General Chat

DUEL PROVOKED BY WALTZING

The Times
July 22 1812

Monday morning a duel took place between General THORNTON and Mr THEODORE HOOK. After exchanging one shot each, the affair was amicably settled.

It originated in a silly dispute on the subject of the dance called the Waltz, the General having praised it in high terms, and the Author having briefly reprobated it as leading to the most licentious consequences.


A WELL-PLANNED FRAUD

The News
June 2 1811
The public are cautioned against an elderly woman, of genteel appearance and good address, who is generally accompanied by a neatly dressed young female, about nineteen years of age, in a blue bodied chariot, attended by an elderly footman, several depredations on trades-people have been committed by the party.

On ordering goods at a shop, the first thing the aged swindler does, is inquire for some Lady of consequence, who is known to deal there; and on being informed she is not there, the swindler affects great surprise, orders goods, takes part of them away, and leaves cards for the Lady inquired for, if she calls.

At other shops, goods have been obtained by the party by false cheques. This system of robbery has carried on to a considerable extent.


Fag Ash Lil

Update :Not sure whether to add to this thread with any other snippets or to do them seperately, as the subject line may lead peeps to think they have already read it....suggestions as to the best way would be appreciated.

omg I wonder what Mr Theodore Hook would make of todays dancing lol

As for the swindlers, nothing new there then, perhaps things don't change much after all, its just a bit more technological now lol

I for one would be most pleased to hear of more of My Lady's most entertaining snippets.

It matters not to me whether they be herein or elswhere.

But perhaps this thread alone might make it easier for those of us who are more pressed for time.

you are perhaps right SP :-)

Have one on how shakespearean actors dressed on stage years ago which I found surprising and which you may also find interesting....will put it up when time permits.


Extraordinary Abstinence

London Chronicle Sep 1 1809

Ann Moor, aged 48, now living in Tutbury, Staffordshire, has swallowed no kind of food whatever, either solid or fluid, for the last two years and a half. Her appetite began to decline about seven years ago, in consequence of weak digestion, and in March, 1807, the passage to her stomach became completely closed, so as not to admit of her swallowing even a drop of water; from the pit of her stomach downward she is a mere skeleton, notwithstanding her countenance is perfectly cheerful, and has the appearance of good health.

So late as last Friday she was visited by the writer of this article, and was then in excellent spirits, and felt no pain whatever except a slight shooting across the forhead; she has been offered £1,000 to visit the metropolis, and though poor she declines leaving her home and friends.
She never sleeps, but amuses herself by reading all night, and receiving the visits of vast numbers who flock daily to her humble roof. Her memory is amazingly retentive and she feels no inconvenience but from the approach of persons who have been drinking spirits, which affects her much.

Numerous medical men have gone from London to behold this wonderful phenomenon, and on examination, are fully convinced, from her appearance, that no imposition whatever has been practiced.



Note: Hmmm! Not sure about the medical validity of this taking in to account the era ……thoughts on this appreciated……also wonder if anyone has her in their tree…..now that would be interesting!

Not sure at the mo which board to post this to as I have read both versions as to what the General board is for.....will wait and see....


Update: Just think TW he is someones anscestor too. wish we could link them all but perhaps someone will recognise them.

Don't worry about the medical validity of this little gem My Lady.

But please apprise us if you should come across any further mention of the said Ann Moor. For her story has the intrigue of stories that so many of us have looked upon in the pursuit of our family's history.

R

How exciting!....Just found a downloadable book on Google books entered Ann Moor+Tutbury and got the following.

An Account of the Extraordinary Abstinence of Ann Moor, of Tutbury, Staffordshire,

Brilliant thread Susan.....keep them coming please.

Maybe a new thread each time and spread throught the day if you can will get to more people.

This board is for genealogy and general topics rather than the chat one I think.

Good news about the book find on google.
xx

Then tell us more Susan .........

Soonest, if you please !

She was born in 1761 aka Nanny, in Rosleston, Derbyshire. Her Fathers name was Pegg. She married at the age of 27 a man named James Moore a labouring man who was the natural son of a woman called LAIKEN.....apparently she was not happy with James and they seperated after having children. She then had 2 children ( boy&girl ) by someone in Tutbury while working as a servant in their house. owing to this circumstance, some
ambiguity has been occasioned with respect to her
name, but she is generally known by that of Moor.
It does not appear that she lived happily with her
husband during the short time she was with him, for
soon after marriage they separated by mutual consent.
After their separation she had two children, a boy
and girl, by a person in the neighbourhood of Tut,-
bury, with whom she lived as servant ; the girl is with
her mother, and goes to school at Tutbury.



another snippet from it...(.the rest you will have to read yourselves as it is far too long to put here)

All the former
part of her life she lived out at service in different
places about the neighbourhood of her native village,
and for some time previous to her state of ano-
rexy, or abstinence, was chiefly employed (with
most of the poor inhabitants of Tutbury) in beating
of cotton.—It is well known, that in her younger
years she was a notorious immoral character, which
appears noï only by the accounts of her neighbours,
but from the corroboration of her own testimony.—
It seems that she never possessed any real religious
principles, before she was attacked with this extraordinary
affliction; but which, happily for her, has
now brought her to a state of true repentance. She
confesses that she has once through imposition passed
for a religious person, merely for the sake of worldly
interest, under the mask of hypocrisy ; but her natural
disposition tended so much to evil, she was unable to
conceal the deceit from the eyes of religious persons,
with whom she had formed acquaintance. It is very
probable that the knowledge of these circumstances
tended more to influence her neighbours against her
on the present occasion, than any other reasons. Her
present state of mind is of such calmness and serenity,
and her doctrinal knowledge so clear and unimpeachable,
that it must be highly pleasing to every
lover of religion to converse with her.


.........there is lots more....and also names of other similar cases.

Anyone please free to add anything else found about this persons anscestry/decendents ( as long as not living )

Update :Sorry Kitty didn't mean to ignore you. Thanks for the interest. Glad you enjoy the snippets.

What similar cases ?

Don't go short on us now Susan !

R

the circumstances attending which may tend to convince
many who at this time disbelieve the present
case ; as prejudice is generally stronger against an
unprecedented occurrence, than where something of a
similar nature has before been heard of. I will therefore
bring forward two instances of equally extraordinary
cases of abstinence, related in the Philosophical
Transactions : "
In the year 1724, John Fergusson, of Killmel-
foord, in Argyleshire, overheated himself in the pursuit
of cattle on the mountains, drank largely of cold
water, and fell asleep. He slept for four-and-twenty
hours, and waked in a high fever : ever since his stomach
loathed and could retain no kind of aliment but
water. A neighbouring gentleman (Mr. Campbell)
to whom his father was tenant, locked him up for
twenty days, supplying him daily with water, and
taking care that he should have no other food ; but it
made no difference either in his look or strength ; at
the age of thirty-six (when the account was sent to
the Philosophical Society) he was of a fresh complexion,
and as strong as any common man " "
Gilbert Jackson, of Carse-Grange, Scotland,
about fifteen years of age, in February 1716 was seized
with a violent fever, which returned in April for
three weeks, and again on the 10th of June; he then
lost his speech, his stomach, and the use of his limbs,
and could not be persuaded to eat or drink any thing.
May 26, 1717, his fever left him, but he was still deprived
of speech, and of the use of his limbs, and took
no food whatever. June 30th he was seized with a
fever again, and the next day recovered his speech, hut
without eating or drinking, or the use of his limbs.

There are many names who took to a 'WATCH' in Tutbury but it is best to look on googlebooks for the original documents.....\have yet to find her baptism on the IGI or marriage to James MOOR

You have a captivated audience of, at least, your's truly My Lady.

But can anyone apprise me of the reference to "cold xvater" ???

You Jest methinks SP lol.....have ammended it to water.....if any more mistakes you find.....twill have ter wait till I have had a cuppa

Names of the people of Tutbury who composed of a 'Watch' to the authenticity of the claim.


. Mr. Thomas Allen Elizabeth Tipper Miss Davenport Mr. John Woodroffe — H. Jackson Susanna Smith Miss H. Butler Mr. Charles Allen Miss M. Tabberer Mr. J. Jackson, Jun. — Barker Miss M. Cox Mr. W. Creatore, Ann Yates Mr. Jno. Jackson, Sen. Airs. Ann Jackson Mrs. Dodsworth Mr. T. Greatorex Hannah Gascoin Mr. Robotham Ann Dormán Mr. Herbert Allen Miss M. Jackson Mr. Swan, Sen. Miss M. Twogood Mr. R. Hanson, Sen. Miss Rachel Twogood Mr. George Hanson John Gascoin Mrs. Greatorex Mr. Pratt Sarah Coates Mr. Hitchcock — R. Smith Hannah Greatorex -Miss S. Cox - Мт.-S. Higgin — W. Swan Mrs. Pratt

No it was no jest My Lady .................. it could so easily have been a local reference that uninformed assumptions might have been led to mistell the story.

I look not for any misleadings .................... for such anecdotes must surely always be treated with the utmost caution.

But nevertheless ................ I love them whatever !

Please continue.

R

From another book on google....downloadable.

Gentlemans magazine.....Compendium of Derbyshire 1819

At Roston, in the parish of Norbury, was born the famous fasting impostor
of Tutbury, Ann Moor. - ‘

Will try to find why they call her an imposter by this time


Update :her birthday was supposedly Oct 31


Glad they interest you SP, will try to find out about her marriage and children when time permits......unless others can help in the mean time.

Whether she be an imposter or not ............... her story is most compelling ............... and an adequate reminder for all of us engaged in our researches.

The Journal of Foreign Medical Science and Literature edited by Samuel Emlen 1814 ( google books downloadable)......tells of why they thought she was an imposter....will try and get some text for it

Update:.....would still have loved to have her as an anscestor.....what a story to pass down.

Sorry folks there is far too much in the journal to type out.....perhaps others can find it on google and can give a summary of the reasons and put on this thread....not my forte, Summarizing, I am afraid:-)

Google books

A full exposure of Ann Moore, the pretended fasting woman of Tutbury By Ann Moore 1813

1843 ( they were still talking about her )
The Family Magazine, Or, Weekly Abstract of General Knowledge

ANNE MOORE OF TUTBURY.
The vile impostor, who pretended she could live without food, was born at Royston, near Ashborn, in the county of Derby, in the year 1761. Her parents were poor, and of the name of PEG. At the age of twenty-seven, she married James MOORE, a labourer, with whom she soon parted, after which she had two children by her master, a boy and a girl.—

About the beginning of 1807, when residing at Tutbury, a village in Staffordshire, she first excited public attention by declaring she could live without food. An assertion so repugnant to reason and nature was of course rejected. She therefore offered to prove the truth of her assertion by submitting to be watched for a considerable time. In order to satisfy the public, she was removed from her home to the house of Mr. JACKSON, grocer, of the named village, and all the inhabitants were invited lo join in watching her.

A Mr. TAYLOR, surgeon, superintended the watching, which continued sixteen days during which time she was allowed a little water, on the first three days. When the watch had ended, she was removed to her own house; and Mr. TAYLOR published an account, declaring that she had lived for thirteen days without taking any food, liquid or solid. This account, so attested, was believed by numbers, who flocked to
see her, and few visited her without leaving some proof of their credulity or pity. By this means she collected about £250.

Though the declaration of the persons who formerly watched her had obtained considerable credit, yet there were many who thought her an impostor, and demanded
that she should be again watched. A committee was formed of the neighbouring clergymen and magistrates, who met on Tuesday, the 20th of April, 181:1; and the
time it was determined she should be watt-lied was fixed It one month, to which she was at last obliged to assent. Her bed was filled with chaff, and the clothes examined
in the presence of the committee.

The watch entered on their office at two o'clock on Wednesday. She
received the watchers with as much good manners as
she was capable of, though she had been crying bitterly before they came. The first watch, which continued finir hours, was begun by Sir Oswald Mosley and the I Rev. Leigh Richmond, and followed by several other gentlemen. At the end of seven days, the public were I informed that she had during that time taken no food I whatever. Great confidence was now expressed by her advocates that she would endure the ordeal with credit. But when the machine for weighing her was put under the bed, it was found that she lost weight rapidly. At last, on the ninth day she insisted upon the watchers quilting the room, declaring that she was very ill, and that her daughter must be sent for. She was now greatly reduced, and Ihe watchers who attended her were much alarmed lest she should expire; and apprehensive of being implicated in ths charge of murder, they quitted the room and admitted the daughter, who administered what she thought proper, when the mother began to recover.

One remarkable circumstance was, that on Friday, the .40th of April, after the watch broke up, she desired to take a solemn oath that she had not, during the time she was watched, taken any food whatever; which oath was administered to her. This she did in hope, notwithstanding all, still to impose upon the public. But as her clothes gave evidence against her, to her utter confusion she was brought at last to make the following confession;

"I, Anne Moore, of Tutbury, humbly asking pardon of all persons who'll I have attempted to deceive and impose upon, and above all, with the most unfeigned sorrow and contrition, imploring the divine mercy and forgiveness of what God whom I have greatly offended, do most solemnly declare, that I have occasionally taken sustenance for the last six years.

"Witness my hand, this fourth day of May, 1813. "The mark X of ANNE MOORE." The above declaration of Anne Moore was made before me, one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the county of Stafford, THOMAS LISTER. Witness of the above declaration and signature of my mother Anne Moore.……… MARY MOORE.

This impostor was committed to prison, February, 1816, for falsely collecting money under the pretence of charity.—Cabinet of Curiosities.

Hi Susan!
Only just found your interesting thread. You are an amazingly well read lady I must say!
xxx Michael