SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

The following are from John Mayhall’s ‘Annals of Yorkshire’ volume 1. The first item is very sad but the second is bizarre. August 3 1834. “On Sunday evening, the 3rd of August, between five and seven o’clock, a most awful thunderstorm passed over the borough of Leeds. At Hunslet, near Park-field house, Dewsbury Road, Eliza Emery, a child eight years old, was struck by the lightning and killed, while sitting in a house with three other children, who only received a slight injury.”August 3 1844. “A female bigamist, with a halter round her neck, was sold for five shillings, in the butter and poultry market, Leeds, by her first husband, Geo. Woodhead, servant to Mr. Allen, farmer and butcher, at Hemsworth, near Doncaster, to her second husband, William Idle, collier, of Ouslewell Green, near Rothwell. The borough magistrates hearing of the affair summonsed Woodhead, and required him to enter into his own recognizances of £20, and his masters’ surety for other £20, for his good behaviour during twelve months. Shortly after the wife was committed to York Castle to take her trial for bigamy, and was convicted, and suffered imprisonment.”

Hi Leodian. It reads like a Thomas Hardy novel. The Mayor of Casterbridge sprang to mind for a few minutes

Caron wrote: Hi Leodian. It reads like a Thomas Hardy novel. The Mayor of Casterbridge sprang to mind for a few minutes Hi Caron.Thanks for your post. I know that my threads on Leeds news from long back are clearly not popular based on the few views almost all of them get (unless there has been a response) compared to other threads, so it's nice that you not only read this thread but that you were also kind enough to respond. PS. 5 shilling in 1844 is worth about £26 in 2011 at 2.8% inflation a year according to an inflation calculator in the Bank of England website.     

Hi Leodian I for one read and enjoy your old Leeds thread.    

tilly wrote: Hi Leodian I for one read and enjoy your old Leeds thread.     Thanks tilly. That is appreciated.

I appreciate these threads too. It's fascinating to think how Leeds was back then.

I always make a point of reading this thread. Some of the snippets are fascinating.

I always read them and find them interesting.

I would also add that I find them very interesting

Thanks all for your nice messages.