150 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK (10th - 16th MAY 1871)
This week's stories include an update on the Parr rape case, Greenall's sumptuous rent dinner at the Fleece, solicitor Thomas Swift causes more mayhem in court, the Great Vance performs in Newton and the curious kissing cult of Mrs Girling who said she wanted to rule the world!
For more than 150 years Tontine Street (shown above) traversed along what is now part of Chalon Way, having originated in 1797 as a row of cottages built by the St Helens Tontine. They were a life insurance society and the road had the distinction of being the first newly-laid street in the town. In St Helens County Court on the 10th James Laycock – who kept a confectionery shop in Tontine Street – sued Joseph Roughsedge for £20 essentially for causing an obstruction.
The latter was a 60-year-old a builder from St Anns in Eccleston who last year had been involved in a 19th century version of road rage. Roughsedge had been driving a trap in the direction of Prescot when his vehicle came into contact with a wheel on a cart that was causing an obstruction. The builder leapt out of his trap brandishing his horsewhip and struck the young man who he blamed for the accident "using both the lash and the stook". So it was ironic that he now should be accused of causing an offence of a similar nature, with James Laycock demanding the £20 compensation for "loss and damage sustained by him through a fall received by his wife over some timber belonging to the defendant."
That was not cash for his injured wife Mary Laycock to receive – but it would instead go into her husband's pocket because of the inconvenience to him through being denied his wife's services. Last November at eight o'clock in the evening, Mary had walked past a shop in Tontine Street that was undergoing conversion. A scaffold had been put up with planks at its base that – according to James Laycock – extended to within a few inches of the kerb.
His 67-year-old wife tripped and fell and injured her arm and shoulder so badly that she wasn't able to work – presumably in both the confectionary shop and at home – for a period of seven weeks. Evidence was given that other persons had tripped over the same plank during that evening – although the builder in his defence claimed that there had been ample room to pass and plenty of gaslight on the street to reveal any danger. The jury awarded £6 damages to James Laycock, along with court costs. I wonder if he gave any of it to his poor injured wife?
During the evening of the 10th, 'The Great Vance' along with his "clever company" presented a grand concert in the Newton-le-Willows Town Hall. Alfred Vance was a comic music hall singer who wrote many songs. One of them called "Walking in the Zoo" has been cited as the earliest known use in this country of the term "OK" in its present sense. The Warrington Examiner said the performance was "in every respect a complete success". So the Town Hall didn't catch fire then – unlike in St Helens last week?
Since last week's disaster in New Market Place, the St Helens Petty Sessions were being held in the County Court in East Street. But the change of venue did nothing for the temperament of Thomas Swift. I've lost count of the number of times I've written that the man "must have been the rudest solicitor St Helens has ever had – although possibly the cleverest too." On the 15th the 38-year-old was at it again – this time accusing a magistrate of prejudice against him.
Who could possibly be prejudiced against a man who was often abusive to you? Ridiculous! Swift was certainly no advocate of the "how to make friends and influence people" school. When one of his cases was called at the Petty Sessions, Swift declared that he could not serve his client as long as John Bibby sat on the Bench, adding: "I have felt for a long time that Mr. Bibby has manifested a strong prejudice against me, and therefore to my clients."
Other solicitors present in the courtroom protested against Swift's language, saying he assumed too much and was improperly taking too narrow a view. The clerk to the court – himself often on the receiving end of Swift's barbs – advised the Bench to take no notice of the solicitor. As Swift began to respond to the clerk's comments, Mr Bibby – the owner of Ravenhead Copper Works – declared that he would refuse to hear him.
"You are entirely beneath my notice", he added. An old expression, which I think means something like: "it is beneath my dignity to listen to rude beggars like you!" How Thomas Swift thought his behaviour in court benefitted him and his clients is hard to understand. However this would not be the end of the matter and Bibby would fight back! To be continued…
The two alleged Parr rapists – miners David Waine from Johnson Street and Job Neald from Atlas Street – returned to court this week accused of felonious assault and ravishing Elizabeth Murphy and Mary Cullen. It's a curious word "ravishing". I think most women would today take it as a compliment to be told they looked ravishing but in the 19th century it was used in the context of sexual violence.
The offences were said to have taken place in Coal Pit Lane in Parr (now Merton Bank Road). A 15-year-old boy called Thomas Winstanley also joined them in the dock and all three were committed for trial at the next Liverpool Assizes. A 24-year-old miner called Thomas Colquitt had gone on the run after the incident and the police had a warrant out for his arrest. This story also will be continued, as the sentences the men received at trial were quite remarkable for the time.
The Warrington Examiner described on the 13th how Greenall's half-yearly rent day dinner had taken place in St Helens this week. The brewery's tenants paid their rent every six months and in return were treated to a slap-up meal at the Fleece Hotel in Church Street. This was not the same Fleece that closed in 1986, as the original Church Street hotel was demolished in 1931 and a new one built. There were always "loyal and patriotic toasts", after the grub had been consumed, including an ingratiating one given to the "health of our worthy and generous landlord, Mr. Greenall". That always induced great cheering, as it’s always best to keep on the right side of the brewery!
And this week's "and finally" bonus item is a weird one and shows that the many 20th century religious sect leaders were following a well-trodden path. There is a fair bit of information online about the extraordinary woman called Mary Girling (pictured above). She was the founder of a sect called "The Children of God", that were commonly known as the "Shakers" and – just like the 20th century cults – her powerful style of preaching led to many converts. Mary believed that she was the new incarnation of God; that she and her followers would never die and that it was only a matter of time before she would rule the world. That's the trouble with women in the 19th century – they had little ambition to get on in life!
In 1871 the newspapers were beginning to realise that there was a curious story developing and this week the Liverpool Mercury reprinted this account from the Eastern Daily Press: "A new sect appears to have arisen in the heart of East Suffolk, and something like persecution has dragged it into prominence. A Mrs. Girling, whose husband and family reside in Ipswich, formerly preached in that town. She identified herself with the Wesleyans who did not, however, identify themselves with her. One feature of her system seems to be giving the kiss of salutation – the ordinary every-day shake of the hand being either too commonplace or not sufficiently scriptural.
"Mrs. Girling has made converts at Easton, Stratford St. Andrew and other places in the locality. She has the gift of speech to a somewhat considerable extent; is well up in Scripture knowledge, but has somewhat peculiar ideas. We are not sure she is certain she will ever die; and she is specially favoured in other spiritual respects. In consequence either of the extravagance of her preaching, or of the jealousy which has been excited by their not being allowed a share in the kissing, owing to their not being believers, the country clowns have, however, sadly marred the beauty both of Mrs. Girling's services and one of her friends' houses.
"Only the other day, the parochial mob invaded the farmhouse in which she was preaching, and conducted themselves in a most disgraceful way. They swore at Mrs. Girling and damaged the house, and shocked the faithful. For this they were summoned before the Framlingham magistrates, and, on promising to behave better for the future, were discharged on paying the costs. Mr. F. S. Corrence M.P., one of the magistrates, is said to have volunteered to advance the money for the share of costs incurred by some of the men belonging to that parish of which his brother is rector; and this circumstance has been the subject of remark, as it was clear that the conduct of the men was outrageous.
"One day last week Mrs. Girling appeared at the Lecture Hail, Woodbridge, to preach or lecture. Her fame had preceded her; and the example of the Stratford St. Andrew roughs was unfortunately followed by those of Woodbridge. The consequence was that the hall was stormed; windows were broken, doors were broken, stools were broken, and, probably, if some heads were not broken, it was simply because the bodies to which they were attached walked off by a back door, and exchanged the road for fields, so escaping observation.
"It may be said that Mrs. Girling's teachings and fame have contributed to these outbreaks; but it is not usual in England to elevate the mob into moral censors, and the law must be maintained, even if it be only to vindicate the right of the faithful of Stratford St. Andrew to salute one another with a kiss."
Next week's stories will include the College Street poker row, the Billinge child poisoning case, an update on the Town Hall fire, the story of Flash Harry the Newton horse thief and the dilemma of who should pay for the Prescot butcher's meat?
The latter was a 60-year-old a builder from St Anns in Eccleston who last year had been involved in a 19th century version of road rage. Roughsedge had been driving a trap in the direction of Prescot when his vehicle came into contact with a wheel on a cart that was causing an obstruction. The builder leapt out of his trap brandishing his horsewhip and struck the young man who he blamed for the accident "using both the lash and the stook". So it was ironic that he now should be accused of causing an offence of a similar nature, with James Laycock demanding the £20 compensation for "loss and damage sustained by him through a fall received by his wife over some timber belonging to the defendant."
That was not cash for his injured wife Mary Laycock to receive – but it would instead go into her husband's pocket because of the inconvenience to him through being denied his wife's services. Last November at eight o'clock in the evening, Mary had walked past a shop in Tontine Street that was undergoing conversion. A scaffold had been put up with planks at its base that – according to James Laycock – extended to within a few inches of the kerb.
His 67-year-old wife tripped and fell and injured her arm and shoulder so badly that she wasn't able to work – presumably in both the confectionary shop and at home – for a period of seven weeks. Evidence was given that other persons had tripped over the same plank during that evening – although the builder in his defence claimed that there had been ample room to pass and plenty of gaslight on the street to reveal any danger. The jury awarded £6 damages to James Laycock, along with court costs. I wonder if he gave any of it to his poor injured wife?
During the evening of the 10th, 'The Great Vance' along with his "clever company" presented a grand concert in the Newton-le-Willows Town Hall. Alfred Vance was a comic music hall singer who wrote many songs. One of them called "Walking in the Zoo" has been cited as the earliest known use in this country of the term "OK" in its present sense. The Warrington Examiner said the performance was "in every respect a complete success". So the Town Hall didn't catch fire then – unlike in St Helens last week?
Since last week's disaster in New Market Place, the St Helens Petty Sessions were being held in the County Court in East Street. But the change of venue did nothing for the temperament of Thomas Swift. I've lost count of the number of times I've written that the man "must have been the rudest solicitor St Helens has ever had – although possibly the cleverest too." On the 15th the 38-year-old was at it again – this time accusing a magistrate of prejudice against him.
Who could possibly be prejudiced against a man who was often abusive to you? Ridiculous! Swift was certainly no advocate of the "how to make friends and influence people" school. When one of his cases was called at the Petty Sessions, Swift declared that he could not serve his client as long as John Bibby sat on the Bench, adding: "I have felt for a long time that Mr. Bibby has manifested a strong prejudice against me, and therefore to my clients."
Other solicitors present in the courtroom protested against Swift's language, saying he assumed too much and was improperly taking too narrow a view. The clerk to the court – himself often on the receiving end of Swift's barbs – advised the Bench to take no notice of the solicitor. As Swift began to respond to the clerk's comments, Mr Bibby – the owner of Ravenhead Copper Works – declared that he would refuse to hear him.
"You are entirely beneath my notice", he added. An old expression, which I think means something like: "it is beneath my dignity to listen to rude beggars like you!" How Thomas Swift thought his behaviour in court benefitted him and his clients is hard to understand. However this would not be the end of the matter and Bibby would fight back! To be continued…
The two alleged Parr rapists – miners David Waine from Johnson Street and Job Neald from Atlas Street – returned to court this week accused of felonious assault and ravishing Elizabeth Murphy and Mary Cullen. It's a curious word "ravishing". I think most women would today take it as a compliment to be told they looked ravishing but in the 19th century it was used in the context of sexual violence.
The offences were said to have taken place in Coal Pit Lane in Parr (now Merton Bank Road). A 15-year-old boy called Thomas Winstanley also joined them in the dock and all three were committed for trial at the next Liverpool Assizes. A 24-year-old miner called Thomas Colquitt had gone on the run after the incident and the police had a warrant out for his arrest. This story also will be continued, as the sentences the men received at trial were quite remarkable for the time.
The Warrington Examiner described on the 13th how Greenall's half-yearly rent day dinner had taken place in St Helens this week. The brewery's tenants paid their rent every six months and in return were treated to a slap-up meal at the Fleece Hotel in Church Street. This was not the same Fleece that closed in 1986, as the original Church Street hotel was demolished in 1931 and a new one built. There were always "loyal and patriotic toasts", after the grub had been consumed, including an ingratiating one given to the "health of our worthy and generous landlord, Mr. Greenall". That always induced great cheering, as it’s always best to keep on the right side of the brewery!
In 1871 the newspapers were beginning to realise that there was a curious story developing and this week the Liverpool Mercury reprinted this account from the Eastern Daily Press: "A new sect appears to have arisen in the heart of East Suffolk, and something like persecution has dragged it into prominence. A Mrs. Girling, whose husband and family reside in Ipswich, formerly preached in that town. She identified herself with the Wesleyans who did not, however, identify themselves with her. One feature of her system seems to be giving the kiss of salutation – the ordinary every-day shake of the hand being either too commonplace or not sufficiently scriptural.
"Mrs. Girling has made converts at Easton, Stratford St. Andrew and other places in the locality. She has the gift of speech to a somewhat considerable extent; is well up in Scripture knowledge, but has somewhat peculiar ideas. We are not sure she is certain she will ever die; and she is specially favoured in other spiritual respects. In consequence either of the extravagance of her preaching, or of the jealousy which has been excited by their not being allowed a share in the kissing, owing to their not being believers, the country clowns have, however, sadly marred the beauty both of Mrs. Girling's services and one of her friends' houses.
"Only the other day, the parochial mob invaded the farmhouse in which she was preaching, and conducted themselves in a most disgraceful way. They swore at Mrs. Girling and damaged the house, and shocked the faithful. For this they were summoned before the Framlingham magistrates, and, on promising to behave better for the future, were discharged on paying the costs. Mr. F. S. Corrence M.P., one of the magistrates, is said to have volunteered to advance the money for the share of costs incurred by some of the men belonging to that parish of which his brother is rector; and this circumstance has been the subject of remark, as it was clear that the conduct of the men was outrageous.
"One day last week Mrs. Girling appeared at the Lecture Hail, Woodbridge, to preach or lecture. Her fame had preceded her; and the example of the Stratford St. Andrew roughs was unfortunately followed by those of Woodbridge. The consequence was that the hall was stormed; windows were broken, doors were broken, stools were broken, and, probably, if some heads were not broken, it was simply because the bodies to which they were attached walked off by a back door, and exchanged the road for fields, so escaping observation.
"It may be said that Mrs. Girling's teachings and fame have contributed to these outbreaks; but it is not usual in England to elevate the mob into moral censors, and the law must be maintained, even if it be only to vindicate the right of the faithful of Stratford St. Andrew to salute one another with a kiss."
Next week's stories will include the College Street poker row, the Billinge child poisoning case, an update on the Town Hall fire, the story of Flash Harry the Newton horse thief and the dilemma of who should pay for the Prescot butcher's meat?
This week's stories include an update on the Parr rape case, Greenall's sumptuous rent dinner at the Fleece, solicitor Thomas Swift causes more mayhem in court, the Great Vance performs in Newton and the curious kissing cult of Mrs Girling who said she wanted to rule the world!
For more than 150 years Tontine Street (shown above) traversed along what is now part of Chalon Way, having originated in 1797 as a row of cottages built by the St Helens Tontine.
They were a life insurance society and the road had the distinction of being the first newly-laid street in the town.
In St Helens County Court on the 10th James Laycock – who kept a confectionery shop in Tontine Street – sued Joseph Roughsedge for £20 essentially for causing an obstruction.
The latter was a 60-year-old a builder from St Anns in Eccleston who last year had been involved in a 19th century version of road rage.
Roughsedge had been driving a trap in the direction of Prescot when his vehicle came into contact with a wheel on a cart that was causing an obstruction.
The builder leapt out of his trap brandishing his horsewhip and struck the young man who he blamed for the accident "using both the lash and the stook".
So it was ironic that he now should be accused of causing an offence of a similar nature, with James Laycock demanding the £20 compensation for "loss and damage sustained by him through a fall received by his wife over some timber belonging to the defendant."
That was not cash for his injured wife Mary Laycock to receive – but it would instead go into her husband's pocket because of the inconvenience to him through being denied his wife's services.
Last November at eight o'clock in the evening, Mary had walked past a shop in Tontine Street that was undergoing conversion.
A scaffold had been put up with planks at its base that – according to James Laycock – extended to within a few inches of the kerb.
His 67-year-old wife tripped and fell and injured her arm and shoulder so badly that she wasn't able to work – presumably in both the confectionary shop and at home – for a period of seven weeks.
Evidence was given that other persons had tripped over the same plank during that evening – although the builder in his defence claimed that there had been ample room to pass and plenty of gaslight on the street to reveal any danger.
The jury awarded £6 damages to James Laycock, along with court costs. I wonder if he gave any of it to his poor injured wife?
During the evening of the 10th, 'The Great Vance' along with his "clever company" presented a grand concert in the Newton-le-Willows Town Hall.
Alfred Vance was a comic music hall singer who wrote many songs. One of them called "Walking in the Zoo" has been cited as the earliest known use in this country of the term "OK" in its present sense.
The Warrington Examiner said the performance was "in every respect a complete success".
So the Town Hall didn't catch fire then – unlike in St Helens last week?
Since last week's disaster in New Market Place, the St Helens Petty Sessions were being held in the County Court in East Street.
But the change of venue did nothing for the temperament of Thomas Swift. I've lost count of the number of times I've written that the man "must have been the rudest solicitor St Helens has ever had – although possibly the cleverest too."
On the 15th the 38-year-old was at it again – this time accusing a magistrate of prejudice against him.
Who could possibly be prejudiced against a man who was often abusive to you? Ridiculous!
Swift was certainly no advocate of the "how to make friends and influence people" school.
When one of his cases was called at the Petty Sessions, Swift declared that he could not serve his client as long as John Bibby sat on the Bench, adding:
"I have felt for a long time that Mr. Bibby has manifested a strong prejudice against me, and therefore to my clients."
Other solicitors present in the courtroom protested against Swift's language, saying he assumed too much and was improperly taking too narrow a view.
The clerk to the court – himself often on the receiving end of Swift's barbs – advised the Bench to take no notice of the solicitor.
As Swift began to respond to the clerk's comments, Mr Bibby – the owner of Ravenhead Copper Works – declared that he would refuse to hear him.
"You are entirely beneath my notice", he added. An old expression, which I think means something like: "it is beneath my dignity to listen to rude beggars like you!"
How Thomas Swift thought his behaviour in court benefitted him and his clients is hard to understand.
However this would not be the end of the matter and Bibby would fight back! To be continued…
The two alleged Parr rapists – miners David Waine from Johnson Street and Job Neald from Atlas Street – returned to court this week accused of felonious assault and ravishing Elizabeth Murphy and Mary Cullen.
It's a curious word "ravishing". I think most women would today take it as a compliment to be told they looked ravishing but in the 19th century it was used in the context of sexual violence.
The offences were said to have taken place in Coal Pit Lane in Parr (now Merton Bank Road).
A 15-year-old boy called Thomas Winstanley also joined them in the dock and all three were committed for trial at the next Liverpool Assizes.
A 24-year-old miner called Thomas Colquitt had gone on the run after the incident and the police had a warrant out for his arrest.
This story also will be continued, as the sentences the men received at trial were quite remarkable for the time.
The Warrington Examiner described on the 13th how Greenall's half-yearly rent day dinner had taken place in St Helens this week.
The brewery's tenants paid their rent every six months and in return were treated to a slap-up meal at the Fleece Hotel in Church Street.
This was not the same Fleece that closed in 1986, as the original Church Street hotel was demolished in 1931 and a new one built.
There were always "loyal and patriotic toasts", after the grub had been consumed, including an ingratiating one given to the "health of our worthy and generous landlord, Mr. Greenall".
That always induced great cheering, as it’s always best to keep on the right side of the brewery!
And this week's "and finally" bonus item is a weird one and shows that the many 20th century religious sect leaders were following a well-trodden path.
There is a fair bit of information online about the extraordinary woman called Mary Girling (pictured above).
She was the founder of a sect called "The Children of God", that were commonly known as the "Shakers" and – just like the 20th century cults – her powerful style of preaching led to many converts.
Mary believed that she was the new incarnation of God; that she and her followers would never die and that it was only a matter of time before she would rule the world.
That's the trouble with women in the 19th century – they had little ambition to get on in life!
In 1871 the newspapers were beginning to realise that there was a curious story developing and this week the Liverpool Mercury reprinted this account from the Eastern Daily Press:
"A new sect appears to have arisen in the heart of East Suffolk, and something like persecution has dragged it into prominence.
"A Mrs. Girling, whose husband and family reside in Ipswich, formerly preached in that town. She identified herself with the Wesleyans who did not, however, identify themselves with her.
"One feature of her system seems to be giving the kiss of salutation – the ordinary every-day shake of the hand being either too commonplace or not sufficiently scriptural.
"Mrs. Girling has made converts at Easton, Stratford St. Andrew and other places in the locality.
"She has the gift of speech to a somewhat considerable extent; is well up in Scripture knowledge, but has somewhat peculiar ideas.
"We are not sure she is certain she will ever die; and she is specially favoured in other spiritual respects.
"In consequence either of the extravagance of her preaching, or of the jealousy which has been excited by their not being allowed a share in the kissing, owing to their not being believers, the country clowns have, however, sadly marred the beauty both of Mrs. Girling's services and one of her friends' houses.
"Only the other day, the parochial mob invaded the farmhouse in which she was preaching, and conducted themselves in a most disgraceful way.
"They swore at Mrs. Girling and damaged the house, and shocked the faithful.
"For this they were summoned before the Framlingham magistrates, and, on promising to behave better for the future, were discharged on paying the costs.
"Mr. F. S. Corrence M.P., one of the magistrates, is said to have volunteered to advance the money for the share of costs incurred by some of the men belonging to that parish of which his brother is rector; and this circumstance has been the subject of remark, as it was clear that the conduct of the men was outrageous.
"One day last week Mrs. Girling appeared at the Lecture Hail, Woodbridge, to preach or lecture. Her fame had preceded her; and the example of the Stratford St. Andrew roughs was unfortunately followed by those of Woodbridge.
"The consequence was that the hall was stormed; windows were broken, doors were broken, stools were broken, and, probably, if some heads were not broken, it was simply because the bodies to which they were attached walked off by a back door, and exchanged the road for fields, so escaping observation.
"It may be said that Mrs. Girling's teachings and fame have contributed to these outbreaks; but it is not usual in England to elevate the mob into moral censors, and the law must be maintained, even if it be only to vindicate the right of the faithful of Stratford St. Andrew to salute one another with a kiss."
Next week's stories will include the College Street poker row, the Billinge child poisoning case, an update on the Town Hall fire, the story of Flash Harry the Newton horse thief and the dilemma of who should pay for the Prescot butcher's meat?
They were a life insurance society and the road had the distinction of being the first newly-laid street in the town.
In St Helens County Court on the 10th James Laycock – who kept a confectionery shop in Tontine Street – sued Joseph Roughsedge for £20 essentially for causing an obstruction.
The latter was a 60-year-old a builder from St Anns in Eccleston who last year had been involved in a 19th century version of road rage.
Roughsedge had been driving a trap in the direction of Prescot when his vehicle came into contact with a wheel on a cart that was causing an obstruction.
The builder leapt out of his trap brandishing his horsewhip and struck the young man who he blamed for the accident "using both the lash and the stook".
So it was ironic that he now should be accused of causing an offence of a similar nature, with James Laycock demanding the £20 compensation for "loss and damage sustained by him through a fall received by his wife over some timber belonging to the defendant."
That was not cash for his injured wife Mary Laycock to receive – but it would instead go into her husband's pocket because of the inconvenience to him through being denied his wife's services.
Last November at eight o'clock in the evening, Mary had walked past a shop in Tontine Street that was undergoing conversion.
A scaffold had been put up with planks at its base that – according to James Laycock – extended to within a few inches of the kerb.
His 67-year-old wife tripped and fell and injured her arm and shoulder so badly that she wasn't able to work – presumably in both the confectionary shop and at home – for a period of seven weeks.
Evidence was given that other persons had tripped over the same plank during that evening – although the builder in his defence claimed that there had been ample room to pass and plenty of gaslight on the street to reveal any danger.
The jury awarded £6 damages to James Laycock, along with court costs. I wonder if he gave any of it to his poor injured wife?
During the evening of the 10th, 'The Great Vance' along with his "clever company" presented a grand concert in the Newton-le-Willows Town Hall.
Alfred Vance was a comic music hall singer who wrote many songs. One of them called "Walking in the Zoo" has been cited as the earliest known use in this country of the term "OK" in its present sense.
The Warrington Examiner said the performance was "in every respect a complete success".
So the Town Hall didn't catch fire then – unlike in St Helens last week?
Since last week's disaster in New Market Place, the St Helens Petty Sessions were being held in the County Court in East Street.
But the change of venue did nothing for the temperament of Thomas Swift. I've lost count of the number of times I've written that the man "must have been the rudest solicitor St Helens has ever had – although possibly the cleverest too."
On the 15th the 38-year-old was at it again – this time accusing a magistrate of prejudice against him.
Who could possibly be prejudiced against a man who was often abusive to you? Ridiculous!
Swift was certainly no advocate of the "how to make friends and influence people" school.
When one of his cases was called at the Petty Sessions, Swift declared that he could not serve his client as long as John Bibby sat on the Bench, adding:
"I have felt for a long time that Mr. Bibby has manifested a strong prejudice against me, and therefore to my clients."
Other solicitors present in the courtroom protested against Swift's language, saying he assumed too much and was improperly taking too narrow a view.
The clerk to the court – himself often on the receiving end of Swift's barbs – advised the Bench to take no notice of the solicitor.
As Swift began to respond to the clerk's comments, Mr Bibby – the owner of Ravenhead Copper Works – declared that he would refuse to hear him.
"You are entirely beneath my notice", he added. An old expression, which I think means something like: "it is beneath my dignity to listen to rude beggars like you!"
How Thomas Swift thought his behaviour in court benefitted him and his clients is hard to understand.
However this would not be the end of the matter and Bibby would fight back! To be continued…
The two alleged Parr rapists – miners David Waine from Johnson Street and Job Neald from Atlas Street – returned to court this week accused of felonious assault and ravishing Elizabeth Murphy and Mary Cullen.
It's a curious word "ravishing". I think most women would today take it as a compliment to be told they looked ravishing but in the 19th century it was used in the context of sexual violence.
The offences were said to have taken place in Coal Pit Lane in Parr (now Merton Bank Road).
A 15-year-old boy called Thomas Winstanley also joined them in the dock and all three were committed for trial at the next Liverpool Assizes.
A 24-year-old miner called Thomas Colquitt had gone on the run after the incident and the police had a warrant out for his arrest.
This story also will be continued, as the sentences the men received at trial were quite remarkable for the time.
The Warrington Examiner described on the 13th how Greenall's half-yearly rent day dinner had taken place in St Helens this week.
The brewery's tenants paid their rent every six months and in return were treated to a slap-up meal at the Fleece Hotel in Church Street.
This was not the same Fleece that closed in 1986, as the original Church Street hotel was demolished in 1931 and a new one built.
There were always "loyal and patriotic toasts", after the grub had been consumed, including an ingratiating one given to the "health of our worthy and generous landlord, Mr. Greenall".
That always induced great cheering, as it’s always best to keep on the right side of the brewery!
And this week's "and finally" bonus item is a weird one and shows that the many 20th century religious sect leaders were following a well-trodden path.
She was the founder of a sect called "The Children of God", that were commonly known as the "Shakers" and – just like the 20th century cults – her powerful style of preaching led to many converts.
Mary believed that she was the new incarnation of God; that she and her followers would never die and that it was only a matter of time before she would rule the world.
That's the trouble with women in the 19th century – they had little ambition to get on in life!
In 1871 the newspapers were beginning to realise that there was a curious story developing and this week the Liverpool Mercury reprinted this account from the Eastern Daily Press:
"A new sect appears to have arisen in the heart of East Suffolk, and something like persecution has dragged it into prominence.
"A Mrs. Girling, whose husband and family reside in Ipswich, formerly preached in that town. She identified herself with the Wesleyans who did not, however, identify themselves with her.
"One feature of her system seems to be giving the kiss of salutation – the ordinary every-day shake of the hand being either too commonplace or not sufficiently scriptural.
"Mrs. Girling has made converts at Easton, Stratford St. Andrew and other places in the locality.
"She has the gift of speech to a somewhat considerable extent; is well up in Scripture knowledge, but has somewhat peculiar ideas.
"We are not sure she is certain she will ever die; and she is specially favoured in other spiritual respects.
"In consequence either of the extravagance of her preaching, or of the jealousy which has been excited by their not being allowed a share in the kissing, owing to their not being believers, the country clowns have, however, sadly marred the beauty both of Mrs. Girling's services and one of her friends' houses.
"Only the other day, the parochial mob invaded the farmhouse in which she was preaching, and conducted themselves in a most disgraceful way.
"They swore at Mrs. Girling and damaged the house, and shocked the faithful.
"For this they were summoned before the Framlingham magistrates, and, on promising to behave better for the future, were discharged on paying the costs.
"Mr. F. S. Corrence M.P., one of the magistrates, is said to have volunteered to advance the money for the share of costs incurred by some of the men belonging to that parish of which his brother is rector; and this circumstance has been the subject of remark, as it was clear that the conduct of the men was outrageous.
"One day last week Mrs. Girling appeared at the Lecture Hail, Woodbridge, to preach or lecture. Her fame had preceded her; and the example of the Stratford St. Andrew roughs was unfortunately followed by those of Woodbridge.
"The consequence was that the hall was stormed; windows were broken, doors were broken, stools were broken, and, probably, if some heads were not broken, it was simply because the bodies to which they were attached walked off by a back door, and exchanged the road for fields, so escaping observation.
"It may be said that Mrs. Girling's teachings and fame have contributed to these outbreaks; but it is not usual in England to elevate the mob into moral censors, and the law must be maintained, even if it be only to vindicate the right of the faithful of Stratford St. Andrew to salute one another with a kiss."
Next week's stories will include the College Street poker row, the Billinge child poisoning case, an update on the Town Hall fire, the story of Flash Harry the Newton horse thief and the dilemma of who should pay for the Prescot butcher's meat?