‘Carlisle 1810’ may sound a random date, but thanks to Jollie’s Cumberland Guide and Directory, we have a good (if partial!) idea of what the city was like then.
The guide, published in two parts by Francis Jollie, was begun in 1810 and completed early in 1811. It is dedicated to Henry Howard, of Corby Castle,
which gets a long and fulsome entry in the guide later.
Francis Jollie: newspaper owner – and druggist
Francis Jollie was a Carlisle printer and stationer (in 1792, for example, he took on an apprentice called Samuel Blaylock).
And in 1798, he founded the Carlisle Journal newspaper. This weekly paper was liberal in its leanings and Francis Jollie’s glowing dedication to Henry Howard could be simply shared political views – though maybe Henry Howard was a financial subscriber as well?
In 1787, ‘Francis Jollie, bookseller, Carlisle’ appears in a London newspaper advert, endorsing Mr Spilsbury’s antiscorbutic drops (you can read what those contained here)
And in 1801, Mr Lignum’s antiscourbutic drops could be purchased, ‘by appointment’ from F Jollie, Carlisle. As could Dr Brodum’s Botanical Syrup and Nervous Cordial.
That would suggest two Francis Jollies trading in Carlisle (one a chemist, or grocer) – were it not for the fact an 1810 advert for Solomon’s Drops (said to cure scurvy – again – but also leprosy and venereal disease) states: ‘sold by F Jollie & Sons, printer of this paper’.
Francis Jollie did still sell books: in 1810, he advertises Solomon’s Guide to Health, and a long list of novels, poetry books, Shakespeare, and other classics, and textbooks on book keeping, geography, law… In 1810, F Jollie & Sons also sold state lottery tickets. And ‘paper hangings’ (ie wallpaper). And German flutes. As you do!
Jollie’s Cumberland Guide and Directory
And then on February 23, 1811, the Carlisle Journal announced:
Those persons who are subscribers to the first edition of Jollie’s Cumberland Guide and Directory and who have not yet received their copies are respectfully informed that they are now ready for delivery… Part II of Jollie’s Cumberland Guide and Directory is at the press and speedily will be published.
Peasants and poor taste (as per
Jollie’s Cumberland Guide)
Jollie’s Cumberland Guide and Directory describes Carlisle thus:
Even as late as the beginning of the last century, the dwellings were mostly formed of wood, clay and laths; exhibiting marks of poverty and bad taste.
‘Good taste’ probably wasn’t at the forefront of the minds of the poor, in fairness! And Carlisle had endured centuries of wars and violence. Buildings either needed to be strong, to withstand attack. Or easy and cheap to rebuild if they didn’t.
The directory later says some old clay or mud dwellings still existed in rural parts of the county. Your average rural ‘peasant’ (the directory’s word) lived a two-roomed cottage comprising a kitchen and parlour, the latter serving as the bedroom for all occupants.
The directory continues:
But as the prospect of future warfare vanished, trade and manufactures were introduced, began to increase, and an equal augmentation of wealth spirit, and taste for improvement, as well as of population took place.
Carlisle 1810
By 1810, the directory reckoned:
Present day Carlisle, in the openness of its principal streets, neatness and elegance of its buildings, and the decency and respectability of its inhabitants, is excelled by few if any towns of equal size in Great Britain.
Shops are numerous (many show a degree of taste and elegance), well furnished with every necessary of life, and not a few of its luxuries.
In 1763, there were 1,050 families and 4,158 inhabitants.
By 1802, this had grown to 1,420 houses and 10,875 inhabitants (5,133 males, 5,742 females).
And by 1810, the city and suburbs were reckoned to house no fewer than 16,000 souls.
The increase in ‘population, wealth and refinement’ were put down to cotton manufacture, starting with calico in 1761.
‘Fire!’ – ah, oh dear
By 1810, Carlisle had a ‘commodious flesh market’ in Scotch Street (which is where Francis Jollie’s business was based) and had embraced lighting and flagged footpaths.
One member of the Commission for Lighting and Improving Carlisle in 1810 was a certain Francis Jollie!
It also boasted two public fire engines. But there were also two snags.
Firstly, the engines were locked behind the east walls. A Thomas Thompson kept one set of keys at the Old Turk’s Head, Scotch Street. A James Goodfellow of St Cuthbert’s Lane kept the other.
Secondly, there were no actual firemen to operate them! (You can read more about fire services in Carlisle in this post).
An inelegant prison
Also lacking in taste and elegance was the county jail: ‘a rather mean edifice, in much need of repair’.
There were five rooms for ‘master-side debtors’ and the same for ‘common-side debtors’.
‘Common side prisoners were those without means, who had free accommodation in the prison, that’s generous, and were eligible for a statutory payment of three shillings and sixpence a week, as well as charity payments.’
Source: here.
Master side debtors had to pay rent for their rooms, but got better conditions for it.
Carlisle jail also had two low rooms for male criminals, and two above them for women offenders.
There is no furniture belonging to the prison but what is found by the unfortunate persons confined there, who are allowed merely straw for their beds.
The directory, by the way, said of Penrith: “There are many well-built houses here and the inhabitants are wealthy, courteous and well-bred.”
One up for Penrith!