NTH Mercury

(1) A subscription has been opened for raising a fund for the relief of the poor at Moulton, near Northampton. The following is a list of subscribers, with sums subscribed:-

(2) Commenting on the above, the Editor observes – “At this inclement season of year when provisions of every kind are so dear, and the comforts of the lower class of people thereby become naturally affected, the inhabitants of Moulton, near this town, with a spirit of liberality and beneficence that does them no small credit, have entered into a voluntary subscription towards the relief of their poor neighbours, by which they have raised nearly the sum of £50. (see the 2d page), to which further additions are still expected. A laudable example this, and well worthy the imitation of neighbouring parishes.”[1]

(3) “Collected towards the relief of the poor of the parish of Cold Ashby, near Welford, the sum of £15 18s. 6d. This includes a subscription from

(4) DIED On the 30^th ult at Moulton, near this town, Mr Jeremiah Perrin aged 78 He was the Senior Sheriff’s Officer in the County.”
The following advertisement also appeared:-

On Tuesday next, the 10^th of February instant, on the premises at MOULTON, Northamptonshire

THE LIVE STOCK, FARMING UTENSILS, HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE, and Sundry Effects, late the property of Mr Jeremiah Perrin[2] deceased; Comprising two In Calv’d Cows; two horses, a Waggon, Cart and seven odd wheels; Ploughs, Harrows, Hovel, Timber, Lead Horse Trough, Old Iron &c.

“The Household Furniture consists of Feather and Flock Beds, Blankets, Rugs, and Eight pair of Home-Spun Sheets; Brass and Pewter; Chairs, Tables and Drawers; a Beaufet; Thirty-hour Clock; Kitchen Grate and Wind-up Jack; a Forty-gallon Copper; Working Tubs and Beer Casks; with Sundry other useful Articles.

“The Sale, on account of the Number of Lots, to begin at Nine o’clock in the morning, as the Whole is intended to be disposed of that Day.”

“The oldest inhabitants have no recollection of so great a flood as the late thaw produced in all parts of the county. In this town, the lower apartments of most of the houses in the South-Quarter were filled with water. Such was the height of the water at the stream that crosses the road between Boughton and Pitsford Lordships (a place where no impediment of this kind ever happened before), that none of the coaches or other carriages could pass it on Monday Evening – a team of five valuable horses, belonging to Mrs Francis of Hanging Houghton, in endeavouring to cross with a wagon returning from hence, were driven by the rapidity of the current under the arch of a small bridge erected for foot passengers; one of them by plunging fortunately extricated himself; but the driver not being able to afford the least assistance to the others, they were all drowned.

This stream was long considered the one whence Moulton derived its name (Mol-ton), but it is scarcely correct to say this. It rises in a field of 8 acres belonging to Holcot parish, at a height of 418ft above the sea; passes Moulton Church in the first mile of its course, and is then 310ft above ordnance datum; thence flows into the Moulton Sheep-brook (298ft), and on to Moulton Mill, Boughton Park, and Brampton parish, joining the Nene near the Railway Bridge.

“Sums collected towards the relief of the poor of the parish of Kingsthorpe, near this town, and distributed in bread, meat, fuel and clothing, £101 7s. 5d.

“A report having been propagated that the BELL FOUNDING BUSINESS was DECLINED at LEICESTER; to convince the Public that such Report is without Foundation.

“Takes the Liberty to say, that he completed a Peal of Bells, at Thornby, also at Hungerton since November, 1794, with new Frames and Hanging Materials, both in this county: cast a Peal of five Bells, made new Frames, Hangings, etc., and put up in the new Church at Kinoulton, Nottinghamshire, which were opened by the Hinckley Ringers on Thursday the 12^th of this month, and gave general satisfaction; has now in Hand Bells for four parishes in three counties, viz. Warwickshire, Staffordshire and Leicestershire.

“He also continues to make Church Clocks and Chimes; Weighing Machines, of all sizes, to weigh from one to eight tons, with or without Weights; likewise makes and repairs Engines to extinguish fires, Garden Engines, and Portable Pumps, useful in Navigation, etc.

“N.B. – All Sorts of Smiths Work and Brass Founding executed at his Foundry, as usual. “

It was in consequence of this advertisement that Moulton Bells were re-cast by Edward Arnold in 1795.

“WANTED, ONE FIT AND ABLE-BODIED MAN for the Service in His Majesty’s NAVY. – A LARGE and HANDSOME BOUNTY, and every possible Encouragement, will be given to the first Gallant Young Man, who will come forth in so glorious a Cause to protect his Sweethearts and all the Fair Sex from that daring and infidious Enemy the French. Besides the large Bounty and his Share of Thousands of Prize Money, he will receive Five Shillings and Seven-pence half-penny per Week, and maintained, at the expense of the Government, like a Nobleman.

“Application is desired to be made immediately to Henry Rabbich, of Moulton, near Northampton.”

Henry Rabbich was Master of the Moulton Workhouse. He died in 1804, the entry of his burial being thus recorded in the parish registers: “1804 Henry Rabbich (Master of the Workhouse), July 18” In the churchwarden’s accounts for 1795 an interesting item occurs with reference to this person:

“1795 Nov 11. Paid Henry Rabbich towards his expenses and trouble with the Bells and Bell-founder 10s.”

“THE Creditors of John MACKOWEN late of MOULTON, in the county of Northampton, art desired to meet at the Chequer, in Moulton, on Thursday 4^th of June next, at the Hour of Two in the afternoon, to make Claim of their respective Debts; in Order that there may be a Dividend made of the Estate and Effects belonging to the above-mentioned John Mackowen, as he is willing to deliver up all to be appropriated to the Use above-named: And all Persons that are indebted to the above-named John Mackowen, are desired to pay the same, or they will be sued without further Notice.

The Northampton Mercury, Friday, January 24, 1896

“W CHOWN respectfully begs Leave to acquaint his Friends that his SCHOOL will be open after the present Recess, on the 13^th of July instant.

“The exigency of the Times has obliged W. C. to advance his Terms, (during the present high Price of Provisions,) one Pound per annum, in addition to his usual Terms.

William Chown, the Moulton “Schoolmaster Poet” was the author of “Original Miscellaneous Poems, on Moral, Religious and Entertaining Subjects” published 1818. In the paraish registers are the following entries relating to his family:-

“1753 William son of William and Susannah Chown [Baptised] Nov. 11.”
“1798 Susannah wife of William Chown [Buried] Dec 30.”
“1819 [Burials] William Chown, School Master, Moulton, aged 65, Mar 31”

“Collected for the benefit of the General Infirmary after sermons preached at Moulton £10 13 6.

The Clerk of the Peace (Christopher Smyth) issued the following certificates to inhabitants of Moulton:-

“Sept. 3d Barber, William, Moulton, Gent
“Sept 15^th, Garlick, John, Moulton, Gent
“Aug 22d Marsh, John, Moulton, Gent”

Certificates under the “NORTHAMPTONSHIRE GAME DUTY,” were this day advertised as granted to the following persons:-

“Danes, William, gamekeeper of Joseph Walker, Gent. for the Manor of Moulton Park. Sept 5.
“Marsh, Willia, Moulton, Gamekeeper of John Marsh, Gent, for the manor of Moulton, Aug 22.

Mr John Merry, of Moulton Mill, sent the following letter to the Editor of the “Mercury,” in reply to a statement made on October 3^rd respecting the price of Flour.

“My Motives for troubling you with this, are to corroborate the Truth of the Statement in your last Paper respecting the Quantity of flour produced by a Load of Wheat, and the proportionate Price of Flour from the given Price of Grain; (correcting what I deem a mistake, when it is said, that fine flour should be sold at 19d. per Gallon, and that Flour to make Wheaten Bread at 18d per Gallon. now I always understood that Wheaten Bread was made of fine Flour, and therefore standard, or Household Bread, should be substituted for Wheaten) and I now pronounce from Experience that the Profits arising from the said Statement are sufficient. I cannot but express my astonishment that there should be Persons so guided by Motives of self interest in the present state of Things, as not to be contented with a moderate Profit; especially in retailing the necessary Provisions of Life; And in thus bearing my Testimony against Extortion, Injustice and Oppression. I would call upon my Countrymen of all Ranks and Degrees to pay more attention to that Golden and Universal Rule or Right to “do unto all men as they would they should do unto them:” whereby their own true interest will be promoted, their loyalty to their King better express’d, their Love to their country confirmed, and the comfort and happiness of their fellow creatures increased. I am Sirs

Plain John Merry was one of the kindest of men, who “possessed no contemptible powers of versification,” and earned the title of “Bard of Moulton Mill.” His poems (“Miscellaneous Pieces”) were published in 1823 by his son, W. C. B. Merry. Born 1756, married 1784, buried 1821.

“Marriages 1784. John Merry and Alice Clarke Barber, by Licence, July 20.
“Burials 1821. John Merry, Senior, Northampton, aged 65, Sep 16
“Burials 1824. Alice Clarke Merry, Northampton, aged 70, Sep. 24.

[DIED] On Wednesday last [Oct. 28^th; buried Nov 1] at Moulton, near this town, Mr John Lowick, a respectable farmer, who, by honesty, industry, and economy, had acquired a considerable fortune.”

John Lowick was Vicar’s churchwarden in 1751 and 1761 and Parish Warden in 1788.

“A NEW PEAL of SIX BELLS will be opened at MOULTON, near Northampton, in the Feast Week, cast by Mr EDWARD ARNOLD, of Leicester. The Particulars will be given in next Week’s Paper.”

“On Monday and Tuesday next [Nov 9^th & 10^th] will be RUNG for at MOULTON, near Northampton, SIX HATS each Day – Six-bell Peals. – To meet in the Church-Yard each Day at Nine o’Clock in the morning.

“N.B. – There will be an ordinary provided each Day at all the Public Houses.
“Moulton November 7, 1795

“On Monday the 9^th instant was opened, at the parish church of Moulton, in this County, a new peal of six bells, cast by Mr Edward Arnold, of Leicester; they are allowed to be of a most musicaland harmonious tone, and they gave the greatest satisfaction to numerous hearers assembled upon the occasion.”

This was the last reference to Moulton appearing in the “Northampton Mercury” of 1795. The bells were recast at a cost of £116 2s. 7d. (Arnold’s Bill ran up to £104 7s. and the Vicar (Rev William Stanton M.A.) has made this memorandum in the Registers, under Burials 1795”:-

“This Year the Parish were at a considerable expense in a new set of Bells, which prove very musical, and are very much admired, being much lighter than the old ones. The old set consisted only of five Bells, the Tenor of which being cracked in ringing, it was determined to have a fresh set of six – which if kept in good condition, are likely to do great credit to the Founder, who is Mr Arnold, of Leicester.”

Second: REVD. WM. STANTON, VICAR. WM PELL, MOULTON LODGE & CLARK PAGE BARBER, CHURCHWARDENS. E. A. 1795.

Third: REVD. WM. STANTON, VICAR. WM PELL, MOULTON LODGE & CLARK PAGE BARBER, CHURCHWARDENS. E. A. 1795.

Fourth: REVD. WM. STANTON, VICAR. WM PELL, MOULTON LODGE & CLARK PAGE BARBER, CHURCHWARDENS. E. A. 1795.

Fifth: REVD. WM. STANTON, VICAR. WM PELL, MOULTON LODGE & CLARK PAGE BARBER, CHURCHWARDENS. E. ARNOLD, LEICESTER. FECIT 1795.

Tenor: I TO THE CHURCH THE LIVING CALL AND TO THE GRAVE DO SUMMON ALL. E. ARNOLD, LEICESTER. FECIT 1795.

Arnold’s Bill, discovered April 24, 1895, is dated Oct 30^th, 1795, and addressed “To the Churchwardens of Moulton.” The Items are as follows:-

“To a new Peel of Six Bells, weight 53cwt. 2qrs. 2lbs.
Rec’d 5 old Bells, wt 79cwt. 0qtrs 6 lbs.

The Founder’s Bill was paid by means of a shilling Church Rate levied on the Parish.

[1] A point worthy of note here is that from around 1600 until 1840 when the court ordered the constitution changed, the charity’s constitution permitted the use of funds to supplement employee’s pay. An example is that the charity provided rent free housing to the employees of the local landowners. The employers then paid these employees a reduced amount to take into account the rent that would have been payable. (Attorney General vs Nethercoat) Many of the people listed here may have been to have been beneficiaries of this scheme.

[2] The following note was appended to the Friday, January 17, 1896 article in respect of Mr Perrin: “Born 1717; died 1795; Churchwarden 1752, 1756, 1770. In Par. Reg. (Burials) “Mr Jeremiah Perrin (Mortuary) Feb 3””

The Northampton Mercury, Friday, January 17, 1896

IV – References to Moulton in 1795

The Northampton Mercury, Friday, January 24, 1896