About Anne Lister's diary for 21 December 1817

Introduction

For Anne, the months of November and December had provided a sombre climax to the year 1817. She returned home from her visits to York and Market Weighton to news of the death of the Vicar of Halifax, the Rev. Dr William Coulthurst. Two more deaths among Anne’s circle of acquaintances quickly followed. Emily (Mim) Norcliffe, eighteen-year-old sister of Anne’s former lover, Isabella, died in Brussels whilst on a tour of the Continent with her family. Then, nearer home, came news of the death of a young Halifax friend, John Greenwood, of Cross Hills . Coming so soon after the deaths of her mother, her Uncle Joseph and, more remotely, Princess Charlotte, it is no wonder that Anne exclaims “…Surely it is a dream, and I a dreamer! My mind seems all confusion…” . One gleam of comfort shone through the gloom. Anne’s married lover, Mariana Lawton, managed to pay a short visit to Shibden.

Selected passage

James Lister’s attitude towards his bereaved sister-in-law’s worries about money is highlighted in this extract. In addition, we have a description of the Halifax Parish Church in mourning for the deaths of its vicar and Princess Charlotte and also some insight into the early history of the then new West Riding Asylum .

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