Here's an interesting diary. Who wrote it? Where did it originally come from? The answers to those two questions I can't help you with. How did it come to be here on the Internet? I can answer that one!
Some time in the early seventies my mum-in-law Shirley was working at the Central Library in Sheffield. Now from time to time books and other material came in from house clearances, companies that had closed down, old catalogues, things like that. As you can imagine, not everything could be kept for reasons of space (a lot of the material was transferred onto microfiche so don't worry, not everything is lost).
This particular diary was earmarked for disposal and on looking at it Shirley thought it much too interesting to throw away and took it home to ensure its future safety.
After reading it my wife Lynne embarked on the tedious task of typing it all out. As Lynne is not a typist and the original is written lomghand in different inks and has faded over the years as you can imagine.
Lynne left the original spellings and grammer intact, also any emphasis in the original text, and in formatting the diary for the Internet I have kept it the same, so what you read here is as written.
From 1843 to 1864 this diary records some of the happenings and events that affected Sheffield and its people and thanks to Lynne and her mum Shirley, it has survived so we can get a flavour of what this mystery diarist thought important enough to record in a little black notebook all those years ago.
A Sheffield Victorian Diary
1843
January 16th.
Sheffield Old Bank (Parker Shore & Co.) failed.
July 5th.
Great hail storm in Sheffield, much damage done to windows.
November 1st.
Town council first elected in Sheffield.
November 9th.
Mayor and Alderman first elected in Sheffield. Mayor William Jeffcock Esq.
1844
June 15th.
Riot and Assault at Handsworth Woodhouse by the turnout Colliers.
June 22nd.
A body of Police from Sheffield to Handsworth Woodhouse, with a view of apprehending certain parties in the above riot. Named John Wheeler, Jane Wheeler, Ann Crofts, Hannah Hall & Mary Walker the colliers on this occasion mustered in such numbers that the police were compelled to defer the capture until another opportunity.
July 3rd.
On Wednesday morning at a very early hour, Mr. Raynor (police officer) & a body of police, accompanied by Wilson Overend Esq.; (magistrate) & a squadron of Horse Soldiers (7th Lancers) proceeded to Handsworth Woodhouse to capture the aforementioned 1 man & 4 women, the police very shortly had them, when tried each person was sentenced to 2 months imprisonment. Same day.
A meeting was held in Paradise Square, to consider the colliers grievances & the best means of bringing the disputes between the masters & men to a termination, but the masters would have no interference from the Trades Unions.
July 4th.
On Thursday evening, 18 miners from the South, arrived at the Wicker Railway Station & was escorted by a party of police to the Soaphouse Colliery where it was intended they should work & arrived without any disturbance. Shortly afterwards crowds of persons assembled (chiefly old colliers). A cry of “Now for the nobsticks), they broke open the gates & broke the office windows, and a riot began with the old & new colliers. A signal was given for the Horse Soldiers by a whistle that had been fixed to the steam engine for that purpose. Wilson Overend Esq. (Magistrate) ordered the police & soldiers to close every Public House in the Park and take into custody all the persons loitering about in the streets, William Mason, George Taylor and Richard Winkler were taken and afterwards sent to trial at York.
July 20th.
Wm. Mason, Geo. Taylor & R. Winkler tried at York for Colliery Riots at Sheffield and sentenced to be transported for the term of 15 years.
July.
Wm. Boulding, John Crichlow and Joseph Crichlow, with a party of colliers went one Sunday night to the deep pit with a barrel of gunpowder, to blow up the boiler, to prevent the new colliers going to work the next morning, the barrel was put under the boiler & a lighted, the party removed a short distance, the barrel of powder did not explode and the 3 persons named returned to light it again, when opening the door, gave it vent and went off, much injured them so that one of the Crichlow brothers died. Boulding was tried at York & imprisoned 12 months, the other Crichlow with a man Stocks, got to Manchester, was taken and tried at York, but nothing being proved against them was discharged.
The coal company was Hounsfield, Wilson, Jeffcock and Dunn. The colliers were on strike for an advance in wages from 3/6 to 4/- per day, which the masters refused to give, but the masters would have given it, if the men would have nothing to do with the Trades Unions, but would not be interfered with by the Union Committee. The committee said the masters should have as many men as they should think proper and the men to work so many hours per day & to be fetched off their work when they should think proper (but the masters got fresh men). And after a turnout of 14 weeks, the men were priced & starved out, they were obliged to return to their work at the old price.
The masters picking the best colliers as they thought fit, and many hundreds were thrown out of employment, & had nothing to turn to (such as had been foremen in the turnout).
1845
July 4th.
Dreadful Thunder storm in Sheffield much damage done to a small house in Colliers Row Park. Much rain fell and the streets in the Park was completely flooded, one poor woman, who had some fowls in Duke street, the fowls got in the middle of the street when the rain fell so fast the water in the channels met in the middle of the street. The woman ran out to catch the fowls she fell down & was carried about one hundred yards to the bottom of the street. Had not assistance come quickly, would have been actually drowned. The electric flood also fell at Derby, but none were killed, some had their eyebrows scorched, others were struck nearly blind and a few lost the use of their limbs.
July 6th.
Dreadful thunderstorm in Sheffield, Nottingham, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Worcester and other intermediate places, which has ever occurred in the recollection of the oldest man living (nothing like it has happened since the memorable night preceding the death of George the 4th). At Frampton & Sydling St. Nicholas, in the county of Dorset, lumps of ice about an inch in diameter, many of a much large size, one was measured nearly 2 inches. Awful occurrence at Nottingham, a man named Alfred Greenwood of Radford, a lacemaker, who was drinking at Milton’s Head Inn, Derby Road, was using some of the most disgustingly blasphemous language, he said he wished the thunderbolt would fall through the roof and kill everybody in the house, One of the bystanders rebuked him for his impious wish, he replied “I don’t care, I neither fear God nor Devil”, when he had spoken these words he fell into the arms of a soldier and was struck blind, he cried, “the Lord forgive me” when all responded Amen. (He has recovered his sight a little).
July 14th.
Sheffield, Ashton-under-Lyne & Manchester Railway, Sheffield end (that is Sheffield to Dunford Bridge, 183/4 miles) first opened to the public, the Manchester end to Woodhead being opened several years before, the line is now completed with the exception of the summit tunnel, from Woodhead to Dunford about 13 1/2 miles.
1845
August 29th.
First sod turned up on the Huddersfield & Sheffield Junction Railway at Penistone, by Lord Wharncliffe, Contractors for the whole work, Messrs. Miller & Blackie.
September 27th.
Mr. Barton (Butcher) found drowned in the canal. Verdict found drowned, but how and by what means he got in there was no evidence to show. (In 1860 February 3rd Thomas Barton, son of the above, drowned in one of the Endcliffe Dams).
October 15th.
St. George’s new schools first opened by the Bishop of Ripon, attended by the Lord Wharncliffe who laid the first stone. Nov. 14th/44, the Bishop preached a sermon after which a collection was made for the school fund amounting to £205. The largest sum ever collected on any similar occasion.
October 14th.
Darnall Church consecrated by the Bishop of Ripon. Earl Fitzwilliam was present on the occasion.
November 9th.
Mr. Samuel Butler elected 3rd Mayor of Sheffield.
December 23rd.
Summit Tunnel first opened on the Sheffield Manchester Railway, opened throughout.
1846
February 4th.
Lord Morpeth re-elected MP. for the West Riding of Yorkshire, in place of Mr. John Stuart Wortley, who is called to the House of Lords from the death of his father (Wharncliffe).
Morpeth is free trade for ever.
February 27th.
Mr. Greaves, Surrey Arms Inn Hollowmeadows, shot by Joseph Hodkin. Hodkin and Joshua Eastwood went with intent to murder the family and rob the house. Hodkin shot & escaped from the house, but was taken in Sheffield the same night with the pistol. Eastwood was seized on the spot by the servant man with a pistol in his pocket.
March
Hodkin and Eastwood transported for 15 years, York Spring Assizes.
March 23rd.
Riot at Wadsley House, the Rev. J.G. Hounsfield against Dr. Holland.
(Rev. J.G. Hounsfield usually called Parson Jack or Jack the Divine), had been imprisoned 10 years before in York Castle for debt and was liberated by one of the creditors about the time when he gave Dr. Holland (the tenant to the creditors) notice to quit, or he would take forcible possession, (which he did). He, his wife & 3 men named Hall, were taken into custody by the police and was committed to take their trial at the next York Assizes. He had been imprisoned 10 years and never would sign his estate away.
April 4th.
Sheffield Times newspaper first published.
April 6th & 7th.
Great floods on the Rivers Don, Sheaf, Rother & Trent. Lands overflowed, the water was much higher than as remembered by the oldest person. 30 persons drowned near Gainsborough Bridge.
July 17th.
Sheffield & Lincolnshire Junction Railway read a third time in the Lords and passed.
August 3rd.
Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway, Royal Assent given.
Nottingham & Lincoln Railway first opened.
August 31st to September 1st & 2nd.
Cricket. 11 of all England, against 20 of Sheffield club, won by the Sheffield club 5 wickets to go down.
September 2nd.
Free Trade Soiree at Sheffield. Shops closed.
September 3rd.
Free Trade. Fireworks at the Corn Exchange.
Cutlers Feast, Master Cutler, Mr. Turton.
October 15th.
Turning of the first sod on the Sheffield & Lincolnshire Junction Railway by Samuel Butcher Esq.; Mayor of Sheffield. Dinner at the Cutlers Hall.
November 9th.
Henry Wilkinson Esq.; Endcliffe Hall, elected 4th Mayor of Sheffield.
November 4th.
Foundation Stone of Christ Church Heeley, by Henry Marwood Greaves Esq.; of Banner Cross.
1847
January 8th.
Electric Telegraph first set in motion between Sheffield & Masborough stations on the Midland railway.
March 24th.
General Fast & Humiliation, throughout England & Ireland (potato blight and scarcity of corn).
March 25th.
First stone laid of the Roman Catholic Church “St. Marie” Norfolk Row.
June 30th.
First stone laid of the Trinity Church Wicker (the following was engraved on a copper plate enclosed in this stone)
This Foundation Stone
TRINITY CHURCH WICKER DISTRICT
Was laid in the year of our Lord 1847
By Joseph Wilson Esq.; of Brightfield
This Church was Founded by
ANNE AND ELISABETH HARRISON
Daughters of The late Thomas Harrison Esq.; of Weston
NEAR SHEFFIELD (The Patronage is vested in them and their Heirs or Assigns, for ever by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners for England, 6 and 7 Victoria. Cap 37)
July 5th.
Visit of the Archduke Constantine of Russia to Sheffield.
August 28th.
Recovery of the “Great Britain Steamer” from the rocks in Dundrum Bay.
September 1st.
First stone laid of the “Sheffield Athenaeum & Mechanics Institute”. Copies of the four Sheffield Newspapers (The “Independent”, “Times”, “Mercury” and the “Iris”) of last week with documents regarding the Institution, were deposited in the foundation stone laid by the Earl of Arundel & Surrey.
September 2nd.
Cutlers Feast. Master Cutler, Henry Mort Esq.;
November 9th.
Edward Vickers Esq.; elected 5th Mayor of Sheffield.
1848
January 16th.
George Marsden found dead at the bottom of the Greenland Hill Coal pit, Sheffield Park. “The general feeling of the Jury seemed to be in favour of an opinion that he had been robbed of his watch in the town, and had mistook his way, and had walked into the pit, but in order to meet the case in the event of any evidence turning up, an open verdict was recorded”.
“That George Marsden was found “dead” at the bottom of the Greenland Hill pit, but whether he fell into the pit accidentally or was robbed of his watch and then thrown into the pit, no satisfactory evidence can be adduced to the Jury”.
February 9th.
3 men killed and 2* men severely injured by the falling of the scaffolding fixed foe the construction of the Wicker Viaduct on the Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway. “Verdict Accidental Death”.
*All five persons died from the accident.
RAZOR GRINDERS UNION
March 21st & 22nd.
Conspiracy at Sheffield.
John Drury 50, Thomas Bullos 45, William Hall 38, & John Marsden 33, were indicted for that they on the 27th of November last at the borough of Sheffield, did feloniously, and maliciously, incite, move, procure, aid, counsel, hire and command Alexander & Thomas Heathcote, to commit a felony in destroying certain machinery, the property of Peter Bradshaw. The Razor Grinders Union had a committee of 12 or 14 men, and also a secret committee which consisted of the four persons now named, every member of the union contributed I/- per week for himself and 6d per week for his apprentice, which is called “Natty Money”, it appears that Bradshaw and his son was in arrears with the natty money, and had worked for another master for less prices not sanctioned by the committee, each grinder had a master allotted to him by the committee and no other. It was the prisoners Hall’s master that Bradshaw had worked for, to these offences the committee sought revenge by a process called “rattening” They got the Heathcotes to go and damage Bradshaw’s tools for which offence the Heathcotes were apprehended & tried at York (about Christmas I847) and sentenced to 7 years transportation. Heathcotes had many times been committed for the same offences. They told who were their masters to set them in the job and
showed certain paper which led to the apprehension of the 4 persons now named. Subscriptions were made in Sheffield by all the other Trades Unions for counsel for the defence, the trial lasted 2 days at York and the Jury found them “Guilty”.
Next Day. Thursday March 23rd I847.
Mr. Baron Rolfe passed sentence on the 4 prisoners, he said two men were convicted at the last summer assizes of a very serious offence, an offence which it appears from the evidence they had been previously guilty of perpetrating and which they repeated so as to be again convicted at the last assizes. The present indictment charges you that being persons in somewhat higher situations in life than those so convicted, you were the parties at whose instigation and incitement and hope of reward held out they perpetrated that offence. Now it is impossible not to see that whatever be their crime, the crime of those who incited them to it, and who ought to have known better, and held out a reward is much worse. The law always subjects such parties to at least the same amount of punishment and common sense suggest that they should be punished more severely and sentence you all to be transported beyond the seas to such places as her majesty by the advice of her privy counsel may think fit for the term of ten years.
(The following extract taken from the Sheffield Mercury)
Immediately after sentence of transportation was passed upon Drury and his fellow convicts they were handcuffed to each other, led out of court having previously shaken hands with some of their friends and conducted to the Castle. They were followed by a large number of persons among whom were three wives of the prisoners, and on arriving at the Castle the prisoners entered and the doors were closed upon them. The poor women then gave vent to their poignant grief in most heart rending cries, wringing their hands in a truly piteous manner and several men were to be seen weeping like children. The distressed women reeled about scarcely able to walk and had to be supported on their way from the Castle in the arms of their male friends and relations. One of the women seemed to be utterly heartcrushed & at times rent the air with her bitter cries and lamentations.
The Crown has commuted their sentence to 7 years.
They were liberated under writ of error July 13th 1849.
May 8th.
First stone laid of the New Cemetery Church near Sharrowhead by the Reverend Dr. Sutton, Vicar of Sheffield.
May 10th.
One of the most calamitous carriage accidents that have occurred for some years in Sheffield or the neighbourhood, resulting in the death of one of the most respectable tradesmen and his wife, Mr. & Mrs. Mark Maugham of Wadsley Park House near this town & who for many years carried on an extensive drapery business in Angel Street, they were proceeding from their residence to the town in a phaston, the horse had never before been harnessed to the carriage and on coming on the Infirmary Road the horse became quite ungovernable and dashed the carriage against a corner of a building, killed Mrs. Maugham on the spot, Mr. Maugham was taken to the Infirmary where he died a few hours afterwards, two daughters were in the carriage but escaped slightly injured, the Jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death.
The deceased’s left a family of nine children to deplore the sad event which has so suddenly deprived them of both their parents in one day and their unhappy feelings may be better imagined than described. On Saturday May 13th their remains were interred at Ecclesall Church. All the way from Westbar to South Street (Sheffield Moor) through which the procession passed, the windows of the shops were as by common consent closed affording a grattifying evidence of the general respect in which the deceased was held, the procession stopped opposite his premises in Angel Street and immense was the crowd to see the mournfull sight of two hearses. It was market day at 12 o’clock.
May 17th.
First stone laid of the “Sheffield and Rotherham Licensed Victuallers Asylum” by Robert Bentley Esq. of Rotherham.
June 14th.
First stone laid of St. Jude’s Church, Eldon District, Sheffield. The following inscription was engraved on a copper plate deposited beneath the stone.
“This foundation stone of St. Jude’s Church, Eldon District, was laid June 14th in the year of our Lord 1848 by Samuel Younge Esq. of Brincliffe Edge, the donor of the site. The Eldon Church fund was raised by voluntary contributions aided by grants from the Church Buildings and the Incorporated Societies.
The patronage is vested in the Crown and Archbishop of York alternately.
Joseph Mitchell, Architect”.
August 8th.
Christ’s Church Heeley, consecrated by his Grace the Lord Archbishop of York.
September 26th.
Sheffield Iris Newspaper ceased publication, purchased by the proprietors of the “Sheffield Times”.
October 13th.
Trinity Church Wicker District Sheffield consecrated by his Grace the Lord Archbishop of York.
October 14th.“Sheffield Mercury” Newspaper ceased publication, purchased by the proprietors of the “Sheffield Times”.
November 9th.
Thomas Rawson Barker Esq. elected 6th Mayor of Sheffield.
December 13th.
Borough Commission of the peace first issued for Sheffield, by the Queen, it constituted 23 gentlemen as Magistrates to act on and for the borough of Sheffield.
December 14th & 15th.
Election of MP. for the West Riding of Yorkshire, in place of Viscount Morpeth, who goes to the “Upper House” from the death of his father Earl of Carlisle, candidates Edmund Denison and Sir Culling E. Eardley. Denison elected by a majority of 2,948. Majority for Eardley in Sheffield 116.
December 16th.
First railway engine travelled on the Sheffield & Lincolnshire Line, from Sheffield to Beighton.
December 26th.
Hannah Betney found drowned in the Sheffield canal. Her husband John Betney suspected of murder.
Sheffield & Tinsley Turnpike Road in horribly bad condition, it was worn completely out, holes 2 feet deep, dispute of repairs between the Sheffield canal and the township of Brightside, Attercliffe and Tinsley.
1849.
January 3rd.
Materials of old shops on Snig Hill sold by auction, to widen the Street.
January 4th.
Old shops on Snig Hill began to be taken down.
January 20th.
Centre’s completely removed from under the large arch, Wicker Viaduct.
January 31st.
A dumb peal rung on the parish Church bells Sheffield, on the demise of the Corn Laws.
February 1st.
Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway from Sheffield to Beighton, joining the Midland Rails first opened for public traffic.
March 8th.
Jenny Lind, first visits Sheffield.
March 9th.
Reverend James Shore apprehended in Spafields Chapel London for preachin as a dissenter, he having seceded from the Church of England, prosecuted by Dr. Philpot, Bishop of Exeter. (He was sent to Exeter Gaol and is liable to be imprisoned for life).
March 12th.
Thomas Wiley first elected a Town Trustee in the place of William Baltic deceased.
March 14th.
William Lee resigned his situation as surveyor to the Highways.
April 2nd.
Sheffield Athenaeum Surrey Street, first opened.
April 17th.
Keystone affixed for the completion of the Rother Viaduct on the Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway. 23 arches of the first Viaduct fell in.
April 18th.
The first stone of the Great Grimsby New Docks was laid by His Royal Highness Prince Albert.
May 3rd.
T.A. Roebuck first elected representative for Sheffield in place of Mr. Ward, elected without opposition.
May 29th.
Sheffield summer fair first removed from Trinity Tuesday to Whitsun Tuesday.
June 16th.
St. Jude’s Church Eldon District consecrated by his Grace the Archbishop of York, the building is at present without tower or spire.
July 13th.
Drury, Bulloss, Marsden & Hall liberated under writ of error.
July 16th.
This corner stone
OF CHRIST CHURCH
Pitsmoor
was laid on the 16th day of July AD 1849.
by
THOMAS SUTTON D.D.
Vicar of Sheffield.
July 17th.
Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway between Sheffield & Gainsborough first opened for public traffic the line completed.
July 27th.
Reconstruction of about 10 feet of the apex of the Sheffield parish Church spire completed with a bright new weathercock and improved lightning conductor by Mr. Brown.
September 26th.
Day of Humiliation at Sheffield on account of the Cholera, well responded to by a general closing of shops, warehouses and other places of business, scarcely distinguishable from the ordinary Sabbath. October 7th.
( Sunday ) Great floods in Sheffield, Rotherham &, Doncaster. Land overflowed with water to great extent, a footbridge at the bottom of Harmer lane, and a wooden cartbridge across the Don from the Wicker to Blonk Island for the erection of the next Station ( MS&L ) was taken down by the flood. Philadelphia works weir was partly destroyed. Blonk bridge was so gutted with water the arches was unseen and many thought it would not stand. Considerable damage was done to the Manchester water dams at Woodhead in their erection, it burst through the new weir and then burst the embankment so sudden a flush of water did considerable damage to the mills below. The damage to one firm was estimated at £1000 and to the water works at £500.
October 24th.
Tontine Hotel Sheffield finally closed, the site of the Tontine premises along with the area extending to the Corn Exchange are purchased by the Duke of Norfolk for the intended New Markets.
October 29th.
"This foundation stone of ST. JUDE'S CHURCH MOOR FIELDS was laid on the 29th of October 1849 by the donor of the site JOHN GAUNT ESQ. of DARNALL in commemoration of his sister Judith who was born on St. Jude's Day 1787 and died September 27th 1846 aged 58 years. This church was erected voluntarily by contributions aided by grants from her majesty's church building commissioners, the Incorporated and Co-operative Societies. The patronage is vested in the Crown and the Archbishop of York alternately. The Reverend Samuel Lyon M.A. incumbent curate, Joseph Mitchell architect".
The above was the inscription on the plate placed underneath the stone.
November 9th.
Thomas Birks Esq. elected 7th Mayor of Sheffield.
November 10th.
First opening of the South Yorkshire Railway from Swinton to Doncaster.
November 15th.
Day of thanksgiving throughout England and Wales to acknowledge God's Goodness and Mercy in removing from us that grievous disease the Cholera, with which many parts of this kingdom have been lately visited.
November 27th.
Sheffield Winter fair first altered from November 28th to the last Tuesday in November.
October, November, December.
Sheffield and Tinsley Turnpike road remade and a deviation made at Royds Mill near Washford Bridge, now invested in the Tinsley & Doncaster Turnpike Trust.
The whole of the able bodied poor in the Sheffield & Ecclesall unions:-
Last week of 1848 ------------ Last week of 1849
Sheffield 97 -------------------- Sheffield 16
Ecclesall 74 -------------------- Ecclesall 6
A question from the poor Law Board in London;
"I am of the opinion that wages are something more than what they were in the corresponding month of last year and which has been brought about by the great demand for Sheffield goods at this time. Trade here was never known better than it is at present, the outdoor relief in this union is £10 less every week than in corresponding weeks of last year, and the inmates are near upon 100 less".
1850
January 1st.
Tolls first taken on the Sheffield and Tinsley turnpike road at the Twelve o'clock tollgate.
January 26th.
The stone monument "Justice" at the top of the Shambles taken down.
February 5th & 6th.
Dreadfull storm of wind, much damage done, a child named Bertha Spurr 2 1/2 years old in Morpeth Street was killed by the falling of a chimney when in bed with its mother, who had a very narrow escape. A wall belonging to the Wicker tilt was blown down and did much damage. Nothing like it has occurred since the 6th of October 1839, when part of the Cholera monument was blown down.
February 27th & 28th.
Tontine Hotel Sheffield sold by auction (materials sold in lots).
March 1st.
Tontine Hotel Sheffield began to be taken down, room for the New Markets.
Demolition of the Tontine Hotel.
(from the Sheffield Times March 9th 1850)
"The famous old Tontine of glorious memory, is alas! hastening to annihilation, under the ruthless weapons of an array of Goths & Vandals, in the shape of Irish labourers, and in the space of a few days the place that once renew it will know it no more. Adieu, old friend! No marble tablet need there be to keep thy memory green".
"The Castle Barns Contemporaneously with the demolition of the Tontine, the ancient building on the opposite side of Barn Street is being pulled down to make way for the New Markets. It may not be uninteresting to mention, that this structure was, as its name imports, one of the domestic oppurtences to Sheffield Castle, and is, we believe, the last remaining fragment in that locality which can be said to have been coeval with the Castle itself. Its ponderous skeleton of oak, suggests the idea that it was erected when timber was of comparatively small value".
March 15th.
John Brown joiner killed whilst engaged in taking down the front roof of the Tontine Hotel Sheffield and two other men seriously injured.
March 31st.
Attempt to assassinate William Butcher Esq. by the agency of a hand grenade, or "infernal machin" attempted to be thrown through his bedroom window, at his residence Five Oaks, Glossop Road. The machine struck the frame work of the window, broke one pane of glass and rested on the balcony over the dining room when it exploded and only broke another pane of glass, Mr. Butcher had a dispute with his Edge Tool grinders and their Unions.
April 1st.
Decease of the Reverend Thomas Robinson aged 64 years, governor and chaplain of the Shrewsbury Hospital, he was the first of the Sheffield Clergy to open his church for week day service.
April 3rd.
Decease of the Reverend William Harris in the 50th year of his age, senior chaplain of the parish church and domestic chaplain to Lord Wharncliffe.
May 13th.
Reverend George Trevor Canon of York, elected one of the Assistant Ministers of the Parish Church of Sheffield, in place of the Reverend William Harris deceased.
May 27th.
Samuel Law (slater), killed in Sims Croft Sheffield, by a man jumping off a table on him whilst he was laid on the floor of the Wheatsheaf Public House.
Verdict Manslaughter.
June 15th.
The Cross and Vane of the Roman Catholic Church St. Marie, affixed, the total height of the steeple is as follows:-
Tower to parapet 92 feet 3 inches
Spire to Orb 95 feet 4 inches
Cross & Vane 8 feet 1 inch
Total 195 feet 8 inches
June 22nd.
Funeral of Mr. James Ray, Surgeon, he was the one of the most zealous promoters of the formation of the New Church of England Cemetery, and by a remarkable coincidence he was the very first to be entomed within it. The funeral service was performed by the Reverend T. Best.
June 27th.
Church of England New Cemetery consecrated by his grace the Lord Archbishop of York.
June 28th.
First yearly distribution of Hadfield's charity took place at the Cutler's Hall, to 25 aged men and the same number of women, each party was presented with a sovereign besides which the men received severally a coat and hat and the women each a cloak and a bonnet. This day the Mayor and corporation and the cutlers company (the distributors) dine together in accordance with a provision in the late Mr. Hadfields will.
July 2nd.
Sir Robert Peel died, from the effects of an accident by being thrown from his horse on Saturday June 29th.
July 29th.
Richard Manks completed walking 1,000 miles in 1,000 successive hours at the Barrack Tavern Cricket Ground. A silver cup was presented to Manks by the non-commissioned officers & privates of the 1st Royal Dragoons.
August 7th.
Opening of the Great Northern Railway from London to Peterborough, the line now opened throughout.
August 15th.
Christ Church, Pitsmoor consecrated by his Grace the Lord Archbishop of York.
September 11th.
Roman Catholic Church "St. Marie" consecrated by the Bishop of the District.
September 17th.
First stone laid of the Catholic and Apostolic Church in Victoria Street, Sheffield.
October 7th.
The New Post Office, at the top of shambles first opened.
August, September & October.
The old wood rails in Nursery Street, Sheffield taken up, and new iron rails put down & the road raised.
November 9th.
T.B. Turton Esq. elected 8th Mayor of Sheffield.
1851
January 9th.
Reverend Thomas Sutton D.D., Vicar of Sheffield for 46 years and Canon of York, died aged 73 years.
January 16th.
Dr. Sutton Vicar of Sheffield interred in the chancel of the Parish Church.
January 12th.
Benjamin Plant killed by falling down the pumping engine shaft of the Soap House Pit.
January 14th.
Thomas Sale M.A. instituted by the Archbishop of York to Vicarage of Sheffield.
January 19th.
Thomas Sale M.A. vicar of Sheffield preached his first sermon in the parish church, text 1st Thessalonians 2nd. C. 4.v.
"But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts".
March 3rd.
Walker & Wall's wholesale grocery warehouse burnt down (Exchange Street).
May 1st.
Opening of the Great Exhibition for the manufacture of All Nations in Hyde Park London, opened by the Queen.
May 4th.
John Wilkinson found murdered in his own house in Wilson's Yard, Duke St., Park, Sheffield.
May 14th.
The Coroner's jury found a verdict of Wilful Murder against William Battersby as principal and also against Eliza Wilkinson as accessory present aiding and assisting in the murder of John Wilkinson her husband, the Coroner committed them to York Castle to trial.
July 23rd.
William Battersby & Eliza Wilkinson found guilty of manslaughter of John Wilkinson, by the jury at York and sentenced to be transported for life.
September 15th.
New Victoria Station Sheffield opened for public traffic.
October 11th.
Great Exhibition, Hyde Park London closed to the public.
October 14th.
Alderman Thomas Wiley, Town trustee died, interred on the 20th October, St. John's Church, Park.
November 9th.
John Carr Esq. Surgeon, elected 9th Mayor of Sheffield.
December 2nd.
Temperance Soiree, and Ball held in the New Market Hall, Sheffield.
December 20th.
Terrific Colliery Explosion at Warren Vale Colliery, Rose Hill, Nr. Rawmarsh, 52 persons killed and others injured (2 died from injuries).
December 24th.
Public opening of the New Market Hall Sheffield, the internal dimension (exclusive of the shops) Length 296 feet, width 75 feet, height to the rod of the roof about 40 feet.
1852
January 19th.
John Shortridge Esq. commenced to run an omnibus from the Royal Hotel Sheffield to Heeley.
February 5th.
A tremendous flood on the river Holme caused by the bursting of the Bilberry reservoir, situated 3 miles above Holmfirth, many cloth mills and many rows of cottage houses washed away, about 80 persons perished in the flood, much damage was done to Holmbridge Church the pews were floated, and in some places coffins washed up, Holmfirth Church was also flooded, the damage done is estimated in some newspapers to be about £600,000, it was one o'clock in the morning.
March 10th.
John Drake killed by Laurence Bertie at the Yellow Lion In Old Haymarket, coroner's verdict Manslaughter.
March 14th.
Peter Booth killed by Samuel Walker, at the Little Barrel, Little Pond St, Verdict Manslaughter.
July 6th.
Nomination day at Sheffield for two members of Parliament, candidates John Parker, John A. Roebuck, George Hadfield and William Overend.
July 7th.
John A. Roebuck and George Hadfield elected M.P.s for Sheffield, the polling was Parker 1580. Roebuck 2092. Overend 1180. Hadfield 1853.
Plumpers according to the Sheffield Times:-
Parker 186 split votes to Roebuck 912
Roebuck 59 split votes to Parker 912
-------------- split votes to Hadfield 1076
Hadfield 499, splits to P 95, to Overend 147
Overend 612, splits to P 389, to Roebuck 34
August 3rd, 4th & 5th.
The Yorkshire Agricultural Society held their 15th Annual Show at Sheffield.
August 18th.
Alfred Waddington murdered his child Elizabeth Slater by cutting off her head.
August 30th.
First Stone laid of the Sheffield Gas Consumer's Co's., Works Neepsend by John Carr Esq. Mayor of Sheffield.
September 2nd.
Alexander Robinson murdered on Blackbank near Heeley.
September 3rd.
Alexander Robinson found on Blackbank by children gathering blackberries.
September 14th.
Great Fire at Darnall 22 stacks consumed belonging to Mr. John Hawke.
September 14th.
Death of the Duke of Wellington, Prince of Waterloo aged 83.
November 5th.
3 men buried alive on the Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway, in digging a foundation for a new engine shed on the Old Parkwood side Sheffield.
November 7th Sunday.
The Tower of St. Jude's church, Moorfield fell in, and almost totally destroyed the church, which was nearly completed.
November 9th & 10th.
Father Gavazzi (an Italian) lectures in the Sheffield Music Hall against Popery.
November 9th.
William Anthony Matthews elected 10th Mayor of Sheffield.
November 18th.
Funeral of the Duke of Wellington, general closing of shops in Sheffield.
December 15th.
Materials of the Exchange Brewery and old buildings sold by auction for the completion of the New Markets.
December 20th.
Alfred Waddington (20) sentenced to be hung at York for the murder of his illegitimate child at Cutler's Wood Heeley, by cutting off its head with a shoemakers knife.
December 22nd.
James Barbour (21) sentenced to be hung at York for the murder of Alexander Robinson on Blackbank. "Thankyou my Lord, I'm innocent".
December 27th.
Dreadful gales of wind much damage done.
1853
January 8th.
Alfred Waddington hung at York for the murder of his illegitimate child.
January 7th.............15th.
James Barbour respited for seven days from the day appointed for his execution.
James Barbour executed at York for the murder of Alexander Robinson.
February 16th.
The Lord Chancellor (Lord Cranworth) refused the injunction to restrain the Sheffield Gas Consumers Company from laying down their pipes.
May 9th.
Monday. A Snow Storm of extraordinary intensity, it Snew incessantly from 6 o'clock in the morning till 9 at night with very little variation, the large flakes fell with a degree of intensity rarely surpassed, an average depth of about 2 feet of snow fell. Railway trains on the Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire and the Huddersfield lines were stopped on their way.
May 13th.
Hope Fair. Much snow remaining on the hills of the High Peak Derbyshire, many sheep lost, much damage done to the hedges and walls by the snowdrifts.
September 1st.
William Anthony Matthews, Master Cutler. (Mayor and Master Cutler).
October 10th...........18th.
William Gill found in Clay Wood quarry adjoining the Cholera Ground, quite dead, and shockingly mutilated.
Inquest held on body, and the jury returned an open verdict, the Duke of Norfolk's agent was requested to fence off the quarry on the burial ground site.
November 9th.
Francis Hoole, elected 11th Mayor of Sheffield.
1854
January 19th.
Great Reform Banquet, held at Sheffield, 10 members of Parliament present, amongst which was Cobden Bright, Lord Coderich (and George Hadfield for Sheffield).
February 16th.
Sheffield Canal burst, much damage done to the Sheaf Works.
March 28th.
England and France, declared war with Russia, for the evacuation of the Ottoman Empire.
April 5th.
Brightside Church consecrated by his Grace the Lord Archbishop of York.
April 17th.
Materials of the Sheffield Old Vicarage sold by auction.
April 18th.
First stone laid of the Wicker Congregational Church, by Francis Hoole Esq. Mayor of Sheffield.
April 26th.
Day of Humiliation and Prayer, on account of the armies engaged in the Eastern War.
April 30th.
James Montgomery Esq. the poet, died.
May 11th.
James Montgomery Esq. interred in the Sheffield General Cemetery, the largest public funeral ever yet known in Sheffield.
June 27th.
The King of Portugal, visited Sheffield.
June 29th.
First stone laid of the Hollis Croft district church by William Frederick Dixon Esq. Page Hall.
July 20th.
William Leonard Gill Bagshaw Esq. of the Oaks Norton and Wormhill Hall Derbyshire, killed by poachers, who were spearing for fish in the River Wye.
August 26th.
Ebenezer Elliott's monument fixed in the Market Place Sheffield.
September 23rd.
A portion of the Castle Grinding wheel fell down.
November 9th.
William Fisher Jun. Esq. elected 12th Mayor of Sheffield.
1855
April 10th.
Sheffield Parish Church, St. Paul's, St. James, & St. George, church yards closed for interment.
July 5th.
George Lewis private in the 7th Hussars stabbed and killed by Thomas Jackson, a grinder, on the Langset Road.
July 9th.
Verdict of "Wilful Murder" returned against Jackson by the coroners jury.
July 14th.
T. Jackson tried at York for the murder of G. Lewis verdict "manslaughter". Transported for life.
July 21st.
Riot between the police & Irish in Westbar Green.
July 23rd.
William Beardshaw a watchman died from injuries received in the above riot.
July 30th.
Materials of the Sheffield Old Shambles sold by auction.
August 11th.
Fatal Boiler explosion at the Tower Mills Sheffield, 4 men killed. Such was the force of the explosion, that it carried the boiler through the yard gates, across the road, through the buildings opposite and into the river.
August 18th.
Fatal Boiler explosion at Hartford Steel Works, Wicker, Sheffield. A man & boy killed, one aged 19 the other 12, verdict accidental death.
September 9th.
Sevastopol, south side, evacuated by the Russians, to the allies.
October 1st.
Illumination and rejoicing in Sheffield on the capture of Sevastoppol.
October 22nd.
Deceases of John Stuart Wortley 2nd Lord of Wharncliffe, aged 54.
October 24th.
Corner stone of the new school of art in Sheffield laid by Ferguson Branson Esq. M.D.
November 9th.
William Fawcett Esq. elected 13th Mayor of Sheffield.
1856
January 24th.
James Hill 23 murdered his nephew Alfred Deakin, a child, by cutting its head off, in Green Street Sheffield.
February 18th.
Decease of Henry Charles 13th Duke of Norfolk aged 65 years.
March 13th.
James Hill 23, acquitted at York on the grounds of insanity, to be detained during her Majesty's pleasure.
April 28th.
Declaration of Peace from her Majesty the Queen, France, England, Turkey & Sardinia with Russia.
May 29th.
Peace rejoicings throughout England.
July 29th.
Banquet given by the gentlemen of Sheffield to the officers of the 4th or Royal Irish Dragoon Guards, on their arrival from the Crimean War, held at the Botanical Gardens.
August 6th & 7th.
Yorkshire Agricultural Society held their Annual Show at Rotherham.
August 7th.
Mytham Bridge Derbyshire, destroyed by a great flood (2 arches destroyed).
August 9th.
Great Floods in Sheffield and Rotherham much damage done.
October 16th.
Mr. John Whitaker of Thrybergh robbed of £200 and so beaten that he died on the 18th October.
November 10th.
John William Pye Smith Esq. elected 14th Mayor of Sheffield.
December 2nd.
Opening of the Sheffield Exchange and Newsroom, bottom of the shambles.
December 9th.
Burglary at Manor Oaks, the residence of Mr. William Bradley, brewer, £250 reward offered.
December 4th.
Murder of Mr. Luke White and his wife, at Bolton on Dearne. A large reward offered for the detection of the murderer.
1857
February 19th.
Lund Hill colliery explosion near Barnsley 189 lives lost.
March 18th.
Daniel Dickinson, James Gleadall and Henry Marsden transported for life, at York Assizes, for the burglary at William Bradley's, Manor Oaks.
Daniel Dickinson afterwards pardoned, returned to his old haunts July 6th 1861.
March 27th.
Nomination day at Sheffield for 2 members of parliament. Candidates J.A. Roebuck, Geo. Hadfield & Wm. Overend.
March 28th.
Polling day
Roebuck 3200
Hadfield 2871
Overend 2059
June 1st.
The Sheffield Sunday Union, held their Anniversary for the first time in Norfolk Park.
July 22nd.
The last keystone affixed in the centre arch of Mytham Bridge Derbyshire.
July 28th, 29th & 30th.
The South Yorkshire & N. Derbyshire poultry shoe, held their first exhibition in Norfolk Park Sheffield.
September 25th.
Lord John Russel visited for the purpose of presiding at the Ragged School, annual meeting.
October 21st.
Foundation stone laid of the Sheffield Crimean Monument by his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge K.G.
November 9th.
Robert Jackson Esq. elected 15th Mayor of Sheffield
1858
January 25th.
Marriage of the Princess Royal of England with Frederick William Prince of Prussia.
February 5th.
Explosion of fireworks in Scotland Street Sheffield, 3 lives lost (2 women & G.F. Bywater the firework maker).
March 15th.
A total eclipse of the Sun, visible at Mid-day (Sheffield).
April 11th.
Suicide of Edward Hobson, cutlery dealer Snig Hill.
September 2nd.
Robert Jackson Esq. Mayor & Master Cutler.
September 13th.
Great excitement at the Surrey Music Hall, by a false alarm of fire, and the firing of a pistol. 5 persons killed.
September and October.
A large Comet, passing and was very visible.
November 9th.
Charles Atkinson Esq. elected 16th Mayor of Sheffield.
1859
January 1st.
Mr. John Jackson becomes Chief Constable, vice Thomas Raynor resigned.
January 27th.
William Wilson stabbed & killed by Geo. Plant opposite the Post Office.
February 1st.
Decease of George Allen the Park poet aged 57 years.
February 21st.
Sir J.M. Ramsden Bart elected for the West riding.
March 11th.
Geo. Plant found guilty of manslaughter of Wm. Wilson, penal servitude for life.
June 8th.
Mr. John Yeomans elected town clerk of Sheffield at the salary of £400 per year. Mr. Bramley resigned.
September 15th.
Foundation stone laid for the public drinking fountain at the old Church gates Sheffield, erected by Mr. Levy High Street.
October 13th.
Lord Brougham visited Sheffield for the purpose of presiding at the ragged school annual meeting.
October 19th.
Inauguration of the first public drinking fountain opened to the public, erected by the town trustees of Sheffield at the Town Hall corner.
November 9th.
Henry Elliott Hoole Esq. elected 17th Mayor of Sheffield.
November 13th.
Opening of St. Mark's iron Church, Glossop Road.
December 1st.
Dinner given by gentlemen of Sheffield to the soldiers of the 84th regiment for their gallant conduct in the Indian mutiny.
December 3rd.
Drinking Fountain at the Old Church gates opened to the public.
1860
February 3rd.
Thomas Barton found drowned in one of the Endcliffe dams, his father was drowned in the Sheffield canal September 27th 1845.
November 9th.
Henry Vickers Esq. elected 18th Mayor of Sheffield.
November 17th.
Decease of Thomas Raynor late Chief Constable of Sheffield aged 73 years.
November 25th.
Decease of Henry Granville Fitzalan Howard 14th Duke of Norfolk aged 45 years. Creations; Earl of Surrey and Duke of Norfolk 28th June 1483. Earl Marshal and Hereditary Earl Marshal of England 19th October 1672, Earl of Arundel by inheritance and tenure of the Castle of Arundel, and by act of parliament. 3rd Charles the Baronies of Fitzalan, Clun and Oswaldtre, and Maltravers were inseparably unite to that earldom.
1861
January 4th.
Public meeting, formation of an Artillery Volunteer Corps.
February 25th.
Tunnel under Spital Hill, Sheffield fell in. Six men killed, caused by Hunt & Co., carriers excavating for erecting stables.
March 13th.
Decease of Michael Ellison, agent to Duke of Norfolk, aged 73.
March 16th.
Decease of H.R.H. the Duchess of Kent aged 74.
June 22nd.
Great Fire in Tooley Street, London.
June 23rd.
Death of Lord Chancellor Campbell, aged 82.
July 1st.
Town Guns belonging to the Town Trustees entrusted to the Artillery Volunteers.
July 29th.
Inauguration of the Montgomery Monument at the Cemetery, cost of erection £1194, amount raised by Sunday School teachers £764.
August 21st.
First Corporation dinner attended by Roebuck & Hadfield.
October 1st.
The Sheffield & Rotherham Independent first published as a daily paper.
October 16, 17, 18, 19.
Visit of the Prince of Wales to the Duke of Newcastle at Clumber, on the 18th he laid the first stone of the new Church at Shireoaks.
October 28th.
Decease of Mr. Benj. Blonk Silcock of Whiteley Wood Hall.
October 29th.
Decease of Mr. George Ridge of king Street, 64.
Decease of Mr. John Wreaks, aged 89, late of the Sheffield Fire Office.
November 9th.
John Brown Esq. elected 19th Mayor of Sheffield.
November 11th.
Dividend of 1s 1 1/2d in the estate of Parker Shore & Co., bankers, making a total of 13s-1 1/2d in the pound.
November 14th.
First sitting of the County Court as a Court of Bankruptcy.
November 15th.
Death of Hugh Parker Esq. in his 90th year.
November 15th.
Court of Common Pleas decides that the inmates of the Shrewsbury Hospital, have no freehold in their cottages and therefore no vote for the county.
November 23rd.
A can of combustibles thrown into the house of George Wastnidge, fender grinder Acorn Street, Mrs. Wastnidge & Mrs. O'Rouke a lodger, seriously injured, Mrs. O'Rouke died December 2nd.
November 29th.
Decease of William Fisher Esq. Woodside, Pitsmoor, aged 81.
December 7th.
Thomas Townsend of Attercliffe, shot his stepdaughter Eliza Fisher, and then shot himself. Verdict felo de se.- Fisher lingered till the 17th and then died. Verdict Wilful murder against Townsend.
December 12th.
Alfred Hinchliffe of Treeton found dead in Shirland Lane Attercliffe, robbed and possibly murdered, - open verdict.
December 14th.
Death of H.R.H. Prince Albert aged 42.
December 15th.
Departure from Sheffield of the 16th. Regiment for Canada.
December 19th.
Joseph Thompson committed for trial, for the wilful murder of Bridget O'Rouke, by the explosion in Acorn Street Nov. 23rd.
December 21st.
Death of Benjamin Schofield, auctioneer, aged 72.
December 27th.
Death of Robert Leader Senior, formerly proprietor of the Sheffield & Rotherham Independent, aged 82.
1862
January 8th.
Interment of Miss Withers of Clarkehouse Road, who left £10,000, the interest of which is to be annually divided in pensions of £10 each, among widows and single women in reduced circumstances, members of the Church of England.
Decease of George Ronksley Esq. aged 66.
March 18th.
Joseph Thompson acquitted at York for the murder of Bridget O'Rouke in Acorn Street, Sheffield, by throwing a can of gunpowder through the chamber window.
May 1st.
Opening of the International Exhibition London.
June 3rd.
Riot at the Wardsend Cemetery or St. Philips Burial Ground, and destruction of the Sextons house at Owlerton by fire (Tuesday night).
June 9th.
Apprehension of Isaac Howard, sexton of St. Phillips', for exhuming dead bodies.
June 10th.
Brought before the Magistrates, and remanded in custody.
June 23rd.
Committal of the Rev. John Livesey for making a false entry in the registry book of St. Philip's of the death of Joseph Greatorex and giving a false certificate of such entry, Bailed £500 himself, two sureties £250 each.
June 25th.
Committal of Isaac Howard, bailed out himself £200, two sureties £100 each.
July 24th.
Rev. J. Livesey tried and convicted at York, sentence; "That you be imprisoned in the gaol of this county for 3 weeks; and as that will date from the commencement of the assizes, it will in fact be a sentence of one weeks further imprisonment, this case being a felony".
July 25th.
Isaac Howard tried and convicted at York. Sentence 3 months imprisonment. This case being a misdemeanour.
July 26th.
Death of T. Badger Esq. Coroner aged 69, having held this office 33 years.
July 28th.
Opening of the New Victoria Hotel, Sheffield, Mr. George Meyer, proprietor.
August 8th.
Banquet given by John Brown Esq. Mayor of Sheffield, Viscount Palmerston, Prime Minister attended.
August 18th.
Election of Coroner. John Webster 1885
W.T. Cavell 523.
September 23rd.
Suicide of B. Cohen (Jew) High Street, by cutting his belly open.
November 1st.
Close of the International Exhibition London.
November 9th. (Sunday)
Prince of Wales attained his majority.
November 10th.
John Brown Esq. re-elected Mayor of Sheffield. (20th).
Military demonstration of Volunteers of Sheffield and the regulars stationed at the barracks, was held at Wardsend in honour of the Prince of Wales' majority.
December 3rd.
Boiler explosion at Beatson's Midland Iron works Masbro', fourteen lives lost.
December 8th.
Great explosion at Edmund's Main Colliery 59 lives lost.
December 17th.
Second explosion at Edmund's Main, resolved to fill the pit with water.
December 18th.
Thomas Jessop Esq. elected Town Trustee, in room of Wm. Fisher deceased.
New Clubhouse Norfolk St. opened.
Union Banking Co. remove their business to their new premises Bank St.
1863
January 5th.
Sudden death of Mr. Isaac Schofield, aged 67, formerly an Alderman of the Borough.
February 19th.
Parliament voted £40,000 a year for the Prince of Wales and £10,000 for the Princess of Wales, which with the revenues of the Duchy of Cornwall would make £110,000 a year.
March 7th.
Arrival of the Princess Alexandra of Denmark in England.
March 10th.
Marriage of the H.R.H. Prince of Wales and the Princess Alexandra of Denmark, solemnised at Windsor, great rejoicings throughout the country.
April 9th.
The Lords of the Admiralty visited Atlas Works to witness the rolling of armour plates, the Parish Church spire illuminated by the Mayor John Brown Esq.
May 4th.
An immense meeting in Paradise Square, petitions against Mr. Somes' Sunday Closing Bill.
May 30th.
Opening of the Buxton Branch of the Midland Railway (Rowsley to Buxton).
June 18th.
A portion of the Exchange Brewery destroyed by fire, damage from £400 to £500.
July 2nd.
Death of Benjamin Skidmore aged 74.
July 23rd.
Attercliffe Steam Corn Mill belonging to Stephenson & Dodd, destroyed by fire - a Mill on this site was burnt October 13th 1805.
September 3rd.
Cutlers Feast, Master Cutler T. Jessop Esq.
November 9th.
Thomas Jessop Esq. elected 21st Mayor of Sheffield.
November 11th.
Thomas Ellison Esq. Judge of the County Court of Sheffield & Rotherham, sat for the first time M. Walker resigned.
T. Asline Ward Esq. resigned the office of Town Trustee, elected in 1817.
November 22nd.
Death of Robert Hales, the Norfolk Giant aged 43, Height 7ft 6in Weight 452lb lately landlord of the Burgoyne Arms Langsett Road.
December 2nd.
Joseph Shaw apprehended at Penistone for stealing £180 from the Bulls Head Inn Castleton.
December 12th.
George Victor Townley found guilty and sentenced to death for the murder of Miss Goodwin, of Wigwell Grange, sentence afterwards commuted on the ground of insanity - afterwards found sane to have penal servitude for life.
1864
January 8th.
Decease of James Hinchliffe "Jemmy Queer" aged 86, Drummer in the Loyal Independent Volunteers 1794.
February 22nd.
Atlas Works transferred to a limited liability company "John Brown & CO LTD" Capital £1,000,000.
March 9th.
Letter from the Chairman of the Water Co. read to the Sheffield Town Council "hoping to be able to give a regular supply of twelve hours per day during the summer".
March 11th & 12th.
The Great Flood caused by the bursting of the Dale Dyke Reservoir of the Water Co. at Bradfield, the embankment gave way at 25 minutes to 12 midnight of the 11th. 240 persons were drowned, very great destruction of Cattle and property of every description.
April 3rd.
Landing of Garibaldi at Southampton, on a visit to England. On the 11th he enters London where he has a magnificent reception.
April 11th.
A wife hunter from Glossop hoaxed in Sheffield.
April 9th.
John Cooper murdered near Roche Abbey.
April 9th.
Sheffield fire office sold to the Alliance Life & Fire Insurance Co. of London.
April 21st.
House of Commons Committee rejects the preamble of the Staffordshire Company's bill, but passes the bill of the Midland Company.
April 28th.
Garibaldi sails from England.
June 10th.
Elizabeth Myers of Hoyle Street Sheffield murdered by her husband Joseph Myers. James Sargisson & Joseph Myers were the first men hung at Leeds.
July 8th.
The Midland Railway (Sheffield to Chesterfield) passed, Royal Assent given July 25/64.
July 9th.
Mr. T. Briggs of Hackney, murdered on the North London Railway, between Bow and Hackney Wick, Franz Muller a german executed at Newgate November 14th, confessed his guilt on the scaffold.
July 17th.
The Old Park Wood on fire for several days.
July 29th.
Royal Assent given to the Water Company's new bill - a clause in it advancing the price of water 25 per cent.
July 25th.
Assizes first held in Manchester.
August 1st.
Opening of the new line of the South Yorkshire Railway into Sheffield via Tinsley & Attercliffe, the line first worked by the M.S. & L. Co.
August 13th.
Death of Mr. J.W. Pye Smith aged 55, he was Mayor of Sheffield 1856-7.
August 29th.
Water supplied to the town on alternate days, on account of the drought - very dry summer - the price of milk raised.
August 30th.
Mr. W. Waterfall appointed managing Director of the Water Co. at a salary of £1,000 per annum.
September 1st.
Cutler's Feast, Master Cutler C. Atkinson Esq.
September 7th.
Mr. S.F. Holmes appointed Borough Surveyor.
September 8th.
Sheffield Highway Board hands over its affairs to the Highway committee of the Town Council.
September 17th.
Suspension of the Leeds Banking Company and failure of several houses in connection with the bank.
September 26th.
Explosion of fireworks at Mr. Copley's Moorhead.
September 28th.
Death of Wm. Smith Esq. Damhouse, late chairman of the Water Co. and a director of the Midland Railway Co. - aged 68.
November 3rd.
Death of Wm. Fawcett Esq. J.P. aged 57, (Mayor 1855-6).
November 9th.
Thomas Jessop Esq. reelected Mayor of Sheffield, 22nd.
December 9th.
Sudden death of Vincent Corbett Esq. J.P. Huthwaite Hall, aged 60.
December 20th.
The Mechanics Hall purchased by the corporation for £4,600.
Slipped between the pages of the diary is a little piece of buff-coloured paper apparently cut from some publication of the time. It reads as follows:
January 16th.
Sheffield Old Bank (Parker Shore & Co.) failed.
July 5th.
Great hail storm in Sheffield, much damage done to windows.
November 1st.
Town council first elected in Sheffield.
November 9th.
Mayor and Alderman first elected in Sheffield. Mayor William Jeffcock Esq.
1844
June 15th.
Riot and Assault at Handsworth Woodhouse by the turnout Colliers.
June 22nd.
A body of Police from Sheffield to Handsworth Woodhouse, with a view of apprehending certain parties in the above riot. Named John Wheeler, Jane Wheeler, Ann Crofts, Hannah Hall & Mary Walker the colliers on this occasion mustered in such numbers that the police were compelled to defer the capture until another opportunity.
July 3rd.
On Wednesday morning at a very early hour, Mr. Raynor (police officer) & a body of police, accompanied by Wilson Overend Esq.; (magistrate) & a squadron of Horse Soldiers (7th Lancers) proceeded to Handsworth Woodhouse to capture the aforementioned 1 man & 4 women, the police very shortly had them, when tried each person was sentenced to 2 months imprisonment. Same day.
A meeting was held in Paradise Square, to consider the colliers grievances & the best means of bringing the disputes between the masters & men to a termination, but the masters would have no interference from the Trades Unions.
July 4th.
On Thursday evening, 18 miners from the South, arrived at the Wicker Railway Station & was escorted by a party of police to the Soaphouse Colliery where it was intended they should work & arrived without any disturbance. Shortly afterwards crowds of persons assembled (chiefly old colliers). A cry of “Now for the nobsticks), they broke open the gates & broke the office windows, and a riot began with the old & new colliers. A signal was given for the Horse Soldiers by a whistle that had been fixed to the steam engine for that purpose. Wilson Overend Esq. (Magistrate) ordered the police & soldiers to close every Public House in the Park and take into custody all the persons loitering about in the streets, William Mason, George Taylor and Richard Winkler were taken and afterwards sent to trial at York.
July 20th.
Wm. Mason, Geo. Taylor & R. Winkler tried at York for Colliery Riots at Sheffield and sentenced to be transported for the term of 15 years.
July.
Wm. Boulding, John Crichlow and Joseph Crichlow, with a party of colliers went one Sunday night to the deep pit with a barrel of gunpowder, to blow up the boiler, to prevent the new colliers going to work the next morning, the barrel was put under the boiler & a lighted, the party removed a short distance, the barrel of powder did not explode and the 3 persons named returned to light it again, when opening the door, gave it vent and went off, much injured them so that one of the Crichlow brothers died. Boulding was tried at York & imprisoned 12 months, the other Crichlow with a man Stocks, got to Manchester, was taken and tried at York, but nothing being proved against them was discharged.
The coal company was Hounsfield, Wilson, Jeffcock and Dunn. The colliers were on strike for an advance in wages from 3/6 to 4/- per day, which the masters refused to give, but the masters would have given it, if the men would have nothing to do with the Trades Unions, but would not be interfered with by the Union Committee. The committee said the masters should have as many men as they should think proper and the men to work so many hours per day & to be fetched off their work when they should think proper (but the masters got fresh men). And after a turnout of 14 weeks, the men were priced & starved out, they were obliged to return to their work at the old price.
The masters picking the best colliers as they thought fit, and many hundreds were thrown out of employment, & had nothing to turn to (such as had been foremen in the turnout).
1845
July 4th.
Dreadful Thunder storm in Sheffield much damage done to a small house in Colliers Row Park. Much rain fell and the streets in the Park was completely flooded, one poor woman, who had some fowls in Duke street, the fowls got in the middle of the street when the rain fell so fast the water in the channels met in the middle of the street. The woman ran out to catch the fowls she fell down & was carried about one hundred yards to the bottom of the street. Had not assistance come quickly, would have been actually drowned. The electric flood also fell at Derby, but none were killed, some had their eyebrows scorched, others were struck nearly blind and a few lost the use of their limbs.
July 6th.
Dreadful thunderstorm in Sheffield, Nottingham, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Worcester and other intermediate places, which has ever occurred in the recollection of the oldest man living (nothing like it has happened since the memorable night preceding the death of George the 4th). At Frampton & Sydling St. Nicholas, in the county of Dorset, lumps of ice about an inch in diameter, many of a much large size, one was measured nearly 2 inches. Awful occurrence at Nottingham, a man named Alfred Greenwood of Radford, a lacemaker, who was drinking at Milton’s Head Inn, Derby Road, was using some of the most disgustingly blasphemous language, he said he wished the thunderbolt would fall through the roof and kill everybody in the house, One of the bystanders rebuked him for his impious wish, he replied “I don’t care, I neither fear God nor Devil”, when he had spoken these words he fell into the arms of a soldier and was struck blind, he cried, “the Lord forgive me” when all responded Amen. (He has recovered his sight a little).
July 14th.
Sheffield, Ashton-under-Lyne & Manchester Railway, Sheffield end (that is Sheffield to Dunford Bridge, 183/4 miles) first opened to the public, the Manchester end to Woodhead being opened several years before, the line is now completed with the exception of the summit tunnel, from Woodhead to Dunford about 13 1/2 miles.
1845
August 29th.
First sod turned up on the Huddersfield & Sheffield Junction Railway at Penistone, by Lord Wharncliffe, Contractors for the whole work, Messrs. Miller & Blackie.
September 27th.
Mr. Barton (Butcher) found drowned in the canal. Verdict found drowned, but how and by what means he got in there was no evidence to show. (In 1860 February 3rd Thomas Barton, son of the above, drowned in one of the Endcliffe Dams).
October 15th.
St. George’s new schools first opened by the Bishop of Ripon, attended by the Lord Wharncliffe who laid the first stone. Nov. 14th/44, the Bishop preached a sermon after which a collection was made for the school fund amounting to £205. The largest sum ever collected on any similar occasion.
October 14th.
Darnall Church consecrated by the Bishop of Ripon. Earl Fitzwilliam was present on the occasion.
November 9th.
Mr. Samuel Butler elected 3rd Mayor of Sheffield.
December 23rd.
Summit Tunnel first opened on the Sheffield Manchester Railway, opened throughout.
1846
February 4th.
Lord Morpeth re-elected MP. for the West Riding of Yorkshire, in place of Mr. John Stuart Wortley, who is called to the House of Lords from the death of his father (Wharncliffe).
Morpeth is free trade for ever.
February 27th.
Mr. Greaves, Surrey Arms Inn Hollowmeadows, shot by Joseph Hodkin. Hodkin and Joshua Eastwood went with intent to murder the family and rob the house. Hodkin shot & escaped from the house, but was taken in Sheffield the same night with the pistol. Eastwood was seized on the spot by the servant man with a pistol in his pocket.
March
Hodkin and Eastwood transported for 15 years, York Spring Assizes.
March 23rd.
Riot at Wadsley House, the Rev. J.G. Hounsfield against Dr. Holland.
(Rev. J.G. Hounsfield usually called Parson Jack or Jack the Divine), had been imprisoned 10 years before in York Castle for debt and was liberated by one of the creditors about the time when he gave Dr. Holland (the tenant to the creditors) notice to quit, or he would take forcible possession, (which he did). He, his wife & 3 men named Hall, were taken into custody by the police and was committed to take their trial at the next York Assizes. He had been imprisoned 10 years and never would sign his estate away.
April 4th.
Sheffield Times newspaper first published.
April 6th & 7th.
Great floods on the Rivers Don, Sheaf, Rother & Trent. Lands overflowed, the water was much higher than as remembered by the oldest person. 30 persons drowned near Gainsborough Bridge.
July 17th.
Sheffield & Lincolnshire Junction Railway read a third time in the Lords and passed.
August 3rd.
Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway, Royal Assent given.
Nottingham & Lincoln Railway first opened.
August 31st to September 1st & 2nd.
Cricket. 11 of all England, against 20 of Sheffield club, won by the Sheffield club 5 wickets to go down.
September 2nd.
Free Trade Soiree at Sheffield. Shops closed.
September 3rd.
Free Trade. Fireworks at the Corn Exchange.
Cutlers Feast, Master Cutler, Mr. Turton.
October 15th.
Turning of the first sod on the Sheffield & Lincolnshire Junction Railway by Samuel Butcher Esq.; Mayor of Sheffield. Dinner at the Cutlers Hall.
November 9th.
Henry Wilkinson Esq.; Endcliffe Hall, elected 4th Mayor of Sheffield.
November 4th.
Foundation Stone of Christ Church Heeley, by Henry Marwood Greaves Esq.; of Banner Cross.
1847
January 8th.
Electric Telegraph first set in motion between Sheffield & Masborough stations on the Midland railway.
March 24th.
General Fast & Humiliation, throughout England & Ireland (potato blight and scarcity of corn).
March 25th.
First stone laid of the Roman Catholic Church “St. Marie” Norfolk Row.
June 30th.
First stone laid of the Trinity Church Wicker (the following was engraved on a copper plate enclosed in this stone)
TRINITY CHURCH WICKER DISTRICT
Was laid in the year of our Lord 1847
By Joseph Wilson Esq.; of Brightfield
This Church was Founded by
ANNE AND ELISABETH HARRISON
Daughters of The late Thomas Harrison Esq.; of Weston
NEAR SHEFFIELD (The Patronage is vested in them and their Heirs or Assigns, for ever by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners for England, 6 and 7 Victoria. Cap 37)
July 5th.
Visit of the Archduke Constantine of Russia to Sheffield.
August 28th.
Recovery of the “Great Britain Steamer” from the rocks in Dundrum Bay.
September 1st.
First stone laid of the “Sheffield Athenaeum & Mechanics Institute”. Copies of the four Sheffield Newspapers (The “Independent”, “Times”, “Mercury” and the “Iris”) of last week with documents regarding the Institution, were deposited in the foundation stone laid by the Earl of Arundel & Surrey.
September 2nd.
Cutlers Feast. Master Cutler, Henry Mort Esq.;
November 9th.
Edward Vickers Esq.; elected 5th Mayor of Sheffield.
1848
January 16th.
George Marsden found dead at the bottom of the Greenland Hill Coal pit, Sheffield Park. “The general feeling of the Jury seemed to be in favour of an opinion that he had been robbed of his watch in the town, and had mistook his way, and had walked into the pit, but in order to meet the case in the event of any evidence turning up, an open verdict was recorded”.
“That George Marsden was found “dead” at the bottom of the Greenland Hill pit, but whether he fell into the pit accidentally or was robbed of his watch and then thrown into the pit, no satisfactory evidence can be adduced to the Jury”.
February 9th.
3 men killed and 2* men severely injured by the falling of the scaffolding fixed foe the construction of the Wicker Viaduct on the Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway. “Verdict Accidental Death”.
*All five persons died from the accident.
RAZOR GRINDERS UNION
March 21st & 22nd.
Conspiracy at Sheffield.
John Drury 50, Thomas Bullos 45, William Hall 38, & John Marsden 33, were indicted for that they on the 27th of November last at the borough of Sheffield, did feloniously, and maliciously, incite, move, procure, aid, counsel, hire and command Alexander & Thomas Heathcote, to commit a felony in destroying certain machinery, the property of Peter Bradshaw. The Razor Grinders Union had a committee of 12 or 14 men, and also a secret committee which consisted of the four persons now named, every member of the union contributed I/- per week for himself and 6d per week for his apprentice, which is called “Natty Money”, it appears that Bradshaw and his son was in arrears with the natty money, and had worked for another master for less prices not sanctioned by the committee, each grinder had a master allotted to him by the committee and no other. It was the prisoners Hall’s master that Bradshaw had worked for, to these offences the committee sought revenge by a process called “rattening” They got the Heathcotes to go and damage Bradshaw’s tools for which offence the Heathcotes were apprehended & tried at York (about Christmas I847) and sentenced to 7 years transportation. Heathcotes had many times been committed for the same offences. They told who were their masters to set them in the job and
showed certain paper which led to the apprehension of the 4 persons now named. Subscriptions were made in Sheffield by all the other Trades Unions for counsel for the defence, the trial lasted 2 days at York and the Jury found them “Guilty”.
Next Day. Thursday March 23rd I847.
Mr. Baron Rolfe passed sentence on the 4 prisoners, he said two men were convicted at the last summer assizes of a very serious offence, an offence which it appears from the evidence they had been previously guilty of perpetrating and which they repeated so as to be again convicted at the last assizes. The present indictment charges you that being persons in somewhat higher situations in life than those so convicted, you were the parties at whose instigation and incitement and hope of reward held out they perpetrated that offence. Now it is impossible not to see that whatever be their crime, the crime of those who incited them to it, and who ought to have known better, and held out a reward is much worse. The law always subjects such parties to at least the same amount of punishment and common sense suggest that they should be punished more severely and sentence you all to be transported beyond the seas to such places as her majesty by the advice of her privy counsel may think fit for the term of ten years.
(The following extract taken from the Sheffield Mercury)
Immediately after sentence of transportation was passed upon Drury and his fellow convicts they were handcuffed to each other, led out of court having previously shaken hands with some of their friends and conducted to the Castle. They were followed by a large number of persons among whom were three wives of the prisoners, and on arriving at the Castle the prisoners entered and the doors were closed upon them. The poor women then gave vent to their poignant grief in most heart rending cries, wringing their hands in a truly piteous manner and several men were to be seen weeping like children. The distressed women reeled about scarcely able to walk and had to be supported on their way from the Castle in the arms of their male friends and relations. One of the women seemed to be utterly heartcrushed & at times rent the air with her bitter cries and lamentations.
The Crown has commuted their sentence to 7 years.
They were liberated under writ of error July 13th 1849.
May 8th.
First stone laid of the New Cemetery Church near Sharrowhead by the Reverend Dr. Sutton, Vicar of Sheffield.
May 10th.
One of the most calamitous carriage accidents that have occurred for some years in Sheffield or the neighbourhood, resulting in the death of one of the most respectable tradesmen and his wife, Mr. & Mrs. Mark Maugham of Wadsley Park House near this town & who for many years carried on an extensive drapery business in Angel Street, they were proceeding from their residence to the town in a phaston, the horse had never before been harnessed to the carriage and on coming on the Infirmary Road the horse became quite ungovernable and dashed the carriage against a corner of a building, killed Mrs. Maugham on the spot, Mr. Maugham was taken to the Infirmary where he died a few hours afterwards, two daughters were in the carriage but escaped slightly injured, the Jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death.
The deceased’s left a family of nine children to deplore the sad event which has so suddenly deprived them of both their parents in one day and their unhappy feelings may be better imagined than described. On Saturday May 13th their remains were interred at Ecclesall Church. All the way from Westbar to South Street (Sheffield Moor) through which the procession passed, the windows of the shops were as by common consent closed affording a grattifying evidence of the general respect in which the deceased was held, the procession stopped opposite his premises in Angel Street and immense was the crowd to see the mournfull sight of two hearses. It was market day at 12 o’clock.
May 17th.
First stone laid of the “Sheffield and Rotherham Licensed Victuallers Asylum” by Robert Bentley Esq. of Rotherham.
June 14th.
First stone laid of St. Jude’s Church, Eldon District, Sheffield. The following inscription was engraved on a copper plate deposited beneath the stone.
“This foundation stone of St. Jude’s Church, Eldon District, was laid June 14th in the year of our Lord 1848 by Samuel Younge Esq. of Brincliffe Edge, the donor of the site. The Eldon Church fund was raised by voluntary contributions aided by grants from the Church Buildings and the Incorporated Societies.
The patronage is vested in the Crown and Archbishop of York alternately.
Joseph Mitchell, Architect”.
August 8th.
Christ’s Church Heeley, consecrated by his Grace the Lord Archbishop of York.
September 26th.
Sheffield Iris Newspaper ceased publication, purchased by the proprietors of the “Sheffield Times”.
October 13th.
Trinity Church Wicker District Sheffield consecrated by his Grace the Lord Archbishop of York.
October 14th.“Sheffield Mercury” Newspaper ceased publication, purchased by the proprietors of the “Sheffield Times”.
November 9th.
Thomas Rawson Barker Esq. elected 6th Mayor of Sheffield.
December 13th.
Borough Commission of the peace first issued for Sheffield, by the Queen, it constituted 23 gentlemen as Magistrates to act on and for the borough of Sheffield.
December 14th & 15th.
Election of MP. for the West Riding of Yorkshire, in place of Viscount Morpeth, who goes to the “Upper House” from the death of his father Earl of Carlisle, candidates Edmund Denison and Sir Culling E. Eardley. Denison elected by a majority of 2,948. Majority for Eardley in Sheffield 116.
December 16th.
First railway engine travelled on the Sheffield & Lincolnshire Line, from Sheffield to Beighton.
December 26th.
Hannah Betney found drowned in the Sheffield canal. Her husband John Betney suspected of murder.
Sheffield & Tinsley Turnpike Road in horribly bad condition, it was worn completely out, holes 2 feet deep, dispute of repairs between the Sheffield canal and the township of Brightside, Attercliffe and Tinsley.
1849.
January 3rd.
Materials of old shops on Snig Hill sold by auction, to widen the Street.
January 4th.
Old shops on Snig Hill began to be taken down.
January 20th.
Centre’s completely removed from under the large arch, Wicker Viaduct.
January 31st.
A dumb peal rung on the parish Church bells Sheffield, on the demise of the Corn Laws.
February 1st.
Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway from Sheffield to Beighton, joining the Midland Rails first opened for public traffic.
March 8th.
Jenny Lind, first visits Sheffield.
March 9th.
Reverend James Shore apprehended in Spafields Chapel London for preachin as a dissenter, he having seceded from the Church of England, prosecuted by Dr. Philpot, Bishop of Exeter. (He was sent to Exeter Gaol and is liable to be imprisoned for life).
March 12th.
Thomas Wiley first elected a Town Trustee in the place of William Baltic deceased.
March 14th.
William Lee resigned his situation as surveyor to the Highways.
April 2nd.
Sheffield Athenaeum Surrey Street, first opened.
April 17th.
Keystone affixed for the completion of the Rother Viaduct on the Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway. 23 arches of the first Viaduct fell in.
April 18th.
The first stone of the Great Grimsby New Docks was laid by His Royal Highness Prince Albert.
May 3rd.
T.A. Roebuck first elected representative for Sheffield in place of Mr. Ward, elected without opposition.
May 29th.
Sheffield summer fair first removed from Trinity Tuesday to Whitsun Tuesday.
June 16th.
St. Jude’s Church Eldon District consecrated by his Grace the Archbishop of York, the building is at present without tower or spire.
July 13th.
Drury, Bulloss, Marsden & Hall liberated under writ of error.
July 16th.
OF CHRIST CHURCH
Pitsmoor
was laid on the 16th day of July AD 1849.
by
THOMAS SUTTON D.D.
Vicar of Sheffield.
July 17th.
Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway between Sheffield & Gainsborough first opened for public traffic the line completed.
July 27th.
Reconstruction of about 10 feet of the apex of the Sheffield parish Church spire completed with a bright new weathercock and improved lightning conductor by Mr. Brown.
September 26th.
Day of Humiliation at Sheffield on account of the Cholera, well responded to by a general closing of shops, warehouses and other places of business, scarcely distinguishable from the ordinary Sabbath. October 7th.
( Sunday ) Great floods in Sheffield, Rotherham &, Doncaster. Land overflowed with water to great extent, a footbridge at the bottom of Harmer lane, and a wooden cartbridge across the Don from the Wicker to Blonk Island for the erection of the next Station ( MS&L ) was taken down by the flood. Philadelphia works weir was partly destroyed. Blonk bridge was so gutted with water the arches was unseen and many thought it would not stand. Considerable damage was done to the Manchester water dams at Woodhead in their erection, it burst through the new weir and then burst the embankment so sudden a flush of water did considerable damage to the mills below. The damage to one firm was estimated at £1000 and to the water works at £500.
October 24th.
Tontine Hotel Sheffield finally closed, the site of the Tontine premises along with the area extending to the Corn Exchange are purchased by the Duke of Norfolk for the intended New Markets.
October 29th.
"This foundation stone of ST. JUDE'S CHURCH MOOR FIELDS was laid on the 29th of October 1849 by the donor of the site JOHN GAUNT ESQ. of DARNALL in commemoration of his sister Judith who was born on St. Jude's Day 1787 and died September 27th 1846 aged 58 years. This church was erected voluntarily by contributions aided by grants from her majesty's church building commissioners, the Incorporated and Co-operative Societies. The patronage is vested in the Crown and the Archbishop of York alternately. The Reverend Samuel Lyon M.A. incumbent curate, Joseph Mitchell architect".
The above was the inscription on the plate placed underneath the stone.
November 9th.
Thomas Birks Esq. elected 7th Mayor of Sheffield.
November 10th.
First opening of the South Yorkshire Railway from Swinton to Doncaster.
November 15th.
Day of thanksgiving throughout England and Wales to acknowledge God's Goodness and Mercy in removing from us that grievous disease the Cholera, with which many parts of this kingdom have been lately visited.
November 27th.
Sheffield Winter fair first altered from November 28th to the last Tuesday in November.
October, November, December.
Sheffield and Tinsley Turnpike road remade and a deviation made at Royds Mill near Washford Bridge, now invested in the Tinsley & Doncaster Turnpike Trust.
The whole of the able bodied poor in the Sheffield & Ecclesall unions:-
Last week of 1848 ------------ Last week of 1849
Sheffield 97 -------------------- Sheffield 16
Ecclesall 74 -------------------- Ecclesall 6
A question from the poor Law Board in London;
"I am of the opinion that wages are something more than what they were in the corresponding month of last year and which has been brought about by the great demand for Sheffield goods at this time. Trade here was never known better than it is at present, the outdoor relief in this union is £10 less every week than in corresponding weeks of last year, and the inmates are near upon 100 less".
1850
January 1st.
Tolls first taken on the Sheffield and Tinsley turnpike road at the Twelve o'clock tollgate.
January 26th.
The stone monument "Justice" at the top of the Shambles taken down.
February 5th & 6th.
Dreadfull storm of wind, much damage done, a child named Bertha Spurr 2 1/2 years old in Morpeth Street was killed by the falling of a chimney when in bed with its mother, who had a very narrow escape. A wall belonging to the Wicker tilt was blown down and did much damage. Nothing like it has occurred since the 6th of October 1839, when part of the Cholera monument was blown down.
February 27th & 28th.
Tontine Hotel Sheffield sold by auction (materials sold in lots).
March 1st.
Tontine Hotel Sheffield began to be taken down, room for the New Markets.
Demolition of the Tontine Hotel.
(from the Sheffield Times March 9th 1850)
"The famous old Tontine of glorious memory, is alas! hastening to annihilation, under the ruthless weapons of an array of Goths & Vandals, in the shape of Irish labourers, and in the space of a few days the place that once renew it will know it no more. Adieu, old friend! No marble tablet need there be to keep thy memory green".
"The Castle Barns Contemporaneously with the demolition of the Tontine, the ancient building on the opposite side of Barn Street is being pulled down to make way for the New Markets. It may not be uninteresting to mention, that this structure was, as its name imports, one of the domestic oppurtences to Sheffield Castle, and is, we believe, the last remaining fragment in that locality which can be said to have been coeval with the Castle itself. Its ponderous skeleton of oak, suggests the idea that it was erected when timber was of comparatively small value".
March 15th.
John Brown joiner killed whilst engaged in taking down the front roof of the Tontine Hotel Sheffield and two other men seriously injured.
March 31st.
Attempt to assassinate William Butcher Esq. by the agency of a hand grenade, or "infernal machin" attempted to be thrown through his bedroom window, at his residence Five Oaks, Glossop Road. The machine struck the frame work of the window, broke one pane of glass and rested on the balcony over the dining room when it exploded and only broke another pane of glass, Mr. Butcher had a dispute with his Edge Tool grinders and their Unions.
April 1st.
Decease of the Reverend Thomas Robinson aged 64 years, governor and chaplain of the Shrewsbury Hospital, he was the first of the Sheffield Clergy to open his church for week day service.
April 3rd.
Decease of the Reverend William Harris in the 50th year of his age, senior chaplain of the parish church and domestic chaplain to Lord Wharncliffe.
May 13th.
Reverend George Trevor Canon of York, elected one of the Assistant Ministers of the Parish Church of Sheffield, in place of the Reverend William Harris deceased.
May 27th.
Samuel Law (slater), killed in Sims Croft Sheffield, by a man jumping off a table on him whilst he was laid on the floor of the Wheatsheaf Public House.
Verdict Manslaughter.
June 15th.
The Cross and Vane of the Roman Catholic Church St. Marie, affixed, the total height of the steeple is as follows:-
Tower to parapet 92 feet 3 inches
Spire to Orb 95 feet 4 inches
Cross & Vane 8 feet 1 inch
Total 195 feet 8 inches
June 22nd.
Funeral of Mr. James Ray, Surgeon, he was the one of the most zealous promoters of the formation of the New Church of England Cemetery, and by a remarkable coincidence he was the very first to be entomed within it. The funeral service was performed by the Reverend T. Best.
June 27th.
Church of England New Cemetery consecrated by his grace the Lord Archbishop of York.
June 28th.
First yearly distribution of Hadfield's charity took place at the Cutler's Hall, to 25 aged men and the same number of women, each party was presented with a sovereign besides which the men received severally a coat and hat and the women each a cloak and a bonnet. This day the Mayor and corporation and the cutlers company (the distributors) dine together in accordance with a provision in the late Mr. Hadfields will.
July 2nd.
Sir Robert Peel died, from the effects of an accident by being thrown from his horse on Saturday June 29th.
July 29th.
Richard Manks completed walking 1,000 miles in 1,000 successive hours at the Barrack Tavern Cricket Ground. A silver cup was presented to Manks by the non-commissioned officers & privates of the 1st Royal Dragoons.
August 7th.
Opening of the Great Northern Railway from London to Peterborough, the line now opened throughout.
August 15th.
Christ Church, Pitsmoor consecrated by his Grace the Lord Archbishop of York.
September 11th.
Roman Catholic Church "St. Marie" consecrated by the Bishop of the District.
September 17th.
First stone laid of the Catholic and Apostolic Church in Victoria Street, Sheffield.
October 7th.
The New Post Office, at the top of shambles first opened.
August, September & October.
The old wood rails in Nursery Street, Sheffield taken up, and new iron rails put down & the road raised.
November 9th.
T.B. Turton Esq. elected 8th Mayor of Sheffield.
1851
January 9th.
Reverend Thomas Sutton D.D., Vicar of Sheffield for 46 years and Canon of York, died aged 73 years.
January 16th.
Dr. Sutton Vicar of Sheffield interred in the chancel of the Parish Church.
January 12th.
Benjamin Plant killed by falling down the pumping engine shaft of the Soap House Pit.
January 14th.
Thomas Sale M.A. instituted by the Archbishop of York to Vicarage of Sheffield.
January 19th.
Thomas Sale M.A. vicar of Sheffield preached his first sermon in the parish church, text 1st Thessalonians 2nd. C. 4.v.
"But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts".
March 3rd.
Walker & Wall's wholesale grocery warehouse burnt down (Exchange Street).
May 1st.
Opening of the Great Exhibition for the manufacture of All Nations in Hyde Park London, opened by the Queen.
May 4th.
John Wilkinson found murdered in his own house in Wilson's Yard, Duke St., Park, Sheffield.
May 14th.
The Coroner's jury found a verdict of Wilful Murder against William Battersby as principal and also against Eliza Wilkinson as accessory present aiding and assisting in the murder of John Wilkinson her husband, the Coroner committed them to York Castle to trial.
July 23rd.
William Battersby & Eliza Wilkinson found guilty of manslaughter of John Wilkinson, by the jury at York and sentenced to be transported for life.
September 15th.
New Victoria Station Sheffield opened for public traffic.
October 11th.
Great Exhibition, Hyde Park London closed to the public.
October 14th.
Alderman Thomas Wiley, Town trustee died, interred on the 20th October, St. John's Church, Park.
November 9th.
John Carr Esq. Surgeon, elected 9th Mayor of Sheffield.
December 2nd.
Temperance Soiree, and Ball held in the New Market Hall, Sheffield.
December 20th.
Terrific Colliery Explosion at Warren Vale Colliery, Rose Hill, Nr. Rawmarsh, 52 persons killed and others injured (2 died from injuries).
December 24th.
Public opening of the New Market Hall Sheffield, the internal dimension (exclusive of the shops) Length 296 feet, width 75 feet, height to the rod of the roof about 40 feet.
1852
January 19th.
John Shortridge Esq. commenced to run an omnibus from the Royal Hotel Sheffield to Heeley.
February 5th.
A tremendous flood on the river Holme caused by the bursting of the Bilberry reservoir, situated 3 miles above Holmfirth, many cloth mills and many rows of cottage houses washed away, about 80 persons perished in the flood, much damage was done to Holmbridge Church the pews were floated, and in some places coffins washed up, Holmfirth Church was also flooded, the damage done is estimated in some newspapers to be about £600,000, it was one o'clock in the morning.
March 10th.
John Drake killed by Laurence Bertie at the Yellow Lion In Old Haymarket, coroner's verdict Manslaughter.
March 14th.
Peter Booth killed by Samuel Walker, at the Little Barrel, Little Pond St, Verdict Manslaughter.
July 6th.
Nomination day at Sheffield for two members of Parliament, candidates John Parker, John A. Roebuck, George Hadfield and William Overend.
July 7th.
John A. Roebuck and George Hadfield elected M.P.s for Sheffield, the polling was Parker 1580. Roebuck 2092. Overend 1180. Hadfield 1853.
Plumpers according to the Sheffield Times:-
Parker 186 split votes to Roebuck 912
Roebuck 59 split votes to Parker 912
-------------- split votes to Hadfield 1076
Hadfield 499, splits to P 95, to Overend 147
Overend 612, splits to P 389, to Roebuck 34
August 3rd, 4th & 5th.
The Yorkshire Agricultural Society held their 15th Annual Show at Sheffield.
August 18th.
Alfred Waddington murdered his child Elizabeth Slater by cutting off her head.
August 30th.
First Stone laid of the Sheffield Gas Consumer's Co's., Works Neepsend by John Carr Esq. Mayor of Sheffield.
September 2nd.
Alexander Robinson murdered on Blackbank near Heeley.
September 3rd.
Alexander Robinson found on Blackbank by children gathering blackberries.
September 14th.
Great Fire at Darnall 22 stacks consumed belonging to Mr. John Hawke.
September 14th.
Death of the Duke of Wellington, Prince of Waterloo aged 83.
November 5th.
3 men buried alive on the Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway, in digging a foundation for a new engine shed on the Old Parkwood side Sheffield.
November 7th Sunday.
The Tower of St. Jude's church, Moorfield fell in, and almost totally destroyed the church, which was nearly completed.
November 9th & 10th.
Father Gavazzi (an Italian) lectures in the Sheffield Music Hall against Popery.
November 9th.
William Anthony Matthews elected 10th Mayor of Sheffield.
November 18th.
Funeral of the Duke of Wellington, general closing of shops in Sheffield.
December 15th.
Materials of the Exchange Brewery and old buildings sold by auction for the completion of the New Markets.
December 20th.
Alfred Waddington (20) sentenced to be hung at York for the murder of his illegitimate child at Cutler's Wood Heeley, by cutting off its head with a shoemakers knife.
December 22nd.
James Barbour (21) sentenced to be hung at York for the murder of Alexander Robinson on Blackbank. "Thankyou my Lord, I'm innocent".
December 27th.
Dreadful gales of wind much damage done.
1853
January 8th.
Alfred Waddington hung at York for the murder of his illegitimate child.
January 7th.............15th.
James Barbour respited for seven days from the day appointed for his execution.
James Barbour executed at York for the murder of Alexander Robinson.
February 16th.
The Lord Chancellor (Lord Cranworth) refused the injunction to restrain the Sheffield Gas Consumers Company from laying down their pipes.
May 9th.
Monday. A Snow Storm of extraordinary intensity, it Snew incessantly from 6 o'clock in the morning till 9 at night with very little variation, the large flakes fell with a degree of intensity rarely surpassed, an average depth of about 2 feet of snow fell. Railway trains on the Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire and the Huddersfield lines were stopped on their way.
May 13th.
Hope Fair. Much snow remaining on the hills of the High Peak Derbyshire, many sheep lost, much damage done to the hedges and walls by the snowdrifts.
September 1st.
William Anthony Matthews, Master Cutler. (Mayor and Master Cutler).
October 10th...........18th.
William Gill found in Clay Wood quarry adjoining the Cholera Ground, quite dead, and shockingly mutilated.
Inquest held on body, and the jury returned an open verdict, the Duke of Norfolk's agent was requested to fence off the quarry on the burial ground site.
November 9th.
Francis Hoole, elected 11th Mayor of Sheffield.
1854
January 19th.
Great Reform Banquet, held at Sheffield, 10 members of Parliament present, amongst which was Cobden Bright, Lord Coderich (and George Hadfield for Sheffield).
February 16th.
Sheffield Canal burst, much damage done to the Sheaf Works.
March 28th.
England and France, declared war with Russia, for the evacuation of the Ottoman Empire.
April 5th.
Brightside Church consecrated by his Grace the Lord Archbishop of York.
April 17th.
Materials of the Sheffield Old Vicarage sold by auction.
April 18th.
First stone laid of the Wicker Congregational Church, by Francis Hoole Esq. Mayor of Sheffield.
April 26th.
Day of Humiliation and Prayer, on account of the armies engaged in the Eastern War.
April 30th.
James Montgomery Esq. the poet, died.
May 11th.
James Montgomery Esq. interred in the Sheffield General Cemetery, the largest public funeral ever yet known in Sheffield.
June 27th.
The King of Portugal, visited Sheffield.
June 29th.
First stone laid of the Hollis Croft district church by William Frederick Dixon Esq. Page Hall.
July 20th.
William Leonard Gill Bagshaw Esq. of the Oaks Norton and Wormhill Hall Derbyshire, killed by poachers, who were spearing for fish in the River Wye.
August 26th.
Ebenezer Elliott's monument fixed in the Market Place Sheffield.
September 23rd.
A portion of the Castle Grinding wheel fell down.
November 9th.
William Fisher Jun. Esq. elected 12th Mayor of Sheffield.
1855
April 10th.
Sheffield Parish Church, St. Paul's, St. James, & St. George, church yards closed for interment.
July 5th.
George Lewis private in the 7th Hussars stabbed and killed by Thomas Jackson, a grinder, on the Langset Road.
July 9th.
Verdict of "Wilful Murder" returned against Jackson by the coroners jury.
July 14th.
T. Jackson tried at York for the murder of G. Lewis verdict "manslaughter". Transported for life.
July 21st.
Riot between the police & Irish in Westbar Green.
July 23rd.
William Beardshaw a watchman died from injuries received in the above riot.
July 30th.
Materials of the Sheffield Old Shambles sold by auction.
August 11th.
Fatal Boiler explosion at the Tower Mills Sheffield, 4 men killed. Such was the force of the explosion, that it carried the boiler through the yard gates, across the road, through the buildings opposite and into the river.
August 18th.
Fatal Boiler explosion at Hartford Steel Works, Wicker, Sheffield. A man & boy killed, one aged 19 the other 12, verdict accidental death.
September 9th.
Sevastopol, south side, evacuated by the Russians, to the allies.
October 1st.
Illumination and rejoicing in Sheffield on the capture of Sevastoppol.
October 22nd.
Deceases of John Stuart Wortley 2nd Lord of Wharncliffe, aged 54.
October 24th.
Corner stone of the new school of art in Sheffield laid by Ferguson Branson Esq. M.D.
November 9th.
William Fawcett Esq. elected 13th Mayor of Sheffield.
1856
January 24th.
James Hill 23 murdered his nephew Alfred Deakin, a child, by cutting its head off, in Green Street Sheffield.
February 18th.
Decease of Henry Charles 13th Duke of Norfolk aged 65 years.
March 13th.
James Hill 23, acquitted at York on the grounds of insanity, to be detained during her Majesty's pleasure.
April 28th.
Declaration of Peace from her Majesty the Queen, France, England, Turkey & Sardinia with Russia.
May 29th.
Peace rejoicings throughout England.
July 29th.
Banquet given by the gentlemen of Sheffield to the officers of the 4th or Royal Irish Dragoon Guards, on their arrival from the Crimean War, held at the Botanical Gardens.
August 6th & 7th.
Yorkshire Agricultural Society held their Annual Show at Rotherham.
August 7th.
Mytham Bridge Derbyshire, destroyed by a great flood (2 arches destroyed).
August 9th.
Great Floods in Sheffield and Rotherham much damage done.
October 16th.
Mr. John Whitaker of Thrybergh robbed of £200 and so beaten that he died on the 18th October.
November 10th.
John William Pye Smith Esq. elected 14th Mayor of Sheffield.
December 2nd.
Opening of the Sheffield Exchange and Newsroom, bottom of the shambles.
December 9th.
Burglary at Manor Oaks, the residence of Mr. William Bradley, brewer, £250 reward offered.
December 4th.
Murder of Mr. Luke White and his wife, at Bolton on Dearne. A large reward offered for the detection of the murderer.
1857
February 19th.
Lund Hill colliery explosion near Barnsley 189 lives lost.
March 18th.
Daniel Dickinson, James Gleadall and Henry Marsden transported for life, at York Assizes, for the burglary at William Bradley's, Manor Oaks.
Daniel Dickinson afterwards pardoned, returned to his old haunts July 6th 1861.
March 27th.
Nomination day at Sheffield for 2 members of parliament. Candidates J.A. Roebuck, Geo. Hadfield & Wm. Overend.
March 28th.
Polling day
Roebuck 3200
Hadfield 2871
Overend 2059
June 1st.
The Sheffield Sunday Union, held their Anniversary for the first time in Norfolk Park.
July 22nd.
The last keystone affixed in the centre arch of Mytham Bridge Derbyshire.
July 28th, 29th & 30th.
The South Yorkshire & N. Derbyshire poultry shoe, held their first exhibition in Norfolk Park Sheffield.
September 25th.
Lord John Russel visited for the purpose of presiding at the Ragged School, annual meeting.
October 21st.
Foundation stone laid of the Sheffield Crimean Monument by his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge K.G.
November 9th.
Robert Jackson Esq. elected 15th Mayor of Sheffield
1858
January 25th.
Marriage of the Princess Royal of England with Frederick William Prince of Prussia.
February 5th.
Explosion of fireworks in Scotland Street Sheffield, 3 lives lost (2 women & G.F. Bywater the firework maker).
March 15th.
A total eclipse of the Sun, visible at Mid-day (Sheffield).
April 11th.
Suicide of Edward Hobson, cutlery dealer Snig Hill.
September 2nd.
Robert Jackson Esq. Mayor & Master Cutler.
September 13th.
Great excitement at the Surrey Music Hall, by a false alarm of fire, and the firing of a pistol. 5 persons killed.
September and October.
A large Comet, passing and was very visible.
November 9th.
Charles Atkinson Esq. elected 16th Mayor of Sheffield.
1859
January 1st.
Mr. John Jackson becomes Chief Constable, vice Thomas Raynor resigned.
January 27th.
William Wilson stabbed & killed by Geo. Plant opposite the Post Office.
February 1st.
Decease of George Allen the Park poet aged 57 years.
February 21st.
Sir J.M. Ramsden Bart elected for the West riding.
March 11th.
Geo. Plant found guilty of manslaughter of Wm. Wilson, penal servitude for life.
June 8th.
Mr. John Yeomans elected town clerk of Sheffield at the salary of £400 per year. Mr. Bramley resigned.
September 15th.
Foundation stone laid for the public drinking fountain at the old Church gates Sheffield, erected by Mr. Levy High Street.
October 13th.
Lord Brougham visited Sheffield for the purpose of presiding at the ragged school annual meeting.
October 19th.
Inauguration of the first public drinking fountain opened to the public, erected by the town trustees of Sheffield at the Town Hall corner.
November 9th.
Henry Elliott Hoole Esq. elected 17th Mayor of Sheffield.
November 13th.
Opening of St. Mark's iron Church, Glossop Road.
December 1st.
Dinner given by gentlemen of Sheffield to the soldiers of the 84th regiment for their gallant conduct in the Indian mutiny.
December 3rd.
Drinking Fountain at the Old Church gates opened to the public.
1860
February 3rd.
Thomas Barton found drowned in one of the Endcliffe dams, his father was drowned in the Sheffield canal September 27th 1845.
November 9th.
Henry Vickers Esq. elected 18th Mayor of Sheffield.
November 17th.
Decease of Thomas Raynor late Chief Constable of Sheffield aged 73 years.
November 25th.
Decease of Henry Granville Fitzalan Howard 14th Duke of Norfolk aged 45 years. Creations; Earl of Surrey and Duke of Norfolk 28th June 1483. Earl Marshal and Hereditary Earl Marshal of England 19th October 1672, Earl of Arundel by inheritance and tenure of the Castle of Arundel, and by act of parliament. 3rd Charles the Baronies of Fitzalan, Clun and Oswaldtre, and Maltravers were inseparably unite to that earldom.
1861
January 4th.
Public meeting, formation of an Artillery Volunteer Corps.
February 25th.
Tunnel under Spital Hill, Sheffield fell in. Six men killed, caused by Hunt & Co., carriers excavating for erecting stables.
March 13th.
Decease of Michael Ellison, agent to Duke of Norfolk, aged 73.
March 16th.
Decease of H.R.H. the Duchess of Kent aged 74.
June 22nd.
Great Fire in Tooley Street, London.
June 23rd.
Death of Lord Chancellor Campbell, aged 82.
July 1st.
Town Guns belonging to the Town Trustees entrusted to the Artillery Volunteers.
July 29th.
Inauguration of the Montgomery Monument at the Cemetery, cost of erection £1194, amount raised by Sunday School teachers £764.
August 21st.
First Corporation dinner attended by Roebuck & Hadfield.
October 1st.
The Sheffield & Rotherham Independent first published as a daily paper.
October 16, 17, 18, 19.
Visit of the Prince of Wales to the Duke of Newcastle at Clumber, on the 18th he laid the first stone of the new Church at Shireoaks.
October 28th.
Decease of Mr. Benj. Blonk Silcock of Whiteley Wood Hall.
October 29th.
Decease of Mr. George Ridge of king Street, 64.
Decease of Mr. John Wreaks, aged 89, late of the Sheffield Fire Office.
November 9th.
John Brown Esq. elected 19th Mayor of Sheffield.
November 11th.
Dividend of 1s 1 1/2d in the estate of Parker Shore & Co., bankers, making a total of 13s-1 1/2d in the pound.
November 14th.
First sitting of the County Court as a Court of Bankruptcy.
November 15th.
Death of Hugh Parker Esq. in his 90th year.
November 15th.
Court of Common Pleas decides that the inmates of the Shrewsbury Hospital, have no freehold in their cottages and therefore no vote for the county.
November 23rd.
A can of combustibles thrown into the house of George Wastnidge, fender grinder Acorn Street, Mrs. Wastnidge & Mrs. O'Rouke a lodger, seriously injured, Mrs. O'Rouke died December 2nd.
November 29th.
Decease of William Fisher Esq. Woodside, Pitsmoor, aged 81.
December 7th.
Thomas Townsend of Attercliffe, shot his stepdaughter Eliza Fisher, and then shot himself. Verdict felo de se.- Fisher lingered till the 17th and then died. Verdict Wilful murder against Townsend.
December 12th.
Alfred Hinchliffe of Treeton found dead in Shirland Lane Attercliffe, robbed and possibly murdered, - open verdict.
December 14th.
Death of H.R.H. Prince Albert aged 42.
December 15th.
Departure from Sheffield of the 16th. Regiment for Canada.
December 19th.
Joseph Thompson committed for trial, for the wilful murder of Bridget O'Rouke, by the explosion in Acorn Street Nov. 23rd.
December 21st.
Death of Benjamin Schofield, auctioneer, aged 72.
December 27th.
Death of Robert Leader Senior, formerly proprietor of the Sheffield & Rotherham Independent, aged 82.
1862
January 8th.
Interment of Miss Withers of Clarkehouse Road, who left £10,000, the interest of which is to be annually divided in pensions of £10 each, among widows and single women in reduced circumstances, members of the Church of England.
Decease of George Ronksley Esq. aged 66.
March 18th.
Joseph Thompson acquitted at York for the murder of Bridget O'Rouke in Acorn Street, Sheffield, by throwing a can of gunpowder through the chamber window.
May 1st.
Opening of the International Exhibition London.
June 3rd.
Riot at the Wardsend Cemetery or St. Philips Burial Ground, and destruction of the Sextons house at Owlerton by fire (Tuesday night).
June 9th.
Apprehension of Isaac Howard, sexton of St. Phillips', for exhuming dead bodies.
June 10th.
Brought before the Magistrates, and remanded in custody.
June 23rd.
Committal of the Rev. John Livesey for making a false entry in the registry book of St. Philip's of the death of Joseph Greatorex and giving a false certificate of such entry, Bailed £500 himself, two sureties £250 each.
June 25th.
Committal of Isaac Howard, bailed out himself £200, two sureties £100 each.
July 24th.
Rev. J. Livesey tried and convicted at York, sentence; "That you be imprisoned in the gaol of this county for 3 weeks; and as that will date from the commencement of the assizes, it will in fact be a sentence of one weeks further imprisonment, this case being a felony".
July 25th.
Isaac Howard tried and convicted at York. Sentence 3 months imprisonment. This case being a misdemeanour.
July 26th.
Death of T. Badger Esq. Coroner aged 69, having held this office 33 years.
July 28th.
Opening of the New Victoria Hotel, Sheffield, Mr. George Meyer, proprietor.
August 8th.
Banquet given by John Brown Esq. Mayor of Sheffield, Viscount Palmerston, Prime Minister attended.
August 18th.
Election of Coroner. John Webster 1885
W.T. Cavell 523.
September 23rd.
Suicide of B. Cohen (Jew) High Street, by cutting his belly open.
November 1st.
Close of the International Exhibition London.
November 9th. (Sunday)
Prince of Wales attained his majority.
November 10th.
John Brown Esq. re-elected Mayor of Sheffield. (20th).
Military demonstration of Volunteers of Sheffield and the regulars stationed at the barracks, was held at Wardsend in honour of the Prince of Wales' majority.
December 3rd.
Boiler explosion at Beatson's Midland Iron works Masbro', fourteen lives lost.
December 8th.
Great explosion at Edmund's Main Colliery 59 lives lost.
December 17th.
Second explosion at Edmund's Main, resolved to fill the pit with water.
December 18th.
Thomas Jessop Esq. elected Town Trustee, in room of Wm. Fisher deceased.
New Clubhouse Norfolk St. opened.
Union Banking Co. remove their business to their new premises Bank St.
1863
January 5th.
Sudden death of Mr. Isaac Schofield, aged 67, formerly an Alderman of the Borough.
February 19th.
Parliament voted £40,000 a year for the Prince of Wales and £10,000 for the Princess of Wales, which with the revenues of the Duchy of Cornwall would make £110,000 a year.
March 7th.
Arrival of the Princess Alexandra of Denmark in England.
March 10th.
Marriage of the H.R.H. Prince of Wales and the Princess Alexandra of Denmark, solemnised at Windsor, great rejoicings throughout the country.
April 9th.
The Lords of the Admiralty visited Atlas Works to witness the rolling of armour plates, the Parish Church spire illuminated by the Mayor John Brown Esq.
May 4th.
An immense meeting in Paradise Square, petitions against Mr. Somes' Sunday Closing Bill.
May 30th.
Opening of the Buxton Branch of the Midland Railway (Rowsley to Buxton).
June 18th.
A portion of the Exchange Brewery destroyed by fire, damage from £400 to £500.
July 2nd.
Death of Benjamin Skidmore aged 74.
July 23rd.
Attercliffe Steam Corn Mill belonging to Stephenson & Dodd, destroyed by fire - a Mill on this site was burnt October 13th 1805.
September 3rd.
Cutlers Feast, Master Cutler T. Jessop Esq.
November 9th.
Thomas Jessop Esq. elected 21st Mayor of Sheffield.
November 11th.
Thomas Ellison Esq. Judge of the County Court of Sheffield & Rotherham, sat for the first time M. Walker resigned.
T. Asline Ward Esq. resigned the office of Town Trustee, elected in 1817.
November 22nd.
Death of Robert Hales, the Norfolk Giant aged 43, Height 7ft 6in Weight 452lb lately landlord of the Burgoyne Arms Langsett Road.
December 2nd.
Joseph Shaw apprehended at Penistone for stealing £180 from the Bulls Head Inn Castleton.
December 12th.
George Victor Townley found guilty and sentenced to death for the murder of Miss Goodwin, of Wigwell Grange, sentence afterwards commuted on the ground of insanity - afterwards found sane to have penal servitude for life.
1864
January 8th.
Decease of James Hinchliffe "Jemmy Queer" aged 86, Drummer in the Loyal Independent Volunteers 1794.
February 22nd.
Atlas Works transferred to a limited liability company "John Brown & CO LTD" Capital £1,000,000.
March 9th.
Letter from the Chairman of the Water Co. read to the Sheffield Town Council "hoping to be able to give a regular supply of twelve hours per day during the summer".
March 11th & 12th.
The Great Flood caused by the bursting of the Dale Dyke Reservoir of the Water Co. at Bradfield, the embankment gave way at 25 minutes to 12 midnight of the 11th. 240 persons were drowned, very great destruction of Cattle and property of every description.
April 3rd.
Landing of Garibaldi at Southampton, on a visit to England. On the 11th he enters London where he has a magnificent reception.
April 11th.
A wife hunter from Glossop hoaxed in Sheffield.
April 9th.
John Cooper murdered near Roche Abbey.
April 9th.
Sheffield fire office sold to the Alliance Life & Fire Insurance Co. of London.
April 21st.
House of Commons Committee rejects the preamble of the Staffordshire Company's bill, but passes the bill of the Midland Company.
April 28th.
Garibaldi sails from England.
June 10th.
Elizabeth Myers of Hoyle Street Sheffield murdered by her husband Joseph Myers. James Sargisson & Joseph Myers were the first men hung at Leeds.
July 8th.
The Midland Railway (Sheffield to Chesterfield) passed, Royal Assent given July 25/64.
July 9th.
Mr. T. Briggs of Hackney, murdered on the North London Railway, between Bow and Hackney Wick, Franz Muller a german executed at Newgate November 14th, confessed his guilt on the scaffold.
July 17th.
The Old Park Wood on fire for several days.
July 29th.
Royal Assent given to the Water Company's new bill - a clause in it advancing the price of water 25 per cent.
July 25th.
Assizes first held in Manchester.
August 1st.
Opening of the new line of the South Yorkshire Railway into Sheffield via Tinsley & Attercliffe, the line first worked by the M.S. & L. Co.
August 13th.
Death of Mr. J.W. Pye Smith aged 55, he was Mayor of Sheffield 1856-7.
August 29th.
Water supplied to the town on alternate days, on account of the drought - very dry summer - the price of milk raised.
August 30th.
Mr. W. Waterfall appointed managing Director of the Water Co. at a salary of £1,000 per annum.
September 1st.
Cutler's Feast, Master Cutler C. Atkinson Esq.
September 7th.
Mr. S.F. Holmes appointed Borough Surveyor.
September 8th.
Sheffield Highway Board hands over its affairs to the Highway committee of the Town Council.
September 17th.
Suspension of the Leeds Banking Company and failure of several houses in connection with the bank.
September 26th.
Explosion of fireworks at Mr. Copley's Moorhead.
September 28th.
Death of Wm. Smith Esq. Damhouse, late chairman of the Water Co. and a director of the Midland Railway Co. - aged 68.
November 3rd.
Death of Wm. Fawcett Esq. J.P. aged 57, (Mayor 1855-6).
November 9th.
Thomas Jessop Esq. reelected Mayor of Sheffield, 22nd.
December 9th.
Sudden death of Vincent Corbett Esq. J.P. Huthwaite Hall, aged 60.
December 20th.
The Mechanics Hall purchased by the corporation for £4,600.
Slipped between the pages of the diary is a little piece of buff-coloured paper apparently cut from some publication of the time. It reads as follows:
GREAT EXHIBITION!!
SEPTEMBER---Special Trains will continue to run via Midland Railway at the following times and Prices, from Bridgehouses from the 1st to the 14th, September, and from the New Victoria Station, Cattle Market, on and after the 15th; Morning 11.30 and Evening at 9.40. Fares There and Back, First Class 15s.; Second Class 10s.; Third Class, Covered Carriages, 5s.
OPENING OF NEW STATION---On and after the 15th of September, all the Passenger Trains will depart from, and arrive at the New Station, Sheffield, and this Station will be called the VICTORIA STATION.
Rodgers's Railway Guide Office 13, Fruit Market,
Sheffield, August 30th 1851.
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