Category Archives: 19th Century

The Gloucester Miser

Posted on April 20, 2020 by Roger Pocock

Snippets 214. 184 years ago today, the “richest commoner” in Britain died.  James (Jemmy) Wood made his money in banking, and had wealth of around £900,000.  Calculating the value of that money in today’s terms is notoriously difficult, and depending … Continue reading →

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Life of a Fern Hunter

Posted on April 15, 2020 by Roger Pocock

Snippets 213. The following quote is taken from Over the Sea and Far Away, by Thomas Woodbine Hinchcliff, published in 1876: Of all regions that I have as yet seen in the world there is nothing comparable to this Brazilian … Continue reading →

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A Love of Adventure

Posted on April 12, 2020 by Roger Pocock

Guest Post 17. In the last half of the 19th century, if your surname was Lowther and you were male, you were most likely to be well-off, or even rich. The most famous Lowther, Hugh Cecil Lowther, the 5th Earl of … Continue reading →

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Giant Feet and Rhinoceros Gums

Posted on January 13, 2020 by Roger Pocock

Max of the Month 7.  When reading non-fiction books from the 19th Century, one finds no shortage of great writers who have now been largely forgotten. However, occasionally a writer comes to light whose work is so entertaining, and who … Continue reading →

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The Killer Leaf

Posted on January 6, 2020 by Roger Pocock

Snippets 212.  Thomas Woodbine Hinchcliff was a mountaineer, explorer and travel writer, who served as President of the London-based Alpine Club, the first mountaineering club in the world, between 1875 and 1877. During that time one of his several travel … Continue reading →

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To Santa Claus, on the Moon

Posted on December 23, 2019 by Roger Pocock

Christmas History 44.  The following article is from the Blackburn Standard, from 31st December 1898: A correspondent has obtained copies of some of the letters addressed to “Santa Claus” which find their way to the Dead Letter Office, and are … Continue reading →

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Letters to Santa, 1898

Posted on December 19, 2019 by Roger Pocock

Christmas History 43.  In the 19th Century it took a while for news from America to filter through to the British press, especially when it was of an anecdotal nature.  The following Christmas article didn’t find its way into the … Continue reading →

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Christmas in Russia, 1869

Posted on December 16, 2019 by Roger Pocock

Christmas History 42.  The following quote is from the Morning Post, 28th December 1869, and is written by the paper’s correspondent in St Petersburg: Thanks to their persistent preference of the Old Style, the Russians have yet 12 days to … Continue reading →

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A Christmas Kidnapping

Posted on December 9, 2019 by Roger Pocock

Christmas History 41.  The following alarming tale is taken from an article about Christmas in Canada in the Lincolnshire Chronicle, Christmas Eve 1869.  Just a warning: I have removed a racial profanity, but the article is still reflective of the … Continue reading →

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A Christmas Message

Posted on December 2, 2019 by Roger Pocock

Christmas History 40.  December is upon us once again, so that means we turn our attentions to Christmas past on Windows into History.  The following words of wisdom are from the Devizes and Wiltshire Gazette, 9th December 1869: Holidays, games … Continue reading →

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