Transcription of John Richard Stubbs' diary for 1853

Small leatherbound notebook “Macdonald’s Commercial Pocket Book for 1853”

In the flyleaf is written in pencil, “The heart corrupted by evil arts could not easily forego the gratification of its vicious propensities”.  On the opposite page, in pencil “Ah quoties caneret petere....” Several lines, not easy to read, and with alterations.

He notes on the memorandum page before the diary begins, that he has purchased from Wildman:  Sallust, 6 copybooks, 1 quire paper, etc and the prices.  The Sallust cost 1/6d.

Folded in a pocket at the front of the diary is a piece of paper showing the marks of the boys in his school.  The school was the Free Grammar School, Giggleswick [cf Pigot’s Directory].

8 Sep 2020:  The eBook of A History of Giggleswick School, by Edward Allen Bell is now available and includes a biography of Dr Butterton

“Head Class” seems to consist of Lupton, Bramley, Heaton, Leeming, Greenwood and Doria.  “Second Class” was Walker, Robbins? 1, Rob - 2-, Stubbs, Harrison, Nidsdale, Tomlinson, Holt and Clapham. 
The subjects for Head Class were:  Weekly marks (out of 500); Geography (120); Hist of Jus (180); R Hist (140); G Hist (120); L Ex (?180); G Ex (180); Cicero (180); Horace & Vir (180); [illeg]; G Test (200); Horace Lat?; Antigone??; Homer (160). 
Second Class had:  D.M. (200); Geog (120); Ver. (140); R Hist (120); G Ex (120); ? L Ex (120); ?N. S Hist (160); [illeg]; Sallust (160); G Test (160); G ?Del (200); and ?G ex (160).

From which it may be seen that most of the subjects were classical.

Introduction to the transcriptions of the diaries

I did the work on the diaries quite a few years ago, before broadband and the possibility of looking up censuses online, so my only census resource was the 1851 index for Boroughbridge.

I have looked up the census a few times while preparing the transcriptions for posting here, but my main aim was speed and avoiding eye-strain, so I haven't done it often ...

John Richard Stubbs' diary for 1853

John did not keep his diary every day, so these are photographs of the entries that he did make:

John Stubbs' diaries (1853-60): people T to Y

These are my original working notes, made quite a few years ago in the days before broadband and easy access to census records etc.  I have done a certain amount of extra work in getting them ready to post here, so some of the entries are now up-to-date.

They include quotations from George Whitehead's Journals, ed. Helier Hibbs, which have been an invaluable resource for which I am very grateful. 

As with the A-Z of Hutton Rudby people, my accuracy is NOT guaranteed!  And I'm afraid they are not quite in alphabetical order.

William THOMPSON of London, auctioneer
husband of Sophy Hirst (qv)
William Thompson, an auctioneer of 4 Kings Road, Bedford Row, London. 
He was the son of James Thompson, a wine merchant.

Rev James? THOMPSON of LONDON and Bridlington
officiates at wedding of William Thompson and Sophy Hirst
Diary references:
J mentions him repeatedly in 1860:  he sees him at Mrs Charles’ in London.  Thompson makes visits to Yorkshire in the early summer, and stays at Bridge Foot before marrying Sophy in July

28 Feb 1860:  “Went with Sophy to Mr Thompsons & had luncheon with him”
12 Jul 1860:  “Sophy Hirsts wedding day    I was groomsman  went with the bridegroom & Mr Jas Thompson to Church at ¼ to 11   they got married   had lots of races &c   Had breakfast about ½ past 12   The bridal pair left about two   Had all sorts of games in the field after that .then Joe Steele & I rowed Miss Thompson Mr Jas Thompson & Mary Hirst to Westwick..”
   
Miss Thompson is still staying in Bbdge on July 24, when she comes with the Hirsts to tea at Bridge Foot
   
Mr Thompson of Bridlington Quay?  preaches at Bbdge Church morning and evening on July 15th

Parish Registers:  Boroughbridge
12 Jul 1860
William Thompson – 35 – bachelor  – auctioneer  – 4 Kings Road, Bedford Row, London –  (father)  James Thompson, wine merchant
married
Sophia Hirst – 22 – spinster – Boroughbridge –  (father) William Hirst, solicitor
by licence
witnesses:  William Hirst,  JR Stubbs, Dora Hirst,  HH Capes, Mary B Hirst

Phrenological Chart for John Richard Stubbs

Rather hard to make it out from this photo, as the chart is so large - but I thought it would be of interest.

Appletons of Dishforth & Boroughbridge

I've just added an extra piece on the Misses Appleton, John Appleton and Mrs Appleton of Langthorpe to John Stubbs' diaries (1853-60): people A to B.

This information has come to me from Graham Appleton - thank you Graham!

Eryholme history

One of my readers has sent me came across a booklet on Eryholme, just south of the River Tees, in the course of researching his family tree.  It dates from the Eryholme Festival of 1984.

He has scanned the booklet and sent it to me, in case there are others out there who would be interested.

As this sort of invaluable booklet so easily disappears from view and is so hard to find if you live outside the area, I will email it on to any interested reader.  I don't know if a later version of the booklet appeared.

The main credits are to Jessie Turnbull, but also thanked are Martin Clark, Rob Bluman, Carol Hurst, Margaret Nicholson and Charlie Walker.