This remark brought out Mrs. B., who now joined in the conversation, and under a little gentle pressure, gave us some particulars as to how the marriage came about, and how after sundry visits of her armless suitor, to Birmingham, she was wooed and won.
“But how did you manage to put the ring on, Mr. Brown?”
“Oh,” said Brown laughing, “I could have managed that if they had given me time, but the clergyman, mind you, was a good sort of man, and he said, ‘Allow me to help you,’ and he slipped on the ring.”
Mrs. Brown, who is a comely-looking woman, proceeded to tell how the parson called upon her former mistress, and related the circumstance with great glee.
[235] Mr. Dyas had previously had a seat at the Board.
[242] Among the papers met with in the old building was one dated April 29th, 1805, entitled, an assessment of fivepence in the pound for the purpose of raising part of the sum of £100 levied on this parish of Madeley for deficiency of the Army of Reserve, and Regiments of the Militia, 5th of February, 1805. The following names and sums occur:—
| Rev. Mr. Burton (then rector) | £2 | 0 | 3 |
| Firmstone, Mrs. | |||
| Homfray and Addenbrooke | 5 | 9 | 0 |
| Rev. Saml. Walter (then curate) | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| Anstice, Horton, and Rose | 0 | 8 | 4 |
| Horton, William | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| George Pugh | 0 | 1 | 8 |
| John Rose & Co. | 9 | 16 | 8 |
| J. Luckcock | 0 | 0 | 6 |
[253] A still greater fright was experienced by the driver of a hearse from the Tontine. A man named Holyoake, a sort of half-witted fellow, who had a fancy for attending funerals on both sides the Severn, got into the hearse after the coffin had been removed, and it being a hot day went to sleep. Poor “Billy” did not wake till the hearse had been put in the coach-house, when one of the establishment going in, Billy called out from his retreat “How go mon,” and the man rushed from the place in a fright that is said to have turned his hair white.
[277] Sometimes called Culbrok.
[292] Barnabas Spruce had been Cashier at the Bedlam Works under William Reynolds; he kept a public house near the old water engine in the Lloyds, which was known and patronised for miles round for old beer. William Reynolds, Benjamin Edge, and others of that class were accustomed to meet there. The sign was “the Newhill Pit.” Barnabus died Jan. 1833. At the funeral on the 24th, as a last and fitting tribute to so worthy a brewer of good beer, a large number assembled. There were 37 horsemen, who had hatbands and gloves; and 40 gallons of ale were drank before starting to Madeley Church.