The Lancaster Gazette
Saturday, 20th October, 1821
Lifeboats
Several lifeboats, of very large dimensions, and constructed on different principles, are, we understand, now building at Liverpool, to be stationed on the adjacent coast. One of them, we have heard, will be stationed at Wallasey.
Liverpool Mercury
Friday, 15th October, 1824
Melancholy Accident
On Tuesday evening last, Mr. Hampson, of Wallasey, while proceeding down the steps at the south end of the Prince's Dock pier to the steamboat, either in consequence of a broken step, or under the influence of a fit, fell down the precipitous flight of steps, and was so much injured by the fall, that, though attended by several of the most eminent professional men, he expired yesterday morning. The accident affords an additional proof of the absolute necessity of some amendment in the structure of the several landing places on our piers, on which subject we have so frequently urged what we conceive to be the wish of the public.
Liverpool Mercury
Friday, 11th March, 1825
Steam Boat Incident
On Monday morning the steam boat Alice, property of Mr.Parry, of Seacombe Ferry, took fire by some accident, whilst at anchor off that place. As soon as the fire was discovered the men endeavoured to extinguish the flames; but, finding their efforts unavailing, they determined to scuttle the vessel, as the only chance of saving her from total destruction. She was immediately scuttled, and sank opposite the hotel. As she lay on the edge of the bank, the ebb tide (which was remarkably strong) forced her over into the deep water, where she now lies, and is likely to prove a complete wreck. The Alice was one of the finest steam boats on the river, and sailed very fast. Mr.Parry, we understand, was only half insured : his loss by the accident will, therefore, we regret to state, be very great.
The York Herald
Saturday, 27th August, 1836
The Star Chamber
The materials forming the interior of the old Star Chamber in the ancient Palace of Westminster were at the recent sale purchased by the proprietor of the Leasowe Hotel, on the Cheshire coast, where, having been arranged into an apartment, it forms no inconsiderable object of attraction to antiquarian visitors.
Liverpool Mercury
Friday, 9th September, 1842
New Independent Chapel
Yesterday week a chapel, in conextion with the congregational Independents, was opened at Liscard, near New Brighton. The morning service was conducted by the Rev. Dr. Raffles, of this town; he took his text from the words of the eleventh psalm, "The Lord is in his holy temple". The evening service was conducted by the Rev. Caleb Morris of London, assisted by the Rev. Messrs. Sleigh. Appleford, Pridie, and Tallstall. The chapel has been built, and provided with an organ, at the sole expense of J.A. Marsden, Esq., and by him presented as a free gift to the above body of Dissenters. The building combines the simple beauty of the Lancet Gothic, or Tudor style of architecture, with suitability for the present as well as prospective wants of an increasing congregation. The site is well chosen for effect, as it stands on high ground, and forms a prominent object from the river, and, though now rather away from the more populous part of Seacombe, yet, being near to such a favourable resort as New Brighton, a very few years will, most likely, find it surrounded by a dense and wealthy neighbourhood. When completed, it will give upwards of 800 sittings; but at present the upper part is only finished on a level with the galleries, to accommodate about 500 people. There is more than usual interest connected with it, as the spirited donor has procured and fitted it up with the pulpit and some of the oak pews of the chapel which was occupied by the Rev. Dr. Isaac Watts, in St. Mary Axe. London, and the marble monument commemorative of that eminent divine he has had, in fine taste, placed in the vestibule of the choir.
Liverpool Mercury
Friday, 26th March, 1847
Accidental Death
On Saturday week, a young lad named Gordon, son of Mr. Gordon, butcher, New Brighton Cheshire, was accidentally burnt to death. He went to a piggery near his father’s house, and while playing with some Lucifer matches, a quantity of shavings lying near were ignited. The flames communicated to his clothes, and the result was, that before any assistance arrived he was so much burnt that he died shortly afterwards.
London Daily News
Thursday, 20th January, 1848
Inquest Of A Supposed Follower Of William III
On Sunday last a man named Appleton perceived a human skull embedded in the clay near the shore of the Mersey, between Seacombe and Liscard; on further examination he found it was a part of a skeleton, which he conveyed to the Seacombe Hotel. It was inspected by different medical gentlemen, and information having been given to the coroner, an inquest was held on Monday. The skeleton was produced in a hamper. The thigh bones were each about 1 feet 8 inches in length, indicating that the deceased must have been a tall person. The upper and lower arm bones were in proportion. The vertebrae of the spinal column were produced, but loose. The skull was nearly perfect in form. The bones generally were quite blackened. The teeth were perfect, of a good colour, and firm in the sockets, showing that the deceased at the time of his death was, in all probability, in the prime of manhood. There was no appearance of flesh adhering to these remains. The body had been apparently buried in north and south position. Amongst the bones found near the skull was a queue, or pig tail, very neatly plaited, and tied with black silk ribbon. The hair was black and long. Close to the skeleton were found, and also produced, portions of wearing apparel, apparently front facings of upper garments or coats, rounded, in the old country style, from the lappel to the bottom of the skirt, and each perforated with numerous well-worked button-holes. There might be about twenty button-holes in each. No buttons or buckles were, however, found, so far as we can learn; otherwise a date possibly have been arrived at. Some coins were, about a year ago, found near the spot. There were guineas of the reign of Charles II., and nineteen of them were acknowledged to be found. Some of them were sold at 38s. each. Some few ancient copper coins have also been picked up in the same locality. Various are the conjectures amongst the gossips in the neighbourhood as to the identity or quality of the deceased - some conceiving that he was one of the nobles in the retinue of William III., when on his passage to Ireland, just before the battle of the Boyne; and it will be remembered that William embarked at "the Leasowes". near Hoylake. Some of the retainers, it would appear, landed upon and embarked from various points in the Wirral Peninsula. The King himself, it is recorded, slept at Wallasey, about 2½ miles distant, on the eve of his departure. This, however, as well as other speculations as to the body, rests upon grounds too vague and uncertain to be seriously tenable. The jury, at the inquest, returned the only verdict at which they could arrive under the circumstances - to the effect, that the remains were those of a man unknown, but how he came to his death there was no evidence to show.
Liverpool Mercury
Friday, 18th April, 1856
Personal Announcement
A married physician, residing near the seaside will be glad to receive into his house a nervous or invalid lady or gentleman – Address Dr. Nicholson, The Villa, New Brighton, Cheshire.
Liverpool Mercury
Friday, 14th November, 1856
Advertisement
To Be Let, that old established PUBLIC HOUSE, the “Black Horse”, situated at the Magazines, near New Brighton, Cheshire, with good gardens, bowling green, skittle alley &c., attached – For particulars apply on the premises.
Liverpool Mercury
Friday, 20th March, 1857
Advertisement
To Housekeepers – TO BE LET, the MARINE HOTEL, New Brighton, Cheshire, which has been closed during the winter months for the purpose of extensive improvements. Is now ready for inspection. – Application to be made to Mr. Richard Holden, solicitor, 8, Elliot Street, Liverpool.
The Blackburn Standard
Wednesday, 22th June, 1859
Advertisement
Valuable Hotels & Dwelling Houses
To Be Sold By Auction
By Messrs. Walker & Ackerley
On Wednesday, the 6th Day of July, at One o’clock, at the Clarendon Rooms, South John Street, Liverpool, in the following or such other Lots as may be agreed upon at the time of sale, and subject to such conditions of sale as shall be then produced, by order of the Trustees of the Will of James Atherton, Esq. :--
LOT 1. -- TWO semi-detached DWELLING-HOUSES, in Montpelier Crescent, in the occupation of Joseph Shee and Richard Guinnell, at rents amounting together to £140.
2. – TWO semi-detached DWELLING-HOUSES, in Montpelier Crescent, in the occupation of John Dredge, at the rent of £120.
3. – TWO semi-detached DWELLING-HOUSES, in Montpelier Crescent, one in the occupation of E. Erickson, at the rent of £60, and the other House (being partly supplied with Furniture by the owners) in the occupation of J.Oldham, at the rent of £120.
4. – TWO semi-detached DWELLING-HOUSES, in the occupation of J. Morgan, at the rent of £120.
All the above Dwelling Houses are commodious, and have been fine Sea Views.
5. – The valuable HOTEL, called the ‘ALBION HOTEL’, in or near Montpelier Crescent, with the billiard room adjoining, in the occupation of Mr. C.S. Fielding, at the rent of £100.
6. – The valuable HOTEL called the ‘New Brighton Hotel’ in the main road leading to the Ferry, in the occupation of Thomas Longden, at the rent of £130.
The whole of the above Lots are Freehold of Inheritance.
For further particulars apply to Mr. Henry Cole, surveyor, 34, Castle Street; and Messrs. Carson, Ellis & Field, Solicitors, 3, Fenwick Street, Liverpool.
Liverpool Mercury
Monday, 27th August, 1860
The New Brighton Artillery Volunteers
The 4th Cheshire (New Brighton) artillery volunteers commenced firing practice on Saturday afternoon last, at the Rock Perch Battery, and the 5th Cheshire (Birkenhead) artillery corps, under the command of Captain Laird, attended by invitation to witness the firing of their comrades in arms, by whom they were afterwards hospitality entertained. Five rounds of blank cartridges were fired, namely, two rounds with intervals of three-quarters of a minute, one with intervals of ten seconds, one with intervals of eight seconds, and one with intervals of about two seconds, and the manner in which the guns were handled called forth the admiration of the regular artillerymen in charge of the fort. The spectators included a large number of ladies and gentlemen living at New Brighton and in the neighbourhood, for whose gratification the band of the 5th performed several pieces of music during the evening.
Liverpool Mercury
Tuesday, 12th October, 1869
Central Relief Society For Wallasey
Last evening a meeting was held in the Assembly Room, at the Egremont Hotel, for the purpose of Wallasey. Mr T. Bouch occupied the chair, and amongst those present were Major Chambres, the Rev. W.C. Greene, Messrs. H. Pooley, C. Holland, W.S. Caine, Harold Littledale, H. Wall, &c. -- The Chairman, in opening the proceedings, stated that he had been a member of the Central Relief Society in Liverpool since its commencement. That society had risen to such dimensions that last year they had raised £9200 in donations and subscriptions, and about £900 from the sale of soup and bread, making altogether a sum of £10,100, which was a very fair sample of what societies of that kind could do. He described the mode of relief as being very simple, and said that in Liverpool the operations of the society had the effect of considerably diminishing mendacity. He urged that the clergy of all denominations in the parish should assist a society of this sort, and held that it would be wise and to the advantage of the institution that they should all act with unanimity.
Liverpool Mercury
20th November 1870
Inquest At New Brighton
An inquest was held yesterday at New Brighton, by Mr.Churton, coroner, on the body of John Green, aged 50, keeper of the Rock lighthouse, New Brighton. It appeared that the unfortunate man, about ten o’clock on Monday night last ascended the ladder for the purpose of examining the light. About ten minutes afterwards he was found lying insensible on the balcony by his assistant. He was at once conveyed to his home at New Brighton, and Dr. Mushet was called in, but he died on the following day. A verdict of “Accidental death” was returned.
Liverpool Mercury
Tuesday, 19th September, 1876
New Brighton -- Skeleton Found
TO CORRESPONDENTS.
"On Tuesday last the workers engaged excavating for the foundation of the New Brighton Aquarium found the skeleton of a human body, which they placed in a shed on the ground. The remains were found about three feet below the flooring of one of the houses that originally stood there, known by the name of the "Devil's Nest", and which were pulled down two years ago. Up to this day (Monday) the skeleton still remains in the shed, and, though known to the police, no action has been taken; and my object in writing you is in hope that an inquiry might be held, and so put an end to the indifferent rumour now in circulation, for about 18 years ago a builder from Seacombe, after leaving here for his home, was never afterwards seen."
Watch.
New Brighton.
Liverpool Mercury
Thursday, 7th November, 1878
Selling Drink On Unlicensed Premises
At the Liscard Petty Sessions, yesterday, before Messrs. W. Chambres, I. Penny, G.B. Kerferd, L. Mann, and W.T. Jacob. Mr. Frank Redfern Hindle, landlord of the Giffin In,, Victoria Road, Seacombe, appeared on an adjourned summons charging him with selling intoxicating liquors on an unlicensed portion of his premises. It appeared that the defendant had enlarged his place of business by the addition of adjoining property. At the annual licensing session the magistrates refused to include under the license the enlarged portion of the premises. On the 12th ultimo Inspector Lawton purchased some whiskey in the unlicensed part of the building, and as this was considered an infringement of the act of Parliament, the defendant was summoned. Mr. Bremner, who was for the defence, contended that the law had not been broken so long as there was continuity of premises, with no change in the occupation. The magistrates held that the defendant had committed an offence against his license, and inflicted a penalty of £5 and costs. John Upton, of the Travellers' Rest beerhouse, Wallasey Village, was also fined £5 and costs for a similar offence on the same day, he having sold to the police a half pint of beer on a new portion of his premises. In both cases Mr. Bremner gave notice of appeal.
Liverpool Mercury
Friday, 24th August, 1888
Seacombe Licensing Applications
John Hughes, beerseller, Seacombe, applied for a full license to the Wallasey Castle Hotel, Seacombe, Mr. F. Smith supported the application, and Mr. R.B. Moore opposed on behalf of the Welsh Presbyterian Church, Liscard Road, and others. Mr. Smith stated that the applicants present held a wine and beer licence at the Five Bars Rest beerhouse, which was near the premises in respect of which he applied. The hotel would be particularly adapted to accommodate master of vessels, who constantly had a difficulty of finding good accommodation of this kind. At the time the application was made there were only 295 houses in the district, and there were now 1370 new houses erected, so that now there 1660 houses, for the comfort and supply of which there were only two licensed house. -- This application, which was opposed by Mr. Moore on behalf of the Welsh Presbyterian Church in the neighbourhood, was refused.
James Hobell, applied for a full license of the Brighton Hotel, situate at the junction of Brighton Street and Buchanan Road, Seacombe. Mr. R.B Moore appeared for the applicant, and Mr. Peddar opposed on behalf of some of the ratepayers. The Rev. R. Peart, minister of the Seacombe Wesleyan Chapel, objected to the license being granted, as it would be an objection both to the congregation of the chapel ann the Sunday Schools.. It was contended that, in consequence of the rising population and the distance from any other public houses, the hotel had now become a necessity. A large number of the residents in the neighbourhood had signed a a memorial in favour of the licence being granted. The application was granted by the bench.
Alice Morris, of the Royal Oak Hotel, Seacombe, applied for a full license. Mr. R.B. Moore supported the application, which was refused.
William Ashbourne, of the Bird In Hand beerhouse, applied for a full license. Mr Stewart appeared for the applicant. The application was refused.
Mr. Albert Graham, of the Brighton Hotel beerhouse, applied for a spirit license. Mr. A. F. Moore appeared in support of the application, which was refused.
Liverpool Mercury
Wednesday, 22nd January, 1890
Suicide Of A Wallasey Lady
A painful sensation has been created in the neighbourhood of Wallasey by the untimely death of Mrs. Brewin, the wife of Mr. Joseph Brewin, of the Mosslands, Wallasey. The circumstances of her demise - which occurred on Saturday - are sad, and, out of respect to the feelings of her friends, they were not allowed to transpire until the coroner's inquiry, which was held yesterday at the residence of the deceased lady, before Mr. H. Chuton. From the evidence adduced, it appeared that Mrs. Brewin - who was 59 years of age - had suffered for many years from disordered liver. As a result she was subject at times to fits of depression, during which she was not altogether compos mentis. On Friday and Saturday last she had one of these attacks. When breakfast was taken to her bedroom on the morning if the latter day the attendant thought she detected the odour of phosphorus. Suspicion was aroused, and a search was made, but nothing was discovered. Dr. Craigmile was sent for, as Mrs. Brewin seemed to be somewhat worse, but he did not attribute her increased illness to anything unusual. Mrs. Brewin, however, gradually sank, apparently suffering little pain, and died about midnight on Saturday. After her death a closer search was made, and at the back of one the drawers of the dressing table of the dressing table in the deceased's bedroom was found a sixpenny jar of phosphorous, a poisonous concoction, employed usually as a rat destroyer. The jar was nearly empty, and at the bottom was a crust of bread which had the appearance of having been used for the purpose of extracting the paste. How the poison got into the house no one could say, and it was concluded that deceased herself must have obtained it. That she died from the effects of taking it was the conclusion arrived at medically, from examination made after her death. At the conclusion of the evidence the jury returned a verdict of "Committed suicide while temporarily insane." In the district of Wallasey Mrs. Brewin was known as a generous and kind-hearted lady. Much regret is felt at her death and great sympathy is expressed for her family, who have been long resident in the neighbourhood. The funeral, we understand, will take place tomorrow (Thursday) at Wallasey Church.
Liverpool Mercury
Monday, 18th May, 1891
The Health Of Wallasey
The Medical Officer of Health of Wallasey (Dr. Craigmile) has just issued his report for 1890 regarding that district. He states that the mortality statistics for the year were extremely satisfactory up to the time the severe cold set in November, when the death-rate rose rapidly. The estimated population at the end of 1890 is put down at 35,190, not including a floating population in that portion of the docks and river belonging to the Wallasey district of 400. The increase in the number of inhabited houses for the year was 336, as compared with 231 in the previous year. In 1890 the number of deaths was 550, or 30 more than in 1889, thus giving a death-rate of 16.17% per annum as against 16% in the previous year. For England and Wales the death-rate was 19.2%. The urban death-rate was 20.1%, and in the rural districts 17.5%, so that the Wallasey death-rate is 4% below the average urban rate and 1.4% below the rural rate, while it is 3.1% below the English rate. Birkenhead has for 1890 a death-rate of 19.70%, and Liverpool 23.3%. The number of drowning cases for the past year was only 9, all those non-residents except one. Excluding these, the death rate is 15.94% Of the deaths, 269 were males and 290 females. The number of births was 953, compared with 957 in 1889, a decrease of 4. This gives the birth rate 28.02%, as against 29.44% in 1899. The national increase in the population, i.e., the excess of births over deaths, is therefore 403, as against 437 in the proceeding year. The birth rate for England and Wales in 1890 was 29.7%, against 30.5% in 1889, so that our birth rate was 1.7% below the general English rate. The English birth rate had steadily declined since 1876, when it was 36.3% per 1000. Of the births, 493 were males and 460 females. The report contains facts specifying the locality and number of diseases of various kinds. It appears that no cases of smallpox, typhus, relapsing fever, or cholera were notified. The hospital for infectious diseases in Mill Lane has done good service, 20 cases having been treated during the year. Dr. Craigmile concludes by drawing attention to the acquisition of a park on the Littledale estate, which it is expected will prove of the utmost benefit to the health of the district, and referring to the likelihood of a magnificent promenade, extending between Seacombe and New Brighton eventually.
Liverpool Mercury
Saturday, 2nd July, 1892
Tragedy At New Brighton
Great sensation was caused at New Brighton on Thursday by the discovery on the beach of the bodies of a woman and child, lying about high water mark. The discovery was made by two working men named Young and Bennett, who in passing along the shore at about six o'clock in the morning saw the remains at a spot beyond the Red Noses and to the north of the vessel known as "Noah's Ark". They were lying on a grey striped macintosh. The woman appeared to be about twenty-eight years of age, and the child, a boy about twelve months old, was lying across her breast. The woman was well clad in a maroon coloured dress, blue bodice. two flannel singlets, new chemise marked W. (or M.) Robinson, and black stockings. She had a morocco purse, which contained a return ticket from Liverpool to Southport, issued on Saturday last, a pawnticket for three rings issued on Wednesday by Mr. Mason, Liverpool, who lent 3s. upon the articles. On the woman's body was found a letter scribbled in pencil on a rough sheet of paper. It ran :- "This is mother and son. Home and friends all gone; nothing to live for. We have friends at this address, Greenhithe, Huddersfield. Whoever finds us let them know. Robinson." The bodies were conveyed to the deadhouse at the Magazines, awaiting identification. The infant, from the way in which it was lying when discovered, must have been actually drawing from its mother's breast at the time of death. The unfortunate woman is entirely unknown either in New Brighton or the neighbourhood. There is little doubt that the deceased crossed over from Liverpool to New Brighton some time during Wednesday. The police have communicated with the authorities at Huddersfield, with a view of finding either relatives or friends; also with the Coroner (Mr. H. Churton), who held the inquest yesterday (Friday).
Cheshire Observer
Saturday, 10th December, 1892
Sacrilege
When St. Paul's Church, Seacombe,, was opened for public service on Sunday morning it was discovered that the sacred edifice had been entered some time during the previous evening, and a considerable amount of damage had been done to the fittings and drapery. Entrance had been gained by the door being unlocked, but considering that the only thing taken was a small brass cross it is not believed that robbery was the object of the act. A curtain near the altar had been damaged as if cut by a knife. A window was also broken and a gas bracket torn from the wall.
Liverpool Mercury
Thursday, 11th April, 1895
The "Noah's Ark" Refreshment Rooms
Willaim Hayes, 35 Pleasant Street, Liscard, was summoned [before Wallasey Police Court] for permitting a nuisance to exist at "Noah's Ark" refreshment rooms on the New Brighton shore. Mr. Pugh appeared for the Wallasey District Council, and Mr. McConchie defended. A number of witnesses were called by. Mr. Pugh to show that a very foul smell proceeded from the interior of the "Ark", a vessel which had been stranded on the beach, and which is used as a refreshment room. In addition to the smells from the interior of the vessel there were also bad odours arising from the pools surrounding it. -- Mr. McConchie, for the defence, called witnesses, who stated that the smells from the vessel were no worse than those which arose from the decayed shell fish, &c., on other parts of the shore. He contended that the "Ark" was not "premises" under the Act, and did not come under the section. -- The Chairman said the bench had decided that the "Ark" was used as refreshment premises, and were also a nuisance. He thought the owner and the district council might come to terms. -- Mr. Danger : (law clerk to the council) said the defendant or his predecessors had brought the "Ark" there and ought to take it away. The negotiations to take it away had not been successful because the sum asked (£50) was considered too high. -- Mr. McConchie said that if the place was "premises" it was curious that the council had never rated them; and Mr Pugh in reply, pointed out that the council had control over the foreshore. -- Ultimately the Bench made an order that the "Ark" be removed within a period of two months.
Liverpool Mercury
Thursday, 4th July, 1895
The "Noah's Ark" Nuisance
William Hayes, 35 Pleasant Street, Liscard, was summoned [before Wallasey Police Court] for neglecting to carry out the order of the magistrates to remove the hulk called the Noah's Ark, lying on the shore at New Brighton. Mr. Bascombe, nuisance inspector, said nothing had been done since the case was last before the bench, except that a piece of the stern had been removed. The nuisance was now almost as bad as when the case was first brought up in April. Mr. W. Danger, clerk to the district council, said that a fortnight ago the bench imposed a nominal continuous penalty. The defendant said he had offered the wreck to the district council, and he could do no more. He had no means of removing it. Mr. Danger said the council would be willing to take the wreck and get rid of it, but for there being several owners. A little gunpowder would blow it up. The Chairman said the bench were proceeding by stages, and would continue to do so. Defendant would be fined 5s. per day for the 14 days covered by the summons, and 8s. 6d. costs -- £3. 18s. 6d. in all.