A grisly tale for a new century: two soldiers (marines) and their sergeant set about a carter after being refused a lift.
“Worcester, Dec.2. – Thursday last a coroner’s inquest was held on the body of Joshua Philpots, lying dead in the parish of St. Clement, in this city, when a verdict of wilful murder was found against Francis Hague, a sergeant of marines, and two other persons (soldiers) unknown. We are informed that this unfortunate man, being on his way from Bromsgrove to this city, on the 11th of September last, with his cart and two horses, was overtaken on the Droitwich road, near the Raven public-house, by the soldiers, who wanted to ride in his cart, and on being refused they beat and abused him, and struck him with the butt end of a sword or bayonet, which laid bare his skull, and very much otherwise bruised him about the hear; the sergeant unhooked fore horse, and rode with it in it’s gearing toward this city, but the son of the deceased, a lad of 13 years of age, who was going to meet his father, seeing the sergeant on the horse, stopped him and challenged the horse, upon which the sergeant dismounted, saying, he should have left the horse at the turnpike; that a man behind had been very much hurt, and that he had ran a quarter of a mile to catch the horse – he then went towards Worcester. The boy and another lad with him afterwards found the deceased kneeling in his cart, with his clothes bloody, and nearly in a state of stupefaction; he said that he had been hurt by three soldiers, and rendered senseless for some time from a blow he received from the w3eapon, and that one of them had taken away his horse. He was conveyed to our infirmary and great hopes were entertained of his recovery, but a fresh collection of matter having formed on the brain, brought on his dissolution. The sergeant appeared in public till the day 0f the inquest, when he quitted his quarters, and is supposed to be gone towards Staffordshire; proper enquiry, however, is, we understand, making after him. The other two soldiers have not since been heard of.”
Last minute shopping for Christmas dinner? Some good prices were to be had on all types of meats and vegetables in the London markets (Smithfield, Leadenhall etc. – e.g. a turkey for 8s – that’s 40p in today’s prices!
“The supply of edibles in London is very plentiful: good roasting beef, of superior quality, fetching as high as 11d. per lb., but there is a large quantity of inferior as low as 7d. The mutton trade is good; shoulders fetch 6 1/2 d, superior 8d.; legs 7d. to 9d.; other parts 5d. to 7d. The pork is of fine quality, and reasonable in price, considering the time of year; legs 7d. to 8d., lons (loins?) the same price, other parts varying in proportion – supply good. In the poultry market the prices are rather dear : turkeys are fetching as low as 8s. and 6s., but those of superior quality are selling as high as 14s. to 18s.; inferior geese fetch about 6s., but those of good quality, and weighing 14lbs to 15lbs., are selling as high as 10s. to 11s. each ; fowls 4s. to 8s. a pair. Rabbits (wild) 1s. to 2s. each, but there are others (tame) which sell at a much higher rate. Fowls 2s. to 4s. each. In the vegetable market the supply has not been so great for many years and prices are about one-half what they were last year. Good cabbage plants are selling at prices varying from 2s. to 3s. per dozen bunches; turnips 1s. 6d. to 2s. 6d. per doz.; potatoes 5s. to 7s. per cwt., and other articles equally low.”
A mouth-watering advertisement from Mr Dawson, vendor of fruits in St Mary’s Street for his fruits and confections brought back from London. It all sounds very Christmassy. And turtle soup is also available (far superior to that mock turtle soup!) For more information about twelfth cakes see our previous post.
“William Dawson begs to inform the clergy, gentry, and inhabitants of STAMFORD and Neighbourhood. that he has just returned from London with on (sic) unusually large stock of New FRUITS of every description, of the best quality, and well suited for the festivities and enjoyments of that merry and cheerful season which is now so near at hand.
A large supply of Fruits, Confections, Chrystalised Fruits, &c. &c., of every description and quality, which will be found well worthy the inspection of those desirous of making Christmas presents.
W.D. would call especial attention to his Twelfth Cakes, which are of a quality much superior to what are generally sold under that name. He has also a well selected stock of Pickles and Fish Sauces, well deserving the attention of the public. His stock of British Wines he can confidently recommend to his friends as being of first-rate quality. A large and fresh supply of Gunter’s Patent Honduras Turtle and Turtle Soup, which he supplies on the same terms as the London Establishment.
Balls, Routs, Parties, Wedding Breakfasts, &c. served by contract on the shortest notice.
🖙W. D. cannot allow the present opportunity to pass without returning his sincere thanks to his friends and the public generally for the liberal support he has hitherto enjoyed, and assures them that no exertion shall be wanting on his part to execute orders entrusted to him with punctuality and dispatch, combined with strictly economical charges.
A very full account of the beginnings of the new London Bridge in 1825 and the concomitant ceremonies and celebrations.
“We last week briefly noticed the ceremony of laying the first stones of the new bridge over the Thames; but as this is one of those public occurrences which may never be considered an event in a man’s life, and an epoch in a city’s history – a sort of station in our worldly journey, from which we measure our distances and dates, – the following further particulars cannot prove uninteresting. To witness the manner and the moment in which is laid down the first single resting-stone of a grand national structure – the very origin of the existence of a massive and magnificent pile, which will require years to complete and ages to destroy, has an elevating and sublime effect on the mind.
Old London Bridge, for which the new one is intended as a more commodious substitute, was the first that connect the Surrey and Middlesex banks. It was built originally of wood, about 800 years ago, and rebuilt of stone in the reign of King John (1209), just two years after the chief civic officer assumed the title of Mayor. Until the middle of the last century, it was crowded with houses. The narrowness and inequality of its arches have caused it to be compared to ‘a thick wall, pierced with small uneven holes, through which the ware, dammed up by this clumsy fabric, rushes, or rather leaps, with a velocity extremely dangerous to boats and barges.’ Of its nineteen arches, none except the centre which was formed by throwing two into one, was more than 20 feet wide – the width of each of the piers of Waterloo Bridge. It has been calculated, that there daily pass over London Bridge, 90,000 foot passengers, 800 wagons, 300 carts and drays, 1300 coached, 500 gigs and taxed carts, and 800 saddle horses.
The present bridge, having been for some years considered destitute of the proper facilities of transition for passengers as well as for vessels, an Act of Parliament was passed in 1823 for building a new one, on a scale and plan equal to the other modern improvements of the metropolis. The first pile pf the works was driven on the west side of the present bridge in March, 1824, and the first coffer dam having been lately finished, the ceremony was fixed for the 15th inst. An opening had been made in the balustrade of London Bridge, and a descent of several steps, covered with scarlet baize, led into the awnings, and the boats were prevented from approaching adjoining piers. The interior of the area was fenced by a triple bulwark of planks and earth, and substantially secured by strong timbers. Three galleries were constructed, and in the lowest (which was 40 feet below high-water mark) the block was laid ready for embedding. The necessary arrangements being completed, the procession moved from Guildhall (preceded by a body of the artillery company), consisting of all the officers of the Corporation, the Recorder, Aldermen, Sheriffs, Members of Parliament, &c., and arrived the plaform at twenty minutes past four – the Lady Mayoress and all the company admittedby tickets having previously arrived,, The Duke of York’s carriage immediately proeceded that of the Lord Mayor; but his Royal Highness sat in the city stage coach on the right of the Lord Mayor. A chair of state was provided, but his Royal Highness declined accepting the seat, and continued standing during the ceremony. The silver gilt trowel was then given to the Lord Mayor, who briefly addresssed the assembly, congratulating the City of London on having undertaken this great work at a period so auspicious, and making some complimentary allusions to his Royal Highness the Duke of York, and to the architect and engineer. The different coins of the present reign were then put in a cut glass bottle by the Lord Mayor, and with an engraved plate haing a Latin Inscription, were deposited by his Lordship under the stone, which being moved into its place by a pulley under and levers, and mallet, according to the usual mechanical forms, and the foundation of the new bridge was then (five o’clock) declared to be laid. ‘God save the King’ was sung, and with three-times-three cheers and ceremony ended. The procession then returned to the Mansion-house, where a sumptuous dinner was served up on the occasion in the Egyptian-hall, to 370 visitors, and in the saloon to 200 of the Artillery Company. The Duke of York was enthusiastically cheered, both on going and returning. His Royal Highness dd not dine with the Lord Mayor, being obliged to attend a dinner given by his Majesty. The Bishop of Chester, Lord Darnley, Mr. Wyn, Sir George Cockburn, Sir Isaac Coffin, Sir George Warrender, Sir Robert Wildon, and many fashionable and elegantly-dressed ladies accompanied the procession, and afterwards partook of his Lordship’s hospitality.
The stone used on this occasion was a mass of Aberdeen granite, weighing nearly five tones, and the foundation of the pier rests on piles driven 20 feet into the bed of the river: upon there is a layer of timber two feet thick, over which a course of brickwork and another of stone, each two feet six inches deep, formed the floor. In the centre of the pier (which is 40 feet by 90), a rectangular space was excavated to the depth of seven inches, 21 in length, and 15 in width. – The Latin inscription on the plate is from the pen of that elegant classic scholar, the Rev. Dr. Copelstone, of Oriel college, Oxford: the following is a translation :-
‘The free course of the river being obstructed by the numerous piers of the ancient bridge, and the passage of boats and vessels through its narrow channels being often attended with danger and loss of life by reason of the force and rapidity of the current, the City of London, desirous of providing a remedy for this evil, and at the same time consulting the convenience of commerce in this vast emporium of all nations, under the sanction and with the liberal aid of Parliament, resolved to erect a Bridge upon a foundation altogether new, with arches of wider span, and a character corresponding to the dignity and importance of this royal city: not does any other time seam to be more suitable for such an undertaking, than when, in a period of universal peace, the British Empire, flourishing in glory, wealth, population, and domestic union, is governed by a Prince, the patron and encourager of the arts in elegance and splendour.
‘The first stone of his work was laid by John Garratt, Esquire, Lord Mayor, on the 15th day of June, in the 6th year of the King George the Fourth, and in the year of our Lord 1825. John Rennie, F.R.S., architect.’
The Lord Mayor performed all the fatiguing honors of the day with the greatest spirit. – The expense attending this magnificent display, is said to exceed 2000l, which his Lordship defrays out of his own purse.”
The chair in question must have been a very substantial one! Daniel weighed 52 stone and 11 pounds (335 Kg) at the time of his death, on 21st June, 1809. However, he was not, apparently the fattest man.
“Daniel Lambert. – At a meeting of the Leicester Town Council last week, a memorial was read from Mr. Lambert Brown, of Leicester, stating that in the possession of the Corporation was an old arm chair, formerly occupied by his uncle, Daniel Lamber, when he attended as keeper of the house of correction. The memorialist was abroad at the time of the decease of his uncle, and had, therefore, no means of obtaining any memento of his ‘great ancestor.’ (Laughter.) He did not know whether the chair was the private property of his uncle, or whether it was provided by the Corporation of the day; but it was now out of repair and useless to the Council, and he submitted that he might be allowed to take it into his family, and which he should hand down as an heir-loom. The Council, by acceding to his request, would confer upon his a great favour, for which he should ever be obliged. – Mr. Alderman Weston moved that the request of the memorialist be granted; and the motion having been seconded, it was unanimously adopted. – Lambert died and was buried at St. Martin’s, Stamford, and his capacious apparel is still kept at a public-house there called after his name.”
Where is the safest place to keep one’s money – a bank? a safe? No, apparently in one’s stays! (There were ladies’ undergarments.)
“A professional gentleman residing in Bath, having been suddenly called upon to administer to the effects of an elderly lady recently deceased, his wife told him that she had some indistinct recollection of a communication once made to her by the now deceased lady respecting some money which she kept secreted about her person. The conversation was represented to have taken place in that potion of the Assembly-rooms where, on Wednesday evenings, married and elderly ladies much do congregate to study the point in short whist; but the husband treated it as idle gossip, and took no further notice. In ‘the dead waste and middle of the night, ‘ however, he was suddenly awakened by the lady – his wife, not the departed – who told him she could not sleep for dreaming of their departed friend, who had told her that she constantly kept a large sum of money sewn up in her stays. The husband ‘pished’ and ‘poohed’ about the dreams and the stays and the money, but all to no purpose; no more tranquil sleep could the lady get, and consequently small was the portion enjoyed by her unhappy spouse. To pacify her, he at length promised to ‘see about it’ in the morning, and in fulfilment of his promise went early to the house of the deceased, and, with a blush and a stammer, requested the femme-de-chambre to bring him her late mistress’ stays. The wondering Abigail complied – they were not new ones – our professional daintily and awkwardly handled the mysterious piece of machinery, held it up to the light, fancied her saw a little extra wadding in some particular corner, gently dislodged the lurking contents, and found in his had, in good bank-notes and true, the sum of 160l.*”
An interesting letter from an expat. living in Naples with lots of gossipy news, followed by an alarming account of a violent robbery.
“Extract of a letter from Naples, dated Dec.6:- ‘Till lately nothing has occurred of much interest here. Vesuvius has been as quiet as Primrose-hill; the Carbonari* exist no longer – at least give no signs of existence: the Austrians move about just as if they were in Vienna, relieving their sentinels, who are in great numbers in all parts of the town, and amusing the loungers in the Villa Reale with their music bands. Half a dozen Neapolitans are digging at Pompeii, and occasionally adding an odd bracelet or urn to their museum. The measures of Government are managed without giving any trouble to the public, and the royal Nimrod hunts and fishes with as much ardour as he did 50 years ago. The launch of an 80-gun ship, put on the stocks by Murat took place at Castelamare last week, and, such an event not having happened with the memory of man, excited great interest. For what purpose this vessel is designed it would be difficult to guess, unless for that of bearing the annual royal tribute to the Algerines. The British shops of war come in without any one knowing why, and leave us without telling wherefore. The revenge is gone to winter-quarters in Baia Bay, about five miles distant, and is to go to Malta for provisions in the beginning of the next month. The English visitors are numerous, but none of any particular note. Lord Harrowby passed a few days here with his two daughters. Their beauty, together with his Lordship’s gentlemanly deportment, good French, and skill at whist, excited a sensation amongst those who enjoyed his society.
I am sorry to be obliged to terminate this uninteresting bulletin with the account of a very unfortunate occurrence which took place near Paestum three days ago. The fine weather had attracted several English parties to view the ruins, situate, as you know, in a march which pestilential exhalations render barely habitable. The few inhabitants are not much removed from savages. A lady with her two daughters, on returning, was stopped and robbed by three men with their faces masked; the party were, however, suffered to proceed without further violence. This lady’s carriage was followed at a short distance by that of Mr. Hunt, late sheriff of Northamptonshire, who was accompanied by his lady. They were stopped by the same party. On their demanding his money, Mr. Hunt gave them a purse, containing 4 dollars and a few carlins to carry him to Naples. They replied, ‘We know you have more, and if you do not surrender it, you must die.’ Mr. H. rejoined, ‘You dare not shoot at this time of day.’ He had scarcely uttered this observation when a shot was fired, and a ball entered his left breast, passing out at the right side although it seems only one piece was discharged, another ball struck Mrs. Hunt in the left breast, and passed through the lungs.
The foremost robber instantly turned round, crying ‘Who fired that shot?’ and the three immediately ran off without searching for plunder. Some Officers of the Revenge were within hearing, who conveyed them to the miserable place called an inn at Paestum, where Mr. H. expired almost immediately, expressing his regret at having refused his money. Assistance, such as could be had, was procured. One of the officers even returned to Naples, and procured an English Surgeon, together with Gendarmes. Mrs. Hunt recovered in a slight degree, but only lingered till yesterday, when she expired. Mr. Hunt was an only child; he was in possession of large property, and had been married only seven months. This event has caused Gendarmes were immediately sent from Naples to search for the perpetrators of the crime., but such a police as exists here is not likely to discover them. It is evident that they were not professional brigands, or they would not have been so alarmed as to have neglected their booty, on perceiving the effect of their fire-arms.”
*The Carbonari were a secret revolutionary society.
Autumn bring out the nuts, so to speak, as the World Conker Championship at Ashton returned for its 24th annual event.
“Almost continual drizzle failed to dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd flocking to the 24th World Conker Championships at Ashton on Sunday.
Vic Owen, the burly King conker, and showbiz celebrities Norman Rossington and Robert Gladwell, were out on the green at Ashton to see fair play among the 200 competitors at this annual event.
Compered by the indefatigable Nigel Croskell from Southams, who kept up a stream of banter throughout the whole procedings, the event looks set to equal the £7,500 raised last yar.
After a series of nail biting heats when competitors thrashed and basjed away at the conkers in the true spirit of the occasion the winners emerged.
For the second time Bill Cox, a retired plumber from Homiton in Devon, became men’s champion, beating restaurant owner Gary Watson (also known as Alan Cotton) in a short, sharp final.
Bill (69), who travel to Ashton regularly for the championships, first won in 1981.
‘There is no technique involved,’ he said. ‘It’s just a matter of luck and hoping you pick the right conker.’
No known as William the Conkerer to hjis friends, Bill is determined to return next year to defend his title.
For the first time in its history, the organisers, Ashton Conker Club, invited ladies to put their skills to the test and 32 accepted the challenge.
Winner was Sheila Doubleday from Peterborough.
The 42-year-old mother of three was entered by her husband – who failed to turn up for the historic event!
Asked how she felt on becoming the first lady champion, Sheila, who runs the Helpston Fish Bar, replied: ‘It’s incredible. I was convinced I would be out in the first round. I haven’t played since I was ten.’
Runner-up for the ladies’ championship was Sharon Shatford from Kettering.
Trophies were presented by Alan Johns, managing director of Six-O-Four Building Supplies, who were sponsors for this year’s event.
In the children’s section 40 youngsters took part with 10 year-old Martin Nikel of Peterborough becoming the winner following an exciting battle with Jeremy Newman (10) of Oundle. . .
Luckily for Jos. Robinson (languishing in prison), a Mr. Spurr was a reader of the Mercury and was able to correct some facts about an attempted robbery, which lead to Robinson’s pardon.
“Gainsboro’. – Great sensation has been produced in this town by certain singular relevations which have been made respecting the burglary alleged to have been attempted at the residence of the Rev. J. H. Willan, master of the Grammar-school, on Monday evening the 26th ult. It will be remembered that a man named Jos. Robinson was taken in custody by Mr. Cheney, from a description given by the two servant girls: he was examined before the magistrates, and although a woman with whom he lodged swore that he was in bed at the time the attempt was said to have been made, he was committed to the house of correction. Mr. J. F. Spurr, of Scarboro’, but formerly of Gainsboro’, on seeing the statements in the Mercury , wrote to Mr., Guy, the magistrates’ clerk, to say that the reporter of the Mercury must have been misinformed as to the facts of the case; and it will be seen that other persons were misinformed also – and on this misinformation, if it may be called so, the prisoner Robinson has suffered nearly a month’s imprisonment for a crime of which he is innocent! Mr. Spurr then goes on to say that on the evening in question (April 26th), and at the time stated, viz. ten minutes to nine o’clock, he, in company with a young friend, called on Mr. Willan: the girl refused to open the door, but said Mr. Willan was at home and she could fetch him. Mr. Spurr again rapped, and told the girl she might venture to open the door. He says he then gave his name, and pushed his card under the door. In less than a minute, the school bell began to ring violently, and becoming perplexed he walked down the play-ground and joined his friend, and they met several persons hastening to the house to render assistance. – On the other hand, the servant girls on oath declared there were two men, whose dress they described, that they pushed violently at the door, and threatened to murder them if they did not open it, and that the prisoner Robinson was one of the men. On the receipt of Mr. Spurr’s letter, they were closely re-examined: they persist in their original statement in every particular, and deny that Mr. Spurr told his name, or that any card was ever found under the door. – There is not a shadow of doubt that these conflicting statements refer to one and the same event, as the day and hour and the ringing of the bell stated by both parties exactly correspond, and the girls mention being disturbed only once. ~The statements in evidence, accompanied by a copy of Mr. Spurr’s letter, were transmitted to the Secretary of State, and after some delay Mr. Guy received a communication from the Home-office, stating that Sir Geo. Grey had been induced, from careful consideration of all the circumstances, to grant a free pardon to Robinson, who has consequently been set at liberty. – [Through the kindness of Mr. Guy, the whole of the documents have been submitted to our inspection, and from them we have gathered the above account.]”
Several diverse snippets were stuck together in this column of the Mercury of 1860. From lock-jaw to transatlantic cable laying – it seems its pages covered every subject known to man.
“Fatal case of Lock-jaw. – Mrs. F. M. Moore, housekeeper to the General Dispensary, Euston-road, has died from lock-jaw. It was caused by an operation, apparently properly performed by a professional dentist, of snipping two molar teeth for the purpose of fixing artificial teeth, which she was in the habit of wearing.
The Earl and ‘The Traviata’ in the Hunting Field. – the sportsmen of Melton and Market Harboro’ have been not a little excited by the warning which has been given to a lady, who is as great an adept at ‘skittles’ as in riding, that she must no longer hunt with the Quorn, but seek her amusement with other packs, the masters of which are not so straight-laced.
An Old Sailor. – A very old craft has come to her end during the stormy weather this week, – the Flying Fish, wrecked off Filey. She was built at Whitby in 1783, and was consequently 77 years old. Mr. Edmund Woolterton, the master and owner, sho resides in Bath-street, South Shields, and who is a fine specimen of the British sailor, has weathered the storms of 71 winters, having spend 60 of them at sea, and 50 of them on board the Flying Fish.
The Arctic Regions. – The exploring ship Fox, Captain Allen Young, arrived in Portland Roads on Friday from the coasts of the Faroe Islands, Iceland, and Green land, where she has been employed in surveying the route for the proposed North Atlantic Telegraph. The severity of the late season in the northern regions had been greater that has been experienced during the last 20 years, but, by remaining in Greenland until November 8, when the winter has fairly set in, the Fox succeeded in examining and sounding fiords on the south coast, and proving their practicability for the reception of the of the cable. The Fox has also coasted down a considerable extent of the east coast of Greenland, hitherto supposed to be inaccessible, besides making a series of deep-sea soundings, and brings home a variety of specimens in natural history, and photographs of the scenery and costumes of the countries visited. The Fox belonged to the late Sir Rd. Sutton Bart.: it was his pleasure yacht.
