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Opening Sentence Sunday

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Opening Sentence Sunday

Bram stared into a pair of wide, dark eyes. Eyes that reflected a surprising glimmer of intelligence.

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Opening Sentence Sunday

I know I was handsome...and have always been fashionable, but I do assure you," Georgianna, Duchess of Devonshire, wrote her daughter at the end of her life, "our negligence and omissions have been forgiven and we have been loved, more from our being free from airs than from any other circumstance."

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The Thursday News - Caution

LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY

26th April 1811

Caution to the Public: Whereas a Man named Jonas LAZARUS of Lincoln, has been travelling about the country and falsely representing himself to be the brother (by Marriage) of me, Moses LYON of Boston - I hereby give Notice, that the said Jonas LAZARUS is not related to me in any manner, nor have I any connection with him whatsoever. Boston, April 23rd 1811, Moses LYON.

LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY

25th June 1811

Caution to the Public: Whereas a Person is travelling the County of Lincoln representing himself to be in Partnership with me - This is to give Notice, that I have no Partner whatsoever but brew Ale and Porter solely on my own Account. Boston, 21st June 1819, Samuel COX. NB: A Quantity of Bottled Porter on hand.

Opening Sentence Sunday

Once upon a time, not so very long ago,,,
Beautiful girls in fairy stories are as common as pebbles on the beach.

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The Thursday News - Classifieds

The London Chronicle

May 18, 1758

WANTED,An Advowson from 200l. to 600l. a Year, with any Life upwards of Fifty upon it; or a next Presentation of about the same yearly Value, provided there is an old Incumbent.
Any Person (being a Principal) may direct to Mr. Wm. Dobey, opposite the Sun Tavern, in Holborn.
 
To be LETT, Furnished, A very good House, consisting of three Parlours and a large Hall below stairs, five Bedchambers, a Dressing Room and a large Study, and two small Rooms, five large Garrets, with as many beds as may be wanted; over the Scullery and Dairy there are seven Bedchambers for servants; there are all reasonable Conveniences for Servants, such as Store-Rooms, Clossets, Shelves; good Stabling for ten Horses at least Coach-houses, Brew-houses, Out-houses, &c. with or without Land; The Gardens in good Order, a Dove-house, Fish-ponds, well stock'd, in a fine Sporting Country, a Mile from Buckenham, a Market Town in Norfolk; 16 miles from Norwich, and 99 from London.
Enquire of Mr. Jackson, Bookseller, in St. James's Street.

Opening Sentence Sunday

The Duchess of Bridgwater, formidably elegant in her purple satin evening gown with matching turban and tall plumes, bedecked and sparkling with the family jewels, looked Miss Cora Downes over with slow and methodical care, beginning at the top of her elaborate coiffure, and ending at her slippers, which were already cramping her toes.

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The Thursday News - What??

 LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY

22nd August 1806

Death - Lately died Mr. Robert BROMHEAD, late of Stamford, and within one day´s sail on his passage to New York, when he and another person imprudently attempted to bathe and both jumped out of the window. The latter was saved with great difficulty, but the former (Mr. BROMHEAD) never rose

 LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY

29th April 1808

If John PALIAN of Helpringham still intends to persist in calling himself a Quaker, he is desired to produce the Minute of the Monthly Meeting by which he was admitted into the Society, as without such a Minute of Admission, no person who was not born in the Society, can become a Member of it. By producing, or failing to produce this proof of his assertion, it may be known whether or not he is in reality such ´A Lover of Truth´ as he professes himself to be. The advertiser repeats that John PALIAN never is, nor never was a Member of the Society of Quakers..

 LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY

29th April 1808

Elopement: Whereas Thomas KIME of Scremby did, on Thursday 24th March 1808, take away Susanna, the wife of William STANDWELL of Candlesby in the County of Lincoln, Victualler, and two Children named Thomas and Elizabeth - Thomas KIME is about 29 years of age, stands about 5 ft 9½ inches high, round face, small thin nose, light blue eyes, light hair cropt, fair complexion. He had on a light great-coat, dark brown undercoat with yellow buttons, short waistcoat, light corded breeches and shoes tied with strings. Susanna STANDWELL is about 45 years of age, stands about 5 ft 3 or 4 inches high, a good looking woman, fresh coloured but rather subject to scurvy in the face. The son is about 12 years old and can write a decent hand. The daughter is about nine years old and is short-sighted. Susanna STANDWELL is supposed to have concealed cash, plate, linen and various other articles to the amount of £200 or upwards, the property of William STANDWELL. They went off in a Post Chaise from Boston in Lincolnshire and have since been seen in London. Whoever will apprehend the above named persons and lodge them in any of His Majesty´s Gaols, and if possible, secure the property, by giving notice thereof to William STANDWELL by letter or otherwise, shall immediately receive a Reward of Five Guineas. Candlesby, 27th April 1808.

Opening Sentence Sunday

Very few things in the world could make Oliver Warren, the Marquis of Hayburry, flinch. He could count these things on one hand, in fact.

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The Thursday News - Missing Persons

 LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY

6th May 1808

John ROLLITT of Walcot near Sleaford in this county left his house on Monday the 11th April to go to Pinchbeck, where he arrived on Friday the 15th and then returned as far homeward as the sign of the Wheel Inn at Heckington Fen on Saturday the 16th April where he staid (sic) the night, and on the next morning left that place, seemingly to pursue his journey homewards, but has not since been heard of. Mr John ROLLITT is 45 years old and about 5 ft 4 ins high with black hair and a dark complexion, stoops in his walk, is rather corpulent and is rather hard of hearing. He had on a blue coat and a dark great-coat and also had buckles in his shoes and is supposed to have a great deal of money with him. Whoever can give any information of him to his WIFE at Walcot aforesaid, to Mr James ROLLITT of Navenby, or to Mr Valentine INGRAM of Surfleet, shall be handsomely rewarded.

 LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY

13th May 1808

TWENTY GUINEAS REWARD. If any persons will give information to Mr TORKINGTON of Stamford or to Mr WHITE of Grantham, attorneys at law, of Richard STANHAM of North Witham in the county of Lincolnshire, farmer and grazier, who left his home on Friday the 1st of April instant, he will receive the above Reward together with all reasonable Expences (sic). The said Richard STANHAM is about 48 years of age, 5 ft 7 ins high, stout made, ruddy dark complexion, black hair cut short, turning rather grey, rather inclined to corpulency, broad round face and a pleasant cheerful countenance: he wore a dark singlebreasted coat with metal buttons, and yellow and striped toilinette waistcoat, with metal buttons, and dark velveteen breeches with metal buttons, all new: he had on also a pair of boots with turn-down tops, a new round hat and an old drab loose top-coat with two capes, which were stained on the right side. The Creditors of the said Richard STANHAM are particularly requested to meet at the White Lion Inn in Colsterworth on Monday the 16th of May next, at Eleven o´clock in the forenoon, to take the affairs of the said Richard STANHAM into further consideration. Colsterworth, 27th April 1808.

Opening Sentence Sunday

Mr. Bancroft stepped onto the wide stone terrace and sighed at the thick mist that swirled about the trees and low lake.

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The Thursday News - Escapees, Runaways, and Gigolos, oh My!

LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY

11th May 1810

ESCAPED from His Majesty´s Gaol, the Castle of Lincoln, about three o´clock in the afternoon of Wednesday the 9th day of May by getting over the walls, ROBERT WHARF, a Convict under sentence of Transportation for Life. The said Robert WHARF is about 20 years of age, light brown hair, grey eyes, a round visage, slim made, a good-looking young man, was born at Kirton near Boston; had on a brown coat, stript (sic) waistcoat, blue and drab coloured country breeches and had no shoes on - whoever will apprehend the said ROBERT WHARF and lodge him in any of H M Gaols, shall receive a Reward of Five Guineas from the Keeper of Lincoln Castle.

LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY

 23rd November 1810

 RUN AWAY from his Master´s Service, JOHN MAJOR, apprentice to Mr William PYCOTTS, cordwainer of Crowle, Lincolnshire, on April 1st 1810. John MAJOR is about 18 years of age, 4ft 10ins high, has black curly hair, a scar on his chin and walks with his knees bent. Whoever will lodge the said John MAJOR in any of His Majesty´s Gaols, and shall give notice to Mr William PYCOTTS aforesaid, shall receive One Guinea Reward; but if he will return to his master´s service, within a Fortnight from this date, and behave himself well, his master will forgive the lost time. Crowle, November 13th 1810.

LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY

 16th November 1810

A few days ago at Alford, after a brief courtship, was married Mr. HEWSON, aged 24, to Mrs. BRYON, a brisk widow of the Anchor public-house there, aged 70 years.

Opening Sentence Sunday

"It's just not fair." Elisabeth Marguerite Cynster, Eliza to all, grumbled the complaint beneath her breath as she stood alone, cloaked in the shadows of a massive potted palm by the wall of her eldest cousin's ballroom.

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The Thursday News - Food Network 1800

 LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY

31st January 1800

The POTATOE SOUP recommended by Mr TURNOR at Bourn Sessions, is prepared as follows: (see pamphlet entitled "Information for Overseers": Put an Ox´s Head, well washed, into 13 gallons of water, add a peck and a half of pared potatoes, half a quartem of onions, a few carrots and a handful of pat herbs, thicken it with two quarts of oatmeal (or barley meal) and add pepper and salt to your taste. Set it to stew with a gentle fire early in the afternoon, allowing as little evaporation as may be, and not skimming off the fat, but leaving the whole to stew gently over the fire, which should be renewed and made up at night. Make a small fire under the boiler at seven o´clock in the morning, and keep adding as much water as will make up the loss by evaporation, keeping it gently stewing until noon, when it will be ready to serve for dinner. The whole may be divided into 52 messes, each containing (by a previous division of meat and fat), a piece of meat and fat and a quart of savoury nourishing soup. The expenses of the meals are: Ox´s Head 2 shillings and 6 pence; Potatoes, onions, etc 1 shilling and 1 penny; 2 Qts of Oatmeal 11 pence; Cost exclusive of fire and cooking: 4 shillings and 6 pence.

Opening Sentence Sunday

Heath turned up the collar of his overcoat, cursing through his teeth as he felt an icy draft of wind slip down his neck.

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The Thursday News - Wills

 LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY

15th March 1799

A poor labouring man (whose name is CARRINGTON and who has a very large family of children) at Swinstead in this county, is said to be heir to a Mr SCOTNEY who got a large fortune in the East Indies and lately died in London. £10,000 secured by mortgage on an estate in Scotland, forms part of the fortunate property.

 LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY

18th February 1791

PENNELL´S Will: The Heir at Law of WILLIAM PENNELL, late of Horncastle in the County of Lincoln, Attorney at Law, deceased, (whose Residence since the month of April 1783 at different times and for several months together, has been in London or the vicinity thereof, to the Month of June last, when the said William PENNELL returned to Horncastle aforesaid; continued there until his Death, which happened on the 26th day of January last), requests that if any Person or Persons can give Information of being a subscribing Witness or Witnesses to any Will or Codicil executed by the said William PENNELL, since the Month of April 1783, that they will forthwith give notice thereof either to JOHN HANSON, Attorney at Law, Chancery Lane, London: or to RICHARD HEALD of Horncastle aforesaid, Attorney at Law.

 LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY

7th January 1792

Next of Kin - Notice is hereby given that whoever can satisfactorily prove themselves to be nearest in Degree of Kindred to William OSBORN, late of Raithby in the county of Lincoln, Farmer and Grazier, deceased, may hear of something to their Advantage by applying to Mr WEBB, Attorney at Law at Louth. NB: The said William OSBORN died in the month of March 1789.

Opening Sentence Sunday

The family of Dashwood had long been settled in Sussex.

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The Thursday News - Men, The Bad And The Good

 LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY

4th January 1799

George ROSE left his Wife and Family about two Years Ago chargeable to the Parish of Billingborough in the county of Lincoln. He was born at Musson, Leicestershire, is about 44 years of age, Swarthy complexion, has a scar on the right side of his nose, thick lips, slim made, near-sighted, and wears spectacles; is about 5 foot 3 or 4 inches high; by profession a Rag-gatherer and Pattin maker. He has been a Soldier in the Cambridgeshire Regiment of Infantry, raised in the American War about the year 1776 or 1777, under command of General John PARLOW from which he obtained his discharge in the year 1783. Whoever will apprehend the aforesaid George ROSE lodge him in one of his Majesty´s Gaols and give Information immediately to the Overseers of Billingborough aforesaid, shall be hansomely rewarded for their Trouble.

 LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY

25th October 1799

It is with great regret we have to record the death of that brave young officer, Captain SKYNNER, the eldest son of the Reverend Mr SKYNNER of Easton near this place. He commanded the ´La Lutine´ frigate of 32 guns, which was unfortunately wrecked off the coast of Holland in the night of the 9th instant, and all the crew perished, but one.

Opening Sentence Sunday

A throaty feminine moan disturbed the cozy peace of the stable loft. As Catriona Kincaid jerked up her head, the drowsy bit of fluff draped over the back of her neck let out a shrill mew.

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