Catalogue

Miscellaneous documents

Reference: D/X 914 Catalogue Title: Miscellaneous documents Area: Catalogue Category: Other Records Description: Diaries of John Pease of Darlington

Covering Dates: 1834-1868

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Miscellaneous documents

Catalogue Description

Diaries of John Pease of Darlington, received as a gift, 20 June 1990

(Acc: 1935(D))

John Pease (1797-1868) was the eldest son of Edward Pease, woollen manufacturer of Darlington, and brother of the M.P.s, Joseph & Henry Pease. He, himself, was a minister in the Society of Friends and, although he was involved in the family worsted business and shared the family's interest in the development of the railways, he was much more concerned with his spiritual and pastoral duties. As he grew older he tried to detach himself from secular cares and devote himself entirely to his ministry.
The collection consists of 21 diaries or commonplace books. Five volumes of the series which was, originally numbered A-Y, are missing and the last volume, which ends fifteen days before his death, was not numbered. Each volume contains a brief account of his activities, made up several days at a time, on the right hand page, on the left hand page is a record of correspondence, addresses, obituaries, lists of friends at various meeting houses and memoranda on a wide range of subjects. The volumes contain very little information, however, about his pastoral journeys whether in England, Ireland, on the continent (1842) or in America (1843 - 1854). These journeys, according to Pease himself, were written up elsewhere.
Letters and memoranda have been attached inside the front and back covers of some of the volumes. A number of these were originally undated and a date has been added in John Pease's handwriting. The dates should be treated with caution. For example, some of the letters signed K.B. from Katharine Backhouse (nee Aldam) are given a date before her marriage took place. The problem is particularly noticeable in the period 1841 to 1845 when John Pease was spending much of his time travelling. Fixed enclosures are listed with the volume in which they are kept, but loose papers have been removed and are listed at the end (D/X 914/22-37), with a note of their provenance.

Catalogue Contents

Ref: D/X 914/1

Diary, volume B, 24 September 1834 - 5 September 1835

(1 volume, paper bound)

Ref: D/X 914/2

Diary, volume C, 6 September 1835 - 24 March 1836

(1 volume, paper bound)

Ref: D/X 914/3

Diary, volume D, 25 March 1836 - 6 April 1837

(1 volume, paper bound)

Ref: D/X 914/4

Diary, volume E, 7 April - 11 August 1837

(1 volume, paper bound)

Ref: D/X 914/5

Diary, volume H, 1 July 1839 - 29 February 1840

(1 volume, paper bound)

Ref: D/X 914/6

Diary, volume I, 1 March - 12 October 1840 Attached inside back cover: Memorandum of notice to quit given to John Sugget in respect of two grass fields, 29 September 1840 and ended 30 November 1840; Memorandum of refusal by A. Mason to accept the sum of £33.15s 6d when offered by John Pease in payment of his debt contracted 1 July 1840, 13 October 1840

(1 volume, paper bound)

Ref: D/X 914/7

Diary, volume J, 13 October 1840 - 5 March 1841 Attached inside the back cover: Letter from Thomas [?] Hutchinson giving the times that the Exmouth coach passes through St. Helens Auckland, n.d.; Conditions of employment for Christopher Jackson, manservant to John Pease, 23 October 1840; Letter from Mrs. Otley of Houndgate, [Darlington] to John Pease urging him to come to a decision regarding the prospect of a situation for Mr. Gollop, undated with note by John Pease that he had not given Mr. Gollop any expectations, 25 February 1841; Letter from E. Payne to John and Sophia Pease informing them that the death of Jane Gurney is imminent, no date. [Jane Gurney died 27 February 1841]; Invitation for tea from K. Backhouse, Beechwood, to John and Sophia Pease to meet James Backhouse, Second day [Monday]. [Dated by John Pease, 1 March 1841, but the marriage of Katharine (nee Aldam) and William Backhouse did not take place until 18 October 1843]

(1 volume, paper bound)

Ref: D/X 914/8

Diary, volume K, 6 March - 1 November 1841, 1 January - 2 April 1842 Attached inside back cover: Note relating to Anna Marion Bassett, n.d.; Memorandum to make enquiries concerning a debt of £10.17s 0d contracted 20 August 1838 by Francis Gibson to Edward Pease, 26 June 1839 List of friends who took a part in I.F's case, 1841; Notice of the death of Alexander Chreisckshank of Meadowside, with funeral arrangements, 4 February 1842; Letter from Jane G.B. (Gurney Backhouse) concerning her mother's intention to go to the Gasgow meeting and improvement in the news from Leamington, n.d.; Letter from Jane G.B. (Gurney Backhouse), Polam Hill, concerning envelopes procured for her by John or Sarah Peases, Fourth day (Wednesday), 23 March (1853?) [see D/X 914/11/4]

Ref: D/X 914/9

Diary, volume L, 3 April 1842 - 19 July 1843; 15 July - 25 October 1845 [No entries made during visit to America, 2 August 1843 - 15 July 1845] Attached inside back covers: Letter from H.C.G. [Hannah Chapman Backhouse nee Gurney?] of Polam Hill accepting an invitation to tea, declining to intervene in secular matters but expressing the hope thay they will be settled before her husband returns home, n.d.; Letter from Joseph Barrett, Polam Hill, to John and sophia Pease conveying an invitation from Hannah Chapman Backhouse to tea, 12 October 1842, "The day of Jonathan Backhouse's interment" added by John Pease.; Letter from K.B. Beechwood, to her sister concerning the last illness of J.H. third day (Tuesday); Note by John Pease that the letter was written by K. Backhouse to Mary Backhouse about J. Hodgkin, 27 March 1843. [N.B. This date is inaccurate because Katharine and William Backhouse were not married until 18 October 1843. A John Hodgkin, possibly father-in-law of Anne Hodgkin (daughter of Jonathan and Hannah Chapman Backhouse) died in 1845 (Quaker Records: An Index to the Annual Monitor, ed. Joseph Green)]; Invitation from Anna Backhouse of Blackwell to meet her uncle Cunningham and aunts, first day [Sunday], 27 July 1845 [See entry in diary 29 July 1845]; End of letter conveying thanks from S.C. and A.S.N. to John and Sophia Pease and their brother and sister Fry [Rachel and Richard Fry], n.d.

(1 volume, paper bound)

Ref: D/X 914/10

Diary, volume M, 26 October 1845 - 14 May 1846 Attached inside front cover: Directions for sending letters and parcels to S. Dillingham in Nova Scottia, n.d.; Note from Dr. George M. Douglas of Cleveland Terrace [Darlington?] thanking John Pease for sending him the "Reports on the Penn Hospital for the Insane" and a number of tracts, n.d.; Letter from Henry Wilson of Sunderland inviting John and Sophia Pease to the funeral of his aunt Alice, 14 May 1846; Letter from Thomas Harvey of Leeds to John and Sophia Pease informing them of the funeral arrangements for Thomas Benson Pease, 26 May 1846 Letter from Charles Tyler of Stamford Hill to John Pease requesting the addresses of friends in Canada, informing him of the number of copies of "The Friend" sent to different parts of America, 16 June 1846. Attached inside back cover: Letter from James Bowden, 86 Houndsditch, London, to John Pease concerning the manner in which notice of the general meetings for friends' schools are presented in the Book of Meetings and requesting the quarterly accounts from Durham, 28 October 1845; Letter from Joseph Pease, Southend, [to John Pease] requesting a conference at the railway office at 10.30 that morning, sixth day [Saturday], 31 October 1845 [See diary entry of the same date]; Letter from Edward Pease to John Pease informing him of arrangements for signing a trust deed. [Dated by John Pease, 20 November 1845]; Letter from J. Fothergill, Bondgate, to John and Sophia Pease thanking them for a present of apples and a copy of John Pease's Farewell Address to American Friends, 19 January 1846; Letter from Edward Pease to John Pease reflecting on the death of his brother [Joseph Pease of Feethams], second day [Monday], 16 March 1846); Note from Anna Pease of Feethams, Darlington inviting John and Sophia Pease to tea, 18 March 1846; Letter from Edward Pease to Sophia Pease, accepting an invitation. fourth day [Wednesday]; Note commenting on the misfortunes of D. & A. Clarke, n.d.

(1 volume, paper bound)

Ref: D/X 914/11

Diary, volume O, 7 April - 30 December 1847 Attached inside front cover: Letter from A.E. Dale to John Pease thanking him for his kindness and advice, fourth day [Wednesday], 28 April [1847]; Letter from James Cooke, Cottage, to John Pease saying that he will not be coming that afternoon as arranged because he believes his daughter has measles, and hoping that there will be another opportunity to discuss the appointment for Osmotherly, fifth day [Thursday] dated by John Pease, 15 June, 1847 [Tuesday]; Letter from Isaac Sharp, West Terrace, Darlington to John Pease thanking him for his kind letter and saying that a new edition of application papers is required, 19 July 1847; Letter from Jane Gurney Backhouse of Polam [to John Pease] enquiring whether the plan to spread Quaker principles by letter cover was adopted and requesting some, 1 March [1853?]; Letter from Samuel Evans, Mount Pleasant, Darlington to John Pease saying that he wishes to make it clear that he regards the appointment at Ackworths [Ackworth School ?] as a permanant one, first day [Sunday], [Dated by John Pease, 4 July 1847]; Letter from J. Graham, Bedford Lodge, Bishop Auckland, to John Pease expressing concern about the health of "our beloved martir", 4 November 1847; Letter from E. Barclay of Beech Wood, to John Pease concerning documents relating to B. Seebohm which he agrees, should not be widely circulated, and donating £5 to the Sibford appeal, n.d.; Letter from Katharine Backhouse of Beechwood concerning the opposition of Eliza [Backhouse?] to the use of her name in connection with some unspecified business, second day [Monday] [Dated by John Pease, October 1847]; Letter from Samuel Marshall of Kendal to John Pease requesting him to use his influence to obtain a position for Marshall's son with the Stockton & Darlington Railway Co., 27 November 1847, with note of reply dated 29 November; Letter from R. Thompson of Darlington to John Pease agreeing with his proposal for the clearing and paving of the town and asking him to draft a resolution to be placed before the public meeting, 29 November 1847. Attached inside back covers: Letter from Samuel Rhoades to John Pease giving an account of his journey from Huddersfield and the date he expects to be in Darlington, with news of J.D. Lacy and the family, 31 July 1847; Part of letter from E. Barclay with news of his father's health, 10 August 1847; Invitation to tea from Katharine Backhouse of Beechwood to John and Sophia Pease, sixth day [Friday]. [Dated by John Pease, 20 August 1847]; Consignment note from Shildon Engine Works to John Pease in respect of a model of Tees Bridge, 21 October 1847; Unsigned note asking John Pease to recommend a Friend in New York to look after the writer's brother, 15 October 1847; Letter from John Richardson of Langbargh to John Pease inviting him and Sophia to the marriage of his nephew, William Brown, to Mary Wheatley, 10 August 1847; Letter from Sophia Pease to John Pease informing him that their daughter Sophia has hurt her ankle, [Dated by John Pease, 29 September 1847]; Letter from John C. Hopkins of Woodside to John and Sophia Pease expressing concern at the accident to their daughter and asking for news of her, dated by John Pease, 30 September 1847; Letter from Katharine Backhouse of Beechwood to John and Sophia Pease expressing concern at the accident to their daughter and asking for news of her, fifth day [Thursday] [Dated by John Pease, 30 September 1847]; Letter from Katharine Backhouse of Beechwood asking for news and sending a small parcel, sixth day [Friday]. [Dated by John Pease, 1 October 1847]; Letter by Katharine Backhouse of Beechwood to John Pease thanking him for news [of Sophia] and of A.E. Dale and giving news of Anna in Tours, second day [Monday]. [Dated by John Pease, 4 October 1847]

(1 volume, paper bound)

Ref: D/X 914/12

Diary, volume P, 1 January - 31 December 1848 Attached at end of diary: Account of John Pease's expenses in sending free copies of The Friend to individuals in England, United States and Canada, 1849; Account of Edward Pease's expenses in sending free copies of The Friend to individuals in England and the United States, 1849; Attached inside back covers: Part of letter from Katharine Backhouse of Beechwood expressing gratitude and affection, 13 March 1848; Part letter from John Nightingale of Askrigg or Aysgarth commenting on the size of meetings in his area and proposing a public meeting, n.d.; Letter from Katharine Backhouse of Beechwood expressing her satisfaction and gratitude for a copy of the testimony of the Darlington monthly meeting respecting J. Backhouse, fifth day [Thursday]; Letter from H.E. Birchall of Rose Mount to John Pease sending him a purse which he hopes he will wear, 4 July 1848; Letter from Katharine Backhouse of Beechwood [to John Pease] returning and thanking him for the perusal of, a letter [from W.J. Allinson], dated by John Pease, 24 August 1848; Letter from Elizabeth Backhouse, York, [to John Pease] informing him that Samuel Taylor from America is staying with her and would like to pay him a visit, with reference to an enquiry regarding a girl who was at Ayton School, 25 August 1848; Letter from Elizabeth Backhouse, York, [to John Pease] informing him of the train Samuel Taylor intends to take and commenting on the benefits derived from his participation in the meeting that day, 28 August 1848; Letter from John Pease to George Stephenson requesting that the Auckland engine take two of his friends from Haughton Lane to a meeting in Stockton that evening and wait to bring them back, 8 October 1848; Letter from John Fothergill to John Pease thanking him for a present of two books containing reports on mental insitutions, 18 October 1848.

(1 volume, paper bound)

Ref: D/X 914/13

Diary, volume Q, 1 January 1849 - 15 February 1850 Attached inside front cover: Letter from William Bote, junior, of Pease Hall, to John Pease, giving an account of the death of Rebecca Brown of Askworth School, 3 March 1849; Letter from Robert Wilson of South Shields to John Pease informing him of the death and funeral arrangements of his sister Ann Briggs, 17 January 1849; Notice of a public meeting for worship of the Society of Friends in Dunmow, 14 March 1849; Letter from Sarah Pease of The Hill to her cousin, John Pease, a letter in which he expressed doubts on the wisdom of acquiring shares in railway property, 26 October [1849]; Letter from Jane G. Pease of Southend to her uncle [John Pease] thanking him for a gift and past kindnesses, 23 October 1849 Attached inside back covers: Letter from Elizabeth F. Gibson of Saffron Walden to her brother [John Pease] expressing pleasure at the news of his impending visit, fifth day [Thursday]. [Dated by John Pease, 8 February 1849]; Letter from Isabel Pumphrey of Ackworth School concerning arrangements for her visit to East Mount on the way to Newcastle, 14 February 1849; Letter from Elizabeth Backhouse of York [to John Pease] telling him that the plaid he left behind has been sent on by rail, with news of Samuel Luke, 2 April 1849; Letter from Edward Pease to John Pease asking whether he or Sophia may be induced to go to Birmingham, dated by John Pease, November 1849; Letter from William Robson [to John Pease] asking him to send words of encouragement to a young man, Joshua Robson, now working in Dublin and cut off from other members of the Society of Friends, seventh day [Saturday], with note by John Pease that he wrote to Joshua Robson, 19 January 1850; Letter from Josiah Forster of Tottenham [to John Pease] informing him of arrangements for preparing an address to the Queen on the subject of slavery and concerning messages sent to the Yearly Meetings in New England and Philadelphia, 8 May 1849

(1 volume, paper bound)

Ref: D/X 914/14

Diary, volume R, 16 February 1850 - 17 June 1851 Attached inside back cover: Lists of business matters to be dealt with, 5 March - 6 July 1850