Who’s Diary? - A Genealogical Detective Story

Date

Entry

Notes and Comments

1 Jan

Thu

Worked until one in the morning about monthly parcel

2 Jan

Fri

Worked until 11 o'clock about accounts

3 Jan

Sat

Worked until Eleven about ??? letters

4 Jan

Sun

Call on Emma Webb Mr and Mrs Germans Supped with us

5 Jan

Mon

Supped at Germans and was very comfortable as usual

6 Jan

Tue

Mr I M Bunt's party Went at 9 o'clock and came home at 4 in the morning enjoyed it much

7 Jan

Wed

Worked at the ?? until 10 o'clock and went to bed early

8 Jan

Thu

Supped at Mrs Chapman's and Danced after came home at 1/2 past 3 o'clock enjoyed it

9 Jan

Fri

Went to Mr Hainselling enjoyed the Dance much Pleasant Girls

Could this be the Dennis F Hainsselin of 63 George Street, Stoke Damerel, recorded in the 1851 Census.  He was aged 90 living alone with one servant, with his occupation recorded as 'retired teacher of languages', born  in France, though British subject

10 Jan

Sat

Worked until 1/2 past one o'clock and supped with Germans

11 Jan

Sun

Took tea with Emma Webb at her house and she was very well and happy

12 Jan

Mon

Called at Germans for a few minutes Worked until 1/2 past 10

13 Jan

Tue

Went to the Ball with Mr and Mrs German Enjoyed myself It was the 3rd Ball

14 Jan

Wed

Went to the Mechanics Institute to arrange ???? and ???? Theatre

White's Devonshire Directory of 1850 records that the “Devonport Mechanics' Institute was established in 1825, and had so prospered in 1843, that it erected a handsome building in Duke street, at the cost of about £1400; to which it added a larger building in 1849, at the cost of nearly £2500. The twin buildings are in the Italian style, and comprise a lecture hall which will hold 1000 persons; a large subscription news room, a number of class rooms, a museum, and a library of more than 3000 volumes. Theinstitution has about 800 members, and has weekly lectures during eight months of the year, and various evening classes.”

1851 Census records the following: 39 Duke Street (Mechanics Institute), family of Samuel (Librarian)and Martha Hutchings living there

15 Jan

Thu

Called on Emma Webb at Bathgates and went home with her

An entry in the International Genealogical Index records the christening of an Emma Webb on 30 April 1816 at Morrice Street- Wesleyan Devonport.  Could this be the same person?

16 Jan

Fri

Went into Bonds for Party and enjoyed it much Came home at 7 o'clock Saturday morning

17 Jan

Sat

About 10 o'clock in the evening called at Germans and took a glass of Ale

18 Jan

Sun

Took Supper at Mr Elisells Went to Church in Evening

19 Jan

Mon

20 Jan

Tue

Mrs Germans Party Mr F B M Ceremonies Enjoyed it much

21 Jan

Wed

Called took Tea at Germans and went to Plymouth to see berginius

22 Jan

Thu

Looked into the Devonport Theatre.  Meet S. L. and went home early

23 Jan

Fri

24 Jan

Sat

Took First Lesson in French ????????  Worked until 11 o'clock

25 Jan

Sun

Dined at Mr ??ig?tons  Called at Russells

26 Jan

Mon

Look into the Devonport Theatre  Left early.  S. L.

27 Jan

Tue

Went into Russells with R German and rode home with him

Suspect this could be RIchard German (40) living with his sister Elizabeth (30) at 93 Fore Street, listed as Mercer and Tailor in 1851 Census

28 Jan

Wed

Went to a Party at M Richards Draper came home at 4 o'clock

Probably Michael Richards, Linen Draper, at 22 ∓ 23 Fore Street, Stoke Damerel in the 1851 Census

29 Jan

Thu

Supped at Germans with Mr Parkyn came home at one

30 Jan

Fri

31 Jan

Sat

Took French Lesson

First week of February missing - page torn out

8 Feb

Sun

Took tea at Rowes  Called on ?aplin  Supped at Germans

9 Feb

Mon

Went to Plymouth Theatre after Nine o'clock

10 Feb

Tue

Called on Germans then went out to Miss Heathers in George Street

11 Feb

Wed

Took French Lesson

12 Feb

Thur

13 Feb

Fri

14 Feb

Sat

Account of Monies

Paid Mr Reed all that I owe up to this date Feby 9/46 - 7 shillings

Paid Mr Ellis Coachman all I owe to this date Feby 12/46 - 10 shillings

Could be Mr John Ellis, 51 Chapel Street, Hackney Court (sic) Master as recorded in the LDS transcription of the 1851 Census

15 Feb

Sun

Took Tea at Mrs Webb with Miss Bra??ord and Walked into Bathgate and supped with E. W.

16 Feb

Mon

Nettletons Party Enjoyed much

17 Feb

Tue

Miss and Mrs Heather and Germans  Supped with us.  Called on E. W. for a short time

18 Feb

Wed

Eliz. Germans Birthday aged 31  Meet a few Friends at her house

19 Feb

Thur

Supped with E. W. at Stoke  Stoped Late  enjoyed it much

20 Feb

Fri

Supped with Mr and Mrs Rowe with the Burts

21 Feb

Sat

Supped with Mrs German

22 Feb

Sun

Went to Chapel and Supped with Mrs and Miss Heather in George St

23 Feb

Mon

Called on Emma Webb  quite well

24 Feb

Tue

Mrs Wigintons Party Enjoyed it much

Could be Mrs Jane Wiginton of 27 Waterloo Street, Devonport, as recorded in 1851 Census

25 Feb

Wed

Took French Lesson  Supped with Germans

26 Feb

Thu

27 Feb

Fri

28 Feb

Sat

Sun express arrived by Mr Campbell very b?????  Meet S. ? And went home

1 Mar

Sun

Called on Mr and Mrs Chapman with Mr Campbell Mrs and H Chapman Mr and Mrs B??? Mrs Williams took Tea with us Called on E. W.

2 Mar

Mon

3 Mar

Tue

4 Mar

Wed

????? Mr Mrs and Miss Chapman supped with us

5 Mar

Thu

Mr and Mrs Chapman  ??? until 4 o'clock ?? Father  Mrs C. went to London and ????

6 Mar

Fri

Smoked a Cigar in  Editors Room and went to Bed early

Editor's Room? -something to do with newspapers? see newspaper connection below

7 Mar

Sat

Supped at Germans and Took French Lesson

8 Mar

Sun

Dined at P. E. Rowes with a Large Party Enjoyed it much and rode Home

9 Mar

Mon

Called on E. Webb and spent the evening with her Enjoyed much

10 Mar

Tue

Called at P. E. Rowes  Mrs R. was unwell in Bed

11 Mar

Wed

Took French Lesson

12 Mar

Thu

13 Mar

Fri

Supped with R Johnson at Royal Law and at home

14 Mar

Sat

Supped at Germans  Took French Lesson

15 Mar

Sun

Took Tea with Emma Webb Enjoyed it exceedingly

16 Mar

Mon

Went to see Ellen Faucett as Juliet  Called at Mrs Rowes  Supped at Germans

17 Mar

Tue

Went to Theatre to see Leroy of Lyons with Rogers  Supped at P. E. Rowes

18 Mar

Wed

Mr Kenwood Mrs Belam and Germans and Elwesses supped with us

19 Mar

Thu

Took E. Webb to see the Hunchback  Delighted

“The Hunchback” by James Sheridan Knowles, (1784-1862) was a popular play of the time

20 Mar

Fri

Took Eliz. German and Mother to see As You Like It

21 Mar

Sat

Supped at Germans with Mrs Belam

22 Mar

Sun

Dined at Chapmans  Supped at Elwells

23 Mar

Mon

24 Mar

Tue

25 Mar

Wed

26 Mar

Thu

27 Mar

Fri

28 Mar

Sat

29 Mar

Sun

Called on Em. Webb but she was not at home

30 Mar

Mon

Called on Em. Webb then went to Plymouth Theatre  Meet S. when returning from Plym.

31 Mar

Tue

Supped at Germans

1 Apr

Wed

Monthly Parcel Did not go out

2 Apr

Thu

Maked off all the London a/cs  Did not go out

3 Apr

Fri

Jones Took Tea with us  Went to the Theatre after and came home with Father

4 Apr

Sat

Called at Germans about Ten  took Glass of ale

Account of Monies

4th Cash  10 shillings received

Paid for sending Boys Money 1 shilling

5th Waiter 1 shilling paid

5th Spent 3 shillings

5 Apr

Sun

Dined at Moorsheads with Jones and called in Stonehouse on a Friend ?

Could Moorsheads be the Royal Hotel, under the proprietorship of Moorshead (see below)

6 Apr

Mon

Jones Dined with us  The Germans supped with us

7 Apr

Tue

Supped with Jones at Commercial at Plymouth

Commercial Hotel, Old Town Street

8 Apr

Wed

Supped with the Germans  Elizabeth/ Len/ N??/ ??

9 Apr

Thu

Went to the Commercial with Jones

Commercial Hotel, Old Town Street

10 Apr

Fri

Good Friday went to Liskeard and dined with Jones

11 Apr

Sat

Account of Monies

Thursday 1 shilling paid

Friday  10 shillings received

12 Apr

Sun

Got drunk couldn't get up over the stairs

13 Apr

Mon

Went to a Ball fine Girls got home at ? o'clock

14 Apr

Tue

15 Apr

Wed

16 Apr

Thu

17 Apr

Fri

18 Apr

Sat

Account of Monies

for Bazar laid out

Bookmarks £1=0=1/2

Calico for small shirts and trimmings £3=0

6yds of callico  £3=9

4 yds of callico £2=2

Paper and cotton  £1=5

Buttons and ??id 4 shillings

Strip of work  10 shillings

Braid 1 shilling

Blank entries until:

28 Jun

Sun

Mr and Mrs German and Mrs Elwell Took Tea with us

29 Jun

Mon

Called on Miss Ashton at Stoke in the evening

30 Jun

Tue

Went out to Anthony with a party of Mr Wollacotts Friends

1 Jul

Wed

Worked until 10 o'clock then called on Har???  Who arrived at G??? Ho.

2 Jul

Thu

3 Jul

Fri

4 Jul

Sat

Account of Monies

1st received 6 shillings 6 pence

Blank entries until:

6 Sep

Sun

Mrs Cooks L. Demo?

7 Sep

Mon

8 Sep

Tue

9 Sep

Wed

Mrs Germans Party

10 Sep

Thu

Theatre Mrs Williams

11 Sep

Fri

12 Sep

Sat

Blank entries until:

1 Oct

Thu

Sent my First Letter to Mary Very busy all Day

2 Oct

Fri

3 Oct

Sat

4 Oct

Sun

Received First answer from Mary  Went to Church in the Evening and to Mrs Williams after

5 Oct

Mon

6 Oct

Tue

7 Oct

Wed

8 Oct

Thu

Wrote my Second Letter to Mary

9 Oct

Fri

10 Oct

Sat

11 Oct

Sun

Went to Church in the Morning.  Tea with Mrs Williams.  Church in the Evening  Called at Mrs F Burts

12 Oct

Mon

Took First French Lesson from Monsr de Larue

Probably Prosper du Larue, recorded in 1851 Census as Professor of Languages, in Ker Street.

13 Oct

Tue

Went with Rogers to the Tavistock agricul. Dinner in a Gig.  Letter from Mary

14 Oct

Wed

Took First French Lesson from Mr Jonas

15 Oct

Thu

French Lesson

16 Oct

Fri

Lesson with Jonas

17 Oct

Sat

18 Oct

Sun

19 Oct

Mon

Took French Lesson

20 Oct

Tue

Mrs F Burt Took Tea with us and went home after

21 Oct

Wed

Took Lesson with Jonas

22 Oct

Thu

French Lesson

23 Oct

Fri

Dined at the Royal Hotel with Chater

24 Oct

Sat

25 Oct

Sun

Mr and Mrs Williams Dined with us

26 Oct

Mon

Took French Lesson

27 Oct

Tue

28 Oct

Wed

Took Lesson with Jonas

29 Oct

Thu

French Lesson  Wrote to Mary

30 Oct

Fri

Took Lesson with Jonas

31 Oct

Sat

Very Busy  Worked Late

1 Nov

Sun

Went to Chapel in Morning  Dined with Mrs Williams  Called on Mr I. M. Burt and Mrs Rowe in the Evening

2 Nov

Mon

Up early very busy with Monthly Parcel  Took French Lesson

Blank entries until:

30 Nov

Mon

Supped with Jones at Royal Hotel

83 Fore Street, Royal Hotel Devonport, innkeeper Robert Moorshead

1 Dec

Tue

Monthly Parcel.  Called at the Baths

2 Dec

Wed

Took Lesson

3 Dec

Thu

French Lesson

4 Dec

Fri

Lesson

5 Dec

Sat

Very busy

6 Dec

Sun

Went to Church in the Evening Called on Mrs Williams

7 Dec

Mon

Took French Lesson

8 Dec

Tue

9 Dec

Wed

10 Dec

Thu

11Dec

Fri

12 Dec

Sat

There are no more diary entries

Back fly leaf notes:

Miss G Weaver at Sir G. Pococks

59 Portman Square

London

Mr.Challis

16 Cornhill

Mrs Hould?

18 Change Alley

Cornhill

Trade Valuers

Bettisons 5 Great

Knight Rider ??

Doctors Commons

Mr U White Bedford

Reference Hames??

Caslon Type Founder

Could this be a reference to a printing works.  William Caslon invented a typeface (died 1766)

Front fly leaf notes

Mr H G Byers

2 Sidney Square

Mile End Road

London

Could this be a relation of William Gilborn Byers (58) living at 116 Fore Street, occupation Newspaper Proprietor and Town Councillor

Miss Hart

at Mr Walkers

Earl Street

Coventry

Farewell to thee Mary

By F. N. Crouch

Frederick William Nicholls Crouch emigrated from England to America in 1849, abandoning a career as a musician of no small repute. He sang in the choir of St. Paul's Cathedral in London, played viola and cello before royalty, and composed operas and Irish melodies. Crouch eventually settled in Richmond, and when the War Between the States began, the 52-year-old musician took up arms in defence of his adopted country. He enlisted in the Richmond Howitzers and served the entire four years of the conflict. Crouch relocated to Baltimore around 1871 and took up choral conducting. He is buried on Confederate Hill in Baltimore's Loudon Park Cemetery.  His most famous song, popular during the American Civil War is ‘Kathleen Mavourneen’.

85,500 to March 31st/46

79200 -

6.300  to pay for in Shop

Office

32,000 to March 31/46

13,300 -

18,700 to pay