1st April 1764

The Great aClipps in the Sun it being Sunday abt. 10 oClock in the Morning we did not goe to Church till half an hour past 11 oClock

The Eclipse itself is somewhat eclipsed by a racehorse born on that day and called Eclipse

 

He was a singularly successful horse and 80% of all Thoroughbreds  today can trace their ancestry back to him.  The portrait is by Stubbs.

This small map was published in the February 1764 edition of the "Gentleman's Magazine". It predicts the path of the solar eclipse that happend April 1st that year as it passes across south-east England and north-west France. Three diagrams show the change in the detailed aspect of the eclipse as would be seen at Boulogne, at Orleans and at London.

13th March 1764 Tuesday

Mr Williamson married Miss Pope  he 67 & she 20

(I don't think Thomas approves!)

March 19


The Bridge by the Lane was begun to be pulled down in order for a New one at the expense of the County

A book called "Old Nottingham: its streets, people & etc, by James Granger pub 1902 mentions this bridge

"In 1764-65 the old Leen Bridge was taken down, the county
magistrates having met and accepted a tender for its
demolition and re-erection, when it was expected to have
three additional arches and also to be of much greater width,
which was much needed- A Mr. Thompson, of Lichfield, is
understood to have been the contractor. Whilst this important
work was in hand advantage was taken of it to straighten the
northern end of the bridge by bringing it more eastwardly
and nearer tne centre of the open space, once called
"Bridge Foot" or "Bridge End " (now styled Plumptre-square)."

23rd February 1764

Mr Richard Lipptrot married Widow Collins - Thursday

Her name was Frances - I've found the marriage record. They were married in St Mary's
Nottingham

17th February 1764

Paid Chare Hire to Carrey my Wife & her Sister to Reurn Their Brides Vissetts
8/-

Elizabeth's sister was Barbara. I haven't found anything about her marriage yet or was she single and just accompanying her sister?

There's lots about Sedan chairs here.

Sunday 5th Feb 1764

Maid my appearence with my wife at St Peters Church. She had come to see heras Follows Mrs Young Miss Streley Mr Richard Mrs Evans Mrs Toopotts Miss Petterer Miss Grant Miss Leatham Mrs Abbey Mrs Cox Mrs Green Miss Mather Mrs Biggs by Mrs PlowmanMiss Jerom Mrs Burin Miss Bilby Mrs Partridge Miss Cant Mrs Truman Mrs Gibson Mrs Boot Miss Burditt The Revd Mr Chappell Mr Knowles Miss Bigsby Miss Mason Mrs Heathcoat Mrs Edge Miss Rosin &Mrs Tutin Mrs Bettison & Mrs Allison


It would seem that the first appearance in church of a married couple was quite an event.

Mr Chappell was newly married himself but his wife is not in the list.

The name "Toopotts" caught my eye - there are no google results for that and very few for Topotts.

1st February 1764

The Revd. Mr Graham Chappell was married to Esqr. Warron's Widow of Stableford Wednesday

One of Thomas's marginal notes.

Unsurprisingly, Thomas's information is corroborated by other historical records - Graham Chappell of Orston, married Bridget Warren in Stapleford.

That would have taken place in St Helens



Bridget Warren was really slumming it marrying a clergyman! This is her son by her first marriage

Graham Chappell was curate at St Mary's Orston.

19th January 1764

Thursday was Married with the Said Elizabeth Newton at St Peters Church in St Peters Parish in Nottingham betwixt the Hours of 8 & 9 O'Clock in the Morning by the Revd. Edward Chappell Rector of the Said Parish of St Peters in Nottingham
gave him for marring of us 10/6
gave the Clark 4/- Saxton 2/- Ringers 10/6
the Waites of the Town 5/-
Drumer 2/-
Gloves given away on the marriage 12 pair of Kidd Gloves 22/- per Dozn
Bride Cake 12 pounds Mr Topotts 12/-
8 Bottles Red and White Mountain 13/4
2 quarts of Rumm 5/-
8 Wine Glasses 4/6
1 Bottle French Brandy 2/6

8 am? Imagine the response if you sent out the invitations for that time today!

The "Saxton" should be "Sexton", effectively the church caretaker.

I've mostly drawn a blank about 18th century marriage customs but this family history site shows that there was a Topott family living in St Peter's Parish in the 18th century and that they were confectioners!