Part 1
# Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham: A History and Guide, Arranged Alphabetically ### By Harman, Thomas T.
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[Transcriber's note: There are small sections where the print is missing from the original. Missing words have been marked [**]. Minor obvious typographical errors have been corrected. Fractions: example four and a half = 4-1/2. Bold text is denoted by ~]
SHOWELL'S
Dictionary of Birmingham.
A HISTORY AND GUIDE,
Arranged Alphabetically,
Containing Thousands of Dates and References to Matters of Interest connected with the Past and Present History of the Town--its Public Buildings, Chapels, Churches and Clubs--its Friendly Societies and Benevolent Associations, Philanthropic and Philosophical Institutions--its Colleges and Schools, Parks, Gardens, Theatres, and Places of Amusement--its Men of Worth and Noteworthy Men, Manufactures and Trades, Population, Rates, Statistics of progress, &c., &c.
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Compiled by THOS. T. HARMAN, Author of "The Local Book of Dates," "Notes and Records," &c.,
FOR THE PROPRIETORS-- WALTER SHOWELL & SONS, _CROSS WELLS BREWERY, OLDBURY_,
Head Offices: 157, ST. CHARLES STREET, BIRMINGHAM.
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BIRMINGHAM:
Printed by J.G. Hammond & Co., 136-38 Edmund Street; and Published by CORNISH BROTHERS, NEW STREET.
SHOWELL'S
~Dictionary of Birmingham.~
~NOTES OF BIRMINGHAM IN THE PAST.~
~Birmingham to the Seventh Century.~--We have no record or traces whatever of there being inhabitants in this neighbourhood, though there can be little doubt that in the time of the invasion of the Romans some British strongholds were within a few miles of the place, sundry remains having been found to show that many battles had been fought near here. If residents there were prior to King Edward the Confessor's reign, they would probably be of Gurth's tribe, and their huts even Hutton, antiquarian and historian as he was, failed to find traces of. How the name of this our dwelling-place came about, nobody knows. Not less than twelve dozen ways have been found to spell it; a score of different derivations "discovered" for it; and guesses innumerable given as to its origin, but we still wait for the information required.
~Birmingham in the Conqueror's Days.~--The Manor was held, in 1066, by Alwyne, son of Wigod the Dane, who married the sister of the Saxon Leofric, Earl of Mercia. According to "Domesday Book," in 1086, it was tenanted by Richard, who, held, under William Fitz-Ansculf, and included four hides of land and half-a-mile of wood, worth 20s.; there were 150 acres in cultivation, with but nine residents, five villeins, and four bordarers. In 1181 there were 18 freeholders (_libere tenentes_) in Birmingham cultivating 667 acres, and 35 tenants _in demesne_, holding 158 acres, the whole value being £13 8s. 2d.
~Birmingham in the Feudal Period.~--The number of armed men furnished by this town for Edward III.'s wars were four, as compared with six from Warwick, and forty from Coventry.
~Birmingham in the Time of the Edwards and Harrys.~--The Manor passed from the Bermingham family in 1537, through the knavish trickery of Lord L'Isle, to whom it was granted in 1545. The fraud, however, was not of much service to the noble rascal, as he was beheaded for treason in 1553. In 1555 the Manor was given by Queen Mary to Thomas Marrow, of Berkswell.
~Birmingham in 1538.~--Leland, who visited here about this date, says in his "Itinerary"--"There be many smithies in the towne that use to make knives and all manner of cutlery tooles, and many lorimers that make bittes, and a great many naylors, so that a great part of the towne is maintained by smithes, who have their iron and seacole out of Staffordshire." He describes the town as consisting of one street, about a quarter of a mile long, "a pretty street or ever I enterd," and "this street, as I remember, is called Dirtey."
~Birmingham in 1586.~--Camden in his "Britannica," published this year, speaks of "Bremicham, swarming with inhabitants, and echoing with the noise of anvils, for the most part of them are smiths."
~Birmingham in 1627.~--In a book issued at Oxford this year mention is made of "Bremincham inhabited with blacksmiths, and forging sundry kinds of iron utensils."
~Birmingham in 1635.~--As showing the status the town held at this date we find that it was assessed for "ship money" by Charles I. at £100, the same as Warwick, while Sutton Coldfield had to find £80 and Coventry £266.
~Birmingham in 1656.~--Dugdale speaks of it as "being a place very eminent for most commodities made of iron."
~Birmingham in 1680-90.~--Macaulay says: The population of Birmingham was only 4,000, and at that day nobody had heard of Birmingham guns. He also says there was not a single regular shop where a Bible or almanack could be bought; on market days a bookseller named Michael Johnson (father of the great Samuel Johnson) came over from Lichfield and opened a stall for a few hours, and this supply was equal to the demand. The gun trade, however, was introduced here very soon after, for there is still in existence a warrant from the Office of Ordnance to "pay to John Smart for Thomas Hadley and the rest of the Gunmakers of Birmingham, one debenture of ffour-score and sixteen poundes and eighteen shillings, dated ye 14th of July, 1690."--Alexander Missen, visiting this town in his travels, said that "swords, heads of canes, snuff-boxes, and other fine works of steel," could be had, "cheaper and better here than even in famed Milan."
~Birmingham in 1691.~--The author of "The New State of England," published this year, says: "Bromichan drives a good trade in iron and steel wares, saddles and bridles, which find good vent at London, Ireland, and other parts." By another writer, "Bromicham" is described as "a large and well-built town, very populous, much resorted to, and
## particularly noted a few years ago for the counterfeit groats made here,
and dispersed all oven the kingdom."
~Birmingham in 1731.~--An old "Road-book" of this date, says that "Birmingham, Bromicham, or Bremicham, is a large town, well built and populous. The inhabitants, being mostly smiths, are very ingenious in their way, and vend vast quantities of all sorts of iron wares." The first map of the town (Westley's) was published in this year. It showed the Manorhouse on an oval island, about 126 yards long by 70 yards extreme width, surrounded by a moat about twelve yards broad. Paradise Street was then but a road through the fields; Easy Hill (now Easy Row), Summer Hill, Newhall Hill, Ludgate Hill, Constitution Hill, and Snow Hill pleasant pastures.
~Birmingham in 1750.~--Bradford's plan of the town, published in 1751, showed a walk by Rea side, where lovers could take a pleasant stroll from Heath Mill Lane. The country residences at Mount Pleasant (now Ann Street) were surrounded with gardens, and it was a common practice to dry clothes on the hedges in Snow Hill. In "England's Gazetteer," published about this date, Birmingham or Bromichan is said to be "a large, well-built, and populous town, noted for the most ingenious artificers in boxes, buckles, buttons, and other iron and steel wares; wherein such multitudes of people are employed that they are sent all over Europe; and here is a continual noise of hammers, anvils, and files."
~Birmingham in 1765.~--Lord and Lady Shelburne visited here in 1765. Her ladyship kept a diary, and in it she describes Mr. Baskerville's house (Easy Row) as "a pretty place out of the town." She also mentions visiting a Quaker's to see "the making of guns."
~Birmingham in 1766.~--In "A New Tour through England," by George Beaumont, Esq., and Capt. Henry Disney, Birmingham is described as "a very large populous town, the upper part of which stands dry on the side of a hill, but the lower is watry, and inhabited by the meaner sort of people. They are employed here in the Iron Works, in which they are such ingenious artificers, that their performances in the smallwares of iron and steel are admired both at home and abroad. 'Tis much improved of late years, both in public and private buildings."
~Birmingham in 1781.~--Hutton published his "History of Birmingham" this year. He estimated that there were then living ninety-four townsmen who were each worth over £5,000; eighty worth over £10,000; seventeen worth over £20,000; eight worth over £30,000; seven worth over £50,000; and three at least worth over £100,000 each.
~Birmingham in 1812.~--The appearance of the town then would be strange indeed to those who know but the Birmingham of to-day. Many half-timbered houses remained in the Bull Ring and cows grazed near where the Town Hall now stands, there being a farmhouse at the back of the site of Christ Church, then being built. Recruiting parties paraded the streets with fife and drum almost daily, and when the London mail came in with news of some victory in Spain it was no uncommon thing for the workmen to take the horses out and drag the coach up the Bull Ring amid the cheers of the crowd. At night the streets were patrolled by watchmen, with rattles and lanterns, who called the hours and the weather.
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~AB House,~ so called from the initials inscribed thereon to show the division of the parishes of Aston and Birmingham near to Deritend Bridge. Early in 1883 part of the foundations were uncovered, showing that the old building was raised on wooden piles, when the neighbourhood was little better than a swamp.
~ABC Time Table~ was first issued in July, 1853. A rival, called the "XYZ Time Table," on a system that was to make all the puzzles of Bradshaw as plain as pikestaves, was brought out in August, 1877, but it required such extra wise heads to understand its simplicity that before one could be found the whole thing was lost, the old Alpha being preferred to the new Omega.
~Accidents and Accidental Deaths~ are of constant occurrence. Those here noted are but a few which, from their peculiar nature, have been placed on record for reference.
A woman fell in Pudding Brook, June 3, 1794, and was drowned in the puddle.
In 1789, a Mr. Wright, a patten-maker, of Digbeth, attempted to cross the old bridge over the Rea, fell in and was "smothered in the mud."
The Bridge in Wheeley's Road was burst up by flood waters, November 26, 1853.
Five men were killed by the fall of a scaffold in New Street Station, Oct. 11, 1862.
A lady was accidently shot in Cheapside, Nov. 5, 1866.
Pratt, a marker at Bournebrook Rifle Range, was shot April 12, 1873.
The body of a man named Thomas Bishop who had fallen in a midden in Oxford Street, was found Oct. 3, 1873.
Charles Henry Porter, surgeon, Aug. 10, 1876, died from an overdose of prussic acid taken as a remedy.
Richard Riley was killed by the bursting of a sodawater bottle, June 19, 1877.
Alfred Mills drowned in a vinegar vat at the Brewery in Glover Street, March 7, 1878.
Two gentlemen (Messrs. W. Arnold and G. Barker), while on a visit of inspection at Sandwell Park Colliery, Nov. 6, 1878, were killed by falling from the cage. Two miners, father and son, were killed by a fall of coal in the following week.
A water main, 30 inches diameter, burst in Wheeler Street, June 17, 1879.
On the night of Sep. 5, 1880, Mrs. Kingham, landlady of the "Hen and Chickens," fell through a doorway on the third storey landing into the yard, dying a few hours after. The doorway was originally intended to lead to a gallery of the Aquarium then proposed to be built at the back of the hotel.
January 12th, 1881.--A helper in the menagerie at Sanger's Exhibition, then at Bingley Hall, was attacked and seriously injured by a lion, whose den he was cleaning out. The animal was beaten off by the keeper, the said keeper, Alicamoosa (?) himself being attacked and injured a few days after by the same animal.
A child of 17 months fell on to a sewer grating in River Street, May 28th, 1881, and died from the effects of hot steam arising therefrom, neighbouring manufacturers pouring their waste boiler water into the sewers.
~Accidental Deaths by Drowning.~--Five persons were drowned at Soho Pool, on Christmas Day, 1822, through the ice breaking under them.
In 1872, John Jerromes lost his life while trying to save a boy who had fallen into Fazeley Street Canal. £200 subscriptions were raised for his wife and family.
A boat upset at the Reservoir, April 11, 1873, when one life was lost.
Boat upset at Kirby's Pools, whereby one Lawrence Joyce was drowned, May 17, 1875. Two men were also drowned here July 23, 1876.
Three boys, and a young man named Hodgetts, who attempted to save them, were drowned, Jan 16, 1876, at Green's Hole Pool, Garrison Lane, through breaking of the ice.
Arthur, 3rd son of Sir C.B. Adderley, was drowned near Blair Athol, July 1, 1877, aged 21.
Four boys were drowned at the Reservoir, July 26, 1877.
Two children were drowned in the Rea at Jakeman's Fields, May 30, 1878.
Rev. S. Fiddian, a Wesleyan Minister, of this town, aged nearly 80, was drowned while bathing at Barmouth, Aug. 4, 1880.
A Mrs. Satchwell was drowned at Earlswood, Feb. 3, 1883, though a carrier's cart falling over the embankment into the Reservoir in the dusk of the evening. The horse shared the fate of the lady, but the driver escaped.
~Accidental Death from Electricity.~--Jan. 20, 1880, a musician, named Augustus Biedermann, took hold of two joints of the wires supplying the electric lights of the Holte Theatre, and receiving nearly the full force of the 40-horse power battery, was killed on the spot.
~Accidents from Fallen Buildings.~--A house in Snow Hill fell Sept. 1, 1801, when four persons were killed.
During the raising of the roof of Town Hall, John Heap was killed by the fall of a principal (Jan. 26, 1833), and Win. Badger, injured same time, died a few weeks after. Memorial stone in St. Philip's Churchyard.
Welch's pieshop, Temple Street, fell in, March 5, 1874.
Two houses fell in Great Lister Street, Aug. 18, 1874, and one in Lower Windsor Street, Jan. 13, 1875.
Three houses collapsed in New Summer Street, April 4, 1875, when one person was killed, and nine others injured.
Four houses fell in Tanter Street, Jan. 1, 1877, when a boy was lamed.
Two men were killed, and several injured, by chimney blown down at Deykin & Sons, Jennens Row, Jan. 30, 1877, and one man was killed by wall blown down in Harborne Road, Feb. 20, same year.
Some children playing about a row of condemned cottages, Court 2, Gem Street, Jan. 11, 1885, contrived to pull part on to their heads, killing one, and injuring others.
~Accidents from Fire.~--February, 1875, was an unfortunate month for the females, an old woman being burnt to death on the 5th, a middle-aged one on the 7th, and a young one on the 12th.
~Accidents through Lightning.~--A boy was struck dead at Bordesley Green, July 30, 1871. Two men, William Harvey and James Steadman, were similarly killed at Chester Street Wharf, May 14, 1879. Harvey was followed to the grave by a procession of white-smocked navvies.
~Accidents at Places of Amusement.~--A sudden panic and alarm of [**] caused several deaths and many injuries at the Spread Eagle Concert Hall, Bull Ring, May 5, 1855.
The "Female Blondin" was killed by falling from the high rope, at Aston Park, July 20, 1863.
A trapeze gymnast, "Fritz," was killed at Day's Concert Hall, Nov. 12, 1870.
A boy was killed by falling from the Gallery at the Theatre Royal, Feb. 16, 1873.
At Holder's Concert Hall, April 1, 1879, Alfred Bishop (12) had his leg broken while doing the "Shooting Star" trick.
~Accidents in the Streets.~--On New Year's Day, 1745, a man was killed by a wagon going over him, owing to the "steepness" of Carr's Lane.
The Shrewsbury coach was upset at Hockley, May 24, 1780, when several passengers were injured.
The Chester mail coach was upset, April 15, 1787, while rounding the Welsh Cross, and several persons much injured.
Feb. 28, 1875, must be noted as the "slippery day," no less than forty persons (twelve with broken limbs), being taken to the Hospitals through falling in the icy streets.
Captain Thornton was killed by being thrown from his carriage, May 22, 1876.
The Coroner's van was upset in Livery Street, Jan. 24, 1881, and several jurymen injured.
~Accidents on the Rails.~--An accident occurred to the Birmingham express train at Shipton, on Christmas Eve, 1874, whereby 26 persons were killed, and 180 injured. In the excitement at Snow Hill Station, a young woman was pushed under a train and lost both her legs, though her life was saved, and she now has artificial lower limbs.
Police-officer Kimberley was killed in the crush at Olton Station on the Race Day, Feb. 11th, 1875.
While getting out of carriages, while the train was in motion, a man was killed at New Street Station, May 15, 1875, and on the 18th, another at Snow Hill, and though such accidents occur almost weekly, on some line or other, people keep on doing it.
Three men were killed on the line near King's Norton, Sept. 28, 1876.
Mr. Pipkins, Stationmaster at Winson Green, was killed Jan. 2. 1877.
Inspector Bellamy, for 30 years at New Street Station, fell while crossing a carriage, and was killed, April 15, 1879.
~Acock's Green,~ a few years back only a little village, is fast becoming a thriving suburban town. The old estate, of about 150 acres, was lotted out for building in 1839, the sale being then conducted by Messrs. E. and C. Robbins, August 19. The Public Hall, which cost about £3,000, was opened December 20, 1878; its principal room being 74 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 30 feet high.
~Adderley.~--Sir Charles B. Adderley was gazetted a peer April 16, 1878, his title being Baron Norton, of Norton-on-the-Moors, Staffordshire.
~Adderley Park~ was opened Aug. 30, 1856. Its area is 10a. Or. 22p., and the Corporation hold it as tenants under a 999 years' lease, at 5s. rental. A Reading Room and Branch Library was opened on Jan. 11, 1864.
~Advertisements.~--The duty on advertisements in newspapers was abolished Aug. 4,1853. One of the most attractive styles of advertising was that adopted by Messrs. Walter Showell and Son, August 30, 1881, when _The Birmingham Daily Post_ gave up a whole page for the firm's use. 10,000 copies were sent to their customers by early post on day of publication.
~Afghan War.~--A stormy "town's meeting" on this subject was held in the Town Hall, Dec. 3, 1878, memorable for the interference of the police by order of the Mayor, and the proceedings consequent thereon.
~Agricultural Labourers.~--Jos. Arch, their champion, addressed a meeting in their behalf at Town Hall, Dec. 18, 1873, and other meetings were held April 15 and July 3 following. A collection made for some of the labourers on strike amounted to £137 9s. 2-1/2d.
~Agricultural Shows.~--The Warwickshire Agricultural Show (with the Birmingham Horse Show, and the Rose Show) began at Aston, June 17, 1873. The first exhibition here of the Royal Agricultural Society took place July 19-24, 1876, in Aston Park, specially granted by the Corporation.-- See _Cattle Shows, &c_.
~Albion Metal,~ tin rolled on lead, much used for making "lace," &c., for coffin decoration, was introduced in 1804, being the invention of Thomas Dobbs, a comic actor, then engaged at the Theatre Royal. He was also the designer of a reaping machine, and made one and showed it with real corn for his "Benefit" on the stage of the Theatre Royal in 1815.
~Alcester~ Turnpike road was first used in 1767.
~Aldermen.~--See _Corporation_.
~Ales and Alehouses~ were known in this country nearly 1,200 years ago, but the national beverage was not taxed until 1551, a few years previous to which (1535) hops were first used in place of wormwood, &c. In 1603 it was enacted that not more than 1d. (equal to 9d. value now) should be charged per quart for the best ale or beer, or for two quarts of the "smaller" sort. An additional excise duty was imposed on ale and beer in 1643. See also _Breweries_.
~Almanacks.~--The first English-printed Almanack was for the year 1497, and the London Stationers' Company had the monopoly of printing them for nearly 300 years. The first locally printed Almanack was the "Diaria Britannica" (or "British Diary"), by Messrs. Pearson and Rollason, issued in 1787 for 1788, at 9d. per copy, in addition to the 1s. 6d. required for stamp duty. It was barely half the size and not a tenth the value of the "Diary" published by Messrs Walter Showell and Sons, and of which 20,000 copies are given away annually. The stamp duty was removed from Almanacks in 1834. "Showell's Almanack" in past years was highly esteemed before we had been supplied with "Moody's," the "Red Book," &c., and a copy of it for the year 1839 is valuable as a curiosity, it being issued with a partly printed page with blanks left for the insertion of the names of the members of the Corporation, whose first election under the charter of incorporation was about to take place. To prevent any mistake, the "Esqrs." were carefully printed in where the names of the new Aldermen were to go, the blanks for Councillors being only honoured with a "Mr."
~Almshouses~ for Lench's Trust were built in Steelhouse Lane in 1764. In later years other sets of houses have been built in Conybere Street, Hospital Street, Ravenhurst Street, and Ladywood Road, the inmates, all women, numbering 182. Jas. Dowell's Almshouses in Warner Street, consisting of 20 houses and a chapel, known as the "Retreat," were built in 1820. Mrs. Glover's Almshouses in Steelhouse Lane for 36 aged women, were erected in 1832. James Lloyd's twenty-four Almshouses in Belgrave Street were erected in 1869.
~Aluminium.~--This valuable material for the use of one of our staple trades was first obtained by a German chemist in 1837, but was not produced in sufficient quantity for manufacturing purposes until 1854, at which time its market value was 60s. per oz. It gradually cheapened, until it is now priced at 5s., and a company has lately been formed for its more easy manufacture, who promise to supply it at about as many pence.
~Amphitheatres.~--Astley's celebrated amphitheatre was brought here in October, 1787. Mr. and Mrs. Astley themselves had performed in Birmingham as early as 1772.--A local amphitheatre was opened in Livery Street in 1787, on the present site of Messrs. Billing's printing works. After the riots of 1791 it was used for a time by the congregations of Old and New Meeting, while their own chapels were being rebuilt. An attempt to bring it back to its old uses failed, and "the properties" were sold Nov. 25, 1795. Several sects occupied it in after years, the last being the Latter-Day Saints. It was taken down in 1848.--Another amphitheatre was opened at Bingley Hall, December 29, 1853, by the plucky but unlucky John Tonks, a well-known caterer for the public's amusement.
~Amusement,~ Places of--Notes of the Theatres, Concert Halls, Parks, &c., will be found under the several headings. Among the most popular series of concerts of late years have been those of a Saturday evening (at 3d. admission) in the Town Hall, which began on Nov. 8, 1879, and are continued to present date.
~Analyst.~--Dr. Hill was appointed Borough Analyst in Feb., 1861, his duties being to examine and test any sample of food or drinks that may be brought or sent to him in order to prove their purity or otherwise. The fees are limited to a scale approved by the Town Council.