Journal: Diary of John Thomas Brooks

Summary

1829-1841

1829

January 19 New Road begun (Road turned behind Church).

March 29 Paid Bill Messrs. Morant for refitting Drawing Room and Music Room £272 9s. 10d.

April 25 New Road finished.

Deer came, commenced with 4 Does, Mixed breed.

April 27 Document signed by Magistrates respecting the new Road.

May 10 Dear Johnny went to Church for the first time.

August 19 Dear Willie vaccinated at Toddington by Mr. Chapman.

August 26 Dear Mary Ann and dear Georgy vaccinated second time from their Brother.

Nov 18 Mr. Loudon arranging as to Planting arboretum.

Dec 16 Went to London and Stoke to attend Funeral of Mrs. John Brooks.

1830

March 18 The Richardsons moved into Hopkins’ Cottage.

July 19 Went to Cambridge, never having seen it before, returned 21^st.

August 31 Left home for Chartham Rectory, Kent - Mr. Moody’s.

Sept 4 Passed today at Dover Castle.

Sept 11 Passed today at Walmer Castle.

Sept 13 Went to Margate.

Sept 24 Returned home from Kent.

October 9 Dear Mary Ann and dear Johnny received from Mr. Robinson their first (Tutor’s) lessons in writing and arithmetic.

Dec 6 Rural Riots, mob at the House, Lord de Grey the Lord Lieutenant came, all passed off well.

1831

January 26 Went to London and Stoke to attend the Funeral of Mr. Bold.

June 16 Dear George took his first lesson in writing.

Sept 25 Dear George went into cloth clothes.

October The Two Lodges built by Burrowes.

Nov 2 Avenue, approach Road, planted with Spanish Chestnuts.

Nov 9 Bought Glasses for Conservatory at Mr. M^cQueen’s Sale, Ridgmont.

January 28 Mr Hatfield died, my dear Wife in great grief.

Feb 15 Glasses put up in the Conservatory.

March 1 Commenced business with Mr. Swaffield as Steward, my first draft [?claim] this day.

May 28 Left home at 5 o’clock in the morning for Cheshire, reached Matlock Bath at 4 o’clock saw Sir [blank] Arkwright’s Place and the splendid scenery in the neighbourhood.

May 29 Exactly at a quarter before four in the morning left Matlock, with Mr. Swaffield, and proceeded to Dovedale, Ashbourne, Alton Towers, and arrived at Matlock at 8 in the evening having seen all those most beautiful and interesting places. At half past 8 went with Morg.[?] Mary Ann, and Mr. Swaffield to the Rutland Caverns on the Top of the hill, delightful day.