The Lottery 18th Century Style

In spite of having lost money on previous lottery tickets, Thomas has not quite given up hope

7 February 1759 Bout a Tickett of Mr Geo Ayscough before the lottery begun Drawing No 3m726 I gave for it £12:3:0 it come up Blank and I sold the Blank for £5:5:0 so I am out of Pockitt £6.18s

Why would anyone buy the blank? Can anyone enlighten me?

From the margins of the account book

Now and then there are little comments in the margin. Some are about friends, others about national events. This is one of the latter

12 Jan 1759 Fryday the princes of oringe dyed & ye people went into mourning 28th Jan.

Thomas's spelling continues eclectic,though the "ye" has a thorn not a y and should be pronounced "the". The " Princes of Orange" was Anne, Princess Royal and Princess of Orange, the eldest daughter of George II and wife of the Prince of Orange (it is through her that William & Mary ruled Britain). More about her here. Below is her portrait.

Thomas is not feeling well

Thomas is back in Nottingham by September 1758 and there are a few entries in his account book which tell us that he was not feeling well

28th Sept 1758 - Bleeding 12d. 3 Doses Physick Mr. Dale 2/-

19th October a Bottle of Daffees Elixer 15d
Marshmallow Rootes for Gravell 3d

Daffy's has been mentioned in this blog before. Marshmallow Root tea was supposed to help the passing of kidney stones which Thomas so graphically refers to as "Gravell".

8th June 1758 Went to our Tenants at Pinkston
10th Went to Alfreton and Dined with George Moorwood Esqr. Gave Man 12d Maid 12d

Presumably tradesmen are "Mr" and landowners "Esqr"? That's about a 3 mile walk for his meal (short for Thomas, though I haven't been mentioning his walking recently)

11th Dined at Mr Clayes at Higham gave maid 12d

That's 5 miles, assuming that Thomas is staying with his tenant, which he usually does in Pinxton. The cottage below is Elizabethan and still standing in Higham - Thomas must have seen it.


13th Supt. at John Lilliman's Esqr. at Brookwall 12d

I can't find where Brookwall is/was. Can anyone help?

Pinkston Church was new Builded and New Pewed. theirs two seats that belongs to mine and sisters Farme House one for the men and the other for ye Women one is of the Right Hand goeing in and the other is on the Left. they are the Third seats from the Chancell.

I had no idea that the sexes sat ever separately in Church of England Churches. I wonder if it was usual.

Gave our Tenants Daughter 2/6 and spent there from 2nd June to 14th June 2/6

The first two are not very interesting unless you have the people mentioned in your family tree, but I'm posting them just on the off-chance that someone is searching for these events.

Monday 12th September 1757
Old Seagrave Town Clark Dyed 11 o'clock at night

Well, Thomas disagrees with the official history... according to J. Holland Walker, An itinerary of Nottingham, Transactions of the Thoroton Society, 29-35 (1925-1935), Mr Seagrave died in 1790.

I'd back Thomas as he was there and Mr Holland Walker was writing over 100 years later.

27th October
Thos Lamb was married to Miss Harborn of Northampton

Can't find anything more about that.

9 November
Bout of Mr Molton Cabinett Maker a Tikett for his Goods to be drawn by way of Lottery as he is going to London mine came up Blanck according to Costom. 19/6

Oh, dear,Thomas isn't very pleased about his lack of good fortune in this lottery. I assume that this was a clever sort of closing down sale? 19/6 is a huge amount of money for Thomas to hazard - he pays £1 per month board & lodging to put it in perspective.

17th August 1757
Paid Brother Bright for his apprentice Fomenting my Legg 5 times 5/-

"Brother Bright" is Joseph Bright, an apothecary, who married Thomas's sister Dorothy.

Fomenting is placing hot flannels onto the affected part of the body. Thomas has not mentioned why he had this done.

However, either Fomenting was efficacious or Thomas had nothing much wrong with his leg as he paid his debts in Retford, including 24/- to his sisters for one month Board and Lodging (that's Ann & Mary) - and walked back to Nottingham on 19th August.

6 August 1757
Spent at the White Hart with Messrs Moody & Hurst 4/-

Thomas is in Retford at the moment and this Inn is still in the main Square. It does seem to be the only pub in England which no-one has photographed and uploaded the picture to the web (If you spot one, let me know, please?)

Here is one taken in 1914 (!)

That's the White Hart on the Left.


9 August 1757
Tuesday Pegey Cox was married to Solomon Woodroofe of Stamford

Once again I can check this on FamilySearch.org and it tells me that this took place in Thomas's parish church, St Peter's. Of course, the parish registers call the bride by her given name of Margaret.

24th May 1757
Tuesday Mr Mettam was married to Miss Frances Thompson Nottingham

IGI tells me that Mr Mettam's name was Thomas and they were married at St Mary's Church





20th June 1757
Monday Charles Drury was married to Miss Bettison Nottingham

Once again I must resort to IGI. The bride's name was Sarah and the wedding took place in St Nicholas Church





This story has a sad ending. Thomas has added later

News Came 26th December 1766 Chas. Drury was Drownded near Dublin Left a widow and 4 children and she bigg with child.

And, just to show you that Thomas continues with his meticulous record of spending...

1st July
Bout a bottle of Limical Drops for Scurvy. 3/6

(I've always said that Thomas doesn't eat enough fruit and veg!)

3rd Jan 1757
Miss Drury married the Revd Mr Pennell Schoolmaster at Rotherham Yorkshire 3 Jan 1757

I need to sign up to one of the genealogy sites to find out more about this couple


9th Jan
Dined and Supt at Mr Ayscoughs and gave his maid and man as I give them nothin the year besides and am at his house almost everyday 5/-

Thomas usually tips the maid 1/- when he dines out so he has scarcely paid his debts!!! However, 1/- does seem a lot for the time.

Thomas has also left his landlord to live with Mr Richard Dale but I don't know why.

14th March
Admiral Bing was shot at Portsmouth for not fighting the French Fleet at Portmahon

This is just a note in the margin (Thomas is doing more of those). It refers to the famous incident which caused Voltaire comment in Candide "Dans ce pays-ci, il est bon de tuer de temps en temps un amiral pour encourager les autres". Here is a picture of Admiral Byng.



28th March
Gave our Tenant Warning to Leave our Farm at Pinkston Monday

Thomas means that the 28th March is a Monday, not that he gave him less than a week's notice.

Lawyers were expensive in 1756, too!

2nd April 1756 Paid Mr Robt. Evans Attorney at Nottingham for pasing fine & Recovery Hilary Term 1756 for passing a fine and Recovery on my Late Brothers Estate Lyeing at Retford & Lands in the parish of Clarbrough all in the County of Nottingham £16.16s

Paid Agent for Signing of Deeds 6s8d

Carriage of Writings & Coach 2s 6d Deeds of Lease & Release to make a Tennant to the Precipe £1/15s6d

Paid Mr Evans before his wife Eighteen Guineas in full for the above and all Demands. Sir Thos Perkins of Bunney Bar. was high Sheariff for Nottinghamshire when the fine & Recovery was past.

Most of this is double dutch to me but "Precipe" is a variation on precept - a written order addressed to the clerk of the court requesting that a writ be issued and specifying its contents. "Bunney Bar" is not a place. Thomas means that Sir Thomas Perkins lived in Bunny, which is between Nottingham and Loughborough and that he was a Baronet!

It seems to be a while since I could find a picture to illustrate this blog so here is a picture of Sir Thomas's home, Bunny Hall

4th November 1755
Went to Carlton Feast Spt 9d.

14th November
Christopher Cox Dyed 1755

For the first time Thomas mentions a death and I can't establish who he was. Thomas really is rather dull at this stage of his life.. Sorry!

31 July 1755
Sent this Day as a present to Sister Bright a pound of Churchmans Chocolate 5/-
4yds printed Linen for her little Daughter 10/-

Here is an undated advert for Churchman's chocolate - it is a variety of drinking chocolate - a great delicacy in the eighteenth century. Many of the so-called coffee pots which survive from this time were actually for chocolate.


This piece does not have a date on it, but Walter Churchman made chocolate starting in about 1728. This business was carried on by Joseph Fry and there is more about him and the history of chocolate in England here. By 1776, a pound of Churchman's chocolate cost 7/6

Dorothy's daughter was also called Dorothy. She was about 3 years old when her uncle sent this fabric as a present. It is through her that Thomas's book has come to me.

For nearly four pages, Thomas records the money he spends in pursuit of a court case against his sisters, Mary & Ann, spending a huge sum of money on lawyers and court fees. At the moment it doesn't make much sense to me but I will, sometime, acquire a copy of his brother John's will which is the cause of it all.

12 April 1755
a pair Dog Skin Pumps Barnett 6/6

UGH!

17 June
Paid Mr John Bright Attorney at Retford for Drawing Abstracts of the Writings that belongs to me & three Sisters Estate at Pinkston alias Pinxton in Derbyshire and his attendence at Sisters Tyes for a bout two Hours £5

27 June
Paid Sisters for 5 Weeks Board £1.10s

At the same time that Thomas is fighting with his sisters for control of various properties, he is staying with them. How odd is that?
John Bright is Thomas's sister Dorothy's brother-in-law.

28 June
Left Retford and Walked from their to Nottingham and Spent at Red Hill in Eating & Drinking 2/-


It is a long time since Thomas has recorded one of his long walks. This one is a total of 30miles with the stop at what is now called Redhill 10 miles from home.

2nd October 1754
Spent with our Tenant & gave his Daughr. Ribin 12d and gave him for bringing rent 12d
4 October gave Miss Tutins Ribins fairing 3/9

It seems to me unlikely that a modern bachelor would buy such frivolous things for the daughters of business contacts. Even an uncle would be likely to hand over money rather than buying a gift.

5 October Letters from Madam Mawson & Mr Byfield 8d

Thomas hasn't mentioned London friends for some years!

13 October
Went to Willoughby Waterleys in LiecesterShire 7 miles from Leicester to see my Cousin Levetts & stayed their till 18 Oct. & Cost me their and Horse Hire 18s 10d

23 October Mr Lowther was married to my Cousin Barbra Nicols of East Retford.

A search on www.familysearch.org tells me that Mr Lowther's name was William.
The Nicols were related to Thomas through his maternal grandmother.
(the Levetts mentioned on the 13th, were related to his paternal grandmother).

9 August 1754 Fryday
Judge Burchell Sett Patt Goodall at Liberty. About Rioting in the Election of Member of Parliament tho the Prebiterents was worse then they they took care that non of their side Gang was presicuted. The Grand Jury found no bill against Patt Goodall which mortified the Presbiterents greatly.

Thomas doesn't sound like a dispassionate observer of these riots, does he? Online I can find little about what happened except that a Dissenters' chapel was destroyed and, by way of retaliation, many church windows were broken and "only two men were killed." Thomas calls the Dissenters Presbyterians which is not necessarily an accurate description, but I don't think he approves of them one bit!

4th August 1754
Bout. a bottle of Daffees Eliexir 15d


Google comes up trumps again! I put the name of the patent medicine into the search box and used Thomas's spelling of the name (not of Elixir, I can spell that!).

"Do you mean Daffy's Elixir?"

Well, of course I do! It was a very famous patent medicine created by the Rev. Thomas Daffy, Vicar of Redmile, which is between Nottingham and Grantham. The first date of marketing the cure-all, which seems to have been mostly a laxative for the cure of "stones and gravel", is not recorded but by 1673 it had a considerable reputation. The name went on to become a generic for quack medicines and was sold well into the 19th century with some sources suggesting that it was sold right up until the 1950s! Older Bottles bearing the name are worth £90-£140! This one is a design used from the late 18th century. Thomas's bottle may have looked like this.

You will find more about this nostrum and its creator here.

2nd August 1754
Bout. a Brown Wigg of Mr Josh. Deverall over against the Blackamoors Head and Paid him for it as by his Receipt 18s

3rd August
Paid Mr Ellis next Door to the Windmill for a pair of new doe Leather Breeches in Exchange for a pair of old Doe Leather Breeches as by his Receipt 16s

28th May 1754
Gave Miss Bett Newton a Concert Tickett 2/6

What concert, Thomas? Tell!!!

12 June Gave Miss Bett Newton a pr. Silk Muffetees 4/6

Would I comment on these presents to Miss Newton if I didn't know that they later married? I wonder.

20 June Dined and Supt. at Mr Newtons gave maid 12d

Saturday 13th April 1754
Proclaimed to Choose the members for this Town on Thursday 18th of this Aprill 20 Aprill Saturday the Poole Ended . for Lord How 980 for Sir Willoughby Aston 924 for John Plumptree Esqr. 915

1 May Lord Robert Sutton & John Thornough was chared for members for Nottinghamshire
Dined on the Occaison with Bror. Bright and Several other Gentm. from Retford.

This was a General Election. Polling was not all on the same day throughout the country or even all on one day in each constituency. The Returning Officer decided the dates.



Sir Willoughby Aston was the 5th Baronet, born about 1715, died 1772

Lord Robert Sutton was a son of the Duke of Rutland - more about him here
Here he is in his military uniform painted by Joseph Wright of Derby.

2nd February 1754
Bout. Mr Thos. Mettam & Paid him
2 Red & White Printed Handkerchiefs 3/10
2 Blue and White Printed Ditto 3/4
1 Silk Large Handkerchief 4/2

I think those are rather expensive for the time


23 February
Spent Mr Cripps at Gundimones 8d

Is it a place? a gambling game? I can't find anything and I've even tried the OED. The handwriting is quite clear and I can't work out any other possible spelling which makes any sense.

25 February
Sent Mr Pearce of London for two volumes Telimacus 4/-
Paradise Lost with Cutts 4/6

What did he do with the last copy of Telemachus? "Cutts" means woodcuts or other illustrations rather than censorship. I can't find any images which are old enough to possibly be from an edition which Thomas might have bought.

23rd August 1753
Dined at Mr Newtons on Venison gave made 12d

Thomas has never mentioned what he ate while eating out before so venison must have been a treat.

In the same month Thomas spends a lot of money on searching various court records for fines levied on his brother John, for being a Catholic I assume. It cost him nearly £5 in the one month.

1 December 1753
bout of Mr Charles Redish half of a Irish Tickett n17812 paid him for it 21/2

Ireland was not an independent country in 1753. Perhaps "Irish Ticket" is a generic term for a lottery ticket. There was a lottery in Britain in 1753, to raise funds for the founding of the British Museum.

25th December
Gave Barbers Taylers Shooemakers Xmas Box 18d
26 Gave Mr Tutins Maid for Xmas Box 5/-

That is the extent of Thomas's Christmas celebrations. He does seem to be fairly generous with his tips. He is still lodging with Mr Tutin, paying him £12 per year, in half yearly instalments. Unlike Mr Gibson, Mr Tutin is scrupulous about giving Thomas receipts.

15 Febry Bout. of Mr Barnett a pair of new Boots and allowed me for a pair of old ones not half wore out but Rather too little in Exchange I paid him 14s 6d

24th June 1753
Letter from Sister Ann 3d
to Lett me know that my Aunt Nichols my mothers sister Dyed at Retford 16 June between the hours of Twelve & one o'Clock Pray god Rest her soul thou She had used all of us very Ill shall say no more.

That entry raises more questions than answers!

Part Exchange in the 18th Century

1 November 1752 Exchanged a Silver Watch with Mr John Colton in Turncalf Aley for a pinch Beack watch Double Gilt with Gold a new one he brote with him from London No.8990 makers name Kover London gave in Exchange as by his receipt for the same £3.0s 0d


I'm not sure I would have swapped a silver watch for a pinchbeck one. The alloy is an 18th century invention by Christopher Pinchbeck. It was copper and zinc and closely resembles gold. I have found online references to the watchmaker Kover. A watch made by him was stolen in 1761 and came to court, as described here. Should Thomas's watch have survived, we could identify it as we have the serial number. Another reference tells us that a watch by the same maker was sold at auction in 2005. Without an appropriate subscription, I can't tell you where, apart from the fact that it was in UK, or how much it fetched.

21 December
Paid Mr Robt. Evans Two Guineas for asking Mr Yardley Willmot Counclers Opinion of my great great Uncle Richd. Tyes Will & my Fathers John Tyes Will and my Bror. John Tyes Will all Deceased. £2.2s


I have a copy of John Tye senior's will. It is odd in one way in that it leaves nothing to his eldest child, who I believe to be his daughter Elizabeth. She died in 1726 not that long after her father (1719) so perhaps she was ill/disabled already by the time he made his will? When John Tye senior died none of his children were even teenagers. His eldest son, John, was to receive what his mother had as a life interest. Otherwise, all is left divided equally, held in trust until they are each 21 and "theirs equally share and share alike".

I will come back to this post and edit it if I find more about these wills.

16th August 1752
Went to Colwick Wakes with Mrs Cox, Miss Tutin, Miss Blocksidge & Miss Newton 2/-

It really does say "Wakes" not "Lakes". It is true that there are lakes at Colwick but they are former gravel pits and would not have been there in 1752. Wakes were often celebrations of the anniversary of the founding of a church. Their latest survival was the Wakes Weeks of Lancashire towns. These have just become holiday weeks.

3rd September is the 14th the Style being altered this day by Act of Parliament.

Parliament had acted to bring Britain into line with the rest of Europe by moving from the Julian to the Gregorian Calendar. This caused riots, mostly remembered for the slogan "Give us back our Eleven Days!" Thomas does not seem to have misunderstood Parliament's intentions in this way. Read more about this in wikipedia.

15th April 1752
His Hon. Rothwell Willoughby Dyed - Wednesday

Oh, don't unusual names make research easier? Rothwell Willoughby was an interesting person. The house he built in Nottingham is still called Willoughby House and is a store owned by the designer, Paul Smith who hails from Nottingham.


22nd April
Went to Mr Cripps of Ilkinston and this Day stud Godfather to his Daugher with Miss Jane Eccles of Tidsey in Darbyshire & Miss Cripps it being the first time I stud in my life.

A parish register entry for Ilkeston (click here if you are interested in buying the transcripts) tells me that the baby girl was Elizabeth and Mr & Mrs Cripps were Francis and Frances.

I haven't yet managed to find out where Thomas means by "Tidsey".

10 Nov 1751
Ann Newton married Mr Hesketh Lord Wards Steward Summerhill Staffordshire

Family Search.com tells me that Ann married John Hesketh at St Peter's Nottingham. She was born around 1730 but I'm not at all sure where or who her parents were. I assume she is related to Elizabeth but I don't think they are sisters.

Lord Ward owned extensive estates around Kingswinford in Staffordshire.

23 December
My Bror. John Tye Dyed about 12 oClock on Monday night and maid his will about half an Hour before he dyed and had been Ill from October when he returned from London where he had been to Sell the Freehold Estate at Merton In Surry abt 9 miles from London to Mrs Mariam Payne of Merton for 620 pounds the Estate was lLett for 50 pounds a year was told he had not a Right to Sell it without I joined with him

30 December
Paid John Addsett Tayler in West Retford for makeing a mourning Coat & Breeches a WaistCoat I had when I went to Retford - 9/-

17 June 1751
Went to Pinkston in Derbyshire to our Tenants and stayed to 27 June to give them order to Build a new necessary House & Pigg Stye with Brick they had done abt. half when I left him spent the time I was their 6/8 Gave Daughter 2/6

So they needed a new brick privy! I have found another example of this use of the word in the 18th Century. It is in the memoirs of a soldier, Corporal William Todd and you can find more details of the book here.

The Church in Pinxton (Pinxton is in Nottinghamshire now!) was rebuilt in 1790 but here is a picture dated 1733 - so this is how it looked when Thomas was there.

18 January 1750/1
Paid Mr Cripps for 2 pound Shag Tobacco 2/3

Thomas can't be very addicted as this is his first purchase since May last year.

25 February
Went to Bobers Mill with Mr Tutin spent 4d

Bobbers Mill is now an area of Nottingham. The area is named after the mill on the River Leen which is first referred to in 1438. I can only find one picture of it and that dates from 1906.

4th March
Miss Bett. Newton Bout for me at Mr Philip Sterleys 9 yds of fine Irish 2/1 - 18s 9d
6 March
She Bout me at Mr Southwells 1 yds 5/8 of fine Cambrick - 13s
I gave her money to buy them

This entry is the first mention of Elizabeth, who Thomas marries later (we'll get there in time!).

21st March the Prince of Wales Died

Frederick, who had a hostile relationship with his parents, died, to their ill-concealed relief!

28th September 1750
Went to See the Grand Turk Dance on the Wire and Rope 2/-


Well, Sultan Mehmet II was not visiting Nottingham in the 18th Century and the ship used in the Hornblower TV series can't dance. That said, I think this was probably a circus-type act, possibly an exotic foreigner but just as likely someone using the character to make his act more exciting.

7th November Lord Santery married Elizabeth Shore

Henry, the 4th(and last) Lord of Santry murdered a footman in 1738, was tried by his peers and found guilty. He was later reprieved from the death sentence and given a full pardon by the king, but his estates and possessions were forfeited. His marriage to Elizabeth Shore was shortlived as he died on 18th March 1750/1.
I don't know why Thomas mentions this.

3rd December
Left that Scoundrill Richard Gibson who gave me nothing for liveing with him and I did all his Buisness & pack't up all his paresells & keept His Books from 29 of May 1744 To the 3 of December 1750 when I went he did not as much as thank me tho the agreement was he would please me for the time I would stay with him he never gave me to the value of 30 shill all the time I was with him

Oh dear! Thomas is annoyed, isn't he?

Went to Mr Tutin's the Same day & went to Mr Cripps at Ilkiston the 18 December and stay'd their till the 3 Jan gave his maid & boy 4/- Spent their & at Mr Tutin's before I went 12/8

And, in the margin:

6 December Jane Newton was married to Mr William Tayler.

Jane's parents are not the same as Elizabeth who Thomas marries.

Thomas embarks on a Slippery Slope et al.

26th April 1750
Rupert Brown's Wedding Comes out.

Did Mr Brown keep it a secret?

28th May 1750
Bout. a pound Shagg Tobacco 13d

This is the first time that Thomas records buying the evil weed!

12th June Bout. a Tea Canister Mr Pearson 9d
¼ fine Hison Tea Mr Butcher 4/-

Isn't Tea expensive? Hison or Hyson Tea is a Green Tea which definitely commands a premium even today.

10 September
My Brother was very Unhappy in some affair at Retford but don't know the truth.

(I will have a hunt through the box of family papers marked "Tye" and report back if I find anything)

29th October 1749 Bout of Mr Robt. Graham Hamilton that Comes out of Scotland Twice a year 8 yds of Scotch Plod 2/- a yard 16s 25yds fine Scotch Holland at 3/10 a yd £4.15s10d

Isn't "Plod" wonderful? Do you think it represents Thomas's hearing of the Scot's accent? I can't see what he did with the Tartan, or the "Holland" for that matter.

12 Novr. Paid Miss Bett Newton for a pair of Leather Baggs which her Bror. Willm got made for me at Grantham & paid her for them at the time I took them away.
26 Paid Mr Saml Newton for making a lock without a Key for the Baggs and opens with Letters Tye Tho. 4/6

What an interesting thought! Do you think it had all 26 letters on it? Then Thomas returns to the general round of dining with friends. The only mention Christmas gets is the Xmas Boxes to tradesmen's boys. I should point out that he is dining more and more often at Mr Newton's house. The reason I have remarked on this will become obvious in due course. Then in March 1750 this entry.
P.S. I've found a picture of a nineteenth century combination padlock. Perhaps Thomas's looked a bit like this?



11 Went to see the Female Rhinocerous an Real Unicorn & a Live Crocodile gave 6d

And you thought the Unicorns didn't make it onto Noah's Ark!
Here is an illustration from 1712 of Unicorns.

Their horn was believed to have medicinal value. It seems likely that the twisted horn used to turn a horse into a unicorn came from a Narwhal

Family Matters

I feel that I should precis the family comings and goings which I have left out of the last few posts. It doesn't seem worth typing where Thomas went for supper and how much he tipped the maid but you should know that his brother, John, has been on a trip to "France", visiting Ypres, Ghent, Bruges (which Thomas calls "Bridges") Dunkirk & Calais. Also Thomas has had supper with his newly married sister & her husband so, presumably, he has forgiven them for not inviting him to the wedding. Dorothy & her husband, Joseph, live in Retford where he is the local surgeon.

Thomas has also been rent collecting again, once more saving money by borrowing John Tye's horse.

However here is a fresh departure for Thomas:-

16 October 1749
Went to Bollam to Fish & spt. their 14d

This is Bolham, not far from Retford. It is obvious today from Google maps that Bolham Lane runs alongside the River Idle even today.

29 October
Sent three pair of Green Silk Muffetees for a present. Paid Mr Colton in Turn Calf Ally for them for my sisters. 10s 6d

Muffetees are wrist warmers or fingerless gloves. I rather think that in silk they were not exactly functional!

Turn Calf Alley was in Nottingham (I've had help to establish this) - It is no longer there but was close to the bridge across the Leen (London Road)

Another Trip out

Thomas really likes visiting stately homes!

14th October 1749
Went to Mr Edward Willsons of Worksope & went to See the Duke of Norfolks House and Dined at Mr Willsons & Cost me 3/6

This visit was to Worksop Manor which had come into the possession of the Duke of Norfolk by marriage. It was a 16th century house and you & I cannot see any more of it than survives in this (and other) pictures. It was burned down in 1761 and the house which occupies the site now is a Victorian building.

25 Aprill 1749
Paid Miss Dolley Newton for makeing 2 new Ruffled Shirts 5/-
and new Ruffling 3 old Shirts and new neck Bands and Rist Bands 3/6

Now that really is "Make do and mend"!

14May
White Sunday Sister Dolley Tye was married to Mr Joseph Bright Surgeon at East Retford. They neither gave me an Invitation to the weding nor sent me Gloves

Thomas wrote about this near to the front of the book(out of date order). He was clearly very annoyed. Gloves were a traditional gift for wedding guests right into the nineteenth century.

28 May
I went with Mr Tutin & his Son Mr Rupert Brown to see our Tenant at Pinkston and from thence to See Lord Byerons House and Gardens and Cost me 4/9

That was Newstead Abbey. The Lord Byron in question was the Great-uncle of the poet. I rather think that Thomas didn't make himself clear about the party which went to there. I think it should read, "Mr Tutin, his son and Mr Rupert Brown" but I could be wrong and can't ask Thomas for confirmation one way or the other.

18th November Went to Rotherham in Yorkshire to Sell Mr Wm. Cryers goods up by Virtue of a Bill of Sail that the Said Wm Cryer gave Mr Gibson and stayed their till the 30 November and paid Mr Gibson in money & Bills for what Goods I sold the time I stayed but Mr Gibson gave me no receipt for the said moneys & Bills
Thos Tye (once again Thomas feels he needs to sign this entry).
Went to See Lord Moltons House and Gardens with Mr Cryer and cost me nothing as he was requested their
Cost me out of my own Pockett while I was their 4/6
Extraordinary.


It took a bit of detecting to find which house Thomas visited but eventually I found that it was Lord Malton's place, Wentworth Woodhouse. Lord Malton wasn't Lord Malton for long. Thomas Watson-Wentworth was created Baron Malton in 1734 and by the time Thomas visited he was already the Marquis of Rockingham. The house was pretty new when Thomas visited and parts of what is there today were not yet built. You and I, unless personal friends of the owner, are not able to follow in his footsteps as it is privately owned. The picture below shows part of the house which was completed when Thomas was there.

A Death in the Family

11th October 1748
had a Letter from Brother to Informe me that my Uncle Willam Tye Dyed Tuesday 4 October 1748 I pray god Rest his Soul.

12 October
Bout of Mr John Hunt & paid for them
1½ Supr Black Cloth 18/9 - £1.7s
4 yds Black Shalloon 2/- - 8s
Fustion & 2 Skin to Line Breeches 2/4 - 3s
Buttons for Coat and Waist Coat & Breeches 2/9
Silk Twist and other Trimings 3/3
14 October
Paid Geo: Peat Tayler for makeing Black Cloth waist Coat Breeches and altering my Blue Coat in Lyning it with Black and puting Bla. Buttons on it & Binding the holes with Black 8/6



In addition to this expense for appropriate mourning clothes, Thomas also pays £1.5s towards his uncle's funeral expenses.

16th May 1748
Bout. of John Hunt for a Blue Superfine Broad Cloth for a Frock and 2 Blue & white Ginghams for 2 Waistcoats & Shalloon and all other Trimings to them & gave me a Receipt for them £2.18s9d

4th June
Paid Geo. Peat for Makeing a Blue Frock and 2 Gingham Waistcoats 10s6d


Thomas was, of course, buying a Frock Coat not a dress!

A Wardrobe Makeover.

8th February 1747/8
Bout of Mr Gibson as under & paid him for them

18 yds fine yd wide Irish Cloth at 2/2 yd £1.19s
11 yds Strong 7/8 width Colerain Linin at 16d 14s 8d
4½ yds Ell wide Musling 3/9 16s10d
2 ½ yds Diaper for Capps 15d 3s 1d
2 ¼ yds fine Camberick for Ruffles 8/- £1. 18s
Thread & Buttons & Tape 1s 6d

5th March
Paid Mrs Ann Hammons & Miss Bull for making the things as under as by their Receipts
5 Ruffled Shirts at 2/6 a piece 12s6d
3 Plain Night Shirts at 18d a piece 4s6d
9 Neck Cloths making 1s6d
6 night Capps making 1s

It is a while since I did sums in £sd, but that seems to be a total of £6 11s 7d on Thomas's wardrobe makeover!
Reading this blog, you may conclude that Thomas seldom bought clothes but I have left most of those events out as it would be rather dull to include them all.

Christmas Presents

17th December 1747
Sent Bror John Tye a Rand of Sturgeon Pott and Carriage as a present 7s 4d
17 Sent Mr Edward Willson Attorney at Worksope a Rand of Sturgeon as a present pott & Carriage 8s 8d

The difference in price doesn't square with John Tye being in Retford, which is almost the same distance from Nottingham as Worksop is. Also, I have no idea what a Rand is. Have you?

25th December
gave Barbers Taylers & Shooemakers Boy Xmas Box 1s6d

Urequited Love!

10 September 1747
Mr Philip Lander was married to miss Watson poor Gibson's Sweetheart and he was Greatly in the Dumps abt. it


I checked and IGI records that Mr Philip Launder married Miss Ursula Watson on the 10th September 1747 at St Peter's Nottingham but we knew the date was right because why would Thomas get it wrong? However, I am still slightly astonished when I find external confirmation of what Thomas tells us. Perhaps I don't really believe in the past?

IGI is the Family History Search resource of the Church of Latter Day saints.

Mr Launder was a native of Nottingham, having been christened in the same church on 23 November 1711. His parents were Philip and Mary. The parish register entry for his marriage at St Peter's tells us that he was a woollen draper. It seems that his father lived into his 80s as is recorded in a book published in 1751. Philip had a sister, Margaret, older than him, who was also baptised & married at St Peter's.

I think it is amazing that I can find so much about a man born in the eighteenth century from just his marriage date! Perhaps I should have concentrated on Gibson but, assuming that this is Richard Gibson, I need something more to pin him down.

I really would not have expected the expression "in the Dumps" to be so old, would you?

6th April 1747
Went with Mr Rupert Brown to Southwell to see the Minster. went to Oxon & Lay at Mr Bulls all Night & walked home the Next Day 2/6


Southwell Minster would have looked pretty much like it does now, Rhenish caps and all. They were replaced in the 1880s and may be a little steeper than they were before that but the general design is medieval.

"Oxon" had me fooled until tried Google maps. When I entered "Oxon, Notts", clever old Google asked me , "do you mean Oxton?" which of course, Thomas must have done. This took 5 miles off the return journey saved Thomas the cost of an Inn overnight.

& went with Mr Tutin to see the Electrical Machine and ws Electrified and gave 12d

Yet another enigmatic post from Thomas! It wasn't a Van de Graaf generator (which, of course, needs no electrical power - can be run by winding the handle) as that was not invented. Benjamin Franklin was researching around this time but most of what we take for granted about electricity had not yet been discovered.

22 May
Went with Brother John Tye to Colwick and Mrs Chappell showed us the House and gardens and gave the maid 12d

It's Kedleston all over again! I can't show you Colwick Hall as Thomas saw it as it was rebuilt in 1776 and there don't seem to be any pictures of the old house.

25 July 1746
Went with Mr Robinson to Matlock
26 July
Went to Ensor Inn to see the Duke of Devonshires House & Gardins & went back to Matlock, gave to see the House and Gardens my share 2/6 Spt at Inn 18d



Ensor is a contraction of Edensor – it is pronounced Enzor according to the Derbyshire Web Site. The village was moved by the Duke of Devonshire and all the houses bar one date from around 1840 & I can't find a picture of that house.

28 July
Left Matlock Earley in the morning and cost me and Horse their 12d
Went to Kedleston & Dined at Inn & went a futt to Ireton to see Lady Coursens Folley which is one mile from Kedleston & got to Nottingham that night & cost 3/6
Had Mr Gibsons Horse £0.0s0d

Thomas must refer to the Ireton which names Ireton Lodge, which is, indeed one mile from Kedleston.

Thomas celebrates his Birthday, a Mystery entry & a Rebellion

21st February 1744/5
Spent My Birth Day Punch 2/9

11th March
gave to see the Seenography 12d

(the what?)

3 December 1745
Mr Gibson & all the people was very Busey in hideing all their Effects and plate for fear the Reblells should come here and take them a way. Banker Smiths family With all their Cash Left Nottingham besides Numbers of the best Familey and in particular the prespiterent Sett
4 Dec the Rebells got to Derby and Stayed their till the 6 Decem and went Back again abt 12 oClock at noon to Ashborn & so to Scotland.

You remember from your history lessons that the Young Pretender and his army marched as far south as Derby? Well, here you see the effect it had on the City of Nottingham, just 15 miles away (a day's march).

Thomas's spelling is a dodgy at the best of times but I assume he means that the Presbyterians were nervous of the Catholic Charles Edward Stuart.

Thomas is in Nottingham

Thomas didn’t tell us where Mr Richard Gibson, who he is working for, lived but the posts below make it pretty obvious he is in Nottingham.

19th July 1744
Went to Clifton Gardens Mr Dancer spt 12d
26 Spt at Blackamoors Head Mr Fox London 12d

Clifton Gardens must have been the gardens of Clifton Hall

This picture is from 1676, but the next picture shows a remodelled house which dates from rather later than 1744.
More about Clifton Hall and the family who owned it can be found here.

The Blackamoor's Head must be the forerunner of the famous Black Boy which was in the centre of Nottingham. The building that was demolished was Victorian (but still should have been left!!) and Mr Fox must be a friend from London.

EDIT JULY 09 - I've just discovered that the Blackamore's Head was quite a different place - It was in Pelham Street.

18th August 1744

Went to Derby and from there to Kedleston to see Sir Nathl Coursons House and Lay that night at Derby
19 See the Silk mills & the Earl of Exeters Gardens and Cost me in all 10/-

Kedleston Hall now belongs to the National Trust and there are dozens of pictures on the web but that is not the place Thomas visited. The current Hall was built for Sir Nathaniel Curzon by Robert Adam in 1758. The world's passion for Palladian architecture ensures that google returns dozens of Adam related links but not a thing about the previous house.

The Earl of Exeter owned Exeter House which stood in Full Street, Derby, until 1854.
As Thomas only visited the garden, I won't post a picture from the inside, but you can visit some of the panelling in Derby Museum.
The Silk Mill was one of the earliest factories in the world and parts of it remain - Derby Museum refers again! There have been two mills on the site - the second, built in 1717, is the one Thomas visited, of course. Here it is.



30th August 1744
Spent at Pinkston Feast 3/6

I now have the benefit of some local knowledge and I understand that Pinxton Feast, also called Pinxton Wakes, is first recorded in the 1570s in a notebook by Edward Revell, whose family owned Carnfield Hall.

27th May 1744 Took my leave of all my friends at Retford and spent at Mr Pinders 2/6
(I wonder what Mr Pinder sold) Thomas had spent a little over a month there this time.

28th May Went to Pinkston in Derbyshire and the 29th May 1744 got to Mr Richard Gibson Linen Draper at 3 oClock in the afternoon agreed with him to Live with him as a Journeyman and he would please me For the time should staye with him before Mr Thomas Wheat of Retford Mercer when he was over at Retford some Time in May 1744

Thomas has signed this.

Gave our Tenants man at Pinkston 1s & his Daughter 12d Spent their 12d 2nd July Spt St Ann’s Well 4d

I wonder why Thomas went there? Is the malaria hanging about? However, his new job is not preventing Thomas from sightseeing

9th July Went along with one at Bodsford to see the Duke of Rutlands House at Beaver and see the Church at Bodsford & Volts where the Family is Buried spt 1s6d

That must be Bottesford and is, of course, Belvoir Castle and the family Vaults!
Thomas would not have seen the same Belvoir Castle as we can visit today. It was rebuilt in the early nineteenth century. This is the only picture I can find of the earlier building
And, just to complete the picture, the remains of the Dukes of Rutland have moved as well. Thomas visited St Mary the Virgin Bottesford and there are some wonderful pictures of the church and the memorials Thomas would have seen here.

Thomas spent the next few months in Retford, travelling to collect money due to him and his sisters, that bond that is mentioned in the last post, in particular.

So much of Thomas's life is totally different from today but some things have not changed

29 Jan 1743/4
Paid for Carriage of my Trunk from Hull to Retford which was nearly 4 months in the comeing 3/-

(Thomas paid for the trunk to go from London to Hull in early September!)

Food must have been poor in London (unless you were very rich, of course) as this next entry shows

6 Aprill 1744
Sent Tim Mitchell of London a pott Butter and Cariage as a present 5/9

That's a huge sum of money for butter, don't you think?

Spent from March 10 to Aprill 22 in Ale 9s 3d

Thomas drinks "Bear" when in London.

12 May
Went to Market Rasin & staid at Mr Scotts to 15 May & gave maids and spent their 5/6
Mr Camplin Came over and Paid me in part of Bond for Self & Sister 5.0.0
Went that Day to Caster to see his Uncle Scott and stayed to 17 May and gave Man and Maid
2/0
and went to Hull the same day 17th and got home to Retford from Hull 22 May and Cost me in Expences at Hull & Comeing Back again for my share 6/4
had Brothers Horse so Cost nothing in Horse Hire --- They Grumbled at the Expences and said I had Spent a Deal.

What ungrateful sisters Thomas has!

Thomas Contracts the Ague

13 September 1743
Lay at Mr Smiths and Spent their 2/9
Gave a man for Two Horses to goe with me to Gainsbrough and spent their 6s
And got to Retford a futt that night

The journey on horseback was 32miles, but, after that, Thomas walked almost 12 miles.
He must have stayed with family as he spends very small amounts of money for the 10 days he stays in Retford and doesn’t mention what he bought.

24 September
Sett Forwards to Market Rasin to see my master that I was apprentice with.
Spent at Gainsbrough 12d
Spent at Rasin from 24 sept to 30th 3/6


(he’s staying with his master.. he must be!)

and went to Caster to see his Uncle and staid till the 18th October Cost me 7/6
went from Thence to Louth and from Louth to Marsh Chappell to Mr Camplins & Received 5 pounds for Self & 3 Sisters in part of a Bond he owed he owed to my Grandmother & She left it to me & 3 Sisters 2 days & went to Alford to see Mr Bennet & staid till 24th Oct Spt 8/-
& Returned to Market Rasin 25 October and fell Ill of the Fenn Ague and was Ill at Mr Scotts till 3 November and Cost me in wine and nurse 12/-
Paid Mr Hubbert the Apothecary for Physick Blister etc, etc 16/-
Paid Mrs Byfield for washing my Linen the Time I stayed their 3/6
Gave Mr Scotts 2 maids & man 7/6
And Got to Retford 4 Nov
Spent at Gainsbrough 1/8
Had my Brothers Horse with me all the Time which cost me nothing 0.0.0

(that’s the first time Thomas has recorded spending nothing!)
Fenn Ague is malaria – Thomas has something in common with that famous diarist Samuel Pepys, who also contracted the Ague. It killed Oliver Cromwell.
More about Fenn Ague here.

To Hull by Sea

Thomas's sisters went home to Retford on the 17th August 1743

20th August
Paid Carriage of my Box to Retford 3/-

24th August
Paid Mr Woring in half Moon Court Cheap Side for a Grizel Wigg and gave me a Receipt. £1


I'm not sure that I have the name of the wigmaker correct - the writing is not clear - the wig is a grey one. Then Thomas does a lot more shopping which is all pretty routine, followed by this journey...

3rd September
Gave a man 2/3 to Take my Trunk on Board a Ship going to Hull & Spent this Day before I went on Board in punch, Bear & Fish 5/- (Thomas means beer)
Paid Lodgings & Washing in full 3/2
Sett forwards thisEvening and got to Hull the 9 September at 2 oClock in the afternoon and paid the Capt. for our passidge my Self & a Dutch Dog and my Trunk £1.1s
we was in a storme for 4 Days and was Drove near Hambourge I was sick for 3 Days and Could not Eat or Drink all that time.

(Poor Thomas! and what about the Dog? He doesn't mention buying it)

Left Hull & got to Barton the 12 September
Spent at Hull 6s

That must be Barton-upon-Humber. It's the other side of the Humber Estuary, but there is no mention of paying a Ferryman.

Thomas's Brother, John, then came to visit and his sisters moved their lodgings to St James's House in St James's Street. The round of sight seeing continues but mostly to places Thomas has already visited so we have already found out what we can about them.

Aug 1 1743
Went to Dr Tayler for advice of my Eyes he Cutt a vain or two in my Temples and gave me Two Bottles & gave him 10/6

(this is beyond comment!)

And, at last, an outing to a new place

Aug 15 1743
Dined with Sisters & Mr Longdon and Mr Fox went to Chelsea to See Sir Robert Walpooles Grotto & Gardens & The Physick Gardens & Don Salteras Rariteys and Cost us a Pieces 2/6

Sir Robert Walpole, famous as the first Prime Minister of Britain, had a house in Chelsea, close to the Royal Hospital.The house was extensively remodelled, into part of the Royal Hospital. Here is a portrait of the man himself.


And this is the only picture I can find which seems to be of the original house (It's the Vanbrugh Orangery). It became the Infirmary and was destroyed in World War II. I had to resorted to paper research to find that piece of information (Pevsner's Buildings of England, no less).


"Don Salteras" was known as Don Saltero but was really James Salter (a glamourous name never did any harm, it seems). His Coffee house and museum were in Cheyne Walk and Benjamin Franklin records visiting to see the curiosities in his autobiography. James Salter had worked for Sir Hans Sloane, whose collections form the basis of the British Museum, and at least some of his exhibits came from his former master's collections. It seems that he added some items of uncertain provenance such as the almost inevitable piece of the true Cross and.... "Pontius Pilate's wife's chambermaid's sister's hat" !

Thomas takes His Sisters Out & About

11th May 1743 Went with Sisters to See Earl of Essex with Mock Doctor 2/6

There seem to have been several plays based on the story of Thomas Cromwell, the first Earl of Essex, and I can't establish which one Thomas, Dorothy, Mary and Ann saw, yet. The Mock Doctor has been discussed in this blog before. The Earl of Essex was, of course, the tragedy which preceded the comedy making for a balanced evening's entertainment. Here is a poster for a performance of the Mock Doctor which was a few years later at the same theatre.



12th May
Spent 6d and went with Sisters & Mr Fox to Ranelagh & Spt. 2/6
15th May
Went with Sisters to Kensington Gardens and Dined & Supt at Kensington & Spent 18d
28th May
Went with Sisters & Mr Ashton to Vaux Hall & Cost me their & Boat Hire 3/-

Thomas is showing his sisters the sights of London. He has visited the two pleasure gardens and the Royal gardens at Kensington before. Using a boat to get to Vauxhall, which was, of course, on the Surrey side of the Thames, was part of the event and a great deal of the cost. There are 18th century poems about Vauxhall here.
This map shows the location of the gardens and something of their layout.