Local History: The Journal of Abraham Slade 1817-1903

Introduction and Prologue 1856-57 1858-59
1860-61 1862-67 1868-80 1881-86 1887-1903

- 1860 -

... [Jan] 14th. Herd the Rev George Ingram this morning and felt much encouraged to go forward. Yesterday Robert Stuckey (that lives in my house next door to me) nearly killed his wife with a poker. He had been drunk every night for this last week. This is a man that has professed to be a staunch tea totellar and strongly professed to be a religious character... May these things be a warning to me lest I founder on the same rock...

22nd. My mind is not yet settled regarding church matters. I have well examined myself. I thought upon the lady that tried various denominations and found fault with every thing till some kind friend suggested the fault may be in herself, and when she discovered that, she could hear any body preach afterward. There is fault in me I believe. But I get no spiritual food from many of the local preachers, who are unlettered men, and quite void of talent. Whereas when I hear good lively preaching I feel my soul probed to the quick, and I get my strength renewed... I certainly have got good under Mr Ingram's preaching and where I get most good I am resolved by God's Help to go. I was much pleased last Thursday evening at what I herd and saw at the Baptist School Anniversary. My little Mary, who is only turned seven, got the best reward, for being attentive and for learning, and punctuality, and my boy Arthur got a prise for the same - I think if anything does the heart of a parent good, it is to see their children walking in wisdom's way... ...

25. This last fortnight has been one of much mental conflict. Have been much tempted. Business is very dull. I shall be oblidged to discharge one of my men unless business take a turn. I have the bronchitis at the presant time. Still I am better, having had on a leech on the throat and drank strong barley water with a small bit of saltpetre in it, has given me relief. This is Dr Ramadge's prescription and a good one it is. Some few friends are about commencing a course of revival & social Prayer meetings to be held at Zion Row school Room, The Wesleyan Chapel, Baptist school and Independant ditto. I trust the Lord may make it a blessing to the whole village... ...

March 4. This last week has been crowned with many mercies... The revival prayer meeting on Tuesday evening at the school in Zion Row was well attended and so was the meeting on Friday evening at the Baptist Chapel... A week ago I had no work for my men, But I told them I expected some (Although I had none in view). But I knew my Father would not leave me, and in answer to prayer he has sent some, and I have more in view... ...

25 March (Quarter day). This to many is a day of severe trial. Many cannot make up their rent. I am sorry my tenant is in the same situation. What a comfort to me I am not the same. The only rent I have to pay is ground rent, the sum of 10 pounds p.annum. Last Wednesday was a day to be remembered by me. It was on that day, the 21 of March 1860, that I paid of the Mortgage on my property at Twickenham £250 besides interest for 3 months £4.1.3 for the Reassignment, to Mr Guy, solicitor of Norbiton near Kingston, Surry. This sum the Lord has given me in 2 years, after paying my way... This last week has been a very busy one, having had 3 jobs of removeing, from which I cleared about 50/-. I have sold several things this week. My profit & labour altogether is little if any short of £6.0.0. I have much cause for rejoicing, and yet I am cast down, my body being weak...

15th. April. ...I have now engaged to perform near 50£ worth of work in a fortnight in addition to being very busy before and to morrow D.V. I am going to take an order to furnish a house at a place called Sunningdale near Ascot... We have had united prayer meetings for this last 2 months, but the people do not seem to take any interest in them, Especially the Church Ministers & congregations. They seem to show so much spirit of bigotry especially toward Dissenters. Twickenham, of all the places I have seen, is the most dark and degraded. Oh the responsibility that rests on the upper classes and the clergy. There is no check put upon sabbath breakers by them. If the people go to Church they receive gifts and are counted good religious people, while the remaining part of the sabbath they work in the gardens or at their respective callings, and the clergy care for none of these things...

17. It has been snowing all day, very cold weather for April. Many people are ill. We have had an almost continual East wind for 3 months - The season has been unusual trying. But bless God I have borne it much better than I could have expected, being weak at the chest

29. ...I have attended the special prayer meetings twice and enjoyed them to my souls comfort. May 5th. The past week has been one of hurry and excitement. I never remember feeling the pressure of business so much. It has been overwhelming. In addition to my own regular customers, I have a house to furnish at Sunningdale near Ascott, all to be done by the 25th of July, and I cannot see my way clear as yet, money being scarce... ...

July 29th. This last few weeks has been a very busy time and I may say a neglectful time to. I have neglected to write - although I have received so many mercies of my Heavenly father... If all is well I intend going to see my dear aged mother on Wednesday next and take my dear Arthur with me. I trust the journey may be beneficial to us all.

August 2nd. Went down the country and saw my relations - took my boy Arthur with me... During my stay, 9 days, I shot 24 rabbits, they being very plentiful - Bought 5 home to Twickenham. Came back on the 12th and brought my mother with me - She staid with us a week and returned.

Sept. 2nd. I have finished my furnishing job at Sunningdale and a very nice job it has been - Mr Reed is perfectly satisfied - Bless God for His goodness.

Oct. 14th. Business this last fortnight has been better - for several weeks previous we were very slack - but it has again resumed its usual bustle - Pond has left me because we were rather slack for a while...

29. This last week has been one of sore trial - My men & boys has been conspiring against me. The man Pond not being content by leaving me and and trying to get my work away, but he has persuaded my apprentices to run away - poisoned their minds against me and against the place, and it has been with the greatest difficulty I have managed to reconcile them, and Woollett has proved himself to be quite as treacherous, he being aware as well as an accomplice in the affair, and these are men that stand high in profession. These matters are quite sufficient to keep me from meeting with such men in class, knowing what their real character is...

Nov. 17. ...Those whoam I have befriended and of whoam I expected better treatment have turned traitors to me and are trying to injure me all they can. I believe I shall lose some of my customers through their false and lying tales, their slander and deceit. Such are some of the professors of religion...

Dec. 12th. Business still continues very slack - things have gone against me of late - having lost a customer and Got evil spoken of - through the deceit of those 2 men - of all the people ever I have met with in my pilgrimage during 43 years these 2 men are the most treacherous... I am resolved never to have more to do with such men than I can possibly help in any manner whatever - But amidst all my sorrows I have much reason to be thankful. Bless the Lord, he has not left me...

22nd. The last week has been a week of peace. although my enemies are busy they are not permitted to triumph over me... The weather has been very severe for some days past... Bless God provisions are not dear but trade has been very slack this winter - having been oblidged to work on stock which is not profitable. Yet we are oblidged to find employment for men in winter as well as summer...

- 1861

Jan. 7th. ...My accounts for the past year are ballanced and I find the last year has been the most profitable I have had since I have been in business... May this year, should I be spared, be more profitable to my soul, as well as in Business...

Feb. 6th. I am this day 44 years old... I feel more at home among the Independants than I have done for many years past - I have no doubt but I am where I ought to be...

Feb. 17. ...I am anxious to be doing something more for my master than I have yet done - I have no doubt but many may be kindly persuaded to leave of breaking the sabbath and attend the house of God. This is a dreadful wicked neighbourhood. And shall I stand a mere spectator and see sinners dropping into hell and I not endeavour to pluck them out - O God forgive me for being so reluctant in the past - and may the future more than suffice... I shall report my progress in this book as I go on.

24. ...Trade is very dull and many are out of employment at the presant. The weather is very unfavorable. We had a terrible hurricane on Thursday 21st which did much damage and many persons got hurt. The steeples of churches blown down, one wing of the Crystal Pallace at Sydenham was blown down & many houses injured. After a winter of severity and much distress the spring seems far in the distance - But looking at the state of Italy & the Continent, we as Englishmen have reason to bless God for our priviledges and liberty.

March 2nd. ...Trade is dreadfully bad. We have done nothing scarcely since Christmas in the selling department. But this last 2 days work had dropped in and bless God I still have hope... My boy William will be out of his time in June. I have 2 other apprentices and Woollet is still with me, but I have more general repairs to houses now than I used to have. Cabinet work not being much called for here, and what we make does not pay. As it is so nigh London most people go there for goods. I have been looking at several plots of ground to put up some cottages as I have about £400 and some material beside. But the ground has not yet made it appearance. As usual I have placed the matter in the hand of God... The party that now has the shop that I was nigh taking is oblidged to turn out with a short notice for the railway is going through it, and bless God I am now snug in my own house...

March 19th. ...I have a very bad cold on me and suffer very much from rhumatism. Sometimes I think it will not be long before my journey will terminate... I intend this year to make what provision I can for my family, and set matters in the best order I can, should the Lord spare me a little longer... Business, like the buds of spring, is starting to revive, and resume it wonted aspect. I trust this will be a Busy Summer... My friends in the country seldom write. I should be glad to hear from them oftener. But country people seem to have but little to say, and no inclination for correspondence.

31. Thank God I am better than when I last wrote, although far from being strong... This last week or two trade has been reviving... The most difficult and trying part of business is bad debts, of which at the presant time I have several...

April 6th. Went to Southampton and saw my sister Miriam and Mr Hanham, her husband. Found them quite well, but full of Mormon Enthusiasm They were packing up to be of to the Salt Valley in America. Came back from Southampton on Sunday Evening the 7th April after taking leave of my sister on the railway platform with a heavy heart on both sides and a few tears. Although we never expect to meet again in this world I trust the delusion she is labouring under may not prevent her from entering into eternal rest... I came home quite composed. The evening was delightful, such a one as we seldom see in this Island. Every thing in the country was calm and quiet... I thought of the contrast in the place where my poor deluded brother and sister are going...

14th. ...I believe this is the day my sister & husband are to embark for America in the Ship Manchester. She is advertised to sail to morrow 15th April 1861. ...

28. Very sharp frost. Ice 1/4 inch thick. The gardeners have suffered severely... We have been very busy. I have been very much harrased and very poorly. Bless the Lord for the sabbath...

May 29th. 5 Minutes before 12 Another son is given me, making 6 lives, 4 boys and 2 Girls. May the Lord spare me to bring them up... I am at this time under Dr Ramadge. My body is very low and my throat & chest very weak. I have suffered now for many weeks with this complaint which is a species of bronchitis and a cold. I trust the leeches and medicines may by God's blessing soon remove it. As to business we have this last week been at work from 5 till 8, which is very long days...

Aug. 11th. Since I last wrote in this book I have paid a visit to my native village. I was there on the 21 of July and came home on 26th. I bless God that my health has returned by this hot weather... I have been working hard and have succeeded in erecting a shed in my yard intended for a store room. By God's blessing I trust I shall do more in the selling and not be subjected to so much hard toil as I have been of late...

31st. ...Having had 3 jobs that has returned me 65£ profit beside other work - I am sure I ought to be thankful to God... Selling from the shop has been very slack. My building in my yard is now completed so that now I have a good business premises...

Sept. 22nd. My winter companion has met me and saluted me early - this last fortnight I have been very unwell with a cold and cough...

Nov. 24th. My pen has been silent for a long time. Since I last wrote many strange things has occurred. I have been carrying up my building and have it covered in. I have had one loss of 7 pounds and have some dangerous customers in hand... My man Woollet is still home. He has had about 8 weeks under the doctor but he is fast recovering. My apprentice W. Hill has been working with me about 6 months since he was out of his time but he left me last night. I pray the advice he has always received from me will not be forgotten...

Introduction and Prologue 1856-57 1858-59 1860-61 1862-67 1868-80 1881-86 1887-1903

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