desirable assignment for a senior pastor with Haydock's experience and abilities, he nonetheless threw himself into the task with his usual zeal. He began maintaining detailed baptismal records, providing fascinating insights into the social conditions of the time and the hardships facing his flock. "Laborer" is shown as the most common occupation, while "beggars," "trampers," and one "pauper" are also represented. In a letter dated 1848, Haydock states, "I have baptized above 100[.] But many of them trampers are gone." The second most common position was that of navy navvy or "navigator," referring to railroad workers. Irish immigration, especially resulting from the catastrophic Great Famine beginning in 1845, brought a large influx of these to the Penrith area, which was enjoying a wave of railroad construction. An incident of particular note occurred during Haydock's pastorate. Irish navvies were often willing to accept wages less than their native-born counterparts. The obvious potential for hostility came to a head in February, 1846, when conflicts between gangs of Irish and English navvies required intervention by local authorities. At one point, Haydock is credited with dissuading an Irish gang from a planned attack against these authorities, apparently using influence earned from his pastoral work. "The presence and exhortations of that aged and amiable man were irresistible, and tranquility was restored." The baptismal records further show Haydock made a careful distinction among parents that were "married," "perhaps married," "Prot[estant] married,"and one "cohabiting 4 years and wishing to be married." Separately classified also were marriages performed at Gretna Green, a town just across the Scottish border famous for "runaway marriages." The problem of infant mortality is sadly chronicled, with several baptisms recorded on infants "in articulo mortis," (in danger of death), one who died within a half-hour, and another who died the next day, and "the mother soon after." Father Haydock's letters during this period indicate a history of apparent heart disease, a problem that did not slow his endeavors. In September, 1849, just two months before his death, he wrote home describing a plea for help he received from a "tramp" who appeared near death. To respond he undertook a two-hour horseback ride which evidently precipitated a heart attack. Thinking at first he would die, he nevertheless returned home "much shaken." He wrote to his sister, "I do not often consult doctors nor do I require any relaxation or to retire to your smug parlor