Rowbottom's Comments on Trade and Politics - 1800 to 1819
As Recorded in the Diary of William Rowbottom
Comments and additional information (in italics) are from the transcription by Samuel Andrew,
serialised in the 'Oldham Standard' between 1887 & 1889
Cost of Provisions HERE

1804

The year 1804 commenced on Sunday wich was a very fine day, but owing to the lowness of all sorts of weaving there was very little Christmas cheer affecting the enclosure of six large commons of Greenacres Moor, Northmoor, Higher Moor, Lower Moor, Sarah Moor, and Hollinwood Moor, comprising altogether upwards of 200 acres. An Act of Parliament was accordingly passed in 1802-3, empowering certain commissioners to divide, allot and enclose the commons. The commissioners proceeded with due expedition to the discharge of their duty, and in 1807 the waste lands of the township had been all effectually parcelled out amongst the adjacent landowners and occupiers. These proceedings were not popular amongst the body of the people, for the rights of unrestrained pasturage for cattle and fowl, and the advantages of the moors as places of recreation and exercise, had rendered them spots deeply endeared to successive generations. Northmoor was divided amongst 25 allottees. It will be seen by this annal that the enclosure began in 1804, so that it took some three years to finish the work. The buildings on Northmoor were very scattered, but in a few years after the enclosure the population had very greatly increased.

The country was thoroughly aroused to a sense of danger from invasion. The deputy lieutenants of the various parts of Lancashire ordered returns of the inhabitants, cattle and stock from each district. Among other matters a return was made of the number of men willing to serve on horseback; the number of persons willing to serve and provide firelocks; the number of swords, pistols, and pitchforks; the number of pioneers and labourers with felling axes, pickaxes, spades, shovels, mattocks, and saws; the number of guides and overseers for the removal of wagons, live, and dead stock; the number who will supply waggons, drivers, and conductors, with four or three horses, the number of carts without tilts, with three or two horses; the number of carts with tilts, with three or two horses; ovens to supply constantly or on emergency; number of barges and other particulars.