Rev. William McKean
W. E. Johnson, Esq.
Mr. Edward Grainger
" C. F. G. Clark
" Peter Wright
" Edward Wood
" Charles Tyler
" W. Sheppard
" John Owen
" Thomas Roberts
" Alexander Patterson
" George E. Horton
" John Williscroft
" James Smith
" Henry Silvers
" Thomas Crew
" T. E. Beesley
" W. Meese
" Joseph Beddard
" R. W. Vanes
" Geo. T. Patterson
" William Davies
" Samuel Boden
" Thomas Haynes
" George Wood
" George Stevenson
" Thomas Morris
Mr. John Finch
" John Castree
" John H. Vanes
" John H. Smith
" James Worley
" William Insull
" Frederick Stokes
" William Timmins
" Edward Long
" Edward Wood, jun.
" William Bunch
" John Baugh
" G. H. Deeley
" Richard Meredith
" John Newey
" Charles Russell
" Alfred Patterson
" Frederick Timmins
" Elijah Smith
" Edward Pratt
" Thomas Jones
" William Glaze
" James Powell
" George Pitt
" George Blunt
" David Davies
" Simeon Davies
_Treasurer_, Mr. J. Finch.
_Honorary Secretary_, Mr. J. H. Smith.
A Meeting will be held at Baylies's School, Tower Street,
Dudley, on Friday, August 29th, 1856, for the purpose of
raising a Fund in grateful recognition of the valuable services
rendered to the cause of Education by the late Mr. Joseph
Pitchfork, who was Master of that School for a period of 30
years.
The Committee earnestly appeal to the Public, the Friends, and
the Pupils of the deceased in furtherance of this desirable
object, it being the last mark of respect they can pay to the
memory of one who has long and unweariedly laboured for the
intellectual advancement of the rising generation, and whose
sudden decease has left so much to pity and deplore.
Mr. Pitchfork was a Radical in politics, and, in his early days, a
friend and unswerving supporter of Sir John Campbell, Bart. He died at
the early age of 51 years, respected and beloved by a very large circle
of scholars, old pupils and acquaintances, leaving a blank in the town
which was long unfilled.
September 9th, 1856. The Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Worcestershire,
clothed in their regalia, walked in procession through the town, and
dined together at the hotel.
September 10th, 1856. Mr. James Worley, the Collector of the Income
and Property Tax and Assessed Taxes for this Parish suddenly absconded
with upwards of £2,000 belonging to the Crown Treasury; he afterwards
underwent imprisonment in Worcester Gaol for the offence, the town
being compelled to make up the deficiency.
Died, September 19th, 1856, having dropped down dead in the street, Mr.
John Shedden, Tailor, Stone Street, aged 74 years.
December 10th, 1856. The new Parsonage House of St. Edmund's Parish was
occupied at this time by the respected incumbent, the Rev. John Davies,
M.A., the land and a handsome donation was given by Lord Ward, the rest
of the funds having been raised by voluntary subscription amongst the
congregation and friends of the church.
December 17th, 1856. The ladies of St. Edmund's Congregation this
evening presented to Mrs. John Davis, at the new St. Edmund's
Parsonage, a purse containing £100, as a mark of respect and esteem.
Mr. Churchwarden C. F. G. Clark was mainly instrumental in securing the
erection of this Parsonage House.
On December 22nd, 1856, a large public meeting was held in the old
town hall, Mr. John Renaud, the Mayor, in the chair, to take into
consideration the very great injustice of the Income Tax, and to adopt
such measures by a petition to the legislature as will lead to its
immediate and total repeal. The town having recently been compelled
to pay over again James Worley's defalcations, had sorely vexed all
parties on the imposition of this tax, but alas, the Exchequer did not
like to part with an easily collected tax; so it would look as if we
were doomed to have this imposition in perpetuity; for it is 25 years
since that meeting was held, and we see the Income Tax gatherer, as
heretofore, "taking his walks abroad" amongst us, book in hand.
March 12th, 1857, the borough was greatly astonished and surprised
this morning at the publication of the following hand bill, announcing
the resignation of our highly esteemed representative, Sir Stafford
Northcote, Bart., M.P. A variety of supposed reasons were rapidly
floated in the borough for this sudden determination of the honourable
baronet to sever his connexion with Dudley; but it was well understood
that Sir Stafford's vote on Mr. Cobden's motion against the odious
"China opium trade" had given mortal offence to his noble friend, who
had withdrawn his countenance and local support from him in these
critical times.