Norfolk Annals Volume I Part 38

DECEMBER.

7.-The Duke of Gloucester concluded his visit to Holkham. On the last day his Royal Highness proposed the toast, "Prosperity to those Whig principles which placed the House of Hanover on the Throne of Britain."

14.*-"Died lately, regretted by all who knew him, in the 65th year of his age, Charles Boyles, Esq., Vice-Admiral of the Blue, and a few years since Colonel of the Royal Marines. This distinguished officer commanded the Windsor Castle man-of-war in the action off Ferrol, between the English fleet, under Sir Richard Calder, and the combined fleets of France and Spain. During this engagement it fell to the lot of but few ships to be advantageously opposed to the enemy. The return to Portsmouth of the crippled Windsor Castle with two Spanish 74's was a triumph exultingly spoken of by Nelson as being princ.i.p.ally the achievement of a Norfolk man. Admiral Boyles was a native of Wells in this county, and eldest son of Charles Boyles, Esq., many years collector of the customs at that port. He commenced his naval career with Lord Nelson in the Raisonnable, when commanded by Capt. Suckling."

21.-Wombwell's "Royal Menagerie of foreign beasts and birds" was exhibited on the Castle Ditches, Norwich.

31.-A prize fight took place at Wickhampton between Samuel Smith and James Rushmer. One hundred and eleven rounds were fought in two hours five minutes, when the ring was broken into, and owing to the confusion it was impossible to renew the fight, which was declared drawn.

1817.

JANUARY.

1.-At a public meeting held at the Guildhall, Norwich, a subscription was opened for the relief of the labouring and manufacturing poor. Upwards of 3,050 was contributed, and several works were commenced for the improvement of the city. At Yarmouth over 1,000 was subscribed, and 460 men were employed in forming roads to the bath-house, jetty, &c.

4.-Several coach advertis.e.m.e.nts were published this month. On the 4th it was announced that the Norwich, Ipswich, Colchester, Chelmsford, and London Accommodation coach (J. Noller and Co.) set out every Monday, Wednesday, and Sat.u.r.day from the Coach and Horses, Bethel Street, Norwich. The proprietors of the Expedition coach announced that a "single body coach upon a now construction" would start from the White Swan, St. Peter's, Norwich, every afternoon at three o'clock, and travel by Thetford and Newmarket, to London, where it arrived on the following morning at eight o'clock. "For the better accommodation of outside pa.s.sengers the coach has a car attached to it with an awning and sliding curtain."

4.*-"Died lately, at an advanced age, Mr. Christopher Jarvis, many years a miller at Wendling, and was wounded at the memorable battle of Minden."

20.-Mr. Mathews, of Covent Garden Theatre, appeared at Norwich Theatre as Goldfinch ("The Road to Ruin"), Somno ("The Sleep Walker"), and in his sketch ent.i.tled "The Humours of the Playhouse."

-On the bells of St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich, were rung 5,016 changes of Norwich Court Bob Maximus in four hours two minutes, the first length of that intricate peal ever rung in England on twelve bells. It was conducted by Mr. R. Chesnut.

25.*-"Messrs. Squire, Son, and Hills, of St. Faith's Lane, Norwich, in addition to the rectifying and vinegar departments have erected extensive works for the purpose of making flour of mustard."

26.-Died at Grosvenor Place, London, Caroline, Dowager Countess of Buckinghamshire, widow of John, Earl of Buckingham, of Blickling, and mother of Viscountess Castlereagh. "She requested in her will that none of her family should wear mourning for her." The funeral was at Blickling.

-The church of St. Michael Coslany, Norwich, was opened for Sunday evening lectures, in addition to those of St. Andrew and St. Stephen.

27.-Miss Kelly appeared at Norwich Theatre as Peggy ("The Country Girl"), and Annette ("The Maid and the Magpie").

FEBRUARY.

1.*-"Died lately, aged 87 years, John Hoy, of Hackford, near Reepham. He was a soldier in the 48th Regiment of Foot under General Wolfe, and saw him fall on the plains of Abram, in North America. When on saying his n.o.ble commander was slain he was knocked down by a Lieut. Clarke with the b.u.t.t end of a musket. Hoy was a soldier 18 years, 17 of which he pa.s.sed without once reposing on a bed."

4.-A loyal address was voted by the Corporation of Great Yarmouth congratulating the Prince Regent upon his escape from the attack made upon him on his return from the opening of Parliament on January 28th.

The Corporation of Norwich adopted a similar address on the 24th.

6.-The complete peal of 5,040 changes of Grandsire Triples was rung by the ringers of Wells-next-the-Sea on eight bells in three hours seven minutes.

13.-The new silver coinage of crowns, half-crowns, shillings, and sixpences was exchanged for the old at the Guildhall, Norwich, and at the Town Hall, Yarmouth. The bankers to whom the new coins were sent were:-Gurneys and Co., Norwich, Halesworth, Fakenham, Holt, Harleston, Lynn, Wells, and Yarmouth; Bagge and Bacon, Lynn; Day and Co., Swaffham; Willett and Son, Thetford; Payne, Tuffnell, and Co., Wells; Kett and Back, Norwich; Harvey and Co., Norwich; and Day and Sons, Norwich.

14.-Died, aged 70, at his house in the Close, Norwich, Mr. Robert Partridge, alderman for the Conisford Ward. He was Sheriff in 1780 and Mayor in 1781.

15.-Mrs. C. Kemble appeared at King's Lynn Theatre in the character of Mrs. Oakley ("The Jealous Wife"). The proceeds of the performance were in aid of a fund for the relief of the poor.

-*"On the secession of Mr. Hindes at the close of the Norwich theatrical season, he will be succeeded by Mr. Smith, and the acting management will devolve upon Mr. Bellamy."

-Great distress still prevailing among the poor of Norwich, the Relief Committee granted the further sum of 200 to be expended in labour. It was decided to cut a road through b.u.t.ter Hills to Carrow Bridge.

-*(Advt.) "The public are respectfully informed that _on February the 18th only_ Irish, French, and plain silver will be taken at the Theatre Royal, Norwich."

21.-The Right Hon. George Horatio Cholmondeley, Earl of Rocksavage (eldest son of the Marquis Cholmondeley), was elected Member of Parliament for Castle Rising, in place of the Hon. Cavendish Bradshaw.

22.*-"A Yarmouth correspondent is anxious to know (1) by what authority the communication between the body and aisles of St. George's Chapel has been cut off; and (2) why the Mayor or Lord Bishop is not applied to to remove the nuisance to the congregation?"

25.-An inquest was held at Norwich on the body of Elizabeth Pope, aged 83, "who on Sunday evening, being alone in her apartment _over the portico of St. Lawrence's church_, accidentally set herself on fire, and was burnt in a terrible manner."

26.-Died, aged 75, at Swaffham, Mr. Francis Blomfield, "the last male branch of the family of Blomfield, the county historian."

27.-Mrs. C. Kemble appeared at Norwich Theatre as Mrs. Oakley ("The Jealous Wife"). On subsequent evenings she took the parts of Let.i.tia Hardy ("The Belle's Stratagem"), Caroline ("The Prize"), Lady Teazle, and Myrtelle ("The Broken Sword").

The Prince Regent this month conferred the honour of knighthood on Lieut.-Col. Robert John Harvey, K.T.S., in recognition of his distinguished services in the Peninsular War.

MARCH.

3.-A single wicket cricket match was played in Chapel Field, Norwich, between "a noted player from Suss.e.x," named Michan, an ex-officer, and a Hertford man, named Pratt. The latter won by six wickets, and decided "considerable bets."

8.*-(Advt.) "c.o.c.king. A match for c.o.c.ks will be fought at Holkham New Inn on the 10th and 11th of March, between the gentlemen of Wells and the gentlemen of Holt. To fight for 10 a battle and 50 the odd; and two turn outs for 20 a battle. To fight in silver spurs. Feeders: Lamb for Wells, Nash for Holt."

10.-Miss Davison, of Drury Lane Theatre, commenced an engagement at Norwich Theatre, during which she appeared as Rosalind, Juliana ("The Honeymoon"), Margaretta ("No Song, no Supper"), Lady Townley ("The Provoked Husband"), Miss Tomboy ("The Romp").

14.-A charge of blasphemy was exhibited before the magistrates at East Dereham against one Henry b.a.l.l.s, for publishing a handbill ent.i.tled "The Great a.s.size." (There is no further record of the case.)

19.-The Revenue cutter Ranger, Capt. Sayers, of Yarmouth, captured a large lugger with an armed crew of 36 men. In the action the Ranger lost three killed and seven wounded. The cargo consisted of 507 ankers and 945 halves of spirits, 27 bales of tobacco, and 47 bales of Bandannas, the whole worth 8,000.

24.-At the Norfolk a.s.sizes, which commenced at Thetford on this date before Sir Robert Graham, one of the Barons of the Exchequer, the _crim.

con._ action, Laton _v._ Beauchamp, clerk, was tried. The special jury, without leaving the box, gave a verdict for the defendant.

-Mr. Bartley appeared at Norwich Theatre as Dr. Cantwell ("The Hypocrite") and the Mock Doctor. Mrs. Bartley on the 29th played Lady Constance to Mr. Bartley's King John. On subsequent evenings he impersonated Capt. Allclack ("The Invisible Girl"), and Sir Adam Contest ("The Wedding Day").

-Mr. Blanchard, at Lynn Theatre, appeared as Ollapod ("The Poor Gentleman"), and Crack ("The Turnpike Gate").

26.-Died at Trowse Old Hall, aged 77, General John Money, Colonel of the 3rd Regiment of Norfolk Yeomanry Cavalry. He entered the Army as a volunteer in Elliott's Light Horse in the Seven Years' German War, and was with them at the battle of Tillinghausen. He was afterwards a captain in the 9th (or Norfolk) Regiment of Foot, and in the American War was Deputy-a.s.sistant Quarter-Master General to the army commanded by General Burgoyne. He was the author of several pamphlets on military and other subjects. About 40 years before his death he built the mansion known as Crown Point, where for more than 30 years he gave an annual ball.

APRIL.

3.-A grand performance of sacred music was given at St. Andrew's Church, Norwich. Mrs. Card, a native of the city, was the princ.i.p.al vocalist, and the choruses were sustained by local amateurs.