Paul Heatherington has authored this A4 size book that includes a facsimile of the 1787 print of the poem, contemporary reviews, his commentary and a biography and portrait of John Carr.
If you wish to obtain a copy [for a suggested donation of £5 or more], please contact Paul by email .. paul@heatherington.me
The entire proceeds will be donated to All Saints’ Church, Muggleswick who have just introduced champing (that’s camping in a church!) a unique way to experience the peace and beauty of the church. [Contacts: Helen Barrass – 01207 590986 Lynne Bean – 01207 560238.]
The poem reflects Dr John Carr’s nostalgic memories of the Derwent River, County Durham, and the surrounding countryside, where he spent his childhood. Eight verses of the poem were published in 1783, shortly after the death of George Maddison, who was born at Hole House near Allensford, County Durham. Maddison died on 27 August 1783
“At Paris, George Maddison, Esq.; many years secretary to Sir Joseph Yorke at the Hague, and in the same capacity with the Duke of Manchester at Paris; he was unfortunately poisoned by some mulled wine prepared in a copper vessel. He was a most worthy man, highly capable and active in business, and is as much a loss to the nation as regretted by his friends” [Bath Chronicle, 4 September 1783]
Dr John Carr was born in 1732, the second son of Joseph Carr (1705-1775), and his wife Hannah Swinburne (1708-1738), who married in 1727. Carr was one of the most notable sons of the hamlet of Muggleswick, County Durham. John Carr became headmaster of the grammar-school at Hertford founded by Richard Hale in 1617 and now called Richard Hale School. Carr married Mary Dacres (1734-1793) on 12 January 1769 at Hertford. They had no children. Carr became an Alderman of Hereford in 1791 and was Mayor of Hertford in both 1792 and 1803.
A memorial to George Maddison is on the South wall of Lanchester Church, County Durham. The memorial includes the last verse of Carr’s Ode – see the photograph attached.
