lst January 1844

This morning was rather cold and about half past 9 a little snow fell. My wife was rather better than last week.

9th January 1844

Got an order for 30 pieces of brown and olive double milled cloth at 4/4 per yard off Mr. Sykes.

10th January 1844

Went to Bradford and bought 3 sheets of wool at Prospect Mill at 1/7 per lb. to make an order of. Hired a hackney coach at Gledhills to go to Farsley and Ilkley for 32s.

llth January 1844

David Smith married to my cousin Elizabeth Hainsworth at Westgate Chapel and went to Ilkley when Mary Lawson and I came and left David and wife at Mr. Rhodes. In the morning got tea at Uncle Johns.

24th January 1844

David Waite died from being drowned about a week since. Father summonsed for a jury man to William Sowdens on the 25th. Cleaned the house out to come and live at the little house off the end.

Sunday 27th January 1844

My wife Sarah went to Chapel for the first time since our marriage.

3rd February 1844

I did not go to Leeds today, Wool Sales commenced at London on the 1st. I hear they are going 1d. or 1½d, higher.
Our servant left after staying a fortnight.
Bought a chest of drawers off Old Whittam for 3 yds. of green cloth and fifty shillings.

1844

Receipts for dyeing various colours
For Green per stone
Fustic 21bs.
Allum 21bs.
Extract of Indigo 2lbs.
For Scarlet per stone
Lat Dye llb. 8ozs.
White Argills l 8
Lac Spirits 3 0
Young Fustic 8
Scucheon Heel 2
For Sky Blue per stone
Allum l 8
Oil of Vitriol l O
Extract of Indigo 2 0
For (Lilac)?
Cutbear 2 0
Brown Argill 2

5th February 1844

Removed our furniture from Rodley to Mount Pleasant,

5th February 1844

Job Hern's child a son (Josiah) was born.

9th February 1844

Sarah and Mary Hannah removed from Rodley up to Mount Pleasant in the evening when it was very wet.

9th February 1844

Mally Lawson, Sarah's father's mother, died after being rather delirious for some time.

13th February 1844

Went to Leeds and sold 4 tweed ends 2 @ 1/9 2 @ 2s. to Mr. Sykes. When I got home my wife was very ill and her sister Mary came and stayed all night. Tried to dye sky blue and scarlet and succeeded. Father dyed a green and black with vi chromate, but the green was too light and the black too dark. Green 41bs. Vi chromate 45 logwood. Black 6ozs. Chromate 56 logwood and 2 copperas.

16th February 1844

Jonathan Marshall died aged 71 years,

17th February 1844

Ordered a tweed gear off Timothy Kitson “80p 8q” Bought a ½ of a cwt, or 28lbs. of soap off Mr. Willey at 5½ per lb.

18th February 1844

Martha Hollings died of croup aged 2½yrs. Elizabeth Lawson came up to our house the first time,

19th Februarv 1844

Jonathan Ross filed a debt of £10,600 of which a mill company wanted £600, William Hirst £500, Schofield & Stone £300.

25th February 1844

Hostelman Yewdall died aged . He had been ill of smallpox about a week. Today has been wild and sunny and tonight is frosty. Stayed at home all day today, but went to hear Mr, Colcroft who preached from 44 Isiah the 5th verse. Samuel Lawson, Sarah's grandfather, died after a few days sickness aged 83.

lst March 1844

This morning was very fine, the snow nearly all gone, it had covered the ground about a week. Very busy at Farsley mill this week with work from Pudsey and Calverley. Our blue trade very slack, The best at market is Black Beavers for the American trade. Sykes is buying browns and olives out.

9th March 1844

Went to Leeds and sold 8 ends blues and 8 rifles, but had only 2 of them there. Bought a sheet of noils off Dixon at 2/2 per lb.

10th March 1844

Mr. Foster preached Old Richard Tates funeral sermon from the 3rd chapter in Titus the 5th verse. Old Richard died on the 24th February aged 72.

12th March 1844

Went to Leeds and sold 14 ends of cloth at 5/3 and one end of tweed at 2/1, Also 6 ends of an order of browns and olives. Got an order for about 40 ends of each again.

13th Marsh 1844

Went to Bradford and bought 7 sheets of noils, 4 of Eddisons No. 7s @ l/8½, 1 of Garnetts Dado and 2 of Threwitts 1 @ 1/8¾ l @ 1/8½. The cloth to be made this time at 4/6 per yd.=

19th March 1844

Thomas Smale began to be ill last Sunday and died in great pain today.

20th March 1844

Thomas Andrew and Eli Keighley went about collecting for Widow Smale today and got £5. 4. 0.

To …………..=

Most perfect of thy sex, goodbye
Though lately met tis hard to part
Blessed youth whose lot it is to tie
The cords of love around thy heart.

Few are the maids whom I have known
In whom such beauties were combined
As those which are most richly strewn
Through every avenue of thy mind.

The noble features of thy brow
0’er which those flowing ringlets roll
Declare its generous falling glow
And reign supremely on thy soul

Thy sunny smile, thy wit, thy sense,
Thy modest mien thy artless glee
And most of all thy innocence
Which shines transcendent pleases me.

My best regard will always rest
Upon the youth whose happy life
Will be forever very blessed
By calling thee his loving wife

Then fare thee well love must thou Prove
And heavenly bliss which none can tell
Save she who loves and is beloved
Again sweet maid I say farewell.
RGF

25th March 1844

Old [Skinnow] was buried today aged 82 years. His will was read and he had left the whole of his money and property to my Uncle Peter's eldest daughter Margaret on the death of his wife.

27th March 1844

Christopher Render died after a very short illness which was inflammation. Father got a potatoe pie in out of the garden and sold the potatoes at 6d. stone.

24th March, 1844

Mary Hannah our daughter was shortened this day being 15 weeks old.

29th March 1844

Got our little pig from Rodley

lst April 1844

Uncle Reuben's daughter Mary Elizabeth was shortened. Jonathan Dowgill's funeral is to take place tomorrow, I am asked but have sent 2/= with Job Horn.

17th April 1844

Rebecca Keighley died of smallpox aged 4 years,

18th April 1844

Fetched a loom from Bradford Moor £4.15.0 also a new [rattle] 3s.

19th April 1844 `

Isaac and Corner went to Otley Show today, I stayed at home. Buried Rebecca Keighley this day at Bagley,

24th April 1844

Amos Keighley was married to Betty Wade of Cropper House. They were married at Westgate Chapel Bradford by Mr, Foster.

lst May 1844

Christopher Keighley married to Elizabeth Horn at the same place etc.

8th May 1844

In the morning fetched a loom from William Bentleys which cost £2.3.O and an indigo chest which cost 7s. Removed out of the little house into the one which Beck's left last Thursday. Our new door was broken out last Saturday.
Got also my new Jenny from Joseph Maudes which is to be £9.15.0
Mary Hannah our daughter was inoculated for the smallpox,

14th Mav 1844

Removed from my old place in Queen Street Coloured Cloth Hall, Leeds, to the four stands which my father took in Change Alley. I sold in this my new place 2 ends to Mr. Sykes of blue at 5/4 and 2 ends of rifle to Mr. Brown at 6/=.

14th May 1844

Bought my new stock at Barracloughs Leeds for 6/= and my whip in Kirkgate for 9/=. _

Whit Monday 27th May 1844

I went to the Anniversary and we walked from the school to the chapel and from thence round Coal Hill to Club Lane bottom where the top school scholars left and went up to the school. I stayed at Rodley.

27th May 1844

William Carter Lane End married to Anne Farrer of Rodley.

28th May 1844

Sold 4 ends Brown to Mr. Sykes at 4/5. Went to the Zoological Gardens, A vast number present, Hannah Lawson, Sarah's mother, scalded her foot by felling the coffee kettle off the rib at it,

lst June 1844

Mary Hannah, our daughter, got the first tooth.

2nd June 1844

Sarah and myself went to Woodhall's anniversary,

lst June 1844

Mary Hannah Varley (Farrer) died after a long illness aged .

2nd June 1844

Benjamin Gott of Calverley was buried today, he died last Wednesday from wounds received on Monday at Bradford.

5th June 1844

lsaac's bees swarmed, these being the first he has had.

Sunday 16th June 1844

Mary and Annie Lawson came to our house with Grace Broadbent. This is the first time of Grace's coming,

2Oth June 1844

Isaac went to Harrogate in company with Ben Waite,

21st June 1844

Mother went to Ilkley. Father took Joe and her in a gig cart, but Joe came back with him and Mother stayed at Listers under the Cow.

22nd June 1844

Thomas Birdsalls wife left him this morning in consequence of a bat which he gave her for interfering with him for chastising his son Alfred,

29th June 1844

I went to Ilkley and stopped at Rhodes's but ate with my Mother at old Listers. Came home on Monday 1st July.

8th July 1844

David Keighley died aged . He has been very delicate ever since Josiah died.

10th Jul 1844

Commenced leading clover out of the ing which was mown last Friday the 5th inst. The same day my Mother came home from Ilkley.

Sunday 4th August 1844

Mary Keighley, daughter of Ephraim and Betty Keighley, Farsley Lane End, was buried at Bagley Chapel.

3rd August 1844

Isaac and George Stead and William Gaunt went with Isaac's bees to the Lane but one hive broke down as they went.

4th August 1844

Sarah went to Calverley Feast. I got dinner, tea and supper there also.

7th August 1844

I got invoiced for 4 bales of wool bought at London on the 31st July by Martin Maude. price 1/7½. The sales close tomorrow having sold 30,000 bales.

10th August 1844

Charles Smith, gardener for Mr. Peckover, lost his wife by death this evening, She got her baby a fine boy last Tuesday week.

17th August 1844

James Ross died after a very short illness of croup. He was the youngest son of Joseph Ross top of Farsley. Same day Hannah Wood died. She was the daughter of Sarah Wood who married William Busfield.
I got the last 2 bales of wool from London at l/75 bought by Martin Maude.

31st August 1844

Finished leading the harvest season. The last field which was led was the near side of the new lay

3rd September 1844

Finished cutting oats and wheat. Oats in the long field, three day work and new lay. Wheat and the three day work. Good crops.

lst September 1844

Betty Lee married Harry Harold Westerby

2nd September 1844

Sam Farrer went to get married to Annie Busfield but ran away when the minister was putting the ring on her finger.

Wednesday 11th September 1844

I went with Uncle Peter and Father Lawson to Malham Weir. We stayed till Monday, 16th. We went by Burnsall and Skythornes, but came back by Skipton

Tuesday. 15th October 1844

Bad markets Mr. Sykes buying very little and wanting to lower at least 3d. per yd.

Wednesday 16th October 1844

My wife was taken very ill this morning and was compelled to go back to bed,

17th October 1844

Her mother came to see her today and told her to be in bed, indeed she was in a lying in state.

Friday. 18th October 1844

Opened the Wesleyan Chapel, Farsley. In the morning and evening Dr, Beaumont from Liverpool preached and in the afternoon Mr. Evereth from York. Collection £69 odd.

Sunday. 20th October 1844

Mr. Dunn morning and evening and Mr. McEwan in the afternoon. Collection £81 odd. George Walker died this morning.

24th October 1844

Mr. MacDonald preached this evening to a good audience, from Isiah 64th Chapter 7th verse "There is none that stirreth himself to take hold of the Lord." Collection £33 odd.

31st October 1844

We killed our little pig we got from Rodley. weight   Ben Keighley's got a daughter and called it ,

10th November 1844

Our Joseph taken very ill from a cold taken on the 5th of this month. The Dr. says it is a fever.

12th November 1844

Wm, Varley left his work in consequence of a continued pain in his side.

6th November 1844

Samuel Barker married to Grace Anne Turner daughter of James Turner, Farsley. They were married at the Leeds Parish Church.

16th November 1844

A very bad market at Leeds but I was not there. Isaac was there but sold nowt. Trade very bad up the hill and the mill has had to stand two or three times this week for work. Wool rather lower but not much. No 7s noil 1/9 per lb, No. 8s l/ll per lb. Wades no. 12s l/ll, Rands no. 6s 1/9½, 7s l/ll, 8s 2/=, 9s 2/l½, Willets no. E 1/9, D l/ll.

20th November 1844

My wife went to her fathers.
Reopening of Rehobeth Chapel for Divine Service after having been considerably enlarged. Mr, Birchall preached in the afternoon from Revelation 5th chapter 11th and 12th verses, Collection £30.12,5½ and in the evening Mr. Giles Pertwee Leeds, preached from the 5th chapter Corinthians (H) 13th verse - "For whether we be beside ourselves" etc. collection £29. 3, 6. I collected in the afternoon, the first time in my life. 

24th November 1844

Continuation of the re-opening services. Mr. Roe preached in the morning from the 49th Psalm 8th verse · "The redemption of the soul is precious". The women collected this morning £72,15.5½, Afternoon Mr. Dawson from Bradford preached from lst chapter lst Peter 12th verse - "which things the angels desired to look into", Collection £45.4.0. Mr. Dowson £5. total £50. 4. O. And in the evening Mr. Roe preached from 26th Psalm 8th verse - "Lord I have loved the habitation of thy house and the place where thine honour dwelleth. Collection £54,l0.9½.

26th November 1844

Mr, McDonald from Wakefield preached from 10th chapter of John 10th verse - "I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly" £35.14. 0. On summing up particularly the collections were found to be £275.14. 0. subscriptions £508. 0. 0, total £783. 14. 0 
David Smith's wife Elizabeth was brought to bed of a son which they named John Hainsworth Smith.
Joseph Stricklands wife (Aunt Betty) was brought to bed of a daughter which they named .
I went to Leeds and sold 2 ends of blue cloth to Mr, Barlow of but took them back because they wanted to call them Q yd. Less than they were. Price 4/6 per yd. made of the wood 12b noils 2/4. My daughter Mary Hannah rather poorly today from cold.

lst December 1844

Trade still very flat but our sort of light blues pretty good to sell.

3rd December 1844

A rather better market at Leeds. Sold nothing.

4th December 1844

Went to Bradford and bought 19st. wood nc. 13 nolls at 1/11 and 1 Sheet Willet no. E noils at 1/9. Ordered 2 sheets more. Wool rather firmer.

6th December 1844

I Got our new stove which cost 10/2 piping. Very cold today and a strong frost all the day which is the first strong frost this season.

8th December 1844

A cold frosty day. Went to Bagley Chapel in the morning and heard a student preach a good sermon from these words "I am not ashamed of the Gospel etc." At noon, a little before the afternoon service some alarm was occasioned by some shavings taking fire which had been left near the flue, but it was got out without any damage.
Charles Mellor died this morning about 3-o o'clock. Snow began to fall this evening which is the first that has fallen this winter. Aunt Hannah came back from Yeadon last Tuesday after staying a long time. Mary Elizabeth Hainsworth; daughter of Uncle Reuben and Aunt Mary died last night aged 1 year and a few weeks. She was about 9 weeks older than our Mary Hannah.

20th December 1844

Opening of the new organ at Farsley new church which cost £130. 
They had got by subscription from £70 to £l00.

22nd December 1844

Continuation of the organ opening. The amount of collections is about £50. I did not attend.