Daily archives: April 20, 2022

Here are some advertisements from the 1730s and 1750 found in the Derby Mercury newspaper.  Whilst its not (yet) possible to work out which houses are referred to; it’s worth looking at the meaning of some of the terms used. The Derby Mercury ran from 1732 to 1900.  From 1882 to 2008 Sawley’s local paper was the Long Eaton Advertiser. Messuage.  This means a house together with its outbuildings and adjacent land.  The legal definition is still current, but the term was often used in adverts for houses in the 18th and 19th century. Lady Day (the Feast of the Annunciation) is 25th March.  It is the first of the English quarter days (the others being Midsummer Day (24 June), Michaelmas (29 September) and Christmas (25 December). The cross-quarter days are Candlemas (2 February), May Day (1 May), Lammas (1 August), and All Hallows (1 November).  Until 1752 Lady Day was the first day of the civil year in England, Wales and the American colonies (from 1752 it became 1 January to harmonise with Scotland).  In the same year the Julian calendar was replaced by the Gregorian calendar, which meant dates advanced by 11 days.  So, the ‘old’ Lady Day […]