Notebook of
William Bettington
1835-68



Reproduced from the original held
at the Herefordshire Record Office,
by kind permission of the
Herefordshire Archive Service.

Transcription by James Boyce 2012


page 1 William Bettington [See Note 1]
page 2 Names of the Royal Family July 30th 1843 George the son of Wm Bettington and Caroline Bettington was born about 10 o’clock at Night 1845 August Phillip their son was Born about 6 o’clock in the Evening 1847 March 14th Also Louisa their Daughter was born about 4 o’clock in the morning 1849 March 10th Also William their son was born about 6 o’clock in the evening 1850 Mar 9th Also Their Daughter was Born about 3 o’clock in the morning Esther
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page 4 1846 Feby 2nd being Candlemas Day Father gave up Pow Green and Dowdings Brook School Land to me W Bettington By an agreement for Edward Bettington to pay the first half yrs rent and from Rates and Tythes for the first year and then after to look out for myself. The rent for Both places is £23 yearly
page 5 1846 This is a Memorandum of the Expenditure in labour and other payments William Jones for cutting peas in August 4 – 6 Sepr 6th John Cope for mudding a pool 7 – 6 October 10th paid John Whore for thrashing 15 – 6 October 11th Charles Squires come to service to me October 26th Monday 20 sheep come to me to tack at 2/6 per week 1 – 16 paid Nov 14th Finished wheat sowing and sowed 6 bushels and half of wheat 1847 Jan’ry 4th Richard Whore finished Thrashing and I paid him 1 – 4 – 0 March 28th Paid Richard Whore for stacking up oats 9 days at 1/6 13/6
page 6 Jan’ry 29th Hauling 1 Day for Mr J Thos from Wall Hills – – – 10 – 0 30th Hauling one Ton and half of Coal for J Hickox – – – 4 – 6 Feby 18th The Revrd Edwd Higgins had 6 Thrave and Half of Boltines 2/2 paid 20th Hauling 2 Days from Wall Hills for Mr J Thos 1 – 0 – 0 The gardiner at Bosbury House had 10 gallons of Cider at 9[d] Paid 7 – 6 2 gallons Jacob Graby – Paid 1 – 8 26th Hauling for Mr J Thos 1 Day 10 – 0 Joseph Mutlow had 1t – 1cwt – 3qr of Coal at £1 – 1s per ton at Turnpike 1 – 3 – 10 March 3rd Harrowing for Jas Hickox Paid 2 – 0 4th Hauling a Load of Dung up to Newmeadow for Mr Lucas paid 1 – 0 Sold Sarah Davies 2 cwt of Coal for 2 – 6 Had of Mr John Palmer Bag of Beans – – £1 – 0 – 0
page 7 March 5th finished Bean setting and paid 3 setters 6 – 0 – 8 I paid my half years Rent 11 – 14 – 7½ Chief Rent allowed – 4 – 7 15th Hauling from Evesbatch Coppice for Mr J Thomas 1Day 10 – 0 18th Hauling a Cart fo Coal Ashes onto new meadow for J Prichard 1 – 0 19th Hauling for William Bowler into newmeadow 4 Loads of Dung 5 – 0 Hauling a Load of stone from Bentleys quarry for Mr Lewis surveyor to Dowding’s Brook 3 – 0 Feb’y 16th William Whore come to service at 6d per per week March 20th & 22nd Hauling from Wall Hills Coppice to New Mills Wharf 2 Day 1 – 0 – 0 20th Had half a ton of coal 10 – 6 half hundred of stakes 2 – 0
page 8 21th Hauling Ash Wood from Steen Brook for Robt Chadd Paid 11 – 0 25th Joseph Prichard had 1cwt 2qtrs of C. 1 – 10 28th Paid Richd Whore for stocking up Orls 9 Days at 1/6 per day 13 – 6 Joseph Prichard 1cwt of Coal 1 – 3 April 2nd Hauling a load of Dung W Lucas 1 – 0 7th Hauling a Load of Boards from Colwall for Mr John Price 7 – 0 8th Hauling half a Load of Dung for Mr Allen into Newmeadow 1 – 0 9th Hauling 13 Loads of Manure for J Hickox 5 – 0 Ditto for John Prichard into Newmeadow 3 Loads 3 – 0 12th Hauling 2 Loads for J Chadd into Newmeadow 3 – 0 Do 1 Load for Thos Chadd 1 – 6 May 1st William Whore left and very good rid paid him 5 – 0 8th Hauling a Load of Lime for Joseph Hancox which I am to store at Thomas – – – Farm
page 9 12th Paid Mr Jenkins a poors Rate 11=0 May 4th Mr Jones To W Bettington for Hauling Bark from The Hill Farm Castlefroome to Cruise Pitch Wharf 2t – 6cwt – 0 at 6s per ton 6th 2 – 5 – 0 Ditto 11th 2 – 14 – 0 Ditto 15th 1 – 17 – 0 Ditto 26th finished Bark Hauling altogether was 25t – 5cwt at 6s Paid 7 – 11 – 6 Mr Squires received towards it 5 – 0 – 0 which I reckons 4 – 0 – 0 belongs to me 27th Hauling half Hundred of faggots & half a cord of wood for Joseph Chadd 8 – 0 June 2nd Hauling half hunded of faggots for Jas Morris Paid 6 – 0 3rd Do Half Hund. Thos Chadd 6 – 0 4th Do Mr Baskerville John Paid 6 – 0 7th Ploughing for John Baskerville 5 – 0 11th Hauling for Sarah Davies Half Hund Faggots 1 Day for man Paid 7 – 6
page 10 20th paid Richd Jones for – – ing Hops And weeding wheat 6 days and half at 1/8 10 – 10 Ditto 2 Days Paid 3 – 2 June 26th Ploughing for Mr John Preece 7 – 0 Hauling faggots and chips 3 – 0 Harrowing his ground 2 – 6 Paid Edwd Kendrick for Mowing and Haymaking 8 – 4 Ploughing for Mr J Sparkman 4 Days – for – Paid 8 – 0 July 10th Ploughing for John Preece – – – and hauling up Timber 6 – 0 which I had some drink for it Hauling faggots and cord wood for Mr Bale Paid 6 – 0 July 20th Began Hauling Timber for Mr Hall to Staplow Wharf 1 Day – – – – 1 Load 3 sticks
page 11 1847 July 22nd Hauling Timber 1 Day Took 2 loads 8 sticks Paid Turnpike July 28th Hauling 30 faggots for 4 – 0 Joseph Hickox from Bacon Hill 3 – 0 Received on account for Timber Hauling of Mr Jones £10 – 0 – 0 August 12th Hauling 4 tons of Coal for Mr Taylor Stanley Hill 2s turnpike 8 – 8 Sept. 10th Mrs Orgee 2 Bushels of Barley – – at 4s/ – 8 – 0 12th Hauling Mr Reynolds Mill paid 10 – 0 Peck of Barley X qs p 1 – 0 20th Hauling 2 Thousand of Brick from Pow Green 6d per Hund 10 – 0 Ditto a Cart of Lime = 6 – 0 Turnpike – paid 1 – 4 21st Hauling 1 ton and half of Coal for Jas. Parsons paid 2 – 6 Ditto for Thos Jones Hauling a Cart of sand from Cradley paid 4 – 0
page 12 1847 Sept 24 th Mr Allen wheelwright half Hogshead of Cider 52 gallons at 5d per gallon 2 – 1 – 8 Sept 14th Mr Thos Hauling Black poles from Evesbatch To Canon Froome wharf – – – 12 – 0 Hauling Coal for Nr Sheppard 8 – 0 Octobr 12 Mr Jas Chadd half Hogshed of Cider at 5d / 36 gallons – – 15 – 0 one day since 5 gallons when he was at work in newmeadow his men and him Digging Potatoes Thos Chadd had 6 quarts Nov 6th Mr Reynolds 1 peck of Barley 9th Mr Allen had 68 pounds of Barley flour at 10/6 per Hundred 12th Making half Hogshead of Drink for Mr Francis – – – 3 – 0 16th Making Hogshead of Cider for Mr Thos – – – – Paid 5 – 0
page 13 20th Mrs Reynolds half Bushel of Barley at 4/ 2 – 0 Bill Gardner 1 Bag of Barley At 13s/ paid = – 12 – 0 Decr 6th Hauling Ash for Philip Clissett from Woodcroft – 5 – 0 4th Making half Hogshead of Drink for Sarah Davies paid 2 – 6 9th Making Hogshead of Cider for Tos Hickox – 5 – 0 Hauling 1 Ton and half of Coal for Mr Taylor paid 3 – 0 12th – – – – – – – – – – Orgee had a Bag of Barley at 12s/ paid 12 – 0 4th Thos Hawkings had 8 gallons and 1 Pint of Drink at 6d per gall paid 4 – 11 10th Mrs Parsons had 5 Bottles of Drink 8 & 5 quarts each 6 gallons of – – 3 – 1½ he owes me before 2 – 0
page 14 12th Hauling for Mr Jos Gardman from the Homehouse to Jas – – – about 80 feet of Timber 10 – 0 10th making at John Prichards Drink – – – Paid 2 – 6 14th making a Hogshead for Mr Jos Prichard – – – 4 – 0 16th Hauling for Mr Samuel Thos. from Wallhills to Mr. Brookes Stanley Hill 1 day 10 – 0 10 Gallons of Drink at 5d 4 – 2 20th hauling 2 tons and half of Coal for Jos Hickox 6 – 3 21st making 1 hogshead and half of Cider for Jos Prichard 6 – 0 27th Hauling for Mr. Samuel Thos from Wall Hills to Ledbury 2 cords of wood 8 – 0 28th Hauling Poles to Bosbury 8 – 0 30th Hauling poles to Bosbury 8 – 0 31st Do Do Do 8 – 0
page 15 1848 Janry 6th Jack Parsons had 14 gallons of drink at 6d 7 – 0 9th Mr Joseph Chadd had 36 gallons at 6d 18 – 0 11th Mr Samuel Thos had 9 gallons of drink at 6d 4 – 6 Hauling 1 day at Wall Hills Brought core wood to Staplow 8 – 0 12th Hauling 1 day Do 8 – 0 15th Hauling 1 day Faggots to Bosbury 8 – 0 14th Hauling Poles for Jos Prichard Half Hundred 2 – 6 8th Hauling Half Hundred of Faggots to Ledbury T Mr – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – and load and half of wood to Ledbury 10 – 0 24th Hauling half a hundred of faggots to Ledbury to Mr Parsons 2 – 6
page 16 6th Jos Hickox 1 hundred of poles 10 – 0 Hauling 1 hundred of Poles 6 – 0 Hauling half a ton of coal 1 – 6 March 6th Hauling 2 loads of Dung for William Bowler Paid 6 – 0 8th Hauling 1 load for John Richd Paid 2 – 0 9th Hauling for the Revnd J H Underwood 5 hundred of Brick 3 – 0 10th Hauling cart of Lime 7 – 0 12th Cart of sand and Hauling 4 – 8 18th Sold a load of Cider 400 gallons To Mr Smith of Feckenham at 6d per gallon delivered to Worcester Paid 9 – 14 – 6 allowed 6 shillings 6 – 0 Paid Mr Jenkins for a poor rate at ? in the pound 15 – 11 20th Hauling 30 faggots for Thos Milner from Catley To Suffield 2 – 6 23rd Mr Jennings had 2 Bundles of stakes at 6[d] each 1 – 0 April 7th Hauling a load of Dung for Newmeadow for J Prichard 1 – 0
page 17 April 11th Hauling for Jos Chadd – – – newmeadow 3 loads 4 – 0 Paid Samuel Hope for wheeling of a – – – at Pow Green 7 – 6 21st Hauling a load of Barley for Mr John Bookenster Paid 3 – 0 Hauling for Mr Samuel Thos Coke from Wall Hills 3 days and took it to Worcester 1 – 1 – 0 Ploughing for Joseph Holder 2 – 6 Planting peas for Mr Groby Paid 5 – 0 Hauling bark for Mr Cale to Cannon Frome Wharf finish on the 11th May Paid 1 – 1 – 6 Hauling timber for Mr Cale June 1st 68s forty at 2/2 per foot paid 7 – 2 – 0 ton cut Por–2.8 p 11 – 6 8th Hauling faggots and chips for Thomas Torner Paid 10 – 0 Hauling Chips and fagots for Thomas Wilks paid 5 – 0 Hauling for Jas – – – – iss fagg[ot]s paid 6 – 0
page 18 The Produce of 1847 first wheat thrashed 7 bushel and half 10 – 6 2 bushell and peck of barley 9 – 0 1 bushell and half of wheat 12 – 0 2 bushell and half of vetches 1 – 0 – 0 Half hogshead of cider 1 – 0 – 0 half hogshead of cider Mr Allen 1 – 1 – 8 1 hogshead of cider ditto 1 – 6 – 0 To Michael Hodges Paid 1 hogshead of Barlon perry To William Taylor 10 – at 6d 2 – 18 – 0/6 allowed 2 – 6d paid Joseph Chadd 36 g[al]lons of cider at 5d also 5 Do 17 – 6d 8 bushel of Wheat at 7 2 – 6 – 0 2 bags of vetches at 7 2 – 2 – 0 10 bushel of Barley at 4s 2 – 0 – 0 1 bushel and half of Peas – – – – at 8s 12 – 0 2 bags of beans at 10/0 1 – 0 – 0 2 hogsheads of Cider we have drunk at £1 – 5 – 0 2 – 10 – 0
page 19 Produce of 1837 Potatoes 15 bushells at 4s 3 – 0 – 0 And 4 bushel and half of Wheat at 7s per bushel 1 – 11 – 6 3 bushels of Wheat 1 – 12 – 6 Made 15 hogshead of Cider altogether finished Dec[embe]r 12 1847 it was about 12 bags of Barley altogether at about 20 bushels of wheat Paid 1848 sold to Mr Foreman a patch of – – – – – 12 – 0 Apr 11th also Mr Kenelm Orgee a lot Paid 15 – 0 Also John Preece a lot 12 – 0 Ditto Mr John Paid 1 – 5 – 0 Sold Mr Hunter Crop of – – – 7 – 6 August 28th Sold Mr Jos Gardman another for 1 – 15 – 0 1 – 15 – 0
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page 21 Brought forward 1848 June 16th Hauling for Mr Joss Chadd half hundred of Fagotts Paid 5 – 0 16th for Mr Chadd half hundred Paid 5 – 0 Hauling a quarter of a hundred for Rich[ar]d Kendrick Paid 1 – 6 Jun 21st Began hauling stone into The roads for Mr William Saweyer into Old Court Road and Dowdings Brook Road and worldends Road Hauled one hundred yards at 8d per yard Paid 3 – 6 – 8 July 1st Joseph Hickox had 2 poles to hang [h]is Bellows 2 – 0 Hauling half hundred of faggotts for Jos Mutlow 6 – 0 Hauling 50 yards for Mr Wilson at 8d per yard Paid 13 – 4 10th Hauling 1t – 2cwt of smith’s coal at 2 – 6d per ton for Joseph Hickox 2 – 9 21st Ploughing 2 days for Robt Summers at 5s per day 10 – 0 August 6th began hauling from Coombe Hill quarry for Mr Wilson 129 yards
page 22 10th Hauling 1 thousand of brick for Mr Bosley to the new school at Bosbury Paid 2 – 6 22nd Hauling Wheat for the Revrd E Higgins Part of a day Paid 2 – 6 26th 5 days work for Mr Shelby Upleadon at 3s per day Paid 15 – 0 30th 1day with team for Mr Birt Threshing at Catley Cross Paid 10 – 0 September 5th Thrashing 2 days for Jas Phillips at Ousel's Nest Paid 15 – 0 10th Scuffling for Mr Groby 2 days Paid 7 – 6 20th 2 days work for Mr Birt Paid 16 – 0 October 4th Making one hogshead of cider for Mr Jennings 5 – 0 13 Hauling timber for Mr Hancocks at Catley 7 – 0 2 rows of Potatoe ground 3 – 0 15th Hauling Brick for Oven for Mr Underwood Paid 5 – 0 20th Hauling 140 Bushel of Wheat Paid 8 – 9 at 3d per bag for Mr Webb
page 23 22nd Hauling 15 cwt of Coal for Mrs Hickox 2 – 0 24th Hauling 48 pots of fruit for Jos Banes at 4d per pot Paid 16 – 0 – ‐ – ‐ finished Hauling 129 yards of stone for mr William Sawyer 29 at 16d – £1 – 8 – 8 100 at 14d – £5 – 16 – 8 – ‐ – ‐ Hauling 1 ton and half of Coal for Mrs Hickox 3 – 9 11th Joseph Chadd had 36x2 gallons of Cider at 5d per gallon Ploughing and sowing for Mr Groty Paid 13 – 6 18th hauling 24 pots of fruit for Jos Barnes at 4d Paid 8 – 0 Dec 1st Making 2 Hogsheads of Cider for Mr Jennings 10 – 0 4th Mr Hickox had half a bushel of peas 2 – 6 6th Robert Chadd had half hogshead of drink at 4 1/2per gallon 30 gallons Paid 18 – 9
page 24 Mr Jas Baskerville Account of work began June 20th at 9d per week First week – Hauling Timber at The Hill Bishops Froome 4 days 6 – 0 Second week 2days half 3 – 9 Third July 7th Hauling stone from The Hill and Beacon Hill Quarry 5days 7 – 6 5th received an account which he paid for all 1 – 0 10th received 10 – 0 4 week 3 days 4 – 6 Paid for ale at Coddington 1 – 6 July 28th 2days at Timber Hauling at the Hill at Castle Froome 3 – 0
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page 26 Robt Lewis Bettington account received 3 – 0 June 20th Do 1 – 0 24th Do 2 – 6 July 6th Received 3 – 6 10th Received 1 – 0 14th Received 4 – 0 August 10th Received 5 – 6 Paid 0 – 3 Sepp 28th Recd 10 – 0 His tobacco I cant tell how much Received for Ploughing 6 – 0 10th Poundage for his Horses 4 – 4 2 half bushels of flour 8 – 6 2 Do of one at 8 – 0 Received of Gatfields in cash 10 – 6 cash 4 – 6 1 – 6 Pig 8 – 6 Drink and Tobacco I paid him at Gatfields 10 – 0 I paid Do at Hereford 10 – 0 Half ton of Coal 9 – 0 1 bushel of beans 4 – 0
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Several pages torn out
page 28 August 6th Hauling 30 yards of stone from Veldiot quarry to Mr Willan into Nashend Lane at 1/1d per yard Paid £1 – 12 – 6 14th Hauling 20 yds for Mr Squires from Birchend 10 into the Worlands road and 10 into Old Court road at 1/1d Paid £1 – 8 – 4 Sept 6th Hauling 9 yd stone from Dry Thistle Hill into Catley road for Mr C Brown at 8d per yd Paid 6 – 0 10th Hauling Potatoes and Cord of wood for Thos Wilks Paid 2 – 6 2days work with the mare for Revd Edw Higgins Paid 3 – 0 Hauling Half Hundred of Fagots for John Lucas Paid 3 – 0 10th Making half of half hogshead of drink for the Old Bishop 1 – 6 Making half Hogshead of Drink for Mr Graty and Hauling Quarter of a Hundred of Faggots from Beacon Hill
page 29 Oct 1st Making a Hogshead of Drink for Richd Jones at Broad Oak 4 – 0 20th Hauling 2 Hogsheads to Malvern 4 – 0 Nov 5th Making 2 Hogsheads 8 – 0 Oct 26th Hauling fruit for Thos. Wilks from Harbour Hill Paid 1 – 6 Nov 11 Hauling coal for Mr Floyd Paid 2 – 6 Do for Edwd Roth Paid 1 – 6 Do for Mr Graty Paid 1 – 6 ? Hauling 2 Cords of wood and a Hogshead of Cider for D Thomas 4 – 0 Making half a Hogshead of Drink for Mr W Kendrick Pd 2 – 6 Making Half Hogshead of Drink for Miss Kendrick Harbour Hill? 2 – 6 14th Making a Hogshead of Drink for Smith fisherman Paid 2 – 6 Do Do 2 – 6
page 30 16th Began 20 yds of stone for Thos Gardiner 22nd Making a Hogshead of Drink for John Lucas and half – – – – – – – – – – – Making 1 for W Lucas Paid 4 – 0 24th Making half Hogshead for Jos Mutlow 2 – 6 Hauling half a ton of Coal 1 – 6 Making Hogshead and Half for Herbert Preece Paid 6 – 0 25 Making2 days for Smith Paid 5 – 0 27 Making W Hyde 1 Hogshead Paid 4 – 0 Hauling a Cart of Fruit for Samuel Jones from Upleadon Paid 2 – 6 Dec 8th Making one Hogshead of Cider for Mr Jones Bishop 4 – 0 9th Making 1 Hogshead for Mr Samuel Jones Paid 4 – 6 10th Making 1 day for Smith 2 – 6 11th Making 1 Hogshead half for Old Thos Kendrick Paid 6 – 0 Hauling Coal for Jos Prichard Joseph Floyd Thomas Graty and Lewis the Gardiner 2 tons Paid
page 31 Dec 28th Making 1 Hogshead of Drink for Richd Jones 4 – 0 29th Hauling Half a Ton of Coal for Thos Wilks x 1 – 6 1852 January 3rd Hauling Hotherings and Stakes for Thos Wilks x 2 – 0 5th Making a Hogshead and quarter of Cider for Jos Mutlow 5 – 0 7th Making 3 days for 8th 9th Richd Jones 12 – 0 12th Making 1 Hogshead 4 – 0 13th Taking 1 Hogshead to Malvern for Richd Jones 5 – 0 14 Making 3 Hogsheads 15 16 for Richd Jones 12 – 0 7th Making 1 Day for W Kendrick 2 – 6
page 32 Janry 21st [1852] Began stone Hauling from Ledbury finished 40 yards at 10d yd £1 – 13 – 4 25th Hauling goods to Little Marcle for Bob Taylor Paid 4 – 0 Hauling 2 loads of Bushes for Thos Wilks from Marcle x 4 – 0 27th Hauling goods for Old Richd Kendrick to Englands Bridge 2 – 6 29th Hauling 8 Hogsheads of Drink For Richd Jones to his own House 4 – 0 Febry 2nd Hauling a Hogshead of Drink to Malvern for Richd Jones 5 – 0 7th Hauling Timber for Mr Stephen Rogers 3days at 7s per day £1 – 1 – 0 10th Began 49 yards of stone at the Birchend quarry into the Worlands road part of it and Paid the other by the Townsend Ash
page 33 March 6th Hauling – – – – – – – of Coal fore – – – – – – – – – – 1 – 0 – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 5 – 0 Hauling cart of Lime from Colwall Pd 4 – 0 Hauling fagots for Pd 2 – 6 25th Hauling 90 yds of stone from the Birchend quarry into the – – – – – – – Road at – – – – – Paid £3 – 15 ‐ 0 for Mr Kendrick Sawyer April 22nd Hauling half Hundred of fagots for – – – – – – – – – – – – Roberts from Bosbury House Paid 2 – 0 Hauling cart of Brick for William Chadd 2 – 0 May 11th Hauling a q[uarte]r of a Hundred of faggotts for Thomas Wilks from Wellington Heath Paid 2 – 0
page 34 June 6th Hauling half Hundred of faggots for Thos Wilks from Upleadon settled with Thos. Wilks 9th Hauling half Hundred of faggots and cart of Chipps 4 – 0 for Jas Chadd from the – – – – Tree coppice July 18th Hauling a Cord of wood for Joseph Mutlow from the High Wood at Castle Frome 3 – 0 20th Hauling of qr of Hundred of faggotts for Jas. Baggot 2 – 0 Do for Richd Whores 2 – 0 22nd Hauling Timber 2 days for Revd Edwd Higgins Paid 10 – 0 26th Hauling Hay and Dung for W Chadd 2 days 8 – 0 August 6th Hauling Wheat 1 day for W Chadd 2 – 6
page 35 1852 Hauling 46 yds of Stone from August 10th Quarry into Dowdings Brook Road at 7d per mile per yd and stacking 98 yds setled 5 – 6 – 2 Sept 20th Hauling 2 yds of stone from Ridges Cross Quarry for repairs done at Dowdings Brook and Turnpike – – – – – 4 – 6 Paid for the stone 1 – 0 October 18th Began 20 yds into the Old Court road from Veldiot Nov 4th finished Hauling 20yds into Old Court Nov 5th Began to Haul 35yds of Gravel From Dry Thistle Hill into Catley Division at 9d per yd 1852 Novr 1st Sold Mr Jas Chadd a Black Coat and a Pair of shoes for – £1 – 10 – 0 6th Making 2 Half Hogsheads of Drink for Thos Hall – – 4 – 0 8th Hauling Half a Ton of sweedes for Joseph Mutlow from Upleadon to Ails Croft 2 – 6
page 36 To a Bill delivered to Ja[me]s Chadd 12t Hauling 200 yds more from Dry Thistle Hill into Catley Division at 9d per yard comes altogether to £2 – 1s – 3d Dec 24th Hauling 20 yds into Dowdings Brook Road at 2s 1½d per yd 2 0/0 Hauling half a ton of Coal to Thomas Wilkes Paid 2 – 0
Remainder of this page is cut out of the book
page 1 from back blank
page 2 from back A Receipt to cure love H. Bettington You must take a grain of Sense half a grain of Prudence a dram of understanding one ounce of patience and a pound of resolution and a handful of dislike. Intermix them altogether and fold them up in the interior parts of your brain for two hours and a quarter then set them on the slow fire of hatred and strain off from the dregs of melancholy; sweeten it with forget– fullness. then put it in the bottle of your heart and stop it with the cork of judgement, then let it stand for ten days in the water of cold affection; this right– ly made and fully applied is the most effectuel remedy in the universe; you may have it at the house of understanding in constant street by going up the hill of self denial in the town of forget– fullness in the country of love. Bosbury [see Note 2] Herefordshire
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page 4 A Curious Love Letter Most Amiable Madam After a long consideration of the great Reputation that we have in this nation for my own preservation I have a great inclination To become your relation and to give demonstration to this my estimation without equivocation I am making preparation by a speedy navigation To remove my habitation to a nearer situation for to pay your ordonation for the sake of conversation And if this my declaration May but meet your approbation it will impose an obligation without differentiation from generation to generation upon Timothy Observation,
page 5 from back [Song] There was an old Woman clothed in grey her daughter was charming and young And she was once led astray By Rogers false flattering tongue Abroad in the meadows and fields There they two often had been till her belly grewed up to her chin and her spirit was down in the heel and then she began for to . . . The old woman trembled for fear and gave her . . . . . . . daughter . . . you I doubt you have been playing the fool And calls it hay ding a ding-ding Why had not you followed my rules And tied your two toes in a string Why mother I followed your rules . . . . I was he . . . . my . . . and . . . . . all my . . . . . . . . he deceived and would have
page 6 from back . . . . it is but a folly This done and cannot . . . . Who is it young Hodge of the mill it is verily mother the same [Fetch] me my crutches with speed and I will hop to him although I am lame bring me my spectacles too as a lesson to him I may read that shall be ring through his head and through and make him ashamed of his . . . . oh then she went hop[p]ing along and she came to young Hodge of the mill and on him her crutches did lay saying you have ruined my poor girl by getting her dear maidenhead A thing which you cannot deny and with her I hope you will wed and make her as honest as I. O what will you give me he cries To take her off your hands will you make me here lord of your store likewise your silver and gold your corn and your cattle
page 7 from back and then I will make her my bride Speak up whether you are willing or no? O then she took Hodge by the hand you shall have her shares and to hold and you shall be heir to my lodge likewise to my silver and gold my corn and my cattle also and you shall be lord of my store whenever I surrender my life . . . . it was twenty times more the wedding being over and past the old woman wished them much luck being proud of her daughter and son And its now for a girl or a boy and she looked as big as the duchess and the old woman she jumped for joy and she jig[g]ed them a jig with her crutches. Printed and published By William Bettington Bosbury Herefordshire [This is a folk-song called 'The Worcestershire Wedding" and the words are similar to those given in Broadsheet Ballads at the Bodleian Library Oxford, catalogue ref. 2806 c 18 quoted in Folkopedia, ref. HAM/05/32/25, Source details - accessed 1/12/12]
page 8 from back [A Curious Thing] Dec 1835 A woman recently died in Italy in 1836 who had attained the advanced age of 142 years after having been blessed with 8 husbands the last of whom has survived her. The disconsolate widower who is in his 62nd year became enamoured of his better half when he himself had just passed his 20th yr and his bride had completed her century. Malevolent tongues insinuate that his love was influenced more by the pleasing an ticipation of a rich inheritance by his wifes decease than by her charms. If such were the case his dreams of bliss were not realised until 42 years had rolled over his head and he had heard many and many a tale of the various merits of her former consorts. The eldest of the ladys surviving daughters is 90 years of age – She was born in her mothers 52nd year. The daughter is herself a great great grandmother.
page 9 from back ( Epitaph ) My Sledge and hammer lies reclined My Bellows too have lost their wind My fire extinguished forge decayd And in the dust my vice is layd My Cole is spent my Iron gone My last is Drove and my work is Done ( Memorandums ) In the year 1835 April 1st was good Friday commonly called it snowed All day long it was very Bad day. In the year 1836 was a Very great hit of Barlons [Barland pears?] something To be noticed but not much Cider
page 10 from back In the year 1836 was a very dry Summer but not so very hot not for long at a time In the year 1836 and continuing Till April 1837 it was a very long winter but not so severe I have knowd it but very cold indeed and in march 1837 was a regular snow 15 or 18 inches Deep and stopped on the ground for as much as a fortnight or three weeks. It as Been frosty every night in April and too or three snows in April until the 16th it is the longest winter as Even the oldest ever remembered In 1837
page 11 from back ( Some News ) An Internment On one occasion being in command of a funeral party and finding on our arrival at the Ground that the priest had failed in his appointment, I placed a corporal with a file of men in the street to waylay the first churchman that passed by and bring him to at arms before me, as I knew that all sorts of excuse something not finished 1837 Being a very late spring Almost every Body supposed it would be no Cider or perry made this Season The blow was so Late a coming out
page 12 from back But for 1837 we had the plentyfullest year of Every thing that ever was remembered By the oldest inhabitant Both hops and Cider and every thing that Can be mentioned excepting perry 1838 Was a very Bad year of Both Hops and Cider but plenty of Corn and very good Harvest ( Song ) When we swell on the lips we adore Not a pleasure in nature is missing May his soul rest in heaven the discovery made Who was first the inventor of kissing Master Adam I verily think was that man Whose discovery will never be Surpassed Then since this sweet game with creation began To the end of the world may it last. [From ‘The Spirit of English Wit’ 1826 page 70 which begins ‘When we dwell ...’]
page 13 from back 1838 I never remembered such a bad year of Cider And perry not scarcely a Hogshead made at farm House. 1839 was very bad hit of cider and perry worse if could be than 1838 it was pretty well for hops but brought nothing scarcely must be very good indeed to reach 3 guineas per cut 1839 from July until 1840 february it was constant wet reguarly it was not a very bad harvest but very hinder – some one very bad michaelmas for sowing the wheat not scarcely the one half of it put in and that as was it was done very bad indeed
page 14 from back 1837 I Bought a sheep this was the first of the produce brought me a lamb I sold the wool for half a crown I changed my lamb for a ewe lamb. 1838 they Both brought a lamb each but very late the was too late for Cuckoo lambs 1839 I sold one ewe and lamb for 2 – 6 2 – 14 – 0 the wool for 18 – the one have brought me too [two] ewe lambs they be altogether five ewes one lamb after August I sold 3 ewes 2 of them was lambs 2 for 1 – 10 – 0 1 lamb for 16 – 0 Sold my wool for 11 – 0 1840 wool was sold for 12 – 0 1840 sold one whether sheep lamb 10 – 0 1841 sold 7 sheep 3 of them lambs for 6 – 15 – 0
page 15 from back (Curious Thing) There was an Old Lady in the west of England which Darned stockings with the same needle for twenty successive years so used was the Said needle to its work that fre – quently on the Ladys Leaving the room the said needle would keep on Darning without her after this old Lady Died this needle was found by her relatives after a Length – ened time several of them tried to thread it but could not they could not think whatever obstructed threads after a while by a microscopic observation observed a tear in the eye of it A true De[a]th
page 16 from back 1839 was such a very bad wheat Sowing a great deal of it was not Sowed until march 1840 it was such a hindersome time all along until March and we had a good many frosty nights and put the ground in tune and made it work sweetly well and every body fetched up their work as was behind so The weather took up about the middle of February 1840 and remained dry for a nine or ten weeks it was a capital lent sowing I suppose as fine as ever was remembered _____________________________________ 1840 It was on the 10th or 11th of March as I and such a one absconded from each others company
page 17 from back 1840 March 23rd I went to Hereford Assizes and stopped 2 Days And 2 Nights and had a very good Lark 1840 August and Sept’r was a beautiful Harvest as was ever remembered by Any Body if you can remember the wheat at one time was expected to come to nothing but as beautiful crop of wheat as ever was remembered was that Harvest as fine a time to get it together thank God for it 1840 tis not a deal of Cider in this parish But some of the surrounding parishes are plentiful off it is pretty well of Barlons and and other sorts of perry
page 18 1840 Michaelmas wheat sowing was a beautiful one to[o] dry if anything 1840 Nov. I took one lamb to Ha – – – with Richard Weaver 1840 No Hops picked not in this Parish scarcely half a hundred weight in the Parish in that season We have had a very severe winter this time for about eight weeks began about a fortnight before Christmas and lasted till the middle of February 1841 we have had a very fine march as hot and Pleasant all the beginning of the month And had a very fine lent sowing
page 19 from back 1841 May 22nd oh how beautiful the fruit trees looks and very Promising for a plentiful crop 1843 William was married to Caroline on the Wednesday in Bosbury wake week some time in June [ref 1] 1845 was plenty of Cider and Perry made but turned out very bad the wheat was pretty well but a poor Cask and very few of good for nothing hops 1846 is a very good year of hops the best I ever remembered and brought a
page 20 from back Tolerable good price about £4/10 on an average and the finest hop picking as ever I recollect very good harvest the wheat turns out very well the beans and peas very scanty the cider and perry is very badly off it about a hogshead or two at a farm house the potatoes are a deal worse than in 1845 they was plenty of them that year but this year there be scarcely any of them and very bad indeed 1846 Nov 30th the frost set in And continued till 18th of Decr we consider it very early & severe
page 21 from back 1847 This have been very dry february month but very severe frost 1 night especially three or four Degrees Lower Thermometer was than has been for 27 yrs It has been very Cold and all along and very Long winter the fruit trees are very backward indeed 1847 the Potatoes are looking very well in July pretty well of fruit but some on is very small it has been very hot indeed the Beans was promising for a good crop but something have covered them with flys I doubt they will come to nothing
page 22 Oh the Bean Crop come off very scanty indeed the wheat was capital and likewise the Barley the potatoes where very good Turn out what few was planted I never recollected a Dryer summer than 1847 the Hops was a mere nothing not worth a picking the Apples and pears turned out pretty fairish and the Cider turns out well 1848 was a fairish crop of Hops but very low price about £2/14 to £3/0/0 Pretty well of Perry but not much Cider about our Country price to Ledbury About 4d per gallon The Wheat crop was pretty well but ?hudling cart but a very Hindersome Harvest a good Deal of it was got in very
page 23 from back very Bad it will be a good Deal of Danby Bread The Potatoe crop is worse than have been for the last two yrs before there be scarcely any as be good for any thing the Beans and peas was a Capital crop of straw but very little Corn there come a blight on them about a month before the time for Cutting them this Michaelmas is very awkward for the wheat sowing the ground is in a very Bad state so very wet all along but I cant tell not yet what sort of crop we might have 1849 The wheat is looking very July well at present and all other
page 24 sorts of grain The Hops are blighted very much indeed the crop of apples are very well but no perry scarcely it has been very good weather for the early hay making 1849 was a pretty fairish crop of Hops and a very good crop of Cider but no perry scarcely The Hops Brought a tolerable good price and a capital crop of wheat and Lent Corn of all descriptions 1850 the weather is very wintery to begin with snow and frost
page 25 from back 1850 has been a very Dry summer indeed all along from about April till nearly Christmas it was a very fair crop of Hops and brought about £4/10 on average not much fruit but a very good crop of wheat but not much Lent corn 1851 Was a plentiful year of Cider and Perry and Hops and Brot a Tolerable good Price and the wheat and all sorts of grain was Pretty well this was the great exhi – bition year 1852 the Potatoes are failing very fast the wheat is looking remarkably well on the 16th was such thunder and lightning followed by a storm of Hail or more like pieces of ice there was pieces that would
page 26 I am sp – – – in a goose but not in a rat I’m in a mouse but not in a cat I’m in a leopard but not in a fly I’m on your house but not in your eye Tell me this thing which I know is in you But not in your head, though it is in your shoe enigma I’m seen on the deck of ships Bound for Quebec I always form part of a wonder I join with the slave and I’m seen in the wave I’m heard in the peal of the thunder I’m in all disputes though I ne’er contradict I am found in the regions below Ever present with those who commit an offence With justice I hand in hand go I’m seen in darkness but not in the Light To the afflicted I give my relief I’m found in such colours as green, blue and white And am ready to fetter the thief I follow all soldiers who wish to be brave I nest in the heavens above With the miser I die and descend to the grave Yet attend on mercy and love
page 27 from back Mr Glue married to Miss Holiday Most happy of men in taking a wife Hast a Holiday won for the rest of thy life Be constant faithful tender and true Love her Dearly and well and stick to her like Glue Why should an Old workman on the roads be one of the best of men? because he has long been in the habit of mending his ways A secret a witty fellow happening to step into a alehouse one day called for a glass of the refreshing Beverage after drinking it he said to the Landlady, with the air of one of some great secret, to commun – icate Mrs D I can tell you how you can sell a great deal more ale than you do How is that? She asked Don’t sell so much Froth was the reply
page 28 from back 1852 Continued such a frightful storm of ice which done a great deal of damage to the glass around Bosbury it happened to be on our general Election day at Ledbury and the next week was our archery shooting day at Bosbury House and a beautiful show it was we have had a very wet summer indeed it looks very awkward for wheat sowing there was the Highest flood that ever was remembered on the 4th of Sepr which done a great deal of damage to the crops and wheat ricks and swirled bridges up and almost drowned our parson and his wife and Mr Morriss building was swam away and his Cart and pigs and a
page 29 from back great many sheep was Drowned but not but one life lost as we heard anything about we have had it very wet all the Time since Till now November 11th we have had a Nother very High Flood and rained for 2 Days and it remained wet for a long time There was scarcely any wheat sowing done at Michaelmas time but now for 1853 The wheat was put in about March and april most of it and the Now in Sepr there is not much Cut but it is capital crops of it And pretty well of fruit and Hops Hops turned out Pretty well and Brought an average 1 – 2£ per cut
page 30 Wheat comes off very bad for – – And the flour is now at 13 shillings per Bushel and everything is very Dear in proportion the Bacon 1s 9d per lb and the Cheese is as much Mutton and beef is 7d per lb and now 1854 We have had a tolerable good wheat sowing but the weather is very cold now Janry we have very sharp frosts and deep snow and the times is very bad now for me and our little family lost my mare on the 4th of Decr 1853 1854 Things are very Dear indeed every thing flour 14s per Bushel and Mutton 8d per lb and Coal is
page 31 from back 25s per Ton and every thing in proportion Bad Times with us and a many more we have had a beautiful wheat sowing Feby and March was very Dry there is a great Talk about war and warring away they be now began about August we have had a Bountiful Harvest indeed and Capital Harvest the Fruit turns out very well and brings 6 or 7 shillings a pot and flour keeps to 12 shilg and Cider Brings a very good price and every thing Else Every things keep have had a nice beautiful summer and up Till Christmas it was very
page 32 mild indeed and scarcely any wet for more than half a yr – Capital Crops of Wheat and Beans and all sorts of grain and sells capital Beans 1d per Bag and Wheat £1 8s and so in proportion with every thing that is all the good as wars does to us poor folks – 1855 Janry 20th about frost and snow set in and we have had it very sharp indeed the Canals and Severn and all was frozen over as brought the coal to an enormous price and it is a Capital wheat sowing in 1854 1855 Things keeps on so very Dear But we have had a middling Hay making a great deal of it
page 33 from back spoiled But the Harvest was a Capital good one and a Bountiful one Too there is pretty well of Perry But not much apples, an abundant crop of Hops and brings about £4/10 per cut the most I ever remembered grow in one year about Half a Ton of an acre every Thing keeps So very Dear on account of the war I suppose The war is over and at an end I suppose but Things come down very quietly we had a Capital wheat sowing in 1855 1856 ia a Bountiful year of Corn wheat and Beans and all sorts of Grain But not many Hops nor but very little fruit growing almost a Failure in all parts of the County
page 34 Swallow and Sparrow A swallow had within the last few weeks built itself a nest under the eaves of at the back of the County Gaol imagining no doubt that its proximity to a court of law would secure her from injustice or intrusion but such was not to be the case. A Lazy hen sparrow during the swallows temporary absence finding a ready made nest quietly took possession and made herself quietly at home. The swallow on returning essayed to enter at the narrow aperture but found the intruders Beak placed there to debar her from so doing Finding that the tenant in possession showed no desire to evacuate the tenant in right flew to summon a meeting of friends and neighbours who quickly responded to the call and the air was quickly thronged with winged jurymen Lynch law was to be the mode of procedure
page 35 from back and each swallow armed himself with a morsel of Clay and proceeded to plaster the hapless intruder in the nest This was speedily accomplished and the sparrow was left to die with suffocation and want of food. The nest was subsequently opened by the swallows and the unwelcome carcase thrust out but the head of the bird by some means became plastered to the nest and the Body still hangs there as a warning to avoid similar sins. The original owner of the property was reinstated in her tenement and by her cheerful twitter seems to exult over her fallen adversary. Published By W Bettington On the 20 Day of July 1856
page 36 1856 I Harvested for Mr Turner of The Lower House and Capital wheat he had. We had one very wet week and some wheat was growed but not half a Bad Harvest The fruit was almost a Failure I have no Drink this Christmas the first I ever was without The Flour is come Down as low as 9 shillings but everything else is very Dear 1857 Oh what a short Time of Drink Every Thing Except the Flour is very Dear the Flour is 8 shillings The Meat 7p or 8d per pound May The Fruit trees are Looking very Promising for a crop of fruit and the weather is very propitious at present
page 37 from back 1857 June The Last week was tremendous Hot but very seasonable weather and a most splendid crop of Hops and wheat and Beans and fruit the Barlons come again, once more the Potatoes are very bad indeed worse if can be than have been for years past I harvested for Mr Treherne of Grt Catley I cut by myself 7 acres of wheat and 5½ acres of Beans we have been without Drink for a long Time However I consider it so Meat and Cheese and Butter is very Dear Butter 1s – 5d per lb beef 7d mutton 7d and everything in proportion Except it is Flour at 8/6
page 38 from back 1857 Was a bountiful year of every thing good crops of all sorts of grain and a very good Harvest and a Bountiful crop of Fruit it was so large it did rise to a great quantity the Barlons come out Pretty Fairish the wars in India are going on very distressing I believe at this Present time Now it is come to January 1858 and we have had it very fine indeed for wheat sowing and the winter have been so mild up till now such a one that I have never remembered the Hops Brought something like 3 guineas per cut on average this time Mild Winter 1858 June it was very Hot for two Or three Days there is fairish of fruit again but it is very small
page 39 from back 1858 August The Harvest is very good one and Nearly half done Mr Bishop of Pegs Farm began to cut wheat on the 20th of July we consider it very soon indeed for this County there will be a fairish crop of Hops and every thing in proportion The 9th 10th+11th of August was three of the Hottest days I can remember This was the Mildest winter I ever Remember there was no frost except nights very sharp in November, and no snow at until one day in april that was 1859 a Regular snowy day And we have a few sharp frosts now in april a Bountiful summer and very fair crop of apples but no perry scarcely and a very fair crop of Hops and
page 40 Brought a tolerable good price which was about £3/10 and other crops very good the Potatoes were not quite so bad and in November we had some very sharp frosts and remains on a long winter It was a long winter too and now for 1860 we have had a very wet summer indeed and only about one Fornight of warm weather about Haymaking The Hay was got tolerable well but a very Poor crop of Hops but they two or three did bring some money my father in law sold his at 20£ per cut and some reached as high as 22£s The wheat come off very well considering the constant wet weather and has for a Bad Harvest it was not although it was very hindersome a capital crop of Beans, Peas middling Barley and Potatoes worse still
page 41 from back than they was of late years, there is a great crop of apples + pears this time but I doubt they will not rise to much a good deal is very small I Finished Harvesting on the 15th of October and began on the 28th August I never knowd it so late there is a Good deal of wheat to cut now al the Beans are out in the fields meat and cheese and Butter and all sorts of eatables is very dear Flour 10s Butter 1s/4d Cheese 9d Honest cheese too Beef or mutton 8d per lb It still remains wet Novr The frost Began and was sharp for a short time and then about Christmas it was very severe and Lasted about a month together with snow on the ground Christnas day
page 42 from back was a very Cold Day as cold as ever was remembered it was a long Winter the wheat turned out a Light Crop 1861 Beans + peas very good and a Capital harvest as ever Could be and the weather has been very seasonable ever since The Hops Come out very well indeed and Brought a good price about 8£ per cut on an average and very fine for The Hop picking but Flour is dear 9s/6d per bushel and meat 8d per lb and every thing is dear in proportion except the Coal the railroad was opened this summer and makes that some cheaper not much Fruit and that as was chiefly apples, no pears scarcely but it makes Capital Cider I only made about a Hogshead and now Cold winter is approaching
page 43 from back We had about a week of sharp frost in November and that was nearly all as are experienced this winter but we have had a good Deal of wet weather and only one day of snow 1862 It have been a very cool summer but a good hay making time and a good harvest and I think a very productive one. Capital crops of Beans and much fruit chiefly pears. Potatoes middling. Flour 8/ – pr Bush Meal dear 7½ to 8d Bacon and Cheese about 6d per lb and now it is Christmas we have had a weeks frost in Nov but Christmas day was as fine as ever I remember so warm and all the week the people are busy at wheat sowing on the morrow after Christmas
page 44 from back but the chief part of it was put in in good time and is looking very well 1863 The crops are looking remarkable well we had it very hot on the 10th 11th & 12th of July and a capital hay making it is rather scanty of fruit pretty fairish of pears and likely to be a good many of Hops a good crop of hops and brought about 6d on an average a good deal of perry made The Winter began in Novr. Flour about 6/ – per bushel. 1864 The winter continues on very severe we have had about a month of it so it was a very long winter Now we have had a very good Hay making but recollect this is the dryest summer that we have
page 45 from back had for a very long time about a fortnight of very hot weather in July we had no rain from about the middle of March until October Excepting a few slight showers I consider it the Dryest summer we recollected But it was a plentiful year of Everything the biggest crop of Apples I ever recollect and a good Harvest middling crop of beans but a good year of Barley and plenty of Hops an average price of 6/10 and an abundance of Acorns Potatoes good but very small in most places the dry summer caused that 1864 & 65 up to Christmas it was very cold but it was a long
page 46 from back Continuation of Snow and Frost up till Feby There was an abundance of snow in Janry snow in some places 20 feet Deep where it was drifted. We had more snow in this 1865 year than we have had for a number of years and put it all together and it have been a long cold winter it have been very cold during the March month and frosty nearly every night It has been very hot in Sept and dry ever since hop picking commenced About the 16th it was very hot and abundance of hops to pick now and hot weather
page 47 from back has caused them to go very Brown, a very little fruit this season I have not enough to wet the – – – . The Potatoes very bad indeed again 1866 we had scarcely any frost but through Janry Febry March but it was very cold in April and May frosty ground every night in May it took the potatoes off two or three times but beans and Pear are looking very well and the wheat and our Countryy looks prepared the Fruit Trees look splendid but the Hops are looking middling. Flour is 8 per bushel Meat and Cheese is enormous dear on account of the Cattle Plague which has been raging now for nearly twelve months gone the last week was very hot and good part of July it was very good hay Harvest flour 9s per Bushel and beef & Mutton very Dear 9 – – – per lb Butter potatoes good – – – harvest – – –
page 48 from back ( Lines Written in Hereford Gaol ) So this is “Limbo” ! When I came My wife and Daughter fainted But like a friend of mine ’tis not One half so black as painted I’ve roast and boiled and nothing spoiled and what could man have better? I only wish I’d such a Dish When I’m not here a Debtor I never wonder while in here How I shall dine tomorrow But when at home I want a feed I have to beg or Borrow I envy not the harder lot Of those who toil and labour And all to say they pay their way And never cheat their neighbour Then hail ye Court of Law: and hail ye judges who preside there Before I pay an honest debt I’d fifty times be tried there Supported here for Debt, Sir If that’s the way you’d make pay you’d be mistaken yet Sir
page 49 from back The Bride I know of no sight more charming and touching than that of a young and tender bride in her robes of virgin white led up trembling to the altar. When I thus behold a lovely girl in the tenderness of her years forsake the house of her Father and the home of her childhood – and with the implicit confidence. and the self abandonment which belong to women, giving up all the world for the man of her choice; when I hear her in the good old language of the ritual, yielding her – self to him for better for worse for richer for poorer in sickness and health to love honour and obey, till death us do part it brings to mind the beautiful and affecting devotion of Ruth! “Wither thou goest I will go, and where thou lodgest I will lodge thy people shall be my people and thy God my God” Irving
page 50 from back 1867 January was very sharp frosts indeed for a fortnight or so and February was very fine and the Grass looked quite Fresh and Green but the Old saying proves true that is that March wipes its ass with Februarys Grass and now for March come in like a Lion and remained as fierce for nearly all the month was frost and snow. snow in places Drifted 2 yds deep but on a regular 15 inches and kept snowing for a week alltogether and it was a very high flood on th 23rd of March and keeps on raining till the latter end not much lent sowing done but it was very favourable after and on for summer quarter it was all that could be desired and everything present a good appearance good Harvest but on the 3rd of Sepr was a very great flood not so high as it was on the 4th of Sepr 1852
page 51 from back 1867 now the Flour is very Dear it is about 12s per Bushel. Mutton is rather lower, it is about 9d per pound we have had a capital wheat sowing and so Dry and mild as ever I remember a good Lot of Perry made this year and pretty fairish of Cider and I think it will be very good and a very fair crop of Hops which heartened our Bosbury farmers very much average price 10£ per cwt 1868 Janry not much frost and Febry Dry and March pretty Fairish our Country is looking prosperous on the 29th of May we had a very heavy Thunder and rain. Things is very Dear Flour 12/ – per Bushel and Mutton and Beef 71/2 to 8/ – per lb and every thing in proportion we will continue in another Book.
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