Norfolk Annals Volume I Part 29

13.-Died, in this 70th year, Mr. Edward Barrow, of St. Saviour, Norwich.

"A native of Manchester, and a yarn factor, Mr. Barrow was the first person who undertook the manufacture of cotton in this city; but what in a peculiar manner consecrates his memory is the merit of his having also been the first manufacturer of the shawl in this city, or perhaps in the kingdom. This brought in a new history in the era of the loom."

14.-At the Norfolk Quarter Sessions the Rev. Augustus Beevor appeared to try his traverse for an a.s.sault on Daniel Turner on June 4th, 1812. The Rev. James Carlos had, in consequence of the absence of the rector (the defendant), gone to officiate at Berghapton, by virtue of the license of the Bishop of Norwich. Mr. Carlos also farmed the glebe lands, and Turner was one of his tenants. Turner received a message from the defendant that he was about to clear the premises of stock belonging to Mr. Carlos, and on his going to the parsonage he was met by Mr. Beevor, who "scientifically fibbed him" about the head and face that plaintiff shrieked aloud for a.s.sistance, and two men rescued him from the clutches of his a.s.sailant. The defence was that it was "a square stand-up fight."

The jury returned a verdict of guilty, upon which an arrangement was made between the parties before the court p.r.o.nounced judgment. Defendant was then fined one shilling, and discharged.

17.*-"We are happy to hear that the good effects of the victory of Vittoria were immediately felt in Norwich, as several manufacturers received large orders for broad bombazines which are made for the Spanish market, and which were ordered upon the idea of the whole of the Peninsula being now open to our trade."

-*"Died, lately, in his 59th year, that ingenious artist, Mr. Henry Neale. He was the inventor of a model of machinery to represent a cotton manufactory."

19.-A trotting match, attended with much cruelty, took place between two ponies belonging to Mr. Howlett, of Fakenham, and Mr. Burgess, of the same town. They were matched to trot twice to and from Norwich, a distance of 100 miles, in the least time. "They both performed the first 50 miles in five and a quarter hours. Howlett's pony, however, became quite exhausted when it reached the sixth mile-stone coming to Norwich on the second time and gave in. Burgess pursued his journey to Norwich, and returned as far as Morton, where the poor beast died almost immediately.

Howlett's reached Fakenham much injured."

21.-The annual meeting of the Unitarian Society was held at Norwich. The Rev. Robert Aspland, of Hackney, preached at the Octagon Chapel, and the members dined at the Swan Inn, under the presidency of Mr. John Taylor.

24.*-"Mr. Powell, of Weeting (familiarly called 'Pogey Powell'), who shot the late Lord Falkland in a duel, was killed a few days ago by a fall from his horse, near Worwell, Hampshire."

27.-Died at her house in Pall Mall, in her 79th year, the Hon. Mrs.

Keppel, widow of the late Hon. Dr. Keppel, Bishop of Exeter, aunt of his Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester, and mother of Mr. Frederick Keppel, of Lexham Hall.

31.*-"Died, lately, Susanna, the wife of Thomas Bolton, of Bradenham, eldest daughter of the late Rev. Edmund Nelson, of Burnham Thorpe, and sister of our immortal Nelson, still more happy in her virtues than in her lineage."

AUGUST.

2.-This day was played "a grand cricket match in a field opposite the Prussia Gardens, Norwich, for 100 guineas, between eleven gentlemen of Norwich and eleven gentlemen of Bungay." Norwich, 37-46; Bungay, 74-10, and eight wickets to go down. "Bungay refused to allow Messrs. Bredwell, Clabburn, and Pooley, three expert cricketers, to play in this match."

The return match took place, at Bungay on August 23. Norwich, 36-30; Bungay, 116.

4.-A piece of plate was presented by the officers of the late City of Norwich Regiment of Volunteers to Mr. Elisha De Hague, their former Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant.

5.-A six-oared rowing match took place from Carrow Bridge to Whitlingham Point and back, distance upwards of four miles, between the Sylph (Mr. J.

Harvey, jun.), and the Aurora (Mr. Lowe). The Sylph won by 50 yards in 34 minutes 8 seconds.

7.-At this date was published the statement "Norfolk grows the finest barley, and makes the worst ale of any county in the kingdom."

-An official notice was published announcing that it was in contemplation to demolish "the public-house called St. Andrew's Steps, and the tenements adjoining in London Lane, Norwich, to lay a small part of the site into the street for the better convenience of the public, and to erect new houses thereon."

9.-A steam packet, intended for traffic between Yarmouth and Norwich, had her trial trip to Breydon. On her return "the boat went through the bridge amidst the acclamations of thousands of spectators." This vessel, which was built near Leeds, plied regularly upon the Yare, leaving Turner's bowling-green, Yarmouth, at seven o'clock in the morning, and returning from Norwich at three in the afternoon.

17.-News was received at Norwich of the defeat of Marshal Soult by the Marquis of Wellington.

-The High Sheriff, Mr. Thomas Trench Berney, arrived at Norwich from Bracon Hall, "preceded by a numerous cavalcade, his carriage drawn by four beautiful bays richly caparisoned, the attendant pages, one on each side, mounted on grey ponies and decorated with silk scarves and favours in the ancient style. The High Sheriff, in full court dress, proceeded to the Rampant Horse Inn, where he entertained a large company at dinner."

18.-At the Norfolk a.s.sizes at Norwich, before Lord Chief Justice Mansfield and a special jury, an indictment was preferred against the keeper of the county gaol for suffering a prisoner to escape. The indictment had been moved by _certiorari_ from the Court of King's Bench, and was tried at _nisi prius_. The main question was whether or not the magistrates of the borough of Castle Rising had legally the power of commitment to the county gaol. They had in this case exercised such power, and the gaoler had accepted the delinquent into his custody and given a receipt for him, but afterwards, on the advice of one of the visiting justices, had suffered him to go at large. The Lord Chief Justice thought it a question for decision in Westminster Hall rather than for an a.s.size of _oyer_ and _terminer_. Prosecuting counsel disclaimed all intention of enforcing the punishment of the gaoler, and the facts were all admitted on the part of the county, whereupon the special jury, _pro forma_, found the defendant guilty.

Lord Wodehouse, this month, presented to the parish church of Hingham a stained gla.s.s window, in which were represented the subjects of the Crucifixion, the Descent from the Cross, the Resurrection, and the Ascension.

SEPTEMBER.

1.-Killed at the siege of San Sebastian, in his 21st year, whilst gallantly fighting with his regiment, Lieut. George Norris, of the 47th Regiment, eldest son of the Rev. George Norris, of Foulsham.

2.-Died, at the house of her nephew, Mr. C. P. Herbert, at Setch Bridge, near Lynn, in her 85th year, Mrs. Stevens, "widow of Mr. George Alex.

Stevens, of facetious memory, well known as the author and performer of the celebrated 'Lectures upon Heads,' and other pieces."

3.-At Yarmouth General Sessions and gaol delivery, before the Mayor and Sub-Steward (Mr. W. Adair), John Boult Hannah, aged 70, was indicted for the wilful murder of his wife by strangling her on April 14th. "After the murder he washed the woman's face, laid the corpse out, and was found sitting by the fire smoking his pipe with the body near." He was hanged at Yarmouth on the Monday following the trial.

18.*-"The Earl of Kingston one day this week, at Heydon, bagged 56 brace of birds for a wager with the Earl of Yarmouth for a large sum."

28.-Died, aged 80, Edward Whetstone, 44 years clerk of the parish of Trowse Newton. He was originally a journeyman weaver, and had acquired some property. He purchased and presented an organ which was placed in the church in 1803, and his remains were interred beneath the instrument.

29.-A meeting was held at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, for the purpose of forming an a.s.sociation in aid of the Church Missionary Society. The Rev.

H. J. Hare, of Docking, presided, and it was resolved that such a.s.sociation be formed, and "that it be known as the Norfolk and Norwich Church Missionary Society for Africa and the East." Upwards of 800 was subscribed.

OCTOBER.

2.-Died at Yarmouth, Mrs. Martha Biggs, widow, aged 103.

-Bannister's Equestrian Company, from Astley's Royal Amphitheatre, commenced a season at the Pantheon, Norwich.

5.-A grand Musical Festival commenced at Norwich, under the direction of Mr. Pettet, with a miscellaneous concert in St. Andrew's Hall. On the morning of the 6th, 7th, and 8th, the "Messiah," the "Creation," and the "Redemption," were rendered in St. Peter Mancroft Church, and concerts were given in St. Andrew's Hall on the evenings of the 7th and 8th. The princ.i.p.al performers were Mrs. d.i.c.kons, Mrs. Bianchi Lacy, Miss Booth, Master Hobbes, Mr. Braham, Mr. Goes, Mr. Hawes, and Mr. Bellamy; leader of the band, Professor Hague; organ and pianoforte, Mr. Pettet.

11.-Seventy of the supporters of Mr. William Smith dined at the Swan Inn, Norwich, to celebrate his return as member for the city.

16.*-"Mrs. Faucit and Mr. Vining, both late of the Norwich Company, have made their appearance on the boards of Covent Garden Theatre, and have been very favourably received."

17.-The Duke of York, accompanied by the Earl of Yarmouth, pa.s.sed through Dereham on his way from Heydon, where has Royal Highness had been shooting with the Earl of Kingston.

23.*-"In consequence of the numerous robberies which have lately been committed in the vicinity of Norwich, it is in contemplation to establish a horse patrol to act in various directions for the protection of property and persons."

25.-The festival of St. Crispin and Crispia.n.u.s was revived by the journeymen shoemakers of Norwich, "who paraded the streets with music, and celebrated the day, through the liberality of their masters, at various houses."

28.-Died, aged 65, Mr. Edward Billingsley, of Hockwold-c.u.m-Wilton. He served the office of High Sheriff in 1787.

31.-Died at New Buckenham, in her 101st year, Mrs. Mary Gibbs. "She was born the 5th day of May, 1713, being the day peace was proclaimed with France in the reign of Queen Anne."

NOVEMBER.

1.-Died, at East Dereham, Dame Eleanor Fenn, widow of Sir John Fenn, knight. "Under the names of Mrs. Teachwell and Mrs. Lovechild, she wrote several books for the benefit of the rising generation." Her remains were interred at Finningham, Suffolk.

4.-News was received at Norwich of the defeat of Buonaparte near Leipsic.

St. Peter Mancroft bells were rung, and a bonfire lighted in the Market Place. There were further celebrations on the 10th on receipt of the news of the successes in Germany, and of the surrender of the fortress of Pamplona.

14.-A new organ was opened at Holt Church.