Sunday, February 26, 2012

Opening Sentence Sunday

The family of Dashwood had long been settled in Sussex.

Who knows this one? What about you, have one to share? Comment. Click for the answer.

Last week's opener was from...


Thursday, February 23, 2012

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.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

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.

Any guesses on the title? Want to share? Comment below. Click for the answer.

Last week's opener was...

Thursday, February 16, 2012

The Thursday News - Deserters

  LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY
 16th September 1796
Royal South Regiment of Lincolnshire Militia; Deserted from the said Regiment, quartered at Chelmsford Barracks, the following persons, viz:-
George COOPER (from Capt. LLUELLWYN´s Company): 27 years of age: 5 Feet 5 Inches high; Residence Weston, Yorkshire; Occupation a Laborer: dark Complexion, Brown Hair, Hazle Eyes, a large scar on the Right side of the Throat - Deserted on 9th of August last, in full Battalion Cloathing and Black Leather Cap: - Substitute for William BUFF of Gosberton, Lincolnshire.
William MAPLESTON (from the same Company): 27 years of age: 5 Feet 7 Inches high: Residence at Kirton, Lincolnshire: Occupation a Laborer: Fair Complexion, Brown Hair, Grey Eyes with a Dimple on his Chin - Deserted on 9th August last in full Battalion Cloathing, and Black Leather Cap: - Substitute for Samuel TUNNARD of Kirton, Lincolnshire.
Edward PACEY (from the same Company): 33 years of age, 5 Feet 6 and a half Inches high: Residence at Boston, Lincolnshire: Occupation a Waterman: ruddy Complexion, Brown Hair, Black Eyes, a Mole on his left Cheek - Deserted on 9th August last in full Battalion Cloathing, and Black Leather Cap - Substitute for James SHAW of Algarkirke, Lincolnshire. (It is supposed the said Edward PACEY is gone into Timberland Fen, to Harvest Work. - Whosoever will apprehend and lodge him in any of his Majesty´s Gaols, shall receive Five Guineas Reward to be paid by Thomas RASDALL or Samuel BURRELL, Overseers for the Parish of Algarkirke, over and above what is allowed by Act of Parliament).
Charles CUTTS, 25 Years of Age: 5 Feet 7 Inches and a Quarter high: Residence at Corby, Lincolnshire: Occupation a Laborer, fair Compexion, sandy Hair, Grey Eyes: - Deserted on the 10th August last, in full Light Infantry Cloathing and Cap. - Substitute for John CLARKE of Colsterworth.
John SPENCE, 27 Years of Age: 5 Feet 6 Inches and a Quarter high: Residence at Donington, Lincolnshire: Occupation a Laborer: ruddy Complexion: Brown Hair: Grey Eyes: large Scar on his left Wrist: - Deserted on the 23rd August last - Substitute for John PARKER of Donington, Lincolnshire.
Thomas GREGORY (from the Grenadier Company): 30 Years of Age: 6 Feet One Inch and a Quarter high: Residence at Swineshead, Lincolnshire: Occupation a Laborer, Fresh Complexion, Light-Brown Hair, Grey Eyes, Cut on his left Hand: Straight and Stout made (Person): Deserted on 23rd August last in an old Regimental Coat and Round Hat. - Substitute for John CLEMENTS of St Nicholas Parish, Lincoln.
John LITTLE (from Captain BELL´s Company): 25 Years of Age: 5 Feet 7 Inches high: Residence at West Walton, Norfolk: Occupation a Laborer: Fresh Complexion: Brown Hair, Brown Eyes: a Scar on the fore-finger of his Left Hand: - Deserted on the 23rd of August last, in a Light-Brown Lacket and a Round Hat. Substitute for William ROBINSON of Kirkby Laythorpe, Lincolnshire.
Whoever shall apprehend the above Deserters, and lodge them or either of them in any of His Majesty´s Gaols, will, on Application to Colonel SIBTHORPE, Chelmsford Barracks, receive Twenty Shilling each, over and above what is allowed by Act of Parliament for apprehending Deserters: - and the Parish of Kirkby Laythorpe will allow the further Sum of Three Guineas for apprehending the said John LITTLE. (dated) September 1st, 1796.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Opening Sentence Sunday

Remember, this is historical. hehe

"Who covers a cock?" The voice whispered through the darkness.

Can you guess the historical romance novel this opening line came from? Want to share your own? Comment.Click for the answer.

Last week's opener was from...

Thursday, February 9, 2012

The Thursday News - Theft

LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY
 13th November 1795
The house of George JOHNSON of Bridge-End, in the Parish of Horbling, Lincolnshire, was broke open on the 28th October 1795 and amongst other things a remarkable WATCH was taken away; the outside spring of which is hollow, Three Clips on the Side of the Face, and the inside Engine is broke (sic). If the above is offered for sale or to be pawned, on giving Notice to Mr GEORGE JOHNSON, as above, FORTY POUNDS will be paid on the Conviction of the Offender for Burglary.

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Opening Sentence Sunday

He had expected revenge. Had anticipated it keenly enough to move all of the papers that incriminated them.

Any guesses at what book this is from? Want to share your own opening sentence from the book nearest you? Comment here.Click for the answer.

Last weeks opener was from...

Thursday, February 2, 2012

The Thursday News - Morality

 LINCOLN, RUTLAND & STAMFORD MERCURY
21st August 1795
MARSTON FEAST - We the inhabitants of MARSTON, near Grantham, having duly considered the bad consequences attending Country Wakes and Feasts, which, tho originally intended for Religious Meetings, are now quite perverted, serving chiefly to encourage Drunkenness the Inlet of Vice and Prophaneness; and further considering that the present alarming high Prices of Provisions, must nearly involve every poor Family in insurmountable Debts and difficulties; which to prevent and keep our Parishioners from such Embarrassments, as well as to check the rapid Growth of Vice and Immorality, we have unanimously agreed to discontinue our ANNUAL FEAST and to give this Public NOTICE, of our Resolution to abolish it. Given under our hands this 16th day of August 1795. (signed) Thomas EDINBOROUGH Alexander WRIGHT William GEESON Thomas WORTH Richard HARMSTONE Samuel HUCKERBY Noah ROPER William WING D METHERINGHAM