Diary of Nathaniel Bryceson 1846 (Part 1)

[Ruskie]

I know there was mention of this at the beginning of the year but although I searched, I was unable to find it, so apologies.

I have posted in the Common Room rather than The Lighter Side to reach a wider audience as I know not everyone visits The Lighter Side, and I thought there may be some who wish to read this diary. If anyone feels it sould be moved please do so.


Is anyone else still reading The Diary of Nathaniel Bryceson?

http://www.westminster.gov.uk/services/libraries/archives/victorian-clerk/

I log on every day to see what Nathaniel is up to. It's so disappointing when there are no diary entries.

I read about his obsession with death and cemeteries which is evident. Something that strikes me is the amount of walking he does, and the fact he has a penchant for following people (stalking?).

I'm really enjoying his diary.

[deb usa]

Hi Ruskie

Thanks for the link. I have read up until the end of May! 

I wonder why he was 'stalking' the old lady when he could have been introduced to her??

I love the fact that every Sunday starts the same way ... coffee, breakfast and reading the news of the week.

deb

[Joyful]

 I have read up until the 20 May 1846. I really miss it when there are no entries

and find myself wondering what happened to prevent him writing.

Fascinating reading...I wonder what the surgeon tried instead of removing the

tumour from the breast of NP's mother?

Joy

[deb usa]

Hi Joy

I wonder what he looked like ... I tend to think that he may have been quite handsome as he focuses a lot on what he wears 

It also seems to me that Ann Fox must have been younger as he mentions  "regaled ourselves a little unlawfully ....kitchen"  .... this was at Mrs. Kennington's house in Stephen street ...I wonder if we can find out more about Ann.

Strangely there is a Lucy FOX Kennington b 1823 on the 1851 census. 

deb

PS ...I have no idea what the surgeon may have done in order to remove the tumour ... 

[deb usa]

ooooo

Found her

1851
27 Stephen Street
Cock Family
John Burns
Mary Elizth KENNINGTON, unm 63, mangling , b Middlesex, ?? Picadilly
ANN FOX, 49, Charwoman, b Middlesex, Green??

so she was MUCH older than NB !!!!!!!!!

deb

[Ruskie]

I'm glad I'm not alone in my obsession with this diary. There is some information somewhere about Nathaniel's life - he has been traced through the censuses. But I don't know what became of Ann.

I imagine him to be a bit of a dandy too Joy.  

WOW. I've just seen your post Deb, Are we sure that's the right Ann Fox? So she's 49 in 1851 and Nathaniel would be 24!!!!  I had imagined Ann as being of similar age - is there any mention in the diary so far that she is older than him?

[deb usa]

I am going to reread the diary and see if there are any more clues.

The mention from NB re; Unlawful doings (  ) ...is in April.... He writes that he visited Ann at Mrs Kennington in Stephen Street. Maybe it's unlawful as maybe Ann is married. In 1851 there is nothing under her status as to Married or not!

I think this is the right Ann in 1851 ...living at Stephen Street

 

[Ruskie]

I am going to reread the diary and see if there are any more clues.

The mention from NB re; Unlawful doings (  ) ...is in April.... He writes that he visited Ann at Mrs Kennington in Stephen Street. Maybe it's unlawful as maybe Ann is married. In 1851 there is nothing under her status as to Married or not!

I think this is the right Ann in 1851 ...living at Stephen Street

 

Oh yes, it must be her then.

I'm quite shocked Nathaniel! 

I'll bet she's teaching him eveything she knows. 

[deb usa]

 

I am still rereading ... Supposedly, from reading the introduction, HB wrote of his meetings with Ann, in shorthand. Those sentences have been italicized.

It looks like they were very secretive...    maybe that's why they went to cemeteries 
eg: "I met her in Tottenham Court Chapel Churchyard, where a reconciliation took place"

deb