1752
7th. January
Tuesday
16th. February Sunday
Rev. Adam Banks, M.A., Fellow of the
Collegiate Church, died February 16, aged 51. He was buried in the church, where
there is a monument to his memory.(7)
21st. February Friday
Right Rev. Samuel Peploe, D.D., Bishop of
Chester, died at Chester 21st February. Born in Shropshire in 1668, he owed his
advancement in the church to his steady adherence to the House of Hanover, and
to the courage and ability he displayed against the Jacobites. His appointment
as Warden of Manchester was unsuccessfully contested by the local clergy, with
whom he was always on bad terms. When he resigned in favour of his son the power
of the sovereign, as temporary visitor of the college, reverted to the bishop,
and he exercised his authority. He demanded an investigation into the whole
affairs of the college from the year 1718, and entering the chapter house on a
day fixed for a public court of inquiry “he denounced the fellows and chaplains
as void of honour, void of common honesty, and void of grace, and charged them
with a wilful intention to wrong the college.” The fellows and chaplains made
submission. He was buried in Chester Cathedral, over which he had presided for
twenty seven years. (Foundations of Manchester, vol. ii.)(7)
3rd. March Tuesday
The first number of the Manchester Mercury
was published by Joseph Harrop, March 3. It was issued every Tuesday at
the sign of the Printing Press, opposite the Exchange, at number nine. This
paper obtained a good circulation by meeting the mail at Derby and bringing the
news express to this town. The title was changed to Harrop’s Manchester
Mercury and General Advertiser. In 1764 he issued with it a New History of
England, in supplements, ultimately extending to 778 pages, to encourage the
sale of his newspaper. In an address at the end of the work he says it cost him
one hundred guineas. Joseph Harrop died 20th January, 1804. The paper was
carried on by his son James up to his death, February 22, 1823. It was
still carried on until August 31, 1825, when it was sold to Mr. J. E. Taylor,
who changed its name to the Manchester Mercury and Tuesday’s General
Advertiser. The last number issued was 3,672, which appeared on the 28th
December, 1830, after an existence of 77 years and 10 months. The following is
the editorial article with which this paper was ushered into existence: “To the
Public,—Having been greatly encouraged to publish a weekly newspaper, I lately
advertised that I intended speedily to proceed upon that design; and having now
procured a new set of types to print with, I have here begun to execute it. I
shall take care to answer the proposals in my advertisement by the contents of
the paper, and a favourable reception will, I hope, enable me to do it with
success. Though in a time of general peace, a great dearth of foreign advices
may be urged as a discouragement to my undertaking at this juncture; yet the
friendly excitement that I have had, and the honest desire of employment in my
proper calling, in the place of my nativity, are motives excusable, at least for
attempting in a private station, to bespeak the encouragement of the public, to
whom I propose to give all the satisfaction that I can, and no just cause of
offence whatsoever. Such of my countrymen and others who intend me the favour of
their subscriptions, shall have the paper delivered at their house with all due
care and expedition by, their obliged humble servant,
“Joseph Harrop.”(7)
6th. March Friday
A new market cross was erected from the designs of
Oliver Nab March 6.(7)
26th. March Thursday
John Wesley visited Manchester March 26. He
spent three days in a searching examination of the members of the Manchester
Society, and found reason to believe “that there was not one disorderly walker
therein.”(7)
24th. June Wednesday
The Manchester Infirmary founded. It owes its
origin more particularly to Mr. Joseph Bancroft, and Mr. Charles White,
an eminent surgeon. The first house to carry on the purpose of the charity was
in Garden Street, Shudehill, and was opened June 24.(7)
1752
The time of holding Acres Fair was changed from
the 20th and 21st of September to the 1st and 2nd of October.(7)
1752
Sacred Trinity Chapel, Salford, taken down and
rebuilt as a stone edifice of the Doric order, with a Gothic steeple, having six
bells, and a clock with four faces.(7)