Died, September 24th, 1847, a well-known feature in the Market Place, old Mr. Morris, of the “Jolly Colliers” Inn. Aged 87 years.
Died, September 26th, 1847, Mr. Cole, the keeper, and visitors’ guide to the Castle Grounds; this old familiar townsman had been for many years the butler at Himley Park. Aged 86 years. It was through the strenuous and oft-repeated wish of John Maughan, Esq., the estates land agent, and Mr. Cole, that Mr. C. F. G. Clark, chemist, in the Market Place, was induced in 1846 to write and compile the “Dudley Castle Guide Book;” a condensed history of the Castle, which was much needed by visitors to our fine old feudal ruins, and delightful sylvan walks and drives along the Castle Grounds. This popular Guide Book has now attained its Fifteenth edition, and retains its long-won favours and popularity.
1847. October 19th. A public testimonial of very valuable books, handsomely bound, was presented to Charles Twamley, Esq., Solicitor of this town, to mark the sense of kindly and generous feeling exhibited towards him by all classes of the inhabitants. Mr. Chas. Twamley’s removal to the lucrative appointment of Registrar of the Lambeth County Court was a source of much regret to his political friends (Radicals), for Mr. Twamley had always been a prominent leader and Reformer in the borough. Mr. Twamley was a scientific Geologist, and often lectured on that exhaustive subject; he also was a very prominent founder, along with others, of the Dudley Geological Society in New Street, which is now transferred to the New Mechanics’ Institute. Mr. Twamley’s charming and painstaking research in his History of Dudley Castle and the Priory, in 1867, will always stamp his history as superior to any others, having cleared away a host of illfounded surmises by the late Dr. Booker in his florid history. His lectures on the Silurian Formation and the Coal Measures are most learned and instructive, and invaluable to the Geological Student.
Died, November 15th, 1847, Mr. O. Gilbert Shaw, of the “Barrel Inn,” High Street, much respected by all parties. Aged 69 years.
Died, November 22nd, 1847, Miss Louisa Elkins, sister of Mrs. Dr. Johnson, Castle Street. This unhappy young lady procured in the night, from Dr. Johnson’s Surgery, a quantity of prussic acid, which she took up into her bed room and swallowed, death ensuing at once. Aged 22 years.
On Wednesday, November 24th, 1847, the recently built Gothic Trinity Presbyterian Church, situated in Wolverhampton Street, was publicly opened for divine worship with considerable ceremony. The Rev. Wm. Chalmers and the Rev. John Weir, both from London, were the preachers, and the Rev. George Lewis, Minister of the Church, assisted. This new Gothic edifice was considered quite a feature of prominence in the street. Mr. Lewis continued for a number of years to be a most zealous and acceptable preacher in this church to his fellow countrymen.
November 29th, 1847. A Public Meeting was held by requisition to the Mayor, Elliott Hollier, Esq., “to take into consideration the propriety of endeavouring to make such alterations in the days the Fairs in the town are held, and also of having an additional Fair in the year.”
1847, December 4th. The Vicar (Dr. Browne) publically announced that the “Parochial National Schools,” recently erected in Upper King Street, would be opened for the education of children of the poorer classes after Christmas. 1st class children charged 2d. per week; 2nd, 4d.; 3rd, 6d. Adult schools for male and females were opened shortly afterwards. This National School has been a source of immense educational good in this parish.
1847, December 1st. There was a general reduction of 20 per cent. in wages, both in the Coal and Iron trade. The slackness of trade and the great distress and want amongst the working classes, was most perplexing and distressing, and the local failures in the Iron trade became alarming.