Norfolk Annals Volume I Part 17

17.-Died, of typhus fever, in his 20th year, Viscount Trafalgar, only son of Earl Nelson.

23.*-"In consequence of the anniversary of King Charles's martyrdom, the nights of performance at the Theatre Royal, Norwich, next week, will be Monday, the 25th, Wednesday, the 27th, Thursday, 28th, and Friday, 29th."

FEBRUARY.

11.-A great snow storm. The coaches which should have arrived on Friday did not reach Norwich until the following Tuesday and Wednesday. "The mail guards were obliged to traverse the country with the bags on their shoulders, sometimes on foot, up to their b.r.e.a.s.t.s in snow, and sometimes on horseback, across the open fields and heaths. From the Friday till the following Tuesday the bags for London by Newmarket were dispatched hence in post chaises. Labourers were employed in clearing the highways, and in some places they cut three miles through the snow." So complete an obstruction to communication had not occurred since 1797, when the coaches were four days performing the journey from London.

14.-Died, in London, in his 60th year, "that eccentric and truly worthy character," the Rev. Joshua Larwood, rector of Swanton Morley, and many years chaplain on board the Britannia. He was the author of "Erratics,"

and of several other works.

15.-The constables of Norwich destroyed many dogs which had been found without muzzles in the public streets. Several cases of rabies and of deaths from hydrophobia were reported at this date.

17.-Died, at the age of 83, at Norwich, Mr. Francis Columbine. He served the office of Sheriff in 1769, and of Mayor in 1776.

Meetings were held in Norwich and throughout Norfolk this month, at which Mr. Joseph Lancaster lectured on his improved method of education.

Lancasterian schools were established in Norwich, Lynn, and Downham in May, 1809.

MARCH.

2.-The Hon. William Asheton Harbord appointed Lord Lieutenant and Custos Rotulorum of the county of Norfolk, in place of the Marquis Townshend, deceased. The Corporation of Norwich, on May 3rd, conferred upon Mr.

Harbord the honorary freedom of the city.

5.*-"The Dean of Norwich has appointed Dr. Beckwith to be organist of the Cathedral, in the room of Mr. T. Garland, resigned." (Mr. Garland died on February 21st, aged 77, having been organist 59 years.)

8.-Died, at Norwich, aged 77, William Love, musician. "He was formerly leader of the band at the Theatre, a person of great genius in his profession, of great suavity of manners, and of great improvidence in conduct."

11.-At a meeting held at the Angel Inn, Norwich, at which Mr. T. W. c.o.ke presided, Mr. Nathaniel Kent, of Ripon Hall, was presented by the agriculturists of the county with a ma.s.sive silver goblet, in recognition of "his integrity and impartiality between landlord and tenant, in his profession as a surveyor of land, and for his liberal and upright attachment to the interests of agriculture."

30.-The Rac.o.o.n sloop of war, 20 guns, was launched from Mr. J. Preston's dockyard at Yarmouth.

31.-Died, at Wells-next-the-Sea, aged 82, Mr. Charles Boyles, brother of Mrs. Murray, widow of Dr. John Murray, of Norwich.

-Died, at Melton House, aged 18, Miss Astley, eldest daughter of Sir Jacob Astley, Bart. She was in the act of placing coals upon the fire, when her dress became ignited, and she succ.u.mbed to her injuries within twenty-four hours.

APRIL.

2.*-"We understand that, in consequence of many burdens lately brought on the city by the birth of illegitimate children, the Corporation of the Guardians have offered a reward of 2s. 6d. to any person who shall give information of the pregnancy or delivery of any unmarried woman in Norwich."

4.-The week commencing this date, during which the ward elections were held at Norwich, was for the first time referred to as "cleansing week."

"Many voters, who had been cooped up at farm houses in the country at great expense, were brought in post chaises to the polling places. For the last four days we have had as much ringing and firing of bells as if we had received a confirmation of the reports of the naval victory in the Mediterranean."

9.-The performance for the benefit of Mr. Hindes, manager of the Theatre Royal, Norwich, produced the largest receipt ever known at the house on a like occasion, namely, 163.

16.-John Chapman, 34, and William Fuller, 26, for shooting at and wounding a gamekeeper in the service of Lord Cholmondeley, were executed on Castle Hill, Norwich.

28.-A county meeting was held at the Shire-house, Norwich, to take into consideration the measure pending in Parliament for prohibiting the use of grain in distilleries, and for the subst.i.tution of sugar. It was resolved to pet.i.tion against such prohibition as likely to prove injurious to the owners and occupiers of land in Norfolk. (Parliament determined, however, in favour of using Colonial produce instead of English barley.)

30.*-(Advt.) "There will be a match of c.o.c.ks fought between the gentlemen of Norwich and the gentlemen of Norfolk, to show 25 mains and 8 byes, to fight for two guineas a battle, and 20 guineas the odd. One turn out for ten guineas; to be fought on the 2nd and 3rd day of May, at the King's Head, in Magdalen Street, Norwich. A pair of c.o.c.ks to be pitted at twelve o'clock precisely. Feeders, Lamb for Norwich; Carter for Norfolk."

Died, this month, aged 100, Mr. John Myhill, of Catfield.

MAY.

2.-A new peal of ten bells was opened at St. Nicholas, Great Yarmouth.

3.-Mr. Robert Alderson was elected Governor of the Norwich Court of Guardians, in the place of Mr. Robert Partridge, resigned.

6.-Mrs. and Miss Robertson, of the Close, Norwich, and the Misses Doune were returning to the city from Hockering, when they were stopped by a highwayman near Cossey Wood. He was armed with pistols, and, after taking all their valuable articles of jewellery, rode off.

10.-An Expedition, consisting of 150 transports, sailed from Yarmouth for the Baltic, for the protection of Sweden. The Mars, Admiral Keats, the Audacious, Capt. Lukin, and other warships formed the convoy; and Sir John Moore, with Major-Generals Paget and Murray, had command of the troops.

21.-The coach house, brew house, and offices at Blickling Hall, with 180 stand of arms, were destroyed by fire.

JUNE.

4.-The Society for the Encouragement of Arts and Manufactures awarded their silver medal to Mrs. Coppin, of St. Stephen's Street, Norwich, for her oil painting, "The Gamesters."

-An annual ploughing match was inaugurated at Ellingham by the Rev. Wm.

Johnson, to encourage the use of oxen in husbandry.

6.-The Norwich Regiment of Volunteer Infantry, Col. Harvey, 500 strong, proceeded to Yarmouth for garrison duly, and returned to Norwich on the 18th.

13.-A cricket match, for 50 guineas a side, was played at Swaffham, between the gentlemen of Swaffham and the gentlemen of Shipdham, and was won by the latter.

16.-Died, at Norwich, in this 68th year, Sir Roger Kerrison, banker, and for many years Receiver-General for Norfolk. He was an alderman of the Mancroft Ward, served the office of High Sheriff in 1800, and was twice Mayor of Norwich, 1778-1802.

20.-Holkham Sheep Shearing commenced. The sweepstakes of 28 subscribers, at 10s. 6d. each, for naming the weight of Mr. c.o.ke's three-shear half-bred merino wether, was won by Mr. Thomas More, of Watham, who guessed the exact weight, 132 lbs. A patent dibbling iron, which deposited the seed at the time the holes were struck, exhibited by the Rev. Mr. Barker, of Woodbridge, was the winning implement. Mr. F. Smith, of Norwich, exhibited specimens of ladies' merino dresses, scarves, shawls, stockings, coating, and ca.s.simers, most of which were made from the wool of Mr. c.o.ke's sheep. "A pair of worstead stockings were of so delicate a fabric that the two stockings pa.s.sed at the same time through a lady's ring. A manufacturer had ordered a dozen pair at 18 guineas."

21.-The Guild feast given at St. Andrew's Hall by the Mayor of Norwich, Mr. Starling Day, jun., was attended by 580 guests.

JULY.

12.-At the Norwich Quarter Sessions, the Norwich Flour Company appealed against the a.s.sessment of their premises in St. Andrew's. The company was described as an unprofitable concern. The a.s.sessment was reduced.

-A member of the Swaffham Cricket Club played and beat, with great ease in one innings, "six players of professional celebrity in that town."

13.-The thermometer registered 97 degrees in the shade at Catton. Many horses died from the excessive heat.