SHOWELL'S
Dictionary of Birmingham.
Danielites.—A tribe who eschew fish, flesh, and fowl, and
drink no alcohol; neither do they snuff, smoke, or chew tobacco. At a
fruit banquet, held on August, 1877, it was decided to organise a
"Garden of Danielites" in Birmingham.
Dates.—The most complete work giving the dates of all the
leading events in the world's history is "Haydn's Book of
Dates," the latest edition bringing them down to 1882. For local
events, the only "Local Book of Dates" published is that of
1874, but "Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham" (by the
same author), will be found to contain more reliable data than any
book hitherto issued. For information of a general character,
respecting the immediate neighbourhood and adjoining counties, our
readers cannot do better than refer to the files of Birmingham
newspapers, preserved in the Reference Library, or write to the
present editors of the said papers, gentlemen noted for their
urbanity, and readiness to tell anybody anything.
Dawson, George, See "Parsons, Preachers, and Priests," and
"Statues."
Deaf and Dumb Asylum.—See "Philanthropic Institutions."
Debating Societies.—From time immemorial the Brums have
had their little Parliaments, mostly in public-house parlours and
clubrooms, and certain Sunday nights gathering at "Bob
Edmonds" and other well-known houses have acquired quite an
historical interest; but the regularly-constituted "Spouting
Clubs" of the present day cannot claim a very long existence, the
Birmingham Debating Society having held their first palaver on the 3rd
of Dec., 1846. In 1855 they joined the Edgbastonians. The latest of
the kind started in 1884, is known as the Birmingham Parliamentary
Debating Society, and has its premier, parties, and political fights,
in proper Parliamentary style.
Deer Stealers.—There was a taste for venison in more
classes than one in 1765, for it was found necessary to offer rewards
for the detection of those persons who stole the deer from Aston Park.
Dental Hospital.—See "Hospitals."
Deodands.—Prior to the passing of 9 and 10 Vict., 1846,
Coroner's Juries had the power of imposing a "deodand"
or penalty on any article or animal which had been instrumental in
causing the death of a human being, the said animal or article being
forfeited if the owner did not pay.
Deritend.—In some antique records the name has been spelt
"Duratehend." For this and other reasons it has been thought
to have had its origin rather from the ancient British, as
"dur" is still the Welsh word for water, and its situation
on the Rea (a Gaelic word signifying a running stream) seems to give a
little foundation therefor. Mr. Tonlmin Smith, in whose family the
"Old Crown House" has descended from the time it was built,
and who, therefore, is no mean authority, was of opinion that the name
was formerly "Der-yat-end," or "Deer-Gate-End,"
from the belief that in ancient days there was here an ancient deer
forest. Leland said he entered the town by "Dirtey," so
perhaps after all Deritend only means "the dirty end." Like
the name of the town itself, as well as several other parts of it, we
can only guess at the origin.
Deritend Bridge.—Old records show that some centuries
back there was a bridge here of some sort, and occasionally we find
notes of payments made for repairs to the roads leading to the gates
of the bridge, or to the watchmen who had charge thereof, who appear
to have been in the habit of locking the gates at night, a procedure
which we fear our "Dirtyent" neighbours of to-day would be
inclined to resent. The Act for building the present bridge was
obtained in 1784; the work was commenced in 1789, but not completed
till 1814.
Dickens, Charles, made his first appearance amongst us at a
Polytechnic Conversazione held February 28, 1844, his last visit being
to distribute prizes to students of the Midland Institute, January 6,
1870. In December, 1854, he gave the proceeds of three
"Readings," amounting to £227, to the funds of the
Institute, in which he always took great interest.—See also
"Theatrical Notes,"
&c.
Digbeth, or Dyke Path, or Ducks' Bath, another puzzle to
the antiquarians. It was evidently a watery place, and the pathway lay
low, as may be seen at "Ye Olde Leather Bottel."
Dining Halls.—Our grandfathers were content to take their
bread and cheese by the cosy fireside of a public-house kitchen; this
was followed by sundry publicans reserving a better room, in which a
joint was served up for their "topping customers." One who
got into trouble and lost his license, conceived the idea of opposing
his successor, and started dining-rooms, sending out for beer as it
was required, but not to his old shop. This innovation took,
and when the railways began bringing in their streams of strangers,
these dining-rooms paid well (as several of the old ones do still).
The next step was the opening of a large room in Slaney Street (June
8, 1863), and another in Cambridge Street, with the imposing title of
"Dining Halls," wherein all who were hungry could be fed at
wholesale prices—provided they had the necessary cash. Our
people, however, are not sufficiently gregarious to relish this kind
of feeding in flocks, barrackroom fashion, and though the provisions
were good and cheap, the herding together of all sorts spoilt the
speculation, and Dining Halls closed when "Restaurants"
opened.—See "Luncheon
Bars."
Diocese.—Birmingham is in the diocese of Worcester, and
in the Archdeaconry of Coventry.
Directories.—The oldest Birmingham Directory known was
printed in 1770, but there had been one advertised a few years
earlier, and every now and then, after this date one or other of our
few printers ventured to issue what they called a directory, but the
procuring a complete list of all and every occupation carried on in
Birmingham appears to have been a feat beyond their powers, even sixty
years back. As far as they did go, however, the old directories are
not uninteresting, as they give us glimpses of trade mutations and
changes compared with the present time that appear strange now even to
our oldest inhabitants. Place for instance the directory of 1824 by
the side of White's directory for 1874 (one of the most valuable
and carefully compiled works of the kind yet issued). In the former we
find the names of 4,980 tradesmen, the different businesses under
which they are allotted numbering only 141; in 1874 the trades and
professions named tot up to 745, under which appears no less than
33,462 names. In 1824, if we are to believe the directory, there were
no factors here, no fancy repositories, no gardeners or florists, no
pearl button makers, no furniture brokers or pawnbrokers (!), no
newsagents, and, strange to say, no printer. Photographers and
electro-platers were unknown, though fifty years after showed 68 of
the one, and 77 of the latter. On the other hand, in 1824, there were
78 auger, awlblade and gimlet makers, against 19 in 1874; 14 bellows
makers, against 5; 36 buckle and 810 button makers, against 10 and
265; 52 edge tool makers and 176 locksmiths, against 18 of each in
1874; hinge-makers were reduced from 53 to 23; gilt toy makers, from
265 to 15. (Considering the immense quantity of gilt trifles now sent
out yearly, we can only account for these figures by supposing the
producers to have been entered under various other headings). Among
the trades that have vanished altogether, are steelyard makers, of
whom there were 19 in 1824; saw-makers, of whom there were 26;
tool-makers, of whom there were 79, and similorers, whatever they
might have been. Makers of the time-honoured snuffers numbered 46 in
1824, and there were even half-a-dozen manufacturers left at work in
1874. The introduction of gas-lighting only found employ, in the
first-named year, for three gasfitters; in 1874, there were close upon
100. Pewterers and manufacturers of articles in Britannia metal
numbered 75 in 1824, against 19 in 1874, wire-drawers in the same
period coming down from 237 to 56. The Directories of the past ten
years have degenerated into mere bulky tomes, cataloguing names
certainly, but published almost solely for the benefit (?) of those
tradesmen who can be coaxed into advertising in their pages. To such
an extent has this been carried, that it is well for all advertisers
to be careful when giving their orders, that they are dealing with an
established and respectable firm, more than one bogus Directory having
come under the notice of the writer during the past year or two. The
issue of a real Post Office Directory for 1882, for which the names,
trades, and addresses were to be gathered by the letter-carriers, and
no body of men could be more suitable for the work, or be better
trusted, was hailed by local tradesmen as a decided step in advance
(though little fault could be found with the editions periodically
issued by Kelly), but unfortunately the proposed plan was not
successfully carried out, and in future years the volume will be
principally valued as a curiosity, the wonderfully strange mistakes
being made therein of placing the honoured name of Sir Josiah Mason
under the head of "Next-of-Kin Enquiry Agents," and that,
too, just previous to the exposure of the numerous frauds carried out
by one of the so-called agents and its curiousness is considerably
enhanced by the fact that a like error had been perpetrated in a
recent edition of Kelly's Directory.
Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society in 1882 gave assistance
to 642 persons, at an average cost of 9s. 9-1/2d.
each—£315 19s. 4d. £161 16s. 5d. of this amount came
from the convicts' gratuities, while the cost of aiding and
helping them took £192 2s.
Dispensary.—Established in 1794; the first stone of the
building in Union Street was laid December 23, 1806, and it was opened
for the reception of patients early in 1808, the cost being about
£3,000. It has been one of the most valuable institutions of the
town, thousands receiving medical assistance every year, and is
supported by voluntary subscriptions. A branch Dispensary was opened
in Monument Road, Feb. 27, 1884. Provident Dispensaries, to which
members pay a small monthly sum for medicine and attendance, were
organised in 1878, the first branch being opened at Hockley in October
of that year. In the first fifteen months 3,765 individuals, paid
subscriptions, and about £577 was paid for drugs and doctors
fees. There are also branches at Camp Hill and Small Heath.
Dissenters.—In 1836 there were 45 places of worship
belonging to various denominations of Dissenters here; there are now
about 145.—See "Places
of Worship."
Distances from Birmingham to neighbouring places, county towns,
trade centres, watering places, &c. Being taken from the shortest
railway routes, this list may be used as a guide to the third-class
fares— Reckoned at 1d. per mile:—
|
|
Miles
|
|
Aberdare
|
111
|
|
Aberdeen
|
437½
|
|
Abergavenny
|
79
|
|
Abergele
|
109
|
|
Aberystwith
|
123½
|
|
Acock's Green
|
4¼
|
|
Albrighton
|
20
|
|
Alcester
|
24
|
|
Aldershot
|
111½
|
|
Alnwick
|
52½
|
|
Alrewas
|
26
|
|
Alton Towers
|
52½
|
|
Alvechurch
|
13½
|
|
Arbroath
|
310
|
|
Ashbourne
|
56¼
|
|
Ashby-de-la-Zouch
|
41½
|
|
Ashton-under-Lyne
|
84½
|
|
Aylesbury
|
84
|
|
Bala
|
94
|
|
Banbury
|
42
|
|
Bangor
|
135
|
|
Barmouth
|
116
|
|
Barnsley
|
95½
|
|
Barnstaple
|
181
|
|
Barnt Green
|
12
|
|
Barrow-in-Furness
|
160
|
|
Basingstoke 108½
|
118½
|
|
Bath
|
98½
|
|
Battersea
|
115½
|
|
Bedford
|
82
|
|
Beeston Castle
|
64½
|
|
Belper
|
50
|
|
Berkswell
|
13
|
|
Berwick
|
281
|
|
Bescot Junction
|
7½
|
|
Bettws-y-Coed
|
134
|
|
Bewdley
|
22½
|
|
Bilston
|
9½
|
|
Birkenhead
|
90
|
|
Blackburn
|
113
|
|
Blackpool
|
124
|
|
Bletchley
|
65½
|
|
Blisworth
|
49½
|
|
Bloxwich
|
10½
|
|
Bolton
|
95¼
|
|
Borth
|
113
|
|
Bournemouth
|
173
|
|
Bradford
|
120½
|
|
Brecon
|
95
|
|
Bredon
|
40½
|
|
Brettle Lane
|
12
|
|
Bridgnorth
|
20
|
|
Bridgewater
|
127
|
|
Brierley Hill
|
11½
|
|
Brighton
|
166
|
|
Bristol
|
94
|
|
Bromsgrove
|
16
|
|
Bromyard
|
41
|
|
Buckingham
|
70½
|
|
Builth Road
|
88
|
|
Burslem
|
49
|
|
Burton-on-Trent
|
32
|
|
Bury St Edmunds
|
133
|
|
Bushbury Jun'tion
|
13
|
|
Buxton
|
79
|
|
Cambridge
|
111½
|
|
Cannock
|
15½
|
|
Canterbury
|
175½
|
|
Cardiff
|
109
|
|
Carlisle
|
196
|
|
Carmarthen
|
187½
|
|
Carnarvon
|
143½
|
|
Castle Bromwich
|
5-3/4
|
|
Castle Douglas
|
248½
|
|
Chapel-en-le-Frith
|
89
|
|
Cheadle
|
77
|
|
Cheddar
|
115½
|
|
Chelsea
|
110
|
|
Cheltenham
|
49½
|
|
Chepstow
|
84
|
|
Chester
|
75
|
|
Chesterfield
|
65½
|
|
Chippenham
|
117
|
|
Chipping Norton
|
60
|
|
Chirk
|
62½
|
|
Church Stretton
|
54
|
|
Cinderford
|
83½
|
|
Cirencester
|
84½
|
|
Clapham Junction
|
113
|
|
Clay Cross
|
62
|
|
Cleobury Mortimer
|
29
|
|
Clifton Bridge
|
97
|
|
Coalbrookdale
|
30
|
|
Codsall
|
16½
|
|
Coleford
|
80
|
|
Coleshill
|
11½
|
|
Colwich
|
25½
|
|
Colwyn Bay
|
115
|
|
Congleton
|
58
|
|
Conway
|
120½
|
|
Coventry
|
18½
|
|
Cradley
|
9
|
|
Craven Arms
|
61½
|
|
Crewe Junction
|
54
|
|
Croydon
|
123
|
|
Crystal Palace
|
120
|
|
Darlaston
|
9½
|
|
Darlington
|
175½
|
|
Deepfields
|
9½
|
|
Denbigh
|
97
|
|
Derby
|
42½
|
|
Devizes
|
143½
|
|
Didcot
|
76
|
|
Dolgelly
|
106
|
|
Doncaster
|
96½
|
|
Dorchester
|
184
|
|
Dorking
|
133
|
|
Droitwich
|
23
|
|
Dublin
|
232
|
|
Dudley
|
8
|
|
Dumfries
|
229
|
|
Dundee
|
347
|
|
Dunstable
|
79
|
|
Durham
|
198
|
|
Edinburgh
|
297½
|
|
Elgin
|
450
|
|
Ely
|
127
|
|
Erdington
|
4½
|
|
Etruria
|
47
|
|
Evercreech Junct'n
|
121
|
|
Evesham
|
34
|
|
Exeter
|
170
|
|
Falmouth
|
286½
|
|
Farrington
|
87
|
|
Fearnall Heath
|
25
|
|
Fenny Compton
|
34½
|
|
Fenny Stratford
|
67
|
|
Festiniog
|
145
|
|
Filey
|
178
|
|
|
|
Miles
|
|
Fleetwood
|
126
|
|
Flint
|
87½
|
|
Folkestone
|
202
|
|
Forfar
|
304
|
|
Forge Mills
|
9
|
|
Four Ashes
|
19
|
|
Frome
|
138
|
|
Furness Abbey
|
158½
|
|
Garstang
|
115
|
|
Glasgow
|
286
|
|
Glastonbury
|
140
|
|
Gloucester
|
56½
|
|
Gosport
|
150
|
|
Gravelly Hill
|
3
|
|
Great Barr
|
4½
|
|
Great Bridge
|
7
|
|
Grimsby
|
136½
|
|
Guildford
|
120
|
|
Hagley
|
13½
|
|
Halesowen
|
9
|
|
Halifax
|
122½
|
|
Hanley
|
47½
|
|
Harborne
|
4
|
|
Harlech
|
126
|
|
Harrowgate
|
133
|
|
Harrow
|
101
|
|
Hartlebury
|
22
|
|
Hartlepool
|
186
|
|
Hastings
|
192½
|
|
Hatton
|
17¼
|
|
Haverfordwest
|
218½
|
|
Heath Town
|
12
|
|
Hednesford
|
17½
|
|
Henley-on-Thames
|
103
|
|
Hereford
|
57
|
|
Hertford
|
108
|
|
Higham Ferrers
|
69½
|
|
High Wycombe
|
95
|
|
Hitchin
|
92
|
|
Holyhead
|
159¼
|
|
Holywell
|
91½
|
|
Huddersfield
|
105½
|
|
Hull
|
134
|
|
Ilfracombe
|
195
|
|
Inverness
|
490
|
|
Ipswich
|
167
|
|
Ironbridge
|
30
|
|
James Bridge
|
9
|
|
Jedburgh
|
263
|
|
Keighley
|
116½
|
|
Kendal
|
148
|
|
Kenilworth
|
21
|
|
Kidderminster
|
18½
|
|
Kilmarnock
|
278½
|
|
Kings Heath
|
5
|
|
Kings Norton
|
6
|
|
Kingstown
|
226
|
|
Kingswood
|
13
|
|
Knowle
|
10½
|
|
Lancaster
|
127½
|
|
Langley Green
|
5¼
|
|
Leamington
|
21
|
|
Ledbury
|
43
|
|
Leeds
|
115
|
|
Leicester
|
39½
|
|
Leominster
|
80
|
|
Lichfield
|
18
|
|
Lincoln
|
91½
|
|
Liverpool
|
97½
|
|
Llanberis
|
143
|
|
Llandudno
|
123
|
|
Llanelly
|
167½
|
|
Llangollen
|
72½
|
|
Llanrwst
|
131
|
|
Llanymynech
|
69
|
|
London
|
113
|
|
Longton
|
48
|
|
Loughborough
|
50
|
|
Lowestoft
|
201
|
|
Ludlow
|
69½
|
|
Lydney
|
79
|
|
Lye Waste
|
10½
|
|
Lynn
|
135
|
|
Macclesfield
|
66
|
|
Machynllyth
|
101
|
|
Maidenhead
|
105½
|
|
Maidstone
|
175½
|
|
Malvern (Great)
|
36½
|
|
Manchester
|
85
|
|
Margate
|
187
|
|
Market Bosworth
|
27-1
|
|
Market Drayton
|
48
|
|
Market Harboro'
|
46
|
|
Marlborough
|
133½
|
|
Marston Green
|
6½
|
|
Maryport
|
224
|
|
Matlock Bath
|
59
|
|
Menai Bridge
|
136
|
|
Merthyr
|
111½
|
|
Middlesbro'
|
176
|
|
Milford Haven
|
228
|
|
Milverton
|
21
|
|
Mold
|
87
|
|
Monmouth
|
96½
|
|
Montrose
|
401
|
|
Moreton-in-Marsh
|
46
|
|
Moseley
|
3-3/4
|
|
Much Wenlock
|
33
|
|
Nantwich
|
56
|
|
Neath
|
105½
|
|
Netherton
|
8
|
|
Newark
|
71½
|
|
Newcastle-on-Tyne
|
215
|
|
Nwcstle-udr-Lyme
|
47½
|
|
Newmarket
|
126
|
|
Newport (Salop)
|
39
|
|
Newport (Mon)
|
101
|
|
Newton Road
|
5
|
|
Newton Stewart
|
278
|
|
Northallerton
|
160
|
|
Northampton
|
49
|
|
Northfield
|
8-3/4
|
|
North Shields
|
216½
|
|
Norwich
|
181
|
|
Nottingham
|
58
|
|
Nuneaton
|
20
|
|
Oakengates
|
28½
|
|
Oldbury
|
5½
|
|
Oldham
|
85
|
|
Olton
|
5
|
|
Oswestry
|
62½
|
|
Oxford
|
66
|
|
Paisley
|
286
|
|
Pelsall
|
11
|
|
Pembroke Dock
|
175
|
|
Penkridge
|
22-3/4
|
|
Penmaenmawr
|
125
|
|
Penrith
|
178
|
|
Penzance
|
302
|
|
|
|
Miles
|
|
Perry Barr
|
4
|
|
Pershore
|
43½
|
|
Perth
|
344
|
|
Peterborough
|
96½
|
|
Plymouth
|
222½
|
|
Pontypool
|
90
|
|
Port Dinorwic
|
139
|
|
Portishead
|
105½
|
|
Portmadoc
|
134
|
|
Portsmouth
|
162½
|
|
Prestatyn
|
101
|
|
Princes End
|
9½
|
|
Prollheli
|
138
|
|
Queen's Ferry
|
82
|
|
Ramsgate
|
192½
|
|
Reading
|
93
|
|
Redcar
|
189
|
|
Redditch
|
17
|
|
Reigate
|
138½
|
|
Rhyl
|
105
|
|
Rickmansworth
|
98
|
|
Rochdale
|
104½
|
|
Ross
|
70
|
|
Rotherham
|
88
|
|
Round Oak
|
10½
|
|
Rowsley
|
63½
|
|
Ruabon
|
67½
|
|
Rugby
|
80½
|
|
Rugeley
|
21½
|
|
Runcorn
|
75
|
|
Ruthin
|
116
|
|
Ryde
|
160
|
|
St Alban's
|
101
|
|
St Asaph
|
111
|
|
St Helens
|
85½
|
|
St Leonard's
|
190½
|
|
Salford Priors
|
28
|
|
Salisbury
|
157½
|
|
Saltburn
|
191
|
|
Sandbach
|
58½
|
|
Scarboro'
|
173
|
|
Selly Oak
|
2½
|
|
Sharpness
|
75
|
|
Sheffield
|
79
|
|
Shepton Mallett
|
152
|
|
Shifnal
|
25
|
|
Shrewsbury
|
42
|
|
Shustoke
|
12
|
|
Smethwick
|
3½
|
|
Solihull
|
6½
|
|
Southampton
|
139
|
|
Southport
|
107½
|
|
South Shields
|
209
|
|
Spon Lane
|
4½
|
|
Stafford
|
29
|
|
Stamford
|
72
|
|
Stechford
|
3½
|
|
Stirchley Street
|
3½
|
|
Stirling
|
336
|
|
Stockport
|
79
|
|
Stoke
|
45½
|
|
Stokes Bay
|
150
|
|
Stourbridge
|
13½
|
|
Stourport
|
22
|
|
Stranraer
|
301
|
|
Stratford-on-Avon
|
26
|
|
Stroud
|
70
|
|
Sunderland
|
208
|
|
Sutton Coldfield
|
7
|
|
Swansea
|
156½
|
|
Swan Village
|
5½
|
|
Swindon
|
100
|
|
Tamworth
|
18
|
|
Taunton
|
138½
|
|
Teignmouth
|
184
|
|
Tenbury
|
38
|
|
Tewkesbury
|
44½
|
|
Thirsk
|
151
|
|
Thrapstone
|
75½
|
|
Tipton
|
8
|
|
Torquay
|
195½
|
|
Towcester
|
54
|
|
Trefnant
|
113
|
|
Trentham
|
43
|
|
Trowbridge
|
128
|
|
Truro
|
275½
|
|
Tunbridge Wells
|
165
|
|
Tunstall
|
47
|
|
Tutbury
|
37
|
|
Ulverstone
|
152
|
|
Uppingham
|
61½
|
|
Upton-on-Severn
|
49
|
|
Uttoxeter
|
45¼
|
|
Uxbridge
|
118
|
|
Wakefield
|
101½
|
|
Wallingford
|
84¼
|
|
Walsall
|
8
|
|
Warminster
|
120
|
|
Warrington
|
78
|
|
Warwick
|
21½
|
|
Water Orton
|
7½
|
|
Wednesbury
|
8
|
|
Wednesfield
|
12
|
|
Weedon
|
42
|
|
Welshpool
|
61
|
|
Wellington
|
32
|
|
Wells
|
123
|
|
Wem
|
52
|
|
West Bromwich
|
4
|
|
Weston-supr-Mare
|
114
|
|
Weymouth
|
191
|
|
Whitacre Junction
|
10½
|
|
Whitby
|
187
|
|
Whitchurch
|
51
|
|
Whitehaven
|
193
|
|
Wigan
|
91
|
|
Willenhall
|
11
|
|
Willesden Junction
|
107
|
|
Wilnecote
|
16½
|
|
Wincanton
|
130
|
|
Winchester
|
127
|
|
Windermere
|
156
|
|
Windsor
|
113
|
|
Winson Green
|
2½
|
|
Wirksworth
|
56
|
|
Witton
|
3½
|
|
Woburn Sands
|
70
|
|
Wokingham
|
100
|
|
Wolverhampton
|
12
|
|
Wolverton
|
60
|
|
Worcester
|
27½
|
|
Worthington
|
50
|
|
Wrexham
|
72
|
|
Wylde Green
|
6
|
|
Yarmouth
|
201
|
|
Yeovil
|
152
|
|
York
|
130½
|
|
Dogs.—A 5s. duty on dogs came into force April 5, 1867;
raised to 7s. 6d. in June, 1878; This was not the first tax of the
kind, for a local note of the time says that in 1796 "the fields
and waters near the town were covered with the dead carcases of dogs
destroyed by their owners to avoid payment of the tax." The
amount paid per year at present for "dog licenses" in
Birmingham is about £1,800. The using of dogs as beasts of
burden (common enough now abroad) was put a stop to in London at the
end of Oct. 1840, though it was not until 1854 that the prohibition
became general. Prior to the passing of the Act in that year, dogs
were utilised as draught animals to a very great extent in this
neighbourhood by the rag-and-bone gatherers, pedlars, and little
merchants, as many as 180 of the poor brutes once being counted in
five hours as passing a certain spot on the Westbromwich Road. There
have been one or two "homes" for stray dogs opened, but it
is best in case of a loss of this kind to give early information at
the nearest police station, as the art of dog stealing has latterly
been much cultivated in this town, and it should be considered a duty
to one's neighbour to aid in putting a stop thereto.
Dog Shows.—The first local Dog Show was held in 1860, but
it was not until the opening in Curzon Hall, December 4, 1865, that
the Show took rank as one of the "yearly institutions" of
the town.—See "Exhibitions."
Domesday Books.—The so-called Domesday Book, compiled by
order of William the Norman Conqueror, has always been considered a
wonderful work, and it must have taken some years compiling. Some
extracts touching upon the holders of land in this neighbourhood have
already been given, and in a sense they are very interesting, showing
as they do the then barrenness of the land, and the paucity of
inhabitants. Though in Henry VIII.'s reign an inventory of all
properties in the hands of Churchmen was taken, it did not include the
owners of land in general, and it was not till Mr. John Bright in 1873
moved for the Returns, that a complete register of the kind was made.
It would not be easy, even if space could be given to it, to give the
list of individuals, companies, and corporation who claim to be
possessors of the land we live on in Birmingham and neighbourhood; but
a summary including the owners in this and adjoining counties may be
worth preserving. As will be seen by the annexed figures, Warwick and
Stafford rank high in the list of counties having large numbers of
small owners (small as to extent of ground, though often very valuable
from the erections thereon). There can be no doubt that the Freehold
Land and Building Societies have had much to do with this, and as
Birmingham was for years the headquarters of these Societies, the fact
of there being nearly 47,000 persons in the county (out of a total
population of 634,189) who own small plots under one acre, speaks well
for the steady perseverance of the Warwickshire lads. That we are not
wrong in coming to this conclusion is shown by the fact that leaving
out the Metropolitan Counties, Warwick heads, in this respect, all the
shires in the kingdom.
|
WARWICKSHIRE.
|
|
Owners of
|
Numbr. Acres
|
Extent of lands.
|
Gross estimated rental. £
|
|
Less than 1 acre
|
46894
|
5883
|
1808897
|
|
acre and under 10
|
1956
|
7727
|
93792
|
|
10 acres " " 50
|
1328
|
31485
|
114243
|
|
50 " " 100
|
447
|
31904
|
76178
|
|
100 " " 500
|
667
|
137372
|
398625
|
|
500 " " 1000
|
82
|
55542
|
134005
|
|
1000 " " 2000
|
47
|
67585
|
208718
|
|
2000 " " 5000
|
34
|
100185
|
275701
|
|
5000 " " 10000
|
8
|
53380
|
90848
|
|
10000 " " 20000
|
4
|
49953
|
74085
|
|
No areas given
|
49
|
--
|
43205
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
51516
|
541021
|
3318303
|
|
STAFFORDSHIRE.
|
|
Owners of
|
Numbr. Acres
|
Extent of lands.
|
Gross estimated rental. £
|
|
Less than 1 acre
|
33672
|
4289
|
974133
|
|
1 acre and under 10
|
4062
|
14164
|
252714
|
|
10 acres " " 50
|
1891
|
44351
|
224505
|
|
50 " " 100
|
544
|
39015
|
124731
|
|
100 " " 500
|
557
|
111891
|
881083
|
|
500 " " 1000
|
90
|
62131
|
177372
|
|
1000 " " 2000
|
79
|
70637
|
278562
|
|
2000 " " 5000
|
28
|
90907
|
219792
|
|
5000 " " 10000
|
13
|
82560
|
136668
|
|
10000 " " 20000
|
7
|
96700
|
212526
|
|
20000 " " 50000
|
1
|
21433
|
41560
|
|
No areas given
|
2456
|
--
|
606552
|
|
No rentals returned
|
1
|
2
|
--
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
43371
|
638084
|
3630254
|
|
WORCESTERSHIRE.
|
|
Owners of
|
Numbr. Acres
|
Extent of lands.
|
Gross estimated rental. £
|
|
Less than 1 acre .......160[**]
|
8
|
4733
|
444945
|
|
1 acre and under 10
|
2790
|
10136
|
151922
|
|
10 acres " 50
|
1305
|
31391
|
138517
|
|
50 " " 100
|
457
|
32605
|
92257
|
|
100 " " 500
|
589
|
118187
|
258049
|
|
500 " " 1000
|
66
|
46420
|
122817
|
|
1000 " " 2000
|
34
|
46794
|
89267
|
|
2000 " " 5000
|
25
|
78993
|
131886
|
|
5000 " " 10000
|
5
|
33353
|
54611
|
|
10000 " " 20000
|
3
|
38343
|
88703
|
|
No areas given
|
522
|
--
|
112107
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
21804
|
441061
|
1685735
|
Duddeston Hall, and the Holte Family.—The first record of
this family we have is towards the close of the thirteenth century
when we find mention of Sir Henry Holte, whose son, Hugh del Holte,
died in 1322. In 1331 Simon del Holte, styled of Birmingham, purchased
the manor of Nechells "in consideration of xl li of
silver." In 1365 John atte Holte purchased for "forty
marks" the manor of Duddeston, and two years later he became
possessed by gift of the manor of Aston. For many generations the
family residence was at Duddeston, though their burial place was at
Aston, in which church are many of their monuments, the oldest being
that of Wm. Holte, who died September 28, 1514. That the Holtes,
though untitled, were men of mark, may be seen by the brass in the
North Aisle of Aston Church to the memory of Thomas Holte,
"Justice of North Wales, and Lord of this town of Aston,"
who died March 23, 1545. His goods and chattels at his death were
valued at £270 6s. 2d.—a very large sum in those days, and
from the inventory we find that the Hall contained thirteen sleeping
apartments, viz., "the chambur over the buttrie, the chappel
chambur, the maydes' chambur, the great chambur, the inner
chambur, to the great chambur, the yatehouse chambur, the inner
chambur to the same, the geston chambur, the crosse chambur, the inner
chambur to the same, the clark's chambur the yoemen's chambur,
and the hyne's chambur." The other apartments were "the
hawle, the plece, the storehouse, the galarye, the butterye, the
ketchyn, the larderhowse, the dey-howse, the bakhowse, the bultinge
howse, and the yeling howse," —the "chappell"
being also part of the Hall. The principal bedrooms were hung with
splendid hangings, those of the great chamber being "of gaye
colors, blewe and redde," the other articles in accordance
therewith, the contents of this one room being valued at xiij li. xiv.
s. iiijd. (£13 14s. 4d.) The household linen comprised "22
damaske and two diapur table clothes" worth 4s.; ten dozen table
napkins (40s.); a dozen "fyne towells," 20s.; a dozen
"course towells" 6s. 8d.; thirty pair "fyne
shetes" £5; twenty-three pair "course shetes"
£3; and twenty-six "pillow beres" 20/-. The kitchen
contained "potts, chafornes, skymmers, skellets, cressets,
gredires, frying pannys, chfying dishes, a brazon morter with a
pestell, stone morters, strykinge knives, broches, racks, brandards,
cobberds, pot-hangings, hocks, a rack of iron, bowles, and
payles." The live stock classed among the "moveable goods,
consisted of 19 oxen, 28 kyne, 17 young beste, 24 young calves, 12
gots, 4 geldings, 2 mares, 2 naggs and a colte, 229 shepe, 12 swyne, a
crane, a turkey cok, and a henne with 3 chekyns"—the lot
being valued at £86 0s. 8d. Sir Thomas's marriage with a
daughter of the Winnington's brought much property into the
family, including lands, &c., "within the townes, villages,
and fields of Aston, next Byrmyngham, and Wytton, Mellton Mowlberye
(in Leicestershire), Hanseworthe (which lands did late belonge to the
dissolved chambur of Aston), and also the Priory, or Free Chappell of
Byrmyngham, with the lands and tenements belonging thereto, within
Byrmyngham aforesaid, and the lordship or manor of the same, within
the lordship of Dudeston, together with the lands and tenements,
within the lordship of Nechells, Salteley, sometime belonging to the
late dissolved Guild of Derytenne," as well as lands at
"Horborne, Haleshowen, Norfielde and Smithewicke." His son
Edward, who died in 1592, was succeeded by Sir Thomas Holte (born in
1571; died December, 1654), and the most prominent member of the
family. Being one of the deputation to welcome James I. to England, in
1603, he received the honour of knighthood; in 1612 he purchased an
"Ulster baronetcy," at a cost of £1,095 [this brought
the "red hand" into his shield]; and in 1599 he purchased
the rectory of Aston for nearly £2,000. In April, 1618, he
commenced the erection of Aston Hall, taking up his abode there in
1631, though it was not finished till April, 1635. In 1642 he was
honoured with the presence of Charles I., who stopped at the Hall
Sunday and Monday, October 16 and 17. [At the battle of Edge Hill
Edward Holt, the eldest son, was wounded—he died from fever on
Aug. 28, 1643, during the siege of Oxford, aged 43] The day after
Christmas, 1643, the old squire was besieged by about 1,200
Parliamentarians from Birmingham (with a few soldiers), but having
procured forty musketeers from Dudley Castle, he held the Hall till
the third day, when, having killed sixty of his assailants and lost
twelve of his own men, he surrendered. The Hall was plundered and he
was imprisoned, and what with fines, confiscations, and compounding,
his loyalty appears to have cost him nearly £20,000. Sir Thomas
had 15 children, but outlived them all save one. He was succeeded in
his title by his grandson, Sir Robert, who lived in very straightened
circumstances, occasioned by the family's losses during the Civil
War, but by whose marriage with the daughter of Lord Brereton the
Cheshire property came to his children. He died Oct. 3, 1679, aged 54,
and was followed by Sir Charles, who had twelve children and lived
till June 15, 1722, his son, Sir Clobery, dying in a few years after
(Oct. 24, 1729). Sir Lister Holte, the next baronet, had no issue,
though twice married, and he was succeeded (April 8, 1770), by his
brother, Sir Charles, with whom the title expired (March 12, 1782),
the principal estates going with his daughter and only child, to the
Bracebridge family, as well as a dowry of £20,000. In 1817, an
Act of Parliament was obtained for the settlement and part disposal of
the whole of the property of this time-honoured and wealthy
family—the total acreage being 8,914a. 2r. 23p, and the then
annual rental £16,557 Os. 9d.—the Aston estate alone
extending from Prospect Row to beyond Erdington Hall, and from
Nechells and Saltley to the Custard House and Hay Mill Brook. Several
claims have been put forward by collateral branches, both to the title
and estates, but the latter were finally disposed of in 1849, when
counsel's opinion was given in favour of the settlements made by
Sir Lister Holte, which enabled the property to be disposed of. The
claimants to the title have not yet proved their title thereto, sundry
registers and certificates of ancient baptisms and marriages being
still wanting.
Duddeston Ward Hall.—The name tells what it is for. The
first stone was laid Dec. 15, 1877; it was opened June 1, 1878; will
seat about 300, and cost £3,500, which was found by a limited
Co.
Dungeon.—This very appropriate name
was given to the old gaol formerly existing in Peck Lane. A writer, in
1802, described it as a shocking place, the establishment consisting
of one day room, two underground dungeons (in which sometimes
half-a-dozen persons had to sleep), and six or seven night-rooms, some
of them constructed out of the Gaoler's stables. The prisoners
were allowed 4d. per day for bread and cheese, which they had to buy
from the keeper, who, having a beer license, allowed outsiders to
drink with his lodgers. This, and the fact that there was but one day
room for males and females alike, leaves but little to be imagined as
to its horrible, filthy condition. Those who could afford to pay 2s.
6d. a week were allowed a bed in the gaoler's house, but had to
put up with being chained by each wrist to the sides of the bedsteads
all night, and thus forced to lie on their backs. The poor wretches
pigged it in straw on the floors of the night rooms. See also
"Gaols" and
"Prisons."
Dwarfs.—The first note we have of the visit here of one
of these curiosities of mankind is that of Count Borulawski, in 1783:
though but 39 inches high it is recorded that he had a sister who
could stand under his arm. The next little one, Manetta Stocker, a
native of Austria, came here in 1819, and remained with us, there
being a tombstone in St. Philip's churchyard bearing this
inscription:—
In Memory of MANETTA STOCKER, Who quitted this life the fourth day
of May, 1819, at the age of thirty-nine years. The smallest woman
in this kingdom, and one of the most accomplished. She was not more
than thirty-three inches high. She was a native of Austria.
General Tom Thumb (Charles Stratton) was exhibited at Dee's Royal
Hotel, in September, 1844, when he was about ten years old, and
several times after renewed the acquaintance. He was 31 inches high,
and was married to Miss Warren, a lady of an extra inch. The couple
had offspring, but the early death of the child put an end to
Barnum's attempt to create a race of dwarfs. Tom Thumb died in
June 1883. General Mite who was exhibited here last year, was even
smaller than Tom Thumb, being but 21 inches in height. Birmingham,
however, need not send abroad for specimens of this kind, "Robin
Goodfellow" chronicling the death on Nov. 27, 1878, of a poor
unfortunate named Thomas Field, otherwise the "Man-baby,"
who, though twenty-four years of age, was but 30 inches high and
weighed little over 20lbs., and who had never walked or talked. The
curious in such matters may, on warm, sunny mornings, occasionally
meet, in the neighbourhood of Bromsgrove Street, a very intelligent
little man not much if any bigger than the celebrated Tom Thumb, but
who has never been made a show of.
Dynamite Manufacture.—See "Notable Offences."
