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When we are working in archives, particularly
newspaper archives, it is easy to be distracted by
documents, records and stories that are not strictly
relevant to our current research topic, but are just
too fascinating to ignore. These snippets often shed
light on aspects of life that seldom make an appearance
in general history books. We have decided to devote a page of our
website to the best ones that we have found, like an
historical blog. We will add new ones as we come across
them.
| Wife Sale | | 'A fellow sold his wife, as a cow, in Sheffield market-place a few days ago. The lady was put into the hands of a butcher, who held her by a halter fastened around her waist. 'What do you ask for your cow?' said a bystander. 'A guinea,' replied the husband. 'Done!' cried the other, and immediately led away his bargain. We understand the purchaser and his 'cow' live very happily together.' The sale of wives in markets was periodically reported in newspapers, and was usually regarded as offensive but legal. There were many reasons for such sales, economic and domestic, but most of all they illustrate the attitudes towards women of the labouring classes and the impossibility of legal divorce. This report is from the Doncaster Gazette 25 March 1803.
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| Beer Accident | | 'A few days ago a vat, belonging to Mr. Searanke, brewer, at Hatfield, containing 500 barrels of what is called sixpenny beer, burst, and caused the greatest confusion; washed away the hog-styes, and did other damage. All the people of the town ran to the spot with pails, saucepans, and jugs; some used their hats, and the women their bonnets. Many were up to their middle in beer. About 100 barrels were saved.' The brewery was at the Chequer's Inn at the bottom of Fore Street in Hatfield and was owned by Francis Searancke. This accident was reported in the Bell's Weekly Messenger of 2 June 1805.
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| Freak Weather | | 'The hail-stones which fell, during the storm, at Brentford, on Monday last, exceeded three inches in circumference. Many of the cellars and kitchens of that town were filled with water. The damage done at the Botanic Garden at Kew is computed upwards of 100£, On Monday, an aerolite, or thunder-stone, fell in Dempster-street, Glasgow, immediately preceeding a peal of thunder; it struck on the street, and rebounded through a window. When taken up, it was so hot that it could not be held in the hand, and was covered with a flaming matter, of a sulphurous smell; it weighs a pound, and is of a grey colour.' This report was from the Flindell's Western Luminary of 6 July 1813. This newspaper was produced in the West Country, yet they have taken the trouble to report on freak weather in London and Glasgow. Weather conditions affected people much more in the Georgian period than today, and they were very aware of the natural world around them.
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| Ice floes | | 'The London Mail of Friday se'night [seven nights ago] did not arrive at Swansea, where it was due early in the morning, till eleven o'clock that night - having been detained seventeen hours at the New Passage, in consequence of such large shoals of ice floating down the Severn as to render it unsafe for the Mail boat to cross till Friday morning.' This report is from the Bell's Weekly Messenger of 6 January 1805. The weather was colder 200 years ago, and several severe winters followed, even leading to the freezing of the River Thames.
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| Superior Candles | | 'ECONOMY in CANDLES. TALLOW CANDLES with WAXED WICKS. IN consequence of the wicks being coated with wax, these candles have the following advantages: First, they are seldom, if ever, subject to what is called a thief in the candle: Secondly, they will not gutter, except from bad snuffing or carrying about; and thirdly, they burn longer and give a brighter light than the usual mould candles. Sold only at the candle and soap company's warehouse, No. 12, Fleet-street, London, two doors from Fetter-lane. Where also may be had, other candles and soap of the best quality. A discount is allowed for ready money, in proportion to the quantity purchased at one time; and country orders cannot be executed unless accompanied with a remittance, or an order to receive payment in town.' A different world, where all light came from candles. This advertisement appeared in the Western Flying Post on 11 July, 1808
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| Discreet Service | | 'PREGNANT LADIES, whose situation requires a temporary retirement, may be accommodated with an Apartment, in an airy situation, to Lye-in, agreeably to their circumstances, their infants put out to nurse, and taken care of. Tenderness, honour, and secrecy, have been the basis of this concern for many years. - Those regardless of reputation will not be treated with. Apply to SYMONS, late Dr. WHITE, No. 4, London-House-yard, St. Paul's Church-yard; where may be had, The Restorative Female Pill, at 1l. 2s. per box.- Letters post-paid attended to.' This was an advertisement on the front page of the Western Flying Post, 7 November 1803, offering a pre-abortion service for those who could afford it
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| Strange Human Beings | | 'Just arrived from Abroad, and to be seen at Mr. BECKET's, Trunk-Maker, No. 31 Hay-Market, THREE WONDERFUL PHOENOMENAS, Wild Born, of the Human Species. These are two Females and a Male, of a very small stature and odd Form, having each of them a monstrous Craw under their Throat, containing within some Four, some Five Balls or Glands, little more or less big than an Egg, which most astonish by play, upwards and downwards, and always in their Craw, according as stimulated and incited by the motion of their mouth, whether for eating, speaking, or laughing. These three most wonderful, wild born Human Beings, whose country language and native customs are unknown to all, were picked up with another, since dead, off a wrecked Spanish Vessel, near Trieste, in Italy.' These three people were being exhibited around Europe, and the admittance fee for adults was two shillings, quite a large amount of money. This advert appeared in the Daily Universal Register for 9 January 1787
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| Latest Fashions | | 'Petticoats have arisen considerably since the setting in of the warm weather, at least two inches above the buckle, except where the gummy ankle forbids exhibition to the public eye. In the same proportion stays have fallen, thick ruffled handkerchiefs have been removed, and tuckers of lace netting to catch unwary hearts have been substituted. The hair begins to reassume its natural colours, and sports upon the bosom in wanton ringlets - the falling snake has expelled the stiff side curl, and plays upon the breast and shoulders with enticing and luxuriant elasticity. Thin muslins, gauze, cambricks, &c. with coloured linings of silk will prevail - bugle ornaments are already laid aside, but artifical flowers are used in profusion. The furr'd cloak, the muff, and other appendages of winter dress are laid aside for the more gay and sprightly attire of jocund Spring. The warm weather has once more introduced the morning hoop, a cool and pleasant dress - Yet why should the ladies of the present day require more cooling than their grandmothers? The buckle in the first sentence refers to the shoe buckle. This report on the latest fashions was in The Times for 15 April 1785.
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| Nelson the Turtle | | 'One old female called "Nelson," because one of her flippers had been carried off by a shark, was kept, out of respect, for two or three years in the ponds. She contrived, however, one night to crawl round the enclosure and make her escape; but she was turned next year in Clarence Bay. Another turtle was also turned there a short time since, on the back of which was carved the name of a mate of a British vessel, who had bought it and sailed with it three weeks before; it is probable that, imagining it to be dead, he had thrown it overboard.' This quote is from a book by Peter Lund Simmonds called The Curiosities of Food, published in 1859. He is talking about the catching of turtles at Ascension Island.
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| Friendly Fire | | A shocking accident happened on Friday last – The Rosamond was firing a signal gun, and by mistake had a shot in it, and a Dockyard boat being near it unfortunately killed a man in it by the name of William Antrum. The gun should not have been loaded with shot, so somebody made quite an error. This snippet was found by Peter Lockyer (many thanks!) in the Hampshire Chronicle for 16 May 1814
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| More Friendly Fire | | We have had a wreck here [in Rottingdean], in consequence of the tremendous weather, attended with all the horrors imaginable. I have seen the bodies of two unfortunate sufferers, all out of six that have yet been found. Three were miraculously saved ... The ship is shattered into ten thousand pieces; and men, women, and children are employed in collecting the scattered fragments. The scene of Wednesday is far beyond description; universal intoxication pervaded the village; and although the wind blew a hurricane, and the rain fell in torrents, men and boys were seen stretched upon the ground in drunken insensibility. The 10th dragoons, who paraded the village to prevent depradations, themselves fell victim to the fascinating powers of the port wine, and were seen tumbling from their horses in every direction. The Officers lost all command over their men, who, turning their arms against each other, had commenced an affray, when fresh troops arriving at the critical moment, drove these infatuated fellows back to their quarters. This report of troops firing on each other when drunk was in The Times of 3rd October 1811.
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| Bad Weather | | The tremendous gale of Thursday has been productive of considerable damage at Deal and Margate, where the sea broke with such violence as to threaten their destruction. A distressing spectacle appeared at day-light on Friday morning - all the ships in the Downs had parted from their cables, and were drifting about, some with their loss of their topmasts and bowsprits, and some standing out of the Downs, without either anchor or cable. On land, however, the damage has been very great: the foundations of many houses have been undermined by the sea. During the storm, a breach of some extent was made by the sea, between Sandown Castle and the battery No. 1, which formed a torrent of water into the lower streets of Deal, and filled with it all the cellars; Property to a considerable amount has been destroyed; and at a row of houses near Alfred-square, the torrent was so deep, that it was found necessary to send down boats to take the inhabitants from the windows of their houses. Several quays in the Beach-street have been totally destroyed, and the timber washed out to sea. It was reported, at the departure of the post, that a brig had foundered in the Downs, and all on board perished. It was afterwards ascertained that a brig had drifted on board a ship, which occasioned the former to founder, and the latter to drive to sea, with only her main-mast standing. Numerous storehouses, with their contents, have been swept away. At Margate, all the bathing-rooms have been washed away, except Wood's. The Parade is washed down, as is a great part of the Pier; and a number of vessels were destroyed in the harbour. The damage at this place is estimated at upwards of 24,000l. The tide, which rose to a remarkable height, made a breach through the Pier Head, and carried away the parapet-wall from the Pier to trhe Marine Parade. There is a tendency for all bad weather nowadays to be blamed on global warming, but bad weather was frequently reported two centuries ago, as here on 23 January 1808 in The Royal Cornwall Gazette.
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| Dangerous Work | | IDEFORD.-John Fuller, in the employ of Mr. T. Stranger, of Hestow Barton, was driving horses attached to a thrashing machine on Monday, when he fell in front of the two connecting wheels, which stopped the machine. His body was dreadfully crushed, and death must have been instantaneous. He was seventy years of age. This terrible farming accident, reported in Trewman's Exeter Flying Post for 1 February 1865, took place at Ideford near Newton Abbot, and highlights the dangerous working conditions for many people at that time.
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| Charcoal Remedy | | TEETH AND GUNS. PREPARED CHARCOAL, for the TEETH and GUMS, sold, with printed Observations upon the Chemical and Antiseptic Properties of Charcoal, by Lardner and Co. Chemists to the Duke and Duchess of York, No. 56 Piccadilly, London; And by their Appointment by Mrs. Rackstrow, Oxford; Mr. Snare, Reading; Mr. Viner, Bath; and Mr. Blakeney, Windsor. - Price 2s per Box. It is all too easy when doing research to get distracted by adverts of the time for strange cures and remedies, as here for teeth, advertised in Jackson's Oxford Journal 11 January 1806
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| Child Labour | | The Amazon, of 32 guns, Captain Parker, which sailed for Corunna a few days since, has carried out for the use of the Spanish patriots, 10,000 stand of arms, and a proportionate quantity of musquet ball cartridges, fit for their calibre, which were manufactured in the laboratory of the gun-wharf at this port [Plymouth], where 400 children are daily employed in forming and fitting ball cartridges for musquetry. The Amazon warship was taking out arms to Spanish guerillas fighting against the French, but the involvement of child labour is easy to overlook. This item was published in The Western Flying Post or Sherborne and Yeovil Mercury and General Advertiser on 8 January 1810.
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| Vintage Wine | | June 21. The anniversary of the memorable battle of Vittoria witnessed the launch of the Trafalgar, of 120 guns, at Woolwich, in the presence of her majesty and Prince Albert. The ceremony of the christening was performed by Lady bridport, a niece of the immortal Nelson, with a bottle of wine - a relic of the stock which Lord Nelson had on board "The Victory" at the battle of Trafalgar, and which was presented for that express purpose by the Countess Nelson. Crowded upon the poop were veteran survivors of the battle of Trafalgar, commanded by Lieutenant Rivers, who lost a limb in the memorable action. This launching of the Trafalgar battleship has many nostalgic elements, not least the bottle of wine which had been kept since 1805! This event was reported in The Gentleman's Magazine for 1841.
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| Daylight Robbery | | Monday morning, as a young woman was crossing the fields leading from Stepney to Whitechapel church, she was accosted by two women, who began telling a lamentable tale of distress, observing, that their husbands were on board the fleet in the Mediterranean, and that being out of all employment, and their children reduced even to want a morsel of bread, therefore assured her the smallest relief would be thankfully received. The lady, thinking the story to be real, pulled out her purse containing two 7s. pieces and half-a-crown, when the sturdy beggars snatched it from her hands, and immediately made off towards Ratcliff-highway and got clear out of sight before any one came up. This theft near the notorious Ratcliff Highway in London was reported in The Star for 6 January 1802.
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| Crossroads Suicide | | A private belonging to the Royal Marines destroyed himself on Tuesday, while on guard in the barracks at Chatham. The unfortunate man loaded his musket with buttons which he cut off his coat, placed the muzzle of the piece in his mouth, and by means of a string fastened to the trigger, contrived to discharge it. The contents passed through his head, and he expired immediately. A Coroner's Inquest returned a verdict of felo de se on Thursday, and the body has in consequence been buried in a cross-road. Burial at a crossroads was commonplace for suicides. This account appeared in The Alfred, and Westminster Evening Gazette for 25 June 1810.
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| English v. Spanish | | Saturday evening last a desperate affray took place at North-corner, between a party of English and a number of Spanish seamen. The Dons, it seems, had escorted several ladies to their boat, with an intention of taking them on board the Efigenia frigate. The British Jacks, however, conceiving this as an innovation on their rights and privileges, laid an embargo on the fair cargo; this so exasperated the Spaniards, that a battle-royal immediately took place, which terminated in favour of our seamen, who carried off the ladies in triumph. No lives were lost, but several were severely cut by the knives of the Spaniards. This clash between the Spanish and English seamen was originally reported in the Plymouth Telegraph and repeated in The Alfred and Westminster Evening Gazette for 2 May 1810.
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| Duel over Dogs | | A fatal duel took place on Wednesday morning. Colonel Montgomery mounted his celebrated grey mare, and set off to take his ride, accompanied by a Newfoundland dog, named . After visiting the different streets of fashionable resort, the Colonel took a turn in Hyde Park, where unfortunately his dog quarrelled and fought a dog belonging to Capt. Macnamara, of the Royal Navy, an Officer as amiable in private life, as distinguished in the service of his country. The Colonel alighted, and, it may be presumed from a wish to correct his own dog, made a stroke with his whip at him, but happened to hit the other dog. The Captain in a tone of ardour demanded the reason, and a very warm altercation ensued. A place of meeting was instantly appointed, and both parties repaired to Chalk Farm, having previously ordered their servants to follow them, each with a case of pistols, under pretence that they were going to shoot at a mark. It was merely by accident, and not from the etiquette of duelling, that they were accompanied by Sir William Keir, who had himself lost an arm in a duel with Sir Marcus Somerville about seven years ago at Athlone. The dispute took place at five o'clock, and the parties were on the fatal ground before seven. On alighting from the hackney coaches in which they went, they walked six paces from each other in opposite directions, and then turning round fired at exactly the same instant. They both fell, and the Colonel never rose again; the ball entered his right breast, and went through his heart. He was taken into Chalk-farm house. Captain Macnamara received a ball in the lower part of the Abdomen, but in an oblique direction, so as not to affect any vital part. He rose from the ground, and regained his coach. Mr. Heaviside's attendance was immediately procured, but his professional skill, however great, could be of no service to colonel Montgomery. The Captain was brought to his lodgings at Blake's Hotel in Jermyn-street, where he now lies dangerously ill. Colonel Montgomery was brother of the Marchioness of Townshend, and of the late Mrs. Beresford. He was a few years ago, well known as the double of the late Duke of Hamilton, from his likeness to that Nobleman. A Coroner's Jury has since been held on the body of Col. Montgomery; their verdict is Manslaughter. This duel appeared in The British Neptune or Naval, Military, and Commercial Intelligencer for 10 April 1803.
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| Bull Baiting | | The battle between Burn and Palmer, the Bristol butcher, took place yesterday at Coombe Wood, near Kingston, in the presence of hundreds of spectators ... The next treat was a Bull-Bait, and all the fanciers in London exhibited their best buffers to torment the bull, for a silver collar. Eleven dogs were in the run, and the owner of that which lasted longest in the runs was the winner of the prize. Caleb Baldwin had a fancy bitch, the favourite, but after one dog had been killed she got her left leg broke, and was drawn. The bull was placid, and Mr. Giles, of Billingsgate, had the enviable distinction of winning the prize. Gibbons officiated as master of the ceremonies, and first got the bull into play by turning to a fine bred dog. This issue of the Morning Chronicle for Friday 22 July 1814 carried what was, for the time, a 'sports report' under the heading of 'BOXING'. The match was between the boxers Burn and Palmer, but the report continued with this description of the bull baiting that followed the boxing – illegal today.
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| Gas Attack | | Friday se'nnight [seven nights ago] a well digger, employed in deepening an old well at the house of Thomas Knox, Esq., Tunbridge, finding it impregnated with noxious gas, threw in a quantity of ignited straw in order to correct it, and before the smoke could possibly evaporate, he imprudently descended. The consequence was immediate suffocation, and he must inevitably have perished but for the presence of mind and courageous energy of the coachman, who, with a promptitude which cannot be too highly applauded, instantaneously went down to his relief, and by a wonderful effort of strength, succeeded in tying him to the bucket. The other servants of the family now coming to their assistance, they were both drawn up, but when at the top, the coachman fell senseless also, from the powerful effect of the smoke; both men were, however, providentially restored to life. The well digger was much needed in days when piped water obtained from taps was a rarity. This story was in the Morning Chronicle of 11 July 1814.
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| Balloon Sensation | Mr Sadler and his son made an ascension with their balloon from Burlington House [in Piccadilly, London] yesterday about half past three o'clock. There was very little wind, almost due west, so that the immense globe floated over the Metropolis in the full view of the people, for near twenty minutes, and it would have been much longer visible, but that the atmosphere was overcast. We were sorry to see a very thin attendance of company in the courtyard of Burlington House, though the ticket was only half a guinea each, so that the receipts could not defray the expense of filling the machine. Though few paid their money, the concourse of people in the streets was immense; and this may give the Prince Regent’s Rocketeers an idea of what they may expect. The streets were completely blocked up, so as that neither in carriages nor a foot, could persons with tickets, or who were disposed to pay for access, get near the entrance. The mob however got entrance. There was no restraining them without bloodshed; and this was intended as a spectacle not a massacre. – They not only made their way into Burlington courtyard, but into many of the adjoining houses they broke-in without ceremony. We may learn from this what may happen at a more crowded meeting ... Mr. Sadler said that he could go to any destination that he pleased with his Balloon, as at different heights in the atmosphere he has constantly found different currents of wind; so that he take and keep a favourable gale. It was suggested, that to prove this to the satisfaction of London, he had only to make an excursion into the country for twenty or thirty miles, and return to the place from which he set out. It would be a great discovery indeed if this could be ascertained; but we fear we must still look on aerostation as only a beautiful spectacle.
This story of the balloon is from the Morning Chronicle, 16 July 1814.
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| Adder Attack | On Saturday last a poor woman, the wife of a ropemaker in the dock-yard, Plymouth, and who lodges at a baker’s in King-street, perceived, as she was going through the passage, a glittering substance, through some furze that lay at the door. Stooping down to examine it, she found an adder coiled up, which ignorant of its dangerous nature, she took up with one of her hands. In removing it from one hand to the other, the reptile bit her in the middle finger of the right hand. Some old women advised her to have the creature killed, and its skin fastened round the wound as a charm, which was done accordingly, but with no effect, as by the following Wednesday the venom had communicated itself to the arm, close to the shoulder, which it rendered as black as ink, and enlarged it to more than six times its usual size. A mortification was dreaded by her medical attendants at one time; but the immense swelling has abated, the poor sufferer is rather better, and hopes are entertained that her arm will be saved.
This near-fatal adder attack was reported in the Morning Chronicle 25 August 25 1814.
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| Poisonous Death | A waggoner in the service of Earl Talbot died on Tueday se’nnight, in consequence of sucking three eggs which he had found in the woods at Ingestrie, and which had been prepared with arsenic for the purpose of poisoning vermin.
From Flindell’s Western Luminary 13 June 1813.
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| Unlucky Beddington Corner | An extraordinary circumstance occurred, a few days ago, at Beddington-corner, near Micham, in Surrey. An elderly woman dropped down dead, and fell into a ditch. A Coroner's Inquest was held, and a verdict given - Died by the visitation of God. She was buried at Beddington Church; and one of the men who assisted in carrying the body to the ground, on his return home from the funeral, found himself ill, and dropped down dead, at the same spot where the woman died.
This was reported in The Times 3 January 1810. We ourselves excavated a prehistoric and Roman villa site near this spot a few years ago.
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| Rough Justice | A number of females at Merthyr Tydvil in Wales, a few days since, performed the ceremony of tarring and feathering a young man, for deluding a girl whom he pretended to be going to marry. They carried him round the town in that state, and pitched him down at the church door.
From Bell’s Weekly Messenger 15 September 1805.
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| Ugly Club | The anniversary of the Ugly Club will be at William’s Tavern, Liverpool, on Wednesday the 18th inst. — Dinner on the table at half past three. — N.B. Any ugly gentleman wishing to become a Member, will leave his name and qualification at the bar of the tavern. A ballot will be called in favour of two candidates, one with a very large nose, the other with no nose at all.
From Bell’s Weekly Messenger 3 March 1805
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