Preston Guardian digest 1861-1875

The introduction and digest below were written by Henry Kirby. Errors may have crept in as the result of OCR processing from a poor quality photocopy of the original typescript.

INTRODUCTION

This list of articles and news items lays no claim to completeness. It simply records a collection of readings that have been of interest to the compiler. In the main, the readings concern the changing topographical scene in Preston, references to the town’s strong Free Church tradition, and its historic links with the Temperance and Teetotal Movement. It also includes items of interest that may not be conveniently found elsewhere.

The words ”(and subsequent)” following an item indicate that in the week, or weeks, following a certain date, other articles sometimes at length, on the same subject may be found. Occasionally, more than one reference may be found to a subject listed in any one week’s newspaper.

It must not be assumed that in every case proposed ventures (such as the Public Hall in 1844) necessarily came to fruition. It must also be noted that in a few cases (such as John Wesley’s connections with Bilsborrow, recorded in 1898) the information given may be inaccurate, or, at least, questionable. The reference given is that quoted in the newspaper and it may not always be correct.

The left hand column of dates are those of the newspaper and not the dates of the events described.

1861
January 12 (Supplement) Chronological Register for 1861, with details of marriages, deaths and baptisms in Preston
January 19 Improvements at Lune Street Wesleyan Chapel; Notes on the “Origin and Progress of the Preston and Longridge Railway”
January 26 Anxieties in Preston over the potential danger resulting from the dependence on the supply of cotton from the United States. Events in America (the elevation of Abraham Lincoln to the Presidency and the warlike stance being taken by the states on the slavery question) bear evidence of the peril facing a cotton town like Preston; Editorial: “The Cotton Supply and the American Crisis”; Article: “What Shall We Do With It: or Hints on Town lmprovements”, Parts I – V, by “An Amateur” (and subsequent)
February 9 Town Council discuss the market improvement plans
February 16 The new Town Hall – positive advances being made with plans and proposals
February 23 Land purchased on “Gallows’ hill” (Garstang Road) for the subsequent erection of a Roman Catholic Church (St. Thomas of Canterbury and the English Martyrs); Proposed new C, of E. Church in Fulwood (Christ Church)
March 2 (Supplement) Biographical notes concerning the Revd. Isaac Ambrose, the non-conformist divine, one-time Vicar of Preston; Revd. C. H. Spurgeon preaches in Preston
March 2 Preparations for taking a Census in Preston
March 23 (Supplement) Progress towards the Opening of the new C. of E. Church at Fulwood
March 23 Report on the death, on Thursday, 21st March, 1861, of Edward Pedder, aged 50, senior partner in Pedder & Co., Bankers, of the Old Bank, Church Street. The deceased was an Alderman of Preston and his election to be mayor at the Guild of 1862 was spoken of as being likely
March 30 (Supplement) Preston mourns the death of the Duchess of Kent – Queen Victoria’s mother
March 30 The work of “Bible women” in Preston; Details of the proposed alterations at Lune Street Wesleyan Chapel
April 6 (Supplement) Councillor Samuel Smith, grandson of Martha (Thompson) Whitehead the first Methodist in Preston, elected to the Aldermanic Bench
April 6 Proposed Preston-Lytham Railway; The 1861 Census taken in Preston
April 13 The sudden and unexpected collapse of Pedder’s Bank (and subsequent); Details of trade on the Ribble; Details of the Starkie Street Militia Mess-House; Relics of the Battle of Preston (1648) discovered near Gammul Lane, Ribbleton
April 20 The Temperance Hall advertises the opening of a Free Public Reading Room; Proposed new Orchard U.M.F.C. Chapel
May 4 (Supplement) Work commences on the alterations at Lune Street Wesleyan Chapel
May 4 Editorial: “The American Crisis”
May 11 Details of the 1861 Census in Preston – population was stated to be 82,941, males 37.903 and females 45,038, dwelling houses 15,422, Established churches 11, other places-of-worship 14. The population’s nationality breakdown was: English 75,865 (91.47%), Scots 522 (0.63%), Irish 6,334 (7 64%), Foreigners 160 (0.19%), Total: 82,941; “Where is the cotton to come from?” – Preston sends a petition to Parliament outlining the town’s anxiety consequent upon the outbreak of war between the American States
May 18 Editorial: “How To Meet The Crisis”; Proposed removal of Dr Shepherd’s Library from the Avenham Institute to the Philosophical Institute; Population details of the Preston Poor Law Union
May 25 Details of the proposed new Town Hall
June 8 (Supplement) Steps being taken to place a clock in the tower of Fishergate Baptist Chapel; Proposed dimensions of the new Town Hall
June 15 The Cotton Supply Association and the state of trade; ‘The proposed new Cattle Market; Siting of-the new Town Hall; Details of the new Orchard Chapel; National details of the 1861 Census
June 22 (Supplement) Completion of alterations at Penwortham Bridge
June 29 (Supplement) The Town Hall question; One of Preston’s old water wells discovered in Brunswick Street
June 29 (Extra Supplement) Siting of the new Town Hall
June 29 Improvements in the Fishergate Railway Tunnel; Death and obituary of Thomas Swindlehurst, “King of the reformed drunkards”, and one of the first pledged total abstainers; “Short time” working begins in the cotton trade
July 6 (Supplement) Biographical notes concerning the life and work of Thomas Swindlehurst
July 13 State of trade – more “short time” in Preston
July 20 State of the Wesleyan Methodist Sunday Schools in Preston
July 27 Editorial: “The Impending Famine of Cotton”
August 3 Editorial: “The New Covered Market” (contains an interesting description of the area of the Market Place); Contemplated purchase of the Literary and Philosophical Institute by the Council
August 10 Progress of the Co-Op Society in Preston
August 17 Dr. Shepherd’s Library – possible changes
August 24 (Supplement) Curious relics and human remains discovered in Marsh Lane, near the site of the old Monastery of the Grey Friars; Laying of the Foundation Stone at the new Orchard UMFC Chapel on Monday. 19th August, 1861
August 24 Steamship communications established between Preston and Liverpool; Laying of the Foundation Stone at Moor Pork Wesleyan Methodist Chapel on Thursday 22nd August, 1861
August 31 Queen Victoria and Prince Albert pass through Preston Railway Station on their way to Balmoral; Town Council discuss “the approaching Guild”
September 7 (Supplement) Brief history of Independency in Preston on the occasion of the laying of the Foundation Stone at Bairstow Street Sunday School on Saturday, 31st August, 1861
September 14 Blondin, the celebrated tight-rope walker, performs in Preston; More cotton mills on ‘short time’ in Preston
September 14 (Extra Supplement) Private Patrick M’Caffery of the 32^nd Regt., (Cornwall Light Infantry – the Defenders of Lucknow) shoots Col. Crofton and Captain Hanham at Fulwood Barracks
September 21 (Supplement) The tragedy at Fulwood Barracks
September 21 Editorial: “The new Covered Market”
September 28 Notes on the history of the R.C. Church in Preston
October 5 A proposed site (never used) for the new Covered Market; Final fitting of the illuminated clock in the tower of Fishergate Baptist Church; A proposed Post Office Savings Bank in Preston
October 19 Historical notes about Fernyhalgh St Mary’s RC Church
October 26 (Supplement) Proposed sites for the new Covered Market
October 26 Re-opening of Lune Street Wesleyan Chapel on Friday, 25^th October, 1861; Town Council resolved to purchase the Literary and Philosophical Institution
November 9 (Supplement) Article: “The Guilds and Charters of Preston” (and subsequent)
November 16 (Supplement) Article: “The Guild of 1762”; Mr. R. Townley Parker accepts the Guild Mayoralty of Preston
November 16 Proposed increase in the strength of Preston Borough Police Force from 44 to 60 policemen; The anticipated distress of the coming winter
November 23 (Supplement) Provision for the unemployed in Preston
November 23 Proposed corporate employment of the paupers; .Formation of the Preston Anti-Corruption Society (and subsequent)
November 30 (Supplement) Opening of a Savings Bank at Preston Post Office
November 30 Proposed new Town Hall
December 7 (Supplement) Contemplated changes in the Preston Police Force; Steps being taken to re-open the public soup kitchen; Employment for the able-bodied poor
December 7 The Borough Police and statistical returns for the year ended 28th September, 1861
December 14 (Supplement) Article extracted from “The Builder” entitled “A Cotton Factory Town: Preston” (A long and interesting article containing many varied descriptions of streets, public buildings, places-of-worship, etc., in Preston. An editorial regards the article as “a criticism on Preston”)
December 14 Proposed improvements at Preston Railway Station; Charles Dickens gives readings from “The Christmas Carol” and “Pickwick Papers” in Preston; Private M’Caffery sentenced to death (see September, 14th., 1861); A great Methodist Temperance Demonstration
December 21 (Supplement) Preston mourns the death of Prince Albert; “The Black Parts of Preston” – continuation article from “The Builder”
December 28 (Supplement) Special church services in Preston in memory of Prince Albert
December 28 The state of the cotton trade

1862
January 11 (Supplement) Possibility of a new Post Office to be incorporated into the designs of the new Town Hall; Opening of New Longton Primitive Methodist Chapel on Sunday, 5th January, 1862; Death and obituary of the Revd. Robert Harris, B.D., aged 97, vicar of St. George’s and former headmaster of the Grammar School
January 11 No possibility of a Post Office being incorporated into the new Town Hall; The strength of the borough Police; Last correspondence of Private M’Caffery, awaiting execution; The funeral of the Revd. Robert Harris
January 18 (Supplement) A Chronological Register of Preston for 1861
January 18 Celebration of the Bi-Centenary of Lancashire Nonconformity
January 25 (Supplement) Continuation of the article “The Guilds and Charters of Preston” (and subsequent); A proposed Covered Market on the site of the present Post Office building and Cenotaph
January 25 Proposed measures for the relief of distressed Operatives; Improvements at Dr. Shepherd’s Library; Article: “Old Folks, Old Times and Old Tradesmen”
February 1 (Supplement) The relief of the distressed in Preston; Lecture in Preston: “The American Question and the Distressed Operatives”
February 15 (Supplement) A proposed Police Station at Fulwood; Town Council adopt plans for the new Town Hall
February 22 Proposed demolition of the old Town Hall; The forthcoming Guild and the Town Council; Statistics of distress in Preston
March 1 (Supplement) Proposal to find employment at Avenham for the distressed Operatives; Dates and details connected with the old Town Hall – stated that the last council meeting will be held there on Thursday, 27th February, 1862; Article: “Old Times, Old Folks and Old Tradesmen” – contains biographical details of Mary Graham, better known as “Temperance Mary” or “Queen of the Teetotallers”, aged 83, and who resided, at the time, in one of the old thatched houses, opposite Hudson Street, in Avenham Lane
March 1 Advert: Sale, by auction, of building materials and articles from the old Town Hall; Editorial: “The Guild”; Improvements at Avenham Walks; Sewerage and private improvements in Preston
March 8 (Supplement) Temporary use of the Local Board Office, 16, Church Street, as a Town Hall – council meetings being held in the Literary and Philosophical Institution; Report of the sale of the Town Hall buildings
March 8 Demolition of the old Town Hall; The state of the cotton trade in Preston; The mayor, and the town’s two M.P.’s, make representations to the Home Secretary for the release from imprisonment of Dr. Thomas Monk (see December, 1857 and February and March, 1858); The proposed new Cattle Market
March 15 (Supplement) Statistics of the state of the cotton trade in Preston
March 15 A crowd of 2,000 witness the partial demolition of the old Town Hall
March 22 (Supplement) The Home Secretary sees “no sufficient ground” for remitting Dr. Monk’s prison sentence; Crowds witness the removal of the Lamb and Flag from the clock tower of the old Town Hall
March 22 Editorial: “Our Suffering Poor”
March 29 (Supplement) Opening services “continued” at the new Freckleton Primitive Methodist Chapel on Sunday, 23rd March, 1862
March 29 A proposed Covered Market, and an Arcade on the site of Gin Bow Entry (East of the Market Place); Building commences at St. Mark’s C. of E. Church
April 5 (Supplement) An interesting report of the unhappy (and intemperate) death of the Revd. Alexander Birnie, formerly minister at Leeming Street and Pole Street Baptist Chapels
April 5 Final portions of the old Town-Hall demolished on Friday, 4th April, 1862
April 12 (Supplement) Proposed site for the Covered Market and an alternative suggested site for the new Town Hall, and considerable correspondence on this much debated question (and subsequent)
April 12 Town Council debate the site for the proposed Covered Market
April 19 Discovery of human remains near St. Walburge’s Church, Maudlands; Details and costs of Bairstow Street Congregational School on the occasion of its opening on Thursday, 18th Apri1 1862
April 26 Editorial: “Lancashire Destitution”; Details about St. Mark’s C. of E. Church on the occasion of the laying of the Foundation Stone on Friday, 25th, April 1862; Town Council discuss sites for the proposed Covered Market and new Town Hall; Brief details of Preston Temperance Society on the occasion of its 30th Annual Meeting
May 3 (Supplement) Editorial: “The Guild – To Be Or Not To Be; More human remains discovered at Maudlands
May 3 Correspondence: “The Guild”, “Condition of Preston” and “The Present Distress”
May 10 (Supplement) The insecure state of Preston Railway Station; Excavations commence for the foundations of the new Town Hall; Preston Town Council and the proposed Guild of 1862; A Public Meeting debates the distress of Preston
May 10 The Prince of Wales to be invited to lay the Foundation Stone of the new Town Hall
May 17 (Supplement) Preston contributors to the international Exhibition of 1862; Details of St. Joseph’s R. C. Chapel and Schools, Rigby Street, on the occasion of their opening on Sunday, 11th May, 1862
May 17 The Town Hall site – debate still continues
May 24 Proposed improvements at the Corn Exchange; Opening services at Orchard U.M,F.C. Chapel on Thursday, 22nd May, 1862; Details of a sermon, preached by the Bishop of Chester’s Chaplain, at the Preston Guild of 1682
May 31 (Supplement) Japanese ambassadors in Preston
June 7 (Supplement) Queen Victoria passes through Preston Railway Station
June 7 Article by Mr. Thornton Hunt: “The Condition of the Operatives in Preston: How they are relieved, and how they bear their sufferings”
June 14 The Prince of Wales being unable to visit Preston, it was agreed to invite the Guild Mayor, Mr. R. Townley Parker, to lay the Foundation Stone of the new Town Hall; Article: “A Chapter on the distress of Preston”
June 21 (Supplement) The Waterloo Dinner, an annual event in Preston, discontinued. Instead, the veterans of the battle will receive 2/6d on production of their medal at Mr. Cooper’s office, Church Street; The programme for the Guild of 1862
SPECIAL NOTE: During the spring and early summer of 1862, Preston, together with other Lancashire towns having extensive cotton weaving interests, entered a long and severe depression caused by the blockade of the southern American ports by the Union Navy. This factor, together with others, prevented the Confederacy, or the southern cotton growing states, from exporting the raw material so necessary for the maintenance of full employment in towns like Preston. What became known as the “Lancashire Cotton Famine” brought untold despair and distress to Preston and the newspapers of the time are a catalogue of meetings held to organise relief, the dispensing of charity, of finding alternative employment for the poor, statistical analyses of lost production, religious services invoking Divine intervention, and many other accounts of local discomfort. It is not intended, in this list, to include all the newspaper references to the Cotton Famine and those that are selected will be ones that depart, in some more interesting manner, from the general pattern.
June 28 Details and costs of Moor Park Wesleyan Methodist Chapel on the occasion of its opening on Thursday, 26th June, 1862
July 5 The Friendly Societies and the Guild; Death of John Walkden, aged 71, of 62, Ribbleton Lane, an old soldier, who, it was reported, was “twice instrumental in saving the life of the great Duke (of Wellington)”
July 12 Arrangements advertised for the 1862 Guild; Commencement of the Females’ Workshop, Knowsley Street School; Improvements at the Corn Exchange; Town Council discuss the efficiency of the Borough Police Force
July 12 (Supplement) Friendly Societies and the Guild
July 19 (Supplement) Rainfall in Preston – January – June, 1857-1862; “The Cotton Famine and its remedy” – a great meeting in Preston
July 19 Publications connected with Preston Guild
July 26 (Supplement) Proposed treat to the poor during Guild week; The parish labourers consider the propriety of having a demonstration during Guild week; Queen Victoria passes through Preston Railway Station on Wednesday, 23rd July, 1862
July 26 Preparations for the Guild at the Corn Exchange
August 2 (Supplement) Lengthy reports of arrangements for the Guild (and subsequent, in all editions throughout the month); Repairs to the footpath at the Riverside, Avenham
August 9 (Supplement) The Volunteer Review at the Guild
August 9 Publication of “The Guild Guide and a Handbook of Preston” by R. Clarkson and J. Dearden, and “A History of Preston Guild” by Wm. Dobson and John Harland; Alterations at the Corn Exchange
August 16 (Supplement) Decorations for the Guild
August 16 Details of the Guild Medal – struck in white metal, commemorating the laying of the Foundation Stone of the new Town Hall; Decorations at the Corn Exchange
August 30 (Supplement) Proclamation of the Opening of the Guild Merchant; Foundation Stone laid at Lancaster Road Congregational Church on Monday, 25th August, 1862; The 200th Anniversary of St. Bartholomew’s Day commemorated in Preston
August 30 Article: “The Distress in Preston”; Queen Victoria passes through Preston Railway Station; The programme for the Guild
September 2 Extraordinary Edition Details of the Guild festivities
September 3 (Supplement) Details of the Guild festivities, which include an account of the laying of the Foundation Stone at the new Town Hall on 2nd September, 1862
September 6 Details of the Guild festivities; A description of the new Town Hall; The work of the Borough Police Force during Guild Week; The railways and the visitors to Preston Guild; Illegal cock-fighting discovered in Preston in a school-room adjoining the Sir Walter Scott public house, Lord’s Walk
September 13 (Supplement) Editorial: “The Operatives And Their Prospects”; Death and obituary of Jacob Hargreaves, the Preston botanist
October 4 Details of the implements used at the laying of the Foundation Stone at the new Town Hall
October 11 (Supplement) Pauperism and mortality in Lancashire; Alderman Samuel Smith mentioned for the Mayoralty of Preston
October 11 The Romans and Walton-le-Dale – discovery of an old sestertius; The Cotton Famine Relief Committee take the large building in Crooked Lane to be used as a soup distribution establishment and a store for bedding and clothing; Proposals for removing the Fish Market from the Corn Exchange area to vacant land near Earl Street
October 18 (Supplement) The prevalence of fever in Preston (and subsequent)
October 18 Article: “The Distress In Preston”
November 1 (Supplement) First distribution of soup from the Relief Committee’s Crooked Lane Mill
November 1 Financial Statement of the 1862 Guild – a balance of £704. 19. 0. paid over to the Preston Charitable Relief Committee
November 8 (Supplement) Sanitary precautions against the fever
November 15 (Supplement) Alderman Samuel Smith narrowly fails to command sufficient support to elevate him to the Mayoralty of Preston
November 15 Proposals to erect a new C. of E. Church (St. Saviour’s) in the neighbourhood of Leeming Street; Article: “The Distress In Preston”; Roman Catholic dignitaries in Preston; Notable visitors (including Mrs. W. E. Gladstone) to Preston
November 22 (Supplement) Isaac Wilcockson, one of the founders of the Preston Gas Company, resigns (on account of his advanced age) as a Director
November 22 Fresh outbreaks of typhoid fever in Preston (and subsequent)
November 29 (Supplement) The new Cattle Market and proposed improvements at Avenham Walks
December 6 The franchise of Preston, 1853-1862
December 13 The collapse of old and dilapidated property in Plant’s Court, Black Horse Yard, Friargate; Article: “The Distress In Preston”
December 27 Proposed improvements at Moor Park Avenue

1863
January 10 Lecture by Wm. Dobson: “Some Incidents In The Past History Of Preston”
January 17 (Supplement) Typhoid fever in Preston on the decline; Chronology of local events for 1862
January 24 Alterations at Preston Railway Station
February 7 (Supplement) The distress and its relief in 1862
February 14 (Supplement) The sewerage and private improvements of Preston; Proposed new church (Christ Church) at Fulwood
February 14 Building progress at the Town Hall; Death and obituary of James Huffman (1775-1863) the veteran reformer and teetotaller; The emigration of factory workers
February 21 (Supplement) Funeral of James Huffman – stated that he was Chairman at the first meeting of the Preston Samaritan Society and that he made the last speech on teetotalism in the old Cockpit (first Temperance Hall)
February 28 The cotton famine and the liquor traffic
March 7 (Supplement) The proposed emigration of distressed cotton operatives and others
March 14 (Supplement) Local celebrations in honour of the Prince of Wales’s marriage (and subsequent); Laying of the Foundation Stone at Catforth Primitive Methodist Chapel on Wednesday, 4th March, 1863
March 21 Proposed enlargement of the house of Correction
April 4 W. Whitehead, Ironmonger of Preston, receives two bronze prize medals at the International Exhibition; Progress at Leeming Street Ragged School
April 11 (Supplement) The Prime Minister, Lord Palmerston, lunches at Preston Railway Station
April 25 The military turned out in Preston – great commotion and threatened riot by the labourers on the Moor (and subsequent)
April 25 Editorial: “The Outbreak Amongst The Labourers”
May 2 (Supplement) A Females’ Temperance Society in Preston abandoned through want of success; Proposed increase of the Police Force; Proposed establishment of a Sabbath School for destitute orphans in Preston
May 9 (Supplement) Editorial: “The Proposed Increase In The Local Police”; Encouraging news of improvements in the condition of the distressed operatives; Monument to the late Revd. Robert Harris to be placed in the chancel of St. George’s Church
May 9 Alderman Samuel Smith appointed a Magistrate; Town Council debate the strength of the Police Force
May 16 Increase of the Preston Police Force; The School For Destitute Orphans plans to open in the Temperance Hall; Works for the improvement of Preston
May 23 (Supplement) Free emigration to New Zealand offered to suitable applicants
May 23 Repairs to Penwortham Bridge; Monument to the late Revd. Robert Harris erected in the chancel of St. George’s Church
June 7 (Supplement) Acquisition of the land subsequently developed into Miller Park
June 6 Further improvement in the cotton trade: An operatives’ scheme to effect emigration to Canada
June 13 Opening of the Preston Destitute Orphan’s Sabbath School, in the Temperance Hall, on Sunday, 7th June, 1863; Heavy rainfall causes flooding of the Ribble
June 20 Editorial: “What Should Be Done To Relieve The Distress Next Winter?”
July 4 (Supplement) Opening services at Catforth Primitive Methodist Chapel on Sunday, 28th June, 1863
July 4 The emigration of factory operatives (and subsequent)
July 25 (Supplement) A public meeting hears the first of three lectures on “The American Conflict”
July 25 Progress at the new Town Hall; Improvements at the Riverside Walk; Proposed that a vacant piece of land, west of the Police Station, be used as a drill and parade ground; A Working Men’s Club opened at 1, Great Avenham Street
August 1 (Supplement) Death, at Dover, on Saturday, 25th July, 1863, of William Clayton, formerly Banker and an ex-Alderman of Preston (It was stated that Mr. Clayton retired from public life in Preston following the collapse of his Bank)
August 1 (Extra Supplement) The American War – details of a great meeting in Preston
August 8 (Supplement) Progress at the new Town Hall
August 8 Editorial: “The Preston Relief Fund And The State Of Trade”; Opening services at Lancaster Road Congregational Church on Wednesday, 5th August, 1863
August 15 (Supplement) Foundation Stone laid at a new U. M. F. C. Chapel, at Brindle, on Saturday, 8th August, 1863; Preston Town Council vote £3,000 for the laying out and improving the public parks; Revd. Charles Garrett, a minister in the Wesleyan Methodist Circuit, delivers his farewell address to the Preston Bands of Hope
August 15 The distressed operatives and emigration schemes; A monumental tablet placed in Penwortham Church to the memory of the late John Horrocks, M. P. (1766-1804); Death of Mr. T. W. Clarke, for many years editor of the “Preston Pilot”
August 22 Progress at the new Town Hall; Proposition to introduce cab-stands in Preston; Revd. Charles Garrett terminates a successful ministry in the Preston Wesleyan Methodist Circuit
August 29 (Supplement) A public meeting debates “The Liquor Traffic In Preston” and adopts a memorial calling on the magistrates not to grant any further increases in the number of licences for the sale of intoxicating drink
August 29 First activities of the newly formed Preston Rowing Club
September 19 (Supplement) Details of activities in the district of St. Saviour’s; Queen Victoria passes through Preston Railway Station
September 26 Cab-stands and hackney carriage bye-Iaws for Preston; Consecration and formal opening of St. Mark’s C. O. E. Church, on Wednesday, 23rd September, 1863 – together with notes on the general development of places-of-worship in Preston, with dates, costs, seatings, etc.
October 3 Adoption of bye-laws for the regulation of hackney carriages in Preston (and subsequent)
October 10 Details and dates of the discoveries of several Roman coins in Preston; Article: “Occupations Of The (Male) People Of Preston and Blackburn”
October 17 Article: “Occupations Of The Females Of Preston and Blackburn”
October 24 The death, on Sunday, 18th October, 1863, of Richard Charnley, aged 63. The deceased had been an advocate of total abstinence for upwards of 30 years. He rendered efficient service to the Samaritan Society and greatly assisted in the promotion of the first Lune Street Wesleyan Chapel
October 31 Proposal to form a Central Working Men’s Club in Lord Street. It was intended that the club should provide skittles, bagatelles, and all kinds of innocent amusements, as well as classes for instructions
November 7 (Supplement) Reference to John Wesley preaching at Chipping in 1752
November 7 A proposed undertaking, in Preston, for the building of railway carriages
November 14 (Supplement) Editorial: “The Election Of The Mayor”; Meeting of Preston Town Council – the disputed election of the Mayor. Alderman Samuel Smith narrowly appointed (by a majority of 1 vote) to the Mayoral chair. The opponents of Alderman Smith (the Conservatives) intend to take legal advice on a matter of procedure, alleging that there was some error in the management of the Council’s voting. (Alderman Samuel Smith, one of the town’s prominent Wesleyan Methodists, was a grandson of Martha (Thompson) Whitehead, the first Methodist in Preston. His nephew, William Slater, was to become actively associated with Moor Park and Tennyson Road Wesleyan Methodist Chapels, and a niece, Mrs. Martha Whitehead (Heaton) Toulmin, was the wife of John Toulmin, J.P., head of the Publishing Department of “The Lancashire Daily Post” and “The Preston Guardian”
November 21 Progress at the new Town Hall building; Ages of the inhabitants of Preston
November 21 (Supplement) Formation of the Ribble Rowing Club – a new club open to tradesmen and mechanics; Preston criminal statistics; Details of proposed legal proceedings in the matter of the disputed Preston Mayoralty (See also 14th November)
November 28 (Supplement) Report of the Court hearing in the matter of the disputed Preston Mayoralty
November 28 A great meeting in Preston on the American War question
December 5 The Borough Parliamentary Registration, 1853-1863
December 12 Editorials: “Preparing For The Winter” and “Preston Central Working Men’s Club”
December 19 (Supplement) The laying out of Avenham and Moor Parks; Projected disuse of the Avenham Tramway and engine shed
December 19 Opening of Preston Central Working Men’s Club, 3, Lord Street, on Thursday, 17th December, 1863
December 26 (Extra Supplement) Proposed new railway station and the removal of the Avenham Tramway engine shed (and subsequent)
December 26 Restoration of the chancel of Walton Church, with brief details of Edward Kelley’s attempt to raise the dead in the churchyard

1864
January 6 Practical introduction of the Public Works Act in Preston; Rainfall in Preston 1849-1863
January 13 Postponement of the Court hearing regarding the disputed Preston mayoralty
January 16 Progress at the new Town Hall; The newly formed Railway Carriage Company’s search for premises
January 20 The Queen’s Bench hears the matter of the disputed Preston mayoralty and finds in favour of alderman Smith’s opponents
January 27 Details of the laying out of Avenham, Moor, and Deepdale Road Parks; Death of the Rt. Hon. Sir W. Atherton, a Prestonian, son of a Wesleyan Methodist Minister, and a former Attorney General
February 6 In an attempt to resolve the disputed Preston mayoralty, Alderman Samuel Smith offers to resign his office; The laying out of Avenham Park; Progress at the new Town Hall
February 10 Improvements at Avenham and Moor Parks; Further efforts to settle the disputed Preston mayoralty
February 13 The Council discuss the laying out of Avenham Park
February 20 The Court of Queen’s Bench rules that Alderman Samuel Smith will have to be re-elected to the Mayoralty of Preston
February 24 Improvement of Avenham and Moor Parks
February 27 The death, on 18th February, 1864, of Thomas Eckley, aged 83, of 287, North Road, who was claimed to be the last surviving Prestonian who fought on the field at Waterloo. He was wounded 5 times and was in the 1st King’s Dragoon Guards. He was one of only fifty of his regiment to survive the conflict. His burial took place in Preston Cemetery; Alderman Samuel Smith, after being deposed as Mayor, re-elected to the chair, thus ending a long and bitter quarrel on this disputed question
March 2 Another Waterloo veteran in Preston (see also 22nd June): Robert Dixon, of 71,Hopwood Street, writes to the “Preston Guardian” to point out that he is a survivor of Waterloo. He was with the 1st Royal Regiment of Foot
March 5 Hopes entertained for a new Infirmary for Preston
March 12 A proposed new direct railway between Preston and Southport; Formation of the Preston branch of the Chemists and Druggists’ Society
March 23 Ornamentation of Deepdale Park
March 26 Purchase, by Preston Corporation, of part of the land in the Orchard; Corner Stone laid at Longridge Congregational Chapel on Friday, 25th March, 1864
March 30 Proposed tower and steeple at St; Walburge’s R.C. Church (Tower 134′ high, and steeple 168′ above the tower, making a total height of 302′)
April 2 Presentation to Preston Corporation of photographic portraits of all the members of the Council at the Guild of 1862; The Corporation’s purchase of the Orchard; At a Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Jubilee, Alderman Samuel Smith recollects his early associations with the old Back Lane Chapel
April 6 Proposed new church (Christ Church) at Fulwood
April 9 Progress at the new Town Hall; The population of Walton-le-Dale, containing occupations, religion, ages, etc. of the residents
April 13 William Dobson publishes the first part of “Rambles By The Ribble”
April 16 The distress: Its progress and diminution, 1861-1864
April 27 The William Shakespeare Tercentenary celebrated in Preston with a performance of “Hamlet” in the Theatre Royal
April 30 The Preston Orphan Sunday School institutes a “Shoe Black Brigade”; The works in Avenham Park
May 4 A proposed new Workhouse for the Preston Union
May 7 The improvements at Avenham; The market in the Orchard
May 14 The new cells at the House of Correction
May 21 Laying of the Corner Stone at Christ Church, Fulwood, on Thursday, 19th May, 1864
May 25 The improvements at Avenham
June 11 Brief references to the death and funeral of Moses Holden, the Preston astronomer, together with a long obituary and tribute. Moses Holden died on Friday, 3rd June, 1864, aged 87
June 22 The “Preston Guardian” lists a quite considerable number of Waterloo veterans still living in Preston; Corner Stone laid at St. Joseph’s R. C. Boy’s School on Saturday, 18th June, 1864
June 9 [?] Consecration of All Saint’s Church, Higher Walton, on Thursday, 7th July, 1864
June 30 The price of gas in Preston compared with other towns
September 3 Editorial: “The Gas Question”
September 10 Welcome improvements in the state of the cotton trade; A series of articles: “The History Of The Cotton Famine” ( and subsequent)
September 17 A notice of William Dobson’ s recently published book: “Rambles By The Ribble”
September 28 Editorial: “The Prospects Of The Cotton Trade”
October 1 Town Council produce details of the new Covered Market
October 8 (Supplement) The revision of the Voters’ List for the Preston Borough
October 8 Proposed alterations at the Workhouse
October 15 Progress at the new Town Hall; Progress in the erection of St Walburge’s tower and steeple
October 29 Alderman Miller’s gift to the town of Preston of Miller Park; Queen Victoria passes through Preston railway station; Statistics of crime in Preston
November16 Proposal to erect an Orphan House in Preston; Opening of S t. Joseph’s R. C. “Temporary New Chapel” on Sunday, 13th November, 1864; Proposed new Union Workhouse for Preston
November 19 A short history of Cadeley and Fulwood School on the occasion of a charity dispute
November 30 The formation of Preston School of Science
December 10 (Supplement) Land in Watling Street Road selected as the site for the proposed new Union Workhouse
December 10 Article: “Social Life In Lancashire”
December 17 Brief biographical details of the Revd. Fr. Joseph Dunn, S.J. (“Daddy Dunn”) (1746-1827), one of the founders of the Preston Gas Company
December 21 Death of Isaac Wilcockson, on Tuesday, 20th December, 1864, aged 82, Preston historian, one-time proprietor of the “Preston Chronicle” and holder of many local public offices
December 24 Gas first used to illuminate the stalls in Preston Market Place
December 31 (Supplement) Obituary and funeral of Isaac Wilcockson
December 31 First use, on Christmas Day, 1864, of a new R.C. Chapel in Garstang Road, Moor Park

1865
January 11 The proposed infirmary for Preston
January 14 Rainfall in Preston 1849-1864
January 21 Progress at the new Town Hall; The proposed new infirmary (and subsequent)
January 25 Cotton prospects for the year 1863; Solemn Opening of Moor Park RC Chapel on Sunday, 22nd January, 1865
February 11 A proposed Parliamentary Bill to reconstitute the Preston Gas Company; A series of articles: “Supplementary Notes To The History Of Preston And Its Environs”, by Charles Hardwick (and subsequent)
February 22 Sewerage and private improvements in Preston; The new Workhouse and the corporate labourers
February 25 Formation of a Roman Catholic Temperance Society at St. Ignatius’ Church – “the first in connection with the Catholics of Preston to be formed since the breaking up of the one formed in the early days of the Temperance agitation”
March 1 Launching of the first vessel made by the Preston Iron Ship Building Company
March 25 Progress at the new Town Hall; The Preston Gas Bill
March 29 The execution of Stephen Burke, the Preston murderer, who killed his wife on 30th January, 1865, at 51, Brunswick Street
April 1 The Preston Gas Bill (and subsequent)
April 8 Details of the plans for the new Workhouse
April 15 Corner Stone laid at St. Mary’s Street Wesleyan Methodist School Chapel on Good Friday, 14th April, 1865
April 26 Proposals to suspend the activities of the Preston (Cotton Famine) Relief Committee; Edwin Waugh, Lancashire poet and prose writer, gives readings in Preston
April 29 Advert: The Postmaster General seeks new premises for the Preston Post Office; Editorial – The assassination of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln; Dock accommodation for Preston – proposals for a floating undertaking and a diverting of the course of the Ribble; progress at the new Town Hall
May 6 A public meeting in Preston pays tribute to Abraham Lincoln
May 13 Optimism in Preston as the American Civil War reaches its close; The proposed dock accommodation; The Preston Relief Committee, established on 27th January, 1862, suspends its activities
May 20 Queen Victoria passes through Preston Railway Station; Progress at the new Town Hall
June 14 Interments in Preston Cemetery since its opening until 31st March, 1865, were stated to be: Church of England 10,453, Roman Catholic 6,480, Non-Conformist 3,330, Total 20,263
June 17 Queen Victoria passes through Preston Railway Station
June 21 Improvements at Ashton – proposed Police House, Railway Station, Gas Supply and a Post Office
July 1 (Supplement) Death of Aldermen Thomas Miller, aged 54, on Saturday, 24th June, 1865, together with details of his funeral at Lytham
July 1 Obituary of Thomas Miller
July 8 Proposals to form a new C. of E. ecclesiastical district (Emmanuel) north of St. Peter’s Parish
July 22 Progress at the new Town Hall and in Avenham Park; Proposed new Bye-Laws as to new streets, sewerage and new buildings in Preston
July 26 Corner Stone laid at the new Workhouse on Tuesday, 25th 1865
July 29 Town Council discuss new Bye-Laws and street improvements of Preston; The Parliamentary representation of Lancashire – details of all elections, 1832-1865
August 2 Laying of the Foundation Stone at Emmanuel C. of E. Schools on Monday, 31st July, 1865
August 5 Consecration of Christ Church, Fulwood, on Thursday, 3rd August, 1865
August 9 Brief history of Independency in Longridge on the occasion of the opening of the new Chapel on Monday, 7th August, 1865
September 2 Serious outbreak of cattle disease in Preston (and subsequent); Town Council discuss the Dock and Quay Accommodation and the lease of land for the new infirmary
September 13 Further details of the serious cattle plague in Preston and district (and subsequent throughout the year)
September 16 Progress at the new Town Hall; Details of the forthcoming Preston Exhibition of Works of Art and Industry (and subsequent)
September 23 Editorial: “The Preston Exhibition or Art And Industry”; “Rearing” of the new Town Hall; Opening and full description of the Preston Exhibition (and subsequent weekly details)
October 25 The proposed new Infirmary
October 28 Details of the proposed new Infirmary
November 8 Proposed new R.C, Church (English Martyrs)
November 11 The state of crime in Preston
November 12 Opening of St. Mary’s Street Wesleyan Methodist School Chapel on Friday, 24th November, 1865
December 2 Scarlet fever and smallpox in Preston
December 9 The close of the Preston Exhibition
December 23 Proposed improvements at Preston Railway Station
December 30 Planning difficulties arise in the matter of the proposed new R.C.-Chapel at Moor Park (It would appear that the original plan was to erect English Martyrs on the west side of Garstang Road)

1866
January 6 Rainfall in Preston and district in 1865, etc.
January 10 Death of “Old Betty” Redhead, aged 91, a lady with long and interesting associations with Preston politics
January 13 Funeral of “Old Betty” Redhead at Leyland Parish Church: Death at Liverpool, of Peter Whittle, the Preston writer and author of several Lancashire books
January 27 Details Of the controversy surrounding the site of the new Moor Park R.C. Chapel
January 31 The sewerage of Preston and the proposed possession of Newton and Freckleton Marshes (and subsequent); Details of the proposed clock for the new Town Hall
February 3 Subscriptions invited for the new Preston Infirmary; Presentation of accounts of the Preston Art and Industry Exhibition
February 10 The sewerage of Preston
February 24 Alterations at the Central Working Men’s Club
March 3 The proposed new Catholic Church on Moor Park. Land now obtained on the east side of Garstang Road – the side opposite to the Catholics’ original plans
March 7 Fever in Preston
March 10 Progress in the laying out of Preston’s parks
March 17 (Supplement) The franchise of Preston and other Lancashire towns; Death and obituary of John Wilcockson, the brother of the late Isaac Wilcockson, aged 73, a staunch teetotaller and well known Preston business man
March 17 Hopes of the Preston Orphan Sunday School to have its own building after meeting at the Temperance Hall since its inauguration
March 24 Public works and private improvements in Preston; Bye-laws for Preston’s parks
March 31 (Supplement) Electoral returns for Preston
March 31 Town Council take steps to preserve the fabric of the ancient charters of Preston
April 4 Proposals for a new Sunday School at Saul Street Primitive Methodist Chapel; Cutting of the first sod at the Infirmary on Monday, 2nd April, 1866
April 14 State of the cotton trade in Lancashire; A Board of Management formed for the new Infirmary
April 28 Proposed raising of the height of the tower at the new Town Hall; Council discuss the Tramway and the Railway sation; The Revd R. Allen lectures in Preston on “The History of Methodism in Preston and Its Vicinity”
May 12 A fossil and human remains discovered in the Ribble
May 16 A Public Meeting debates the irregularities in the interments and the accounts at Preston Cemetery – a Government Inspector appointed to investigate public complaints (and subsequent)
May 23 Laying of the Foundation Stone at English Martyrs’ R.C. Church on Whit Monday, 31st May, 1866
June 2 Town Council discuss the old Tramway and the Railway Station
June 9 Opening of Emmanuel C. of E. Church School on Thursday, 7th June, 1866
June 16 The mismanagement of the Preston Cemetery
June 27 Queen Victoria passes through Preston Railway Station
June 30 Alteration of the tower at the new Town Hall; Council discuss the proposed clock and bells for the Town Hall tower
July 18 Laying of the Corner Stone at Preston Infirmary on Saturday, 14th July, 1866
July 21 Formation of the “Preston Association For The Protection Of The Rights Of Ancient Footpaths” (formed in view of local controversy over rights of way, etc.)
July 25 Collapse of the Preston Bank – Meeting of Shareholders etc. (and subsequent)
July 28 Revd. P. Allen publishes “The History of Methodism in Preston and its Vicinity”; Town Council discuss-the Water Supply
August 1 Formation of a Working Men’s Reform Association in Preston
August 11 Cholera in Preston and the establishment of a temporary hospital in Upper Walker Street to deal with victims or the disease
August 25 Re-opening of the Preston Bank following its suspension; The Revd. John Guttridge commences a second period of ministry at Orchard U.M.F.C. Chapel; Laying of the Foundation Stone at Saul Street Primitive Methodist Sunday School on Saturday, 18th August, 1866; State of the licensed trade in Preston and proposals to halt its expansion
September 8 Solemn Blessing of the Cross to surmount St. Walburge’s R.C. Church Spire on Thursday, 6th September, 1866 – the account contains useful statistics of the height of the spire, size and weight of the Cross and weather vane, etc.
September 22 A new gymnasium opened in connection with the Central Working Men’s Club, Lord Street, on Monday, 17th September, 1866
September 26 Division of the Wesleyan Methodist Circuit in Preston
October 27 State of crime in the Borough of Preston; Details of the almost completed masonry at the new Town Hall
November 7 State of the workhouses in the Preston Union
November 14 Arrangements being made for the supply of gas in Longridge; Further discussion about the Union workhouses
November 17 Great flooding of the Ribble – “an almost unparalleled event”
November 21 The Floods – loss of life and great destruction of local property
November 28 Details of St. Saviour’s C. of E. Church on the occasion of the Laying of the Foundation Stone on Monday, 26th November, 1866
December 1 Town Council discuss the Grammar School, The Literary and Philosophical Institute and Dr. Shepherd’s Library
December 5 Proposed erection of a property to house the Preston.0rphansf Sabbath School; Correspondence concerning Leeming Street (ex Baptist) Chapel and its sale to the Church of England
December 8 (Extra Supplement) “Report on the Improvement of the Ribble and The Construction of Docks at Preston” – with a plan of the proposed improvements (and subsequent)
December 15 The franchise in Preston

1867
January 2 Town Council proposes to purchase the Literary and Philosophical Institute buildings, Cross Street, discusses the future of Dr. Shepherd’s Library and considers the possibility of a new Railway Station
January 19 Proposed new Dock Accommodation (and subsequent); Rainfall in Preston in 1866
February 2 Proposed new Docks; Proposed Industrial Institute for the blind within the Borough of Preston; Details of the Town Hall clock tower bell , The cost of furnishing the Town Hall; Details of progress at Mill Hill Ragged School
February 6 Opening of the new Sunday School at Saul Street Primitive Methodist Church on Sunday, 3rd February, 1867
February 9 Formation of “The Preston Protestant Union”
February 16 The “Preston Branch Of the National Reform Union” (formerly the “Preston Working Men’s Association”); Plan to open a Reading Room in Church Street, over Mr. Fell’s Shop, opposite the end of North Road; Discovery of a “great number” of human bones buried at the northern end of Stoneygate, opposite the western end of the Parish Church
March 2 Town Council make tentative overtures regarding the possibility of the Prince of Wales opening the new Town Hall
March 6 “The Revelations of Preston Workhouse” – criticisms contained in an article in the “Morning Star”
March 9 0pening of the National Reform Union’s Reading Room, Church Street, on Wednesday, 6th March, 1867
March 13 Proposed Industrial Institute For The Blind in Preston (and subsequent); Proposed new school, in Meadow Street, for destitute orphans in Preston
March 16 The Auditors’ Report on the Preston Cemetery irregularities
March 23 Death of Mr. C. P. Grenfell, ex M.P. for Preston, on Thursday, 21st March, 1867
March 30 Preston Workhouse – a more encouraging picture
April 6 Fixing and first function of the clock bells at the new Town Hall
April 27 Charles Dickens gives readings in the Preston Theatre Royal
May 25 Queen Victoria passes through Preston Railway Station; Preston’s new Town Hall and the Prince of Wales
June 1 Illness prevents the Prince of Wales from opening the new Town Hall; Fitting up and decorating the new Town Hall; A proposed Exchange and News Room in the new Town Hall; The Corporation purchases, for £1,500, the Literary and Philosophical Institute’s buildings in Cross Street
June 22 (Supplement) Queen Victoria passes through Preston Railway Station
June 22 Preston Industrial Institute For The Blind obtains premises in Crooked Lane (the Mill used by the Cotton Famine Relief Committee)
June 26 Proposed Exchange and News Room in the new Town Hall
July 13 Death, on Thursday, 11th July, 1867, of William Seed, aged 85, of 91, Oxford Street, the last Preston survivor of the Battle of Trafalgar
July 20 A report on the Church of England Schools in Lancashire
July 27 Town Council propose a Bowling Green in Moor Park and alterations at the Literary and Philosophical Institute; Efforts being made to secure the Duke of Cambridge to open the new Town Hall
July 31 The Duke of Cambridge proposes to visit Preston on 2nd and 3rd October, 1867
August 10 Early arrangements being made for the opening celebrations at the new Town Hall (and subsequent); Foundation Stone laid at Midge Hall Wesleyan Methodist Chapel on Thursday, 8th August, 1867
August 17 Proposed new Dock Accommodation
August 21 Queen Victoria passes through Preston Railway Station
August 24 Improvement of the River Ribble (and subsequent); Temperance proposals to halt the increase of liquor licenses in Preston
August 31 Operations commence at the Preston Industrial Institute For The Blind; Correspondence concerning the proposed destruction of the remains of the old “pier” bridge over the Ribble at Walton (a landmark with long and historic associations with Preston); Town Council discuss the Town Hall opening arrangements and the Dock extension scheme
September 7 Opening of the new Town Hall – programme of proceedings (and subsequent); Unsatisfactory state of the cotton trade in Preston
September 11 The Ribble Dock scheme
September 14 Foundation Stone laid at Lytham Wesleyan Methodist Chapel on Thursday, 12th September, 1867; Town Council adopt the scheme for the improvement of the Ribble
September 25 Details of decorations and illuminations in Preston in preparation for the opening of the new Town Hall (and subsequent)
October 5 A full account of the opening ceremony and celebration at the Town Hall, and Avenham and Miller Parks, on Thursday, 3rd October, 1867; Full details of Moor Park on the occasion of its opening on Friday, 4th October, 1867
October 12 (Supplement) Fulwood ratepayers consider the question of their incorporation with the Parliamentary Borough of Preston under the new Reform Act
October 12 The Boundary Commission – Preston and District
October 16 Opening of the Exchange and News Room in the Town Hall on Monday, 19th October, 1867
October 19 Members of Preston Police Force to be armed with revolvers during the Fenian disturbances
October 23 Gas for Longridge – the supply almost completed
October 26 Death of Ex. Sgt. Robert Dixon, 1st Foot, of 71, Hopwood Street, Preston, aged 76, who served in the Peninsular and at Waterloo. He was within 50 yards of Sir. John Moore’s falling at Corunna; Opening of the Preston Cattle Market, Brook Street, on Thursday, 24th October, 1867
October 30 Opposition in Preston to the proposed Dock Accommodation
November 2 Town Council withdraw the proposed Dock scheme
November 6 Queen Victoria passes through Preston Railway Station
November 16 The abandonment of the proposed Dock Accommodation scheme; Opening of Midge Hall Wesleyan Methodist Chapel on Monday, 11th November, 1867; Lecture in Manchester: “The Possession of Samlesbury Hall” (and also 14th December and 22nd February, 1868)
November 30 Another Council discussion on the proposed Dock improvement scheme
December 4 Establishment, at the Corn Exchange, of the Preston Co-Operative Provision Society for the supply of meat, fish and fowl; Exhibition of works of art and natural history in aid of Mill Hill Ragged School (and subsequent)
December 7 Death, on 5th, December, 1867, and obituary of James Naylor, aged 54, former Town Councillor and prominent Wesleyan Methodist; Criminal and miscellaneous police reports for 1866/67
December 14 A description of the Preston Market Place in 1844; A continuation of “The Possession of Samlesbury Hall”; A short account of Congregationalism in Preston contained in the obituary of the Revd. R. Slate, former minister of Grimshaw Street Chapel; Opening of English Martyrs’ R.C. Church on Thursday, 12th December, 1867
December 18 Completion of Longridge Gasworks
December 21 Inauguration of the Longridge Gasworks

1868
January 1 Fenianism in Preston
January 4 Fenianism in Preston and the Police Force (and subsequent)
January 18 Rainfall in Preston, 1867, together with local and national statistics 1849 – 1867
January 25 Spiritualism in Preston – “extraordinary manifestations”; Capture of a Fenian in Preston – William Barry, Pte. in the 107th Regt., was arrested following his conduct in the New Park Inn, Great Hanover Street (and subsequent)
February 1 Town Council agree to increase the strength of the Police Force
February 5 Notice of the death and obituary of “Temperance” Mary Graham, “The Queen of the Teetotallers”, who died, aged 89, at 2, Gorst Street, Avenham
February 8 Funeral of “Temperance” Mary Graham
February 22 Concluding article: “The Possession of Samlesbury Hall”; Mr. Thomas Cook, the excursionist, lectures in Preston
February 29 Notes concerning the Manor of Ulnes Walton and Walton-le-Dale; Following the opening of the Town Hall, the Council discontinue lighting the Fishergate Baptist Chapel Clock
March 7 The River Ribble in flood
March 11 Apprehension of five Fenian sympathisers in Preston
March 18 A lecture: “The Ancient History of Longridge and Ribchester”
March 21 Dr. Shepherd’s Library to be re-opened in new premises in Cross Street, in the room formerly occupied as the lecture-room at the Literary and Philosophical Institute; Improvements at Avenham Park; In an Auction Sale in Preston of rare books and manuscripts, a “breeches” Bible fetches 19 shillings; Death, on Monday, 16th March, 1868, and obituary of James Teare, aged 64, “an indefatigable advocate of teetotalism” and one of those with very early associations with the cause in Preston; A Lancashire Ghost Story with local flavour
March 25 The reported liberation of Dr. Thomas Monk (see Vol. 1 December, 1857 and February and March, 1858)
March 28 Dr. Monk expects early liberation from Woking Prison; Correspondence concerning the Southworths of Samlesbury; Town Council discuss the extension of the Borough boundaries
April 1 Dr. Monk, freed from Prison, reported to be residing in Birkenhead; Details of the origins of King’s Croft Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, Walton-le-Dale, on the occasion of its opening on Sunday, 29th March, 1868
April 4 Correspondence regarding the origin of teetotalism in Preston; Death, on Sunday, 29th March, 1868, and obituary of John Catterall, aged 65, “an earnest advocate of teetotalism”
April 8 Preston Gymnastic Association open a gymnasium in Avenham Institute on Thursday, 2nd April, 1868; Proposed scheme for a new Parliamentary boundary for Preston
April 11 State of the National Schools in Preston
April 15 “Easter in Preston” – a description of “pace-egging” in Avenham Park
April 18 Proposed extension of the Borough Boundaries
April 22 Laying of the Foundation Stone at Emmanuel C. of E. Church on Saturday, 18th April, 1868
April 25 Construction of a new entrance to Avenham Park from Ribblesdale Place; The skull of a primeval ox of Great Britain discovered in the River Ribble near Preston; Opening of Dr, Shepherd’s Library in new premises in Cross Street on Monday, 20th April, 1868; Death of John Harland, newspaper proprietor and Lancashire writer
April 29 Possibility of the Royal Agricultural Society holding its 1869 Show in Moor Park, Preston
May 2 The Town Council oppose the re-lighting of the Fishergate Baptist Chapel clock
May 9 Royal Agricultural Society decide against Preston as a site for its 1869 Show
May 16 Formation of a new Liberal Club for Preston
May 20 Queen Victoria passes through Preston Railway Station
May 23 A memorial to the late John Catterall
May 30 Death, on Wednesday, 27th May, 1868, of Thomas Hilton, aged 66, the first porter at Preston Railway Station. Mr. Hilton took up employment with the North Union Railway in 1838 and wore a brass arm-badge bearing the number 1
June 6 Foundation Stone laid at a new Wesleyan Methodist School Room, Leyland, on Whit Monday, 1st June, 1868
June 10 The Water Supply in Preston
June 13 Proposals to form a Working Men’s Political Association in Preston
June 20 Preston Working Men’s Political Association
June 24 Improvements on the Preston-Longridge Railway; The 34th Annual Conference of the British Temperance League opens in Preston (and subsequent)
July 1 Death, on 26th April, 1868, at Sydney, NLS.W., Australia, and obituary of Thomas Duckett, Junior, aged 29, son of the Preston sculptor
July 4 The origin of the Earl of Derby’s crest; Details of the newly formed Preston Irish (Liberal) Reform Association
July 8 The local water supply and the low rainfall
July 11 The depressed state of the cotton trade in Preston (and subsequent); The local effects of a long-continued drought
July 25 A report on-the Preston water supply
July 29 The weather and the water supply
August 1 The franchise in Preston; The cotton trade in Preston; Completion of the Ribblesdale Place entrance to Avenham Park
August 22 Anti-drink memorials presented to the Preston Licensing Sessions
August 29 The drought continues and emergency supplies of water are pumped to Preston from the River Hodder
September 5 An antique wood carving, dated 1650, discovered in premises numbered 42, Friargate, and 1, Hill Street; A description of the emergency water supply to Preston
September 16 Queen Victoria passes through Preston Railway Station
September 26 Opening of Lytham Wesleyan Methodist Chapel on Wednesday, 23rd September, 1868; Town Council discuss proposed improvements at the Cattle Market and consider the water supply now reaching critical proportions
October 10 (Supplement) Extracts from “History Of The Parliamentary Representation Of Preston” by Wm. Dobson (and subsequent)
October 31 Consecration of St. Saviour’s C. of E. Church on Thursday, 29th October, 1868
November 7 Queen Victoria passes through Preston Railway Station
November 11 Samuel Smith re-elected as an Alderman of Preston
November 21 Death, on Monday, 16th November, 1868, at “Beech Grove”, Fulwood, and funeral of Alderman George Smith, aged 70, a Councillor for St. Peter’s Ward for 22 years; A long article: “Parliament And The Representation Of Preston” based on Wm. Dobson’s recent publication
November 28 Town Council discuss a proposed new Market – a renewed look at an old topic; Preston’s cotton trade in a depressed state (and subsequent)
December 9 Flooding of the Ribble at Avenham and Penwortham
December 12 Local nomenclature – a summary of surnames in Preston, extracted from the Voters’ List; Death ,on Monday, 7th December, 1868, and obituary of John Bairstow, aged 89, Preston businessman, magistrate and Church benefactor
December 16 Special sermons in memory of John Bairstow preached in Preston’s C. of E. Churches
December 26 “Short time” in the Lancashire cotton trade (and subsequent)
December 30 Opening of the new Union Workhouse, Fulwood, on Tuesday, 29th December, 1868

1869
January 2 A proposed new Act of Parliament: “The Preston Improvement Act, 1869”, to confer further powers upon the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of Preston
January 9 Statistics of the Baths and Wash-houses, 1851-1868; Considerable alarm in Fulwood concerning the Board of Guardians’ proposal to erect a “Tramps’ House” at the new Workhouse; Crime and criminals in Preston
January 23 Rainfall in 1868 – together with attendant statistics
January 27 A proposed Library for the new Workhouse
January 30 A proposal to erect gates at each end of the Serpentine Walk, Moor Park
February 3 Inauguration of a News Agents’ Society in Preston, at the Dog Inn, Church Street, on Tuesday, 2nd February, 1869; Great floods in Preston and the Fylde
February 10 Details of the local flooding
February 13 A proposed fever hospital at the new Preston Union Workhouse (and subsequent)
February 20 The future of the public wash-houses under discussion
February 24 Proposed new Post Office in Fishergate
February 27 More stoppages in the cotton trade; Details of the proposed new fever wards at the Workhouse; The Police Report for the Borough of Preston for 1867/68
March 3 The Board of Guardians vote against a proposal to form a paupers’ cemetery at the new Workhouse
March 10 An account of the failure, in 1868, of Roskell, Arrowsmith andKendall, the Fishergate, Preston, banking firm
March 13 Proposed reduction of wages in the cotton trade (and subsequent)
March 20 Narrative given, in Preston, by the Revd. A. A. Stern, one of the recent Abyssinian captives
March 27 Town Council discuss the inadequacy of Preston Railway Station
March 31 Building of “one of the largest gasometers in the kingdom” in Ribbleton Lane; Disputes between cotton trade employers and operatives becoming more acute (and subsequent)
April 14 Celebration, in Preston, of the Jubilee of Pope Pius IX
April 24 A sudden illness prevents Charles Dickens from giving a “Farewell” Public Reading in Preston; A short history of the Preston Theatre Royal on the occasion of alterations being carried out
April 28 The cost of the new Union Workhouse
May 5 The Board of Guardians promote another discussion on the subject of a paupers’ cemetery at the new Workhouse
May 15 Probable termination of the cotton strike in Preston; Preston Corporation and the Water Extension Bill
May 19 Partial settlement of the Preston Strike; A local bell- ringing marathon at Preston Parish Church
May 22 Proposed renewal of the Preston Strike (and subsequent); Notice of the death, on Wednesday, 19th May, 1869, at Green-Bank, Windermere, of Jane, aged 73, the wife of Joseph Livesey
May 22 A proposal (more fully reported on 29th May) “that-the Council be recommended to order a new road to be made in communication with New Street, from Lord Street, to Earl Street, through the eastern portion of the property purchased from Pedder’s Trustees and through the building which had been till recently occupied by the Working Men’s Club, and that a weighing machine be constructed in Earl Street”
May 26 Dr. Shepherd’s Library in the process of being catalogued; Foundation Stone laid at Bairstow Memorial Chapel, Bird Street, on Saturday, 22nd May, 1869
May 29 Commencement of the work, in Preston, of the Revd. J. White (later styled Mr. J. White), a Temperance Missionary; Unemployed operative weavers form an Emigration Society in Preston
June 5 The cotton trade and the emigration scheme (and subsequent); Arrangements complete for the building of the fever hospital at the new Workhouse
June 9 The Post Office takes possession of their new premises in Fishergate and plan to commence necessary alterations
June 12 The unsuitability of Preston Railway Station brought before Parliament by one of the town’s M.P.’s
June 26 State of the cotton trade; The Central Working Men’s Club take up new premises at 18, Friargate (advertised as opposite Orchard Street); Arrangements for the reception of tramps in the old Workhouse, now a part of the House of Recovery; Historical notes about Goosnargh and Whittingham on the occasion of the re-opening of the Parish Church; The tragic and accidental death of Sgt. Owen Norris, aged 59, formerly of the 24th Foot, a recruiting sergeant in Preston – “widely known and much respected”
June 30 Funeral of the late Sgt. Norris; State of alterations and improvements at the Preston Theatre Royal
July 3 The supply of water to Walton-le-Dale
July 7 The Council order the demolition of the Working Men’s Club premises in Lord Street, to form a new opening to the Orchard, through New Street
July 10 The supply of water and gas to Walton-le-Dale
July 14 The necessity of a prison van for Preston
July 17 Construction of the new weighing machine in Earl Street
July 21 The water and gas supply to Walton-le-Dale
July 24 Recommendation from the Watch Committee to the Council that a prison van be obtained for the conveyance of prisoners in Preston
July 31 A prison van to be purchased for the Borough
August 11 Completion of the new Lord Street-Orchard thoroughfare and the erection of a weighing machine, costing £81, in Earl Street
August 14 A full statement of the condition of the cotton trade in Preston
August 21 Queen Victoria passes through Preston Railway Station; Death, at 32, Bolton Street, of Joseph Richardson, aged 75, a Primitive Methodist and a pioneer of the teetotal cause in Preston; Proposed erection of railway Booking Office, costing £80, at the Cattle Market – conditional upon the railway company erecting a passenger platform; Gilbert Scott’s charges in connection with the new Town Hall; Opposition in Preston to a new national licensing system
August 25 Funeral of the late Joseph Richardson
August 28 The new catalogue of Dr. Shepherd’s Library
September 11 James Beckett, a Prestonian, invents a valuable railway brake “which will shortly be in use on one, if not more, of our leading railway lines”; Opening services at Leyland Lane Primitive Methodist Chapel on Sunday, 29th August, 1869; Re-Opening of the Preston Theatre Royal following improvements
September 22 Outbreak of foot and mouth disease amongst cattle in the Preston area
September 25 Proposals to form an Agricultural Society in Preston
September 29 Board of Guardians consider the proposed fever wards at the new Workhouse
October 2 W. E. Gladstone passes through Preston Railway Station; Death, on 30th September, 1869, at 6, Ribblesdale Place, of Thomas Meek, aged 47, a prominent local Wesleyan Methodist; Precautions being taken in connection with the foot and mouth disease outbreak; Council discuss the proposed Covered Market and vote against the proposed acquisition of a steam fire engine for Preston
October 9 A statement indicating that the Preston Dispensary will close on 16th October, 1869, following which date parties must attend the new Infirmary; Funeral of the late Thomas Meek; Formation, on Thursday, 7th October, 1869, of a Sunday School Superintendents’ and Secretaries’ Association in Preston; Positive steps being taken towards the erection of a new Covered Market
October 16 (Supplement) Presentation, by Joseph Livesey, to the Avenham Institute of an important collection of temperance and social reform publications
October 16 The Prince of Wales pauses whilst passing through Preston Railway Station and purchases magazines from the station bookstall; Commencement of the building of the tower at St. Mark’s C. of E. Church; Meeting to inaugurate an Agricultural Society in Preston on Thursday, 14th October, 1869; Opening of Bairstow Memorial C. of E. Chapel of Ease on Thursday, 14th October, 1869
October 20 Proposed new direct railway between Preston and Southport; Special services on the occasion of the Opening of St. Saviour’s C. of E. Church tower on Sunday, 17th October, 1869; Opening of the Dispensary at the new Infirmary on Monday, 18th October, 1869
October 23 An editorial reflects on the depressed quality of life in Preston, occasioned by the state of trade; Death of the 14th Earl of Derby; Correspondence concerning the late John Bairstow’s ecclesiastical benevolence, and suggested improvements for the Parish Church
October 30 (Supplement) Obituary of the late Lord Derby
October 30 Some improvement in the state of the cotton trade; Town Council discuss the future of the public wash-houses and the proposed new Covered Market, together with possible extensions at the Water Works
November 3 Queen Victoria expected to pass through Preston Railway Station (and subsequent); The removal of the old weighing machine in Lancaster Road; Details of the alterations at the new Fishergate Post Office
November 10 Inauguration of a Central Conservative Club, Lord Street, on Monday, 8th November, 1869
November 13 Reasonable prospects for a new Railway Station for Preston together with proposals for the widening of the Fishergate tunnel, etc.; Proposed extension of the telegraph wires from the railway station to the Lancaster Road Post Office and thence to Longridge and Walton-le-Dale
November 17 The proposed new Railway Station – an important meeting; Flooding of the Ribble; The cost of the new Workhouse; The Chief Constable’s Annual Report
November 20 Advert: The intended acquisition of land for the new station and railway extensions; Agreement reached on the style of the new Covered Market; Formation, in Preston, of a Wesleyan Band of Hope Union on Tuesday, 16th November, 1869
November 24 Improvements in the cotton trade
November 27 Details of the new Covered Market; Council agree to abolish the public wash-houses in Saul Street and erect a swimming bath, four times the size of the present one; Proposals to petition the Postmaster General to purchase property adjoining the new Fishergate Post Office and so provide greater accommodation for the postal service
December 4 Adoption of plans for the new Covered Market
December 8 Soup dispensing to re-commence in Preston at the Upper Walker Street kitchen, on Tuesday, 14th December, 1869 (and subsequent)
December 11 Details of the petition to the Postmaster General; Repairs necessary at Penwortham Bridge; Details of the proposed re-building of St. James’ C. of E. Church
December 18 Preston Corporation invite tenders for the erection of a Covered Market in Chadwick’s Orchard
December 24 The repair of Penwortham Bridge

1870
January 1 Sale, by auction, of Penwortham Workhouse; The proposed direct Preston-Southport Railway
January 5 Commencement of a series of Temperance Revival Meetings in Preston; Council entertain little hope of the Postmaster General extending the-size of the new Fishergate Post Office
January 8 Inaugural meeting of the Wesleyan Band of Hope Union in Lune Street Chapel on Thursday, 6th January, 1870; Opening of the new Infirmary on Thursday, 6th January, 1870
January 15 The Rainfall of 1869 – local and national
January 22 The Government Tax Office make temporary use of 95, Fishergate, the building previously used as the Dispensary
January 26 Notice of the death, on Sunday, 23rd January, 1870, at Lower Bank Road, Fulwood, and obituary of James Stephenson, aged 50, Assistant Overseer for Preston and a life-long teetotaller
January 29 Joseph Clayton, of Preston, offered the contract for the building of the new Covered Market 31 a price of £6,070; Funeral of the late James Stephenson; Natives of Scotland, resident in Preston, commemorate the anniversary of the birthday of Robert Burns on Tuesday 25th January, 1870. (Contrary to the report in the “Preston Guardian” of 17th January, 1857 (See Vol.3) it was stated that this was the first occasion on which such a gathering had been held
February 2 Willingness of the Postmaster General to extend the scope of the new Fishergate-Post Office; Proposed memorial to the late Lord Derby
February 5 The number of houses in Preston – the total at the end of 1869 was approximately 17,900; The transfer of the telegraphic services from the station to the Post Office to take place at 8 o’clock on Saturday, 5th February, 1870; Preliminary steps being taken towards the formation of a Caledonian Society in Preston
February 9 A Public meeting considers the propriety of erecting a North Lancashire memorial in commemoration of the late Lord Derby
February 12 Establishment of a Caledonian Society in Preston on Friday, 11th February, 1870
February 19 (Supplement) An early outline proposal of the railway improvements at Preston Railway Station; Many early temperance anecdotes related on the occasion of a Life Teetotallers and Twenty Years Total Abstainers’ meeting in Preston (An interesting feature of the meeting was the rare public appearance of John King, one of the Seven Men of Preston)
February 26 Preston’s water and high mortality; The Council agrees to allow the Preston Agricultural Society to hold a Show on the Marsh; Scale of charges for the use of the Guildhall
March 2 Incorporation of the Magnetic Telegraph Company, of 10, Fishergate, with the Government’s postal telegraph service
March 9 Work commences on the new Covered Market in the Orchard
March 12 Formation of a Floral and Horticultural Society in Preston, on Thursday, 10th March, 1870
April 2 A noticeable improvement in the cotton trade
April 6 An editorial considers the Lancashire cotton supply; Proposed Horticultural and Agricultural Shows in Preston; An outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease in Preston; A description of Preston’s new prison van – now almost completed
April 9 Indecision concerning the proposed new Railway Station
April 13 Closing of the soup dispensing kitchen on Saturday, 9th April,1870
April 16 Opening of the Prince of Wales’ Subscription Bowling Green (Behind the Pleasure Boat Inn, Riverside) .on Wednesday, 13th April, 1870; Origins of Wesleyan Methodism in Higher Walton (in 1804) and its subsequent progress related on the occasion of the laying of the Foundation Stone of the new Chapel and School on Good Friday, 15th April,1870; Correspondence concerning the need for a Ladies’ Temperance Association in Preston
April 30 Problems, legal as well as constructional, arising over the restoration of Penwortham Bridge; Improvements in the street lighting of Preston; Labour agitation in the cotton trade (and subsequent for the greater part of the year); Preston Corporation advertises for sale the clock from the old Town Hall
May 4 Alterations at the new Post Office almost complete and the telegraphic wires being connected to the railway station
May 7 Foot and Mouth disease amongst cattle at Penwortham; Death, on Thursday, 5th May, 1870, at 2, Hammond Street, of Robert Charnley, aged 70, “a firm advocate and zealous supporter of temperance principals since 1836”. Mr. Charnley, a Quaker, was a member of the Board of Guardians; A long and detailed account oi Preston’s Chartist Riots in 1842
May 11 Temperance Society’s proposals for anew Temperance Hall in Preston; Funeral and obituary of the late Robert Charnley
May 14 Death of George Wyley, aged 79, an old Napoleonic War veteran who served in the 52nd Regt. of Light Infantry and fought at Pyrenees, Nive, Orthes and Toulouse where he received a near fatal wound and was actually carried to a grave. He was also at Waterloo. He lived and worked for upwards of 30 years at Mr. H. J. Huffman’s Boot and Shoe Shop, Church Street; A Select Committee of the House of Commons consider the proposed Preston, Longton and Southport Railway Bill (and subsequent)
May 21 The problems at Penwortham Bridge (and subsequent); Queen Victoria passes through Preston Railway Station
May 28 Death, on Sunday, 22nd May, 1870, at “Beech Grove”, Ashton, of Mr. John Thompson, former Corn Merchant of Lord Street, aged 61. Mr. Thompson was a Wesleyan Methodist and a teetotaller; The Town Council discuss the proposed alterations at the Railway Station; Delay in the preparation of the catalogue of Dr. Shepherd’s Library; Preston butchers object to having to use the new slaughter house at the Cattle Market
June 1 Details of the new Post Office on the occasion of its opening on Tuesday, 31st May, 1870
June 4 Details of the telegraphic arrangements at the new Post Office; “The Hundred And Parish 0f Blackburn”, Chapter IV (Continued) – includes an account of “The Great Hoard of Danish Treasure Discovered At Cuerdale”
June 11 Sketches of Richard Marsden and Humphrey Odlam, Chartist Movement activists in Preston
June 15 The Derby Memorial – proposed erection of a statue in Lancaster or Preston
June 18 Correspondence, and a further article, about the Chartist leaders in Preston (and subsequent)
June 22 Death, on Thursday, 16th June, 1870, at Cumberland Street, of ? Wilkinson, a veteran of the Peninsular and Waterloo. Mr. Wilkinson, a staunch teetotaller, was porter at the Savings Bank, Lune Street
June 25 Laying of the Foundation Stone at Bray Street Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, on Saturday, 18th June, 1870
June 29 A proposed Chapel-of-Ease for the St. Paul’s district; The Parliamentary Bill for the proposed Preston, Longton and Southport Railway is lost (and subsequent)
July 2 Henry Green, engineer of the Preston Gasworks, invents and patents a new self-acting lubricator for the bearing of shafts, “one of which is now in use at the Glover Street establishment”; Progress at Penwortham Bridge and the new Covered Market
July 13 Opening Services at Bridge Street Wesleyan Methodist Mission School Chapel on Sunday, 10th July, 1870
July 16 Laying of the Foundation Stone of the new parapet at Penwortham Bridge on Monday, 11th July, 1870; Preparations for the Preston Agricultural Society’s first Show
July 23 Death, on Saturday, 16th July, 1870, at 12, Maudland Bank, of Robert Hind, engineer and millwright, Friargate. Mr. Hind was a staunch teetotaller and a member of the Order of Rechabites
July 30 Preston’s first Amateur Athletic Festival, held on the Marsh, on Friday, 29th July, 1870; Commencement of a series of articles: “Stoneyhurst: Its History And Associations” (and Subsequent); The Preston Agricultural Show, held on the Marsh, on Wednesday and Thursday, 27th and 28th July, 1870
August 3 Death, on Saturday, 30th July, 1870, of Jonathan Simpson, aged 76, watchmaker, of Lune Street and a former secretary of Preston Temperance Society, also the death on Thursday, 28th July, 1870, of George Singleton, Bread Baker, of New Street and Church Street, a man with considerable ability in astronomical studies and a Wesleyan Methodist
August 4 Town Council try to expedite the publication of the catalogue of Dr. Shepherd’s Library
August 6 Fall of the new Covered Market roof, in course of erection in the Orchard, at 7.30 am. on Saturday, 6th August, 1870; Cutting of the first sod at the Preston Waterworks Extension on Thursday, 4th August, 1870
August 8 The aftermath of-the Covered Market disaster (and subsequent)
August 11 Proposed new Blind Institute for Preston; The Prince of Wales passes through Preston Railway Station
August 17 An improved water supply needed for Walton-le-Dale and Bamber Bridge
August 20 Queen Victoria passes through Preston Railway Station
August 24 Encouraging anticipations for the first Show of the Preston Floral and Horticultural Society; Anti-drink memorial presented to the licensing magistrates
August 31 Work recommences on the new Covered Market
September 3 The Preston Floral and Horticultural Society hold their first Show in the Corn Exchange on Wednesday and Thursday, 31st August and 1st September, 1870
September 10 Improvements in the state of the cotton trade (and subsequent)
September 17 A Committee formed to raise funds for the erection of a new Temperance Hall in the Orchard; Notice of the death, on Wednesday, 14th September, 1870, and obituary of John Toulmin, aged 80, Cheese Factor of Lune Street, and a member of the Society of Friends (Mr. Toulmin was the father of George Toulmin, J.P., the proprietor of “The Preston Guardian”)
September 28 Opening Services at Bray Street Wesleyan Methodist School Chapel on Sunday, 25th September, 1870; A revival of the proposal to establish fever wards at the Workhouse
October 1 A proposal to form a Liberal Club in Preston (In view of a previous reference to the formation of a Liberal Club, recorded on 16th May, 1868, this would seem a contradictory statement. However, it appears that the first Liberal Club was only a General Liberal Executive Committee, whereas the second Club was designed for all Liberals in Preston); A Swimming Gala at the new Plunge Bath on the occasion of its opening on Thursday, 29th September, 1870; Presentation, by Joseph Livesey, of a drinking fountain for Preston Market Place; Completion of the catalogues of Dr. Shepherd’s Library
October 4 The first meeting of the Parish Church Temperance Society on Monday, 3rd October, 1870
October 8 Improvements in the efficiency of Preston’s street lamps
October 15 The reorganisation of the Preston Auxiliary of the U.K. Temperance Alliance; Heavy rains cause local flooding
October 22 Progress towards the formation of a Liberal Club in Preston; The Inland Revenue Department takes up occupancy of rooms over the General Post Office on Wednesday, 19th October, 1870; The Religious And Faithful Companions Of Jesus make considerable alterations at Lark Hill House – occupied since 1861 as a training establishment for young girls; Efforts being made in Preston to establish a branch of the Order of Good Templars; Council consider complaints of slow progress at the new Covered Market; Local associations with “The Temperance Movement in The Church Of England”
October 29 Proposed new C. of E. School Chapel in St. Thomas’s District – land obtained in Kent Street
November 9 Board of Guardians consider the erection of fever wards at the Workhouse
November 19 Correspondence containing suggested alterations for the Parish Church; Opening services at Higher Walton Wesleyan Methodist Chapel on Wednesday, 16th November, 1870
November 23 Telegraphic wires being laid from Preston to Wigan, via Walton-le-Dale; Death, on Saturday, 19th November, 1870, at The Temperance Hotel, North Road, and obituary of George Bentley, aged 59, a gentleman “of unblemished character and an unflinching advocate of the cause of temperance”
November 24 Queen Victoria passes through Preston Railway Station; The sudden deaths, on Sunday, 20th November, 1870, of Daniel Swann, of Leyland, and, the following day, of William Heaton, leather dealer and commission agent of Cross Street, two of the oldest local preachers in the Preston Methodist Circuits
November 26 Commencement of work on the new Railway Station; Details of the proposed new St. Thomas’s Chapel in Kent Street; Obituaries of Daniel Swann and William Heaton; Town Council discuss the state of Dr. Shepherd’s Library and the Telegraph Service in Preston
November 30 Foundation Stone laid at St. Thomas’s C. of E. Chapel-of-Ease, Kent Street, on Saturday, 26th November, 1870
December 3 The proposed new Railway Station; Formation in Preston of a branch (called “Joseph Livesey Lodge”) of the Order of Good Templars; A description of St. Thomas’s Chapel-of-Ease
December 10 The Annual Police Returns for the Borough of Preston
December 21 Catalogue of Dr. Shepherd’s Library available to the public, price 1/-
December 24 How Preston prepares to celebrate Christmas
December 31 Details and statistics of the elementary schools, religious and private, in Preston

1871
January 4 Town Council discuss the necessity of improved telegraphic communication between Preston and other large towns, and consider the urgent lack of progress at the new Covered- Market
January 7 Preston Industrial Blind Institute advertise the opening of their new premises in Glover Street
January 9 Death, on Saturday, 7th January, 1871, of James Stirzaker, one-time landlord of the White Lion, and an old office-bearer of the Corporation
January 11 Obituary and funeral of the late James Stirzaker
January 14 Preston Liberal Club acquire premises – 15, Market Place; Reference to a recently formed Preston Amalgamated Friendly Societies’ Provident Dispensary; Lack of progress towards the erection of an Orphanage in Preston
January 18 The Preston Gas Company reports the completion of the large gasometer in Ribbleton Lane; Death, on Sunday, 15th January, 1871, of George Longworth, another long serving Corporation Office-bearer; A severe storm causes considerable local damage
January 21 Obituary and funeral of the late George Longworth
January 23 Improved conditions in the cotton trade in Preston
January 28 Statistics of local rainfall in 1870
January 30 Details of the proposed new Railway Station
February 4 Inaugural meeting of Preston Liberal Club on Thursday, 2nd February, 1871
February 22 Sale, by auction, of the old Fishergate Dispensary
February 25 Town Council discuss the proposed new Railway Station
March 1 A proposed United Methodist Free Church Chapel and School-rooms in Moor Lane; A temperance presentation-made to the widow of the late George Bentley
March 8 Proposed enlargement of Fulwood Barracks; Inaugural meeting on Tuesday, 7th March, 1871, of the Preston Auxiliary to the Manchester, Chester and Ripon Church Diocesan Temperance Society (and subsequent)
March 11 A proposed new Savings Bank on the site of the former Dispensary premises in Fishergate
March 13 An account of an alarming accident to a Preston congregation, in the act of worshipping in the Wesleyan Methodist Mission House, Cragg’s Row, on Sunday, 12th March, 1871. The floor collapsed, and worshippers fell in a large body into the cellar – an area formerly used for handloom weaving
March 22 Local arrangements for the 1871 Census
March 25 Progress in shipbuilding on the Ribble
March 27 A severe thunderstorm causes considerable local damage including the rupture of the lightning conductor on St. Walburge’s Church Spire
March 29 Practical operations commence at the new Railway Station
April 8 Statistics of the National Schools in Preston
April 12 The 11th Batt. Lancashire Rifle Volunteers take possession of their new premises in Lord Street – their previous depot in Fishergate having been acquired for the Railway Station extensions
April 15 The death, on Tuesday, 11th April, 1871, at Lady Street, of James Hodgson, aged 86, a gentleman with 8 children, 66 grandchildren, 66 great-grandchildren, and 2 great- great-grandchildren. He was a Wesleyan Methodist of 64 years’ standing and a teetotaller for 44 years. He was one-time Superintendent of a Sunday School opened in the old Cockpit soon after the sport of cockfighting was given up there; Details of the re-building difficulties at St. James’s C. of E. Church; Proposed erection of a Derby Memorial Statue in Miller Park
April 22 The 1871 Census in Preston – the population was stated to be: 39,248 males, 46,160 females, a total of 85,408. At the time, Preston had 16,504 inhabited houses, 1388 uninhabited, and 113 in course of erection
April 26 Great concern in Preston over the Covered Market disaster and lack of subsequent progress; Laying of the Foundation Stone at St. Barnabas’s Chapel-of-Ease on Saturday, 22nd April, 1871
May 6 The 1871 Census – details of the Preston Union
May 13 The progress made in Preston by the Independent Order of Good Templars
May 18 The Preston Floral and Horticultural Society open their first Spring Show, in the Corn Exchange, on Wednesday, 17th May, 1871; A new Parliamentary discussion on the proposed Southport and Preston Railway (and subsequent)
May 20 (Supplement) The extensions at Fulwood Barracks
May 20 Queen Victoria passes through Preston Railway Station; “Teetotalism and the Bible”, an interesting letter by Joseph Livesey
May 24 Encampment of troops at Fulwood during repairs to the Barracks
June 3 The contemplated restoration of Chipping Church
June 10 Death, on Sunday, 4th June, 1871, at Penwortham, and obituary of James Garner, aged 89, a teetotaller since 1833; The military encampment at Fulwood
June 14 Opening of St. Thomas’s Chapel-of-Ease on Friday, 9th June, 1871
June 17 Renovations at the Parish Church
June 21 An angry ratepayers’ deputation waits upon the Town Council to discuss the Covered Market disaster (and subsequent); An editorial considers the Covered Market situation
July 1 Improvements at the Central Working Men’s Club; Town Council take a strong line towards the Covered Market contractor
July 5 Board of Guardians adopt plans for the proposed fever wards at the Workhouse
July 8 The Preston and Southport Railway Parliamentary Bill
July 15 A report of progress, or the lack of it, at the new Covered Market; The celebration of the Primitive Methodist Circuit Jubilee in Preston. The report contains a long account of the Primitive Methodists’ association with the Preston temperance cause
July 22 Details of renovations at the Parish Church; The proposed installation of a set of hemispherical bells at Holy Trinity Church
July 26 An “Indignation” meeting in connection with the vexed Covered Market question
July 29 A proposed croquet ground in Avenham Park; The Emperor and Empress of Brazil pass through Preston Railway Station; Completion of the repairs at Fulwood Barracks and the termination of the troops’ encampment
August 5 Laying of the Foundation Stone at St. Joseph’s R.C. Orphanage and Industrial School, Theatre Street, on Friday, 4th August, 1871; A historical account of St. Leonard’s Parish Church, Walton-le-Dale. The account contains details of Edward Kelly’s 16th century attempt to raise the dead in the Churchyard
August 12 Historical notes concerning Samlesbury Parish Church; Preston. Caledonian Society celebrate the Scott Centenary
August 19 The proposed Derby Memorial Statue (and subsequent); Town Council discuss the Waterworks’ extension
August 23 Extensive outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease in the Preston area (and subsequent); Completion of the Croquet Ground in Avenham Park
August 26 An anti-drink memorial presented to the licensing magistrates
September 2 The Waterworks’ extension
September 6 Efforts being made to form a Caledonian Curling Club in Preston
September 16 Formation of the Avenham Literary Society
September 20 Selection of the site for the Derby Memorial Statue
September 23 Council consider taking Legal Proceedings against the Covered Market contractor; Formation of the Preston Caledonian Curling Society
September 27 A meeting of aggrieved ratepayers discuss the Covered Market failure, the Waterworks, and the appointment of Aldermen in Preston
September 30 An editorial considers the Covered Market failure (and subsequent); Establishment of a Phonographic Society in Preston; Preston Swimming Club’s first Annual Festival on Thursday, 28th September, 1871; Correspondence concerning the Derby Memorial Statue
October 4 Death, on Tuesday, 3rd October, 1871, at Winckley Square, of Philip Park, J.P., aged 77, a former Borough Treasurer, Town Councillor and Mayor in 1862/63
October 7 Funeral of the late Philip Park; Rapid decline of the Foot and Mouth disease; Town Council and the Covered Market contract
October 11 Death, on Sunday, 8th October, 1871, at Frenchwood Street, of Richard Walmsley, the Town Crier. Mr. Walmsley weighed 23 stones and the coffin enclosing his remains was the largest ever made by the undertaker
October 18 Final decisions concerning the Derby Memorial Statue; The telegraphic service of the district and suggested improvements; A proposed skating pond in Moor Park
October 21 Increase of the strength (to 86 men) of the Preston Borough Police Force; Threat of legal action being taken against the Covered Market contractor
October 25 The Prince and Princess of Wales pass through Preston Railway Station
October 28 The contract for the new Railway Station; The Town Council and the Covered Market contract (and subsequent)
November 4 (Supplement) Death, on Monday, 30th October, 1871, at Ribblesdale Place, and obituary of John Hamer, aged 87. Mr. Hamer, a Congregationalist, was one of the founders of the Tract Society in Preston
November 4 Improved access to the Infirmary and the proposed erection of a lodge gate
November 11 The new Railway Station; Disposal of the Free Library Movement’s funds. The movement abandoned its hopes of ever establishing such an institution in Preston
November 15 Useful statistics of the cotton trade in Preston
November 22 Formation of a skating pond in Moor Park
November 25 Queen Victoria passes through Preston Railway Station; The Preston Gas Company purchase for £5,200 a valuable site in Fishergate for the erection of new central premises
November 29 Details and costs of the new Railway Station
December 2 A new contractor negotiates for the work at the Covered Market
December 9 Further problems in connection with the Covered Market (and subsequent)
December 13 Notice of the death, on Monday, 11th December, 1871, at Chaddock Street, of Lawrence Clarke, aged 84, one of Preston’s oldest inhabitants and an early representative of the local press
December 16 Demolition of the old Fishergate Rifle Depot on Friday, 15th December, 1871; Formation of a Teachers’ Association in Preston; Obituary of the late Lawrence Clarke, containing interesting references to the old tradesmen of Preston; Town Council discuss the Covered Market dilemma
December 23 Completion of the telegraphic line to Longridge; Opening of a Conservative Reading Room at the rear of the Weavers’ Arms, Queen Street
December 30 Walter Bond, manager of the “Preston Guardian” printing office, patents his new invention – The “Bond” Printing Machine; The Town Council discuss the Covered Market question

1872
January 6 Article: “Stonyhurst, Past and Present” (and subsequent); The Chief Constable’s statistics for 1870/71
January 27 (Supplement) The re-formation (after being broken up for a season) of Preston North End Cricket Club
January 27 Death, on Saturday, 20th January, 1872, at 135, Church Street, and obituary of William Shawe, J.P., aged 89; former Clerk of the Lancashire Chancery Court and an ex-Alderman of Preston; The Town Council offer a new contract to P.D. Bennett and Co., Birmingham, for the erection of the Covered Market; Rainfall in 1871, local and national
February 10 Progress in the re-building of St. James’s Church
February 17 Drainage and street improvements in Preston, 1866-1870
February 24 The new contractors commence work at the Covered Market
February 28 Opening of the Longridge Telegraph Office; The Borough Surveyor’s reports on The Water Supply and The Sewerage Arrangements; A statement that the first Public Thanksgiving Service in Preston was held on Sunday, 24th November, 1588, during the reign of Elizabeth I (Doubtless this would be in connection with the defeat of the Spanish Armada). A further 13 were held prior to 1872
March 16 Welcome progress at the new Covered Market
March 23 A long editorial considers Preston’s progress over the years, but appeals for much needed improvements in streets and thoroughfares
March 27 Opening of a Cadet Section of the Order of the Sons of Temperance at a meeting in Grimshaw Street Congregational Church
March 30 Another stoppage in the Covered Market Operations; The Annual Conference of the Lancashire, Cheshire and Derbyshire Sunday School Union held in Preston
April 6 The new contractor declines to proceed with the work at the Covered Market; Opening service at St. Barnabas’s Chapel-of-ease to St. Paul’s, on Monday, 1st April, 1872
April 10 A meeting considers the value of a proposed new railway between Preston and Chorley; An editorial, and the Town Council, considers alleged imperfections of design in the Covered Market plans; Agitation for a School Board in Preston
April 13 The Town Council orders the contractor to proceed with work at the Covered Market; The School Board question
April 20 The Covered Market dilemma – now reaching almost farcical proportions
April 24 Preston businessmen petition the Home Secretary to investigate the Covered Market designs before any further progress is made
April 27 Town Council debate the Covered Market dilemma and the proposed School Board appointment
May 4 Progress at the new Railway Station; Death, on Wednesday, 1st May, 1872, at Winckley Square, and obituary of Dr. Lawrence C. Spencer, M.D., J.P., aged 60, an Alderman and twice Mayor of Preston
May 8 Funeral of the late Alderman Spencer; Loss of two-lives and great destruction of property caused by the collapse of a Malt-Kiln in Canal Street on Saturday, 4th May, 1872
May 11 A third contractor enters into the Covered Market negotiations; Death, on Thursday, 9th May, 1872, at 15, Stephenson Terrace, and obituary of James Dunn, aged 48, the Chief Constable of Preston
May 15 Queen Victoria passes through Preston Railway Station; Funeral of the late Chief Constable Dunn
May 18 Numismatic relics of ancient Preston – details of some 17th century local farthing tokens; The School Board question in Preston
May 22 Laying of the Foundation Stone of a Free Library and Reading Room, in connection with Fishwick Ward Conservative Association, at the corner of Adelaide Street, New Hall Lane, on Saturday, 18th May, 1872
May 25 Laying of the Corner Stone at a new Wesleyan Methodist Chapel at Longton, on Saturday, 18th May, 1872
May 27 Mr. Joseph Oglethorpe, the Senior Inspector, elevated to the position of Chief Constable of Preston; The Covered Market – a new start is about to be made by Mr. Allsup of Preston
June 1 Good Templarism in Preston – the order has six lodges in the town; The School Board question (and subsequent); The Council discuss the Railway Station entrance and the problems of the old tramway; Mr. Allsup and the Covered Market contract
June 5 Proposed construction of new streets in Preston; Celebration of Queen Victoria’s birthday in Preston with a military display; Turbulent scenes during “Republican” lectures in Preston – The “Preston Republican Club” was credited with the promotion of these controversial activities
June 8 An editorial urges street improvements in Preston Queen Victoria passes through Preston Railway Station
June 19 Sir William Fairbairn, an eminent engineer, is consulted on the vexed subject of the Covered Market plans; The Preston Public Hall Company Limited, incorporated on 16th February, 1872, holds its first meeting. The Company was formed to promote the establishment of a Public Hall in Preston; Article: “An Afternoon In The Preston Parks”
June 26 An editorial reflects on the inflexibility of the Town Council on the Covered Market designs; Extracts of “The Preston Covered Market” from “Engineering”
June 29 Sir William Fairbairn on the Covered Market question; Article: “Moor Park And The Recreation Grounds”
July 6 The Army Scripture Readers’ Society promotes its cause at a Preston meeting
July 10 Another re-start of work at the Covered Market; The Good Templars’ Annual Session of the Grand Lodge of England meets in Preston (and subsequent)
July 13 A proposed new R.C. Church, St. Joseph’s, off Ribbleton Lane; Improvements at the Longridge terminus of the Preston – Longridge Railway
July 20 The School Board agitation subsides
July 27 The Corporation of Preston effect the legal ownership of the tramroad along Avenham Park and commence to remove the lines
July 31 The “Dark Places” of Preston – a petition to the Licensing Magistrates
August 3 J. Billington Booth, Esq., Chairman of the Preston Gas Company, invents and patents a new method of igniting gas
August 14 Great floods in the Ribble; Queen Victoria passes through Preston Railway Station
August 17 The 65th Annual Conference of ministers and representatives of the New Jerusalem Church held in Preston
August 21 Death, on Tuesday, 20th August, 1872, of Sir Thomas G. Fermor Hesketh, Bart., M.P., the senior Member of Parliament for Preston
August 31 Town Council support the proposed new Preston-Chorley Railway and approve the landscaping of those portions of Avenham Park formerly occupied by the tramway
September 7 Mr. Stanley, the discoverer of Dr. David Livingstone, ‘spends a short time in Preston; Death, on Tuesday, 3rd September, 1872, at 1, Vauxhall Road, and obituary of Richard Welch, aged 51, a much respected teetotaller, and a member of the Order of Rechabites
September 11 Article: “The Hoghtons of Hoghton, Lea, and Walton-le-Dale” (and subsequent)
September 21 The Rt. Hon. W. E. Gladstone and Mrs. Gladstone pass through Preston Railway Station; Depressing prospects in the cotton trade; Opening of the new R.C. Orphanage and Industrial School on Thursday, 19th September, 1872
September 25 The prospects of the cotton trade
September 28 Article: “King James I at Preston and Hoghton Tower”; Laying of the Foundation Stone at Moor Lane U.M.F.C. Chapel and School, on Saturday, 2lst September, 1872; The dissolution of the Preston Gymnastic Club; The Preston Savings Bank open new premises on the site formerly occupied by the old Dispensary in Fishergate
October 2 Anxieties in the cotton trade
October 12 The “Preston Guardian” moves to new premises in Fishergate (Number 127, the site now occupied by the “Lancashire Evening Post”); A correspondent appeals for the re-lighting of Fishergate Baptist Chapel Clock
October 16 Laying of the Foundation Stone at the new Gas Company Offices, Fishergate, on Monday, 14th October, 1872
October 19 Laying of the Foundation Stone at the new Railway Station on Wednesday, 16th October, 1872
October 26 The Police Returns for 1871/72
October 30 The proposed sale of the old Union Workhouse
November 9 The “Claimant” to the Tichborne baronetcy and estates visits Preston; Termination of the Opening Services, commenced on Sunday, 27th October, 1872, at Longton Wesleyan Methodist Chapel; Article: “The Great Civil War (1641-1651) – Local Transactions And Operations” (and subsequent)
November 13 The Tichborne “Claimant” lectures in Preston
November 16 The Good Templars open a new Lodge Room at 21, Cannon Street (Late the “Preston Guardian” printing works) on Wednesday, 13th November, 1872
November 20 The demolition of the tramway engine shed chimney on Saturday, 16th November, 1872 (The old tramway engine shed stood just above the top walks on Avenham Park and very close to where the Belvedere now stands)
November 30 Mr. Billington of the Gas Company gives a demonstration of his new method of igniting gas; The re-organisation of the Preston School of Art
December 14 New printing methods used by the “Preston Guardian” and details of the official Opening of its new Fishergate premises
December 18 The Corporation sells off the land between Ribblesdale Place and Garden Street, formerly used by the tramway

1873
January 18 Ancient journalism in Preston
January 22 Revised proposals concerning the site for the Derby Memorial Statue; Advertisement: Laying of the Foundation Stone at Moor Lane Presbyterian School and Lecture Hall, on Thursday, 23rd January, 1873
February 1 The Rainfall of 1872; The local undertakings of the Preston Public Hall Company Limited; The Town Council consider the sites for the Derby Memorial Statue and the Belvedere
February 8 Commencement of a series of weekly temperance meetings at Fulwood Barracks
February 15 The health of the town
February 26 A meeting held for the purpose of forming, in Preston, an auxiliary to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
March 1 Death, on Tuesday, 25th February, 1873, at 1, Walton Street, and obituary of William Pickering, aged 83, the Town Sergeant. Mr. Pickering’s obituary contains many interesting old Preston reminiscences. He was a corporal in Nicholas Grimshaw’s Volunteers and remembered the Vicarage, in the Old Vicarage, being used as such
March 19 Board of Guardians discuss the proposed sale of the old Workhouse
March 22 Arrangements for the Derby Memorial celebrations; Extracts from “Lancashire Legends, Traditions, Sports, Etc.”, by Harland and Wilkinson (contains details of the written stone in Dilworth, Longridge, and the story of Old Sykes’ wife and the buried treasure at Mellor Brook)
March 29 New polling districts in the Borough of Preston; Opening of the School in connection with Moor Lane U.M.F.C. Chapel on Sunday, 23rd March, 1873; The establishment by the Postmaster General of a School of Telegraphy in Preston; Town Council discuss street and bridge improvements
April 12 Anxieties concerning lack of progress at the new Railway Station; Laying of the Foundation and Memorial Stones at Marsh Lane Wesleyan Methodist Chapel on Friday, 11th April, 1873
April 19 The erection of Dr. Walling’s Memorial Fountain on the wall of St. Thomas’s Churchyard, Lancaster Road
April 26 Removal of the Belvedere in Miller Park; Town Council reconsider their decision to sell off the land between Ribblesdale Place and Garden Street, formerly used by the tramway
April 30 Death, on Saturday, 26th April, 1873, and obituary of John Hawkins, J.P., aged 80, the oldest cotton manufacturer in Preston; Controversy concerning the re-siting of the Belvedere (and subsequent)
May 10 A description of the Walling Memorial Fountain on St. Thomas’s Churchyard Wall; Laying of the Foundation Stone at St. Joseph’s R.C. Church, Ribbleton, on Sunday, 4th May, 1873
May 17 Queen Victoria passes through Preston Railway Station; Arrangements for the Derby Memorial Statue unveiling
May 31 Article: “The Preston Parks”, which includes an interesting description of the course of the old tramway through Avenham Park and Ribblesdale Place; Article: “Early History of Protestant Nonconformity – Chapels at Hoghton Tower and Walton-le-Dale”
June 4 Unveiling of the Walling Memorial Fountain, St. Thomas’s Churchyard, on Saturday, 31st May, 1873; Unveiling of the Derby Memorial Statue in Miller Park, on Tuesday, 3rd June, 1873
June 11 Opening Services at the Presbyterian School Chapel, Moor Lane, on Sunday, 8th June, 1873
June 14 The areas of the Preston Parks and recreation grounds were given as follows: Moor Park 100 acres, Avenham Park 26a. 3r. 10p., Miller Park 11a., Marsh 22a., Total 159a. 3r. 10p.
June 28 Non-fulfilment of the contract for the building of the new Railway Station; Town Council considers a new site in Avenham Park for the Belvedere
July 5 The size of the site of the new Covered Market was given as 4,400 square yards; A new contract given for the construction of the new Railway Station and line and bridge alterations; A Grand National Dog Show staged in Preston, at the Neptune Hotel, Strand Road; An account of the visit of the antiquary, Ralph Thoresby, to the 1702 Preston Guild
July 9 The fruitful results of a temperance campaign at Fulwood Barracks
July 12 An article containing details of the local associations with the Jacobite risings of 1715 and 1745 (and subsequent)
July 16 Death, on Monday, 14th July, 1873, at 15, Winckley Square, of Peter Catterall, aged 77, an ex-Alderman, Borough and County Magistrate, and Mayor of Preston in 1852/53
July 19 Obituary and funeral of the late Peter Catterall
August 9 Town Council consider the possible alternative uses of the southern portion of the old tramway
August 16 Queen Victoria passes through Preston Railway Station
August 30 Slow progress at the new Covered Market; An anti-drink memorial presented to the licensing magistrates
September 6 The Rt. Hon. W.E.Gladstone, the Prime Minister, passes through Preston Railway Station; Lancashire Population Tables – based on 1871 Census and “other reliable information”; Article: “History of Local Methodism – Sketches of Methodist Societies in Bamber Bridge, Higher Walton and Walton Village”, and “The Visits of Darney and Wesley to Chipping”
September 13 Opening services at Moor Lane U.H.F.C. Chapel on Thursday, 11th September, 1873
September 27 The want of progress at the new Covered Market (and subsequent); A proposed Orphan Home and School in Garstang Road – a site purchased on the east of Garstang Road, between the Wesleyan Chapel and English Martyrs’ R.C. Church
October 18 (Supplement) Death, by accident. on Monday, 13th October, 1873, of Alderman John Goodair, J P., aged 65, a former Mayor of Preston
October 18 Obituary and funeral of the late Alderman John Goodair
October 25 (Supplement) The establishment of an Irish Home Rule Association, in Preston, on Friday, 17th October, 1873
October 25 The dangerous condition (due to a severe storm) of Fishergate Baptist Chapel Spire; Crime in Preston 1872/73; The Preston Industrial Co-Operative Society holds its first Annual Tea Meeting in the Corn Exchange on Saturday, 18th October, 1873- the account stated that the present society (others were stated to have failed through mismanagement) was formed by the opening of a shop, in Adelphi Street, on 21st March, 1869
November 1 The Town Council’s General Purposes Committee consider the possible introduction of a horse drawn tramway into Preston; Ancient public roads in Preston and west Lancashire
November 8 A proposed Catholic Club in the Roper R C Schools, Friargate
November 29 Depressed conditions in the cotton trade; Widening of the bridge in Avenham Park; A statement indicating that the Ladies’ Walk in Moor Park measured 1,053 yards long; Queen Victoria passes through Preston Railway Station; Laying of the Foundation Stone at the new Industrial Institute for the Blind, Glover’s Court, on Wednesday, 26th November, 1873; Town Council discuss improvements in Avenham Park including the re-siting of the Belvedere
December 6 A proposed fever hospital in Preston to be erected at the sole expense of a gentleman (later identified as “Mr. Harris”)
December 20 The death, on Sunday, 14th December, 1873, at Ribblesdale House, of Alderman Miles Myers, aged 65, District Coroner for 21 years, Registrar to the County Court, and thrice Mayor of Preston
December 27 The Corporation purchases a large number of properties in Lord Street, Market Place, Gin Bow Entry, Old Shambles, .Lancaster Road, etc., with subsequent redevelopment in mind

1874
Neither the Lancashire County Library nor the County Record Office hold copies of “The Preston Guardian” for 1874 and this year cannot, unfortunately, be included in this list

1875
Newspapers for the first four months of this year are not available
May 8 Completion of the enclosure surrounding St. Saviour’s C. of E. Church; A resume of the development of Wesleyan Methodism in Leyland on the occasion of a new chapel being proposed
May 15 Progress at the new Railway Station; The necessity for repairs at Penwortham Bridge (and subsequent); Queen, Victoria passes through Preston Railway Station
May 22 Sketches in local history: Preston Carriers in 1637, The Guild Poem of 1722 and the first printing press in Preston
June 2 The forthcoming sale, by auction, of the late Mr. Joseph Dearden’s collection of local and national curiosities including books, autographs, coins and medals, etc.
June 5 Advert: Tolls on Penwortham Bridge, effective from 1st July, 1875; Details of the forthcoming Exhibition for the benefit of the Industrial Institute for the Blind, and the Mechanics’ Institute
June 9 Horrible murder in Preston – Mark Fiddler apprehended for the murder of his wife, Dorothy, in Bleasdale Street, on Tuesday, 8th June, 1875
June 12 Proposed Public Nursery and Pleasure Gardens, Farringdon Park
June 16 Laying of the Foundation Stone at Craggs Row Mission School Chapel, on Saturday, 12th June, 1875
June 19 A proposed new County Police Office in Preston, replacing the one in Chapel Street
June 26 Advert: The prospectus of the Preston Nursery and Pleasure Gardens Company Ltd.; Progress at the new Railway Station
June 30 An advert indicates that the Preston Gymnastic and Athletic Club is active again and meeting in the Spinners’ and Minders’ Institute, off Church Street; The Foundation of Penwortham Grammar School
July 3 A proposed new entrance and gateway lodge for Preston gaol; An ancient military relic (the head of a colour-standard) found at Walton-le-Dale. The relic was thought to have belonged to a Royalist ensign and may have been carried at the Battle of Preston in 1648 or in some other local Civil War engagement; Improvements in Friargate and Fylde Street
July 10 The Preston Bye-Laws question
July 10 (Supplement) Article: “The Preston Exhibition, 1875” – which recalls the Exhibition of 1840; An excursion to Hoghton Tower
July 17 (Supplement) Article: “The Preston Exhibition, 1875” – recalling Art Exhibitions in past days, and the Exhibition of 1865 in particular; Sketches in local history – Sir William Dugdale on the Preston Battle of 1648, Census of local Roman Catholics in 1780, and the height of factory chimneys in Preston
July 24 Arrangements for the forthcoming Exhibition; Correspondence of Mark Fiddler, the Preston man now awaiting trial for the murder of his wife
July 28 Mark Fiddler found guilty of murder at Lancaster Assizes and sentenced to death; Re-opening of St. James’s Church
July 31 The advertised Opening of the Catholic Grammar School’s new premises at 29, Winckley Square, on Thursday, 19th August, 1875
July 31 (Supplement) Article: “The Preston Exhibition, 1875” – which includes details of the changing structure of the Corn Exchange; Sketches in local history – “Descriptive And Historical Account Of The Parish Church Of St. Andrew, Leyland”
August 7 Urgent repairs necessary to St. Walburge’s Church Tower
August 7 (Supplement) Article: “The Preston Exhibition, 1875”
August 11 The Inaugural Ceremony at the Preston Exhibition of Works of Art and Industry on Monday, 9th August, 1875; The Exhibition Furore – Preston and its achievements; The Royal Lancashire Agricultural Society staged in Moor Park, and opened on Tuesday, 10th August, 1875
August 18 Mark Fiddler, the Preston murderer, executed at Lancaster Castle on Monday, 16th August, 1875; Details of executions at Lancaster Castle during the century
August 21 Queen Victoria passes through Preston Railway Station
September 11 The Preston Presbyterian congregation involved in controversy with their Church body
September 15 Mr. Charles Fryer appointed Town Clerk of Preston
September 22 The newly formed Preston Ribble Rowing Club holds its first Rowing Club Regatta in the neighbourhood of the Pleasure Boat Inn, the headquarters of the club
September 25 Death, on Tuesday, 21st September, 1875, at 14, Bank Parade, and obituary of John Thornley, aged 58, one of Preston’s leading tradesmen and proprietor of the Golden Teapot, Market Place. Mr. Thornley was the issuer of local advertising tokens bearing his firm’s motto; Re-opening of the Preston Temperance Hall following renovations on Thursday, 23rd September, 1875
October 2 60th Anniversary of the oldest Oddfellow’s Lodge in Preston
October 9 Slow progress at the new Railway Station; Street improvements in Friargate, Canal Street and Hope Street
October 9 (Supplement) Sketches in local history – Dr. William Cole, Vicar of Preston, c.1658 – 1662 and Extracts from the Preston Court Leet Records 1854 – 1695
October 13 A novelty in driving factory machinery introduced at Wellington Mill, Deepdale
October 20 Proposed widening of Friargate near the Lamb and Packet Hotel, and other street improvements
October 23 The Regimental Band of the Grenadier Guards plays at the Preston Exhibition (and also gives a further performance in early December)
October 30 Town Council discuss street improvements, particularly the widening of Friargate and Lancaster Road, and give consideration once again to the sale of the old tramway land between Avenham Park and Garden Street
November 3 The Presbyterian congregation break up and sell their Moor Lane School Chapel “to be used by another religious denomination”; Progress at the new Covered Market – work there almost complete
November 6 Town Council discuss the purchase of property in Anchor Weind, New Street, Back Lane and Friargate in order to make town centre improvements (Not until 1893 was this ambitious proposal affected); The condition of the Borough Fire Brigade
November 10 Discontent in the Borough Fire Brigade
November 17 Collapse of old property in Blue Bell Yard
November 20 Town Council considers the need for a new County Court Office
November 27 Advert: Opening Services due to take place at Craggs Row Bethesda Chapel on Sunday, 12th December, 1875; Town Council considers the high death-rate in Preston
December 4 Town Council discuss street improvements, particularly in Bridge Street and at the Fishergate entrance to Glover’s Court
December 11 A proposed new street from Cross Street to Fishergate (and subsequent); The weekly earnings of Preston Operative Spinners – the highest paid received £1.12s.0d. and the lowest 18s.8d., the average being £1.4s.10d.; Lecture in Preston: “William Grimshaw, The Yorkshire .Evangelist” – The Revd. William Grimshaw, one of John Wesley’ s earliest preachers, was born at Brindle, near Preston, in 1708
December 24 The Water Supply – extracts from the Report of the Rivers Pollution Committee; The Report of the Preston Medical Officer for Health containing serious criticism of sanitary conditions in the area of Canal Street, Foster’s Square and Pottery Hill

Share this: