfield Canal, Burslem Appeal, & saw Mr. Booth & made arrangements with him relative to attendance at the Meeting of the Trustees of the Newcastle Road on Thursday next respecting the Gates at the Hollins, payment of money for him & [Trespass] etc. Mr. Booth again sent that he could not advise me to give more for Stoney fields than £5000, which he thought was as much as it was worth. Called at Mr. Wards to have spoken to him upon the subject, but he was in London. Returned to Dinner. Found Stamford, who dined & staid all night.
Tuesday 27th October 1829
At home. Considered again the Clauses in the Acts of Parliament, & made further observations relative to the satisfaction to . . . Received by the Post invitation from Mr. Littleton to dine & sleep at . . .tomorrow, to meet Sir George Chetwynd & Mr. Wedgwood, & wrote to him declining my acceptance of it, I could not indeed go, being obliged to attend the Meeting of the Trustees of the Newcastle Turnpike Road on Thursday Morning.
Wednesday 28th October 1829
Wrote to Mr. Vaughan with the Minutes of the last Meeting of the Select Committee. Called at Lawton Hall, but Mr. C.L. was out. Still busy in the Fallow for Wheat, ploughing what was left . . .,getting up Potatoes etc. Selected & arranged Papers preparatory to attending Meeting of the Trustees of Newcastle Road tomorrow, & also the Papers in Harrison's business previous to going to Derby on Friday. Fine day, inclining to Frost.
Thursday 29th October 1829
Went to Newcastle attending with Mr. Booth Meeting of the Trustees of the Road when an order was made for payment of the Money for the Land taken from me, & for a Chain being substituted in place of the present Gate & Paling between the Toll House & the White Lion etc. etc. etc. On my arrival at home found Letters from Sir George Chetwynd, Mr. Vaughan & Mr. Landor, the latter to inform me that he & Mr. Wilkinson would come to Linley Wood tomorrow to confer with me respecting Parliamentary Notices being given for the starting of the Canal at [Stockley]. Being engaged to go to Derby tomorrow I sent Saml. Jones with a Letter to Mr. Wilkinson to say that I could see him & Mr. Landor as I passed through Newcastle.
Friday 30th October 1829
Set off on Journey to Derby on Harrison's Affairs. Met Mr. Landor by appointment at Newcastle & had a long conference with him & Mr. Wilkinson relative to the Parliamentary Notices proposed to be given of the Shortening of the Canal between Woodend & Shrewsbury Lock. Arrived at Derby about 5. Finding no Letter or Message from Mr. Balgary, sent to Mr. [Benbow],who came up in the evening, & with whom I had a long & not very satisfactory conversation relative to Mr. Balgary's Account.
Saturday 31st October 1829
Thinking it indispensably necessary to see Mr. Balgary. Wrote a note & sent it by a Messenger early this morning requesting to see him without fail. Mr. Barber breakfasted with me, & Mr. Balgary afterwards joined us. After much conversation the Account was drawn out, & entered in a Book, & Mr. Balgary paid me £400 on account of the Rents received by him, & the remainder being left us, his Lands title the Bill of Certs, Payments for Repairs etc. etc. were made & settled, all of which he expectedly assured me should be done by Christmas next & the Balance be then remitted. He made many apologies for his . . . in this business, & promised that it should never occur again, & expressing his help, to be continued in the receipt of the Rent. Sold the . . .& . . .public House in Derby, the present Rent of which is £16 a year to Mr. [Hill] the Tenant for £550, the money to be paid at Christmas next & the Title to be taken without any Guarantee from the Vendors, Mr. Balgary put the Agreement into writing & while Mr. Hill & I afterwards signed. Left Derby about 2, & arrived at Linley Wood to dinner about half past 7. Found Dr. Crompton & Henry, who had arrived today at Noon.
November
Sunday 1st November 1829
Service. Engaged with the Doctor etc.
Monday 2nd November 1829
Mr. Vaughan came to breakfast, & with whom engaged on Navigation business, preparatory to Meeting of the Select Committee at Birmingham. Afterwards engaged on Papers preparatory to seeing Wm. Faram, relative to a projected Branch Railway from the Manchester & Liverpool Railway to Runcorn. Dr. Crompton, Henry & J.S.C. engaged shooting.
Tuesday 3rd November 1829
William Faram came with whom much further conversation relative to some mechanical Means of painstakingly the [spread] of Boats upon Canals, & considered an idea which had occurred to him upon the subject. Considered also the projected Branch Railway from the Manchester & Liverpool Railway to Runcorn by a Tunnel under the River Mersey, & which he had communicated to me by a complicated Letter a few days ago. We were both of opinion that this work if carried as further than Runcorn, a Preston Board, would be highly beneficial to the Trent & Mersey Canal by keeping the London, Liverpool & Manchester Junction upon the present Line of Canals. Looked over papers preparatory to going to Birmingham. The Doctor, Henry & J.S.C. engaged shooting.
Wednesday 4th November 1829
After Breakfast the Doctor & his Son left us. Again engaged on Papers previous to setting off to Birmingham tomorrow morning. Sold the Chaise to (blank) for 46 cash.
Page 21. 1829 November
Thursday 5th November 1829
Set off to Birmingham. Took Mr. Vaughan from Stone, & arrived about half past 3. Dr. George & Mr. Wedgwood arrived not long after. In the evening engaged on business.
Friday 6th November 1829
The Delegates from Coventry, Miss Adams, Richard [Twiss] arrived about 11 o'clock, soon after which the Meeting took place & of which I was again chosen Chairman. Resolution came to be proved the next Session of Parliament with a Bill for making the proposed Shortening of the Canal between Woodland & [Shuthay] Wharf. In the evening saw Mr. John Lawrence, & to whom I fully expressed my Sentiments as to the course pursuant by the Warwick & Napton Canal Company the last Session.
Saturday 7th November 1829
After breakfast met on Select Committee, & where I was requested to confer with Lord Anson ( through whose Estate it would pass) relative to the proposed Deviation. Returned with Mr. Vaughan & arrived at Linley Wood between 7 & 8 , but found a distressing Account of my poor Emma.
Sunday 8th November 1829
Sent Letter to Lord Anson by the Post, requesting an appointment for waiting upon his Lordship. Stamford came to dinner, to whom I communicated an invitation from Sir George to bring the Consolidation Bill to Grendon Hall on Tuesday November 17, in order that they might look it over together.
Monday 9th November 1829
At home. Fatigued & unwell. Looked over & arranged Papers & Minutes relating to the late Meeting at Birmingham. Mr. Davenport came, to see Eliza as she was unwell.
Tuesday 10th November 1829
Went to Newcastle, taking Miss Stamford in the Carriage & Called upon Mr. Wilkinson relative to the proposed Parliamentary Proceedings, Burslem Poor Rate etc.
Wednesday 11th November 1829
William Faram came & with whom engaged on Navigation business. Received by Post Letter from Mr. Landor & one from Lord Anson in consequence of which I determined to go to Ranton Abbey, where he now is, tomorrow Morning his Lordship saying that his mind was quite made up not to give his consent to the Deviation.
Page 22. 1829 November
Thursday 12th November 1829
Went to Ranton Abbey, & had a long interview with Lord Anson, who repeated his decided opposition to the Deviation, but after I had explained & represented to him in the best manner I was able the mature & importance of the proposed improvement be at length very handsomely said, that he certainly would take the matter into further consideration. . . . received by Lord Anson with the greatest courtesy & inhumanity & had a great deal of conversation with him. He appeared to be well acquainted with the interests of his property, to be an intelligent, yet natural and gentleman like man. Finding on my arrival at Stone on Thursday morning that Lord Harrowby was at Sandon. I thought it proper if possible, to see his Lordship & sent a Message by Mr. Vaughan that I would, with his Lordship, permission, call upon him on my return from Lord Anson. Lord H. requested that I should dine at Sandon, but finding that I could not stay all night, he insisted on giving me the Meeting as Stone in the morning, instead of my coming out of my way so far as to Sandon.
Friday 13th November 1829
Engaged all morning with Mr. Vaughan examining the Cash Book etc. Lord Harrowby came about 12, though suffering under one of the severe headache to which he is liable. I stated to him all that had passed at Birmingham, the Arrangements & Notices for making the proposed shortening of the Canal, & the course which we had [promised] with respect to Lord Anson together with the result of my consultation with him all of which he fully approved, & thought Lord Anson had done all that could at present be expected. Arrived at Linley Wood to dinner.
Saturday 14th November 1829
Engaged on Navigation Papers previous to writing to Sir George Chetwynd by Stamford on his going to Grendon Hall to look over the Consideration Bill with Sir George. Stamford dined. Received Letter from Mr. [Beech] with statement of findings of the Coventry Canal [Proof]
Sunday 15th November 1829
At home. Service. A Poacher, John Elkin of Golden Hill taken in Swallow Moor Wood.
Page 23. 1829 November
Monday 16th November 1829
Finished & sent my Letter to Sir George Chetwynd by Stamford. Went to Newcastle, & met Mr. Wedgwood to whom I had written for that purpose, communicating to him the result of my interviews with Lord Anson & Lord Harrowby. Called at Mr. Ward's, but he was not at home. On my return found a Letter from Sir George Chetwynd & Mr. Landor. Mr. Wedgwood said that he did not understand the Allowance of £42 made to me by the Committee of which he was one, to [converse] then the current business of Chairman, & not extending the Parliamentary business, & that the 10 Gs. A day to the other members of the Select Committee was relative only to the regular attendances.
Tuesday 17th November 1829
Wrote Letters to Sir George Chetwynd & Mr. [Beech]. Received Letter from Wm. Bent with the Conveyances to Baddeley of [Mattheling] etc. part of Newcastle Brewery requesting my perusal of them on behalf of the Parties previous to . . .location of them. Mr. Booth came relative to sundry matters, & informed me that Mr. Smith declined selling me the small piece of Land adjoining Linley Lane, but would sell me this with the Land on the other side of the Lane if I chose to take it. Desired Mr. Booth to see Mr. Smith & inform him that I was willing to purchase the above on fair reasonable terms: but not to be considered as Accommodation Land. Mr. Booth dined.
Wednesday 18th November 1829
Unwell. Revised Papers & made Minutes of Business for the General Committee & General Assembly. Fine frosty day.
Thursday 19th November 1829
Revised & Copied afresh Minutes of Select Committee Meeting at Birmingham, for entry in the Book. Received Letter from Mr. Vaughan informing me that Mr. Thos. Salt had penned Monday next for meeting me at Stone to settle the Treasury Account. Engaged on the Farm. Mr. Wilbraham issued a . . .against John Elkin, the Witness having attended by appointment of Mr. W. at Sandbach. Fine with Frost.
Friday 20th November 1829
At home. Perused Deeds relating of Assignment & Conveyance to Mr. Baddeley of Leasehold & Freehold Buildings & Land, part of Newcastle Brewery property, which I had been desired by Mr. W. Bent to consider on behalf of himself & the other partner previous to the same being executed by them. Received Letter from Mr. Corbett of [Davenhall] relative to as Canal communication being made between the River Weaver & the Trent & Mersey Navigation, & looked over Letters & Papers to enable me to reply thereon.
Page 24. 1829 November
Saturday 21st November 1829
Wrote Letter to Mr. Corbett. Went to Newcastle with the Deeds relating to Baddeley's Purchase, suggested Alterations with the Covenant which Mr. Ward, on looking into Proceedings, found to be correct & adopted. . . .Mr. Ward, to inform the Parties interested that he could get a Purchase of the Stoney field property at £5000, the duty on the purchase money by dividend. Returned home to dinner. Frost going. Received by the Post Letter from Mr. Barker of Birmingham relation to Palmers Accounts, the several Canal Companies who took a part in opposing Mr. Eyre Lee's intended Bill at last Session of Parliament. Received Letter from Mr. [Beck] of Coventry relative to an Equalization of the Rates of Tonnage & Carriage upon the present Laws of Canals.
Sunday 22nd November 1829
At home. Service.
Monday 23rd
Went to Stone where I arrived about ½ past 10. Met Mr. Thos. Salt with whom & Mr. Vaughan engaged closely till nearly 4 o'clock examining & settling Treasurers Account, & completing with Mr. Vaughan the examination of the Cash Book. Perused likewise the Proceedings of the Committee & Select Committee since the last General Assembly, & met the necessary observations & explanation for the approaching Committee & General Assembly. Arrived at home to dinner between 7 & 8 o'clock.
Tuesday 24th November 1829
Wrote to Wm. Faram desiring him to furnish me with Reports upon the part of the Macclesfield Canal & the Middlewich Junction for the Committee General Assembly. Received by the Post Letter from Lord Anson signifying his decided objection to the proposed Deviation of the Canal.
Wednesday 25th November 1829
Wrote to Lord Anson, Sir George Chetwynd & Mr. Wedgwood. Wm. Faram came with whom engaged a long time relative to the proposed Railway from Norton to [Roughwood] the Junction with the River Weaver etc. when I desired him to make such enquiry & Survey as he might judge necessary respecting the [former], & to see me again on Friday or Saturday next. I suggested to him what had seemed to my own mind, that for giving . . .faulty to the . . . between Middlewich & Runcorn, advantage might be to have of this partt of the Canal being about Canal respect of proposing Boats of the 14 foot [Beam] & 30 Tons . . .& the required . . . of Steam Boats, or the application of machinery for expecting other Boats. This must be thought of. Mr. Roscoe & Eliza arrived to dinner. The Latter on her way to London to see our poor Emma.
Thursday 26th November 1829
Mr. Corbett of [D. . .] called & conferred with me relative to a communication between the River Weaver & the Canals, & communicated to me the [disposition] of the Trustees of the River to cooperate with the Proprietors of the Canal in the measure. Engaged afterwards on Navigation papers & . . .further Minutes for the Committee & General Assembly. Bad account from Dr. Holland of our poor Emma. Confirmed at night by Stamford who left London on Tuesday, & called here this evening.
Friday 27th November 1829
William Faram came to report to me his Survey of [Chat] Moss, where he found that the Rail Road had great difficulty to encounter owing to the Softness of the Moss etc. Thought the foundation of the Rail Road would not stand being made of Peat laid upon Peat etc. the Embankment being judged & the middle sinking before the Road is got to its proper height. The great [Promoter] of the Cheshire Railway from Newton to [Roughwood] is Mr. Bosson, who is concerned with the Trubshaw [Colliery] [consultant] with Faram the Communication with the Weaver etc. Steam Boats from Middlewich the use of which had occurred to me. Mr. Roscoe & Eliza set off to Birmingham. The Latter on her way to Waterloo Place. Mr. Booth came. Smith's Land, who would not now sell, unless he sold the Talk property along with it. Mr. Chas. Lawton called.
Saturday 28th November 1829
William Faram came again with whom engaged a long time considering the next means of competing with the proposed Rail Road, should the same be carried into execution. Afterwards engaged with John Trubshaw relative to Knypersley Reservoir, Caldon Low [Limestone] & the [Mermaid] which I had undertaken to pass out relation to an increase of his Salary etc. etc. Fully occupied by the above from 10 o'clock to nearly 3. Stamford came to dinner.
Sunday 29th November 1829
At home. Service.
Monday 30th November 1829
Went to Stone where closely engaged all day at the Meeting of the Committee. Lord Harrowby in the Chair.
December
Tuesday 1st December 1829
Attending Adjourned General Committee. In the Chair. Afterwards General Assembly. In the chair also. Having mentioned to Mr. Salt the compensation received from the Members of the Select Committee for their attendance on [Public] & other extra business during the last 2 or 3 years, & shown him a Statement of the same, he fully approved of my showing it to Mr. F. Twemlow which I willingly did, when he then expressed in the strongest terms their sense of the conjecture that could be done if a compensation were made to me. Mr. F. Twemlow then undertook to bring the matter before the General Assembly which he accordingly did in the absence of the Select Committee, & whom the sum of £500 was voted to me, with a very [necessary] expression of their Sense of the value & importance of my Services & as a testimony of their high opinion of them. Copy at the end of the Book. There being much business to attend to, the Select Committee agreed to stay all night, & meet tomorrow morning.
Wednesday 2nd December 1829
Attending Select Committee, & sat till near 2, after which I returned home, & arrived to dinner. Had the delight to find that a somewhat now favourable Account had been received of our poor Emma. Stamford dined. Found a Letter from Mr. Yates of [Cotton] respecting the injury that would be done to persons engaged in the Iron Trade in this part of the Country.
Thursday 3rd December 1829
Wrote to Mr. Yates, also to John Trubshaw relative to the Bridge at Shelton, at which Mr. Tomlinson had stated several Accidents to have lately happened, & already no alteration to be made. Mr. Hodgkinson & his assistant called relative to the Maps of Cheshire & Staffordshire intended to be published by Mr. [Bagent], when I showed them the Boundaries of the two Counties as the place & furnished them with, & sent further local information as was in my power. I subscribed to the Map of Cheshire, which they said would be published first, & if approved I might then subscribe for that of Staffordshire. We referred to [Greenwoods] Map in which they pointed out various . . . Harecastle Tunnel which is shown by a wavy line instead of a perfectly straight one is a shameful [circumstances]. They told me that on three maps ten different assessors were employed and in a report to [Limit] of my enquiry. [Sidney] Hall is the painful one, & who is . . .worked by his excellent [engraving] of Mountains.
Page 27. 1829 December
Friday 4th December 1829
Wrote to Mr. Corbett of Davenhall informing him that the Select Committee did not think any further steps expedient, at present, relative to a communication between the River Weaver & the Canal. Wrote also to Mr. Sneyd of Byrkley Lodge in reply to his Letter requesting to be informed of the Proceedings of the General Assembly etc. etc. Made Minutes of sundry matters for the Select Committee at their next Meeting. In the evening Mr. Eardley called relative to the Colliery Water, when after a great deal of idle perusing on his part. I told him again that if he went on with throwing the water upon my Land it would be at his peril, & that I could hold out no expectation that I would not immediately prove by Injunction to stop their work. If any propositions were made I should be ready to take it into consideration, but I neither could or would say more.
Saturday 5th December 1829
Went to the Red Bull and gave directions to William Faram to go to Chester & take a Copy of the Plan of the Roughwood & Newton intended Railway & of . . .a List of the Landowners. Wrote to Mr. John Caldwell, also to Mr. Sp. . . .also to Mr. Vaughan.
Sunday 6th December 1829
Service. Suffering again from my Eyes.
Monday 7th December 1829
At home. Eyes very troublesome so as to render reading or writing painful John . . .relative to the Turnpike & Highways in the Hamlet of Talk, & the liability of the Trustees of the former to repair.
Tuesday 8th December 1829
Received Letter from Mr. Vaughan inclosing copy of the Minutes of the proceedings of the Committee of General Assembly for my Revival. Also Letter from the Mayor of Newcastle requesting my attendance at a public Meeting of the Town & Neighbourhood in the Town Hall relative to the abolition of the use of climbing Boys in cleaning Chimneys.
Wednesday 9th December 1829
Went to Newcastle & attended the Public Meeting & spoke in support of measures long taken for suppressing the use of climbing Boys. Detained till late in the afternoon. In the evening engaged with Mr. Booth relative to the proceedings which had been taken against Watson of the White Lion by Hodgkinson of Congleton.
Thursday 10th December 1829
William Faram came with the Copy of the Plan of the projected Railway from Roughwood to Warrington & of the Book of Reference & inserted in the Clerk of the P. . .Officer and Charter, & with whom engaged a considerable time on this & other Navigation Business.
Wrote to Mr. Vaughan & sent my Letter by Wm. Faram. Wrote to Mr. Balgary of Derby, Miss Bennett & Mr. [Denry] of Burton upon Trent, from the latter two of whom I had received Letters on matters relating to some of the [Houses] on late Harrisons. Perused & considered a Case which had been proposed by Mr. . . .Solicitor of Congleton relation to Watson's Business. Mr. [Vaudray] & Mr. Booth afterwards came to dinner. Considered the matter with them, & the steps proposed to be taken.
Friday 11th December 1829
Engaged on papers preparatory to seeing Mr. Vaughan. Wrote to Mr. Barker of Birmingham relative to Palmers Account. Mr. Vaughan came before dinner with whom engaged. Also with Wm. Faram but having much to do with Mr. Vaughan I desired him to come again in the morning.
Saturday 12th December 1829
Engaged very closely all morning with Mr. Vaughan & who staid all night, & Wm. Faram. Wrote to Mr. Cririe of Manchester relative to the projected Railway from Warrington to Roughwood, & to Mr. Roscoe in reply to a Letter received from him relative to the projected Railway from Liverpool to Birmingham via Runcorn. Mr. Vaughan went about one o'clock. Wrote to Mr. Ward Solicitor of Congleton on Watson's business. Received by the Post Letter from Mr. Wedgwood inclosing a very long one from Mr. Blount relative to Caldon Lane Tunnel etc. Wrote to Mr James Trubshaw requesting him to survey the [Coventry].between Caldon & [Haywood] in order to maintain the predictability of a Rail Road being made between these places. Stamford dined, having been at Swallow Moor Wood & killed a Woodcock & a Pheasant.
Sunday 13th December 1829
At home. Service.
Monday 14th December 1829
Went to Newcastle to confer with Mr. Wilkinson relative to the Case to be proposed respecting the Cottages at Caldon Lowe claimed by Lord Harrowby, considered the matter with him, when he proposed to go to Stone to send for Papers etc. & make the necessary [Enquiries] tomorrow. Mr. Booth relative to Watson's Business on a Reference of the matter. On my return called at Watsons & left an [Authority] to be signed by him, to John Trubshaw to retain possession of the Effects determined by me to the 22 instant. Wrote to Mr. [Vaudray]& sent him a Copy of the Letter I had written to Mr. Ward.
Tuesday 15th December 1829
At home. Perused & considered various papers on the subject of Railway & their comparative advantages with Canals. Received Letters from Mr. Cririe of Manchester. Hodgkinson of Congleton came to obtain my [approbation] of the matter with Watson being left to Reference. Referred him to Mr. [Vaudray]
Wednesday 16th December 1829
At home. Desiring a Communication with the Members for the County of Chester proper, relative to the projected Railway from Warrington to Roughwood. Wrote to Mr. Davenport & Mr. Egerton thereon, & offering to attend therewith the Plan & Book of Reference. Watson called with Samuel Beardmore previous to going to Congleton to arrange with Mr. [Vaudray] relative to the Reference. Received in . . .Liverpool News paper & Railways.
Thursday 17th December 1829
Went to Sandbach to have made enquiry from Mr. Skerratt as to the sentiments of the Land owners in that neighbourhood respecting the proposed Warrington & Roughwood Rail way, & also to have spoken to him upon the Perlington affairs, but he was from home. Called upon Mr. Williams & Delivered back to him Mr. Telford's Plan of the Roads which he had lent me. Also relative to the fragment of the Navigation Purchase Money for Mr. Lawtons Land. Mr. Williams told me that everything was in readiness for going to Parliament in the next Session with the Lawton Estate Bill for the confirmation of my Title, & that he would in a few days send the necessary Papers to Mr. Tomlinson. On my return found Letter from Mr. Wedgwood inclosing a further one which he Demanded from Mr. Blount, with his answer for my perusal, & which I afterwards forwarded by the Post as desired by Mr. W. Mr. W. also sent me a Letter he had received from A. Marsh, on their Affairs. Received Letter from Mr. Barker of Birmingham relative to their Company joining with the Coventry & the Warwick Company on application to the Landowners in opposition to the proposed . . .Birmingham Canal. In my answer to Mr. Wedgwood's Letter I requested him to meet me at Newcastle tomorrow morning. Letter from Mr. Faram.
Friday 18th December 1829
In the night heavy snow had fallen. William Fara came, when he communicated to me his [narration] for the application of [Steam] in the . . .of Boats upon Canals, & to which his attention had, at my request, him of late directed I desired him to make sundry enquiries, as to the size, might explain of the necessary Engine etc. etc. & to see me again on Tuesday next week
Page 30. 1829 December
Friday 18th December 1829
. afterwards at Newcastle. Met Mr. Wedgwood at the Roebuck. Showed him Mr. Barkers Letter, & to whom I wrote signifying that this Company could join in the intended Application to the Landowners, but not engage . . .further. Conferred with him on various Navigation Business. We also saw Mr. Wilkinson relative to Lord Harrowby's claim to the Cottages etc. Found on my return an unfavourable Account of our poor Emma.
Saturday 19th December 1829
Engaged again on Railway Steam Navigation Papers, particularly those which should be relating to the project for the application of Steam in the Navigation of Boats upon Canals. Wrote long Letter to Sir George Chetwynd. Received by the Post Letters from Mr. Davenport, & Mr. Egerton, also from Mr. Lock, requesting information as to the progression of Tonnage on the T. &. M. Canal for the year 1820, to illustrate a Work intended when published on the external & internal . . .of the Country.
Sunday 20th December 1829
Wrote to Mr. Vaughan, sending also a Copy of Mr. Lock's Letter & desiring him to show it to Mr. Wedgwood. Service. Further unfavourable Account of our poor sufferer in Brook Street, a sad case! Received Letter by Post from Mr. Balgary.
Monday 21st December 1829
Wrote to Mr. Lock. Engaged on papers preparatory to seeing Wm. Faram, who had appointed to come here tomorrow.
Tuesday 22nd December 1829
Engaged again on papers, but Wm. Faram did not come. Received by the Post Letters from Mr. Wilkinson & Mr.Barker of Birmingham on Navigation Business. From Mr. Ward relative to Watsons Reference which he accepted.
Wednesday 23rd December 1829
William Faram came with whom engaged a long time relative to the Steam Boat invention, application to Landowners in Cheshire etc. Afterwards went to Newcastle to see Mr. Wilkinson & make the necessary arrangements with him. He suggested whether as Mr. [Hostage] was now at Burslem, it might not be proper to enquire from him what the River Weaver Company proposal to the respecting the Warrington & Roughwood Railway, & which I approved. Called at Mr. Wilsons relative to Watsons Reference, but he being from home I left the Case. On my return home found Mr. Skerratt & Bessy. Received by this Post Letter from Sir George Chetwynd. Thinking it proper to great against my misapprehension by Mr. [Hostage] of Mr. Wilkinson's application to him. Wrote a Note to Mr. Williamson & desired Samuel Jones to take & deliver it to Mr. Wilkinson early tomorrow morning.
Thursday 24th December 1829
Mr. Wilson called on his way to Congleton to attend the Reference to himself & Mr. [Galley] of Watsons Business. Mentioned to Mr. Wilson, Mr. Robert Heath as a proper Person to be named as . . .& of whom be highly approved. Engaged on sundry Papers. Received further Letter from Mr. Lock. Stamford came to dinner.
Friday 25th December 1829
William Faram came again bringing a Letter which he had received from Braithwaite & [Emson] relative to the price, dimensions etc. of their Steam Engines. Considered again with Mr.[Faram the proposed Application of Steam to Boats upon the Canals, when the practicability of the invention appeared more & more feasible, made various Calculations as to saving on expense etc. etc. Appointed Mr. F. to meet me at Mr. Wilkinson's Office tomorrow at 12, in order to make final arrangements Application to the Landowners in Cheshire relative to the Warrington & Roughwood Railway. Received Letter from Mr. Cririe proposing a Meeting with some Gentlemen who had been appointed on the part of the Macclesfield to confer with me relative to the Warrington & Roughwood Railway. Received Letter from Mr. Vaughan informing me that he had sent the Tonnage . . .to Mr. Lock. Stamford came.
Saturday 26th December 1829
Went to Newcastle agreeably to Appointment, but thinking it proper to confer with Mr. Wedgwood on the various matters now requiring consideration promised to them, but found Mr. Wedgwood was at Shrewsbury. Wrote to Mr. Vaughan & sent the Letter by a Messenger from Newcastle relative to the Account sent to Mr. Lock. 2 Stamford.
Sunday 27th December 1829
At home. Service. Wrote to Mr. Vaughan. Stamford.
Monday 28th December 1829
Went to Newcastle, & met Mr. Wedgwood with whom I had a long conference, & when we determined to visit the Macclesfield Canal Depot as had been proposed by them through Mr. Cririe. [Furnish]with Mr. Wilkinson to meet & Mr. Vaughan at his Office on Friday or Saturday next for Revision of the Bye Laws. Stamford went.
Tuesday 29th December 1829
Wrote to the Revd. Edward. [Stanley] proposing to meet the Macclesfield [Deputation] either on Tuesday or Wednesday next. [Walked] to the White Lion to speak to Watson relative to this Reference. Received from Mr. [Landor] Navigation Reports & other papers relating to the proposed cut at [Fandly] & the exorbitant Terms proposed by Lord Anson. Stamford.
Wednesday 30th December 1829
Perused & considered [Ni. . .Report, & Papers received from Mr.
December 30th December 1829
Landor & wrote to him returning the Report. Received by the Post Letter from Mr. Brundrett relative to the payment of money under the Will of Mrs. Simms, with a Copy of Mr. Bill's opinion. Also from Mr. Wilkinson appointing Saturday next for my meeting Mr. Vaughan at Newcastle to revive the Trent & Mersey Canal Bye Laws. Stamford went.
Thursday 31st December 1829
Engaged on papers relating to Mrs. Simms Money, & with Mr. Skerratt thereon, preparatory to Mr. Brundrett's Letter. Eliza Roscoe arrived from London.
Many thanks for the hours of transcribing put in by Ian Gwyneth Pearson who has helped make it possible to publish this information. This is a very large project and there are lots of pages yet to be transcribed. If you would like to volunteer to help with this project please contact JJ Heath-Caldwell jj@jjhc.info
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Heath-Caldwell All rights reserved.
Michael Heath-Caldwell M.Arch
Brisbane, Queensland
ph: 0412-78-70-74
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