17th November 1786

Mr Casson who died last week was one of those persons called crimps, whose business is to decoy men and procure soldiers for the east Indies, in which employment he had amassed enough to retire upon. His wife dealt in contraband Gin.

Bumper Smith a felon under sentence of transportation from Derby gaol, escaped on the 10th inst, surrendered himself by knocking at the prison door, and requesting to be admitted to his own apartments

16th November 1786

Mist

Squinting Agnes bought me a copy of the Derby Mercury in which I found my letter which railed against the outlandish fashions being worn by our ladies adopting outlandish fashions Viz

“I believe that there are few English ladies who in Wisdom and Understanding do not esteem themselves superior of the French, hence it surprises that they are their Apes, follow their fashions and retain Popish names given to their several dresses by Catholic ladies abroad. What has a protestant Lady to do with Cardinals, Pope Joan’s and Capuchins or any other mark of the beast? Let the Catholic ladies keep with them and confess to greasy headed, broad shouldered crew, if they please. I would have OUR HIGH CHURCH ladies call their dresses Laud and Sacrevells. The Low Church will wear their Tenisons; The Presbyterians can clap a Baxter, Chandler, Tong on the Shoulder. If it possible that a fine lady, after seeing her face in the glass, Can be an Atheist, such a one can have a fool caps, a habit of disgrace somewhat that has been worn by a pensioner when they are charged with Drunkenness and other malpractice.

A superstition that has been called a religion run out of its wits, so the custom of wearing Cardinals should be called a fashion run mad. A grave divine has called this fashion Popery. I would have reform else our Protestant ladies should imitate our sworn enemies”

15th November 1786

Showers

The shop of Mr Chondly the draper of Leek was broken into last week and robber of a large parcel of goods and about 14l in money. The next morning several pieces of cloth were found in the ditches and road side leading to Macclesfield to which place being pursued and a warrant for Mr Thomas Geldercock of the said town. He was apprehended and conveyed to Stafford Gaol along with two other apprentices

A few days ago a man who lived in Park St Birmingham was also taken at Leek for stealing a horse and taking it into Wales and then offering it for sale. He confessed the taking of that and some others and it is supposed that there must have been others concerned, tis hoped to make a further discovery. He was also conveyed to Stafford

14th November 1786

Cold.

A few days since Timothy Swinscoe of Fairfield a Wagoner was driving his cart between Lichfield and Stafford (being in liquor). Fell off and was run over by one of the wheels and was so hurt that he died soon after. He leaves a wife and a daughter

I struck on a plan to bring the footpads that infest the area close to the Cat and Fiddle Inn on the Macclesfield Rd to justice. I resolved with the aid of my manservant Goiter to employ the Ancients trap to ensnare the villains in the manner of the Satyrs. The ruse involved dressing Goiter like one of notorious women that haunt the stews of our cities hoping that this vision of loveliness would encourage the ruffians. It must be said that Goiter when powdered made a comely wench and we lay in wait near to the Inn. The evening was kind to us. It was cold but we had a full moon which made our presence fully known to any traveller on the road even if they meant well or bad. Whilst we waited I charged my fusil with stone, lead and a Harry groat to make the charge as stinging as possible to any ill fellow. We waited for around and hour and we were beginning to feel the effects of the Moorland air when I saw a fellow dressed in black passing the Inn and walking in our direction. He approached Goiter and before the footpad could raise his bludgeon I raised my piece. On examination of the prone figure we discovered that I had shot an elderly dissenting minister who was not dead but groaned. Goiter and I fled into the night 

13th November 1786

Drab A farmer in Cheshire, who keeps a good team of horse but had not entered on in hackney, having occasion to attend Stockport market, actually saddled a cow and rode her in triumph to and fro the market, attended by a large concourse of laughing spectators who enjoyed the joke

12th November 1786

Damp

Three people I have been told were drinking in the Angel Bakewell one day last week when one of the company being bored and for a trifling bet offered to carry a red hot poker in his teeth as far as the market stone and back again. The bet being agreed to , the man took the poker in his teeth and performed it. The consequences were that the man was so affected that his teeth dropt out and his mouth and tongue was so scorched that he languished to the next day and expired in great agony

11th November 1786

Hail. News that Mistress Wellock of Hag Farm was condemned to death for dealing with the Birmingham coiners. She is awaiting her end in Derby gaol

It appears that a gentlemen travelling on the road between Macclesfield and Buxton was attacked by two footpads with bludgeons in the most audacious and brutal way. Mr Stretch who had some loose gold and at first offered them 4 guinea coins, but not content with this they wanted to take his bags in which there was considerable property. He again presented them with his purse in which there were 40£ which they took and made off the dullness of the night and having their faces covered with handkerchief it was impossible to provide a minute description.

It is suggested that travellers take advantage of the day or take a guard against the villainous lurchers have hitherto escaped without punishment or want of example tis to be feared will follow them to further depredation