A Family History - the Transcribed Version
By Arnold Goodliffe
The original manuscript is without index or headings. I have added headings to this version, and created a hyper-linked index here.
Introduction
The writing of the story of my life together with a few historical particulars of my family and ancestors has found interest and amusement for me
during some of the days I have been laid aside by varied ailments from active duties.
My son Thomas, knowing I had a weakness about old
family matters
bought and brought me a book to scribble a few particulars in about my
ancestors and what he pleased to call "THE STORY OF MY LIFE".
I have had it in my mind for some time to collect
some few instances
of our ancestors; I missed the opportunity of doing it as well as I
might have
done by deferring till so late in my life and especially by not
obtaining much
more information than I did from my dear mother, who was able to supply
me with
many little bits of interesting family history beyond what I have
hereafter
recorded; to her I am indebted chiefly for these earlier ones.
Most intelligent social families like to know
something of their
ancestors whether there are a few drops of blue blood flowing in their
veins,
others whether the endowments of intellect were manifested or were
successful
men of business, others whether their ancestors were distinguished for
oral and
spiritual quantities which being the "Noblest works of God".
As to the first "blue blood" it was so remote that
if any it was
dried up long ago.
As to the second, well, we think there were
members who gave
evidence according to the opportunities they had of considerable
intellectual
powers.
With reference to the last quality "moral and spiritual characteristics" as we shall find in this sketch there were those whose aim and endeavour it was to adorn Christian Discipleship.
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Goodliffe Ancestors
The branch of the Goodliffes to which I belong have resided at
Lamley Lodge nr Belton in the little county of Rutland (the inhabitants
of the
whole County scarcely number 20,000) for about 200 years.
Grandfather
My Grandfather, Thomas Goodliffe, was a noted Yoeman of the old type, stout and sturdy, a vigorous muscular
man. Tales were told of him and his great
strength of limb; he and old Tom Boyer were both remarkable for bodily
strength; stories of their great physical strength were talked about long after their death.
My Grandfather was a strong willed man, bordering
in obstinacy to wit, when the Belton field was enclosed, altho' the Commissioners offered him a
good road down to the public Road (which would have saved his fields and been
sufficiently near) he demanded a new direct Road, and obstinately refused the
one offered, so he lost a good Road, had to make one down his own field, which,
besides being further led into a bit of bad road as any in the Country, which
to the present day I fear has lead to much annoyance, cursing and swearing.
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Grandmother
Like many a tall man, he married a little woman - Anna Curtis of
Harringworth; she was a descendant of a somewhat celebrated Stephen
Curtis, of
Harringworth, remarkable in his day for his non-conformity and
sufferings for
them. I feel constrained to turn aside to
notice some few instances respecting Stephen Curtis handed down for a
few
hundred years. He was a small farmer
and Shepherd, living at the time when laws were enacted against
Schismatics in
the times of Charles's what was called "the five miles act" was the
occasion of
dreadful persecutions.
Stephen was three times in prison in Lincoln jail for reading the
Scriptures to his neighbours and exhorting them to become the Disciples of Christ. About the time of the
Commonwealth there were in several villages in Rutland and
Northamptonshire
many small Churches of what is now call Old General Baptist several
members
resided at Harringworth. Stephen being the leader was persecuted in an
old
Magazine on account of his persecutions is given and his interviews
with the
village parson who was the Magistrate sending him to prison, he said
"Stephen
you have never been to College, why do you pretend to teach the people?
You
have never been taught logic, how can you teach others?"
Stephen said he had been taught of Christ,
and his was the best College, and as to logic, if the person would tell
hum
what he meant by it he perhaps should know something about
it. "Well Stephen, logic is the art of
reasoning, one part of logic consists in drawing inferences, for
instance, you
will persist in holding meetings and breaking the law, I have told you
that you
are stupid, now an ass is stupid and you are an
ass." "Oh" said Stephen "if that is logic I can
understand that; it is
said the devil is black, the parson is black, he must be a devil!!!!"
About the time Stephen was imprisoned in Lincoln jail for holding
meetings that jail was so full of persecuted Dissenters that they had to be
sent to Nottingham County jail. It is
recorded that from the Restoration 1660 to 1687 more than 5000 persons died in
prison for conscience sake, such was the persecuting spirit of the ages.
Daniel Curtis, the Son of Stephen and I believe father of my
Grandmother was a man of considerable intellectual culture as envinced
by his
Latin books and other learned works I have seen. He was
acquainted with Isaac Newton, through Wm. Whiston, the
translator of Josephus and other learned works; Whiston worshipped
frequently
at Morcott when the well known Wm' Stranger, M.D. of Harringworth was
minister
at Morcott. Daniel Curtis was one of a
literary circle including Whiston, Stranger and a few others.
My grandmother, Anna Curtis, can trace through her
family to the
time of the Commonwealth, connection with the Baptists, at the time of
her
marriage she was a member of a little Baptist Church at Morcott, and
after her
marriage lived at Lambley Lodge, nearly 7 miles away from Morcott; she
went as
often as she could to worship there and amidst much opposition was a
thorough
non-conformist.
My Mother left the following testimony of her that she was a
Christian of high principle, intelligent, kind, a very superior
woman. She died when she was 60 years of age.
I shall digress somewhat from the personal to the house in a few paragraphs.
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Lambley Lodge
Old Lambley Lodge originally was a foresters home, Lingfield forrest
being one of the famous hunting grounds of the aristocracy of ages
since
abounding in woods spinneys and first rate covers for game, and it is
still a
favourite field for the Belton hunt.
The house was enlarged in my Grandfathers and
Fathers time and
patched up from time to time. It has no
architectural beauty a long building with a little eternal or internal
comfort,
the 7 upper as well as lower rooms having no passages, the yards,
garden and
farm buildings all being of the old type, cheap, small and
inconvenient; they
were only required for the home farm which was about 30 acres of
grazing
land. The site was or might have been
proper shelter and arrangements as fine as need be; standing south on a
gradually sloping hill, the pretty village of Belton lying out in full
view
with a woodland landscape beyond. Then
on the south each the extensive view stretching away to Rockingham; on
the
south west the rich pasture land on the each part of
Leicestershire. Yes! Old Lambley with all they want of and
fewness of comforts to me they pure bracing air, thy pleasant open views and many
memories of loved ones sheltered under thy partly thatched roof are
rich tender and blessed.
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Maternal Ancestors
Having sketched a few particulars of my paternal ancestors I turn to
my Maternal side and I regret not having a more thorough and far
reaching
account, especially on the Arnold side; the one I should now prize more
than
any; I have no [items] on my
Grandfather's (John Arnold) side that goes back beyond him that can be
relied
on; From conversation with my Mother I
gathered that her father was a native of Leicester, of a highly
respectable
family whose brothers, one of whom was a celebrated Doctor of Lunacy!!!
at
Leicester, and another an M.D. at Stamford.
I gathered also that her Father, John Arnold, became a Baptist at Friar
Lane, of which John Arnold was an important member. I
gathered also an account of his becoming a Dissenter and
especially a Baptist. The Arnold family
gave him the cold shoulder. He became
acquainted with Elizabeth Sapcote, the daughter of a venerable member
of the
old Morcott Church, a man honourably mentioned for his many
excellencies, a
farmer living at a village near to Morcott.
John Arnold and Elizabeth Sapcote were married and
went to Barrowden
about the year 1770. He established a
considerable vinegar works, they tell a story that nearly a dozen of a
party
had a dinner in one of his large vats; he was a man of considerable
means,
education and ability; he was elected Deacon of the Morcott Church and
was a
very efficient Assistant Minister; he opened a place of worship upon
his
premises, and which he strictly supplied until he was afflicted in the
year
1812. He died in 1815.
My Grandmother Arnold was as I have said a
daughter of a farmer and
old member at Morcott. She was one of
the old Puritan stock of the first water, she was a tall commanding
woman, born
to lead, with a large measure in her composition; when I went to see
her if it
was a cold day there was always a sip of elder-berry wine and a slice
of cake,
with sundry admonitions to be careful not to make any dirt, a most
necessary
warning no doubt in my case. She was
great in cordials and remedies, in fact the village doctoress; when she
walked
out with her tall silver tasselled stk in her old age, the country
obeisance
and courtesy were accorded to her and accepted.
Soon after her husband's death she had the vinegar
store made
suitable and fitted up for a Sunday School, and Service, and though 70
years of
age took the superintendence of it herself. It became quite a success.
About the year 1817 she set to work vigorously to
get a Chapel
built. The room she fitted up becoming
too small for the Congregation and Scholars;
She gave £50 and collected considerable sums towards the object, and as
long as she was able, did all she could to help establish the
cause; she attained the venerable age of 82 and was
honoured and respected living and peaceful in death.
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Father - Thomas Goodliffe
Having given a brief sketch of the Grandparents on each side I will
try to give some little information about my parents and large
families;
My Father, Thomas Goodliffe, the eldest son of the
aforesaid Thomas
and Annie Goodliffe was born at Lambley Lodge Nov 13th
1756.
He inherited a physical constitution more of the
maternal than
paternal – delicate and feeble; I
understand that from childhood he was timid but remarkable for
truthfulness!!!
When quite a child on one occasion when the servants were committing an
act of
dishonesty which he saw and which was pretty certain to be found out
they tried
to frighten him to make him tell a lie; they let him down in a bucket
in the
well till he would promise them he would say they did not do it; it so
frightened him it was a long time before he got over it. He
was of a kind gentle disposition, not
like his father, a strong willed man, but very conscientious, a loving
son to
his Mother whom he so much in many ways resembled. He often
accompanied his Mother when on Sunday she went to
worship at Morcott; she rode pillion behind him, the fashion amongst
farmers in
those days. The roads were so bad in
the cross-country that no gig or light conveyance could travel; when my
Father
and Mother were married at Barrowden my Mother rode behind my Father on
his old
Bonny on a pillion.
They were both members of the Baptist Church
before they were
married in 1791; my Father in his 37th year, my
Mother in her 23rd. He was considered
a good judge of stock,
being especially fond of sheep. He was
remarkable in those days of jolly farmers, who generally came home what
was
called “market merry” and a many quite seas over, for his sobriety; he
could
never be induced to drink more than his moderate quantum – that was
long before
the days of total abstinence.
My recollections of him were only as a feeble
looking old man
suffering severely from asthmatic etc.; which had a depressing
influence on his
spirits.
He was chosen a Deacon at Morcott, and was very
regular in his
attendance, and conscientious in the discharge of his duties; at one
time the
cause became so low that it would have been given up but for his steady
attendance and encouragement to persevere to the few friends who
attended. He was an eary riser, often in summer time
up with the lark. I often rode behind
him on the old favourite mare through the woods from one field to
another
shepherding. I saw the squirrels
dancing about from tree to tree, chasing each other; birds of many
different
voices, the sweet nightingale, the thrilling warbling thrush the cooing
wood
pigeon and others. my Father did not seem to have the power to
distinguish the
different songs of birds, he would often commence a stave of a
favourite hymn
and nod off on the old nag and let her pick her own way; those were
happy days
to me, enjoying the sweet songs of these songsters in the forest woods,
poor
old man, his quiet nature did not fit him with the needed firmness
required for
a farmer, and so he did not succeed very well, but I am thankful my
parents
were able to owe no man anything. After
he was 60 he was unable frequently to attend to business, and was
rather
fearful, but he trusted to the opinion and decision of his wife and son
Thomas,
as long as the latter lived. My Father
and Mother drove to Nottingham in a little pony cart to our surprise in
1828. They spent a few days with my brother William
on Smithy Row. My Father died in 1830
in the 73rd year of his age.
My Mother wrote that he thanked God for every day
mercies and though
his natural timidity and feebleness caused him often to have gouts, as
to his
safety for the higher life hereafter, just when he was expiring and
entering
the Spirit land in his last struggle he said "I will lay me down
composed and
pray and trust the Lord will help me through the trying
hour." My Mother says in a note to me "I bless the
Lord for this helping him to trust in his dying hour."
I arrived from Nottingham a few hours before he
died, just in time for him to put out his hand and say a few kind words to
me. He set us a good example of truthfulness
and kindness; he left almost everything as to our education and
management to my Mother, who had been a kind and affectionate wife to him for 36
years.
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Mother - Mary Arnold
My Mother as I have said was the eldest daughter of John and
Elizabeth Arnold of Barrowden, was born about the year 1771.
Her parents sent her to a school at
Leicester, she was liberally educated for the times, she gave promise
of some
literary ability. I saw and read some blank
verse when in her young days she determined to write a novel.
When her mind became impressed with
religious truth she laid aside what she had written and devoted herself
to
sacred poetry, and the writings of Robinson, Hannah Moore and the
Scriptures;
she joined the Church at Morcott in about her 20th
year, and about
the same time as my Father, who was 15 years older; the difference in
their
ages was thought too considerable and although their in many respects
great
differences the Christian character of each enabled them to live
honourable and
useful lives.
For the accommodation of the newly married couple
and adjunct was
built to the old house. My Mother had
some trials to endure in her early married life; her education,
experience and
training had not fitted her for some of the occupations of a farmer's
wife in
those days. I have heard her say the
sisters-in-law were rather down upon her because she could not milk;
she told
me she tried hard to learn but could not, and they said she would not
learn,
but by her intelligent, kind, practical mind she soon grew to be
respected by them. She found in her mother-in-law an
intelligent Christian friend and advisor; she was firm in her religious
views
without narrow bigotry and enjoyed the company of intelligent Christian
people,
of what ever denomination they might be.
Altho' she had a large family, (12 children) 2
buried in infancy,
and men and women servants to train and manage she found time for
reading and
regular devotion, which she kept up to the close of her life.
In her mid-life and best days her
conversational powers were above the average, her early advantages and
well
stored mind enabled her upon religious and social and to some extent
political
questions to enter into conversation with zest. A young
intelligent independent Minister, who often came to
preach at the Lodge, week nights, saw a Baptist Magazine on the table
and to
his surprise found she was a Baptist.
This lead to a very warm discussion on the subject; neither being
convinced, they sensibly decided to drop the controversy and * as good
or
better friends that ever. Altho' she
came of a good Puritan stock on her Mother's side, she believed in
children and
young people having recreation; 70 or 80 years since the chief
amusement in
religious families were blindman's buff, Bagatelle and Dominoes.
Being the youngest son, my recollections of my
Mother were after she
attained middle life; her mind was vigorous, experience matured her
management
of her children, farm and domestic servants firm. A motherly
tenderness and intense anxiety for her children's
spiritual welfare was constantly manifest.
At times her feeble constitution was over taxed by worry and fatigue of
providing for and the management of 12 to 15 in the house, besides the
chief
anxiety to meet the financial difficulties, which pressed heavily on my
parents,
and in consequence of my father's ill health and incapacity for the
business
pressed very heavily on her; for years she had the serious trial in
fear lest
they should not be able to honourably pay their way. Thank
God! The result was better that their fears, but it was
only accomplished by most rigid care and economy.
After my Father’s death she went to life in a
little house in her
native village of Barrowden, when with my youngest sister Sarah for
several
years she was very useful, often writing kind, thoughtful and earnest
letters
to her children and friends, taking also a deep interest in and
according to
her means and strength aiding the struggling Church there, often
finding a home
for Ministers and Students when supplying; she devoted for some years
much of
her time to visiting the sick and poor.
When her daughter married James Andrews and went to live at
Morcott,
she went to live with them, and subsequently at the cottage opposite;
she came
to Nottingham to visit us in her 78th
year; I after earnest request persuaded her to let
Mr. James, a rising artist, paint her portrait, which he did to the
great
satisfaction of all my brothers and sisters, for whom I had a capital
photo
from it by the elder Cox. Poor dear she
was very feeble at the time, and said she felt sorry I should spend so
much,
but at the last consented to please her youngest son. She was
not able to come and see us again, but I felt it my duty
and pleasure as often as I could to run over to see her and seek to
promote her
comfort in her feebleness and declining days.
She had for years occasionally dotted down events which were
interesting
in domestic life and Spiritual history, hoping they might be useful to
her and
her children, she gave me the papers and my son Thomas copied them out,
about
160 pages. They gave evidence of her
early Spiritual life, her many trials and struggles to attain a higher,
purer
Christian life, and especially her earnest desire and prayers for the
salvation
of all her children.
That old faithful picture of thee my Mother, has
oft times been a
gentle reprover, sometimes words of encouragement as I sat and looked
at it
seemed to come to me saying "Arnold, my son, be not unduly anxious
about things
of this life, one thing is needful" The
child who has such a mother has one of the greatest earthly blessings,
proving
to him a guiding star through life and often calling by her example and
loving
teaching the attainment of a higher and purer life. She lived
to the ripe old age of 86, leaving behind her a
character endeared and enshrined in the memory of her children and
friends, who
knew her in the full vigour and maturity of mind. She died
April 29th 1855, was buried in the Chapel
yard at Barrowden. Her youngest son had
a neat monument erected to her memory in the Chapel.
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Arnold's Siblings
I will now give you a brief account of my brothers and sisters.
Elizabeth
My eldest sister Elizabeth was born in 1793. She was rather
small in stature, and of
delicate health, of a sweet gentle disposition, very much resembling
her
Grandmother Goodliffe. She went to live
at her Grandmother Arnold's, she unfortunately married Samuel Richmond,
who
became a sat inebriate and after a short life of pain and relief on
account of
her husband's bad habits and violent conduct and unkind treatment, she
died
before she was 40, leaving 5 sons and 1 daughter, most of whom died in
middle
life. I spent some little time about my
10th year in order that I might get a little
schooling and saw the
sad efforts of drunkenness; it had such an influence upon my mind that
I
resolved with God's help I never would get drunk, I am
thankful to have been enabled to keep my resolution; I have
been an abstainer for nearly 56 years.
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Thomas
Thomas, my eldest brother, born 1795 was a very active intelligent
youth, very useful in business and devoted to his Mother; on account of
my
father's feebleness he very early in life took chief management of the
farm,
and by his energy, judgement etc., he was successful in his business
transactions.
In the Spring in 1816 after extra farm work he
felt he needed a
change, so decided to visit an Aunt at Kings Lynn, our Mother's sister
who
married a Mr. Marshall, one of the largest Gardeners and Nurserymen in
the
eastern counties. On a Sunday morning
in May 1816 just before his intended departure he was seized with
sudden
sickness. My Mother used the common
remedies for a bilious attack and sent off for the family Doctor, who
lived 4
miles away, but by the time he arrived it was too late, so violent had
the
sickness been he sank in about 20 hours.
I was then about 9 years old and well remember the panic caused by his
death in the family. The village and
Uppingham market where his business ability and conduct had won
respect; He was
engaged to be married to a Miss Elizabeth Goodliffe a distant relation,
a
daughter of one of the larger farmers of Belton. Her brother
John called at the Lodge just after he had passed
away, they were like David and Jonathan choice friends, his grief as
well as
his sisters was very intense. I shall
never forget the emotion and sympathy manifested at the funeral, almost
the
entire village turned out to meet the funeral procession as it came
along the
road from the Lodge to the Church-yard.
It was a touching scene; the sudden death of a fine intelligent genial
young man, the eldest, the hope and stay of a feeble father and a
devoted
mother, who together with 9 brothers and sisters besides other dear
friends
formed a procession almost all the villagers falling
in. The service in the Church yard was solemn
and touching, conducted by the Rector Reverend J. Graham; It was the
first time
I had heard "Earth to earth dust to dust etc''." It appeared
so dreadful.
At the grave they sung Steel's appropriate hymn "When blooming youth is
snatched away" The sad event cast a
gloom over the whole Lodge family and resulted in a sad change in the
management of business affairs resulting I think in a great change in
the future of the position of most of the family.
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Ann
Ann the third child was born 1796; she has just passed away in her
90th year. When a young girl
she was active and strong a good type of a stirring daughter of a
farmer with a
bit of spirit and temper, able to drive and ride.
When I was born she was reported to say "What,
another little
black-haired boy come" for there were six already; and I was told on
one
occasion when my nasty cross temper as a babe they put me in to the
cradle but
could not rock me to sleep or quieten me, she rocked away with such a
vengeance
as to pitch me out on the plaster floor, my dear mother came to the
rescue; the
incident remained as a joke between us to the day of her
death. The words of the old proverb were verified
in her case "The course of true love never runs smooth" A few
hasty words divided those who might
have been equally yoked. It gave a
tinge of sadness and tended to increase a hereditary tendency to morbid
melancholy which as she grew older became more developed.
Several years after she married an excellent man
John Culpin by whom
she had one son and 3 daughters; 2 of whom lived with us for years and
were
esteemed by us for their goodness and usefulness and from the day of my
poor
sister's long affliction till her death were kind and beautiful.
Two little babes a brother and sister died in
their infancy before I
was born, the bigoted Belton parson would not bury them because my
parents were
Baptists so they were buried at Morcott.
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John
John the next was born 1798, he had gifts for learning but
unfortunately troubled with an uncomfortable suspicious selfish temper
which
developed into much the same tendencies as my poor sister
Ann.
(Following paragraph added 1898; this was after Arnold Goodliffe's death in 1888)
[John my eldest brother was born in 1798, he was
gifted for learning,
went to Boarding School at Kirton Linsey, was very intelligent and fond
of reading,
but on account of a weakly constitution he was brought up more the
Gentleman,
was fond of a good horse and hunting occasionally. He married
when about 30 years of age Elizabeth Stokes. She was a good
wife and very energetic
strong and industrious. They had 6 sons and 3 daughters, all living at
the
present time 1898. The eldest son John
Thomas thought be could do better in America and went there about 35
years ago
and is still in business there.]
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James
James my next brother in his young days was a general favourite as a
jolly good-heated fellow, ready to do a good turn to anyone, often to
the
injury of himself; he did not gain any prize for quickness and
correctness in
learning, he liked to work and play better than books; he was
unfortunate in
being put apprentice to a drunken master Samuel Richmond, he never
learned his
trade but learned some bad habits which were a sore trial to his
family. His want of success in after life was owing to
habits acquired in this situation; to the last he was generally good
natured
and cheerful and by the kindness of an excellent son in his old age he
was most
bright and comfortable. He died 1868 in
his 68 yr.
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William
William was born 1801 the opposite temperament and tendencies to his
brother James, more reserved and cautious; owing to the distance to any
school
he, like the others, had very little education. He was
apprenticed to Mr Hart Grocer of Uppingham, he faithfully
discharged his duties and secured the respect of his master.
After he left he had 2 or 3 short
engagements, the last at Mr. Smiths, Cheese Factory, Leicester.
One of those singular little circumstances
occurred which result in
great changes; important events in life often from small causes
Spring. The Rev. J. Green of Uppingham, a friend of
my mothers, had engaged in 1823 to preach at Friar Lane, Leicester the
school
sermons, a Mr. Gamble a lay-minister went to supply at
Uppingham. They met on the high way between Uppingham
and Leicester, then looked earnestly at each other, and after they had
passed
turned and looked again, then stopped. Mr. Gamble said "If I am not
mistaken
you are Mr. Green" "Yes I am, and you
are going to supply for me” Mr. Gamble
asked if there were any Baptist friends on the way. "Oh yes,
Mr Goodliffe of Lambley Lodge, and if you will call he
will be pleased to see you and get you to preach for them” He
called, and in a conversion with my
Mother found she had a son recently gone to Leicester. She
got him to take a little parcel for him,
he saw William and told him of a widow lady who wanted an assistant; he
said
jokingly "You may manage the business and the widow too” He
took the situation in May and married the
widow in October 1823. He came to
Nottingham and became a member of Stoney St.,
Mrs Major was a member there. In
Aug., 1823 he wrote to the Lodge for Daniel or I to spend a fortnight
with him,
Mrs Major was going to London. I soon
found which way the wind blew, the mistress was so kind to the young
man and
though she nearly 20 years older, by her prim rather junior dress and
appearance so won over the rather green young man that she soon lead
him to the
hymnal Altar. They kept the honeymoon
at the Old Lodge, they met James and Anna; all three couples had just
been
married; it made the Old Lodge quite gay and set the Villagers staring
to see
three bridegrooms and their brides and friends promenade the
Village. The happiest days come to an end, and
Saturday found him back at the cheese shop, but one could see there
would have
to be a fight as to who should (to use an old fashioned phrase) wear
the
breeches. He soon unfortunately found
that married life did not bring him that fair modicum of joy and
satisfaction
he had a right to expect. His wife had
unfortunately an ill-regulated temper, she was mean, proud, weak,
jealous and
exacting. Her young husband's eyes were
gradually opened to his position, but he was wanting in firmness to
deal with
such a character, so for some time domestic bliss was sadly wanting,
and during
the near 30 years of married life, poor fellow, brief were the hours of
connubial joy; he continued in the provision trade till 1830, he built
some
cottages Beeston, a machine-shop and two or three lace machines, but
was not
very successful; his attention was directed to the lay ministry amongst
the
village churches (Baptist) he received a call to the Church at Kirton
Linsey
about 1840, after a few years he removed to Chesterfield, and
afterwards to
Rothley, when and at Sileby for several years he was the Minister of
those
village Churches with fairly general acceptance; he was a descendant of
an old
Puritan stock and firm in teaching the old theology; with all his
failings I
can bear testimony to his thorough truthfulness, and uprightness of
character
and considering the severe discipline through which he had to pass
provocative
of that which tended to want of geniality and good nature, he improved
with
advancing years, giving evidence of sincerity in the important work in
which he
was engaged. He dies rather suddenly,
he left me his principle executor, he left a just will which was a
pleasure to
carry out; after 30 years of close and intimate knowledge of and
brotherly
connection with him, I feel there was much that was good and as to his
failings
I desire, knowing and feeling my own to be charitable towards him.
Return to index
Mary
Mary my beloved sister is next on the list, was born in 1803.
She was endowed with a mind intelligent
quick at learning and highly sensitive, enshrined in a body interesting
but
feeble and consumptive, she early manifested a devout gentle spirit in
sympathy
with the teachings of Christ. My Mother
perceiving the tendency of her mind to intellectual pursuits did what
her
circumstances would admit to cherish his aspirations, giving her the
advantage
of a good training to fit her to be an educator of others.
She was by her intelligence and sympathy for
the young well adapted for the important work, she had a few boarders
at the
Lodge, but the unsuitableness of the house prevented it becoming an
increasing
school; so by invitation and arrangement she came to Nottingham in 1824
to
rooms in her brother William's house, but owing to an utter
dissimilarity of
mental, social and general characteristics of mind existing between her
and
William's wife the enterprise resulted in utter failure and misery to
my sister
Mary. I well remember her crying out in the agony
of her heart "Oh
Arnold, our brother William will never know the true love and
tenderness of a
true woman's heart". She gathered no
number of scholars and soon decided to leave and took a little new
house in
Denman St. Radford where she was gathering a nice school, but alas her
severe
trials and disappointments acting upon her feeble constitution soon
prevented
her being able to continue her school, although my youngest sister
Sarah came
to assist her; she soon had to give up and my brother Daniel fetched
her home
to die. We two brothers owe much to her
tender loving keeping, and example etc., for years I went to look at
the little
house in Denman St., where a true and loving sister often spoke words
of
wisdom, caution and kindness to me; her influence tended to promote
intelligent
devout piety in me and younger members of the family, and indeed with
all she
came in contact. She died filled with
the joyful hope of a blessed resurrection to eternal life in the 22nd
year of her age; a loving child, a tender sister and devout Christian.
Return to index
Daniel
Daniel, the brother nearest of age to me, was my boon companion and
we have always been loving brothers, playmates, school-mates many a
pleasant
walk have we had to the village school, his arm over my shoulder and
mine round
his waist. We went into partnership in
little business transactions before we were 14 with a vision of
improving our
finances, which were low, and likely to be; it helped to form business
habits
and thrift which were very useful in after life. Daniel and
my sister Mary went to a mixed school conducted by a
Mr. Greton at Billesdon, which had its influence in many ways on his
after
life; he met with and benefited by the companionships he then formed;
his
sister Mary and a Miss Atkin being his chief companions. They
helped to polish him up somewhat. Owing to our fathers he
early life had to
discharge important duties in business as buyer and seller of stock and
other
farm operations; he was 19 when I left the Lodge and we divided up our
savings;
he was a cheerful hard working young fellow with a pretty strong notion
of
putting the best face on things, giving early indications of the habits
of
smartness and order, which a rough and ready fellow like me thought
bordered at
times on the excess. One of the
greatest trials was the unhappy temper and actions of his elder brother
John who
though unfit for the management of the farm was jealous and opposed to
him and
his management. Daniel did not forget
his early school friendships, he told me a little story of his young
manhood
days, on one occasion business taking him into the neighbourhood where
his
school lady friends lived he decided to call.
She had gone to a party, he found his way there; mischievous cupid set
his heart a fluttering about his pet-fellow scholar; he was introduced
to the
Company, the room was full of lively young people; the bashful young
grazier
attracted the attention of the fun loving youngsters. They
marched out of the room, planned their bit of mischief, came
in and pinioned him, rubbing his face with a brass ladle the remedy for
bashfulness. It was a cure the first
dressing, he jumped and saluted them all round and soon won his spurs
with the
lively farmer's daughter. In a while at
a convenient season his Mary and he joined interests, and spend
together a few
most happy and loving years. I suppose
they were the two elements of characters in each fitting them for each
other,
her intelligence, good taste, in their simple household arrangements,
their
general adaptability to each other in all the leading affairs of life
tended to
promote to their happiness. They
exercised the utmost prudence having limited means; two babes, a son
and a
daughter, more born unto them, when alas the loving wife and mother was
called
away. Time, the healer of many wounded
hearts led him to look out for a wife to discharge the duties of that
important
relationship and be a mother to his children.
He looked with other eyes than those of his school days and found one
differing in many characteristics; no man can expect two angels to fall
to his
lot; but for more than 40 years they passed along the journey of life
and in some
respects as well as could be expected by two strong willed people who
both like
their own way. Every day experience or
observation confirms the fact that step-mothers frequently fail to win
the love
of their step-children from a want of sympathy they rule by authority
rather
than lead by love. Daniel, after his
second marriage, took a house at Barley-thorpe and some land in the
neighbourhood. In some matters to
please the lady appearing in the style of the Gentlemen farmer more
than his
means warranted, and unfortunately lost a considerable number of cattle
by one
of the first out-breaks of foot and mouth disease. A second
out-break and heavy loss disheartened him so that he
gave up the land and went to live at Oakham, during which time as
Deacon at the
Church at Barrowden and Morcott he rendered good service he and his
wife
travelling the near 6 miles most Sundays.
They again removed to St. Ives where for many years they resided near
their excellent and loving daughter who married a distant relative –
Mr. Loams
[Loomes]. He was again left a widower
after living more than 40 years with his last wife. In his
little cottage he enjoyed himself visiting reading and
comforting as far as he was able his poor and aged neighbours; he is
now with
his son-in-law and daughter Jackson, in the commencement of this year
1887 his
82nd year, cheerful and happy ready and waiting
for the call to
enter the many mansions. Next on the list was the writer of these
little family
sketches, but as my youngest sister has passed away I choose to break
the link
and give a brief account of her before entering upon a record of some
events of
my life.
Return to index
Sarah
Sarah was born at the Old Lodge November 1809, being the 12th
child born to my parents, at the time of her birth was one of great
anxiety to
my parents, both being feeble and out of health, the weather was
severe, the
times bad, my father nearly lost the use of his right hand, holding the
lantern
for poor old Dr Bell, who came in the dark miserable November night 4
miles to
usher the stranger into this changeful world.
There was in my sister a tinge of the sober element of life, occasioned
probably by circumstances preceding her birth, manifest even in her
childhood. In her early days she was a timid weakly
child, devoted to her parents and family and especially her brother
Arnold who
was nearest her in age, and this love and sympathy continued lifelong
between
us. After out father's death she and
mother removed to Barrowden, where with her little business and
carefulness
they were enabled to live in comfort.
She took interest in instructing the young and sort to help forward the
good cause in connection with the General Baptist Church.
Rather late in life than many she married a
Mr James Andrews, who commenced business as a tailor and general dealer
at
Morcott, she continued to care for our aged mother who removed with
them, she
earned the gratitude of her brothers and sisters for her kindness and
attention
to her. In her life she was diligent in
business, very conscientious and particular; there was a little of the
old
Puritan principles developed in her, rather more than was agreeable to
merry
and fun loving natures; her husband's
lively cheerful temperament sometimes exercised her patience, but his
good
nature and many good qualities and devotedness to her and our aged
mother
secured her esteem, although she could not always carry out St Paul's
injunctions to Christian wives see that ye reverence your husbands
etc. By great care and prudence they secured
sufficient to maintain them in their old age, and to aid the
Church. She had arranged in her 73rd
year
to come and spend a little time with us July 1885. The day
she was to come she was taken ill. Annie Morris, with whom
she was to have
come, brought us word of her sudden and dangerous illness. I
started immediately I heard, and arrived
just in time to clasp her hand, and hear her last calm words before she
fell
asleep in Jesus July 22nd 1885.
At her funeral were two aged brothers, her husband and a large number
of
nephews and nieces and friends who mourned her loss, giving evidence of
their
attachment to her and in appreciation of her excellent character.
Return to index
Arnold
I shall now, in order to satisfy the desire of my eldest son, try to
give a brief outline of the few leading incidents of my life.
They are very common place and scarce worth
recording, if they afford interest or amusement I shall be re-paid; it
has
furnished me and an occupation when I was unable to leave my room, and
engaged
my hand and thoughts when otherwise I should have been
restless. I have not kept a diary, therefore many
incidents have been forgotten.
I was born at Lambley Lodge May 23rd
1807. I was the 11th child and 7th
son!!! From report a little black-haired dark-complexioned thing,
jokingly said
to have taken a tinge from the Lynn sailors.
My Mother had been on a visit to her sister in that town, and was
struck
with the sun-burnt dark appearance of the Sons of the Ocean, that was
just
before my birth, whether a joke or not I was dubbed "B* Georgie" and
answered
well to the name. There were few
incidents of interest in the first 10 years of my life.
Schooling
As soon as I was able I was sent to Old Dame Fowkes' school in
Belton. The 1st Standard was
imperfectly taught. The Primitive
battledore the alphabet and words of the most simple character were
printed on
card-board the old English style of pronouncing was taught. I
had often to stand on the stool for being
in mischief, and have a tall brown paper cap on my head; nevertheless
Old Dame
Fowkes was not a bad sort. She tried to
teach us truthfulness and good manners.
We had always an obeisance in coming and going with a "Sara Marm" which
means "Your servant madam". When we
were good we got a bulls eye. The great
difficulty my parents found to obtain a fair education for their
children was
the long distance to any school. My
next visit to school was to Peterboro' to lodge with an uncle and went
to a Mr.
Thorpe's school for 6 months. He was a
good teacher and a good disciplinarian, he believed in using the rod, I
made
progress whilst there, but was taken away too soon on account of the
bad times
in 1818. I attended with my good Aunt
all the Wesleyan meetings and became a rather hopeful Disciple with the
Class. My real good Aunt was a member. I wrote
letters home inspiring hope in my
good mother's mind that I might grow to be useful in the
world.
Return to index
Birds and Game
After I left my chief vocation for a while was to scare
birds. I was allowed the use of the old firelick, a
piece of fire arms that adorned the old beam in the house place, and
which had
been in use for many years. I may
record a remarkable preservation of my life.
I was only allowed powder to make a flash, but having no shot I picked
up some very small pebbles and loaded my gun ready for a
shot. Some boys I was talking with got hold of it
pointing it direct at my chest and pulled the trigger.
Fortunately it did not go off. A few minutes after I shot at
some
birds. It went off tearing off boughs
showing the deadly power of the shot.
About the same time I had another escape. I was riding and
carrying a load on my arm, when the girth broke,
the saddle slipped over the side of my horse, my foot caught in the
stirrup and
I was dragged across the field, my head going bump over the
ground. When a little boy I went up a ladder on to
the roof of the barn, and my mother found me walking on the steep roof
trying
to get some find house leeks. I grew
rather fond of my gun, one cold snowy day being in the barn with my gun
a covey
of partridges lighted near. I let fly
and two tippled over. I soon bagged
them and mother made them with some pigeons into a pie. My
Mother fearing my breach of the game laws
might get to the ears of the squire. I
believe the Primitive hunting tendency was rather strong upon me, old
dog
Captain and I often caught and brought home a pussy. I felt
whatever the laws justice taught me that the game found on
my father's land we were more entitled to it than anyone else, several
of our
fields were injured by an excess of game, I have seen in a field near
Laundwood
nearly 50 rabbits besides other game.
In the Spring of 1818 my father gave me a sickly lamb if I would rear
it. I did and in due time it became a
mother. For 2 years it had couples! Two
of which went to London market and made 49/- each. By the
time I went to Nottingham I had saved £15. My Mother
regretted the little opportunity I
had for education, made arrangements in 1820 for me to go to the
Reverent E.
Creaton's School as a boarder. There
were about half a dozen lads, the instructions was fair but three of
his pupils
were immoral bad fellows. The
advantages gained in elementary knowledge were far outweighed by the
bad
example and wicket habits of my school-mates; it was a bitter six
months to me
and the most injurious in my life, breaking down good habits, inducing
a spirit
of disobedience to the great grief of my dear Mother, and culminating
in a bad
act one morning. I had got into trouble
and could not stay in at Family Prayers, but while they were in at
their
devotions I tied the kitchen door so they could not get out except
through the
kitchen window. My Mother, though
gentle and tender, was when roused a firm disciplinarian. I
was cut off from the regular meals to
bread and water in the kitchen. I
braved it for a while, one morning when alone she took me by the hand,
led me
into the parlour, talked kindly and tenderly to me, she touched the
better side
of my nature. We knelt down together,
she poured forth in earnest words a prayer to God for my
forgiveness. We wept together embraced and became
reconciled. The Father in Heaven, the
Mother on earth forgave the disobedient Son.
He became and was ever afterwards on of her most devoted Children,
never
intentionally causing her sorrow; this occurred when I was about 14
often a
critical time to a boy of strong passions.
After this a general change took place in me behaviour and
character. Like many boys I was not fond
of work. I found it difficult to buckle
to, but gradually got to like farm work, and to use a country phrase
"Took to
the Collar" and grew fond of farming, and during the last 2 years threw
in my
energies to the varied work to be done.
Return to index
Invitation to
Nottingham
Early in May 1823 a letter from William at Nottingham was received,
asking for one of us to go to Notty for a fortnight Daniel, being
elder, was
required at home, so it was decided that I must go. I was
quite averse to it, I disliked the thought of being a
Counter-jumper. I had got to like a
farm boy's life. Daniel and I went to
Leicester, took some sheep to sell, after we had sold them I went to
the Stag
& Pheasant Hotel, mounted Old Thomas Pettifore's old coach for
Nottingham,
and soon felt interested, it being the first time I had ridden behind a
four-in-hand. We rattled away, changing
at Loughboro' and Bunney. The lights of
Nottingham, its Castle and fine Old Church, came in view as we
descended old
Ruddington Hill. The old Trent spanning
the broadest river I had seen was interesting to me. The
steep Hollow Stone Hill, old narrow Bridlesmith Gate lit up
with gas, and still narrower High St., with a strong beam across on
which swung
an immense painted Blackimores head, underneath which our old Coachman
drove to
the White Lion, Clumber St., where we arrived about 8.30.
Return to index
Life in Smithy Row
To me the memorable Saturday, August 23rd
1823. My Brother William met me at the coach. We
soon reached Smithy Row, at that time a
row of the lowest class of Butchers stall's stood. They were
a rowing noisy lot.
Mrs Major kept a small provision shop, being half the shop now occupied
by Jackson, the Tobaacconist, the other part was being occupied by
"drunken
butcher Frearson". His family occupied
one part of the House, Mrs. Major's 3 rooms at the back facing Dunkirk
Shambles, the kitchen coal place, pantry open W.C. all under-ground,
were used
by both families!! The sanitary condition was such as would not be
allowed to
exist now, what with the immoral state of drunken butchers part of the
house
and the unsanitary condition of the lower rooms, it was a strange
contrast to
my old Lodge life. Frearson soon drank
himself into a terrible state of D T's.
His death was awful. When I had
been a fortnight a letter came from Mrs. Major. She was
staying another week in London; I had become somewhat
reconciled to the change and agreed to stray; when she came back from
London
she was all smiles and affability telling us about some of the lions,
Madam
Tussord's, The Zoological Gardens, The grang parks etc. Under the
influence of
Cupid the widow was all gladness and smiles.
I got an invitation to stay the wedding and honeymoon over. I
began to like the life and bustle of the
Town and considered that having two brothers at home when one would
have been
better I made an arrangement myself to stay for 3 years.
I felt somewhat put on my metals to be left in
charge of the
business for a week whilst they went to the Old Lodge for the
honeymoon; old "Snuffy Mother Davies" was house-keeper, and old Philip
Bailey the
Grandfather
of the Author of Festus came to advise and take a little supervision
occasionally, a very pleasant cheery jocular old Gentlemen he
was. A man came in abruptly one evening. He ask
"Are you the brother of the young man
who married Mrs Major?" "Yes I am her Cousin" "Tell him I am sorry for
him poor
fellow, I lived with her in her first husband's time, he must get a
good
ash-plant and once a week let her have it, if he means to keep
master". Of course, it shocked my sense of propriety,
as a mode of treatment for such an aimable, smiling young
woman. I lived soon to see the other side of the
picture - one little specimen;- Not long after the honey-moon a
Dressmaker came
to make up some apparel for her, we were sitting down to an early
breakfast,
the old lady was in her tantrums, her young husband courteously helped
the
choicest morsals to the damsel, who I believe was her cousin; the
jealous old
vixen in a rage flung a cup of hot coffee at him, because he helped the
young
Dressmaker first, the devil in him was aroused, she had to cut and run
and lock
herself up in her room, finding she had over-shot the mark.
My brother Will, like many a hen-pecked
husband got used to it, though he never could like it, managed to pull
through
better than one could expect. When I
had been there about a year the premises were enlarged, and increased.
I was errand boy, porter, warehouseman, waiter
etc., etc., etc., and
pretty hard worked from 17 to 19. I was
a stout sturdy fellow, carrying weights, we had only a wheel-barrow for
heavy
goods, the Road and Streets in 1823 to 1830 were badly paved and
lighted. One day I was about 19 a bag of salt over 2
cwt was wanted in a hurry in Parliament St., I got it into my back to
carry up
Black Boy Yard, my foot slipped, the weight was too much. I
feel injuring my hip and back. I had to be carried home
blistered and bled,
the effect of the folly remains till this day in a feeble back and
rheumatic
hip. I am now suffering whilst writing
this down, the incident was a warning against rashness and headstrong
actions.
Return to index
Funeral of Lord Byron
One of the most striking events of 1824 was the funeral of the poet
Lord Byron, the procession came down Smithy Row and through the Market
Place;
the remarkable and long Cavalcade of carriages and horsemen was a sight
I had
never seen before or since. The
mournful courtege wended its way to Hucknall where remains were
deposited in a
vault, a very unpretentious monument was erected, Visitors from all
parts of
the world came to inspect the resting place of the gifted poet.
For a short time bobbin lace and bobbin making
were flourishing in
Nottingham, everyone who had a little money rushed into it. I was asked
to
learn to work a machine. I had not
enough enterprise, the good trade did not last long, so perhaps I lost
nothing
by sticking to the dirty provisions trade.
In 1824 I entered heartily into the work of Sunday
School teaching
at Stoney Street Baptist Chapel, where for some years a capital School
had
existed. I became acquainted with some
young men who endeavoured a according to the opportunities they had to
improve
themselves and it had a beneficial influence on me; as
opportunity came I read with some avidity the current
literature Milton, Young, Addison's Essays, Johnson's and such works as
fell in
my way, but having to open the shop at 7 a.m. and keep open till 10
p.m. did
not allow time for much reading, afternoons being slack when I could I
availed
myself of the opportunity.
Return to index
Elections of 1826
The first General election I had seen occurred in 1826 when Birch
and Rawcliffe were Candidates (Liberals).
It was noted for the fun, mischief and triumph. It lasted 11
days. Each party had a number of "Lambs" and they would mob
and if they
could try to steal a vote. The Radicals
Spencered, The Tories Ducked, I saw coal tails flying up like kites in
the
Market Place over a struggle for a vote, and anon a poor fellow would
be taken
to the Exchange pump. A load of
out-town voters would come driving to the only polling place, there
were many burgesses
who had gone to France working in the lace trade, these were fetched
over to
vote and a grand shout there would be when they came rattling in by
Coach. The Liberals won; after the victory splendid
ornamental chairs were bought to the Exchange, the members were chaired
round
the Market Place carried on the shoulders of "Yellow Lambs" accompanied
by
crowds of their supporters, cheering and shouting until their throats
were
sore.
Return to index
Trade in 1825
1825 to 1827 - trade being bad my brother took a stall in the Market
Place where on Saturday I figured to weight cheese and bacon.
I did a nice little trade, and got a few
friends amongst butter-sellers by sundry little civilities.
One substantial farmers daughter invited me
to spend the Sunday afternoon with her and her Mother, but my native
modesty,
or some other cause prevented me accepting the invitation.
Return to index
Self Improvement
A small shut up shop in Bridlesmith Gate being to let my brother
took it; the amount of business done was small during the next two or
three
years, I had the best opportunity for improvement I have had at any
period. The artisans library was
started in Bridlesmith Gate. I was the
9th member. There was a good
selection of books and classes etc., Edwin Patchitt, Edmond Hart and
Benjamin
Hawkridge and other young men and lads were members. Some of
us used to do a bit of the Oratorical business; my
weakness was to attempt too many subjects and be thorough in
none. Old E. Hart used to call as he went by to
interest me in astronomy. Then, several
young fellows formed a Mutual Improvement Socy., for discussion at the
Schoolroom. One evening the subject was "Gravitation" One of
the members was seeking to enlighten us as to its
laws,
why bodies fell to earth, and to illustrate his theory threw up some
snuffers
asking why they descended again, just as they came bang on the table
the old
Deacon came in enquiring what the disturbance was about. When
he learned, his zeal for the Lord's
House (Old Vestry) quite upset him and caused him to forbid the use of
the
Vestry for such purposes, several left the Chapel and became men of
some note
in after life. One John Hallam invited
us to a nice little summer house in the Park to meet at 7 o'clock, this
was of
a more theological character, from that little Company a member became
a Church
Clergyman, another a Baptist Minister, another an Independent Minister
and one
a Superintendent.
About this time 1827 to 1829 was my busiest and
happiest days in
Religious and Social work. I had been a
member at Stoney St., Baptist Church some time, it was in its most
prosperous
days, young men and some of the leaders would be at the early meetings
for
Prayer at 7 a.m. on Sundays, School at 9, Service, then tract
distributing 12
to 1 o'clock, School in the afternoon, then Service, then Prayer
meeting 8 to
9 p.m. and all this after keeping open shops on the Saturday until 12
o'clock;
the Congregations were large, we young men had to bring forms in for
strangers;
every other Sunday we went by twos to Ruddington, Carlton and other
Villages to
help to start Sunday Schools, all of which are still existing and
prosperous.
Some young men members at Stoney St., started a
Cricket Club to play
for exercise in the mornings, from 5 to 7 on the Meadows. On
one occasion I was batting, the aforesaid
old Deacon taking his early morning walk came by book in hand; I in my
off hand
way said I would give him a catch; it either touched his dignity or his
Puritanism or both, for he called on me and told me how sorry he was to
see me
spending my time in that manner. He had
thought to recommend me to become a Student at the new College, opened
at
Loughboro' for the General Baptist Ministry, but he could not; he did
not like
young Christians having anything to do with games, so the Ministry lost
a
shining light, and one more poor fellow was saved from entering a
calling he
was unfitted for.
(1826 to 1830) About this time the questions of
Slavery and
Parliamentary reform and other political questions were being zealous
debated. George Thompson the eloquent
Orator, Daniel O'Connor on Repeal, Whittle Harvey on questions general,
Denman
and Brougham on Defence of Queen Caroline and Reform generally amongst
Politicians and Statesmen, are all Dr. Raffle's, Dr. Newton and Dr.
Binney
amongst Preachers were men whose eloquence when I occasionally heard
them
charmed me and tended to strengthen my views, as a liberal in Politics
and a
Believer in Religion.
I heard Dr. Raffles at the opening of Friar Lane
Chapel 1828. His
fine presence, his splendid voice and intellectual powers were a
sensation to me,
his text John 111.32. "If I be lifted up will draw all men to me" was I
thought
the finest Sermon and most striking in delivery I had ever heard, I
wrote out a
lengthy outline for which a Yorkshire farmer and Wesleyan Local
Preacher gave
me 2/6. The first and last bit of
Literature I made money by. Some time
after I heard several of a course of Lectures delivered in that Chapel
by the
Rev. James Gilbert in defence of Christianity, and to meet the
objections to and
denials of its truth by Carlisle, a popular infidel lecturer; they were
able
deeply interesting and popular, to me very satisfactory.
Return to index
Meeting Anna Speed
An event happened in October 1826 which had very much to do with an
influence my after life; the teachers and friends of Sunday School were
holding
a tea-making, it being the Goose Fair Holidays, being busy I went late,
the old
Superintendent met me coming in, he said "On my young friend I went you
to see
two young lady friends of mine home, they live a good distance
off". Before I could reply a fellow teacher said "He has only
just come, he shan's go, to send him away is too bad" I
was just
budding into a young man with a fair share of vanity and
gallantry. I said "I will with pleasure Mr Hutchinson" the
ladies heard my friend's objection and said blushingly "Oh, we are not
afraid" "Ladies" I said "if you will
allow me I shall have great pleasure in accompanying you". So
away we went to the top of Sherwood St., Mansfield
Road being then nearly vacant of Houses.
I had seen the Ladies at Chapel and did not even know their
names. They were the Misses Anna and Eliza
Speed. I found that they like myself
had been brought up in the country and had not been long in
Nottingham. I thought them intelligent girls.
During the next 12 months I met Miss Anna
the elder who was a very punctual teacher and a member of the Church,
we had
occasional conversations on the work teaching and the topics of the
day. I found it pleasant to walk and talk about
Youngs Milton's and Cowper's poetry etc., etc., etc., and by the next
Goose
Fair we had insensibly got into that stage of feeling peculiar to that
age,
which after the usual little quarrels of lovers, ended in our married
Oct 2nd
1830.
Return to index
Own Business
At the latter end of 1820 arrangements were entered into for me to
take over the little business in Bridlesmith Gate, which I had managed
for
nearly 3 years; I had saved about £50 although I had £15
two years
before and £20 two. My Mother
wishing me to remain in Nottingham added £5 as I had an offer of £25
per annum
to go to Leeds. Then I had £50 which
fell to my share from my father. I
managed to make a start in a small way, deciding to try for about a
year what
the result would be before I set up house-keeping. I took
stock September 1830 and found I made £1 per week
profit. I had used the most rigid
economy to accomplish even that small sum, I bargained with the old
Lady to
board and lodge me for 7/- per week I wanted her to put in 3 weeks for
20/- but
I could not move her.
Marriage
She seemed quite anxious for me to do well, only she did not approve
of my marrying a girl without some property.
When I named to my brother William I should like him to be best man he
declined, I believe lest he should get into trouble with his old Lady,
so we
arranged with two friends who had come out of Lincolnshire to Goose
Fair,
William Wilcocx a son of a very old friend of the family and a Lady who
came
with him; we had a good and early breakfast at Anna's Mothers in
Glasshouse
St., Oct 2nd, (Sunday), we met at St. Mary's
Church at 9 o'clock,
when Mr. Wilkins performed the ceremony.
In my hurry I had omitted to put any money in my pockets, and to the
confusion of all could not pay the fees.
Old Parnham the Clerk, being a Customer, said he would call and get a
bit of cheese and make it all right. We
went straight to our Sunday School classes, but snug as we had kept it
it was
all over the Chapel before the day was over.
My young wife and I received many congratulations from friends and
especially from Old Daddy Hutchinson, who was very tender in his
exhortations,
and good wishes for our happiness. I
had taken the shop and house opposite, now called "the Old Arm Chair"
kept by
an old maiden lady who was about to marry ; she was not quite ready to
give up
her premises, but let me 2 rooms until she gave up the whole.
To those two rooms we wended our way on
Sunday night. I had to be up early on
Monday morning to go into the Fair to buy cheese with my brother
William. I left my young wife with little Edmund
Walston in charge of the shop. I was
with my brother William on Smithy Row when my brother Daniel came
stealthily
behind me and gave me a real eve offering on my behind part.
There, says he, take that you shabby fellow,
for not letting me know; I had been annoyed that William objected to go
to
Church with us and decided to make no fuss or Wedding party at all by
the wish
of my Bride elect.
The same evening, however, as my brother Daniel
was here William and
his old lady came on to our supper with him; at supper my young wife
was timid,
having at our table Mrs. William Goodliffe who had told me I must not
expect to
have nice puddings and pies if I married such an inexperienced girl,
but when
the apple pie was cut and tasted. My
brother William was quite gushing in his praise of the excellence of
it. "Yes" I said "it is the first she has made
me" I was not a little proud and my wife was pleased and encouraged; we
spent a
very pleasant evening and the young wife and brother-in-law soon became
good
friends.
Return to index
Developing the
Business and the
Family
I am afraid I was over anxious about getting a living and paying my
way and I was careful almost to meanness.
Trade and business was very bad, requiring great economy, I arranged
with a good rich old farmer Mr. Holland the Landlord, to put me in a
new front
shop, and excavate a cellar; When it
was done the old Gentleman was astonished that I dare have such large
panes of
glass he was very kind and encouraged us to try and do well.
I pushed out in to the herring trade
which was done entirely by the Grocers and Provision dealers in those
days 1830
to 1850. I went to Hull and Yarmouth
and extended the trade, we sold some Saturdays about 100 packages;
about the
later end of 1831 William gave up the business. I got some of
his customers and extended out business; one little
incident I may relate showing how we worked:- William Walston and I
took to old
William Balls at Hyson Green after 9 p.m. a bag of salt, 2 cheese and
other
articles and to old Fallowells several articles in a higher hand cart;
Wollaton
St., then Back Lane, was very badly paved, and we did not get home
until after
11 p.m. it was hard lines but we meant by God's help to pay our way.
On Saturday October 16th
1831 out first born {Thomas died
1880] entered the stage of life, it was accompanied with great anxiety,
little
old Dr. Jarman order the greatest care, quiet and attention to be paid
to the
young Mother, she was very feeble and her head was awful bad, then the
baby had
a fit, I ran off for the Dr. under the impression that he was dying,
but was
glad to find evidence of life when I got back.
He soon recovered and the Mother also.
She objected to set up a cradle, did not believe in rocking babies so
she made him a bed in the clothes basket.
We began to cure bacon and dried it in the living
hanging round the
walls, one morning the babe was asleep in the basket on a chair, the
mother was
behind the counter, she hears the baby squall and a big noise as of a
fall, she
hastened to the rescue, in her way was a high office stool and a tin 8
to 10
inches high on it. She walked right
over both without knocking them down. I
was in the shop and saw it done, a wonderful evidence of the power of
maternal
love, I fetched her to look at her achievement, it seemed almost
incredible to
us both.
A great political event about this time was
agitating the country,
the question of Parliamentary Reform, the Abolition of the rotten
boroughs and
the enfranchisement of the large towns.
Bill after Bill had been thrown out of the Lords and Commons, 22 Tories
had petitioned against the passing of the Bill. The Duke of
Newcastle, the owner of 7 rotten Boroughs, Nottingham
Park and Castle etc., was very unpopular through his obstinacy,
declaring he
would do as he liked with his own.
Crowds used to meet in the Market place to hear the papers
read, William Eyre, an Auctioneer, used to mount
the Exchange pump and with a clear strong voice read Russells Brougham
Denmans
Hunts and other speeches to the hundreds assembled, the papers were
brought by
the London and Leeds Express Coach, crowds would run to the Trent
Bridge to
meet the Coaches that brought the morning papers. When at
last the Lords had thrown out the Bill, after the Commons
had passed it, the excitement was at fever heat, a large meeting was
held in
the Market Place, addressed by Orators who denounced the Lords and the
Tories. The crowd became excited,
rushed off to Jack Muster's, Colwick Hall who was one of the 22,
singing and
shouting and setting fire to the Hall.
The mob came rushing and shouting up Bridlesmith Gate away to the
castle. They soon broke open the old
doors, rushed up the steps, broke into and fired the Castle.
The sad conflagration and damage to the
tapestry was to be regretted, the damage was assessed at £22,000 which
fell on
a small part of the County, the Gateway being blocked they broke
through the
wall, rushed up the old steps and through Standard Hill to Mr. Lowe's
Beeston
Mill (another of the 22). The riots
were a sad disgrace to the town and were used by the Tories to
dishonour the
Whiggs, I saw the conflagration from the opposite side at the top of
Houndsgate.
The first Good Friday I was in business I went to
Derby taking what
bit of money I could spare intending to buy Cheese, when I got there
all the
Warehouses were closed, I made out where Thomas Goodwin, the head
warehouseman
lived, called on him, he had a bit of salt about him, after he had
listened to
my story he said "Come on I have a bit of a dairy that will suit you"
He showed
it to me and I bought it. My money held
out to pay for it, Old B. Barnes brought it the next day. It
was just the thing and very useful and
gave me confidence.
In May 1833 a daughter was announced, a little
dark piece of
humanity, my eldest daughter, Mary Ann (afterwards wife of Mr. William
Eaton
and mother of 8 fine grandchildren).
For some time no particular events occurred, we
found our business
increasing, returns had doubled by 1835.
We began to feel our feet and by great care and perseverance were able
to pay our way and save a little.
Whilst diligent in business we did not neglect other duties.
I was able and enjoyed Sunday School work,
and various other social duties, political and benevolent
object. In May 1835 another addition to our family,
Ellen. I shall never forget the sad,
distressed look of the dear feeble Mother when trying to give the babe
its
natural food, she found a defect in the roof of its mouth, which
prevented it
from swallowing and it was nearly choaked, then came the proof of the
Mother's
wonderful care and untiring effect to rear the little sufferer, which,
aided by
medical skill, she accomplished, and which when the child grew up she
was amply
rewarded by the love devotion and energy to promote her parents and
family's
comfort and good.
I was Treasurer to the nice little new General
Baptist Church at
Hucknall, and was able to render some little assistance even though
times were
bad. Poor stockingers were only earning
8/- to 10/- per week, porters 12/- per week.
In April 1836 Pickering was born, being the 4th
in less
than 5 years. The strain upon the
Mother was heavy, her energy was taxed to the uttermost. It
was a time of anxiety, 2 unable to walk
and no perambulators in those days.
In March 1837 a sad calamity happened, a messenger
came running in
to say that our dear kind Mother Speed's house was on fire and she was
badly
burned. I ran, found it to be true, but
old Barnes at first hindered me from entering, pretending there were
already
too many in. I had her brought to our
house. We had only the press bed in the
sitting room, Dr. Davison wrapped her in cotton wool and did all he
could, but
after suffering most acutely she dies March 16th
1837. She had besides my wife the eldest daughter,
4 children, 3 of whom were young; it the house we then lived in there
were but
2 bed rooms and an attic, we were 7 in family; the three youngest lived
for
some time with us, looking back to that time, we marvel how we managed
it, it
was indeed a season of sore trial.
During the next 2 or 3 years trade was bad, our
progress was
slow. In 1840 our stock-taking for the
first time reached 4 figure as the result of 10 years trading, for
which we
were thankful.
March 2nd 1839 our youngest
daughter Sarah was born, it
was a critical time for both Mother and babe, the Mother's strength had
been
over-taxed, she was so feeble that Dr. Higginbottom told me the
greatest care
and attention to prevent a collapse.
She frightened Ann Richards and me delirious, partly induced by old Wm.
Shaw's shouting when delivering cheese.
The Dr was most diligent in his attentions and also the nurse, but she
was some time before she rallied. I
thank our Heavenly Father that her life was spared. Our
business and family increased, but our premises did not for
some time; I was looking out for larger, but was too fearful of expense
or I
might have bought or taken premises that would have been central and
cheap. This was a busy period of my
life, I attempted too much and some things I was not qualified for
being urged
on by injudicious friends; besides
Sunday School teaching etc., I was elected Deacon and urged to go out
into the
country villages to take Services for which I feel I have been the gift
or
thorough devotion. The one defect of my
life has been want of thoroughness, I have sometimes been surprised
that I have
succeeded as well as I have; It has been partly owing to the good
influence my
wife has exercised. In consequence of
what we both considered to be a most unchristian action we both decided
to
leave Stoney St. and worship at Broad Street, where I was pressed to
become a
Teacher and afterwards Superintendent, which office I held for more
than 20
years, and I was also President and Treasurer for many years of the
Prayer and
Alms Socy., In 1843 we took and entered
upon the premises now occupied by my son.
We did the best retail business after opening, we steadily increased
from 1840 to 1850 from £1087 to £3331 and from 1851 to 1861 from £3829
to over
£5000.
In 1839 we bought a garden, we built a
summer-house in 1846 we
bought "Taffy" both were a source of health and enjoyment, except when
the said
Taffy came to his knees, or in his mischief turned the wagon
over. In the garden the Mother had some of her
happiest hours, cultivating flowers and vegetables. At this
time I devoted a good deal of time to various social and
religious work, I was Treasurer for Hucknall New Church, Ruddington
School and
Lenton.
On the 30th July 1842 out
son Fred was born, whose steady
uniform life has been a source of comfort to us. Nurse and
General Servant good Ann Richards deserves honourable
mention, who nursed the Mother and babe with the steady devotion worthy
of
praise; our good nieces Sarah and Mary Culpin also, who together for
about 10
years of our most anxious period in life were invaluable.
William Walston was a hard working fun
loving lad, William Aldridge came when he was not quite 12, he was
under nurse
etc., to go with the little ones to the garden, he was with us for
about 8
years, an honest lad.
October 9th 1844, another
daughter Harriet Eliza, a
beautiful infant was added to the flock, a sweet dear child living only
about 3 1/2 years, a delicate flower gently fading; the first of the family to pass away. It was to each of us a severe
stroke, we have been comforted by the though that of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Thomas from his 12th to his
20th year was very
useful in book-keeping, travelling for orders, he opened the Derbyshire
journey
and generally took Lincoln and Newark journey.
When the American trade first opened we pushed out into it somewhere.
Return to index
Son Thomas to Australia
In 1850 Thomas was often unwell, I told him to go and consult Dr
Gill, and if he advised him to go to Australia to do so, he went, and
when he
came back said "Father I am going to Australia" I felt stunned but so
it came
to pass; he went to Melbourne and came back in less than 2 years; he
had heard
I was lame through an accident, he found I was better and had a full
team for
business, so he got married and returned and remained about 9
years. Owing to excessive heat his health had given
away, business at Melbourne was bad and his success was not so good as
he hoped
it would be.
Return to index
Political Interludes
During the years from 1850 to 1860 I was a busy radical politician,
battles at St. Peter's Church against Church Rates; an ardent supporter
of Joe
Sturge; occasionally doing a bit of spouting at meetings for Reform; I
was
elected Chairman of the Completed Suffrage Assn, John Hutchinson being
Secretary; In 1857 I was elected to the Town Council, had a tussel with
Bashaw. William Felkin was twice Mayor. I was
Vice-Chairman of the Sanitary
Committee for 3 years. I was
complemented on my punctuality and attention to the duties of the
office by the
worthy William Enfield, Town Clerk. I
gave great offence to the betting men who wanted to establish Spring
Races, and
spend £300 out of the Rates on the course.
For that and two or three other votes I was voted out by 30 and I felt
afterwards I was a coward for not fighting it out, I was an abstainer
at that
time of briefing and treating, it worked against me, I felt more happy
to be
out than win by corrupt and unlawful means.
I was elected a Guardian for St. Peter's parish
for the first time
for nearly 10 years as a Liberal. I was
on the Board 6 or 7 times and took great interest as Chairman of the
School
Committee for the welfare of the poor children. I sought and
got a great deal of information about the separation
of the Children from the adult paupers.
I gave great offence to the old Whigg party by taking the chair and
pitching into the said Whiggs for showing the cold shoulder to Lord
Amberley. It was a fine meeting, after
the treatment I had experienced from the wire-pullers at the Municipal
election, I took less interest in Whigg politics, voting only for the
Liberals.
Return to index
Move to The Park
Returning to domestic and business matters in and about 1856 to 1859
Sarah and other members of the family being very unwell, Dr Higginbottom said
very emphatically, "which do you like best, your children or your money,
because if you want your family to be in better health and live they must live
out in better air" so I selected a site and built in the Park 1859.
I also took a lease for 21 years on our business premises and
effected extensive alterations, costing nearly £1000, it was a great
improvement but might have been better. Thomas
returned from Australia in 1851, and in due course because a Partner in the
business; which I think we carried on with fair success and comfort; he and his
family resided at Bridlesmith Gate and I and my family at the
Park. The house was convenient and commodius
having fine views from Belvoir in the east, to the Charnwood on the
South West. The garden for the wife, the avery of birds to the daughters were delights.
We spent 12 enjoyable years
having much enjoyment from the company of visitors and friends, of the
former Mr. Matthews and Mr. Salisbury etc., of the latter George
Charlton, J. Pollard, Henry Mallett, Edwin Patchitt etc., many a cheerful sing we enjoyed
with young friends of our childrens.
Occasionally entertaining men of note, as Baptist Nowell Lord, Samuel
Morley, Edward Beales, Carvel Williams etc.
Return to index
Marriage of
Sarah and Frederick
One of the events of interest was the wedding of our youngest
daughter Sarah to William Froggatt and Frederick Arnold to Miss Eliza
Swaine;
two large rooms were thrown open; William Taylor Confectioner provided
the
breakfast. The company consisted of,
besides the immediate Wedding party, Alderman and Mrs Swaine, Mr and
Mrs. Bennett,
Mr Latchmore, Mr and Mrs. William Clark, Mr. Froggatt and the members
of our
family. The weddings were at Derby Road
Chapel. A happy day was spent, many
good wishes were expressed for the happiness of the young couples.
Return to index
Holidays with
Thomas Cook
I have omitted giving in due course the very many enjoyable sea-side
excursions and visits to other places from time to time we had, for
with one or
two exceptions we both went. One of the
first was to the Isle of Wight in March 1855.
We spent most of the time at Ryde and Ventnor, when at the latter place
one beautiful morning, it was so mild I fell asleep, my head resting on
the
wife, I slept two or three hours and woke up a new man, stayed a few
days and
came home like a giant refreshed with new wine.
Another excursion was with Mr. Thos. Cook to Wales
the Menai Bridge
and Bangor, it was the year when the tubular grand railway bridge was
built. We walked over both to our
enjoyment. Another excursion with Cook
as our Conductor was to Ireland the year after the famine, we were
struck with
the grandeur of Dublin, the grand buildings and fine streets, the Post
Office
and other public buildings are very
handsome, we went to Glassbevin, saw Daniel O'Connor's tomb, the
beautiful
Phoenix Park the Dublin Exhibitions and many beautiful
objects. We rode from Dublin to Cork by rail, we saw
a number of old Castles and the said evidence of the effects of the
famine were
visible throughout the journey. Cork is
a busy place, we rose early and went off to Blarney Castle, mounted the
tower
where the Blarney Stone was pointed out to us, whereof if we kissed it
we
should be endowed with special gifts of discoursing. We found
the stone two or three courses from the top, the kissing
performance could only be achieved by the operator being held by the
heels
while he leaned over to secure the benefit; having doubts of our power
to
receive the gift we declined the ceremony.
Leaving Cork we took cars to Bantry Bay which delighted us with its
scenery; from Bantray we were driven on to the Kerry mountains, we saw
but
little of the lakes but enough to show how beautiful they
are. We spent Sunday at Killarney.
Another trip was to Scotland Aug 20th
to 30th
1867 the first year after the American war.
J.M. Cook was our conductor, our first run was to Edinburgh, we went to
the Carlton Hills, were charmed with the fine buildings and views, we
saw
Scott's monument, Burns' grave, Grass market, the place where many
martyrs
suffered; the lofty houses on flats were a new sight to us; we then
hied away
to Glasgow, saw the Grand Square and Monuments it being more of a
Commercial
City we did not stay long. We then took
steamer up the beautiful canals through wonderous bright clear water,
splendid
scenery rising loch after loch. We
visited most of the places of historical interest and spend Sunday at
Oban
where the wife worshipped by the sea and mountains when I came to her
after
hearing a distinguished Scotch Divine, I found her in raptures over the
most
glorious sunset she had ever seen in her life.
Next morning we sailed away to Staffa and Iona, the scenery was grand,
we landed at Staffa, crossed the little island to Fingals Cave, we
scambled
down and entered the cave which was lofty, beautifully ornamented with
stalacites. When the sun shines and
the rush and dash of the waves it must be grand, the Company sang a
stave of
the old hundred; we hastened away to Iona, noted for its ancient
ecclesiastical
buildings and as the home of the Missionarys to the islands in this
part. After rambling about the island and glancing
at its ruins we returned to the steamer, the Company stayed to dine at
the
Hotel we preferred a quiet walk when tired the wife rested, I
determined to
climb the mountains. I started a little
before 3, I walked for 2 hours, still the point at which I aimed was in
the distance,
I found the finest mosses and here and there rare grasses, the solitude
and
silence were sublime and solemn, never have I experienced anything like
it, I
came to the lake , the view from the highest point was very extensive,
7 or 8
mountains being in view; I despaired of reaching the summit but saw a
point
higher I wished to gain but when I walked half an hour I was no nearer
so
delusive is mountain climbing. I
turned, the shadows of the evening were upon me; I went off at a
swinging pace
and looked our for points I has noticed in ascending as guides, but
soon walked
up to the thighs in to a gulley. I
scrambled out, hied back and tried to find the same way down as I came
up,
after several plunges I saw in the distance the starting point; the
Company
from the Hotel and the wife waiting for me.
There was a search party who voice had echoed amongst the hills, I
answered the shout and was soon beside the faithful wife to receive
several
lectures for my rash venture-someness.
Many pleasant little incidents occurred in our visit to Scotland and
were endeared in my memory.
After our Thomas returned from Melbourne we took
yearly trips, going
three or four times to the Isle of Man.
The last visit was most interesting, we left home Sep 2nd
1884 accompanied by our own daughter and grand-daughter, Froggatts;
went by
Liverpool, we spent the afternoon at Pickerings and were pleased with
his nice
house gardens and greenhouse, took a ride to the docks and over to
Birkenhead. Next morning off to Douglas
to Port Erin. We found it a pleasant healthy resort sheltered on the
North west
by the Bradda Hill, east by the headland and beach, south by the
sloping Hills
to the Calf of Man. The sands were
limited, the rocks and caves were sheltered from heat and wind; we
rambled to
Port St. Mary Flistwick Bay, Bradda Head, had several pleasant sails,
did a bit
of fishing and spent a very pleasant fortnight. At Peel we
inspected the ruins of the Old Castle, an officer told
us that the Buildings at one time combined the Ecclesiastical the
Military and
the Governmental. The tradition is that
St. Patrick was the first to teach Chastity in the Island.
Peel is noted for fish, rocks and scenery, we saw
the pretty Glen
Hellen.
Four of our most interesting sea-side visits have
been to Tenby,
South Wales. The distance is a great
draw back, the bay is pleasant, the old Castle Hill with it's ruins,
Monuments,
Musuem is very attractive, then the fort on St. Catherine's ****
accessible at
low water; Caldy Island, South of Tenby, one mile distance is a pretty
place,
and a capital break-water. There are
few places so attractive as Tenby; the sail sound Caldy Island to
Pembroke and
Milford is also very interesting, yes, we very much enjoyed out visits
to
Tenby, the town and its inhabitants have a homely character, the Sunday
Services, earnest and helpful.
The other sea-side we visited for shorter periods
have been
Scarborough but it was too bustling and fashionable for our taste we
when to
Filey, then Bridlington, the latter three times afforded as much
enjoyment;
twice we went to Redcar and Saltburn.
Many years since we went to Llandudno, enjoyed the
walk round the
great Orme's head and the beauties of the surrounding
neighbourhood. At another time Rhyl was visited. Another
season we spent a short time at Llanfairfechan, quiet and pleasant,
making
tours to Bangor, and we took a tour towards Snowden by Carnavon.
The chief
journey of my life was to Rome. We saw
several of the most celebrated Cities of Italy and were accompanied by
Mr.
Cook. I left home March 25th
1878 and joined a party of 40 persons.
I was away a month, but having fully written my impressions of the
journey it is unnecessary to refer to it further than to say the time
spent was
too short to see the wonderful places and objects.
If I am spared
another winter I may have more to add to this.
Return to index
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