Michael Heath-Caldwell M.Arch
Brisbane, Queensland
ph: 0412-78-70-74
alt: m_heath_caldwell@hotmail.com
Anne Caldwell of Nantwich - 59/60
Elizabeth Caldwell (Bessy) of Nantwich - 51/52
Hannah Stamford of Linley Wood - 64/65 - sister of Elizabeth Caldwell
James Caldwell of Linley Wood - 58/59
Elizabeth Caldwell (ne Stamford) of Linley Wood - 63/64
Hannah Eliza Roscoe - age 32/33
James Stamford Caldwell - age - 31/32
Margaret Emma Caldwell (later Holland) - age - 25/28
Arthur Cuthbert Marsh - age 31/32
Ann Marsh-Caldwell - age 26/27
Eliza Louisa Marsh-Caldwell - born 8 July 1818
Diary of James Caldwell - age 58
1818. January,
Thursday 1st January 1818:
At home. Miss Wedgwood from Parkfields, Jos. &Charles Wedgwood dined. Finished carrying out Manure.
Friday 2 January 1818:
At home. Miss Wedgwood & the young Men.
Saturday 3 January 1818:
At home. Miss Wedgwood left Linley Wood.
Sunday 4 January 1818:
At home. Service.
Monday 5 January 1818:
At home. Farm &c. C Wedgwood left Linley Wood.
Tuesday 6 January 1818:
At home.
Wednesday 7 January 1818:
At Newcastle on various matters. Returned to dinner.
Thursday 8 January 1818:
At home
Friday 9 January 1818:
At Macclesfield with Mr Bent. Annual Settlement of Brewery Acct. on which engaged all day.
Saturday 10 January 1818:
Finished our business at Macclesfield & returned to dinner. Found Mr Cunynghame (a friend of Stamfords) Mr H Tomkinson, & a party of the young Wedgwoods.
Sunday 11 January 1818:
In the morning Mr H Tomkinson left Linley Wood
Monday 12 January 1818:
Mr Cunynghame went. Carriage took him to Congleton Afterwards at Burslem in the treaty for sale of the Bykars to Mr Wedgwood.
Page 164, January 1818.
[Note: Dates transcribed as written but inaccurate, should be 13th & 14th not 12th & 13th]
Tuesday 12 January 1818:
At Newcastle. I called & bought from Mr Bent the principal & Interest amounting to £531 remaining due to Miss Stamford on joint Bond from him & the late Col. Bulkeley to her; & which money I delivered to her on my return. From Newcastle rode with Mr Bent to Stoke & calling upon Mr Spode, who had been suffering from a paralytic Affliction. Found him much better, but his face still much drawn. On my return called at Dr Belcombes & engaged him to dine on friday next at Linley Wood to meet the Mills: from Barlaston &c. Stormy, very wet on my return
Wednesday 13 January 1818:
At home: Letter from Mr Wood informing me of his having cancelled the business relative to the Bykars by having sold it to Mr Wedgwood, for £23000; with certain conditions as to Coals &c & desiring me to come to Burslem tomorrow after perusing and considering the Letter & papers sent. Mr Penlington on their affairs. Mr Snape Inspector of taxes, with a representation which he had drawn up to the Board relative to his resignation of the Office of surveyor, or Clerk, which the Board required, considering the two as unacceptable in the same hand & advising him thereon.
Writing letter to Mr Balguy of Derby on Harrisons business in reply to one received from him with the Minutes of the Plaintiffs evidence in the late Trial.
Page 165
Thursday 15 January 1818:
At Burslem meeting Mr Wedgwood of Bignall End & Mr Jno. Wood of Brownhills when Mr Wood and I finally agreed to sell to the former the Bykars Colliery &c for the sum of £23000. Drew up minutes of an Agreement which was signed. It being late staid to dinner at Burslem with Mr Wedgwood & Mr Jno Wood & returned at night.
Friday 16 January 1818:
At home: Mr & Mrs Mills of Barlaston, Miss Wedgwood from Parkfields, Mr & Mrs C Lawton, Mr & Mrs Wm. Bent & Miss Furnival & Dr Belcombe dined. Mr & Mrs M & Miss Wedgwood staid all night.
Saturday 17 January 1818:
At home. Various matters. The Mills & Miss W having left Linley Wood after Breakfast.
Sunday 18 January 1818:
At home. Service. Mr Hostage & Enoch Wood (who dined) relative to the Sale of the Bykars &c. Delivd. to Mr H. the Title Deeds
Monday 19 January 1818:
At Newcastle paying Christmas Bills &c &c.
Tuesday 20 January 1818:
At Newcastle attending the Assizes. Richard Lovatt convicted of stealing leather from his Master. 6 Mo. Imprisonment having already been 2 Mos. in Custody. Dined with the Mayor & Justices &c at the Woolpack. Returned home at night. Found Eliza & Caroline Wedgwood.
Wednesday 21 January 1818:
I this day entered the 60th year of my life. Went to Trentham Inn early to attend Meeting on the Assessed Taxes. Sir John Chetwode the other Commr. Long & fatiguing day there being a great crowd of People; and a great number of Appeals. Did not get home tilll a little before 7. o clock in the Evening. Elizth. with Emma & the two Wedgwoods went to the Assembly at Newcastle.
Thursday 22 January 1818:
At home. Engaged on accounts &c &c Mr . . .[Ingason?] of Roughmond Hill relative to injury done by the Canal waters. Isaac Cooper.
Page 166, January 1818.
Friday 23 January 1818:
Went early to Trentham Inn to attend Dep. . . .[Lcy?] Meeting to receive Lists & hear appeals for the Regular Militia. Miserable Ride from Frost Snow & Cold. Was mostly Sir John Chetwode. Long & fatiguing day. I returned late to dinner. Mr Parke said that the Lists (which are of persons between the ages of 18 & 45) contained about 9000 names.
Saturday 24 January 1818:
At home. Isaac Cooper relative to the Agreement for his Farm &c. Engaged in the water Meadow: & various matters
Sunday 25 January 1818:
At home. Service.
Monday 26 January 1818:
At home. Engaged on the farm. Wrote to Mr Hinchcliffe in reply to a note received on friday night last relative to Bournes Tithe. Moses Barlow paying his Rent. Emma went to Betley Hall.
Tuesday 27 January 1818:
At home. Mr Penlington on their affairs & with whom engaged a long time stating the Account with Mrs . . .[Janvrins?] &c. Isaac Cooper again on his concerns accompanied by Davey. Afterwards engaged Letter writing and on the farm. Elizt. & Miss Stamfordat Newcastle.
Wednesday 28 January 1818:
Went with Mr Beardmore & Jas. Whalley surveying & taking possession of such part of Meanlake Farm as was to be delivered up by Bourne at Christmas last & arranging as to the future management of the Lands. Emma returned from Betley Hall. In the evening finished reading out Rob Roy.
Thursday 29 January 1818:
At home. Navig. Papers previous to going to Wolseley Bridge tomorrow.
Friday 30 January 1818:
Set off early to Wolseley bridge where I arrived about 12. Mr J Sparrow accompanying me in a Postchaise from Newcastle. Attending Meeting of the
Page 167, January 1818.
Select Committee. Mr Sparrow, Chetwynd, Lister, Webb & Self.
Saturday 31 January 1818:
In the morning called at Bishton. Returned to Newcastle with Mr J. S. Dined at Mr Turners with a party of the Corporation & got home in the Evening.
1818, February,
Sunday 1st February 1818:
At home. Service.
Monday 2 February 1818:
At Burslem, and from thence to Etruria, calling upon Mr Wedgwood, to make enquiries after the old Title Deeds relating to the Oldfields Lands part of the property lately sold by Wood & Caldwell to Mr Wedgwood of Bignall Hall & which had been left in the late Mr Tho. Wedgwoods hands when Mr Wedgwood promised to apply to Mr Tomlinson relative to such Deeds. Returned home to dinner. Began marling Prospect Hill having determined to keep the farm in my own hands for the present. Let the Marling, carrying & spreading at per Ton. Moses Barlow to whom I had let the ploughing of the Hilditch field had begun on Friday last. Fine Frost.
Tuesday 3 February 1818:
At home. Writing Letters to Revd. Mr Turner, Mr Chas. Vine & Mrs Margaret Penlington, with remittances of Interest, & Navig. dividends. Isaac Cooper again on his Concerns. Drawing out Account & writing Letter therewith for him to Mr Cave of Coventry, who acted for his Landlords. William Penlington on their affairs & particularly as to his engaging on a Brick track [trade would make better sense but looks like 'trade'] with Jas. . . .[Massey?], which as he had nothing else to do I recommended for one year. Walked to the Marlpit & found the Marl of excellent quality.
Wednesday 4 February 1818:
At home. Farm & various matters. A & E.C. arrived from Nantwich to dinner.
Thursday 6 February 1818:
At home. Various matters.
Friday 7:
William Penlington on their Affairs. Mrs Simms Acct &c. previous to his going to Nantwich to settle the same with Mr Skerrett. Rode out on Horseback. Marling &c. Wrote to Mr Wood relative to Title Deeds in Mr Whalleys Lands of which Abstract wanted
Page 168, February 1818.
Saturday 7 February 1818:
At home.
Sunday 8 February 1818:
At home. Service.
Monday 9 February 1818:
At Newcastle on various matters. Paying sundry Christmas Bills &c &c. Lost a cheque which I had drawn a short time ago on Kinnerslys payable to Mr Scott or bearer, but without any Sum being filled up, owing to my not knowing the amount of his Bill. Returned to dinner.
Tuesday 10:
At Newcastle again: making enquiry about the Cheque, but without success. At the public office saw one of the . . .[Whiteheads?] accused of the late Highway Robbery of . . .[Mullan?] near Newcastle & saw over the depositions . . . . . . . . .[made by him?].
Wednesday 11 February 1818:
At Newcastle again, but not being able to hear any thing of the Cheque, directed the same to be advertised in the Newcastle & Pottery Gazette.
Thursday 12 February 1818:
At home. A young Man who had only Commenced working yesterday in the Marlpit, in which we were getting Marl for Prospect Hill, was unfortunately killed this morning by a lump of Marl falling and crushing his head against the wheel of the Cart, near which he was standing. He died almost immediately; though upon examination by Mr Davenport the Surgeon, no external injury was apparent, sufficient to occasion immediate death but I understand that blood issued in great quantity from his Mouth ears & nostrils. Mr Davenport afterwards told me he supposed his death to have been occasioned by Haemorrage(sic), & possibly from rupture of some of the principle Vessels in the head or some of the pulmonary arteries. There was a compound fracture of one of the legs. This young Man when a parish Apprentice had been offered to serve as a Boy in the family along with Charles Shufflebotham[?spelling, may be Shufflebottom] but the Carter was preferred.
Revd. Mr Anderton called. In the evening Mrs Stamford, my sister came & Elizat. returned from a short excursion to Birmingham &c on which they set out on Monday last.
Page 169, February 1818.
Friday 13 February 1818:
At home, Various matters. In the evening read out Rob Roy.
Saturday 14 February 1818:
At home
"When Brute Creatures die what becomes of their Souls? - What indeed, I know not: but it is nevertheless true that Souls reside in them. There is no necessity that we should know all things; nor are we therefore presently to deny any thing, because we cannot give account of it. We are to receive those things that are evident, and be content to be ignorant of those things which we cannot know.
Le Clere. Notes to . . .[Grotins?] on the truth of the Christian Religion
It had been before observed, that the Soul of Beasts is so far . . .[ocasonable?] as to be able to do such things, and not others.
Some actions of Beasts are so ordered and directed as plainly discover them to be the effects of some small degree of Reason.
But they act always alike; and are unable to do other things which don't require more reason or pains.
Sunday 15 February 1818:
At home. Service.
Monday 16 February 1818:
At home.
When one considers the difficulties of finding the true ideas annexed to words, and particularly in an ancient language, and the difference of opinion that has subsisted amongst Men of the greatest thought and learning, as well as the most honest enquirers after truth, upon various texts and passages of the Scriptures, this surely ought to abate all positiveness, as to this or that one determinate sense, having the only true and proper meaning; and remind us that others proposed of equal possibly of superior critical knowledge and understanding to our own, have come to very opposite conclusions.
For myself, I have always considered some of the main arguments in favour of the Christian Religion to be derived from its agreeableness to the light of Nature, and the moral obligations of actual Reason. Nor can I help . . .[favouring?] that if ever it be removed from this foundation, or separated from such an alliance, the belief of understanding persons will be endangered. J.C.
Tuesday 17 February 1818:
At home. Engaged with the grounds &c, Began thinning the Plantation between the Dining Room Window and the garden.
Wednesday 18 February 1818:
At home. Engaged on the Farm, Grounds &c. Finished thinning the Plantation. In the evening Mr W Roscoe arrived. Long conversation on their affairs.
[Loose sheet inserted over p169. Broadly speaking laid out as below.]
January 29 1820
Jas. Caldwell Esqr Do
to Sml Beardmore 14 days
work £1.12.8
Page 170, February 1818.
Thursday 19: February 1818
At Newcastle making enquiries relative to one John Ball, in whom the residue of a Sum of years was vested, in part of the property sold to Mr Wedgwood by Wood & Caldwell, when Mr Swinnerton promised to apply to Mr Ball of Newcastle & inform me of the result. On my return engaged on the farm.
Friday 20 February 1818:
At home. Engaged in the morning drawing plan of the Lands and preparing Case to be sent to Stamford, for the opinion of Counsels relative to the Colliery Works commenced in Mr Martins Lands; & particularly as to the right of . . .[throwing?] the water raised from the Mines into the old watercourse.
Saturday 21 February 1818:
At home. Finished & copied Plan & Case & sent them by the Post to Stamford with a Letter further explanatory of the Circumstances. Farm & sundry matters.
Sunday 22 February 1818:
At home. Service.
Monday 23 February 1818:
At home. Mr Wm Roscoe left Linley Wood. Engaged in various matters.
Tuesday 24 February 1818:
At home. The like. Farm &c
Wednesday 25:
At Stone attending Meeting of Select Committee. Mr Sparrow, Chetwynd. Lister Webb & self.
Went with Mr J. S. from Newcastle. Returned at night & found Mr Skerrett at Linley Wood.
Thursday 26 February 1818:
At home. Engaged with Mr Skerrett &c. &c. Mr Penlington on their affairs who dined at L Wood.
Friday 27 February 1818:
At home Farm &c.
A desire of seeming more knowing than other persons, is as strong a . . .[pressure?] as any that molests our Souls. This goes unasked many times under a vizor of seeking reformation, advancing knowledge and the like, when it is in reality seeking applause, insinuating into a party, and vaunting our own selves. Hence too frequently comes an itch to invent or publish new opinions and fancies, seditions, disobedience to magistrates, heresies, schisms and rebellions.
Walker on Education p 189
He that is conceited of his own worth, despaireth others: and therefore will not take pains to read, or inform himself, what other men say, or know, but when he fixeth in himself this proposition that other men are more ignorant than he then whatever comes in his fancy seems to be an addition to knowledge and must either be reserved as a mystery or vented as the depth of science and oracle of wit; though many times it is but either a great error, or at last a vulgar truth. Ibid 187
Saturday 28 February 1818:
Mr Skerrett & my two Sisters left Linley Wood. At home.
People of prosperity are not only the chief support but the safest and best defence of a free opulent Country.
Montagn. Anct. Republics
1818, March,
Sunday 1st March 1818:
At Home. Service.
Monday 2 March 1818:
At home. Engaged on accounts of late James Caldwell & drawing out final Statement to accompany the balance.
Tuesday 3 March 1818:
At Newcastle making further enquiries about Ball the mortgagee of the Bycars Estate, when I discovered that he had been dead many years having made a Will of which a Copy is to be procured. Showed Mr Sparrow. Letter received from Stamford saying that he should have no objection to being concerned for Mr Wilmot in case of a contested Election at Newcastle & which Mr S had desired me to inquire when we went to Stone together on Wednesday last. Called upon Mr Bent who showed me Letters from John with favourable Accounts of the Liverpool Brewery. Fixed to go Shrewsbury and from thence to Liverpool, the first week in April next.
Wednesday 4 March 1818:
At home. Engaged all morning drawing out final Account with Mr John Caldwell & Mr John Boyle in the affairs of the late James Caldwell of Manchester . . . . . .[& co?]. to accompany a Bill for the balances sent this day to Mr Spier of . . .[Beath?]. Copying the Account & writing to Mr Spier therewith. Mr Wedgwood of Betley, who staid & dined. Received from Mr Wood the Drat. of the intended Articles with Mr Wedgwood of Bignall end for the supply of the Manufactory with Coals. Perusing & considering the same.
Page 172, March 1818.
Thursday 5 March 1818:
At home Again engaged on Articles with Mr Wedgwood. Also on the Affairs of Richard Harrison & writing long letter to Mr Balguy of Derby in reply to one received from him. Mr Jos. Wedgwood Jnr. called relative to Sir Rob. Peels [presumably the father of later Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel?] Bill for regulating the labour of Children in Cotton Manufactories & the experiences of the Pottery petitioning against such Bill a print of which he left with me & which I promised to peruse & consider.
Friday 6 March 1818:
At home. Engaged arranging various papers &c. Perusing & considering Sir Rob. Peels proposed Bill. Jos. Wedgwood came to dinner to whom I expressed my doubt of the propriety of the Pottery petitioning Parliament against the Bill as it was exclusively confined to Cotton Manufactories though I strongly disapproved of legislation interference or regulation with respect to the labour employed in Manufactories in general.
Saturday 7:
At Burslem relative to the Articles of Agreement with Mr Wedgwood, when I proposed to meet Mr Hostage of Sandbach that we might look them over together previous to a copy being sent to Mr Wedgwood. I wrote to Mr Hostage accordingly. Showed Mr Wood S. Rob. Peels Bill when he coincided with the sentiments above expressed. On our way to Burslem called at Clough Hall on occasion of the Marriage of Miss Kinnersly with Mr Atwood. Elizt. Eliza & self. Saw Miss H Kinnersly. Mr & Mrs K being out.
Sunday 8 March 1818:
At home. Service.
Monday 9 March 1818:
At home. Engaged on various matters.
Tuesday 10 March 1818:
At home. Snow.
The advantage of Religion consists in this, that it supplies us with more arguments to do what is right, than we can possibly have without it. Sykes Comment.
Wednesday 11 March 1818:
At Sandbach meeting Mr Hostage of Northwich perusing the Drat. of the Articles previous to the same being sent by Mr Hostage &with whom I left the Drat. for that purpose to Mr Wedgwood. Returned home to dinner and found J Wedgwood of Betley.
Page 173, March 1818.
Thursday 12 March 1818:
At home. Engaged on various matters previous to setting of tomorrow morning to Stafford Assizes. J Wedgwood staid the weather being very inclement.
Friday 13 March 1818:
St off at 6 o clock to Stafford taking Post horses one of the Carriage Horses being still lame. Took Mr Thos Sparrow from Newcastle. Attended upon the Grand Jury Sir C Wolseley Foreman. Dined with the Judges Park & Burroughs. A numerous Calendar but not so large as this time twelvemonths by nearly one third.
Saturday 14 March 1818:
Engaged all day on the Grand Jury. Petition to Parliament brought forwards by Mr Chetwynd against what is called "Blood Money & which was signed by the Grand Jury. This business & . . .[snarl?] of the Cases taking up much time prevented all the Grand Jury finishing the Bills & we therefore adjourned till Monday. Dined with the Sheriff. Received an obliging invitation from Mr Ricketts to dine tomorrow at Meaford. From the Sherriffs went to Stamfords lodgings where Mr Pearson & Mr Russell came to take their tea & where I passed a very agreeable evening the Conversation being kept up with much interest & aggreeableness till 12 o clock.
Sunday 15 March 1818:
Stamford . . .[here?] departed with me at the Hotel. Went to Meafords to dinner where I met Mr . . .[Cayery?] & Mr Parker of Parkhall. Hospitable & obliging Reception & after a pleasant day returned to Stafford at night.
Monday 16 March 1818:
Engaged again on the Grand Jury. Finished the business & were discharged about half past 12 - Returned to Linley Wood to dinner. Found a Letter from Mr Wilmot requesting my interest &c at the ensuing Election for Newcastle.
Tuesday 17 March 1818:
At home: Wrote to Mr Wilmot. Various matters. Began improvements for irrigating the lower part of the Meadow near the wood.
Wednesday 18 March 1818:
At home. Wm. Penlington on their affairs, & writing Letters to Mr. Skerrett relative to Mrs. Simms, Acct.(?) Elizth. & I called at Lawton Hall but they were out. Mr. Henry Broughton & Mr. Pattison called relative to the purchase by the former of Mr. Penlington's share of the House at Rode Heath. I made conversation thereon, when I promised to send a plan to Mr. B. In the morning planted the 3 poplars at the end of the Pool. Mr. Rob. Roscoe arrived in the evening.
Thursday 19 March 1818
At Trentham Inn attending Meeting balloting for vacancies in the Militia & swearing in Assessors for assessed Taxes. Mr. Spode & Self. Jos. Wedgwood came to dinner. In the Evening Mr. Rob. Roscoe left Linley Wood on his return to London. In the morning the Gardener began making new Asparagus beds.
Friday 20 March 1818
At home.
Saturday 21 March 1818:
Wm. Penlington on their affairs. Looked at & arranged the plan of the House & Land at Rode Heath previous to W.P. shewing the same to Mr. H. Broughton. Began enlarging the Plantation in the front of the House, in consequence of the Colliery commenced in Martins Land. In the evening Stamford arrived from Shrewsbury.
Sunday 22 March 1818:
At home. Service.
Monday 23 March 1818:
Various Matters. Called with Stamford at Rode Hall, in consequence of Mr. Wilbrahims (sic) having come down into the Country but he was not at home. Called on Mr. Johnson of the Hollins who came to L. Wood & explained how the Mines lie in Martins Land & was positive(?) that the Colliery could never be worked to advantage.
Wednesday 24 March 1818:
At Stone attending Meeting of the Select Committee. Rode on Horseback to Newcastle; and from thence went with Mr. Thos. Sparrow in his Curricle. Unwell with a Cold.
Page 175, March 1818.
Wednesday 25 March 1818:
At Stone. Attending Sel. Committee, & General Assembly, The Concern going on in a very prosperous manner; & the price of Shares still rising. Very unwell with Cold & Fever. Returned home in the evening. Found Miss Tollet & Miss Caroline Wedgwood.
Thursday 26 March 1818:
At home. Very unwell. Pain & Fever.
Friday 27 March 1818:
At home. Still very unwell. Engaged drawing up Minutes for a Letter to Mr. Vernon relative to the Colliery in Mr. Martins Land. Mr. & Mrs. Kinnersly & Miss Harriet called. Jos. Wedgwood came to dinner.
Saturday 28: At home. Still unwell. Writing Letter to Mr. Balguy of Derby in reply to one received from him relative to repairing & letting to Mr. Sanders the House occupied by Mr. Hope, part of the late Richd. Harrisons property.
File PB110115
Letter Emma Caldwell (maybe Margaret Emma Caldwell -age 25/26)
to Anne Marsh age 26
28th March 1818
Linley Wood
March 28th Saturday.
My dear Anne,
Still another plan. And I must write to tell it you. I am disappointed of [Mr Lee?] Miss Richards does not go and I did not affection a journey with two strange gentlemen. So there is an end of that schemes. We have at last settled that I will be the [hard?] thing for me to come with Stamford from Birmingham in his gig. He will set off probably on Sunday – which is tomorrow – and we shall arrive either Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning.
We shall get to St. Albans on Tuesday and I think it would be a grand thing to come on in a chaise on Tuesday and leave the gig for the Servant to bring. But this can not be quite settled yet. I will let you know when it is.
This plan will make me a day or two later and this I do not like but for all other reasons I think it the best. Stamford seems very well pleased at this thoughts of escorting and I have no doubt will take the kindest care of me. He does this when you are trusted to his protection. I have the day to be packed on and on, his [thin?] is such a positive certainty that it makes me feel comfortable and secure.
Besides my mind is eased of the pain of causing my kind brother Arthur the disagreeable price of journeying. I know he would do it willingly and I am just as much obliged as if he came, but if I can arrive without, I shall be very glad and spare him.
Thank you for your kind little letter last night. I write[?] now because I thought I would tell you my plan myself. I suppose you got [karf’s?] letter from Betley and will deign her an answer now she has written.
You cannot think how sorry I am that you have thought our letters scarce. I do not know how it could happen and it is a pity indeed that those should not have enough of my letters who like them. It is too extraordinary a complement to be neglected.
My Aunt Eliza and I go to Birmingham on Tuesday next. My stay there will be longer than I intended but they asked me so kindly that I do not scruple. How happy it makes us all to have the dear Anne is so strict as to walk to Queen Street. I always feel a little bit of fear least you should do a little too much when you feel [nlight?].
I hope you will take care. Miss Sarah [Wedgwood?] says you looked very well. If you see any of them will you be so good as to say that I do not wish to take the Concert ticket from the Darwins which they have and dispose of, for next Friday [mtone?] Miss S.W. offered it to me, she refused it, and begged I would say whether I wished to take it. – when I wrote to you. I am sure I shall much rather sit at home with you the day [Mtone?] after I see you, than go to the finest concert in all the world.
I am sorry I shall not see the Darwins. They seem [very?] happy [and are?] very glad you like them. Eliza came home yesterday from Betley and brought a poor account of Mrs W [Sarah Wedgwood 1734-1815?]. She is never entirely free from pain for half an housr together and I fear her complaint is gaining ground upon her. I do pity her with my whole heart and she cannot help seeing her situation. I think ought to have more advice. Dr Darwin evidently can do nothing for her. If I were Mr W I would never rest till every advice was taken that there is the remotest chance might be useful.
She speaks of Eliza W. as the greatest comfort to her and is quite aware how deeply interested she is for her. She is still at Shrewsbury. I had a letter from E.W. from Paris. They seem all to be very comfortable and I am very glad they have got Mrs Glifford and Sismondi there. It will make Paris twice as agreeable.
Whether [a evening it?] there is I think very uncertain though I shall be very sorry to lose so fair an opportunity. I think the family is better never to take to making schemes again for we make sad work of it and the more we try to settle the more they float away from us.
Penelope J and C.W. staid two days with me and by the help of Stamford they passed off very well. Jos dined with us again yesterday. He has been attending a pottery meeting and voting a petition to Parliament against the principle of Sir R. Peels Bill and I think he might as well have let it alone. H
e is gone a hunting today and wished and [instinct?] is quite got quite [bushy?] now he has independent and free to act as he pleased. If his family would stay away a year or two instead of a month or two there might be some hopes of his still coming out, what nature intended him to be.
Our trees here are not budding the least, we have snow regularly every other day. So that the gardens are quite blank except a vain attempt or two of the silly impatient, little primula’s to show some of their finery. We might have nice picking of plants from Mrs Wilbrahams garden for her plants are to be sold and Autumn will [draw?] will as Spring and we will see what we can get when you are here.
And how I look to that time Eliza and I have been reading a book upon the [mechanics?] of language and I long to prove some of his ideas by seeing whether your little baby says mama or papa the first thing. As whether it makes a sound in A’s throat first against all etymodogical rule. I think I shall [whatch?] to see A’s young ideas begin to speak all day long.
Elizabeth says you showed her an exquisite frock. I would I had been there to see. We have [admires?] with weather. I fear the ice is still melting already they say the corn is suffering. Now I am descended to corn and weather I shall stop.
I cannot well write any more as I [be me?] a gathered finger. Farewell dear Anne. All beg me to give their best love and mine - - you know how well I love you.
Ever your affection M
Sunday 29 March 1818:
At home. Still very unwell: but went through the Service. Stamford left us on his way to Chester
Monday 30:
At home being unwell. Engaged closely all Morning on my Will: which I made afresh, & copied fair for execution.
Sunday 31 March 1818:
At home. Still very unwell.
April
Wednesday 1st April 1818:
At home. Very unwell, but rather better this morning: the severe pain in the head having somewhat abated in the night. Wm Penlington. Mr. Snape.
Thursday 2 April 1818:
Set off after breakfast with Mr. Bent to Liverpool on annual Settlement of Accounts. Arrive there about half past three. In the Evening Dr. Crompton communicated to me some painful intelligence relative to one of Mr. Ab.(?) Cromptons Family.
Friday 3 April 1818:
Engaged closely all day on Annual Accounts: Found the concern rather improving though still yielding little or no profit. Mr. Roscoe dined, & Mr. Hamnett came to Tea.
Saturday 4: Finished do. & signed the Balance Sheet as usual. Much further Conversation with Dr. C. Left Liverpool about 12 o Clock. Crossed the River to Woodside. From there to Chester, Wrexham
Page 176, April 1818.
Saturday 4 April 1818:
and Llangollen where we slept. In our way called at Dr. Richd. Bents (sic) at his Cottage called Plas yr Pentre, & who(?) accompanied us to Llangollen & spent the Evening.
Sunday 5 April 1818:
Viewed Llangollen Bridge then walked to Abbey Valla Crucis with Mr. Bent. A beautiful Ruin but the effect much injured by a White Cottage built by the Proprietor Mrs. Thomas close to the Abbey Gates. Took a short walk through the Lawn of the Cottage inhabited by Lady E. Butler and Miss Ponsonby. The Cottage a poor Building without taste or beauty & the front overloaded(?) with some old Wooden Carvings which to my eye had a bad effect being inconsistent with that simplicity which is the true Characteristic of a Cottage. Went to Plas y Pentre to an early dinner: & spent a few hours very agreeably. In the Evening proceeded to Oswestry, and from thence to Shrewsbury & arrived at the Lion(?) Inn about 9 o'Clock
Monday 6 April 1818:
Engaged closely all day on the Books & Accounts. In the afternoon Sir John Heathcote joined us. Wrote a Note to Dr. Darwin, who appointed to call upon me the next morning.
Tuesday 7 April 1818:
Dr. Darwin called. Recommended a perseverance in the Medicines & plan(?) I had been for some time upon. Afterwards went to the Brewery where we finished the annual Accounts & signed balance Sheet. Left Kemsly(?) about 12 & arrived at Linley Wood in the Evening.
Wednesday 8 April 1818:
At home. Engaged writing various Letters, particularly one to Dr. Crompton at Lune Villa. In the evening Mrs. Stamford &(?) Eliza arrived bringing Miss Ann Lawrence from Birmingham
Thursday 9 April 1818:
At home. Closely engaged all Morning on papers previous to going to Stone on Saturday to see Mr. Vernon on Martins Colliery business. Letter from Mr. Wood on Wedgwoods business & answer thereto.
Friday 10 April 1818:
At home. Engaged again on the above (Colliery) business. Took examination of Wm. Brandreth relative to Trees cut on Sunday last in Swallow moor Wood by Thos. Witney & Saml. Cooper 2 of Mr. Martins people. Michael Ashmore paying his Rent. Considering & advising on the Will of Hannah Harriet(?) of London sent by Mary Baggeley of Newcastle for my opinion & advice. Case from Mr. Evans of Lane End under the assessed Taxes. Considering & answering the same by his Servt.
Saturday 11 April 1818:
Mr. Wedgwood of Bignall End relative to our being appointed Overseers of the Poor. At Stone seeing Mr. Vernon & explaining to him the circumstances relating to Mr. Martins Colliery, when he strongly recommended that I should purchase the Estate, and said he would speak to Mr. Martin about it. In the Evg Letter from Dr. Crompton
Sunday 12 April 1818:
At home. Service. Sent the Letters that I had received & written to Mr. Bent.
Monday 13 April 1818:
At home. Farm & various matters.
Tuesday 14 April 1818:
At Trentham Inn Attending Meeting Militia & assessed Taxes. Mr. Spode & self. Miss Lawrence left us, going to Ollerton Eliza & Mrs. S. took her to Congleton
Wednesday 15 April 1818:
At home. Sent to Mr. Twemlow of Peats Wood invitation to dine on Wednesday next & stay the following day.
Thursday 16 April 1818:
At Betley. Called at Betley Hall. Mr. Wedgwood & Betley Court. Mr. Tollet & Mr. Wickstead, & Mr. F. Twemlow gone to Peatswood, but left Invitations for them to dine at Linley Wood on Wednesday next. Saw the Ladies at all the Houses. Mrs. Wedgwood looking ill but as usual interesting & in Spirits. Mr. Wedgwood promised to dine on Wednesday. I am prevented by being obliged to go to Liverpool on his military duty.
Friday 17 April 1818:
At Barlaston, to dinner & staid all night. Elizth., Mrs. Stamford & myself. Eliza(?) being prevented going by being unwell. Met Dr. & Mrs. Northern Mr. & Mrs. Wm. Bent 2 Miss Parrys Mr. Walter Coyney [Walter Coyney was a lawyer]. An agreeable day.
Saturday 18 April 1818:
Walked through the Grounds &c. which are very beautiful commanding a very fine feast(?) of Trentham Park, Woods, & Grounds & the surrounding Country. Barlaston is a good House and was built as Mr. Mills informed me from a plan & design of Sr. Rob. Taylor [Sir Robert Taylor, noted English architect]. the father of the present Mr. A. Taylor M.P. There is a very good picture of Lord Clarendon by Vandyke. Mr. P. stopped at Newcastle on our return on various matters & got home to dinner. In the evening Mr. Crompton, with the Dr. & Mrs. Crompton arrived at Linley Wood relative to the unfortunate affair which had occurred in the family of the former, & the proposed arrangement in North Wales. Much conversation & discussion on this painful business when it was agreed that I should go to Newcastle in the morning to talk the matter over with Mr. Bent.
Sunday 19 April 1818:
Mr. Crompton & the Dr. accompanied me to Stoneyfields where I had the pleasure to arrange matters so as to be satisfactory to the Parties; & the particulars of which Mr. Bent undertook to communicate to his Nephew. The Dr. & I returned to L. Wood to dinner; Mr. Crompton leaving us at Talk on his return into Lancashire. Found Mr. Hostage & Enoch Wood junr(?) who dined. After dinner the Dr. & Mrs. Crompton left us on their return home. Much Conversation & discussion afterwards with Mr. Hostage & E. Wood relative to the Bykars business & the Articles of Agreement with Mr. Wedgwood for the Supply of Coals. In the Evening Mr. Roscoe arrived, & W. Hostage & E. Wood left us.
Monday 20 April 1818:
At home. Wrote to Mr. Vaughan of Stone on behalf of Thompson & Barlow(?) two Boat men, to request that their Case might be investigated. Perusing & considering Drt. of Articles with Mr. Wedgwood which Mr. Hostage had left with me. Writing to Mess. Mousley & Mosley Derby with Deed sent for execution by Mrs. Stamford.
Tuesday 21 April 1818:
At home. Long Conversation with Mr. Wm. Roscoe on their affairs. but no material advance appeared to have been made towards a satisfactory & final arrangement. Took the Deed which had been granted by Mrs. Stamford to Newcastle to be forwarded from thence to Mess. M. & M. of Derby.
Wednesday 22 April 1818:
At home. Mr. Tollet, Twemlow, F. Twemlow & Jos. Wedgwood Junr came to Linley Wood. The three former stai'd all night. In the morning Mr. Roscoe left us.
Thursday 23: After breakfast Mr. Tollet went. Rode out with Mr. Twemlow; & with whom enjoyed all Morning. Mr. F. Twemlow having gone with Mr. Tollet; but returned to dinner. Dr. Northern & Mr. Bent dined.
Friday 24th April 1818
Mr. Twemlow & Mr. F. Twemlow left us after breakfast ˜ At home the rest of the day.
Saturday 25 April 1818:
At home. Various matters. Wrote to Mr. Crompton of Lune Villa. Miss Wedgwood of Betley came to dinner. Afterwards Mr. W. Skerett of Liverpool called, dined & went on to Nantwich.
Sunday 26 April 1818
At home. Service.
Monday 27 April 1818:
At home. Various matters & Papers previous to going to Stone tomorrow. Early this Morning Mrs. Stamford, Eliza, & J. Wedgwood set off to London, on their way to Paris.
Tuesday 28 April 1818:
At Stone attending Meeting of the Select Committee. Mr. Sparrow, Lister, Chetwynd, Webb & Self. Afterwards called upon Mr. Vernon relative to Martins Colliery business, who promised that I should hear from him on Thursday next. Mr. Lister mentioned in the course of conversation, that it was intended to call a County Meeting to petition against the intended Bill for the regulation of Country Banks. At the head of this were Mr. Tollet, Rickets, Sr. T.(?) Wrothesley, Sr. C. Wolseley &c. I was struck with one of the Objections which these Gentlemen had to the measure, namely that it would raise the Funds(?) verbum sat (sic)! Returned in the Evening having ridden to & from Stone on horseback.
Wednesday 29 April 1818:
In the morning at home. Engaged on various matters. Afterwards dining at Stoneyfields. Met Mr. & Mrs. Porter & Miss Thomas, Sneyd, Belcombe, & Jos Wedgwood Junr. Conversation with Dr. Belcombe relative to the Newcastle Library. Recommended continuing it another year at the same place, if the Rent were a little lowered.
Thursday 30 April 1818:
At home. Engaged on papers relative to the Longton Gutter Reference [Longton Gutter was an old water level which drained workings in the Longton district], in consequence of a Letter received from Mr. Fenton; & to whom I wrote proposing to call upon him at Newcastle on Monday next. Mr. Bent called relative to the Lune Villa business, & informing me that the matter was finally accedid (sic) to & approved by Sir John. Considered with him the communication from Mr. Williams of Shrewsbury relative to Poole, the late Clerk there, when it was thought best that I should write to Mr. Williams on the subject. In the evening Letter from Mr. Vernon saying that he had not yet seen Mr. Martin, but should do it tomorrow, or on Saturday Morning, & would then write again.
Page 180, May 1818.
Friday 1st May 1818:
At home. Engaged on various matters, Letters &c.
Saturday 2 May 1818:
At home. Wrote to Mr. Vernon in reply to a Letter received from him last night & proposing to meet Mr. Martin at his Office on Tuesday next. Mr. Jones of Leek, with whom settled & discharged his Account for Conveyances from Wm. Lawton Esqr. Received in the evening an evasive Letter from Mr. Vernon.
Sunday 3 May 1818:
At home. Service.
Monday 4 May 1818:
In the morning, Mr. Coomer of Harlington Hall, with a brown Colt which I purchased for the Carriage at the price of 45 Gs. Four years old, coming five. Afterwards at Newcastle, attending Meeting at the Roebuck, on assesses Taxes, W Spode & Self. Met with a Note from Mr. Fenton, who was prevented meeting me on the Longton Gutter business, by an attack of the Gout. Returned home to dinner. Received from Mr. Wood fresh Agreement entered into with Mr. Wedgwood, by which his undertaking to supply with Coals at goin(?) rates, was relinquished in consideration of his paying £3000 addl. purchase Money making the whole £26000. Wrote to Mr. Wood saying that I would be at Burslem with the Agreement.
Tuesday 5 May 1818:
At home all morning in consequence of a Letter from Mr. Vernon expecting Mr. Martin to call relative to the Foxholes Estate but he did not come. Jos. Wedgwood Junr. called. In the Evening went with Eliza to Burslem.
Wednesday 6:
At Cliff Villa consulting Mr. Tomlinson relative to Mr. Martins Colliery, when it was proposed that I should send a Case for Mr. Beales(?) [Peakes(?)] Opinion previous to any proceeding being commenced. From thence to Etruria but Mr. J. Wedgwood was out. Returned the Letters from Plas yr. Pentre to Mrs. Bent at Stoney fields Mr. Bent being out.
Page 181, May 1818.
Thursday 7 May 1818:
At home. Engaged all morning finishing & Copying for Mr. Peakes Opinion which sent to him by the Post. Wrote also to Mr. Vernon, in consequence of Mr Martin not having called. In the afternoon received a Letter from Mr. Wood to Mr. Hostage relative to Mr. Wedgwoods being let into possession on Saturday next, which with a few lines addressed by myself to Mr. Hostage, was sent to the Post by Thos. Lowe from Burslem.
Friday 8 May 1818:
At home. Walked with Mr. Beardman to look at the Meanlake farm, & particularly at the Hilditchs fields now laying down for permanent pasture.
Saturday 9 May 1818:
At home. Various matters previous to going to Nantwich tomorrow.
Sunday 10 May 1818:
At home. Service. In the afternoon Eliza. & I went to Nantwich and arrived at Dysart Buildings about 7 o Clock
Monday 11 May 1818:
At Nantwich. Walked to the Heath & viewed the new Enclosures which appear to be a great improvement & promise much benefit to the Town. Mr. Skerrett dined with us at Dysart Buildings.
Tuesday 12 May 1818:
At Nantwich. Called upon Mr. Joseph Salmon. Saw Mr. Garnet(?) who called. Dined at Mr. Skerretts. Mr. Chas. Broughton, Mr. John Garnett(?) & myself. Pleasant day, with much Conversation.
Wednesday 13 May 1818:
Dined at Nantwich & in the Evening returned to Linley Wood after a very agreeable excursion.
Thursday14 May 1818:
At home. Various matters. Turned out milking cows.
Friday 15 May 1818:
At home. Letters & various matters.
Saturday 16 May 1818:
At home. Letter from Mr. Bent inclosing one from Plas y Pentre. Writing Letter to Mr. Tomlinson with particulars of Mr. Peakes opinion. Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence of Birmingham came to dinner. Got early Potatoes.
Sunday 17 May 1818:
Service omitted. Engaged with Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence, who dined and then set off to Ollaston. Cut Cabbage.
Monday 18 May 1818:
At home. Various matters. Unwell.
Tuesday 19 May 1818:
At home. Still unwell. Turned Cows into Linley Meadow on account of the fouling of the Water in the old Watercourse
Wednesday 20 May 1818:
At Trentham Inn attending Meeting of Commrs. Mr. Spode & Self receiving Assessments of Assessed Taxes. Returned to dinner: but very unwell.
Thursday 21 May 1818:
At home. Fenced off the Trees newly planted. Mr. Mayor(?) Farrier looking at the Water of which he took some in order to analyse it. Fenced off the old Watering place, & took away the Hurdles that divide The Ground in order that the Cattle might have access to the Water in the Ground under the Wood.
Friday 22:
Turned Cows onto the ground before the House. Still very unwell. Mr. & Mrs. Chas. Lawton called. Surveyors, for the purpose of making a new rate(?) [route(?)] for the Parish of Audley, & who looked over the Estate with Mr. Beardmore.
Saturday 23 May 1818:
At home. Various matters. Letter from Mr. Bent informing me that the Plas yr. Pentre business was settled to go on as we had arranged. Cleansed the large Pool & the Pool at the Farm from weed.
Sunday 24 May 1818:
At Talk in the forenoon with Elizth. attending Service. Mr. & Mrs. C. Lawton there. Used the new Carriage Horse for the first time: which promises well. In the evening Mrs. Martin of Newcastle to consult relative to her accepting an Offer of the Brampton(?) House boarding School which had been offered her by Miss Cope, who is quitting the situation; and which I advised her to embrace. Mrs. & Miss Nickisson accompanied Mrs. M.
Monday 25 May 1818:
At home. Engaged on the Farm. Began setting Winter Potatoes.
Tuesday 26 May 1818:
In the morning at home. Farm. In the Evening at Newcastle calling on Mr. Bent who had been indisposed but found him better. Much conversation on various matters. He said Mr. W. Kinnersly had mentioned that the Foxholes might be purchased. Expressed my wish to have it on fair terms, when he promised to make enquiry from Mr. W. Kinnersly as to the particulars of his information.
Wednesday 27 May 1818:
In the morning at home. Dined at Lawton Elizth & Myself. Wm. Penlington also dined.
Thursday 28 May 1818:
This morning about 8 or 9 o Clock the Brick Oven in Mr. Martins ground(?) was fired. Much smoke occasioned by it. I saw Mr. Johnson who still maintained his opinion that there [were] no Coals in the Estate that wd. pay for the getting, & that the Colliery would not be of long continuance.
Friday 29 May 1818:
At home. Farm. Turned the two Carriage horses out to grass.
"Mr. John Adams, the American Ambassador to this Country, regarded the French revolution at the commencement with gloomy foreboding, rather than any pleasurable anticipation and with more truth than usually attends political speculation, he foretold the destruction of a million of human Beings."
Monthly Review May 1817.
I am tempted to note this circumstance from the perfect coincidence of my own sentiments and impressions with those of Mr. Adams, respecting the French Revolution. Those with whom I have been in the habit of communication, will well remember how little I suffered myself to be deceived by those "glowing visions" and "enthusiastic hopes" which dazzled the imaginations and misled the judgement of so many persons; and how constantly I deprecated those "sad realities" which blackened and deformed the history of Revolutionary France. Without pretending with Mr. Adams to calculate the quantity of human life that would be wantonly and uselessly wasted; I steadily maintained however throughout the contest, one Opinion, namely, that it would end in the restoration of the Bourbons, an Event which I have lived to see take place.
Saturday 30: At home. Various matters. In the Evening Mr. & Mrs. John Lawrence arrived on their return to Birmingham out of Cheshire; bringing the intelligence of the death & funeral of Mr. Potts of Ollaston. He died on Saturday the 23. & was buried this morning. Age 67. A truly good & worthy man I had long known & much respected.
Page 184, May 1818.
Sunday 31 May 1818:
At home. After breakfast Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence left us. Service. Changed the Cows into the Pool field this morning.
June
Monday 1st June 1818:
At home. Letter from Mr. Hill in Mrs. Tollets Affairs which answered by his Servant & sent around by Barthomley for the perusal of Mr. Hinchcliffe. Wrote also to A.C. Marsh, to go tomorrow by Eliza. Fished the Pools. Mr. Hamnett of Liverpool came to dinner & with whom afterwards engaged.
Tuesday 2 June 1818:
Took Eliza to Stone, on her way to Birmingham from whence she meant to proceed tomorrow to London. Took Mr. Hamnett with us in the Carriage as far as Newcastle. Called at the Navgn. Office at Stone & saw Mr. Vaughan, with whom made Conversation on the Affairs of the Canal, which I found in a very prosperous State. I returned to Linley Wood to dinner.
Wednesday 3 June 1818:
At home. Various matters. In the Evening rode over the grounds on Jessica.
Thursday 4 June 1818:
At home. Wrote to Eliza. Mr. Davenport on account of Wm. Milners relapse. Much Conversation with him: & continue to think him intelligent & well informed in his business, as well as modest & unpretending. He said he had once tried the affusion of cold water in a Case of Gout, but with very hard(?) success as it drove the complaint from the extremity to the Stomach; though in the first instance it completely relieved the local pain. Blistered by his advice the grey Horses back
Friday 5 June 1818:
At home. Various matters. In the Evening Mrs. Stamford & Emma arrived.
Saturday 6:
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Lawton called early to invite me to dine & meet Mr. Ackers(?); but declined going. Wrote to Mr. Hostage informing him of Baks(?) Administrations being received at Mr. Sparrows Office of which Mr. Swinnerton had informed me by Letter. Resumed Musick with Emma.
Sunday 7 June 1818:
At home. Service
Monday 8 June 1818:
The 34 anniversary of the blessed day which united me with my beloved and excellent wife. More & more dear! as age and time swell the proofs & recollections of increasing friendship, tenderness & love. In the morning at Newcastle on various matters. Requested by the Mayor to sit with the Returning Officers on the approaching Election, the contest being expected to be very close and severe, but which I declined; promising however to be ready to give them every assistance in my power short of that & for that purpose that I would be in the Town if they wished it, and always ready to attend them. Tom & Harry Wedgwood came to dinner.
Tuesday 9 June 1818:
At home. In the evening Letter from Elizath.
Wednesday 10 June 1818:
In the morning at home. Wrote to Eliza. Various matters. Mrs. Stamford, Emma and I dined at Stoney fields. Met Dr. Thos. Bent, Mrs. Rawson, Mr. Woodey, Mr. John Gorton. On our return home found a Letter from Eliza to Emma with the joyful intelligence of our dear Anne being very well after the birth of a little girl which was born at 6 o Clock on Monday evening last. By a rather singular Coincidence the Wedding Day of its Grandfather & Grandmother; the honorable title which belongs to my beloved wife & Myself.
Thursday 1 June 1818:
At home. In the evening Letter from Mr. Sparrow mentioning that it was the wish of the Mayor & the returning Officers that Stamford shd. attend them at the approaching Election requesting my Answer. Letter again from my beloved wife with a continued good Account of our daughter & her little girl. Letter also from Mr. Balguy on the Derby Affairs & preparing the purchases(?) of some Land lying at the back of the Nuns green Houses.
Sunday 12 June 1818
At Newcastle. I saw Mr. Sparrow, the Mayor, & Mr. Bentley & by their desire sent an Express to London desiring Stamfords attendance at the Election. The Contest expected be very warm & severe. Mr. Wilmot expected to arrive this afternoon: Sir John Boughey being in the Town. Returned to dinner with Mrs. Stamford & Emma who had taken me to Newcastle in the morning on their way to Parkfields.
Page 186, June 1818.
Saturday 13 June 1818:
At home.
Sunday 14 June 1818:
At home. Service. In the Evening Stamford arrived: just previous to which, I was alarmed by seeing an Empty Gig going down the Liverpool(?) Road, with the Horse on full speed. On meeting Stamford he said he had just parted with Mr. France of Bostock, who was going on in his Gig, they having come down by the Mail together: but he was sure it could not be him from the shortness of the time. On enquiring however it proved to be Mr. France's Gig out of which he & his Servant had jumped, the Horse having run away with them & the Reins having broke. Hastening(?) next up to the Swan where they had been carried. Found Mr. France in almost a senseless state with a severe Contusion on the back of the head(?) & the Servant with his leg broken. Foster the Surgeon having been called in; Sent off immediately for Dr. Northern who on his Arrival seemed satisfied that no injury had been done to the Skull or brain, but Mr. France was very ill. Staid with him with his man Servant 12 o Clock, and left Thomas to sit up with him, having first despatched a Messenger by the Expedition Coach with a Letter to Miss France at Everton.
Monday 15 June 1818:
Went early up to the Swan. Dr. Lowther came at half past eight pursuant to Appointment. Mr. France rather better but still in a very indifferent state. He was bled at the Arm & about 2 hours after 4 Leeches were applied to each temple. Staid with him the whole of the day & left him at night much more comfortable in the care of Wm. Heath who was to sit up with him. Wrote again in the Assurance(?) to Everton.
In the afternoon a fine Shower which after the long & excessive heat & Drought was most acceptable & useful.
Tuesday 16 June 1818:
In the morning two Miss France's & Mr. John Cropper came to breakfast. Afternoon & went with them to the Swan, where we found Mr. France going on very well. Engaged with Mr. Cropper, and also with Stamford on the subject of the Newcastle Election previous to his attending the Returning Officers tomorrow.
Wednesday 17: In the forenoon at home. Afterwards dined at Stoneyfields, Sir John & Mr. Heathcote, Jos Wedgwood Junr. & Harry. Staid later in order to see Stamford & Conversation with him on the Election, & some of the disputed Cases. Returned later having previously fixed with Mr. Bent to go together to Stafford Friday & to attend the Nomination. Good Account of Mr. France. Dr. Northern thinking him so well as to have given his permission for his going to Bostock tomorrow.
Thursday 18 June 1818:
In the morning Mr. Cropper & Miss Frances left. Linley Wood, & took Mr. France with them from Talk on the Hill. Engaged on various matters. Jos. & Harry Wedgwood & Roland here & dined.
Friday 19 June 1818:
Went early to Stafford, attending nomination for the County. Called at the Mayors, considering some adjourned Cases & promised(?) to close(?) on my return. Lord Gower proposed (at Stafford) [transcriber's note: position of 'Stafford' in sentence uncertain] by Mr. Lane & seconded by Grove, Mr. Littleton proposed by Mr. Chetwynd seconded by Mr. Page. Ridiculous & foolish Speech from Sr. Chas. Wolseley: but no opposition set up. Returned to Newcastle & dined with the Returning Officers Stamford & Mr. J. Sparrow at the Woolpack. Much Conversation & Consideration with them relative to the Election & sundry adjudged Cases. Took Stamford up to Stoneyfields and returned late having previously promised to dine again with the Returning Officers tomorrow.
Saturday 20 June 1818
In conveyance of a Letter from Mr. Hostage saying
Saturday 20 June 1818:
that he should be at Burslem today for the purpose of getting the Bycars Deeds [Bycars was a colliery at Burslem]. executed. Went to Burslem where all the Deeds were duly executed by Mr. Wood Mr. Wedgwood & myself. Proceeded from there to Newcastle. Found that a Riot had taken place in the Hall, one part of the Burgesses having by force prevented Mr. Walthall one of the new made Burgesses from polling & having pulled down part of the Hustings. Dined with the Returning Officers Much consideration as to the Course that it would be proper to pursue, when they agreed to wait the event of tomorrow: in order to see whether the same nuisance was likely to be occasioned(?), & if so to have Military in readiness in case the civil power should not prove sufficiently powerful to keep the peace. Stamford returned with me to Linley Wood. In the morning Miss Lawrence came to L. Wood.
Sunday 21 June 1818:
At home. Miss Lawrence. Much Conversation & Consideration with Stamford relative to the Election. I have suggested the propriety of creating National(?) Special Constables & strengthening the Civil power to the utmost. If this could not be done to a sufficient extent it and(?) then he has to send to the Yeomanry Cavalry to be in readiness in case of further Riot, and in case the civil power was not strong enough. Desired Stamford to mention this to the Returning Officers whom he had promised to meet at half past five this afternoon at the Mayor's.
The Weather which for upwards of a Month had been exceedingly hot & dry changed the latter end of the last week to most beneficial Rain; but became so cold last night & today, that we had recourse to Fires.
Monday 22 June 1818:
At home. Miss Lawrence left L. Wood after breakfast. Accompanied to Talk by Mrs. Stamford & Emma, who then heard from Sir John Heathcote that the Election was concluded, by the resignation of the Contest. In the afternoon
June 22 June 1818:
Stamford returned, having as I all along understood discharged the duties of a delicate & arduous situation with much credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of all the Parties concerned; and clearly(?) justifying the anxiety that I had felt, that so public an occasion should not pass over without his appearance .
Tuesday 23 June 1818:
At home. Various matters. Sent to Betley Court a Note of Enquiry after Sir John Boughey.
Wednesday 24 June 1818:
At home. Note from Mr. Wm. Kinnersly inviting me to dine at his Election dinner today at the Roebuck; but declined the same, as did Stamford to whom an Invitation had also been sent. In the Evening received a Letter from my ever dear Eliza with a good Account of Anne.
Thursday 25 June 1818:
At home. Wrote to Eliza.
Friday 26 June 1818:
At home. Various matters. Tom & Caroline Wedgwood dined
Saturday 27 June 1818:
At Newcastle, Calling upon the Mayor & returning Officers, & invited them to dine on Wednesday next. Invited also Sparrow, Plant, & Scott. At the Brewery. Called also on Mr. Wm. Kinnerley. Conversation relative to Foxholes Estate, which he had promised to make enquiry about with a view to facilitating my purchase of it. Requested him for the present not to take any notice which he said he & his Brother Thos. would not do till he heard from me again, civilly desiring that I would make use of them on the occasion, whenever I thought it proper. Received on my return Letter from Mr. Wood relative to Arrangements in the Burslem Concern. This morning Began to mow the bottom of the Meadow.
Sunday 28 June 1818:
Enoch & Joseph Wood dined here with whom much Conversation relative to the Burslem Concern, & wrote by them a Letter to Mr. Wood explanatory of my Sentiments on the business. Turned the grey horse out again to Grass. In the Evening received Letter from my more than ever beloved wife, with a good Account from Whitehall place.
Monday 29 June 1818:
At home. Went on with the Mowing. Wm. Penlington dined.
Tuesday 30 June 1818:
At home. Hay Harvest.
Page 190, July 1818.
Wednesday 1st July 1818:
In the morning Mrs. Artusbey(?) of Congleton called. The Mayor of Newcastle (Mr. John Nickisson) with the returning Officers at the late Election Mess: Bentley & Turner dined. Also Mr. Plant & Mr. Scott High Constable. Mr. Sparrow prevented coming. A pleasant day: the Gentlemen staying late.
Thursday 2 July 1818:
Mr. George Martin & Mr. Dale of Talk. Paid the former 2 Years Rent for growth of Timber on Foxholes Estate, he said he should make no more bricks. Busy in the Hay: Some of which was carried in the Evening. Jos. & Harry Wedgwood dined.
Friday 3 July 1818:
At home. Engaged in Hay.
Saturday 4 July 1818:
At home. Weather cloudy which prevented doing much on the Hay. Engaged on Letter to Mr. Wood. Wrote also to Mr. France.
Sunday 5 July 1818:
At home. Service.
Monday 6 July 1818:
At Stone attending Meeting of the Select Committee. Mr. Sparrow, Chetwynd, Lister, Webb, & Self. Engaged to go with the three latter to Shardlow & to be at Wolseley Bridge on the Evening of Sunday the 19th. Left the people at home busy in the Hay Harvest & found to my great surprise on my return at night that the Grass mown on Saturday had been carried quite dry(?) & sufficiently made.
Tuesday 7 July 1818:
At home. Mr. Kempe from Burslem with whom long Conversation relative to the Burslem Concern & the extraordinary part taken by Mr. Wood in Attempting to put an end to the Partnership. Had the satisfaction to find the most unequivocal testimony born by Mr. Kempe to my Conduct as a Partner & the liberality in which I had uniformly behaved towards Mr. Wood, during the time that he had been employed as Chief Clerk & BookKeeper being a friend of 16 or a 17 years. Engaged
Page 191, July 1818.
Tuesday 7 July 1818:
busily in the Hay & did, what I had never known since I was a Farmer Carried in excellent Condition & stacked the Grass cut only yesterday. Harry Wedgwood, & Bob, dined, the former having come here yesterday. Stamford dined at Dr. Northerns. In the Evening a very light Shower of Rain.
Wednesday 8 July 1818:
At Newcastle, with Stamford. Dining with the Mayor & a large party.
Thursday 9 July 1818:
At home. Engaged in the Hay, which we finished. Received in the Afternoon a Letter from Mr. Wood relative to the Burslem Concern & his proposed Dissolution of the Partnership. A Strange Man! and an extraordinary instance how much Vanity & Self Conceit can render unavailing, not to say worthless, inginuity (sic) & Talent which to a certain degree he undoubtedly possesses. But --- ---- ---- ----
Friday 10 July 1818:
At home. Began a Letter to Mr. Wood, but recollecting that my beloved Wife, and friend would be at home tomorrow Evening deferred finishing it, till I had an opportunity of consulting her.
Saturday 11 July 1818:
At home, and late at Night had the happiness to see again my heart dear Wife, who came about 11 o Clock with Eliza and Chas. Wedgwood.
Sunday 12 July 1818:
At home. Chas. Wedgwood dined: & left us after dinner in a Carriage which the party had brought down from Mr. Tollet. In the Evening some fine gentle Rain.
Monday 13 July 1818:
Engaged writing Letter to Mr. Wood. Mrs. Noble & her Niece came to Tea.
Tuesday 14 July 1818:
At home. Began taking down the old Cowhouse at the Farm. Letter again from Mr. Wood & writing in reply to it.
Wednesday 15 July 1818:
At home. Considering with much attention the Burslem Affair. Letter again from Mr. Wood. Mrs. Thomas, a friend of Mrs Noble came in the Afternoon.
Thursday 16 July 1818:
At home. Mrs. Noble(?) & her Niece left L. Wood.
Friday 17:
At home. Mr. Kempe with whom a long Conversation relative to the Burslem business: on which I was to have met Mr. Hostage this day at the Red Bull but he was prevented coming.
Saturday18 July 1818:
At home. Mr. Hostage & Enoch Wood came in the Forenoon when I finally agreed for sale to Mr. Wood of my Share & Interest in the Concern of Wood & Caldwell for £27,000.
Mr. Wm. Roscoe arrived in the Evening.
Sunday 19 July 1818:
Service. In the evening went to Wolseley Bridge taking Mr. Vaughan from Stone, in order to set off the following Morning on my excursion to view the Canal from Wolseley to Shardlow.
Monday 20 July 1818:
This Morning Mr. Lister, Mr Chetwynd, Mr Webb, myself with Mr. Poker(?), Mr. Vaughan &c., set off in the Companys Boat on the Survey, having previously seen Mr. Sparrow of Bishton. Went to Harvington & from thence returned to Burton upon Trent, where we dined and slept. Walked in the Evening with Mr. Chetwynd the Scenery about which is truly beautiful. In the afternoon I was suddenly taken ill in the Boat, which prevented my enjoying the Sail that we had today through the beautiful fair Country lying between W. B & Burton.
Tuesday 21 July 1818:
Rose early after a night of great pain & suffering. Proceeded to Shardlow. A Delightful Country through the Vale of the Trent. Surveyed the Company's Warehouses &c. Saw Sutton, who told a fine Tale of his having been invited to stand Candidate for the County of Leicester. Suspected there was something more in it than met the ear. Returned to Burton very late to dinner. Extremely ill myself; & determined to set off home the next morning in the Chaise.
Wednesday 22 July 1818:
Passed another miserable night & in the Morning Set off home accompanied by Mr. Vaughan & after a miserable Journey arrived at Linley Wood in the Afternoon.
Thursday 23 July 1818:
At home. Increasingly ill.
Friday 24 July 1818:
At home. Ill.
Saturday 25:
Mr. Hostage came in the Morning with whom much Conversation relative to the Agreement & made an additional Minute. Mr. H. dined & then proceeded to Burslem. I had been today rather better.
Sunday 26 July 1818:
At home. Service. Mr. Bent came to dinner with whom much Conversation relative to the Burslem Concern my quitting which he much approved. Mr. Roscoes Affair &c.
Monday 27 July 1818:
At home. Again unwell. Began alterations in the Buildings at the Farm.
Tuesday 28 July 1818:
At home. Mr. Hostage came to dinner, with whom proposed an explanatory Memorandum of Agreement relative to Burslem Concern.
Wednesday 29 July 1818:
At home. Ill.
Thursday 30 July 1818:
At home. Mr. Hostage & Edward Wood. In the evening Mr. & Mrs. Wedgwood from Betley.
Friday 31 July 1818:
At home. Mr. Trubshaw. Engaged with Mr. Wedgwood. Workmen busy taking down the Chimney at the Farm which was discovered to contain much Timber which had been on fire & which if it had not been discovered and attended to might caused(?) the whole Building being burnt down and of which it must long have been in danger. In the evening Mr. & Mrs. Wedgwood left us.
August
Saturday 1st August 1818:
At home. Unwell.
Sunday 2 August 1818:
At home. Service, but very unwell.
Monday 3 August 1818:
At home. Ill. Mr. Wm. Sneyd from Ashcombe & two Miss Powys came to L. Wood. Also Car. Wedgwood & the young Men from Elsmore.
Page 194, August 1818.
Tuesday 4 August 1818:
At home. So ill as to prevent my attending Newcastle Races.
Wednesday 5 August 1818:
The same, miserably ill.
Thursday 6 August 1818:
The same.
Friday 7 August 1818:
Mr. Wm. Sneyd & the Miss Powys went. Still very ill.
Saturday 8 August 1818:
At home. Ill. Wm. Bent came in the Morning.
Sunday 9 August 1818:
At home. Too unwell to go through the Service. In the Evening Mr. Bent went. Stamford bought from him a bay Horse for £25 to be charged to my Credt. at Macclesfield.
Monday 10 August 1818:
At home. Very unwell. Mr. Trubshaw then came to alter the Marble Chimney piece in the Drawing Room. I put up the Steps at the Door.
Tuesday 11 August 1818:
At home. Very unwell. About 10 at night my most dearly beloved Anne arrived with her Baby at Linley Wood; but owing to my indisposition her Mother & I had retired before she came.
Wednesday 12 August 1818:
Saw my dear Anne & her Little Child: with Emotions new & unfelt before, & proportionately tender & strong: but the miserable state of my health & Spirits clouded the perfect happiness that I should otherwise have experienced & the regret of which added another pang to the many that I have for the last three wretched weeks endured.
Thursday 13 August 1818:
At home. Still very unwell, but rather better
Friday 14 August 1818:
Mr. W. Roscoe. Began cutting Wheat & Oats.
Saturday 15 August 1818:
Mr. Hostage came for the purpose of taking Instructions for Settlemt. on the intended Marriage of A.C. & W.R. Conversation thereon.
Sunday 16 August 1818:
Engaged with Mr. Hostage on Settlemt. & Instructions for a Draught. In the Evening Mr. H. went to Burslem, having previously signed a Memorandum relative to the Securities to be given to me by Mr. Wood & his Sons. Stamford set off to Belper.
Monday 17 August 1818:
At home. Lady Fletcher, Miss Fletcher & Mrs. F. Twemlow called. Also Mr. Tollet, Miss Tollet & Mr. Wickstead; & Mrs. Belcombe. My Sisters also arrived from Nantwich. In the evening a fine Shower.
Tuesday 18 August 1818:
At home.
Wednesday 19 August 1818:
At home. Engaged a good deal with the Buildings at the Farm.
Thursday 20 August 1818:
At home. Unwell.
Friday 21 August 1818:
At home. Engaged on intended Settlement on the Marr. of E.A.C. & Mr. Roscoe.
Saturday 22 August 1818:
At home. Dr. & Mrs. Belcombe, Miss Moreton, Mr. & Mrs. Bent, & Mr. Anderton dined. Sent Drat.of Settlemt. to W.R.
Sunday 23 August 1818:
At home. Service
Monday 24 August 1818:
At home. J.S.C. returned from Derby & Buxton.
Tuesday 25 August 1818:
Went early to Sandon attending Meeting of Select Committee, Mr. Sparrow, Chetwynd, Webb, & Self. Returned at night. Found 2 Miss Darwins, Caroline & Jos. Wedgwood & Mr. Bent at Linley Wood.
Wednesday 26 August 1818:
At home. New Building. Jos & Harry Wedgwood dined.
Thursday 27 August 1818:
Mrs. Wedgwood C.W. & Miss Darwins left Linley Wood. Engaged with new Building &c.
"The human mind is so strangely capricious, that, when freed from the pressure of real misery, it becomes open and sensitive to the apprehension of ideal Calamities"
Heart of Mid Lothian. Vol.4. p. 50
Friday 28 August 1818:
At home. Engaged on Mr. R. & E.A.C. Settlement & other matters.
Saturday 29 August 1818
Elizath. Emma & I called at Trentham. Saw Lord & Lady Stafford & Lady Elizabeth. Whilst there Mrs. & Miss Sneyd of Keele & Miss Carnegie called. All parties seemed disposed to be very agreeable & the thing(?) went off well. On our return Called myself upon Mr. J. Sparrow, who I found indisposed with Gout, but much recovered from his late illness.
Sunday 31 [sic in error for 30]:
At home. Service
Monday 31 August 1818:
At home. Miss Tollet, Miss Coape, & Miss Aire(?) called, & Mrs. Wilbraham.
September
Tuesday 1 August 1818:
At home. Mr. Wilbrahim called. Mr. Penlington sent 2d/n(?) Brace of Birds & a Leveret. Engaged writing sundry Letters to Mr. Roscoe &c. Farm Buildings &c &c. In the afternoon a very heavy & seasonable Shower of Rain with distant Thunder. In the evening read out "Mid Lothian" A work which I cannot but think greatly inferior to the preceding ones of the ingenious & justly popular Writer, in Dignity, Pathos & Humour.
Saturday 1 August 1818
Staffordshire Advertiser
Notice is hereby given, that the Partnership heretofore carried on at Burslem, in the County of Stafford, between Enoch Wood, of Burslem aforesaid, Manufacturer of Earthenware and James Caldwell of Linley Wood, in the same county, as Manufacturers of Earthenware and Workers and Getters of Coal, under the names of Firm of "Wood and Caldwell," or "Enoch Wood and Caldwell," or "Caldwell and Wood," was this day dissolved by mutual consent. - And Notice is further given that all persons indebted to the said Firms, or any or either of them, are requested to pay the amount of their respective Debts to the said Enoch Wood alone, who will pay and discharge all Debts owing by the said Parties in respect of the said Concerns or any or either of them. - Given under our hands this 17th day of July 1818.
Enoch Wood
James Caldwell
Signed in the presence of Thomas Hostage
Diary of James Caldwell continues. . .
Wednesday 2 August 1818:
At home. Engaged at Buildings at the Farm &c. Unwell. Letter Writing &c.
Thursday 3 August 1818:
At home. Farm &c. Finished carrying Oats from Banky Swallow Moor.
Friday 4 August 1818:
Set off to Etruria but prevented going on by the Rain of which we had had some slight & most acceptable Showers during the course of the last 2 days. Very unwell.
Saturday 5 August 1818:
At Etruria calling upon Mr. Jos. Wedgwood & obtaining his Consent to his name being used as a Trustee with Mr. Peake in the Settlement on the Marriage of Eliza & Mr. W. Roscoe. Long Conversation with him on the Settlement, when he repeatedly expressed a strong opinion that the proposed Covt. on the part of Mr. R. to make a future Settlement if it should be in his power was highly reasonable & proper(?) Mentioned to Mr. Wedgwood also the circumstances of the dissolution of the Partnership of Wood & Caldwell. Called at Stoneyfields & the Brewery, but Mr. Bent was out. Saw Mr. Thos. Sparrow, & Consulted with him, relative to the Case of two Men who had been taken up at Newcastle, for collecting Money for the Miners(?) at Manchester, who were in a state of Disturbance. Thought the Offence punishable by the Magistrate by Fine under the Act of Parliament. On my arrival at home, found 2 Miss Wedgwoods of Parkfields, who dined & staid all night. Stamford also returned from Chester Assizes
Sunday 6 August 1818:
At home. Miss Wedgwoods left us. In the evening Mr W. Roscoe arrived. Stamford went to Betley Hall to dinner.
Monday 7 August 1818:
Wm. Penlington on their affairs. Afterwards at Sandbach with Mr. W.R. meeting Mr. Hostage & finally settling the Drat. of the Settlement on his intended Marriage with E.C.
Tuesday 8 August 1818:
At Rode Heath. Meeting Mr. Henry Broughton Mr. Pattison Mr. Sutton & the Referees Mr. Massey & Mr. Coomer in order that a valuation might be put by the latter on Mr. Penlingtons Moiety of the House &c, belonging to him & the Devisees of the late Sir Thos. Broughton; but after it had been understood by Mr. Massey that he & Mr. Coomer had agreed, the latter having met & spoke to Mr. Broughton said he should not accede to the terms proposed & the business therefore broke off. Called at Rode Hall but Mr. Wilbrahim was out.
Wednesday 9 August 1818:
At Newcastle with Mr. W. Roscoe in order that he might obtain a License (sic), Mr. Hickin of Audley to whom Application had been made, proving not to be a Surrogate. Called upon Mr. Bent who was so good as to accompany W.R. to the Revd. Mr. Leighs from whom the Licence was procured. In the afternoon had a long conversation with my dear Eliza to whom I explained all the feelings & Motives from which I had acted through the course of the affair & succeeded in setting her mind compleatly at rest as to any displeasure or disapprobation on my part, & which I was desirous to do, that no useless Uneasiness proceeding from me might cloud her approaching happiness.
In the evening Mr. Skerrett arrived.
Thursday 10 August 1818:
In the morning proceeded to Audley Church - my dear Eliza Ann Marsh & myself in our own Carriage, Bessy & Emma & Mr. Roscoe in Mrs. Harfords Carriage & Mr. Skerrett & Anne Caldwell in Anne Marshs Carriage. Ceremony performed by Mr. Hickin. After which
E50/E51
Thursday 10 August 1818:
the whole party returned to Linley Wood to breakfast. Took an opportunity of speaking in the kindest terms to Mr. R., that I might compleat the good work of perfect harmony; & hope that I succeeded in making him comfortable & happy. Between one & two o Clock he & Eliza left us; sending the Carriage & horses with them to Middlewich, on their road into Northwales.
Friday 11 August 1818:
Walked with Mr. Skerrett to Alsager, looking over Oak & Meanlooke farms. Busy cutting Oats in the Hilditchs fields, which owing to being sown very late we did not begin upon till this week. Improvements on Prospect Hill & the Birchin(?) field fallow, by marl broking well.
Saturday 12 August 1818:
At home. Lord Gower & Lady Elizth. called to congratulate us on the Marriage. Sat a long time & were particularly pleasant & sociable. Miss Morgan, Mr. Wedgwood of Betley, & Mr. Jos. Wedgwood also called. Mr. Bent dined. Gave him for his Consideration a Letter in reply to one which I had received from Mr. Denison on the Liverpool Brewery affair.
Sunday 13 August 1818:
At home. Service.
Monday 14 August 1818:
Received Invitation from Lord & Lady Stafford to dine at Trentham on Saturday next the 19th, congratulations on the Marriage. Engaged writing Letters to Mr. Roscoe of Liverpool in reply to one received from him on occasion of the Marriage. Afterwards at Newcastle on sundry matters & left at Mr. Sparrows papers &c on Mr. Armitsteads affairs received from Mr. Owen of Bawtry. Returned to Dinner. In the morning Mr. Skerrett & my Sisters left us on their return to Nantwich. In the night heavy Rain.
Tuesday 15 August 1818:
At Newcastle again attending Meeting of the Committee for managing the Theatre; & long discussion with Mr. Stanton, when it was agreed to give him a further trial to bring a better Company. Executed Deed sent from Bawtry being a disclaimer under the Will of the late Revd. Mr. Armitstead under which I had been appointed a Trustee & Executor, but which was afterwards changed by the Appointment of his Son in Law Mr. Prickett in lieu of myself. Left the Deed to be forwarded from Mr. Sparrows Office to Bawtry. In my absence Mr. & Mrs. Kinnersly & Miss Kinnersly kindly called.
Wednesday 16 August 1818:
At home. Engaged with Deeds relating to the Burslem property & drawing out Abstract for Mr. Hostage. Dr. Northern in the evening to see Mrs. Harford, who was again much indisposed.
Thursday 17 August 1818:
Engaged on the like. Anne returned from Parkfields where she had gone on Monday last & Stamford from Pentswood, where he went on Tuesday.
Friday 18 August 1818:
At home. Sent Abstract & sundry Deeds to Mr. Hostage & wrote to him on the business. Mr. Beardmore & Richd. Beresford relative to his License being withdrawn from the latter: in consequence as he said of a Representation to the Magistrates from Mr. Wilbrahim & Mr. Wittenhall. Advised him to go first to Mr. Wettenhall to enquire into the causes of any Complaint.
Saturday 19 August 1818:
In the morning engaged on Mean Lake farm. Carrying Oats. Mr. & Mrs. Charles Lawton called. Dined at Trentham. Eliza Stamford Emma & I. Met there Mr. & Lady Elizth. Vernon. Mr. Bosen(?) Fagel, Envoy from the Netherlands & Mr. Lane. Very agreeable day, & met with much and very kind attention. Lady Stafford regretted to Eliza that Count Lieven the Russian Ambassador & the Countess, had gone away that morning, as the latter was an extraordinary performer on the Piano forte & she thought it would have given me much pleasure to hear her. On this account she asked(?) me to hear her, & She said they had fully depended upon their staying over today. Lord Stafford shewed me a picture by Jackson, who he spoke of as a promising Artist, Moses in the Bullrushes. Prettily painted, but the head seemed to me as if cut off from the Body, owing to one dark separating line which had to my eye a bad effect. Finished carrying the Oats.
Sunday 20: At home. Service. Mr. & Mrs. Bent dined on their return out of Lancashire.
Monday 21 August 1818:
At
Tuesday 22 August 1818:
In the evening Marsh and his two Sisters arrived at Linley Wood
Wednesday 23 August 1818:
At home. Engaged on various Letters & papers. Burslem & Liverpool Brewery.
Thursday 24 August 1818:
Called at Lawton Hall
Friday 25:
At Wolseley Bridge attending Meeting of the Select Committee. Went with Mr. Thos. Sparrow from Newcastle & returned at Night
Saturday 26 August 1818:
At home. Engaged with Letters & papers: but walked to Mean Lake with Eliza.
Sunday 27 August 1818:
At home. but too unwell for going through the Service
Monday 28 August 1818:
At home. Unwell.
Tuesday 29 August 1818:
At Stone with Stamford attending General Navgn Assembly. Took Mr. Thos. Sparrow in the Carriage from Newcastle. Returned at Night.
Wednesday 30 August 1818: At home. Mr. & Mrs. Charles Lawton & Mr. Penlington dined.
Public Ledger and Daily Advertiser.
Wednesday 16 September 1818
Married.Sept.10 - William Stanley Roscoe, Esq., eldest son of William Roscoe Esq., of Liverpool, to Hannah Eliza, eldest daughter of James Caldwell Esq., of Liney Wood.
Diary of JamesCaldwell continues.
October
Thursday 1st October 1818:
At home. Mrs. Chas. Lawton dined. Marsh & Stamford went to Coole.
Friday 2 October 1818:
At home. Various matters. Farm &c. Mr. Wedgwood called bringing Miss Caroline Darwin, who staid at Linley Wood.
Saturday 3 October 1818:
Eliza Anne & I called at Swinnerton Hall. Saw Mr. & Mrs. Fitzherbert who were very friendly & seemed glad to see us again. From thence to Parkfields. Called upon Miss Morgan at her new Cottage. Afterwards dined at Parkfields, where we met Miss Marshs Emma & Miss C. Darwin. On our Return found Stamford & Marsh.
Sunday 4 October 1818:
At home. Service.
Monday 5 October 1818:
Dined at Lawton Hall. The Marshs Emma Stamford & myself. Met the Ackers, Mr. Apperley(?), Mr. Penlington and a Mr. Powell Member for Cardigan. An agreeable man with whom I had much conversation.
Tuesday 6 October 1818:
At Newcastle dining with the late Mayor Mr. John Nickisson. A very large party and excellent dinner & every thing well conducted.
Page 201, October 1818.
Wednesday 7 October 1818:
At home. Received from Mr. Hostage a Drafts of Deed of Dissolution of Partnership with Mr. Wood. & of other Deeds relative thereto, in order that I might look over the same previous to Mr. Hostage seeing me, & which I fixed for him to do on Saturday next.
Thursday 8 October 1818:
In the Morning engaged with the papers received from Mr. Hostage. At Newcastle dining with Mr. Nickisson Senr. of the Marsh. An agreeable Party. Sat next to Mr. Ward of Newcastle who I found a very agreeable well informed Man & with whom I had much interesting Conversation. Promised to send him Houghtons Essays, & Waltons Angler neither of which he had seen.
Friday 9 October 1818:
At home. Engaged again on the papers received from Mr. Hostage which I found in several respects not consonant to the Agreement.
Saturday 10 October 1818:
Mr. Hostage with whom a long discussion of the Drafts. In some of my Observations on which, he readily concurred, but some difference arising as to the disposal of the old Title Deeds, it was proposed that the Draft Agreement should be laid before a Counsel on my behalf & whose Fees I consented to pay. After dinner Mr. H. returned to Burslem.
Sunday 11 October 1818:
At home. Having declined going to Newcastle to dine with the New Mayor Mr. Rob. Hill, not being very well, & A. Marsh being obliged to set off on his return to London tomorrow in consequence of unexpected business. Service. Jos. & Harry Wedgwood came to dinner.
Monday 12 October 1818:
The Wedgwoods went early; & after breakfast we had the painful task of parting with our dear friends, & the little Infant, which had been a source of new and exquisite delights to us for several weeks past. Mr. Twemlow of Alsager called with an obliging Message from Mr. Jenks giving me the option of purchasing the Lands lying up to Swallow Moor Wood. Mr. Randle Wilbrahim also called with a Note to Eliza from his Mother inviting us and Arthur Marsh & Anne to dine on Friday next. Walked & talked a good deal with him, & found him a very pleasing gentlemanly young Man with the appearance of much good disposition. At night Mr. Beardmore with Letters & papers from Anne Malkin of Whitmore relative to some property to which she had become entitled by the death of her Son a Soldier in India & for my advice thereon.
Tuesday 13 October 1818:
Eliza & Mrs. Stamford set off after breakfast to Coole. Perused the papers left with me last night by Mr. Beardmore. Wrote to Mr. Jenks thanking him for and accepting the Option he had given me of purchasing the Lands lying up to Swallow Moor Wood & requesting the particulars & price. Afterwards engaged at the Farm with workmen altering the Yard. Read part of Evelyns Journal, a Book of much interest & amusement. Eliza & Mrs. Stamford returned about nine o Clock.
Wednesday 14 October 1818:
Mr. Beardmore relative to Ann Malkins business which I promised to enquire about. Allan Booth & Thos. Colclough relative to the Title to a Horse [House?] belonging to the latter, & advising them thereon. Mr. Henshall Moss relative to the dispute with the late Mr. Eardleys Executors. Advised a reference to Counsel. Called on Mr. Pencron(?) on my way to Newcastle & mentioned this to him. At Newcastle. Dining at Mr. Bentleys. Stamford, also dined who came from Ashcombe where he had been since Monday with Emma. Beautiful day.
Thursday 15 October 1818:
Mr. Johnson of the Hollins relative to his appointment to the Collectorship of the assessed Taxes of which he had no Notice. Engaged at the Farm, &c. Wm. Dawson(?) came on trial as Coachman.
Friday 16 October 1818:
At Trentham Inn, attending Meeting to hear Appeals under the assessed Taxes. Mr. Spode & Self. A great number of people, but got through the business so as to return home to dinner.
Saturday 17 October 1818:
Walked with Eliza in the Alsager Grounds, looking at the Lands intended to be purchased from Mr. Jenks. Received a Letter from Mr. Colclough with the offer of an exchange in case I should refuse them, & they shd. be purchased by Mr. Galley. Afterwards engaged with Men at the Farm.
Sunday 18: At home. Service. Mrs. Martin of Newcastle who desired to consult me relative to the sale of Her House upon the Marsh & the Offer of £800 made by Mr. Ward. Walked in the afternoon to the Hollins to have spoken to Mr. Johnson; but he was out. In the Evening Mr. Beardmore relative to the Settlement Case between the Parishes of Lawton & Audley which stands for Trial at Knutsford Sessions. Stamford dined at Lawton Hall.
Monday 19 October 1818:
Mrs. Stamford & Emma set out to Southport. Beardmore again, & consulting with him & Stamford, previous to their setting off to the Sessions. Engaged on Burslem Papers a great part of the day.
Tuesday 20 October 1818:
In consequence of a Note from Mrs. Martin, & thinking that I might best serve her by seeing Mr. Ward, went to Newcastle for that purpose. Saw Mr. Bent & Mr. Ward, & afterwards Mrs. Martin. The matters agreed to stand over till Thursday between [now] & which time I was to look into the Deed in my possession & then see Mr. Ward again. In the evening received Letter from Mr. Jenks with offer of the Lands in Alsager at £1000 & some reservation of profits, if Coals should ever be found & worked.
Wednesday 21 October 1818:
Looked over the papers in my possession relative to Mrs. Martins business. Wrote to Mr. Jenks accepting his Offer. Mrs. Jos. Wedgwood called.
Thursday 22 October 1818:
Eliza & I went to Stoneyfields. Engaged in the Morning on Mrs. Martins business with Mr. Wood. Afterwards all day on Settlement of Annual Accounts. Miss Bent & Mr. Sylvester of Derby at Stoneyfields. The latter a Man of strong natural genius & ability, by which I understood that he had saved himself from a very inferior situation of Life so as now to stand high as a Philosopher. He wrote the Article on Pottery in Rees Cyclopaedia.
Friday 23 October 1818:
Early in the Morning called upon Mrs. Martin. Finished Annual Account. Mr. Sparrow & Mr. Ward dined at Stoneyfields. Considered the bargain with the latter for Sale to him of Mrs. Martins House at £810.
Saturday 24: Returned home to dinner. Found Drafts papers from Mr. Hostage relative to the Burslem business.
Sunday 25 October 1818:
At home. Service.
Monday 26 October 1818:
At home. Engaged much on papers received from Mr. Hostage. Mr. & Miss Tollet called.
Tuesday 27 October 1818:
At home. Engaged on Burslem papers & drawing out Observations to be laid before Counsel. William Penlington dined. Stamford killed 2½ brace of Pheasants & a Brace of Partridge. Sent the latter & a brace and & a half of Pheasants to the Ladies.
Wednesday 28 October 1818:
In the morning at home. The two Mrs. Wedgwoods came. Afterwards Mr. Bent, with whom & Stamford dined at Lawton. On my return found a handsome Letter from Mr. Jenks.
Thursday 29 October 1818:
Set off with Mr. Bent to Macclesfield. Where engaged all day closely on The Books & Accounts. The weather so mild that at night we were obliged to let the fire go out.
Friday 30 October 1818:
Returned to Linley Wood after breakfast. On walking into the Garden found the Tyger Lilly (Ferraria) in full bloom & beauty in the open air. Gathered fine Mushrooms in the House field. Engaged closely on Burslem papers previous to sending them to Mr. Tomlinson for his advice & assistance, and to their being laid before Counsel on my behalf. Finished getting up Potatoes.
Wednesday 31 October 1818:
Writing long Letter to Mr. Tomlinson with the Burslem Papers - which sent to him by William Dawson(?). Wrote also Mr. Jenks, informing him that the purchase Money should be paid as he requested.
November
Sunday 1:
At home. No Service Eliza going to Church & the Servants mostly out. In the afternoon Stamford went to Leek on a Reference from the Quarter Sessions.
Monday 2:
At home. Wrote to Mr. Beckett of Brooklands relative to Sale to Mr. Nickisson & Mr. Ward of our Lot on Newcastle Marsh. Mr. Tomlinson came early in the forenoon, but with whom closely engaged all day, perusing & settling the Drafts of the Burslem Deeds previous to the Draft of the Deed of Dissolution & Assignment being laid before Mr. Philips the Conveyancer for his reconsideration.
Speaking of the Poor Rates Mr. Tomlinson said that he had Documents in his possession from which it wd. appear that the Poor Rate for the Parish of Stoke was at one time only 15£. a year. It was last year £15000.
Page 205, November 1818.
November:
Tuesday 3rd November 1818
Set off early to Burslem to attend Meeting of the Select Committee. Took Mr. Tomlinson who had staid all night at Linley Wood, in a Chaise with me to Newcastle. On the road he mentioned that the late Newcastle Election had cost Mr. Kinnersly 17000. Mr. Wilmot not considering himself liable for(?) engagements which he had by Letter from Mr. K. as to the expence. Took Mr. Thos. Sparrow from Newcastle, & Vaughan from Stone. Got to Sandon about 11. Attending Committee. Mr. Sparrow, Lister, Chetwynd, Webb, & Self. Dined at Sandon & returned home at night. Mr. Lister said he was going to dine at Lord Harrowbys at eight. Weather inclined to rain & as if breaking. Vaughan said 240 Boats had lately passed the Summit pound in one day.
Wednesday 4: Rode to Alsager on Heather. Mr. & Mrs. Jos. Wedgwood, Elizth. & Caroline, Jos. Wedgwood Junr., two Miss Wedgwoods of Parkfields, & Miss Morgan dined. In the evening the paper brought the melancholy account of the death of Sir Saml. Romilly [noted English legal reformer].
Thursday 5: At home. Heavy & incessant Rain all day. Reading &c. In the evening Mr. Beardmore with whom a long discussion & consideration relative to the Poor within the Hamlet of Talk & making Minutes preparatory to my investigating the Accounts &c. &c. Stamford dined at Rode Hall, having returned from Leek to Lawton Hall yesterday, where he dined & staid all night.
Friday 6 November 1818:
Heavy Rain. Engaged perusing & Considering long Bills of Costs in the Causes between The Grand Trunk & The Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canals which Mr. Thos. Sparrow had desired me to look over, previous to his delivering the same. Michael Ashmores Son in Law paying the half-years Rent which became due at Lady day last. Began watering the Meadow.
Saturday 7 November 1818:
At home. Engaged all Morning perusing & abridging the Evidence taken by Stamford in the Reference on which he had been engaged 3 days at Leek (having the Case of a disputed Road across private Lands between Mrs. Sneyd of Ashcombe & the Owner of an Estate adjoining hers of the name of Oulsnam(?)) and on which from the extreme length & contradictions of the Evidence he was desirous to have my Sentiments. Received from Mr. Hill, the Mayor of Newcastle, a very fine Pike, which I sent to Mr. Charles Lawton, knowing that they had still Sr. Wm. Anson &c. Beardmore consulting on Mr.(?) Gibsons Case of Settlement. In the Evening Stamford set off to London.
Page 206, November 1818.
Sunday 8 November 1818:
At home. Service. Great Fog.
It is natural to be glad to find excuses for ones own infirmities, perhaps this may have led me to copy the following Observation.
"No Man is angry, but he that feels himself hurt. Therefore tender & delicate persons must needs be wey(?) foot angry; for they have abundance of things to trouble them, which more robust Natures have hardly any sense of." Prone to Anger as I am, I yet hope that I have never let the Sun go down upon it.
Monday 9 November 1818:
At home. Wrote Letter to Mr. Hostage. Rode out to Alsager; & to broke(?) at the Hedge dividing Prospect Bank from the Hilditchs Fields, which began removing on Saturday last. Called at Michl. Ashmores who said Twemlows Estate had been sold cheap: worth £1000 (sic) buying(?). He stated the price at 8000 (sic) Guineas. Fine November day. Mild & dry.
Tuesday 10 November 1818:
At home. Wm. Penlington with Conveyance from the Trustees of Linley Lane to me of parts of the old Road. Rode out again to superintend the work at Prospect Bank. Fine day but rather(?) windey (sic).
Wednesday 11: In the last night very heavy & incessant Rain for many hours. Eliza & I dined at Etruria. Met Mr. & Mrs. Aikens(?)
Thursday12 November 1818:
Went from Etruria where we staid all night to Newcastle Attending Meeting of the Agricultural Society. Eliza dined at Dr. Northerns, which I was prevented from doing by my attendance at the Meeting. In the Morning called at Smiths & agreed for Rees's Cyclopaedia. To be the same as Mr. Bents perfect copy Royal paper, Proof Impressions of Plates &c. Saw Mr. Ward & agreed on the behalf of Mr. Beckett & myself to sell to him & Mr. Nickisson the piece of Land upon the Marsh at a price to be put upon it by Mr. Heaton. Called with Mr. Wood at Mr. Philips inspecting the Deeds in his possession. Returned home at night, which being fine, Rode on Horseback.
Friday 13 November 1818:
At home. In the Evening received a Letter from Mr. Knight of Whitchurch (Mr. Jenks's Solicitor) relative to my purchase of the Lands in Alsager.
Saturday 14 November 1818:
Went to Cilff Villa consulting Mr. Tomlinson on Mr. Knights Letter, & my Answer thereto. It being wet went in the Carriage taking Eliza with me to Newcastle. On my return engaged writing Letter to Mr. Knight particularly relative to his proposed Reservations & powers as to Coals, & which appeared to Mr. Tomlinson & myself to be inadmissible.
Sunday 15 November 1818:
The Letter to Mr. Knight appearing to me to be of much consequence sent it to Mr. Tomlinson for his perusal & which he returned with his full approbation of it. Service. Heavy Rain. At night sent the Letter to Mr. Knight by the Post.
Monday 16 November 1818:
At home. Various papers & matters. Unwell. Perusing & Considering Draft of Assignment of Mrs. Martins House on the Marsh to Mr. Wood.
Tuesday 17 November 1818:
At home. Received Letter from Mr. Denison with Draft of fresh Liverpool Brewery Articles.
Wednesday 18 November 1818:
At home. Wrote to Mr. Denison & perusing the Draft previous to shewing it to Mr. Bent. At night arrived the intelligence of the death of the Queen at one o'Clock yesterday.
Thursday 18 November 1818:
At Newcastle with the Drat. of the Articles which Mr. Bent & I concluded to put into the hands of Mr. Ward, in order that he might correspond with Mr. Denison on the business & afterwards seeing Mr. Ward, & explaining the matter to him. Long Conversation with Mr. Bent relative to the affairs of the Newcastle lower Canal, on which he mentioned that Mr. Danl. Whalley & he wished to have my advice when I promised to meet Mr. Whalley at Stoneyfields on Saturday next and go through the papers &c. with them. Spoke to Mr. Heaton relative to his putting a Value upon the Lot of Land on the Marsh proposed to be sold by Mr. Beckett & me to Mr. Ward by Mr. Nickisson. Returned home to dinner.
Friday 20 November 1818:
At home. Engaged with sundry papers.
Saturday 21: At Stoneyfields, meeting Mr. Danl. Whalley with whom & Mr. Bent closely engaged examining the Accounts & state of the affairs of the Newcastle lower Canal; when we agreed to meet again on Mr. Whalleys return from London & in the mean time to consider what plan would be the most eligible to adopt & for which purpose I brought the Act of Parliament back with me. Dined with Mr. Whalley at Stoneyfields, & returned home at night.
Sunday 22 November 1818:
At home. Service. Fine dry day. Gathered Auriculas both red & purple Roses, Chrysanthemum, Primulas, African Marigold Mignionet & Scarlet Poppy: which with Laurustinus in full flower, formed a very beautiful Bow fot(?) [transcribers note: it seems impossible to make 'bouquet' from what has been written].
Page 208, November 1818.
Monday 23 November 1818:
At home. Engaged with various papers, Letters &c. Gathered the whole Asters in flower.
Tuesday 24 November 1818:
At home. Various matters. Took the Cows into the Buildings at night.
Wednesday 25 November 1818:
The Birthday of my more than ever loved & valued Wife and friend who compleated her 64th Year, A crown of glory to her Husband, and a blessing to all around, or connected with her. Many, and happy, will yet I trust be the years of her life, and that she will be long spared to enjoy the new sources of happiness and comfort, which by the Marriages of two of her Daughters, seem to be so certainly opened to her.
Having received early in the Morning a Letter from Mr. Tomlinson informing me that he had got back the papers from Mr. Philips, went to Cilff Villa, perusing & considering his observations, when we determined that Mr. Tomlinson should send the whole to Mr. Hostage signifying at the same time my readiness to accede to the arrangement recommended by Mr. Philips relative to the deposit of the Title Deeds.
On my return saw Mr. Thos. Sparrow & paid him Mr. Rowleys Fee for attending Arbitration in the matter of Wm. Banner(?)
Thursday 26 November 1818:
At home. Engaged with various papers. John Bent, who had come up on account of the affairs of the Liverpool Brewery, with whom had much Conversation on the vexatious business, and I promised to go to Newcastle tomorrow to talk the matter over with his Father.
Friday 27 November 1818:
At Newcastle accordingly. Took the Letters which had passed between the Doctor, Mr. Denison, & myself along with me, & read them all to Mr. Bent & John, both of whom expressed their entire satisfaction with what I had written. Saw Mr. Ward, who was instructed to write to Mr. Denison in reply to a Letter which he had received from him this morning with our refusal to execute any Bonds. Returned to dinner. On the road met Mr. Wilbrahim: with whom a pleasant How do ye do Chat.
Saturday 28 November 1818:
At home. Wrote a Letter to Mr. Knight of Whitchurch, in
Page 209, November 1818.
Nov. 28 November 1818:
consequence of my not having received any reply to mine of the 14, but sent it to Mr. Tomlinson for his perusal previous to its going away. Rolled the ground just before the House: the day being dry & favourable. Prepared & executed Codicil to my Will.
Sunday 29 November 1818:
At home. Service. In the afternoon at Talk Chapel with Eliza.
Monday 30 November 1818:
At Longport meeting Mr. Vaughan of the Navgn. Office, inspecting the Sheds lately erected by Mr. Potter for the accomdn. of the Potters & Storage of Crates & sundry other alterations in order that I might state the same at the next Meeting of the Select Committee. In the afternoon Mrs. C. Lawton & Miss Belcombe called. Beautiful day.
Decemr.
Tuesday 1st December 1818:
At home. Various matters. Dined at Lawton Hall with Eliza.
Wednesday 2 December 1818:
In the Morning received from Mr. Tomlinson the Drat. of the Deed of Dissolution in the Burslem [Concern] with long Reservations(?) by Mr. Hostage. Engaged much perusing & considering the same previous to seeing Mr. Tomlinson tomorrow & drawing out Observations thereon.
Thursday 3 December 1818:
At Cliffe Villa(?) perusing & considering the papers: when it was concluded that if Mr. Wood refused to execute the Deed in the form in which Mr. Philips had finally settled it on behalf of both parties, that recourse must be had to a Bill for a specific performance. Returned home to dinner.
Friday 4 December 1818:
Closely engaged copying Letters from Mr. Jenks to me & from me to Mr. Jenks relative to the purchase of the Lands in Alsager to be sent to Mr. Knight of Whitchurch, & writing to him therewith(?); and also writing a very long Letter to be sent to Dr. Crompton relative to the Liverpool Brewery Concerns no reply to me received from him on this harrassing (sic) and vexatious business.
Saturday 5 December 1818:
At home. Engaged again on Liverpool Brewery business &
Sunday 6 December 1818:
At home. Unwell
Page 210,
December 1818.
Monday 7 December 1818:
Went to Betley with Eliza. Dined & staid all night at Mr. Wedgwood's.
Tuesday 8 December 1818:
Called at Lady Fletchers. Miss Mainwaring(?) & Miss Moreton there. Returned home to dinner. Found the Letter to Dr. Crompton returned to me by Mr. Bent to whom I had sent it for perusal with one announcing his determination to withdraw from the Concern. In the evening Mrs. Stamford & Emma arrived.
Wednesday 9 December 1818: John Bent came again, to say that he should no longer continue in the Concern & that Dr. Crompton had also determined that it should be given up. Wrote a fresh Letter to Dr. Crompton to go by John Bent & which I promised to send up to Talk in the Morning that he might find it as he passed by and take it to Liverpool. In the evening Letter from Mr. Tomlinson inclosing one from Mr. Hostage to him on the Burslem business.
Thursday 10 December 1818:
At home but very unwell. Much Vexation and Anxiety about these harrassing affairs.
Friday 11 December 1818:
At Cilff Villa. Considering Burslem business when we finally concluded that Mr. Wood should have the Deeds on giving Attested Copies &c., as proposed by Mr. Philips. Returned by Hanley Chell & Penstok(?). Mr. & Mrs. John Lawton Mr. Carter junr. Mrs. Penlington & Wm. Penlington dined. Stamford arrived from London.
Saturday 12 December 1818:
At home. Mr. & Mrs. Charles Lawton, Wm. Lawton, Mrs. Belcombe & Mr. Penlington dined. Dr. Belcombe & Miss Eliza Belcombe prevented coming, being both unwell.
Sunday 13 December 1818:
At home. Service.
Monday 14 December 1818:
Set off early to Wolseley Bridge to attend Meeting of the Select Committee. Took Mr. Thos. Sparrow from Newcastle. Attending Committee, Mr. Sparrow, Lister, Chetwynd, Webb & Self. Slept at Wolseley Bridge.
Tuesday 15 December 1818:
Called at Bishton. Saw Mr. Macdonald & Mrs. Chetwynd there. Conversation with Mr. Sparrow on a paper he had shewn me the night before relative to an intended Application to parliament for power to lay(?) the venue(?) in whatever County a felony committed by Boatmen on the Canal shd. be detected,;& for extending the Law of Evidence in case of Masters of Boats. Strongly recommended to him to withhold the latter(?) which, he consented to do, acknowledging the force of the Observation I had made. On my return, called at The Brewery, but Mr. Bent was gone home. Came(?) to Linley Wood to dinner.
Page 211, December 1818.
Wednesday 16 December 1818:
At home: but very unwell, being much hurried(?) [harried?] in mind by the provoking and injurious state of affairs at the Liverpool Brewery. Wrote Letter to Mr. Balguy relative to the Derby property, in reply to one from him proposing a Lease to Mr. Saunders of one of the Houses.
Thursday 17 December 1818:
At home. Still so unwell as to prevent my dining at Dr. Belcombes which we had engaged to do. Eliza, Mrs. Stamford, & Stamford went. In the evening received Dr. Rees Cyclopaedia which I had purchased from Longmans & Co. through Mr. Smith of Newcastle. It is the best paper & impression with proof impressions of the Plates. The 78 Numbers including 4 Vols of plates Cost £57, but I am to pay for the remaining Numbers the Subscripn. price which is £1:16 per Number. Mr. Bent who first recommended the purchase to me paid only 14/6 per number, but mine was 15/- the price having risen.
Friday 18 December 1818:
At home. Still very unwell. In the Evening Eliza, Mrs. Stamford, & Stamford went to Newcastle to the Assembly. In the morning looked over the Cyclopaedia which appeared to me to be right.
Saturday 19 December 1818:
At home. Still unwell. Mr. Clement Kinnersly, who had returned with them from Newcastle Assembly, Jos: & Charles Wedgwood dined. Wrote to Mr. Wedgwood for payment of the half years Interest on his Bond & Charge(?) for £23000. Answer that he wd. call upon me.
Sunday 20 December 1818:
At home. Mr. Tomlinson relative to the Burslem business & Mr. Woods refusal to execute any Deed except in the form in which it was originally drawn by Mr. Philips; which it was agreed by Mr. T. & myself could not safely be agreed to by me; but determined to wait over Saturday next before any step taken as I am on that day to meet Mr. Hostage at Etruria to get the Bykers (sic) Conveyance executed by Mr. Jos. Wedgwood.
Monday 21 December 1818:
Mr. Kinnersly Jos & Chas. Wedgwood left Linley Wood. At home but very unwell. Eliza wrote to Dr. Crompton in reply to a Letter from him to me on the unfortunate Liverpool Business, on which & the Burslem business my thoughts & attention very anxiously turned.
Tuesday 22d December 1818:
At home, but still very unwell.
Wednesday 23 December 1818:
At home. Still unwell. Slight Frost. Engaged reading &c. Eliza Emma & Mrs. S. went to Betley to call upon Mrs. Drewe.
"The doctrine of Jesus Christ was none other than that which was impressed by the Creator on the most ancient of the human race That He is and governs all things, in such wise, than no man, even by death, escapes from the
recompense of his Deeds. He announced also the important principle, that those sacerdotal rites which had long been permitted in indulgence to the rude infancy of nations, but whose insufficiency David & Isaiah had already felt, were now to cease, and that man should henceforth seek to acquire the favour of God by that gentleness and benevolence which He taught and practised. Accordingly, Jesus not only made no alteration in the political affairs of the State, but he even introduced no order of Priesthood, nor any outward form of religious worship. He connected the remembrance of himself, with the enjoyment of the indispensible (sic) necessaries of life. Those primitive truths alone, which, . . . [s . . . .] man possesses by his organization no means of fathoming them, as he scrutinizes the ideas of sensible things, must certainly have been otherwise implanted by God in his creation, were by him renewed, and restored to that purity in which it is necessary that they should from time to time be reinstated, and which at intervals they have received from Providence, but never in so perfect and excellent a manner, or combined with principles so universally beneficial to the human race, as through the mediation of Jesus Christ."
Translatn. of Müllers Universal History Vol.1. 350
Thursday 24 December 1818:
At home. Engaged on various matters. Still unwell. Eliza Emma & Mrs. Stamford went to Etruria. Wrote to Mr. Hostage informing him that Mr. Wedgwood would be at home at 12 on Saturday, when I would meet him to get the Conveyance to J. Wedgwood of Bignallend executed. Sharp Frost.
Friday 25 December 1818:
At home. Sent to Mr. Owen of Bawtry, by the Manchester Mail the Draft of the Deed of Disclaimer under the Will of the late Mr. Armitstead, which I had executed with Mr. Harrisons Opinion & Approval of it on my behalf, & wrote to Mr. Owen by the Post.
Saturday 26 December 1818:
At Etruria meeting Mr. Hostage who brought the Conveyance from Mr. Wood & myself to Mr. John Wedgwood of the Bycars & which Mr. Jos. Wedgwood executed he having been nominated a Trustee with Mr. Hugh Williamson under the Deed declaring the uses of the Fine some time ago levied by us(?). From thence to Cliff Villa calling upon Mr. Tomlinson relative to the Burslem business, Mr. Hostage having taken no Notice of it to me. Suggested by Mr. T. that notice should be given to Mr. Wood by the Bondholders for payment of their Money.
Sunday 27 December 1818:
At home. Service. Mr. Williams & Mr. Marke(?) of Betley dined.
Monday 28 December 1818:
At Newcastle to see Mr. Bent relative to the Liverpool Brewery Concerns, but to my great surprize found that he had received no letter from Dr. Crompton. Delivered to Mr. Sparrow my Account relative to Widow Hales(?) Money. Returned to dinner.
Tuesday 29 December 1818:
Received early this morning a Letter from Mr. Wedgwood of Bignall End, inclosing one to him from Mr. Wood warning him not to pay the Interest of the 23000 to me. I went to Cliff Villa, & shewed the same to Mr. Tomlinson, when he finally agreed that no course was left but to proceed by Bill in Chancery for a performance of the Agreement. Mentioned my intention of laying the particulars of the affair before Mr. Jos. Wedgwood & Mr. Hugh Williamson, to the latter of whom I understood from Mr. Tomlinson that Mr. Wood had made an improper representation. This approved by Mr. T. On my return called again on Mr. Bent in the hope of prevailing upon him to go down to Liverpool but which he still declined. In the evening received Letter from Mr. Knight proposing a Meeting relative to Mr. Jenks purchase at Nantwich.
Wednesday 30 December 1818:
At home. Closely engaged all day, on the various matters now so urgently & anxiously pressing upon my thoughts. Wrote to Mr. Tomlinson inclosing Mr. Knights Letter & my proposed Reply. Wrote also to Mr. Wedgwood of Bignallend.
Thursday 31 December 1818:
At home. Closely engaged all day on the Burslem Papers. Wrote to Mr. Knight of Whitchurch proposing to meet at Woore on the 6 Jany. Sent my Letter in the Morning to Mr. Tomlinson who approved of it & said he would attend. Very unwell.
This year has ended.
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Heath-Caldwell All rights reserved.
Michael Heath-Caldwell M.Arch
Brisbane, Queensland
ph: 0412-78-70-74
alt: m_heath_caldwell@hotmail.com