Note Book of P.C. 23 Charles Whitehead

Introduction to the Note Books of Charles Whitehead

The collection consists of two notebooks and five loose pages. The writing is in ink with quite a neat hand.  There is minimal punctuation in the original books and the spelling and grammar is not always correct.
The books contains not only notes on his daily work, arrests etc., but also snippets of Blackburn’s history and other general information, there are also some old traditional remedies for such things as “Eradicating Cockroaches”, getting rid of “Scurf in the Head” and how to make “Indelible Marking Ink”.

Below P.C. Charles Whitehead; the
child is e
ither Walter or Herbert Whitehead
Whitehead W H Police Sergeant.jpgCharles Whitehead was born in 1830 at Walton, Yorkshire, and he was baptised on the 4th April of that year. His parents were Thomas and Hannah Whitehead. Thomas, his father, was a Blacksmith by trade.  There were 6 other boys and 2 girls in the family, (1841 Census). On the census of 1851, Charles is aged 20 and a farm servant at Eccup, a hamlet just north of Leeds, with a farmer called John Wright. His Testimonials show that he left there about 1853 and worked, again as a farm servant, for Samuel Middleham on a farm near Leeds. By the time of the 1861 census he is lodging with Edmond and Ellen Hacking, at Mellor, and is Police Constable at Blackburn.
Charles married Mary Houseman in the September quarter of 1862 in Yorkshire.
The couple had two children, both born in Blackburn, Walter, born 1863 and Herbert, born 1866. Walter died, aged 8, on the 6th June 1872. The 1881 census record for the family is very strange! It shows Charles, Mary and Herbert living at 26 Gibraltar Street. Their ages are correct but the records indicate both Charles and Mary were born in Ireland, and Charles’ profession is listed as a retired farmer! Why did he lie to the enumerator? Providing false information was an offence and if he had been found out it could have resulted in a hefty fine.
The couple are on their own by 1891, still living on Gibraltar Street but at Number 6. Their son, Herbert, had married a few years before. Charles is aged 61 and, he has retired from the police, due to an injury; he is in receipt of a sergeant’s pension.
There is no other information about him. He probably died sometime in 1902.
From his note book we learn that;
“PC23 Charles Whitehead joined the Blackburn Police Force as a Constable on the 29th December 1856. He was promoted to 3rd Class on the 16th November 1857, 2nd Class 2nd May 1859, 1st Class 5th December 1859. He received the first increase, shilling per week for Good Conduct, on the 5th December 1862. Charles was promoted to the rank and pay of Sergeant on the 5th December 1864 and advanced one shilling and six pence per week on the 9th January 1866, 1st increase of 4s per week 2nd December 1867.”
And;
“Charles Whitehead of Walton Yorkshire was appointed Police Constable for the Borough of Blackburn on the 29th December 1856. 3rd Class 16th November 1857 and on the 10th of same month sent to Lane Ends, remained there 5 years. On the 5th December 1862 got 1st Servitude or good conduct money. On the 5th December 1864 he was promoted to Sergeant, Increased 1/6 per week on the 2nd December 1867. 1st increase of 1/- per week Good conduct or service. 2nd December 1870 2nd increase of 1/- per week for conduct or servitude. On the 3rd April 1871 wages increased 1/6 per week.”
Copies of his Testimonials are given below;
1 Walton 4th December 1856
This is to Certify that I have known the Bearer Charles Whitehead from his infancy and have always considered him a Steady Honest Industrious young man, he has been in both mine and my brothers service and has been three years in his last situation.
Joseph Noble, Farmer, Walton, nr Tadcaster, Yorkshire
2 Charles Whitehead
The bearer I have known from his Infancy and he has also lived with me in my house as a servant he is an Honest Truthful Sober and an upright man.
George Noble, Farmer, Sykes House, Thorp Arch, Yorkshire
3 I give to Charles Whitehead a Character for a Steady Honest Industrious and obliging servant for the three years in which he has been in my service.
Samuel Middleham Brandon, near Leeds Yorkshire
4 Brandon, November 27th 1856
This is to Certify that Charles Whitehead is the son of very respectable parents who reside in my parish that he as always Borne an Irreproachable Character that he is a Steady Active Intelligent young man and, in my opinion, well adapted for the Office he is now soliciting.
Thomas Wilson, Incumbent, Walton, nr Tadcaster Yorkshire.
The Watch Committee having promoted P.C. 23 Charles Whitehead to the rank and pay of Sergeant which will take place forthwith but will remain on his Beat until Monday the 12th inst. and will assist P.C. Kitchen who will succeed him on the Beat to know the inhabitants.
Below is Charles Whitehead’s letter of resignation.
Resignation
Gentlemen
I Charles Whitehead
Police Sergeant of the Borough of Police Force – hereby tender my resignation as a police sergeant to the Authorities of this Borough in consequence of Injuries received to terminate forthwith, by consent.
I am Gentlemen your obedient servant Chas Whitehead.
Unfortunately, there is no date given but, on the 15th Feb, 1887, the Blackburn Standard reports that after arresting a prisoner he and another PC were escorting him to the police station. The prisoner tripped up Whitehead, who fell and fractured his left leg perhaps this was the injury that caused him to have to retire.
He accepted and Superannuated pension of 32/- per week for life.

The Diary

1859
P.C. 10 and P.C. 23 reported John Butterworth, Thomas Hindle, William Cattrall and John Ainsworth of Water Lane, Livesey, for assaulting Elizabeth Yates and Betty Eccles. Cattrall and Ainsworth were fined 5 shillings and costs. Butterworth and Hindle were committed to 1 month’s hard labour.

P.C. 23 reported Jane Smith who was charged with stealing 4 pairs of boots, the property of Jane Barnes and was committed to Preston Sessions. She received 4 years penal servitude.

P.C. 23 Whitehead reported Rodger Sharples, John Bolton, and Daniel Talbot for tossing (a game) on Sunday. They were fined 5 shillings. He also reported George Allen a beer seller of Bank Top for having his house open for the sale of beer at 11.45 a.m. Sunday. He was fined 20 shillings and costs.

P.C. 23 reported Levi Shorrock who was charged with stealing a quantity of joiner’s tools, the property of George Thompson, Richard Thompson, Robert Ogden, John Wilkinson and Elis Duckworth on June 17th 1859. He was committed to Preston Sessions and sentenced to be imprisoned for 4 years on the 30th.  John Brinnam was reported for being drunk and disorderly on Sunday and was fined 5 shillings.

P.C. 23 Whitehead reported Lucy Crook, Ellen Beats and Richard Brooks for fighting in Penny Street. They were each fined 5 shillings. John Parkinson, John Longton and Richard Witherington were reported for being drunk and disorderly. They were fined 5 shillings each.
Catherine Mack, a prostitute, was reported and charged with stealing one-half sovereign and one sovereign in gold the property of Benjamin Howarth. She was committed to Preston sessions and sentenced to imprisonment for 3 months. He also reported Martin Haydock and charged him with stealing 20 shillings the property of William Stanby. Martin Haydock was committed to 4 months hard labour.

P.C. 23 reported William Gregson, beer seller, of Penny Street for having his house open for the sale of beer at 9.50 a.m. on Sunday October 23. Gregson was fined 10 shillings and costs. He also reported Andrew Gilroy, Michael Flinn and John Clark for aiding and abetting in the above case. They were fined 5 shillings each.

P.C. 23 reported William Gallagher, John Lenard, Patrick Caffery, Patrick Waters, Robert Christy, Thomas Haron, James Gaven, Martin C Harra, Anthony Cuney, John Walsh, John Derkin, Martin Laven, Michel Maden, John Barret and Thomas Moss for tossing (a game). Walter and Cuney were each fined 10 shillings and the others 5 shillings each.

P.C. 23 Charles Whitehead reported Louie Lanford, beer seller, of Jackson Street for having 6 men in a house and half a gallon of beer in the room, at 9.15 a.m. on Sunday.  P.C. 23 Whitehead reported William Cook who was charged with stealing a waistcoat and a handkerchief belonging to Peter Walmsley, November 19th 1859. He was committed to Preston Sessions where he was kept in prison for 17 days and then sent to the reformatory school for three years.

P.C. 23 reported Henry Knowles (a pub owner) for allowing gaming in his house at 11.30 p.m. from December 21st 1859. He was fined 20 shillings and costs. Thomas Walsh, William Greaves and Henry Killingbeck were also reported for aiding and abetting in the above case. They were fined 5 shillings each.

1860
Thomas King, a weaver of Mellor, was reported for being drunk and disorderly on Sunday January 8th.  He was fined 4 shillings. He reported James Whalley, a farmer from Clayton Le Dale, was drunk and disorderly on 28th March. He was fined 5 shillings and costs.
On Sunday April 29th he reported Phillip Thomas, a moulder, of Hudson Street for being drunk and disorderly on Revidge.  Andrew Dewhurst, a boiler maker, was reported for indecent behaviour in Corporation Park and he was fined 5 shillings and costs.

P.C. 23 Whitehead reported Thomas Moore, a beer seller of Pleckgate, for having his house open at 11.00 a.m. Sunday May 6th. He was fined 5 shillings and costs.

P.C. 23 reported John Morris, a weaver of Pleckgate and Benjamin Morris a weaver of Pleckgate for being drunk and disorderly on Pleckgate Sunday May 20th. They were both fined 5 shillings.
Richard Thompson, a weaver and Ellen Winkley, a prostitute, of Shear Brow were charged for being in the act of prostitution in the Corporation Park on May 25th. They were fined 10 shillings and costs each or 21 days imprisonment.

P.C. 23 reported Thomas Ainsworth, a beer seller, of Revidge, for having his house open and ten men inside at 11.40 a.m. Sunday June 24th. He was fined 10 shillings and costs.
He also reported Adam Cattrall, a beer seller, of Shear Brow, for having his house open at 1a.m. and selling half a gallon of beer to a woman at 1.35 a.m. Sunday July 1st. He was fined 10 shillings and costs.

He reported Mark Hayhirst, John Sharples, Robert Cutter, John Parker and John Pickup who were all drinking on Sunday July 8th. Also, James Anderston, a weaver from Roe Lee and Ralph Fielding, a labourer from Four Lane Ends who were drunk on July 8th Sunday. They were fined 5 shillings each.
Henry Knowles, a beer seller of Shear Bank Fold, was reported for having his house open at 3.45 p.m. on Sunday July 15. He was fined 20 shillings plus costs.

P.C. Charles Whitehead reported Louie Sanford, beer seller, of Jackson Street for having 6 men in his house and half a gallon of beer in the room at the same time at 9.15 a.m. on Sunday September 16th. He was fined 20 shillings and costs.
John Kenyon of Fisher Street was reported for being drunk and assaulting P.C. Whitehead with a fire poker. He was fined 20 shillings and costs or one month in jail.
John Cotton was hawking (selling) butcher’s meat in King Street on Monday September 28th. He was fined 20 shillings and costs.

P.C. 23 reported Thomas Derbisher of Penny Street for having his goods obstructing the foot path, and was fined 5 shillings.
Thomas Dewhurst and John Isherwood were drunk and fighting on Sunday. They were both fined 5 shillings and costs.

P.C. 23 and P.C. 17 reported James Sanford, beer seller, for refusing admittance to the P.C.’s. He was fined 10 shillings and costs. Henry Livesey who was drunk and disorderly was fined 5 shillings and costs.
John Bottomley was drunk and breaking windows and was fined 10s. Thomas Barrel and John Moss were fined 5s and costs for being drunk and fighting. Thomas Huddleston who was drunk on Sunday was fined 5 shillings. Mary Ann Coely was drunk and incapable. She was fined 2 shillings. Walter Willan, who was also drunk, was fined 5 shillings.

P.C. 23 reported William Thornber, beer seller, of Chapel Street for filling a gallon of beer for a woman at 3.15 a.m. on Sunday, he was fined 20 shillings and costs. He reported Henry Walsh for being drunk and disorderly and fined 5 shillings. William Heyes, beer seller from Salford, was reported for having his house open at 12.30 midnight and for allowing one man to sleep with two prostitutes at the same time. William Heyes was fined £5 and costs.

P.C. 23 reported James Croley, James Walker, David Dyer and William Walker for tossing (a game). They were fined 5 shillings each. Thomas Seed and Maria Seed, his wife, were drunk and disorderly and fined 5 shillings each.
Joseph Ruston, beer seller, of Penny Street, was fined 14 shillings and costs for having his house open for the sale of beer at 1.15 a.m. Peter Furness, a beer seller, of Whalley Banks, was fined 20 shillings and costs, for having his house open at
1 a.m. on Sunday.
George Furness, a beer seller of Bank Top was fined 10 shillings and costs for having his house open at 11.20 a.m. on Sunday.

P.C. 23 reported Austin Derham for obtaining money under false pretences. He was sentenced to 6 months hard labour at Preston Sessions. Thomas Cunliffe, a moulder, Patrick Gallagher, a labourer and Richard Rodgerson of Blackburn were drunk and disorderly and they were fined 5 shillings each. 

P.C. 23 reported Riley Cunliffe, a contractor, for not having sufficient light at the site and he was fined 10 shillings and costs. John Waldron, a striker of Moor Street and Richard Whittington, a greengrocer of Blakey Moor and John Carter, a weaver of Anvil Street were drunk and fined 5 shillings each.

James Forrest was drunk and assaulted P.C. 23 and broke his nose. James Forrest was fined 20 shillings and costs. Margaret Scholes was fined 2 shillings for being drunk and incapable. George Howarth, a beer seller, had 2 men and three prostitutes drinking in his house at 1.15 a.m. He also had a man and woman sleeping together at the same time for which James Forrest was fined 40 shillings and costs in each case.

James Marsh, William Mitchel and Michel Kelly were reported for being drunk. They were each fined 4 shillings.
Richard Mare was reported and charged with stealing 20 shillings, the property of Luke Jones. He was committed to Preston Sessions and imprisoned for 12 months. Mary Riley was charged with stealing a shawl, the property of Ester Shaw. Mary Riley was imprisoned for one month at Preston.

P.C. 23 Whitehead reported Jonathan Bottomly, a beer seller, for knowingly consenting to gaming in his house for which he was fined 20 shillings and costs.
Robert Hundlesty, a beer seller, of Penny Street, was reported for knowingly consenting to gaming in his house. He was fined 20 shillings and costs.

P.C. 23 reported Patrick Warters and Thomas Coats for tossing (a game similar to horseshoes) and were fined 4 shillings each. Henry Livesey was reported for being drunk and disorderly, he was fined 5 shillings.  John Waldrian and John Brinisian were reported for being drunk and fighting, they were fined 5 shillings each.                                                                                                                                                    
James Dowd, a beer seller, of Syke Street, was reported for keeping a disorderly house at 6.00 p.m. on Sunday November 6th.  He was fined 10 shillings and costs.

P.C. 23 reported Thomas Derbishire of Penny Street for having his goods obstructing the footpath, he was fined 5s.
Thomas Dewhurst and John Isherwood were charged with being drunk and fighting on Sunday for which they were both fined 5s and costs.

P.C. 23 and P.C. 17 reported James Sanford, a beer seller, for refusing admittance to the P.C.’s. He was fined 10s and costs. Henry Livesey was fined 5s for being drunk and disorderly.

P.C. 23 reported John Bottomley for being drunk and breaking a window, he was fined 10s. Thomas Barrel and John Moss were drunk and fighting, they were both fined 5s and costs. Thomas Huddleston was fined 5s for being drunk on Sunday.  Mary Ann Coeley who was drunk and incapable had 2 shillings to pay. He also reported Walter Willan for being drunk on Sunday and he was fined 5shillings.

P.C. 23 reported William Thornber, a beer seller, Chapel Street for filling a gallon of beer for a woman at 3.15 a.m. on Sunday and he was fined 20s and costs. Henry Walsh who was drunk and disorderly was fined 5s.

1861
P.C. 23 reported Joseph Cook, a labourer of Four Lane Ends for being drunk and disorderly at 11.15 p.m. Sunday Feb1, he was fined 5 shillings.
Henry Ashton a labourer of Tontine Street and George Murray a weaver of Limbrick were reported for tossing (a game) at 11 a.m. Sunday 24th and they were fined 5s each.
Richard Greenwood, a weaver of Four Lane Ends was reported for playing buck (a game) at 3 p.m. Saturday March 23. He was fined 5 shillings and costs.

P.C. 23 reported George Cook, a labourer of Lamack, Richard Ward a labourer of Green Gown, Pleckgate, Richard Walmsley, a weaver and Richard Hayhurst, a shoe maker both from Four Lane Ends, who were all tossing (a game) March 30th. They were each fined 5 shillings.  Richard Thompson, a carter, of Four Lane Ends, was fined 10 shillings for allowing his horse and cart to stand in the road from 7 p.m. till 10 p.m. April 13th.

Jonathan Woodacre, John Woodacre, William Walsh, Thomas Ramsbottom, William Burton, Joseph Hargreaves and James Burton who were all weavers from Shear Brow were reported for tossing (a game) at 8 p.m. They were fined 5s each on May 18. John Miller, a weaver of Pemberton Street was drunk and disorderly at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 19, he was fined 5 shillings.

P.C. 23 Whitehead reported William Walmsley, a weaver from Revidge, for wilfully exposing himself to 4 females in Corporation Park at 10 p.m. Monday June 24th.  He was fined 20 shillings. Richard Thompson, a carter and John Feildin, a labourer, both from Four Lane Ends were drunk and disorderly on Four Lane Ends at 11.15 p.m. Sunday July 21st. They were fined 5 shillings.

James Whalley, a farmer from Clayton Le Dale was reported for being drunk and disorderly on Revidge at 1.45 a.m. Saturday August 24th He was fined 5 shillings and costs.

P.C. 23 reported Cornielious Kennedy, a joiner, of Kirkham Lane and George Wilson, a weaver from Limbrick for tossing (a game) in Altom Street at 2 p.m. Sunday October 13th.  They were fined 5s. He reported Mary, wife of Henry Richmond, a grocer of Four Lane Ends for being drunk and disorderly at 2 a.m. October 11th. She was fined 2s and costs.

P.C. 23 Whitehead reported James Wareing and John Catterall, stonemasons, of Shear Brow, Doctor Ramsbottom, a flagger and slater of Shear Brow, James Ratcliffe, an overlooker from Pemberton Street, John Thompson, a labourer from Pleckgate, William Wignall a cabinet maker of 33 Water Street, and James Sutcliffe 8 Water Street all for tossing (a game) at Roe Lee at 3.15 p.m. Sunday October 1st.  They were all fined 5 shillings each.

P.S. 23 Reported John Earnshaw, Levi Sharples, Thomas Feildin, Calab Sharples, and David Ward, all weavers from Four Lane Ends and Daniel Abbott, a weaver, from Birley Street for playing at Buck (a game) at 11.50 a.m. Sunday December 2nd. They were each fined 1 shilling and costs.

 Still000000.jpg
A page out of Charles Whitehead's Notebook
headed 5th December 1864.

1864
He also reported Joseph Cook, a Gentleman, of Four Lane Ends for being drunk and disorderly at 11.20 p.m. Sunday January 13th. He was fined 5 shillings.

P.C. 23 reported George Pickering, a weaver, of 41 Anvil Street, John Rushton, a labourer, from Pleckgate, John Pemberton Cut Lockes Cemetery for being drunk and disorderly at Folly on Sunday April 14th. They were all fined 5 shillings and costs. Reported George Chadwick a farmer, from Ramsgreave, for being drunk and disorderly on a Sunday May 18th. He was fined 5s and costs.
John Rushton, a labourer from Pleckgate, was reported for being drunk and disorderly on Sunday June 15th. He was fined 5 shillings.

P.C. 23 reported Mark Hayhurst, a weaver of Four Lane Ends, for being drunk and disorderly on Four Lane Ends at 11.10 pm. He was fined 5 shillings July 18th.

John Duckworth, a labourer of Revidge Road, and Richard Thompson and Ralph Feilden, both labourers of Four Lane Ends were reported for committing a breach of the peace by fighting at Four Lane Ends 6.0 p.m. on Sunday July 31st.  They were each fined 5s and costs.

Reported Richard Thompson, a carter, Ralph Feilden, a labourer, from Four Lane Ends, and John Cook, a labourer, from Revidge, for fighting on Sunday October 22nd. They were each fined 5s each.

P.C. Whitehead reported Thomas Gabbott, and Benjamin Morris, both weavers of Pleckgate, George Mercer, a weaver, and Robert Hindle, a labourer, both of Folly, George Mercer, Thomas Anderton, and John Sharples, weavers, of Pemberton Street and Thomas Salisbury, a weaver from Ramsgreave who were all tossing (a game) at Folly at 3.30 p.m. Sunday December 11th 1864. They were all fined 5/ and costs.

1865
P.S. Whitehead reported George Holt, a labourer, from Liverpool charged with stealing a pair of boots value 9/3d the property of Joseph Parker, shoe maker, on Northgate on the 2nd January 1865. George Holt was committed to 3 months hard labour.

P.S. Whitehead reported James Farren, a beer seller, of Hilton Street, for having 3 men in his house with 3 glasses of beer on the table at 11.35 a.m. on Sunday 15th January 1865. Farren was fined 10/- and costs.

Jane Howarth and Selinna Fletcher, both prostitutes, were charged with soliciting men in Church Street at 11.45 p.m. January 17th 1865. They were committed to 14 days in Preston Prison.       

P.S. 7 Charles Whitehead reported Patrick McDonald, a piecer in a cotton mill, of Penny Street for violently assaulting Mary S……. with a fire poker 10th March. He was committed to serve 3 months hard labour.

P.S. Whitehead reported John Crook, pub landlord of the Bowling Green Inn, Eanam, for having 2 women in the bar with 2 glasses of rum and 3 men each with a glass of beer at 4.15 p.m. on Sunday 7th May 1865. John Crook was fined 10 shillings and costs.

Samuel Johnson, a carter, of Back Union Street, was reported for assaulting Eliza Ashton in Ainsworth Street at 10 p.m. on 7th May 1865. Samuel Johnson was committed to 4 months hard labour in prison.
22nd May 1865

P.S. Whitehead reported P.C. 10 John Howarth for being absent from his beat between 12.30 a.m. and 4.45 a.m.  When he was found by Sergeant Whitehead at 5 am P.C. 10 was at home drunk in bed. Howarth was suspended from all Police Duty until the Watch Committee meeting on the 10th April and was then dismissed from the Force.

P.S. 7 Charles Whitehead and P.C. 1 Levi Swales reported William Henry Yates, Gentleman, of Sumner Street and Richard Cook, a butcher from Brookhouse, for riotously assembling with diverse other persons to disturb the Public Peace on the nomination day of the election in Penny Street, Syke Street, Moor Street and Primrose Bank on 11th July 1865. Cook was fined 5 shillings and costs, Yates fined 5 pounds and costs.

P.S. Whitehead reported Samuel Walkden, a broker, of Old Chapel Street for being drunk and disorderly in Penny Street at 10.30 a.m. on Sunday. He was fined 5/-

1866
P.S. Whitehead reported Geoffrey Lomax, a beer seller, of King Street, for having company in his house at 12.15 a.m. on the19th January 1866. In the cellar were 2 prostitutes and upstairs in the first bedroom was the Landlord. There were 4 men on the bed and 2 men under it, all drunk, with all their clothing on. In the second room were four men who were also drunk, and in the next room were two prostitutes. In the kitchen was a quart jug containing beer and small drinking glasses. Lomax was fined 20/- costs.

P.S. Whitehead reported John Wilcock, of Church St, for obstructing the foot path by placing a large hamper on it from 10 a.m. till 4.15 p.m. 8th February 1866. He was ordered to pay costs and not to repeat the offence again.

He reported Thomas Mills, a Gentleman, of Strawberry Bank, for being drunk and committing wilful damage to his mother’s house by breaking windows to the amount of £3 in February 1866. He was fined 20/- and had to pay the damages. He also had to find sureties to keep the peace for 12 months himself in 20 and 2 sureties in £10 each.

P.S. Whitehead and P.C. Mercer reported John Evans, manager for the Old Bull Hotel Company, for having his house open for the sale of spirits at 2.15 a.m. 13th February 1866. There were 2 men coming out of the house and in the Bar Parlour were 3 men, one of which had a glass of bitter beer, the other two had glasses of gin. John Evans was fined 5/- and costs.

P.S. 7 Charles Whitehead reported Samuel Windsor beer seller and brothel keeper, of Fisherman Home, Blakey Moor, for harbouring notorious bad characters in his house at 4.30 p.m. 23rd May 1866. In the house were a man and a prostitute who were both drunk.  In the back parlour were ten men and two prostitutes, several glasses of beer and a quart jug containing beer were on the table – some of the men were drunk and in great disorder. One of the prostitutes and a man had their arms around each other. The prostitute was Betty Barlow, and she was very drunk. She was a notorious bad character having been in prison no less than fifteen times for larceny, prostitution and drunkenness. Mary Riley and Mary Burns, who were known prostitutes were also there. They were each fined 40 shillings and costs.

P.S. 7 Whitehead reported Samuel Windsor, beer seller of Blakey Moor, for harbouring persons of bad character in his house at 1.55 p.m. July 1866.  In the house were Maria Holland, a prostitute and convicted thief, Mary Thompson and Mary Ann Feeny who had both been convicted of prostitution and Ann Murry, another prostitute, together with 7 men. Some of the men and 2 of the women were drunk. There were 4 glasses of beer and 1 quart on the table.  Samuel Windsor was fined £10 and costs or 3 months committal to prison.

P.S. 7 Whitehead reported Mary Fish, a brothel keeper, of 2 Engine Street for allowing a drunk and disorderly company to assemble in her house at 12.40 a.m. Sunday the 19th August 1866. In the house were 5 men, 4 of them were drunk. A prostitute named Ann Wilson was lying on the floor with a man with his hand up her clothes. There was a quart jug and drinking glass containing beer on the table and all the men were very disorderly and using indecent language. Mary Fish was fined 10/- and costs.

Thomas Bingham, a painter of Northgate and Mary Atkin, a prostitute were found in the act of prostitution, in Cannon Street at 1.50 a.m. on 25th August 1866. He was fined 5/- and she was committed to jail for 14 days.

He reported Mary Wilson, a brothel keeper of 17 Queen Street. for permitting drunkenness in her house at 12.30 a.m. on 31st August 1866.  There were 4 men and 3 prostitutes in the house, who were all drunk and causing a disturbance.  Half a gallon of beer and a glass were on the table. The women were Eliza Graham, Margaret Mangham and Mary Oldham, who were all known prostitutes. The P.S. told Mary Wilson that she would be reported but she was so drunk that she did not appear to take any notice. She was fined 10/- and costs.

Samuel Banford, a labourer, of 23 Winter Street, was drunk and obstructing the footpath on King Street Bridge at 3.30 p.m. on 17th September 1866 and refused to leave when the Police Sergeant asked him to. He was fined 10/-

Jane Riley, wife of James Riley, a beer seller of Dandy Square, was reported for being drunk and disorderly in Pilkington Street at 11.30 p.m. 18th October 1866. She was fined 5/-.

Robert Ratcliffe, a Taper, from Roe Lee was drunk and exposing himself on Larkhill at 10 p.m. Sunday 21st October 1866. He was fined 10/- and costs.

Police Sergeant Whitehead apprehended John Mercer, a weaver, from Accrington, who was drunk and committing wilful damage in the house of William Hardy, of Queen St. He was fined 10/- and costs. 

Edward Lawson, a labourer from Accrington was apprehended for attempting to rescue John Mercer at the time. Fined 10/- and costs.

James Waddington, a beer seller from Salford, refused admittance to the P.S. at 1a.m. on 3rd Nov 1866. The P.S. could hear company in the house and knocked for 10 minutes, but although the landlady looked through the window, she would not open the door. James Waddington was fined 10/- and costs.

P.S. Whitehead apprehended George Briggs, a labourer from Cleaver Street together with George Spencer, a wheelwright from Union Buildings. They were both charged with stealing 4 barrels of grapes to the value £5.3s.6d on the 7th Nov 1866. They were both committed to Preston Sessions and were sentenced to 12 month’s imprisonment on the 28th Nov 1866.

Geoffrey Lomax, a beer seller, of King Street was reported for allowing prostitution in his house at 10.35 p.m. Sunday 2nd December 1866.  A man and woman were in the act of prostitution on a bed on the 3rd storey where a candle was burning on the mantel piece. Both were under the influence of drink at the time and they did not stop when the P.S. entered the room. She is a prostitute and is a convicted pick pocket. Geoffrey Lomax was fined £5 and costs.

1867
P.S. Whitehead reported John Gibson, a beer seller, of Cannon Street, Richard Withrington a labourer, Thomas Stones, a joiner, George Rushton, a green grocer, Thomas Withrington, a fish dealer, William Fish, a mechanic, all of Queen Street, together with Thomas Edmondson, an overlooker  (in a cotton mill) of Addison Street, and with Lazrus Ingham, a hawker of Limbrick, all for tossing in Kings Entry at 4.30 p.m., 9th January 1867. They were fined 5/- each.

James Coyne a spinner of 7 Merchant Street, Joseph Towers, a spinner, of 2 Cross Street, and Richard Parkinson, a labourer, of Highfield Road, were all committing a breach of the peace by shouting, bowling, making a great noise and disturbing the public peace in Preston Road at 2.00 a.m. the 24th of February after being cautioned not to do so by the P.S. They were all fined 5/- and costs.

John Beaumont a cab driver at the White Bull Inn, Church Street, was reported furiously driving 2 horses and 1 Shillabere (?) in King Street, Montague Street, and Church Street to the imminent danger of the public at 5 p.m. 3rd March 1867. He was fined 10/- and costs.

P.S. 7 Whitehead reported David Pilkington, landlord of The Woodsman Inn, Bridge Street for filling a quart of beer for a man who was coming out of the back door at 4.10 p.m. on 10th March 1867. He was fined 10/-

Thomas Johnson landlord of the White Bull Inn, Darwen Street was reported for having 10 men in his house with half a gallon of beer on the table at 1.50 a.m. 25th May 1867. He was fined 10/- and costs.

Rowland Moulden landlord of the Nags Head, Northgate was reported for allowing card playing in his house at 11.55 p.m. 25th May 1867. The landlord was in the room, together with 4 men playing at cards and there were 3 glasses of beer and 1 of gin on the table. He was fined 10/- and costs.

John Hatton, landlord of the Old Red Lion, 6 Bank Street was reported for having 3 men in his house at 6.10 a.m. on Sunday 26th May 1867. On the table were 3 glasses of beer. The landlord was fined 5/- and costs.

Agnes Latham, landlady of the Exchange Hotel, King William Street, was reported for having 5 men in her house with 5 glasses of spirits on the table at 2.20 a.m. on 11th June 1867. She was fined 5/- costs.

Elizabeth Emiry, a beer seller and brothel keeper, of the Golden Pheasant, Clayton Street, had 2 men in the kitchen with 2 glasses of beer on the table and 2 men and a prostitute in a sitting room upstairs with a quart jug half full of beer at 12.40 a.m. on 15th July 1867. She was fined 20/- and costs.

P.S. 7 Whitehead reported Lawrence Boothman, a beer seller of Union Street for allowing card playing in his house at 6.10 p.m. on 20th August 1867. The landlord and 7 men were playing cards in the parlour. P.S. 7 Whitehead retrieved the cards. Boothman was fined 20/- and costs

William Birtwistle, a beer seller of Whalley Banks, was fined 5/- and costs for having 4 men in a back parlour with a quart of beer at 11.10 a.m. on Sunday 3rd Nov 1867. 

Owen McDonal, a flagger and slater, from 10 Mary Ann Street, attempted to shoot Nicholas Taylor with a revolver at 12 p.m. 9th November1867. McDonal was fined £2 and costs.

William Birtwistle, a beer seller of Whalley Banks was fined 20/- and costs for having 9 men playing music and 13 men drinking upstairs at 10 p.m. on 27th November 1867.

Still000001.jpg
A page out of P.C. Charles Whitehead's Notebook
headed On the 11th July 1868.

1868
P.S. 7 Charles Whitehead reported Henry Smith, landlord of Cattle Market Tavern, Blakey Moor for allowing card playing in his house at 11.40 p.m. 22nd January 1868. In the Bar Parlour were 4 men playing at cards. On the table were 2 glasses of Brandy, plus1 of Beer and 1 of whisky. The landlord was fined 5/- and costs.

P.S. 10 Whitehead reported Henry Kay, landlord of the Bee Hive for having 5 men in a back parlour with 4 glasses of beer in the table drawer at 11.45 a.m. Sunday 23rd February 1868. He was fined 10/- and costs.

Edward Shaw, of Richmond Inn, Tontine Street, was reported for filling a glass of whisky for P.C. 66 William Thompson who was drunk on duty at 11.10 p.m. on Sunday 29th March 1868. Thompson was dismissed from the force and Shaw was fined 20/- and costs on the 6th April.

P.S. 10 Whitehead also apprehended William Prescott, a drawer in (in a cotton mill), of 63 Barley Lane. William Prescott was charged with breaking and entering the mill of Messrs. J. and F. Johnstone, Little Peel and stealing 6/4 ½p in money from a desk on the 12th April 1868. He was committed to Preston Sessions, tried on the 20th May and committed to 6 months in prison.

P.S. 10 apprehended Lawrence Roper, a labourer of Starkie Street as he was drunk and refused to leave the foot path in Penny Street at 4.25 p.m. 31st May 1868.  Roper was fined 5/- and costs.

P.S. 10 Whitehead reported Bridget McDonnall, a widow, from 16 Hargreaves Lane, Novas, on the12.30 a.m. 22nd June 1868. She had taken in lodgers without having registered her house.  In the one room upstairs were 3 beds. In the first bed were 5 men, 2 men in the second bed, and 4 men on the third bed. 4 men were on the floor, a total of 15 men in 1 room. In the back room were 2 beds. In the first bed were 3 women, the second bed had 1 man, 2 women and one child.  One bed had 2 men in it. Bridget McDonnall was fined 10/- and costs.

Emily Grady 14 Hargreaves Lane, Novas, a widow, was also reported at 12.40 a.m. 22nd June 1868 for having lodgers. In the front room were 3 beds. In the first bed were 3 men. The second bed had 3 men, and the third bed had 4 men. Another 7 men were sleeping on the floor. Emily Grady was fined 20/- and costs.

P.S. 10 reported Roger Goodier for assaulting Thomas Walmsley in Astley Gate with an iron hook at 5.30 p.m. 11th July 1868, he was fined £5 and costs.

On the 11th of July 1868 the Orange Men, several schools and Conservatives walked in procession after the new Baths and Fire Engine Station had been opened. Then several rows took place between the Radicals, the Irish and the Tory’s. It was a very hot day, and P.S. 10 was on duty from 2 p.m. Saturday till 4 am Sunday. In the Brookhouse area there were Irish people fighting on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday night. P.S. 10 went on duty at 7 p.m. on Wednesday until 3 a.m. Thursday.

Mathew Byrne, a mechanic, of 17 New Park Street, was reported for being drunk and disorderly at 11.10 a.m. on Sunday 25th August 1868 and fined five shillings and costs.

Thomas Hargreaves, a labourer, from Friezeland, Witton was drunk and exposed himself in King Street at 10.30 p.m. 19th Sept 1868. He was fined 5/-

P.S. 10 Whitehead reported John Thwaites, Gentleman, of 13 Richmond Terrace for being drunk and disorderly in Tontine Street at 11.20 p.m. 20th September 1868. He was fined 10/- and costs

He reported George Nuttall, a carter, from Oswaldtwistle for having 2 horses and 2 carts that were unattached while he was quite a distance from them in Park Road at 10.40 a.m. 18th December 1868. He was fined 5/-.

Andrew Ross, a beer seller and brothel keeper, of the Mechanic’s Arms, Northgate, was reported for allowing a drunk and disorderly company to assemble in his house. The landlord and 3 men were fighting in one room. In another room were 2 prostitutes and 3 men who were all drunk at 8.20 p.m. on 25th December 1868. He was fined 20/- and costs.

P.S. 10 Charles Whitehead reported Isabella Smith, a prostitute of 5 Back King Street for keeping an unregistered lodging house at 12.20 a.m. on 31st December 1868. On the house floor was 1 man and 1 prostitute.  Upstairs 2 men and 2 women were sleeping. As there were no beds in the house all the people were sleeping on straw on the floor and had nothing but a quantity of filthy rags to cover them. The room was only 6 feet square. She was fined 10/- and costs.

1869
P.C. 23 reported Robert Hundlesty, a pub landlord, of Penny Street for allowing gaming in his house. He was fined 20 shillings and costs on February 25th 1869

P.C. 23 Whitehead reports John Feildin, a labourer, of Four Lane Ends, Thomas Johnson, a weaver, from Shear Brow, Jonathan Woodacre, a weaver, from Little Peel, William Walsh, a weaver, from Charlotte Street, Richard Hayhurst, a shoe maker, from Four Lane Ends, and Peter Conwell, a weaver from Nab Lane

Easter Monday, 29th March 1869 was the nomination day for the 2 unseated Members’ places when Hornby and Feilden, the sons of the two late MP’s put up as Tories and Potter and Morley as Radicals. Hornby and Feilden were returned on the 30th by a large majority. Hornby polled 4,738, Feilden 4,627, Potter 3,964, Morley 3,804. After the Declaration there was a row in Penny Street, and a man named Bradshaw locked up and fined 40s plus costs. He was also fined £5 and costs for assault.

P.S. 10 Charles Whitehead reported Francis Barrett, a tailor of 14 Cock Croft for being drunk and disorderly in Moor Street at 8.20 p.m. on Sunday 16th May 1869. Francis Barrett was fined 10/- and costs.

James Douglas, a mechanic, of 182 Moor Street was reported for being drunk and disorderly in Moor Street at 8.20 p.m. Sunday 16th May 1869. He was fined 10/- and costs.

James Dewhurst, an Inn Keeper, of Northgate was drunk and disorderly in Adelaide Street at 11.45 a.m. 30th May. He was ordered to pay £3 to the Infirmary together with costs.

Thomas Walsh, a piecer (in a cotton mill), from 129 Moor Street, and Patrick Cannon, a striker from 10 Hindle Street, were all drunk and disorderly near Trinity Church at 10.40 a.m. Sunday 30th May 1869. They were each fined 10/- and costs.

P.S. 10 Whitehead and P.C.  22 Kay reported that Martha Howarth, a Prostitute, of 8 Engine Street had allowed thieves and prostitutes to meet together in her house at 11.15 p.m. 19th July 1869. In her house were 5 prostitutes and 2 men. They were all drunk and 4 of them had been convicted of felony. She was fined 10/- and costs or 14 days committal to jail.

P.S. 10 Whitehead and P.C. 26 Entwistle reported George Ross, a beer seller of Whalley Banks for allowing drunkenness and disorderly conduct in his house at 1.20 a.m. 24th July. In the house were 3 men and 5 women who were all drunk.  One of the women was causing a disturbance. George Ross was fined 40/- and costs.

P.S. 10 Whitehead reported Alfred Seward, a Solicitor, of Preston Road, for being drunk and disorderly in King William Street at 4 p.m. on 1st August. He was fined 5/-.

He also reported Thomas Grunshaw, a carter, from Saint Anne Street, and Michael Cairns, a rag gatherer, from Foundry Court for being drunk and disorderly in George Street at 8.40 a.m. on Sunday 8th August 1869.  They were both fined 10/- and costs.

P.C. 23 Whitehead reported John Hacking, Pub Landlord of the Hole I’th wall for having his house open and two men and one woman drinking in his house at 3.45 p.m. on Sunday August 19th fined 26/- and costs.

John Grimshaw, a carter of Ramsgreave was reported for being drunk and not capable of taking charge of his horse and cart near the park at 2.10 a.m. and he was fined 10 shillings and costs. 

John Whalley, Henry Woodward and Richard Fish were reported for being drunk and disorderly in Corporation Park at 8.10 p.m. fined 10 shillings each.

He also reported Thomas Moor, a beer seller of Pleckgate for having two men in his house with two pints of beer at 9.20 Sunday September 2nd fined 10s and costs.

P.C. 23 reported John Dewhurst, a reed maker of Randle Street for being drunk and disorderly and assaulting the P.C. in the execution of his duty at Lane Ends at 10 a.m. on Sunday September 2nd.  He was fined 10 shillings and costs. Thomas Dewhurst, his son, was apprehended for trying to rescue him from custody at the same time. Fined 5s costs.

John Morris and Benjamin Morris, weavers, from Pleckgate were fined for being drunk and disorderly on Pleckgate on September 10th  

P.S. 10 Whitehead and P.C. 31 Roe reported Ellis Nuttall, a draper, of Church Street, for furiously driving a horse and conveyance up Penny Street at 9 a.m. 13th Sept 1869. He was fined 5/- and costs.

John Cottam, a butcher, of 14 Back Moor Street, was reported for hawking (selling) butcher’s meat on Whalley Banks at 8 a.m. on 13th September1869. He was fined 30/- and costs. 

James Holt, a butcher of 96 Stanley Street, and Richard Seed, a butcher of 15 Hutton Street were both reported for being drunk on Sunday 19th September. They were fined 5/- each and costs.

P.S. 10 and P.C. 18 Sewart reported Catherine Mack, a prostitute, of 5 Chadwick Court, for allowing drunkenness and prostitution in her house at 12.30 a.m., 22nd September 1869. In the house were Catherine Mack and Eliza Lord, who were both prostitutes and drunk. There was one man who was drunk and fighting. The man had given Mack 2/- to sleep with her and then she wanted to turn him out. Upstairs in bed was Alice Feilden, a prostitute, who was in the act of prostitution with a cab driver named George Kenyon of 3 Chapel Street.  Catherine Mack was fined 10/- and costs. He also reported Thomas Moor, a beer seller, from Pleckgate for allowing card playing in his house Monday Sept 24th at 2 p.m., and Moor was fined 10 shillings and costs. He also reported Benjamin Morris, a weaver from Pleckgate and James Walmsley, a flagger and slater, for aiding and abetting in the above case, for which they were fined 5s each.

He also reported Ellen Quilter, a prostitute, of 7 Chadwick Court, for allowing drunk and disorderly conduct in her house at 11.20 p.m. 25th Sept 1869.  There was another prostitute with her and 7 men, one of whom was a convicted thief. They were all drunk and there was half a gallon of beer on the table. Quilter was fined 10/- and costs.

1871
P.S. 10 Whitehead reported John Lund, a pub landlord from Exchange Street, for allowing his dog to be at large in Northgate at 7.20 a.m. 10th July 1871. He was fined 5/-

On the 26th July 1871 Patrick Burns, a labourer, of 7 Dale Street, was reported for neglecting to support his wife and family leaving them chargeable to the Union of Blackburn. He was committed to 3 months in prison.

P.S. 10 Whitehead reported Alice Wilson, a prostitute, no fixed residence, and Leopold Ray, a butcher of 82 Blakey Street for being in the act of prostitution in Lord Street at 12.15 a.m. 4th Sept 1871. Leopold Ray was charged with assaulting P.S Whitehead and P.C. 19 Sharples while they were taking him to the Police Office. Alice Wilson was committed to 14 days for prostitution and Ray was fined 20/- and costs or 1 month. He also had to pay P.S. Whitehead for giving him a black eye.

1872
P.S. Whitehead apprehended Thomas Hacking a carter from 31 Forrest Street for being drunk while in charge of a horse and cart and incapable of taking care of them at Salford Bridge at 1 p.m. on 3rd February1872.  He was fined 10/- and costs.

James Parker, a carter of 15 Bradshaw Street, was charged with being drunk and incapable in Old Chapel St while in charge of a horse and cart at 2 p.m. 16th March 1872. He was fined 20/- and costs.

2nd April 1872
Easter Tuesday, there was a very heavy snow. There had been no snow since 2nd December 1871.  Many thousands demonstrated in Manchester on Easter Tuesday when Mr Disraeli visited the city.

P.S. 10 Whitehead apprehended Thomas Turner, a tailor and travelling thief, of 8 Burny Street, Manchester, Patrick Walsh, no trade, from 56 Godfrey Street, Liverpool. Together with Bridget Slattery, a prostitute, James Street, Accrington, Besy Frankland, a prostitute, 6 Queen Street, Lancaster and Johanna Charnley, a prostitute of Clerkhill Street, Blackburn for wandering in Winter Street at 1.30 a.m. 17th May 1872. Turner and Walsh were committed for 1 month (the others were committed for 14 days.)

P.S. 10 reported Robert Livesey, a scissor grinder of 10 Cock Croft, for allowing thieves to meet and assemble together in his house at 12.15 a.m. 31st May 1872.   Mary Ann Grey, Ellen Atkinson and Catherine Walsh had all been convicted of felony and prostitution.  Robert Livesey had been convicted of shop breaking. Livesey was fined 10/- and costs or 14 days committal to jail.

P.S. 10 Whitehead apprehended James Walsh, a labourer from Moor Street, for being drunk and disorderly and violently assaulting the P.S. in the execution of his duty in Penny Street at 10 p.m. 17th August 1872. Walsh was committed to Preston Prison for 6 months.  Mary Duffy, a rover from 12 Syke Street was reported for being drunk and attempting to rescue Walsh from the custody of the P.S. at the above time and place. She was fined 5/- together with costs.

P.S. 10 Whitehead apprehended John Brennan, a creeler of 19 Francis Ann Street for stealing from a shop in the market house one currant loaf value halfpenny on the 4th October 1872 which was the property of William Furthergill, confectioner, Clayton Street. Committed for 1 month.

Elizabeth Ann Layfield, a prostitute of 11 Back King Street, was apprehended for stealing 4/- from Henry Lorrrace, a mechanic of 25 Leyland Street while he was with her at 11 Back Ring Street on the 25th October 1872.  She was committed to Lancaster Castle for 2 months.

P.S. 10 Whitehead apprehended Jemma Jane Robinson, a cardroom hand, from 35 Follywell Street for stealing a collarette (fancy collar) valued 3s 1d from a market stall belonging to W. Cowell of Northgate on16th Nov 1872. She also stole 7½ yards of Alpaca from a market stall on the same day valued 8/-, the property of Anderton Whittaker of King Street. On the same date she had also stolen a woollen handkerchief value 2s 4d from a market stall, the property of James Rushton, a draper of 12 Northgate.  She was committed for to Lancaster Castle for 1 month on each charge.

P.S. 10 Whitehead reported James Kenyon, an Inn Keeper of Greaves Street for being drunk and disorderly in Addison Street at 10.15 p.m. Sunday 8th December 1872 fined 10/- and costs

1873
Thomas Forrest of Bury was charged on the 18th July 1873 for neglect of family. Committed for 1 month £1 reward.

Potts Joseph.jpg.jpg
Joseph Potts Chief Constable of Blackburn
in 1875

 

Thoughts and observations of PS Charles Whitehead, noted in his Police Log Book at various times during 1850 – 1890.

5th December 1864
The Watch Committee having promoted P.C. 23 Charles Whitehead to the rank and pay of Sergeant which will take place forthwith but will remain on his beat until Monday the 12th inst. and will assist P.C. Kitchen who will succeed him on the beat to know the inhabitants.

The heat on the 15th of July 1868 Wednesday 124 deg., never as hot since 1826, a dreadful dry summer all burnt up, grass corn burnt up, water scarce in some places fetch it for cattle a long way.

On the 16th of July 1868 was the nomination day for MP’s. 17th Voting Day all quiet, the 18th the declaration of the Polls when Hornby was 4000-978, Feilden 4,826, Potter 4,399, Montague 4,164. On the 12th March 1869 the Judge Mr Willies opened the Courts to try the Petition on the 16th of the same month both was unseated (Great Dissatisfaction)

P.S. 23 Charles Whitehead joined the Blackburn Police Force as Constable on the 29th December 1856. Promoted to 3rd Class on the 16th November 1857; 2nd Class 2nd May 1859; 1st Class 5th December 1859. Received the first increase shilling per week for Good Conduct on the 5th December 1862. Promoted to the rank and pay of Sergeant on the 5th December 1864 and advanced one shilling and six pence per week on the 9th January 1866, first increase of 4s per week 2nd December 1867.

Funerals at the Blackburn Cemetery in the month of October 1869 was 222, in the following month Nov 233. January 1870 Funerals Blackburn 263.

1870
The Metropolitan contains 26 Superintendents, 256 Inspectors, 946 Sergeants and 7656 Constables. The City Police force containing 12 Inspectors of Divisions, 14 Station Sergeants, 12 Detective Sergeants, 56 Street Sergeants, 600 Police Constables.

Funerals in March 243 Blackburn 1870.

Church of England Denomination - July 1869 12,104 in the Corporation Park, June 1870 in the Park were 13,351.  From the 25th Dec 1870 to 1st January1871 there were 13 deaths in London through the effects of the cold and hard frosts. Some of the lakes would bear horses and sledges. Sunday night January 1st 1871 was the coldest night ever known. I was on duty in 3 Section.

13th January 1871 Charles Whitehead weighed 8 stone 17lb.

31st January 1871 new rollers for Squeezer.

On the 5th of February Sunday 1871 the frost broke having had 7 weeks of the hardest frost for the last 49 years.

Weight of Charles Whitehead 23rd January 1873 - 8 stone 19lbs

The following Churches were consecrated as follows, Saint John’s 31st July 1789, Saint Paul’s 1792, Parish Church 13th September 1827, Saint Peter’s 11th September 1821, Mellor Church in 1829, Witton Church 1838, Trinity 1846, St Michael’s 1896, St Thomas’ 1865, Christ Church

1869.
London and North Western and Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company have 1,938 miles of railway Capital £83,000 (1871)

The bells were put up in the Parish of St Mary’s Church, Blackburn, 6 in number in 1737.

Queen crowned on the Tuesday 28th June 1838.

Paste Blacking
Mix thoroughly half a pound each of ivory Black and treacle then add one ounce of powdered alum, one drachm of Turpentine, one ounce of oil of vitriol, mixing well together.

September 1870
The fruit harvest of 1870 is described by the Gardener’s Magazine as one of the best within the experience of the present generation.
Wednesday. 15th March 1871

On Wednesday night a very heavy snow storm 2 feet thick broke the Telegraph wires. On Thursday 16th a heavy rain, snow went.

Government Inspector on the 20th March 1871. Inspected us – a beautiful day all right at 11 p.m.

on Friday the 17th March 1871 the shock of an earth quake was felt in Lancashire but very heavy about Preston. Shook pots out of place.

At 5.30 a.m. on the 25th March 1871 a fire took place at a confectioner’s shop at the top of King Street.  Mrs Kilmer and her child and 2 servants named Dickinson aged 21 and Craven age 15 years. A very great fire and an awful sight.

26th February 1871 Mrs Hacking came and stayed till 30th Oct 1874. [Whitehead lodged with the hackings when he first came to Blackburn.

19th April 1871 Robt Houseman Agnes Dan and Hannah Wiggins came from America and left to return back and they sailed on the 22nd June 1871

The Census in Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council 3rd April 1871
Blackburn population 76,357; Inhabited houses 14,689; Uninhabited 1,093; Buildings 158; Males 36,084, Females 40,253. Total 76,337. St Peter’s Ward - 10,125, St Paul’s – 14,499, St John’s – 13,062, St Mary’s – 3,753, Park – 20,202, Trinity – 14,697, Total 76,337

Whit Monday in 1871 was on the 29th of May but has never been on that date of 172 years before but will be on the same date in 11 years that will be in 1882.

On the 10th of October 1830 the Bill for granting Beer Licenses was passed and within 19 days. 800 were granted in Liverpool alone and by the end of the first year 24,342 were granted in England and Wales at 3 guineas each.

30th September 1871 a snow storm fell in Blackburn (Audley)

Cockroaches

A tea cup full well bruised plaster of Paris mixed with double the quantity of oatmeal with a little sugar.
Scurf in the head – Borax and Camphor each a quarter of ounce, Brandy 2-ounce, Water one pint. Bathe once a day.

Indelible Marking Ink
Press the juice from ripe sloes until you have half a pint then burn 2 ounce of horse beans in a tin. Shovel punt them in linen rag. Simmer them in the sloe juice half an hour. Strain decoction through a muslin rag. Take care the linen is dry before making.

April 1872
The Great Bell at York Minster is the largest in the country.  Its weight is 27,000 lbs
Great Tom of Oxford weighs 12,000 lbs
Saint Pauls London weighs 11,500 lbs
The largest Bell in the World is the Great Bell of Moscow which has never been rung. Weighs 443,722 lbs.

In 1871 in London every eight minutes one person dies and every five minutes one is born–from 1851 to 1871 the population increased 800,000 and it is a world of itself.

With grateful thanks to June Riding (Community History Volunteer) for transcribing P.C. Charles Whitehead's log book, and also, to Stephen Smith (Community History Volunteer) for his introductory notes. April 2019.

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