Norfolk Annals Volume I Part 26

APRIL.

6.-The first annual meeting of the Norwich a.s.sociation against Felonies was held at the Guildhall.

7.-Died from the effects of a wound received in the storming of Badajoz, in his 25th year, Lieut. W. S. Unthank, of the 44th Regiment, eldest son of Mr. William Unthank, of Norwich.

15.-Died at Scoulton, Lieut.-General James Hethersett, in his 77th year.

"He was the last surviving officer who fought by the side of the immortal Wolfe on the day that he fell." General Hethersett possessed property of the value of 80,000.

18.*-"A few days since at Corpusty, aged 102, Samuel Mog, one of the last survivors of that British Army which fought under the celebrated General Wolfe at the battle of Quebec."

MAY.

1.-Election of Mayor at Norwich. Mr. Starling Day was nominated for the office, but asked to be relieved on account of his advanced age (78). A poll resulted, and on the 2nd the numbers were declared as follow:-Mr.

Day, 761; Mr. R. Harvey, jun., 757; Mr. Alderman Davey, 566; Mr. Alderman Leman, 507. "Mr. Day sent a message to St. Peter's ringers ordering them to cease their triumphant peal, on the ground that he had declared his intention not to serve." Guild Day was fixed for June 16, and the usual quarterly a.s.sembly of the Corporation on the day preceding it had to be abandoned because the attendance was insufficient to form a quorum. Mr.

Day was sworn into office on the 16th, but "there was no church, no dinner." Mr. Alderman Davey invited the freemen of the Blue and White interest to dine with him beneath the trees at Eaton Hall. The guests, 500 in number, "were refreshed on their dusty march by Mr. Alderman Yallop, at his cottage, with a pint of beer each, 600 of which were swallowed in twenty minutes."

11.-Died, Mr. Johnson, the venerable parish clerk of St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich, after about 35 years' service. He was succeeded by James Twiddy, a hairdresser, who possessed considerable literary ability, and was the author of many poetical productions and pamphlets on various subjects.

JUNE.

22.-Holkham Sheep Shearing commenced. Mr. Mann, of Thornage, was awarded the prize for the best implement of husbandry, namely, an improved drilling machine.

27.-In the Court of Exchequer, before the Lord Chief Baron, a prosecution was inst.i.tuted by the Board of Taxes against Daniel Morling, of Yarmouth, for having obstructed Mr. Hunter, the inspector for that district, when surveying the windows of his house. A penalty of 50 was asked for, and a verdict was given for the Crown for that amount.

JULY.

2.-A wrestling match took place at Blofield Globe between William Benstead, of that parish, and Charles Layton, "the famed wrestler, who, for his invincible skill in that science, had been declared the 'Reedham Game Chicken' at the late wrestling match at Lingwood, and who has since challenged all England." Benstead succeeded in beating the champion.

9.-Died, at Ashfield, Suffolk, Mr. James Mingay, for many years eminently distinguished as a King's Counsel, Recorder of Aldborough, and one of the capital burgesses of the borough of Thetford.

14.-Died, aged 71, Simon Watling, "many years master of the Eight Ringers public-house, St. Michael-at-Coslany, Norwich, and one of St. Peter's ringers. He was one of the company that rang at St. Peter's in York in 1772."

17.-At a meeting held at the Shirehouse, Norwich, at which Lord Viscount Primrose presided, the Norfolk and Norwich Society for the Education of the Poor in the Principles of the Church of England was established.

Upwards of 3,000 was subscribed; and the Bishop of Norwich became Patron, and Lord Suffield, President.

20.-Died, at the age of 101, Mrs. Jane Fair, of St. Mary's, Norwich.

23.-Died, Mrs. Coppin, wife of Mr. Daniel Coppin, of St. Stephen's, Norwich. "She possessed a refined taste for the polite arts, and great skill in imitating the works of the old masters."

25.-Mr. Scraggs and his company of comedians concluded a theatrical season at Holt. "There is ground to hope that the patronage which was so liberally conferred by the county on the late Mr. Scraggs, will be continued to his son and family." The company was advertised as "The Original Norfolk and Suffolk Company."

27.-General Viscount Cathcart, Amba.s.sador Extraordinary to the Court of Russia, pa.s.sed through Norwich and embarked on board the Aquilon frigate at Yarmouth. Lord Walpole, one of the Lords of the Admiralty, sailed in the Calypso, on his appointment as Secretary of Legation to Lord Cathcart, who proceeded to the headquarters of the Russian Army.

AUGUST.

15.-It was reported that small-pox had broken out in Norwich. Many children were vaccinated, and by the end of the year the operation had been performed on 1,400 persons.

17.-The mail coaches arrived at Norwich, with colours flying, bringing intelligence of Lord Wellington's brilliant victory near Salamanca.

19.-William Flaxman, of Gorleston, was placed in a pillory erected in Yarmouth Market Place, and after standing the usual time was removed to the gaol to complete a term of three months' imprisonment.

20.-The old custom of a country excursion was revived by the foreman of the Headborough Inquest at Yarmouth. "A wherry was fitted out for the purpose, and several officers of the Royal South Lincoln Regiment, with other gentlemen, were invited to accompany the inquest. The wherry was attended by several boats, and went as far as the Beccles river, where a convivial meeting was held, and the party returned at nine o'clock at night."

SEPTEMBER.

5.*-(Advt.) "Windham Petty Sessions will be held at the King's Head Inn on Monday, 28th September, 1812, for hiring and retaining servants.

There will be another Sessions, as usual, on Monday, October 12th. John Syder, John Cullyer, chief constables."

6.-Intelligence received of the capture of Madrid by the Marquis Wellington. The bells of St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich, were rung all day, and at East Dereham on the 22nd a ball was held in celebration of the event.

-Died, at Upper Fitzroy Street, London, aged 68, Major-General Robert Bowles, an officer on the Bombay Establishment. He served in the East India Company 35 years, and was a native of Norwich.

14.-The first stone of the new chapel in the Black Boys Yard, St.

Clement, Norwich, laid by the Rev. Mr. Wilkes and Mr. Alderman Davey.

The chapel was opened for public worship on May 5th, 1814.

21.-Yarmouth Races commenced. There was an attendance of about 18,000.

Most of the county families were present at the a.s.sembly, where the dancing was opened by Sir George Jerningham and Lady Hoste.

22.-Died at Yarmouth, aged 73, Mr. Robert Warmington. He served the office of Mayor in 1790 and 1808, and was Prussian, Swedish, Danish, Hamburgh, and American Vice-Consul, and Naval Store Keeper at that port.

25.-At the Norwich Court of Trials a motion was made by Mr. Cooper that the attornies, who then held briefs on behalf of clients, be not allowed the privilege of pleading. It was urged that the actual right of pleading existed in favour of barristers to the exclusion of attornies.

The City Steward (Mr. Alderson) thought that the exclusive right of counsel rested more upon courtesy than upon any positive right, and as no authority had been cited he declined to give any decision upon the point.

OCTOBER.

3.-A correspondent in a letter to the NORFOLK CHRONICLE expressed the hope "that now Parliament is dissolving, the ancient custom of nominating the members in St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, previously to the day of election, may be revived. This used to be done formerly in order to give the old members an opportunity of explaining and justifying their past conduct as representatives, and of each candidate stating his pretensions to popular support." The Mayor refused to grant the use of the hall for the purpose.

6.-Yarmouth Election: Capt. Lacon, 607; General Loftus, 387; Mr. Giffen Willson, 329. The two first-named were returned.

7.-Norwich Election commenced on this date and concluded on the 8th: Mr.

W. Smith, 1,544; Mr. Charles Harvey, 1,349; Mr. John Patteson, 1,221.

-Thetford Election: Lord John Fitzroy and Mr. Creevey returned unopposed.

14.-Norfolk Election: Sir J. H. Astley and Mr. T. W. c.o.ke were re-elected unopposed.