Transcript of Diary Extracts

Transcript of Diary Extracts 1864 and 1866

Over the years I have received various bits and pieces of information from friends and “new” cousins I have found along the way. A few years ago, one of my “new” cousins kindly sent me details of some Diary Extracts written by Annie Humphreys in 1864 and John Hughes Cox in 1866. Annie and John are cousins to each other and are each the 3 x great grandson and 3 x great granddaughter of my 6 x great grandfather Cozens Read. Annie and John marry each other in 1866.

Here is a Transcript of Annie’s Diary Extracts in 1864 : Extracts from the Diary of Annie Humphreys – 1864

July 1864: Mr. Edward Clark called and I saw the dear little baby for the first time. Mr. Wm. Clarke and Mr. Shrimpton called. Aunt and Uncle Rose from Eythrope drank tea and supped with us. John tells me his Mother is very poorly.

July 24th: At Lane End. Mr. Butcher there and Mr. Robert Munger. John and I went a walk to Bitchendon. The scenery is truly picturesque.

July 25th: John and I went through Leighton Buzzard to Woburn where we left the horse and chaise and walked in the park and gardens. We to Brogborough to Mr. Checkleys.

July 26th: John and I had a nice ride to Bedford. James Checkley living at Brogborough now.

July 28th: Returned to Lane End. Mr. and Mrs. Cox were gone to a party at Cranwell. I can truly say the more I see of my friends at Lane End the more I like them.

July 30th: Mrs. Cox of Bitchendon has kindly invited me to make one of her party at Velvet Lawn. Poor Mrs. Little has met with a sad accident by setting fire to herself.

Oct. 17th: Today I suppose Miss Dodwell has changed her name into Mrs. Rose. I hope they will be happy and think in all probability they will. I believe them to be much attached to each other.

Feb. 1865: John Rose from Aylesbury preached. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Clarke and John came. I think Mrs. Clarke such a very nice young lady. I really do not know where to look for her equal.

Jan.: Went to a “Dorcas” Meeting at Stockwell Lane, a great many ladies present. Worked until 8. Met Miss Carrie Clarke of Haddenham. Aunt from Pinner has persuaded Papa to have his likeness taken, so have been to Mr. Paynes, Aylesbury. Mr. W. Rose from Haddenham came.

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And here is the Extract from John Hughes Cox’s diary in 1866.

Extracts from the Diary of John Hughes Cox of Lane End – 1866

1866 11 Jan: The cattle plague is still very bad in this County. Report is 1000 a day attacked.

13 Jan: Frank Cox has gone to London.

16 Jan: Mr. Alfred Rose was at Thame. pretty well. Took tea with friends at Eythrope. John Rose very kindly came part of the way home.

18 Jan: Mr. Alfred Rose came to Lane End to tea. Mr. & Mrs. Rose of Cranwell came to tea. Mr. Alfred Rose showed us two medals he had presented him from the Society. One for …..(?) Medicine in General and one for analitical Chemistry.

12 Feb: This has been an eventful day to Sarah Ann Cox. John Rose has been from Eythrope. They are very happy.

17 Feb: My dear Annie has wished me many happy returns of my birthday. She has presented me with a pair of beautiful watch pockets of her own making. I was delighted with my present. Very carefully brought them home.

22 Feb: The cattle plague is raging fearfully. Mr. Cooper at the Decoy had his herd of 17 beasts killed by order of the inspectors. There are as many as 13,000 beasts taken with the desease weekly. We had a form of notice to fill up from the department of the Board of Trade to state how many animals we are in possession of.

1 Mar: A Prayer Meeting was held at Waddesdon Hill Chapel to pray for the deliverance of the cattle plague.

19 Mar: To Waddesdon Magistrates to get order to remove some sheep from there to Aylesbury. Train fare Third Class from Wycombe to Aylesbury 1/3½.

17 Apr: Drove father in gig to Risborough Station to take train to Taplow & from thence to Bray Mile to see Mr. C. Hill who had previously offered me his farm, so we went to look at it. Arrived Taplow quarter past 10 & hired a conveyance – price 3/-. We went a walk round the farm. I soon perceived that I had forgotten my carpet bag which had the lease in of the farm. I remembered I had left it in the railway carriage and it was sure to have been taken on to London. I went to Taplow & telegraphed to London & had an answer back to say it would come on the next train. When I received the message it was a relief to my mind indeed for what would have been done had it been lost I cannot tell. Waited until next train, but no bag. Went to Bray & had some dinner & returned to Taplow in search of it. It came down with its contents on the half past 3 train. The circumstance quite spoiled the day. Father walked from Bray to Maidenhead; a long walk for him. He considered the holding of 45 acres intricate & complicated & according to his advice refused to accept Mr. Hills terms.

20 Apr: Miss Shrimpton came to Lane End. I was measured for some shoes.

1 May: Thrashing corn with steam engine. Mrs. C. went to Bichendon and did not return. (Lydia). (NB: Lydia was John’s eldest sister. At that time she was the widow of William Henry Cox of Beachendon. Frank Cox was his brother, a widower).

3 May: We have had great trouble since Monday respecting Lydia. A great Discount Bank has broken … there has been quite a panic in London.

12 May: After evening service Father went to Denham and from that time has made it his residence.

13 May: Sarah and Henry gone to reside at Denham farm. Sometimes I think true happiness not to be found in this world.

15 May: Lydia Maria Cox and Frank Cox – first sign.

16 May: Seem to be more reconciled to my lot and be content at Lane End.

17 May: Mrs. Cox has rode to Denham with Frank this afternoon. I have been alone.

24 May: This has been a day of great perplexity. Lydia has been very bad from some cause unmentionable. We have no servant and no charwoman. Have had to attend to household affairs and the outdoor work too. Miss Treadwell came this evening and consented to stay and see to the dairy for a while. Mr. & Mrs. Rose of Eythrope at Waldridge. My Annie and Mrs. Humphreys kindly recommended a servant girl. The time I had with my Annie was delightfully spent.

30 May: Have been sheep shearing. Rebecca Miller came and have hired her until Michaelmas for £3-10-0. Frank Cox here tonight.

9 Aug: Lydia has been very grim this week. I have been obliged to have my meals alone in consequence of her bad health.

12 Sept: The weather very showery. It is 5 weeks since started cutting corn.

10 Oct: Very important business at Aylesbury. A Wedding ring. Cost 14/6. To Mr. Meads for wedding suit

£5-5-0. My very dear Annie was at Mr. Pollard’s choosing a wedding dress. Sister Sally with her. brother Henry was with me. Annie ordered wedding cake.

15 Oct: Annie & I went to Wycombe for the purpose of trying to obtain a licence to be married at Risborough Chapel but could not succeed.

16 Oct: Went to Mr. Parrott’s Office Aylesbury for a Marriage Licence which obtained for £2-1-0. I did not bring it away as it is necessary to remain in the Marriage Book one clear day.

20 Oct: To Aylesbury. Met my Annie. We had a good many parcels to put in the trap, among them was something of much importance, the wedding cake.

23 Oct: To Waldridge to see my Annie for last time before being married.

24 Oct: Father has been to Lane End & brought Sally who is to stay the night and go to Waldridge in the morning with J. Rose & myself.

Thursday 25 Oct: A very eventful day indeed in our lives. Mr. Dyson of Haddenham performed the ceremony of marriage in his own chapel at Haddenham. We drove from Waldridge in 10 Flies to the Chapel. There were a good many present. Miss C. Clark among the spectators. Miss Checkley & Sister Sarah bridesmaids. Mr. G. Humphreys, Mr. J. Rose, Mr. & Mrs. Little went to the Chapel with us, 8 in number. Mr. Welford was very kind, his little son presented my dear wife with a bouquet of flowers out of his garden.

Friday 26 Oct: Left London for Brighton where a man directed us to some Apartments – we liked them. The address is 25 Centurion Road, near the terminus. The Landlady appears pleasant.

Written by Annie: After tea we walked to the seaside. It is the first time I have seen the sea. It is indeed a splendid sight. There were a large number of fashionable ladies and gentlemen both riding and walking near. Time appears to hang rather heavily when there is nothing to do. Should not care to lead an idle life and go about pleasure seeking. Truly there is no place like home.

29 Oct: We have had such a beautiful row in a small boat on the sea. We were gone an hour and 40 minutes. My dear wife did enjoy it exceedingly.

30 Oct: We went on the new Pier. It was built last Summer. Sea exceedingly rough.

31 Oct: We went for a walk to Shoreham Harbour, about 4 miles and were rather tired when we returned.

Memo: Railway fair to London 9/6; Private Hotel 13/6; Journey to Brighton 13/-; brush, comb & soap 5/9; fish 3d; meat 20d; coffee 8d; row on the water 3/6; bread, sausages 8d; candles 3½; Apartments 15/11; Pictures 53/-; Underground 6d; bus 4d.