Michael D.Heath-Caldwell M.Arch.

1797

 Margaret Skerrett (ne Caldwell) - 47/48 

Anne Caldwell of Nantwich  -  38/39 

Elizabeth Caldwell (Bessy) of Nantwich - 30/31 - sisters of James Caldwell

Hannah Stamford of Linley Wood - 43/44 - Elizabeth Caldwell's sister 

James Caldwell of Linley Wood – aged 37/38. 

Elizabeth Caldwell of Linley Wood – aged 42/43 

Hannah Caldwell (later Roscoe) – aged 11/12

Stamford Caldwell – aged 10/11

Mary Caldwell – aged 9/8 

Anne Marsh-Caldwell – aged 5/6 

Margaret Emma Caldwell (later Holland) – aged 4/5 

Catherine L. Caldwell – aged 2/3 

Letter to James Caldwell

To,

James Caldwell

At Linley Wood

Near Lawton, 5 [miles?]

Cheshire

Chorley

January 28^th 1797

Sir,

Your [Fav?] of the 17^th inst received, was glad to hear of you all being very well. As to myself, I have for a couple of months past been very much indisposed and stirred not much out of doors, and could for weeks not write at all, nor weigh Gold for about a fortnight past, been much better and do now stir out, up the street.

Have had some time ago great deafness in my ears which is very troublesome, that can scarce understand people when they talk to me and do not expect any relief than warmer weather comes on.

There has been here for months past a general sickness of various illnesses amongst most people, as the weather has been so severe. I do think you have judged right in purchasing the lands contiguous to your country seat; if you want any assistance of money or on the occasion, can do it for you any time.

All well at Chorley Hall. They desire their respects, my nephew is in Liverpool, expect his return on Monday next, and Doctor Crompton with him. What stay he will make we know not, they speak of Mr Francis coming soon for a few nights, my nephew sometimes ago began to build some walls in the yard but dropt proceeding farther at present for the winter season. He began it wrong end of the year for such operations.

Expect you visiting us sometime next summer and shall be glad to see you when convenient. It’s quite entertaining taking a circular journey and did last year, if I do, should do it to know your healths, should make a shorter stay than what I made last summer as I then saw all curiosities necessary. I need not to see them over again, shall be always glad to hear your good healths when at leisure to write to me; my dear respects to you all in general from,

Sir your humble servant,

Abraham Crompton Senior

Walhouse – 2 election letters on one page.. Many bits of page missing.

Letter to

James Caldwell

At Linley Wood

Near Lawton

Cheshire

Chorley  February 12^th 1797

Sir,

Was mighty glad to hear by Doctor Crompton of you all being in good healths, wish a continuance of it, they leave Chorley Hall in the morning to return to Derby, will spend a couple nights at Liverpool. My nephew and niece will company them thither for day or so longer.

Story in my Manchester newspaper this morning by Crowdry and Boden was the bad and shocking accident that lately happened near you at Burslem. When Niece Stamford visits Mrs Hardman at Manchester please send me without noticeing to others (your Family excepted), the names of all your children, birthdays and ages. Also the Inscription on the Tomb or monument near your garden.

Am not in the least hurry of them, but a letter sent by Niece Stamford, will afterwards be sent by Mrs Pilkington to Bolton and to me from there to Chorley. Relations with us are tolerable well and you will be informed by the Doctor. My respects &c to you all in general.

Am using my Pen by candlelight which I do not often do, am better considerably than what I was for some months past, my deafness very bad, that I can scarce understand people when they talk to me except I sit very near them, do not expect much amendment of them until warm weather comes on.

I am

Sir

Your humble servant

Abraham Crompton Senior.

Memoirs of Anne Marsh-Caldwell

Late February 1797

I have made a long pause in my writing and the thread of my ideas seems a good deal broken. I find, too, that my memory – it is now the year 1840 and I am 49 – seems lately to have lost a good deal of its lively power. Chills of age and fading of the spirits and faculties creeps apparently upon me – it may be that this is only a langour such as at many periods of my life has visited me – it may be that it is a sign of that decline from which there is no recovery… I find it difficult to assign any precise events to this date (1797).

14 February 1797

The only events I distinctly recollect and which I can refer to this year is that of Sir John Jervis’ and Lord St.Vincent’s victory. We were drinking tea at little Mr Sheret’s, the apothecary at Newcastle in his little upstairs parlour – and I remember the noise of crackers and squibs and the hollaing of the boys in the streets – and the coming out into the pitch-dark street, not a lamp or light of any kind, and getting into the chaise to come home. Soon after that we had an immensely tall man, Archer by name, to be a man-servant. I remember sitting upon his knee with Emma in the heather and his telling us riddles. He had been a servant of Sir John Jervis’s. Stamford once began in my hearing to tell a story that Archer told him about Sir John Jervis. I was sent away just as it began and to this day want to hear it ended.

Diary of James Caldwell

March 1797

Tel homme a du gont pour l'Architecture & sait depiner, il fera tres bien le plan & le dessein deinpalais; faites le . . . executer, s'il ne exait la coupe des primes & sil ne exait apeir ses fondemens, tout edifice s'ecrouler bientot,

Avant propos. Reveries de Comte de Saxe

18^th March 1797

At home. Gardening. Morning milder. Writing lessons. Sowed some of Pritchetts seeds. Neopolitan & Sardinian Brocoli; Vanderglins Borecole [Kale - from the french Du boerenkool, peasants cabbage]. Florentine Lettuce, Barcelona Lettuce & common coss(sic) Lettuces.

[Transcribers note. The following days and dates, which are transcribed as given, appear to give April 31 days!]

April 25th 1797

At Newcastle. Took the oaths as Deputy Lieutenant with Mr Mainwaring & Mr Headman.

April 26^th 1797

Mr & Mrs Lawton dined here. Heavy rain all day.

Wednesday 27^th April 1797 [?]

Turned 14 Sheep into the field before the House. Also 13 Gs. at Leek fair the 18th from which time they had been on the Stubble & Wheat. In the Evening changed them to the high grounds.

Thursday 27^th April 1797

At home. fine warm day. drawing, writing &c.

Friday 28^th April 1797

Do. busy in Accounts. Do. Do.

Saturday 29^th April 1797

Do. received at night some Mackerel by the Mail coach, which on being taken into the dark presented a most beautifully luminous appearance. The paper which had brushed them also produced the same effect and appeared to be flakes of an extremely fine blaze.

Sunday 30^th April 1797

At home. fine warm day.

May

Monday 1^st May 1797

At home. Cold. Hail & rain. Wind N.W. Alcock did not come. Busy in accounts.

Tuesday 2^nd May 1797

At home. Wet.

Wednesday 3^rd May 1797

Mr Wood came. went with him to the flint Mine. He staid to dinner & went home in the Evening. Long conversation on the subject of the Manufactory & the reduction of prices lately adopted. Weather showery but warm & pleasant . . .

Thursday 4^th May 1797

The extreme wetness of the weather prevented my attending the Deputy Lieutenancy Meeting at Trentham for the Muster of the provisional Cavalry. Engaged all morning with the Children's Musick, writing & accounts.

Friday 5^th May 1797

At home. Do.

Saturday 6^th May 1797

At Burslem. carried Eliza on the brown Mare.

Sunday 7^th May 1797

At home. weather still cold.

Monday 8^th May 1797

Dined at Butterton with Eliza. Mr Skerrett came. staid all night. At home.

Tuesday 9^th May 1797

Miss Stamford returned from London.

Wednesday 10^th May 1797

Do. Mr Skerrett returned this morning.

Thursday 11^th May 1797

Do:

Friday 12^th May 1797

At Burslem. Colliery business.

Saturday 13^th May 1797

Mr Blunt came. Staid all night. turned two cows out into the croft. One cost £10. the other 6 & 14 sheep into the field before the house.

Sunday 14^th May 1797

At home. Much rain all the last week, but the latter end dry. wind N.E.

Monday 15^th May 1797

At home. Engaged with Alcock &c.

Tuesday 16th May 1797

At home. Do. Violent rain with Thunder & Lightening.

Wednesday 17^th May 1797

At home. still wet. but mild & warm.

Wedgwood Archives

34-5916

13 November 1797

Letter from James Caldwell to Mr Byerley of Etruria regarding the estate of Thomas Wedgwood.