Norfolk Annals Volume I Part 20

Owing to the annoyance to which he was subjected by Mrs. Sutherland, who, it was alleged, had been under his protection, he appeared in court and moved to exhibit articles of the peace against her. The court ordered the defendant to enter into her own recognisances of 100 and to keep the peace for one year. At the Quarter Sessions on October 4th, Major Turner exhibited fresh articles against Mrs. Sutherland, and stated that seven days after entering into her recognisances she again appeared at his house and committed a breach of the peace. The court thereupon ordered Mrs. Sutherland to find two sureties of 100 each, and to keep the peace for twelve months. Not being prepared with her bond, she was committed to Norwich Castle, but was afterwards released upon two Norwich gentlemen agreeing to be bound for her.

15.-Mr. Incledon appeared at the Theatre Royal, Norwich, in his entertainment, in three parts, ent.i.tled, "A Voyage to India." A recitation was given by Mr. Powell, formerly of Norwich Theatre, and of Drury Lane Theatre.

22.-A duel was fought, "in a grove near Norwich, between Mr. B . . . n and Mr. L . . b . . t, both of Norwich, in consequence, we understand, of their paying their addresses to the same young lady. The parties fired, but neither received any injury, after which a reconciliation took place, and Mr. L. resigned his pretensions to the fair lady."

24.-A letter was received by the Commandant of the Norwich Volunteer Infantry, from the Lord Lieutenant of the County, "signifying his Majesty's intention not to make any further allowance for clothing to Volunteer corps, and desiring to know whether the Norwich Volunteers would consider themselves a corps, or transfer their services to the Local Militia?" The Colonel replied "that they would continue their services as long as his Majesty would be pleased to accept them and their present clothing held out."

29.-It was announced that Mr. Henry Aston Barker, "who painted the pictures of London, Paris, Constantinople, Edinburgh, Dublin, Cairo, &c.," exhibited in Leicester Square, London, had drawn "a panoramic view of Norwich and the surrounding country, as seen from the Castle Hill, accompanied by a perspective view of the Castle, engraved in stroke by Mr. Williams."

31.-The annual exhibition of the Norwich Society of Artists was opened in Sir Benjamin Wrenche's Court.

-At the Norfolk a.s.sizes, held at Norwich, the case of the King _v._ Larke, Mileham, and others was tried. This was a prosecution for rioting in a Dissenting meeting-house at Aylsham, and for an a.s.sault upon a preacher, named Joseph King, on Sunday evening, March 13th, 1808. The defendants behaved in a very disorderly manner in the chapel, and carried off the minister by force to the Dog Inn. The case was settled by the defendants apologising to the prosecutor in open court, and by paying the costs of the prosecution.

-At the same a.s.sizes, Lord Chief Justice Mansfield had before him the action, Leathes, clerk, _v._ Baker. It was brought by the Rector of Reedham, under a statute of Edward VI., to recover treble the value of the t.i.thes of corn grown on the defendant's farm there, in 1808, and involved in dispute a sum of between 300 and 400. The two main points which the plaintiff endeavoured to substantiate were, first, that the tenant had not set out the t.i.thes according to law; and, secondly, if set out, it was done fraudulently and unfairly. It was proved that in one field defendant cut the whole crop, t.i.thed and carried a part on one day, and the remainder on the following day. The Judge ruled that this mode of t.i.thing was contrary to law, and said he was sorry to be obliged to direct the special jury to find for the plaintiff. The jury, after requesting his lordship to inform them what was the lowest sum they could award, so as not to subject the defendant to costs, a.s.sessed the amount at 8. A similar action was brought by the same plaintiff at the Lent a.s.sizes at Thetford, on March 19th, 1810, against a farmer, named Maddison, when the jury found for the defendant. At the Norfolk a.s.sizes, held at Norwich, on August 13th, 1810, before the Lord Chief Justice, Baker brought an action against Mr. Leathes, to recover damages for inconvenience and loss sustained by him in 1808, by reason of the defendant allowing his t.i.thes to remain and rot on the plaintiff's land.

A verdict was given for Baker, damages, 150. At the same a.s.sizes, Mr.

Leathes brought an action against a farmer, named Long, for not setting out his t.i.thes according to law. Verdict for the plaintiff, damages, 12.

31.-The Grand Jury for the County held a meeting, at which renewed efforts were commenced to procure the removal of the Lent a.s.sizes from Thetford to Norwich. It was decided to pet.i.tion Parliament with that object. At Norwich Quarter Sessions, on October 3rd, the Grand Jury made a presentment, asking the city magistrates to co-operate with the county justices. On October 11th, the Norwich Corporation resolved to aid the county in the application to Parliament, and in February, 1810, a pet.i.tion in favour of the removal was presented in the House of Commons by Mr. Patteson.

AUGUST.

6.-A wedding "of an unusual kind was celebrated at Swaffham. The bride and bridegroom, young persons, were both quite blind."

10.-Races took place at Mattishall. A purse, "given by the town," was won by a horse, named Lord Paget, owned by Mr. Carter, a well-known leader of sport in the district.

14.-Died, at his seat at Costessey, aged 74, Sir William Jerningham, Bart., ("subject to the decision now pending in the House of Lords") Baron Stafford, of Stafford Castle. He was succeeded in his t.i.tle and estate by his eldest son, Mr. George Jerningham, Haughley Park.

15.-News was received at Norwich of the victory of the British Army in Spain, under Sir Arthur Wellesley.

16.-The first division of the West Norfolk Militia marched into Norwich from Colchester, under the command of Lieut.-Col. Nelthorpe. The second division, commanded by Capt. Barnham, arrived next day. The regiment, which had not been stationed in Norwich for nearly 30 years, had the Earl of Orford as its colonel-in-chief.

SEPTEMBER.

4.-One hundred prisoners of war, from Flushing, arrived at the Cavalry Barracks, Norwich, from Yarmouth, and next day proceeded on their route to Norman Cross. Among them were several officers, and their wives and families, who were sent to Northampton and Chesterford. They expressed their grat.i.tude to the Mayor, magistrates, and citizens, for the humane treatment they had received in Norwich.

13.-Overstrand Hall was purchased by Lord Suffield for 16,510.

16.*-"Mr. Laverock Love, a young officer of the Aboukir, only 18 years of age (son of Mr. Love, surgeon, of East Dereham, in this county), had the command of a launch at the bombardment of Flushing, and was the first who fired a shot. Letters have been received from several of his brother officers, speaking in the highest terms of his intrepid gallantry."

21.-A plan for the regulation of the Cattle Market was adopted by the Corporation of Norwich.

OCTOBER.

3.-H.R.H. the Duke of York left Buckenham Lodge, the seat of General Sir J. Pulteney, to whom he had been on a visit for the shooting.

7.*-(Advt.) "This day the 'Norwich and Yarmouth Courier' will be published and ready for delivery on the arrival of the mail, at the 'Courier' Office, late Post Office, Market Place, Norwich, containing the same news as the London papers delivered on Sat.u.r.day in Norwich, and, of course, such as cannot appear in any country paper till the following week. A newspaper, gratis, sent post free to every advertiser."

11.-The Corporation of Norwich voted a loyal address of congratulation to his Majesty, on his entering, on October 25th, upon the 50th year of his reign. It was decided by nine votes to eight not to celebrate the Jubilee "by roasting a bullock in the Market Place and giving away 10 barrels of beer"; and the aldermen negatived a proposal to appropriate a sum out of the Corporation revenues to secure the discharge of certain debtors, as a means of commemorating the event.

17.-Three newly-erected paper mills at Elsing "were set to work on an entirely new principle."

19.-Died, in an obscure apartment in the White Hart Yard, St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich, Mr. Robert Fenn. "In the early part of his life his company was sought after and welcomed by persons of high rank in the sporting line. He possessed great skill as a marksman, and had the best method of training dogs. As a tavern companion he was jocular, facetious, and replete with anecdote, entertaining the company, and inspiring mirth with his oddities and eccentricities." He was in his 75th year.

20.-The worsted and silk and worsted manufacturers of Norwich granted the weavers an increase of wages, involving an additional expenditure of 5,000 per annum.

22.-A new altar-piece, of Gothic design, the work of Mr. Copping, of St.

Stephen's, Norwich, was erected in Braconash Church.

25.-Celebration of the Jubilee of George III. The Mayor (Mr. Thos. Back) and the Corporation of Norwich attended service at the Cathedral. At the conclusion of the service the civic procession returned to the Guildhall, and the garrison and Volunteers fired a _feu de joie_ on the Castle Ditches. The Mayor entertained 340 guests at dinner at St. Andrew's Hall. A baron of beef, weighing 172 lbs., surmounted by the Union flag, was brought in by four grenadiers, who bore it twice round the hall to the air of "The Roast Beef of Old England," and then placed it upon the head table. Before the company separated it was resolved "that, as a testimony of respect for the Mayor and particularly for his conduct on this day, he be requested to have his portrait painted." Numerous benevolent movements were inst.i.tuted in celebration of the Jubilee. One was the relief of about thirty poor citizens, with large families, who were liable to have their persons and effects seized under an execution of the Court of Requests, for various small debts, ranging from 5s. to 40s., and the whole amounting to between 26 and 27. The day was celebrated at Yarmouth, Lynn, and other towns in the county.

28.*-"A lover of improvements requests us to hint that what has been improperly termed c.o.c.key Lane (Norwich) for a long time, should, in consequence of the recent alterations, a.s.sume a new appellation, by terming it Market Street or some other appropriate name." (The thoroughfare here referred to is now known as London Street.)

-*"The harriers belonging to Mr. T. Thompson, of Bergh Apton, had last week one of the severest and longest chases they have yet experienced.

Mr. d.y.k.e's famous horse died in the field long before the death of the hare, and three other capital horses were very badly knocked up at the same time. Only a few of the most dashing sportsmen could keep within sight of the hounds."

29.-Died, at Earlham Hall, in his 60th year, Mr. John Gurney. His remains were interred on November 3rd at the Gildencroft burial ground, Norwich, in the presence of an immense concourse of citizens.

NOVEMBER.

2.-After the interval of seven years, a Musical Festival was held at Norwich. The opening performance on Thursday, 2nd, consisted of the production of the "Messiah" at the church of St. Peter Mancroft; and in the evening a grand miscellaneous concert was given at the Theatre. On Friday, 3rd, "Sampson" was performed at the church, where also in the evening were rendered selections from various oratorios. The Festival concluded on Sat.u.r.day evening, the 4th, with a miscellaneous concert at the Theatre. The princ.i.p.al vocal performers were Mr. and Mrs. Vaughan, Miss Booth, Mr. Gross, and Mr. Elliott. Professor Hague, of Cambridge, led the band, and Mr. Beckwith was conductor. The admission to the church was:-Middle aisle, 5s.; side aisles, 3s. 6d., but no money was taken at the door.

11.*-"The pleasant town of Diss has lately undergone so much improvement as is scarcely to be conceived, the streets having been entirely new paved, the roads much improved, and all obstructions by the projection of houses and shops removed. It will also be shortly lighted in such a manner as to render it as complete a town as any in the county."

18.*-"Died, lately, at Warham, in his 73rd year, Capt. Isaac Eglis Warren. He was a volunteer in the siege of Quebec, and it was his solemn task to support on the rock and witness the last moments of the immortal Wolfe."

20.-Died, Sir Philip Stephens, Bart., of Horsford, in his 80th year. He was 52 years secretary to the Admiralty Office, and was afterwards one of the Lords of the Admiralty. He possessed large estates in Norfolk, Suffolk, Ess.e.x, and Middles.e.x.

25.*-"Some idea of the extent of Norfolk farms may be formed when it is known that one occupier in the western district last year expended more than 1,100 for only one sort of manure (brought many miles), notwithstanding the immense quant.i.ty made at home, and the great number of sheep annually folded on the grounds. On another farm, 25 acres are consumed in roads crossing the lands."

DECEMBER.

2.-At the King's Head Inn, Norwich, an estate near Harleston, consisting of 120 acres of moderate land, was sold by auction for 5,990 guineas.

The purchaser had also to pay a considerable sum for timber growing upon the estate. A short time previously 22 acres of "unmixed and widely lying land" near Aylsham, and by no means of the best quality, fetched nearly 2,000 guineas; the timber was taken by valuation.

12.-Died, in his 80th year, Mr. John Dalrymple, formerly a merchant in Norwich. "He was a native of Scotland, and descended of an honourable family, set immediately at Thornhill, in Dumfries. His manly body was inhabited by a n.o.ble soul, for he was a model of probity, constancy, fort.i.tude, and disinterestedness. To his fellow-citizens he presented, during a long and difficult career, an example of zealous and unshaken adherence to the cause of liberality." Mr. Dalrymple was a steward of the Scots Society, founded in Norwich by Dr. John Murray.

19.-Mr. Saunder's Equestrian Company opened their season's engagement at the Pantheon, Ranelagh Gardens, Norwich, "with a stud of horses, all cream coloured, late the property of his Majesty."

23.-Accounts were received at Yarmouth of the evacuation of the island of Walcheren by the British troops, 5,000 of whom died of fever after the capture of Flushing.