Michael D.Heath-Caldwell M.Arch.

1803

Margaret Skerrett (ne Caldwell ) - 53/54

Anne Caldwell of Nantwich  -  44/45 

Elizabeth Caldwell (Bessy) of Nantwich - 36/37 

Hannah Stamford of Linley Wood - 49/50 Elizabeth Caldwell's sister 

James Caldwell of Linley Wood - 42/43 

Elizabeth Caldwell (ne Stamford) of Linley Wood - 48/49 

Hannah Eliza Caldwell - (later Roscoe) - age 17/18 

James Stamford Caldwell - age - 16/17 

Mary Caldwell - age 13/14 

Ann Marsh-Caldwell -  age 11/12 

Margaret Emma Caldwell (later Holland) - age - 10/11

Catherine Louisa Caldwell - age  7/8

Diary of James Caldwell

 [Most of page blank, entries written at the bottom of the page. Month and year not shown but taken to be 1803, January]

Saturday 22^nd January 1803:

Col. & Mr Skerrett left us under a strong impression of the superior merit & accomplishment of the former who . . .[holds] fair to be a high military character.

Sunday 23 January 1803:

At home.

Monday 24 January 1803:

At home. Alcock. In the evening Dr & Miss Crompton & Edward Crompton.

Tuesday 25 January 1803:

At home.

Wednesday 26 January 1803:

Delivered to Mr Salmon the . . . [writings] belonging to Property late Amy Beresford.

Thursday 27 January 1803:

At home.

Friday 28 January 1803:

Do.

Saturday 29 January 1803:

Do. Miss Stamford & Ann with Edward Crompton set off to Birmingham.

Sunday 30 January 1803:

The Dr & Miss Crompton left us. The Dr & Edward in the course of the week killed 5 brace of birds.

Monday 31 January 1803:

At Newcastle on various matters. returned to dinner. Alcock.

February, 1803

Tuesday 1 February 1803:

At home. Engaged with the workmen at the Alteration of the Road at Holcots Cottage.

Wednesday 2 February 1803:

Do. Do.

Thursday 3 February 1803:

At Newcastle attending Agricultural Meeting. Elected President for the ensuing year. Sr. J Heathcote Vice. Staid at Newcastle all night.

Friday 4 February 1803:

Returned to dinner

Saturday 5 February 1803:

At Betley dining at Sir Thomas Fletchers Mr & Mrs Bayley. Called at Mr Broughton on his affairs & brought various papers to peruse.

Sunday 6 February 1803:

At home

Monday 7 February 1803:

Do. Engaged with workmen. Alcock.

Tuesday 8 February 1803:

Do. Do.

Wednesday 9 February 1803:

Do. Letter from Mr Jno. Gilbert stating the distressed situation of his affairs & requesting me to make an application on his behalf to his Uncle.

Thursday 10 February 1803:

Miss Bent & Mr Blunt dined. In the evening at Newcastle Assembly. Long discussion with Bent relative to the application making by the Common Brewers to obtain a transfer of the new Duties in Beer Ale &c to Malt. Determined not to take any active part.

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Friday 11 February 1803:

At home. Engaged with the workmen.

Saturday 12 February 1803:

Do. In the afternoon William Dale

Sunday 13 February 1803:

Do. William Bent dined

Monday 14 February 1803:

At Burslem. Alcock. Ashmore

Tuesday 15 February 1803:

 Do. Engaged with workmen at the water wheel which had suffered from being worked in the frost.

Wednesday 16 February 1803:

Do. In the evening late Miss Stamford & Ann returned from Birmingham.

Thursday 17 February 1803:

At home.

Friday 18 February 1803:

Do. Mr Wood came to dinner & staid all night. Conversation on Colliery &c.

Saturday 19 February 1803:

At Blurton with Mr Blunt looking over the grounds belonging to the Parsonage house in order to their being planted & improved. Dined at Mr Bents with Messrs Atkins, Sneyd, Halliday, Blunt & Sparrow & returned home at night.

Sunday 20 February 1803:

At home. Engaged as usual. Read the Review of Durnonts edition of Benthams Treatises on Legislation contained in the Appendix with the . . .[leading] principles of which I perfectly agree. He thinks that the public welfare is the only end, the only object of intrinsic value, and that political liberty is but a relative good, one of the means of the greatest of all arriving at this end.

That the best institution for any people is that to which it is accustomed, and that the existing government is the instrument by which amelioration is to be affected. That where good Laws prevail, the public Welfare may exist in a high degree, even if there is no political liberty; and that where most political liberty exists, if the Laws are bad, the people will necessarily be most miserable. In short, to preserve while correcting, to study circumstances, to humour ruling even if unreasonable prejudices, to prepare innovations so gradually that finally they appear not to be such, to avoid derangements of and shocks to property & power, not to disturb the channel of hopes and habits, to reform a basis without detriment to present interests – are the Lessons which he inculcates, and which seem to me to be founded on the true principles of political Justice to form the wisest & most beneficial practice in Legislation

Monday 21 February 1803:

At home. Engaged with Alcock & Mr Scott in the repair of the Piano forte, which on taking to pieces I found to be a much more delicate & complex piece of machinery than I had imagined.

Tuesday 20

[subsequent dates to Sunday 25 are transcribed as rendered incorrectly in the diary]:

Do. Do.

In this evenings Star in the report of Ld Ellenborough’s observations in the matter of the King agt. . . .[Bertagize], he said he took this distinction

“ If a person introduced another, who was innocent, to commit a crime, in order to be his accuser, that was a crime of the highest enormity a man could be guilty of. But if a man had been in the habitual course of committing crimes, and there was a difficulty of proving it and bringing him to punishment, from the manner in which they were committed, there was no impropriety in laying before him an inducement to an open disclosure, in order to prevent the future commission of such enormities; it was not only innocent, but doing a beneficial Service to Society.”

Wednesday 21 February 1803:

At home. Mr Bagley of the Wheelock called.

Thursday 22 February 1803:

At home. engaged Letter writing &c.

Friday 23 February 1803:

Do.

As I am at this time reading Paley’s Natural Theology to the children I was much pleased with the following extract in the Appendix to the Monthly Reviews from Professor Campers description of the Elephant as affording a striking instance of peculiar organization(sic) evincing Contrivance & design.

“In order to include the encephalon within proper bounds, and to allow a sufficient space for the insertion of muscles without loading the head with a weight of some matter, the tables are separated from each other, by a great number of bony partitions  

prolonged to the distance of several inches. The intervals filled by an infinity of little cells more or less spacious, communicate with the throat by means of the Eustachian tube, and are charged with air, instead of blood or marrow, which are generally found in the diploe(sic) of the mammalia. Perrault, Blair, and Daubinton have remarked this structure in the elephant, boar and other quadrupeds; but Mr Camper was the first to notice its analogy with the structure of the cranium in birds. The ostrich, the eagle, but above all, the owl tribe, particularly the screech owl, have the tables of the skull separated by numerous cells, perfectly similar to those which distinguish the elephant. The atmospheric air enters them in the same way; and this admirable mechanism, which birds particularly require to diminish the weight of their bones, was necessary to the elephant, in order to lighten its head, which would have otherwise have been much more heavy than that of any other quadruped.”

Description Anatomique d’un Elephant male

by Peter Camper. Paris 1802

In the evening proceeded with Paley.

Saturday 24 February 1803:

In the morning Mr R Cox Junr. relative to the letters which I had received from Mr J Gilbert of Newsfield respecting the distressed situation of his affairs & requesting my interference with his Uncle. Afterwards at Newcastle at the Brewery. & appointed to attend a Meeting of Public Brewers at Birmingham on Wednesday 9^th march, which Bent was particularly desirous for me to do. Returned to dinner. In the evening proceeded with Cecilia, which I have lately been reading up.

Sunday 25 February 1803:

At home. Engaged as usual. Remarkably high wind which tore up by the roots one of the Firs in the wood, N.W. In the evening proceeded in reading Paley. A reflexion (sic) 2. If there were no pain, could we, constituted as we are, be sensible of pleasure? And would there not be danger, that the most agreeable Sensations, if uninterrupted, & not contrasted with those of an opposite cast, might lead to that satiety which we so generally find to be the . . .[pari..t] of Ennui in the all the horrid train of imaginary evils, & not impregnantly terminating in tedium Vitae, & rendering human life more insupportable than the greatest accumulation of real & positive sufferings? It will perhaps be found, on attentive observations to be a fact that the evils of the imagination affect those chiefly who are more exempt from any positive calamity or distress.

Monday 28 February 1803:

[note return to correct dates] At home. Perusing Mr Broughtons Deed of Dissolution of partnership with St Tho. Broughton & various papers relating to Sales of his Estates previous to returning the same to Mr B. with my opinion thereon tomorrow. Sent for a Milch cow from the Brewery. Alcock.

March,

Tuesday 1 March 1803:

Morning very wet & stormy. Dined at Dodlespode. Mrs Mills. Long discussion with Mr Broughton on the partnership & other concerns. Returned in the Evening & found a Letter from the Revd. W. Atkinson of Catterick Yorkshire requesting some Deeds of Mr Yorks in order to their production on a Trial at York Assizes.

Wednesday 2 March 1803:

Engaged all morning selecting & making a short abstract of Mr Yorks Deeds previous to sending them to Mr Atkinson. Writing Letter to him &c & Mr William Hindley, to whom the Deeds were sent under cover to be forwarded from Manchester by the Leeds coach.

Thursday 3 March 1803:

At home. Boudarde. Mr Blunt to dinner.

Friday 4 March 1803:

Do. In the forenoon Mr Kinder with whom engaged all day.

Saturday 5 March 1803:

At Burslem with Mr Kinder, returned to dinner. Proposal by him for doing business for Mr C in America by Commission, but the plan not approved by Mr Wood.

Sunday 6 March 1803:

At home. In the Evening Mr Kinder left us.

Monday 7 March 1803:

Do. Alcock.

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Tuesday 8 March 1803:

Went on horseback to Newcastle and from thence in a Chaise with Mr Bent to Birmingham to attend a Meeting of the Common Brewers appointed to be held tomorrow at the Stork Tavern on various matters relating to the Porter trade. Spent the Evg. at Mr Jno. Lawrence’s.

Wednesday 9 March 1803:

Attending Meeting. Messrs Forrest (in the Chair) Worthington, Somerfield, Guddington, Lloyd, Jowle & selves.

Porter to be sold at 38/- at home to Dealers to which Carriage to be added. At 40/- to Publicans & Retailers.

Thursday 10 March 1803:

Returned home Bent, self & Mr Jowle. An acre of Cabbage will produce 70 Tons. Do. Turnips not more than 28 or 29.

Friday 11 March 1803:

At home. Mr Turnock & Mr Twemlow, relative to the security to be given by the latter for money agreed to be advanced by the former. Appointed to come tomorrow at 9 & bring the Deeds. Mr Penlington on his affairs, & the Lease of the . . . house at Rode proposed to be made to Mr Sherwin by Sr. Tho. Broughton & Mr Salmon. Appointed to meet Mr Salmon on Tuesday next at 11 at Rode on this business & the Accounts.

Saturday 12 March 1803:

Mr Twemlow & Mr Turnock perusing Deeds for them & advising them on the proper security, which they requested me to get prepared for them by Mr Martin against this day fortnight. Engaged at the Farm. Mr McEvoy. In the evening proceeded with Cecilia.

Sunday 13 March 1803:

At home. Mr Bent & Mr Walthall dined. Delvd. to the latter Mr Broughtons papers relative to Mr Edliston, & conversation thereon.

Monday 14 March 1803:

At Burslem. Bykers Colliery advising relative to the approaching Trial with Tolaright & appointed to meet the Witnesses & Mr Martin on Friday next to peruse the papers &c. Alcock.

Page 238

Tuesday 15 March 1803:

At Rode Heath, to here meet Mr Salmon on Mr Penlingtons affairs, but he did not come. In the evening recommended reading Gibbon.

Wednesday 16 March 1803:

Engaged all day planting at Holcotts & in various matters relating to the farm. Gibbon.

Thursday 17 March 1803:

Do. Boudarde. In the evening Mr Fritche.

Friday 18 March 1803:

At Burslem engaged the greatest part of the day & in examining witnesses & assisting Mr Martin in taking instructions for the Brief in the cause agt. Tolaright for getting Coals & throwing his mine water into Brows Land & which is expected to be tried at the ensuing Assizes. Dined at Mr Woods. Girls read in the Evening.

Saturday 19 March 1803:

Engaged all morning in planting & enlarging the plantation on the left going to the farm. In the afternoon planted with my own hand 12 larch about the Reservoir about 18 inches or 2 feet in heighth(sic). Stamford filled up with larch of the same size the opening in the wood occasioned by the blowing over of the firs. Agreed with Saml. Seymour to come into Henry Beassingtons place on the 15^th May next. Wages £25 or £26 at the end of the year at my option. In the evening read Cecilia.

Sunday 20 March 1803:

At home.

Monday 21 March 1803:

Do. Engaged with Mr Johnson of Congleton & Mr Tolaright Junr. relative to the Cause intended to be tried at Stafford & which at Mr Johnsons request I consented should stand over till the next Assizes in order to try whether it could not be settled by arbitration. Alcock.

Tuesday 22 March 1803:

At home. Engaged in the Grounds: Bad account from Nantwich of the illness of Ann.

Page 239

Wednesday 23 March 1803:

At home. Engaged in perusing & correcting 6 essays which I had received from Houghton on the subject of the material proofs of the immutability of the Soul, & which he had requested me to criticise previous to their being printed. In the evening drew the drat. of an address from the Mayor &c of Newcastle on the Kings escape from the late treasonable conspiracy.

Thursday 24 March 1803:

Engaged with the workmen laying out the road at Alcotts. John Burchall. Boudarde. In the afternoon engaged with Mr Ashmore & Beardmore relative to Alsager Estate. In the Evening read Gibbon.

Friday 25 March 1803:

Engaged again with the workmen at the Road. Mr & Mrs Hinchliffe & Mr Bover called. In the evening read Gibbon. Our whole family circle thrown into the greatest astonishment & distress by the intelligence which the Paper brought of the disgrace of Lt. Col.. Skerrett as expressed in the letter from the Adjutant Genl.

Saturday 26 March 1803:

At home engaged with the Labourers. In the afternoon on the business of Mr Turnock & Mr Twemlow when Monday Morning fixed for finishing it.

Sunday 27 March 1803:

At home.

Monday 28 March 1803:

In the morning early engaged with Mr Twemlow & Mr Turnock compleating their business. Mr Wedgwood of Bignall End requesting my attendance as a Commissioner at a Turnpike Meeting at Longport on Wednesday next. Afterwards at Newcastle pursuant to a Letter received from Mr Kinnersley & Investigating Mr Suttons Title to an Estate in Talk purchased by Mr K and on which closely engaged with Mr Sparrow several hours. Returned to dinner.

[Not labelled as such but this clearly continues on the next page as Tuesday 29^th] At Trentham attending Lieutenancy Meeting swearing in Militia Men. Sr. John

Page 240

Tuesday 29 March 1803:

Chetwode Mr Kinnersley & self. Returned with Mr Kinnersley & dined with him. Engaged on Militia business, and also with Messrs Sparrow Wood & T Wedgwood who came to consult with me on the Turnpike business. On my return found Mr Skerrett.

Wednesday 30 March 1803:

Engaged with Mr Skerrett on the unfortunate business of his nephew. Mr R Skerrett dined.

Printed note

Wednesday, 30^th March, 1803.

In Compliance with a respectable Requisition to me for the Purpose, I do hereby appoint a Meeting of the Inhabitants of this Borough, at the Guildhall, on Friday next, at Twelve O’clock, to take into Consideration the Propriety of Presenting a Congratulatory Address to His Majesty on his escape from the Treasonable Conspiracy formed against his Person and Government.

John Smith, Mayor.

Smith, Printer, Newcastle

Thursday 31 March 1803:

Mr S left us. At Burslem. breakfasted with Mr Wood, & afterwards attending Turnpike Meeting at Longport relative to the removal of Tunstall Toll Gate, when former order of Commissioners rescinded, & the gate which had been removed ordered to be re-erected in the old situation. Fatiguing day there being much heat & dispute, near 60 Commrs. being present & the weight falling a good deal upon me. Mr Skerrett left us in the morning.

April,

Friday 1 April 1803:

At Newcastle attending Meeting to consider of an Address to His Majesty when I moved the following which was seconded by Admiral Child & unanimously resolved upon and I was requested to present it to His Majesty as Recorder together with the members for the Borough. Dined at Mr Bents with the Mayor & Sparrow, & returned in the Evening. In the course of the day consultation with Mr R Skerrett on dissolution of his partnership concern with Hovitt & Loyle. Application from Mr Walthall Smith to act as an arbitrator in a matter at Cobridge, which I consented to.

Page 241

[blank]

Page 242

Saturday 2 April 1803:

At home. Engaged with Labourers. plastering &c.

Sunday 3 April 1803:

Do. Mr William Bent & Mr Cooke out of Lancashire relative to the Establishment by the latter of a weaving Manufactory.

Monday 4 April 1803:

At Burslem. Alcock.

Tuesday 5 April 1803:

[no entry]

Wednesday 6 April 1803:

Dined at Newcastle at Mr Bents Mr Gilbert &c. In the morning at Butterton on various matters & promised to dine tomorrow.

Thursday 7 April 1803:

At Butterton.

Friday 8 April 1803:

At home. Mr & Mrs Crompton of Chorley Hall, Mr . . .[Founce] & Mrs Poole came to breakfast & dined. Mr Skerrett

[rest of page blank]

Page 243

Tuesday 19 April 1803:

Set off to London with Eliza, in order to present to His Majesty the Newcastle under Lyme Address. Passed through Birmingham & slept at Warwick. After viewing the castle next morning proceeded by Edge hill to Stowe, where we dined & saw the Gardens &c. & slept at Aylesbury, where the accommodations very hard.

Next morning proceeded to London & arrived in New Millman Street about 4. Dined & left Eliza there & proceeded to take possession myself of our Quarters at Osbornes Hotel. The apartments at this Hotel very good; but the other accommodations indifferent.

Monday 25^th waited upon Mr Egerton in St. James Square & there being no Levee the following Wednesday appointed to go with him to St James’s on Wednesday 4^th May: on which day I met Sr. Robert Lawley who had come to Town, at Mr Egertons, from thence we proceeded accompanied by Mr Egerton Mr Wilbraham Egerton (it being his first appearance at Court) & a Sir . . . [Mar..] Sykes to the Levee.

The order of presenting an Address is as follows.

Having written your name &c on a common visiting Card & given it to the Gentleman who presents you, he delivers it to the Lord in Waiting, who announces you to the King, when he comes to the place where you stand in the Circle, this is a small space within which is the King attended only by the Lord in Waiting.

On the Lord in Waiting repeating your name, you deliver to him the Address, which you have all along kept in your hand, endorsed with the name of the place from whence, as well as by whom presented. The King then offers his hand, which gently raising you kiss, at the same time bending the Knee, but not so to touch the ground, & which is easily & firmly as well as commodiously done by throwing back the left Leg.

The King generally says a few words to the person presenting the Address & then moving on to the next, you are at liberty to retire, observing always to keep your face towards the Circle. The Levee was uncommonly crowded; and the press was so great as in getting out of a public place. I here saw . . . [Ardneossi] the french Ambassador and a great number of persons of the first destination, but whom it was impossible from the Crowd much to distinguish or observe.

I went to Court in a full Dress of black with broad hemmed muslin Ruffles, french handkerchief tied to resemble a stock, . . . , blue sword & buckles. As the form of the Hat a little varies, it is always best to enquire at one of the Hatters at the Court and of the Town. Large flat silk hats seemed to prevail. These seeming trifles I mention, because a previous knowledge of them saves much trouble. You wear gloves. Being in a Kind of second mourning, mine were grey kid.

The affair of going to Court, though appearing formidable to those who have never been there, is nothing at all, & rendered still more easy by the gracious, condescending & encouraging manner of his Majesty, which is of a kind to dispel all timidity & apprehension, the King was dressed in a full Sash of Regimentals, Scarlet faced with blue & which . . . & . . . & looked uncommonly well. The tone of his voice is remarkably pleasing & harmonious. He is a very fine looking man, & has the air & Carriage which one should expect in a Gentleman & a Prince.

A little Book which I bought entitled A picture on London is a very useful Companion & to this I refer for particulars of public places exhibitions &c &c of which it gives a pretty correct account. For a Carriage horse & Coachman I gave eight guineas per week. You are at no other expense whatever except you choose to give some gratuity to the Coachman to whom after the rate of about 1 shilling a day is handsome.

For a footman I paid a guinea a week for attendance, & a guinea a week for board wages. To the Servants at Osbornes . . . butler & Chambermaid I gave 2 guineas. We had 3 beds & had been there about a fortnight altogether, & myself a week previous. This was thought handsome. These little particulars I mention because after an absence from London, one is sometimes at a loss about them and they may be useful to refer to on future occasions.

Upon the whole we had a great deal of Amusement in London & were fully satisfied with the Journey. Amongst the finest things I heard or saw was the annual concert at the Kings Theatre for the benefit of decayed Musicians. The Messiah was performed in the first style of excellence & in which Mrs Billington sang with great applause. In the song, “I know that my Redeemer Liveth” she was encored by the King. Mrs Billington is an admirable singer & delighted me by her sweetness rapidity & precision; but I did not think her body of tone equal to Madam . . .[Mara]. there was a most brilliant & fashionable audience the King Queen & Princesses and almost the whole of the British Court with the French Princes. Mrs Billington was said never to have sung ancient musick so well.

Page 246

Eliza and I left London on Friday the [blank left] May & leaving Hannah & Bessy in Gower street & proceeded to Windsor to the Castle at which we stopped to see. From there to Oxford where we slept, Mr Fletcher spending the Evening with us. the next morning we took a view of the most remarkable things in Oxford, the Buildings &c &c of which are well worth observation, & came to Blenheim where we took the long tour of the park, thinking this preferable to the inside of the House. Slept at Hockley & the next day ion the Evening arrived again at Linley Wood.

[written in the margin next to the above entry]

Windsor is well worth seeing. There is a wonderful fine picture of the . . .; but upon the whole Windsor did not equal my expectations. At Oxford a stranger should go to the top of the Radcliffe library in order to have a view of the City. Fine picture in the gallery at Christ Church of the family of Annabel . . .[Garsacci] in a Butchers Shop.

Since my return I have been too much engaged to resume this journal but which I now propose continuing.

Lichfield April twenty two 1803

Thomas Fenton Esq

Newcastle under Lyme

Staffordshire

From Robert Lawley.

Canwell 22^nd April 1803

Dear Sir,

I have received a letter from Mr Bootle informing me that he has desired Mr Egerton to attend Mr Caldwell to the Levee’s. Perhaps in that case Mr Caldwell would excuse me going with him, as my strength does not increase in the proportion I could wish, and I really should dread the chance of renewing my illness by a journey to London.

Will you permit me to trouble you so far as to learn if this will not be very disagreeable to Mr Caldwell, or inattentive to the Burgesses of Newcastle, because if in either case you think it is, I am ready and determined to go at all events.

I have mislaid Mr Caldwell’s letter and therefore do not know his address, or else I certainly should write to him upon the subject; will you have the goodness to give my complements to him and inform him of what I have said, but beg him to say if he had rather I should accompany him.

I remain

Dear Sir

Your obedient servant,

Robert Lawley

Wednesday 25: [May]

Engaged at Lawton Moss & the Red bull on reference of a Cause in the Kings Bench Cox agt. Lowe relative to a right of way across new Inclosures. All day. examining witnesses &c. &c.

Thursday 26 May 1803:

At home. Unwell in consequence of having been wet yesterday. In the evening Mr Fritche.

Friday 27 May 1803:

Still very unwell. Inflammatory sore throat & fever. In the afternoon Mr Peak & Mr Ashley viewing the pair of Land in the front of the house, for laying down which I had claimed the premium offered by the Agricultural Society.

Saturday 28 May 1803:

Confined to my room.

Sunday 29 May 1803:

Do.

Page 247

Monday 30 May 1803:

Do.

Tuesday 31 May 1803:

Do.

June,

Wednesday 1 June 1803:

Do. Mr Wood relative to the intended reduction by the Minister in the duty of China ware from India & the opposition . . . made thereunto. Mr Bent.

Thursday 2 June 1803:

Do.

Friday 3 June 1803:

Do.

Saturday 4 June 1803:

Do. Went out for the first time, but much fatigued.

Sunday 5 June 1803:

Confined all day. In the afternoon Mr Wood.

Monday 6 June 1803:

Went out. Considerably better. Alcock. In the Evening received from Mr Brandon the Case, relative to the Accts of the late Mr Child of Cheadle & Mr & Mrs Bourne referred to Mr Bainbridge & self.

Tuesday 7 June 1803:

Perusing & considering the case received last night. Arranging various papers & Accounts. Mr William Cox with Mr Athertons opinion on the Lease from Mr Lawton to Messrs. . .[Leatherfield] &c. of the Trabshaw Colliery, & which coincided with the one I had myself given. Advising further on the business.

Wednesday 8 June 1803:

The anniversary of the happy day which united me with my Eliza: and with whom I have now spent nineteen years in the unvarying course of boundless confidence & tender affection, each succeeding year adding to their force, as remembrance her still continued to swell with added proofs of  recollected love.

“How sensibly do I feel the truth of the observation made by lord Avery; Whenever in step out of domestic life in search of felicity, we come back again disappointed, tired, and chagrined. One day passed under our own roof is worth a thousand in any other place. the noise and bustle, or, as they are foolishly called, the diversions of life, are despicable and tasteless, when we have once experienced the real delights of a fireside.”

Thursday 9 June 1803:

At home. Some return of my Complaint.

Friday 10 June 1803:

Do. Still very unwell.

Page 248

Saturday 11 June 1803:

At home

Sunday 12 June 1803:

Do. In the house all day.

Monday 13 June 1803:

Do. Better. Engaged perusing & considering Houghton’s Essays.

Tuesday 14 June 1803:

Do. Mr Skerrett.

Wednesday 15 June 1803:

Do.

Thursday 16 June 1803:

Do. Mr Jos. Wedgwood & Miss A Willett dined.

Friday 17 June 1803:

Do. Engaged in the Grounds. Recommend teaching the children writing & Accounts.

Saturday 18 June 1803:

Do. Miss Fletchers came to Linley.

Sunday 19 June 1803:

Do. Mr Bent dined. Long conversation relative to the Brewery &c

Monday 20 June 1803:

At Burslem. returned to dinner. Alcock.

Tuesday 21 June 1803:

At home. Mr Fritche came to dinner; In the afternoon Miss Fletchers left us.

Wednesday 22 June 1803

At Trentham attending Lieutenancy Meeting for balloting for Supplementary Militia Sr. Jno Chetwode St Jno. Heathcote Mr Steadman & self. Returned to dinner. Mr Hassell & Mr Shuttleworth relative to the completion of the Rochdale Canal & who dined with us. Subscribed 10 p Cent on my shares & consented for A Caldwell. After dinner Musick. Alcock & his son & Mr Fritche.

Thursday 23 June 1803:

A day of Musick: much of it very good & going off well. Alcock & his son left us about eleven at night.

Friday 24 June 1803:

Mr Fritche left us about 12. Mr Penlington on his affairs. Engaged Letter writing.

Saturday 25 June 1803:

In the morning Mr Morris relative to the intended road over Packhorse farm, when I finally offered to use my influence with Mr Penlingtons creditors to leave the whole business throughout, both which related to taking away the license & making the road, to Mr Borth. On asking Mr Morris in whom the new road had originated whether in the Trustees on the behalf of the Public, or in Mr Wilbraham, he replied certainly in Mr Wilbraham who had applied to the Commrs. for their consent & ever to make the road at his own expense. After we parted, Mr Morris returned, and said, that as he had understood me to enquire whether his application came from Mr Wilbraham, he desired to say that it did not, to which I replied that if that was the case I could not with propriety send any message to Mr Wilbraham, but Mr Morris was at Liberty to state what had passed between himself and me as a private conversation, by way of apprizing Mr Wilbraham of my sentiments. Of the result Mr Morris promised addl. information for my . . .

Sunday 26 June 1803:

Mr Penlington & his son dined. Engaged receiving Mr P rents. At home.

Monday 27 June 1803:

Do. Miss Wedgwood & Miss A Willett dined. Alcock.

Tuesday 28 June 1803:

At Stone attending Navigation Committee Meeting, returned at night. Miss W & Miss Willett gone.

Wednesday 29 June 1803:

Mr Cox & Mr Penlington. At Newcastle races. slept at Mr Bents. Long conversation with Mr Tomlinson relative to the Cause between the Burton O. & Wedgwood & Byerly respecting bad flint supplied by the former, in which a new trial had been obtained when I promised to peruse & consider the Brief & Case.

Thursday 30 June 1803:

Do, returned at night.

July,

Friday 1 July 1803:

At home. In the evening Mt Atkinson & Mr William Garnett

Saturday 2 July 1803:

Engaged with the Gentlemen who dined and afterwards left us. Received Brief from Mr Tomlinson. which perused.

Sunday 3 July 1803:

Mr & Mrs William Bent dined bringing Eliza. In the evening read again the Brief. Question important: but appearing to be mistated(sic) by the Judge (Graham)

Page 250

Monday 4 July 1803:

At home. Engaged perusing papers relative to the affairs of the late Mr Jno. Child on the reference of which I am to meet Mr Bairtrigge at Cheadle on Wednesday. Alcock.

Tuesday 5 July 1803:

At Trentham attending Lieutenancy Meeting swearing in supplementary Militia. Col. Elliott, Messrs Bowys, Whitworth, Steadman & self. Fatiguing day & detained till near nine o Clock when I set off to Cheadle. Engaged there till very late with Mr Brandon examining papers, Bills &c. preparatory to the business of the next day.

Wednesday 6 July 1803:

Engaged all day very closely on the reference: which was conducted satisfactorily to both parties: each expressing themselves in warm & strong terms towards me. Certainly a difficult & disagreeable business, & such as it was highly proper shd. be sincerely settled.

Thursday 7 July 1803:

Engaged till noon settling various particulars & giving instructions for the Award. To Newcastle, dined with Mr Sparrow Mr Heathcote Sneyd &c at the half yearly Club dinner. In the evening returned home, but much fatigued.

Friday 8 July 1803:

At home. Engaged on various matters all day.

Saturday 9 July 1803:

At Trentham again attending Lieutenancy Meeting Col Sneyd Mr Mainwaring, Steadman & self. Returned in the Evening. Eliza Miss Potts & Hannah dined at . . .[Maer]. on return from whence William had a fall from his horse & broke his finger

Sunday 10 July 1803:

At home. Mr Cox relative to the dispute with Mr Wilbraham.

Monday 11 July 1803:

Do. Mr Cox again. Mr Tomlinson all morning relative to the Cause to be tried at Leicester, perusing & considering Brief. Mr Blunt came to dinner.

Tuesday 12 July 1803:

At home. Writing long letter to Mr Bate relative to the Applicn. threatened to be made by Mr Wilbraham to the Sessions he having declined all my proposals of reference. Mr Wood & Mr Chaure with the Award on Childs affairs – examining Accts. &c. & executed the Award. Mr Penlington on various matters. Alcock.

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Wednesday 13 July 1803:

[no entry]

Thursday 14 July 1803:

[no entry]

Friday 15 July 1803:

At home. Mr Gilbert & Mr Bill called

Saturday 16 July 1803:

At Burslem. afterwards dined with Mr Gilbert. In the Evening Houghton arrived.

Sunday 17 July 1803:

At home. Bent dined. In the Evening Mr & Mrs Skerrett arrived on their annual visit.

Monday 18 July 1803:

Do.

Tuesday 19 July 1803:

At Trentham attending Lieutenancy Meeting, Began to mow.

Wednesday 20 July 1803:

At home. Engaged. Hay & harvest &c.

Thursday 21 July 1803:

Miss Stanford & Miss Pots left us. At home.

Friday 22 July 1803:

At Newcastle. returned by Bradwall. Engaged with Houghton and the Essays.

Saturday 23 July 1803:

At home. Messrs Gilbert, Sneyd, Sparrow & Bent dined. Houghton in the Evening said that he had received the following short method of finding the probable duration of life from a very . . . Calculator . . .

Subtract the age of the party from 86 & half the residue will be the probable duration for instance if the party be of the age of 50 the probability of life is 18 years.

                                         86

                           Subtract 50

                           Divide 2)36

                                         18

Sunday 24 July 1803:

At home.

Monday 25 July 1803:

Do, Engaged in the Hay Harvest. Alcock.

Tuesday 26 July 1803:

At Trentham attending first Lieutenancy Meeting under the Army of Reserve Act. Sr. Jno. Chetwode F Fletcher J G Heathcote Messrs Mainwaring, Col Sneyd, Cogney, Powys, Whitworth Steadman & self. Laborious & fatiguing day. Extreme heat. Returned to dinner at Linley abt. 7 in the Evening.

Wednesday 27 July 1803:

In the Morning called upon Mr Lawton who was from home. Engaged in the Harvest; but much overcome with the fatigue of yesterday. Writing Letter to Mr Tomlinson on the Leicester Cause.

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Thursday 28 July 1803:

Attending Public Meeting at Burslem relative to forming a Volunteer Corps. In the Chair. Framing Resolutions &c. &c. Great heat & fatigue. Returned to dinner. In the Evening Houghton left us on his road to Manchester. Much previous Conversation relative to the wish of Mr Dickinson & his other affairs & an affectionate parting. Eliza with Mr & Mrs Skerrett went to Newearth.

Friday 29 July 1803:

Engaged attending Haymakers. Mr & Mrs Watkiss of Wheelock Mr & Mrs Walthall & Mr Bent dined.

Saturday 30 July 1803:

Framing plan of a Volunteer Corps which I proposed raising & cloathing (sic). Engaged on various other matters.

Sunday 31 July 1803:

At home. Service usual. Miss Lawrence with Edward Crompton came to dinner. In the afternoon attending Meeting at Audley for making returns for Carts, horses &c. which was unanimously attended, & my offer of a Corps of Volunteers very well received. Drank tea at Mr Hickins. Mr Hickin in the course of conversation observed that the parish of Audley according to the late Census, contained about 4000 inhabitants, & that the population in an average was 7 to a House. Edward Crompton & the 2 Miss Lawrences came in the morning.

August,

Monday 1 August 1803:

At home Engaged all morning with Mr Skerrett on various matters. Alcock. In the evening Mr Skerrett left us.

Tuesday 2 August 1803:

At Trentham attending Ballot for the army of reserve. On my return dined at Mr Kinnersleys. At the Meeting received a very handsome Letter from Mrs Tollett desiring me to raise & clothe at her expense 35 Men to be added to my 25 in order to make a compleat(sic) Company of 60, the whole to be under my direction, or the same amount to be applied to any other plan that I might approve. Called at Mr Walthalls.

Wednesday 3 August 1803:

Mrs Skerrett returned accompanied by Eliza & Mary. At home. Engaged closely all  morning reading & considering the Act lately proposed for the defence of the Country and making very long extracts therefrom, to enable me to mature the plan for the Volunteers. Jno. Alcock came to dinner. In the Evening Eliza returned with Emma. In the evening answered Mrs Tolletts letter.

Thursday 4 August 1803:

Engaged again all morning drawing up Statement of the advantages of serving in Volunteer Corps, & the preferableness of this service to the Class service under the Act. Mr Keys. In the Evening Mr Gardiner relative to the Volunteer Corps when it was thought advisable that a short statement of the Volunteer & Class Service should be placed upon the Church Door the ensuing Sunday for the information of the Neighbourhood. Boudarde & Mr Scott returning the Testament.

Friday 5 August 1803:

In the morning engaged drawing such statement and on various other matters closely. At home all day.

Saturday 6 August 1803:

Mr William Bent dined. In the afternoon went up for the first time at Talk on the Hill when in a very short time 22 enrolled themselves which with 3 more who had promised to join made up my own Compliment compleat. Captain Halliday who had accommodated me with a dream, & had obligingly ridden down, pronounced them the finest set of men he had seen. He & Bent supped; and so commenced my military career.

Sunday 7 August 1803:

At home

Monday 8 August 1803:

Do. Jno. Alcock dined. In the afternoon went to Audley parading when the number of Volunteers increased to 41.

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Tuesday 9 August 1803:

Went to Trentham early & engaged all day at Lieutenancy Meeting, swearing in the Army of Reserve. A very laborious and fatiguing day. No appearance of any scarcity of Men, Money or Spirit. 20 Gns. the genl. price of a substitute; but 25 were asked.

Wednesday 10 August 1803:

At Burslem, attending a Meeting relative to the Volunteers, & afterwards attending the Enrolment, when upwards of 260 enrolled themselves. Many had put down their names before, so that the whole number today was supposed to be about 400. Out of the 260 whom I enrolled, I found on looking over the roll that 126 were unmarried Men of the age of 17 & under 30 years. Great appearances of loyalty & good will amongst the Men, & . . .[outright?] hatred of the French mission.

Thursday 11 August 1803:

Went to Stafford to attend as a special Juror in a Cause of Griffin & Beech, & also to attend a General Lieutenancy Meeting appointed to be held tomorrow. David privately with Mr Tho. Hill, J W Leigh. In the Evg. engaged with Peake & Mr Jervis.

Friday 12 August 1803:

Attending Lieutenancy Meeting very numerous and respectable; and afterwards attending & sworn in on the cause, but which was at length agreed to be referred. Returned in the Evening & found that Mr Fletcher had called, & proposed raising a joint Corps of Audley & Betley Volunteers.

Saturday 13 August 1803:

Finding that an Enrollment(sic) in writing had been sent into the Parish for Corps of Audley & Betley Volunteers, & that some of the persons who had enrolled with me might be thrown into an unpleasant situation, as well as uneasiness arise in the Parish if two parties were found I determined to sacrifice spirit to propriety and to release the persons who had enrolled with me, & have them at liberty to act as they should now judge best: & which I accordingly carried into effect at the Muster this Evening. In the course of the day Mr Cox & Mr Martin, relative to the park Lease proposed to be made to the former by Mr Lawton.

Sunday 14 August 1803:

Writing long letter to Mr Fletcher on the business of the Volunteers. At home.

Monday 15 August 1803:

Mr Fletcher & Mr Harding called to urge my taking Command of the Audley Corps. Engaged all morning closely, writing, and arranging various matters which the late great hurry of engagements had prevented my attending to. In the evening rode to Wheelock to call on Mr Bagley: but he was nor within. Called at the Watkins; & the Furnivalls.

Tuesday 16 August 1803:

At Burslem attending a Meeting of the Inhabitants relative to the Burslem Volunteers. In the Chair. Drawing up resolutions &c. a copy of which I was requested to transmit to Col. Sneyd. Returned to dinner, oppressed with heat & fatigue. In the afternoon engaged copying Resolution &c.

Wednesday 17 August 1803:

At home. Engaged on various matters particularly in writing Letter to Col. Sneyd at Windsor with the Burslem Resolutions.

Thursday 18 August 1803:

At Trentham attending Lieutenancy Meeting. Receiving Constable Lists of Inhabitants under the Defence Act. & swearing in Army of Reserve. Lord Granville Levison Sr. Jno. Chetwode Mr Fletcher. J Heathcote & ors. Staid to dinner with Mr Steadman & Lieut. Holliday having much business that of the Army of Reserve being taken by Mr Steadman & self.

Friday 19 August 1803:

At home. Sir Thomas & Lady Fletcher & family & Mr & Mrs Sneyd of Darlaston dined

Saturday 20 August 1803:

At Betley. Dining with Sr. Tho. Fletcher. Much conversation relative to the Volunteers &c. Declined taking any Command from the great purpose of business already on my hands; being fully as much as my time or health would allow me to get through.

Sunday 21 August 1803:

At home. Much indisposed with a bad cold.

Monday 22 August 1803:

Do. Do. Alcock. Closely engaged in settling private accounts &c.

Tuesday 23 August 1803:

At home in consequence of my cold which prevented my dining at Mrs Tollets, which I was engaged to do. Began cutting Oats in the square field adjoining Barlows land.

Wednesday 24 August 1803:

Do. At Newcastle Eliza accompany(sic) me on horseback. Drank tea at Basford.

Thursday 25 August 1803:

Mr & Mrs Hickin Mr Halliday & Mr Bent dined.

Friday 26 August 1803:

At Burslem in consequence of a Letter received last night from Lord Uxbridge notifying the acceptance of the Burslem Volunteers when I appointed a Meeting to be held on Monday next for the choice of Officers.

 Letter to Lord Uxbridge from James Caldwell

Lord Uxbridge

26 August 1803

Linley Wood nearNewcastle

26^th August 1803

My Lord,

I am unwilling to omit the very earliest opportunity of returning to your Lordship my most respectful acknowledgements for the letter which I had the honour to receive from your Lordship this morning, in consequence of Colonel Sneyd’s obliging communication of the Resolutions of the Inhabitants of Burslem; and I beg leave to inform your Lordship, that a Meeting has been appointed to be held, on Monday next, (being the earliest day that circumstances would admit) for the nomination of Officers, when, I flatter myself that a sufficient number of proper and respectable persons will be immediately found, to take the charge of three full and select Companies; and whose names I shall have the honour to transmit to your Lordship, for His Majesty’s approbation.

May I be permitted to assure your Lordship that the Inhabitants of Burslem, together with myself, most deeply and sensibly feel, the distinguished honour, as well as the high obligation, which your Lordship has been pleased to confer by so early and polite an attention to the intended Companies, and I have the honour to be, with the greatest respect,

My Lord,

Your Lordship’s most obedient

And

Most humble servant,

James Caldwell.

Earl of Uxbridge.

Diary of James Caldwell

Saturday 27 August 1803:

At Betley calling on Mrs Tollet, Sir Thomas Fletcher & Mr Broughton returned late to dinner.

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Sunday 28 August 1803:

In the morning Mr Bent relative to a request being sent to the Lord Lieutenant. proposing & desiring the appointment of Lord Grenville Levison to be  Brigade officer in this district of the County, when I promised to call in the morning on Mr Gilbert & Mr Carthill to obtain their signatures.

Monday 29 August 1803:

Called on Mr Gilbert & Mr Carthill. From thence to Newcastle attending with Mr Steadman on the reference Adams of Chiffory. Dined with Mr S at Mr Bents. From thence to Burslem attending a very numerous Meeting, when officers appointed for the Volunteer Corps. Detained till late.

Tuesday 30 August 1803:

At Trentham attending Lieutenancy Meeting. Swearing Army of Reserve & receiving Returns of  Arms under the Defence Act, On my return in the Evening, having been detained at Newcastle writing Letters to Lord Uxbridge & Col. Sneyd . . . the Burslem Resolutions, found Mr Gaskell & Miss Stamford.

Wednesday 31 August 1803:

At home engaged with Mr Gaskell. Alcock & his son. Musick.

September, 1803

Thursday 1 September 1803:

Do. Do. Carrying Oats Miss Harwood came to dinner. Engaged with the party. Stamford killed a brace of Birds & a Leveret.

Page 258

Friday 2 September 1803:

At home. looking over papers &c. previous to attending in reference tomorrow in the two Actions Coombes v Lloyd referred to me. & also engaged with Mr G.

Saturday 3 September 1803:

On my road to Newcastle met Mr Tollets steward with a message desiring my assistance in a dispute with the Tenant of the . . .[Lindy] Harbour Estate respecting Titles (Tithes?) taken in kind. when I called & settled the matter. From thence to the factory reviewing the premises in dispute in Coombes & Lloyd. Attending all morning & till late in the afternoon taking long examinations of witnesses at the Roebuck in both Causes & also attending Mr Steadman relative to our Award in the matter of Adams of Chiffory. Afterwards with Mr Bent relative to Lord Grenville

Lewisons appointment as Brigade officer to the volunteer Corps. Declined dining at Basford & returned home between 5 & 6. Mrs Byerley & Miss Byerley to tea. Letter from Dr. Carrie relative to Dr Valfy’s School at Reading.

Sunday 4 September 1803:

At home. In the afternoon Miss Harwood & Bessy left us.

Monday 5 September 1803:

At Stoke in pursuance of a request from Mr Steadman to attend swearing in the Volunteers, & engaged on that business till late in the Evening.

Tuesday 6 September 1803:

At Trentham with Mr Gaskell.

Wednesday 7 September 1803:

At Burslem from thence to Hanley attending with Mr Steadman swearing in the Hanley & Sholton Volunteers & from thence to Etruria swearing in the Etruria Volunteers. Dined with the Officers at the Swan.

Page 259

Thursday 8 September 1803:

At Newcastle dining with Mr Hollins.

Friday 9 September 1803:

At home. Engaged on various matters

Saturday 10 September 1803:

At Trentham attending Lieutenancy Meeting Mr Steadman & self, Returned to dinner. Mr & Mrs W Bent Miss Gortons & Mr Blunt dined. The two Heatherly came with Stamford.

Sunday 11 September 1803:

At home. Wrote to Mr Fletcher on the subject of the Betley & Audley Volunteers & subscribed for Miss Stamford & myself £50. Mr Jones with a certificate previous to his applying to the Magistrate for a Licence to keep a public house at Hanley. Letter from Mr Wood requesting me to attend tomorrow Evening to swear in Burslem Volunteers.

Monday 12 September 1803:

At Newcastle breakfasted with Mr Bent. Afterwards engaged with Mr Sparrow on the reference of the . . .[events] between the late Mr Child Mr Swinnerton &c. From thence to Ballerton but Mr Swinnerton out. Returned to Newcastle & dined with Mr Bent & advising relative to Mr Lonsdales Affairs from thence to Burslem by appointment swearing in the Volunteers.

Tuesday 13 September 1803:

At home. Mr Cox with Mr Lanterns Settlement relative to the power of making … Mr Fletcher relative to the insertion in the Stafford paper of the Subscription to the Betley & Audley Corps of Volunteers. Engaged on various other matters.

Wednesday 14: At home. Do. In the house all day. Engaged with the Girls writing. Looked over Cox’s Tour in Monmouthshire. Mr Lawtons settlement.

Thursday 15 September 1803:

Do. Mr Edward. Earsley relative to the reference to Mr Sparrow & myself of Child & Swinnertons Accts & also relative to the sale to William Bennett of Mr E share in Lands

& Buildings at Chesleton. Afterwards Mr Bennett on the same business the final settlement of which the Parties referred to me. Perusing sundry papers relative thereto.

Friday 16 September 1803:

Went to Darlaston to dine & stay all night. Sr. Tho & Lady Fletcher Rev W & Mrs Bayley of Harbury Mrs Hatrell & Mrs Meeke.

Saturday 17 September 1803:

Returned home to dinner. Having on the way called at Bullerton where engaged a long time with Mr Swinnerton on various matters relating to his affairs particularly Childs Reference. Purchase in Monmouthshire. Application to Mr Gilbert &c.

Sunday 18 September 1803:

At home.

Monday 19 September 1803:

At Newcastle fair. Brewery &c. Returned to dinner. This morning Hannah & Eliza set out on a Journey into Dorsetshire.

Tuesday 20 September 1803:

At home. Fine rain. the weather which had been uncommonly dry for the last 2 or 3 months, in so much that great inconvenience sustained in many parts of the neighbourhood from the want of water, & the failure of the Grass, appearing to break. Engaged with the children writing &c.

The soul, according to the Hypothesis of Hirder in his Philosophy of the History of Man, is a combination of indestructible powers acting indestructible organs; and the powers are completely distinct from the organs, capable of subsisting apart from these instruments, and of combining with and acting  by others, and different in their nature. It appears that the Deity, on the dissolution of the present system of organs, will place the soul (or system of powers, in a new system of organs, which will less incumber(sic) its operations, and allow to its development and activity far greater scope.

Wednesday 21 September 1803

[no entry]

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Thursday 22 September 1803

At Burslem from thence to Newcastle calling on Dr Northern. Mr Blunt returned with me to Linley. Long conversation relative to Stamford when finally I determined that he shall remain with Mr B till his going to Cambridge the latter end of the next year. In the mean time Mr Blunt promised to take him to Cambridge at Christmas next to be examined & to enter him.

Friday 23 September 1803:

Mr Bent came to dinner pleasant & agreeable day. Blunt returned with him in the Evening.

Saturday 24 September 1803:

At Burslem again.

Sunday 25 September 1803:

At home as usual. wrote to Mr Wood.

Monday 26 September 1803:

At Stone attending General Assembly of Navigation Went from Newcastle with Mr Sparrow in his Gig.

Tuesday 27 September 1803:

Returned from Stone in the Evg.

Wednesday 28 September 1803:

At home. Engaged on the farm.

Thursday 29 September 1803:

Do. Boudarde.

Friday 30 September 1803:

At Newcastle attending Meeting of Agricultural Society as President. The first prize being a Silver Cup or 7 guineas adjudged to me for laying down with white clover & Grass seeds in the best & clearest manner. This is the piece before the house. Returned in the Evening. Mr Watkiss with the will of Mrs Steadman.

October, 1803

Saturday 1 October 1803:

At home. Engaged on various matters. In the evening Mr William. Cox.

Sunday 2 October 1803:

At home. Perused & considered the Will of Mrs Steadman in which I was nominated a Trustee.

Monday 3 October 1803:

At Burslem. Returned early. Alcock.

Tuesday 4 October 1803:

Mr Waring called. At Blurton with Mr Blunt looking over his planting & improvements & much conversation relative to Stamford. Returned to Newcastle to dinner with Mr Smith whose Mayoralty expired this day. Called on Mrs Watkiss.

Page 258

Wednesday 5 October 1803:

At home. Engaged on various matters.

Thursday 6 October 1803:

At Newcastle meeting Mr Robinson of Stone & the Parties finally settling & making my Award in the matter between the Navign. Co. & Mr Valentine Close relative to the damages sustained by the latter by the breaking down of the Bagnall reservoir, which had been materially referred to  me.

Friday 7 October 1803:

Dined at Basford

Saturday 8 October 1803:

At home.

Sunday 9 October 1803:

At Newcastle early attending the Mayor to Church as Recorder. dined & attended him again in the afternoon & returned in the Evening.

Monday 10 October 1803:

At Cobridge in consequence of a promise which I had made to use my endeavours in the Cobridge Corps of Volunteer Infantry in consequence of some accusations of improper & disloyal expressions having been used by Mr W Stevenson one of the Officers. Called upon Mr Warburton Mr . . . Mr Billington & put the matter in a train . . . properly sorted. Alcock.

Tuesday 11 October 1803:

At home. Engaged on the farm. Any fact or observation tending to facilitate practical humanity will be noticed by those who wish to lessen the unnecessary sufferings of animal nature;  also endued with feeling or reflection would not wish to do it?

Eels and fish of all kinds it is said may be instantaneously killed by an incision being made with a sharp pointed penknife, or punctures with a bodkin, longitudinally, into the brain, about half an inch, or an inch above the eyes, according to the size of the fish.

Mr Morris for leave to get Stone for his wharf, which I question.

Wednesday 12 October 1803:

In the morning Mr Jones late of Newcastle, advising relative to his being billeted for the Army of Reserve – Mr Bennett – relative to the Title & Conveyance to an Estate at Chesleton perusing bill & Deeds, & advising him thereon. Mr Penlington relative to notice given to pay in money due to the Exrs. of Mrs Taylor, & also relative to the fresh Lease of . . .[Tenalwoods] Estate & perusing & settling the Drat. of such Lease. Children writing – Consultation of the will of Mrs Davies & advising thereon. Arranging various papers & Letters.

Thursday 13 October 1803:

At home. Boudarde.

Friday 14 October 1803:

At Newcastle examining & settling Brewery Accounts. Close day.

Saturday 15 October 1803:

Do. All day. Blunt dined at Mr Bents. Income tax. Returned in the evening.

Sunday 16 October 1803:

At home. Mr Wood came to dinner & staid all night. Flint mill & various other matters.

Monday 17 October 1803:

At Newcastle on the reference between Mr Twemlow & Capt. Simpson relative to a Pew in Hanley Chapel. . . . which Capt. Simpson to give 20 Gns. and a conveyance to be made. In the afternoon on the reference with Mr Tomlinson Halland & Close a disagreeable business adjourned not being able to get through the examination of the Witnesses.

Tuesday 18 October 1803:

At Newcastle again it being the Sessions dining with the Mayor.

Wednesday 19 October 1803:

At home. Frost(sic) day. Talk Chapel. Mr Hill & Mr Leigh returned with us.

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Thursday 20 October 1803:

In the morning went to Burslem to spend a day or two at Mr Woods, with Eliza & the children. In the Evening attacked with a complaint similar to that which I expended[? means experienced] at Liverpool 2 years ago. 

Friday 21 October 1803:

At Burslem very unwell.

Saturday 22 October 1803:

Do. Engaged on the arbitration Robinson & Taylor – afterwards Mr Warburton & Mr Stevenson relative to the weariness in the Cobridge Corps of Volunteers. In the Evening returned home. Complaint abated, Found the new Income Tax Act, & notice of my being appointed a Commissioner to carry it into execution.

Sunday 23 October 1803:

At home. the following passage from “Le Music Frangnis” struck me as very forcibly exposing the folly & . . . . . . of the cropped Hair, which has of late so much prevailed                                                                                                        

“Hair is the chief ornament of Youth and Beauty; it is, as some person has observed, to the countenance that which herbs and flowers are to the fields, and leaves to the Trees. Let a female (says Apuleius) fall from heaven, or arise out of the ocean, surrounded by the fraces(sic), and accompanied by the Loves; let her be dressed also in the girdle of berries; if you despoil her of her hair, it is impossible that she should please, any more than her husband Vulcan.”

Mr Gibbon relative to Mr Gilberts Corps of Volunteers. Fines &c.

Monday 24 October 1803:

At home. Engaged on various matters. perusing new Income Tax Act &c.

Tuesday 25 October 1803:

Do. Mr Swinnerton of Batterton on various matters. Note from Mr Wood of Brownhills for permission to sport. Mr Penlington & his Tenants receiving Rents. Mr P. & his Son dined. Mr Jones with Award in Robinson & Taylor.

Wednesday 26 October 1803:

At Newcastle. Notice of reference to be of dispute Cope & Janines on their separation in Trade. Returned to dinner. Great froz(sic).

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Thursday 27 October 1803:

At home. Engaged in the Grounds. Boudarde. in the Evg. Mr Fritche.

Friday 28 October 1803:

Do. Do. In the Evening unwell

Saturday 29 October 1803:

At Audley meeting Sr. Jno Chetwode & Sr. Tho. Fletcher taking the oath as a Commr. & making arrangements for carrying into execution the new Income Act. From thence to Maer Hall  calling on Mr Wedgwood, but he was from home. Stopped at Bullerton and dined with Mr Swinnerton.

In the morning met Sr. John & Mr Heathcote who were arriving to make a call at Linley Wood.

Sunday 30: October 1803

At home. Unwell.

Monday 31 October 1803:

Do. Engaged on various matters. Plantations. Alcock. In the morning Stamford shot a beautiful Cock Pheasant in Swallow Moor. In the morning Mr Jones with the awards in Robinson & Lockett and Swinnerton Brandon & others; the former of which I executed. Mr Hardings Messenger with Notices to the Assessors of Townships in Pirehill North of Meeting on the 9^th, to be signed, and which I signed accordingly being 89 in number.

November, 1803

Tuesday 1 November 1803:

At home. In the Evening Miss Hanford & Eliza returned out of Dorsetshire.

Wednesday 2 November 1803:

At Newcastle settling & closing the years Brewery Accts. Engaged close all day but returned in the Evening & found Mrs & Miss Peake.

Thursday 3 November 1803:

At home. Engaged in the Grounds & on the Farm. Boudarde.

Friday 4 November 1803:

At Lawton attending the annual dinner called the Mayor’s . . . office . . . A full Meeting & Mr Sparrow consented to preside the ensuing year.

Saturday 5 November 1803:

At home. Engaged on various matters.

Sunday 6 November 1803:

Do. Mr Hill called & dined. In the Evening received a Letter from Col. Sneyd informing me that the King & the Commander in Chief had expressed in very strong terms their approbation of my own Conduct & that of the Burslem Volunteers relative to their Non acceptance of their Services, which from Colonel Sneyds Letter appeared to have originated on some mistake, the Lord Lieutenant of the County that he had himself understood them to be accepted.

Monday 7 November 1803:

At Burslem communicating to the Officers of the Volunteers the Letter which I had received from Col. Sneyd, when it was thought proper that a public Meeting should be called the next morning in order that the same might be made known to the Inhabitants, & which I promised to attend. Much rain & wet both in going & returning. Alcock. In the morning Mrs & Miss Peake left us.

Tuesday 8 November 1803:

At Burslem again attending Meeting accordingly & explaining the whole business, together with the Correspondence between Lord Uxbridge, Col. Sneyd & myself & which seemed to give great satisfaction. Returned to dinner, Mr Atkinson Mr Bourne Mr Thomas Garnett & Ann came to dinner & the Gentlemen staid all night.

Wednesday 9 November 1803:

At Madely attending Meeting of Commissioners. under the Income Act. Sir John Chetwode Sir Thomas Fletcher & self swearing in & delivering Introductions to Assessors. Returned late to dinner. In the Evening engaged writing again to Col. Sneyd relative to the Volunteers & in reply to his Letter.

Thursday 10 November 1803:

At home. Boudarde. In the Evening Mr Keys

Friday 11 November 1803:

Do. Engaged perusing various papers &c. relative to the Reference Chiffney & Adams, & Swinnerton & Gallimore in which I had engaged to attend tomorrow at Newcastle. Also perusing & correcting the Account in Swinnerton & Child, which had been reinstated by Mr Sparrow, previous to executing the Account. In the afternoon Mr Scarlet relative to Chiffney & Adams.

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Saturday 12 November 1803:

At Newcastle on the several References, but Mr Steadman did not attend. Taking examinations of Mr . . . in Swinnerton & Gallimore – Adjusting Account Swinnerton & Child &c. &c. Returned to dinner. In the Evening wrote to Mr Bicknell relative to the petition for payment of the Costs in Robins business.

Sunday 13 November 1803:

At home.

Monday 14 November 1803:

At Newcastle meeting Mr Steadman on the reference Chiffney & Adams. Executed the Award in Swinnerton & others & Brandon & others.  Returned to dinner. Alcock who staid all night. Musick.

Tuesday 15 November 1803:

At home. Engaged on the Farm &c.

Wednesday 16 November 1803:

Do. In the morning a very heavy snow – Miss Bent & Miss Godley came to diner.

Thursday 17 November 1803:

Do. Engaged in various matters. Boudarde.

Friday 18 November 1803:

Do. Settling & examining private Accts &c.

Saturday 19 November 1803:

Do. Do.

Sunday 20 November 1803:

Do. Mr William Bent & Mr Tho. Bent came to dinner the latter staid all night.

Monday 21 November 1803:

Do. Alcock. Musick.

Tuesday 22 November 1803:

Do.

Wednesday 23 November 1803:

At Burslem. Miss Bent & Miss Godley left Linley.

Thursday 24 November 1803:

At home. Engaged on various matters. Boudarde.

Friday 25 November 1803:

Mr & Mrs Wedgwood Mrs Bent Mrs Flemming Mr & Mrs W Bent Mr T Bent & Miss Bent & Miss Godley dined. Mr & Mrs W staid all night.

Saturday 26 November 1803:

Mr & Mrs W left us before dinner.

Sunday 27 November 1803:

At home. received sundry papers from Mr Sparrow relative to Talk in the Hill Chapel.

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Monday 28 November 1803:

At Newcastle meeting Mr Tomlinson again on the reference Halland & Close, which we went through, & made our Award being detained till late.

Tuesday 29 November 1803:

At home. In the Evening Mr Skerrett came

Wednesday 30 November 1803:

Do. Engaged with Mr S

December 1803

Thursday 1 December 1803:

Do. In the forenoon Mr S left us.

Friday 2 December 1803:

Do. Mr & Mrs Wood & some of the young people came to dinner.

Saturday 3 December 1803:

Do. Engaged with Mr Wood on various matters.

Sunday 4 December 1803:

At Talk Chapel. Delivered to Mr Hill the papers relating to the Chapel which I had received from Mr T Sparrow

Monday 5:

At Newcastle on various matters. Appointed with Mr Bent to accompany him into Lancashire on various matters of business, & to set off on Thursday morning.

Tuesday 6 December 1803:

At home. Mr Wood who had gone home yesterday returned in the Evening.

Wednesday 7 December 1803:

Mr & Mrs Wood &c. left us. Engaged on various matters previous to leaving home. In the evening Bent arrived.

Thursday 8 December 1803:

Set off with Bent in a postchaise. Arrived at Mrs Sandfords to dinner. Met Mr & Mrs Hardman. Conversation with the former relative to Mr Hardley &c. Afterwards attended a Subscription Concert & spent the Evening at Mr William Hardmans at his particular study to hear Mrs Molyneaux &c. & had some delightful Musick. In a conversation after dinner on the late restriction on wetting Barley in the Couch, in Malting, suggested the expedient of doing it by steam: a thought which both deemed worth consideration & experiment.

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Friday 9 December 1803:

Left Manchester about 12 oClock & got to Liverpool that night.

Saturday 10 December 1803:

Engaged in business till about one oClock when we set off homewards & got to Knutsford. Called on Mrs Lockett &c

Sunday 11 December 1803:

Arrived home to dinner. Bent left us in the afternoon.

Monday 12 December 1803:

At Newcastle settling return to be made from the Brewery under the Income Act. &c.

Tuesday 13 December 1803:

At home. Engaged on the farm. Mr Johnson relative to Income Tax.

Wednesday 14 December 1803:

Do.

Thursday 15 December 1803:

Storm of snow. Miss Hollins Alcock Fritche & J Alcock together with Miss Bent & Miss Godley came to dinner & a Musick party. Pleasant evening & much good Musick.

Friday 16 December 1803: 

Miss . . . & Mr Hollins dined. The latter staid all night

Saturday 17 December 1803:

At Burslem. Mr Wood returned from Liverpool

Sunday 18 December 1803:

At home.

Monday 19 December 1803:

At Trentham attending Meeting of Commrs. for receiving Returns under the Income Act. Sir Jno. Chetwode Tho. Fletcher J Heathcote & self. Cold wet stormy day. much wet & fatigued, not returning till late at night.

Tuesday 20 December 1803:

At home,. Mr Penlington – Mr Turner on the reference to me as Umpire of deficits with Mr Cope

Wednesday 21 December 1803:

Do. Engaged on the farm. Alcock.

Thursday 22 December 1803:

Do. Mr Blunt relative to the intended journey of himself & Stamford to Cambridge and engaged in long conversation on the subject of education & the future plan to be adopted in respect to Stamford. Determined for them to set off to Cambridge on Monday next & return by the way of London. Boudarde.

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Friday 23 December 1803:

At Burslem on various matters relative to the . . .[harmfeting] &c. & much conversation with Mr Wood relative to the present imprecedential & general Stagnation of . . .[Teade]

Saturday 24 December 1803:

At Newcastle attending on the umpirage of disputes between Cope & Timmis & the points in difference between Messrs. Plant & Goastrey the Arbitrators all morning. Brewery. Returned to Burslem to speak to Mr Wood relative to altering Return under the Income Act &c. returned late to dinner.

Sunday 25 December 1803:

At home.

Monday 26 December 1803:

At Newcastle attending Meeting of Commissioners on the Income Act. Finally settled Cope & Timmis business. Returned late.

Tuesday 27 December 1803:

At home. Engaged on various matters

Wednesday 28 December 1803:

Do.

Thursday 29 December 1803:

At Newcastle dining at the Club. In the morning at the Brewery, & with Mr Bent of Basford relative to his acting as Deputy Lieutenant.

Friday 30 December 1803:

At home.

Thursday 31 December 1803:

At Burslem on various matters. In the Evening received a Letter from Stamford at Cambridge.