Norfolk Annals Volume I Part 54

JUNE.

3.-The Leicester and Yarmouth Royal Mail coach commenced running. It started from Yarmouth at 1.45 p.m. and travelled by way of Norwich, Dereham, Swaffham, Lynn, Wisbech, Peterborough, Stamford, and Melton Mowbray. At Stamford and Leicester it was in connection with coaches to the north and west.

5.-Died at his house in Bolton Row, London, Mr. Edward Jerningham, youngest son of Sir William Jerningham, Bart. The remains were removed from London to Costessey, where they were interred beneath the altar in the private chapel. Mrs. Edward Jerningham died on June 24th.

10.-A camping match took place at Ranworth between ten men of that parish, and a like number from neighbouring parishes. "After half an hour's excellent sport, which produced some good set-tos and a few b.l.o.o.d.y noses, victory was declared in favour of Ranworth."

14.-Died at his house in Cavendish Square, London, the Right Hon. Horatio Walpole, Earl of Orford, Baron Walpole of Wolverton, and Baron Walpole of Walpole, High Steward of the Borough of King's Lynn, and colonel of the West Norfolk Regiment of Militia. The deceased n.o.bleman, who was in his 70th year and was buried on the 25th at Wickmere, was succeeded in his t.i.tle and estates by the Right Hon. Horatio Lord Walpole, Member of Parliament for Lynn.

18.-The Guild Day festivities at Norwich were carried out with great splendour by the Mayor-elect, Mr. Robert Hawkes. After returning from service at the Cathedral, the Corporation listened to the Latin oration delivered at the Free School porch by the head boy, Peter Hansell, and after the customary ceremonies at the Guildhall, 700 guests a.s.sembled at the feast at St. Andrew's Hall. In Bethel Street, where the Mayor resided, were two triumphal arches, and on the summit of one a band played selections of music.

23.-The tower of Happisburgh church was considerably damaged by lightning during a severe thunderstorm, which occasioned much loss throughout the county.

27.-The election to fill the vacancy in the representation of Lynn caused by the elevation to the peerage of Lord Walpole commenced. The candidates were Col. the Hon. John Walpole, brother of the late member, and Sir William Browne ffolkes. Considerable disturbance prevailed throughout the contest. About 40 voters had polled for each candidate, when the mob demolished Col. Walpole's polling booth, set fire to the materials, and stoned the poll clerks. They then proceeded to the Duke's Head Inn, smashed the windows, tore the Corporation flag to pieces, and committed other acts of violence. The polling was adjourned until the 28th, when the disturbances were renewed, and a further postponement was rendered necessary, the numbers then standing: Walpole, 137; ffolkes, 72.

About three o'clock in the afternoon a detachment of the 7th Dragoon Guards arrived from Norwich, under the command of Lieut. Everard. One of the ringleaders of the mob was captured and sent under escort to Swaffham Bridewell. The polling was resumed on the 29th, and at noon, when every vote appeared to have been recorded, the Town Clerk announced the numbers as follow: Walpole, 156; ffolkes, 92. The former was then declared duly elected. At the Norfolk a.s.sizes held at Norwich on July 31st, before Mr.

Justice Best, William Chandler was indicted for taking part in the riot at Lynn, and was ordered to enter into his recognisances to come up for judgment when called upon. Thomas Johnson and other persons were at the Lent a.s.sizes at Thetford in March, 1823, sentenced by Mr. Justice Garrow to various terms of imprisonment for partic.i.p.ating in the disturbances.

JULY.

4.-Died, at the age of 101, Mrs. Aldborough, of Trowse.

5.-A meeting of the manufacturers was held at the Guildhall, Norwich, "to consider the present prices paid for weaving." It was agreed to adopt a reduced scale of payment. Meetings of the men were called, and the employers were requested to reconsider the question. Another meeting was accordingly held on the 9th, when Mr. Beloe urged that the proposals of the employers were ill-advised. On the other hand it was stated that goods were being manufactured in Yorkshire in large quant.i.ties at much lower rates than in Norwich. It was contended by the weavers that greatly increased demands had been made upon them for house rent and coals, and that it was impossible for them to live on reduced wages. A further statement was made to the effect that the lowering of prices would tend to inferior workmanship. A mob a.s.sembled outside the Guildhall and cheered or hooted the different manufacturers whom they deemed friendly or adverse to their claims. One gentleman, Mr. William Bosley, was very roughly handled, and his hat, coat, and shoes were taken from him and torn to pieces. It was considered necessary to summon the a.s.sistance of the 7th Dragoon Guards, but the mob dispersed after the announcement had been made from the leads of the Guildhall that the manufacturers had consented to return to the old prices. The weavers spent the 10th in festivity and rejoicing.

6.-Died, William Coward, aged 85, for 54 years parish clerk at St.

Margaret's, Lynn. "He was borne to the grave by six grave-diggers, and the pall was supported by six parish clerks."

8.-Died at Calcutta, the Right Rev. Thomas Fanshaw Middleton, D.D., Bishop of Calcutta, and formerly vicar of St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich.

-A camping match took place at Ranworth, in the presence of 6,000 spectators, between men of the Blofield and of the Tunstead and Happing Hundreds. "So closely were the men (ten a side) matched for strength, courage, skill, and activity that the ball was nearly in the centre of the ground when time was called and play stopped. At the conclusion of the camp, Turner, of Witton, and Riches, of Upton, had a pugilistic trial of manhood. A well-fought battle of thirty-two rounds of hard milling, with little or no science, ended in favour of Riches."

19.-Mr. T. Filby, of Elsing, fell down dead in the Sessions Court at the Shirehouse, Norwich, when in the act of entering the jury box.

20.-Puxley and Nelson's "New Fly Vans" were advertised to run between the Star Inn, Norwich, and the Bull Inn, Aldgate, every day. The journey was accomplished in twenty-four hours.

-At the Norfolk Quarter Sessions, Giuliano Mantova, an Italian boy, who travelled the country with pictures for one Dominico Crostea, of Norwich, was indicted for maliciously and fraudulently taking by force from William Hill, employed by Messrs. Copeman and Petworth, solicitors, Aylsham, a child named Susan Hoffrath. The prisoner denied that he had enticed the child away, and his master gave him a good character; but the jury found him guilty, and he was sentenced to two years' imprisonment in Norwich Castle.

21.-Died at his house, Tombland, Norwich, aged 76, Mr. Charles Kitson, one of the Chapter Registrars of the diocese of Norwich.

29.-Norwich Theatre was opened for the a.s.size week. "Since the period of its leaving Norwich the company has been subject to almost an entire change, and it is now equal to any provincial establishment of the histrionic kind in the kingdom." The new members included Miss Wensley, Mrs. Dowton, Mr. Osbaldiston, and Mr. Ford White. Mrs. Dowton was a favourite actress in the Norfolk and Suffolk Company of Comedians, under the management of Mr. Fisher, and afterwards married Mr. Sloman, the low comedian of the Norwich Company.

AUGUST.

2.-At Norwich Theatre a new tragedy, ent.i.tled "The Persian Heroine,"

written by Mr. Richard Paul Jodrell, was performed under the patronage of the High Sheriff and Lady Jodrell.

-At the Norfolk a.s.sizes, held at Norwich, before Mr. Justice Best, James Smith was indicted for breaking into the house of William b.a.l.l.s, the Half Moon, Stone Hills, near Norwich, and stealing on January 2nd 16 gallons of liquors in bottles, a purse containing 8 in notes and cash, a quant.i.ty of copper coin, &c. He was found guilty and sentenced to death.

(Although it was not stated at the trial, the prisoner was evidently one of the "Cossey gang" referred to under date January 2nd, 1822.) At the Norwich a.s.sizes, Henry Carter was sentenced to death for entering the dwelling-house of John Clarke, of St. Paul's, and stealing therein several articles. The execution of these men was carried out under revolting circ.u.mstances on August 24th. From an early hour in the morning they were incessantly appealed to by the chaplain of the gaol and a Wesleyan minister to acknowledge the justice of their sentence. The procession from the gaol in St Giles' Street to the scaffold was headed by the Under Sheriffs on horseback; the Sheriffs accompanied by the chaplain and the minister came next in a mourning coach, "followed by a cart covered with black cloth on which sat the two malefactors each with arms pinioned, neck bare, and head uncovered, each sitting on the coffin destined to receive his lifeless body." Smith was well behaved, but Carter acted with great levity during the progress of the procession through the Market Place to the scaffold erected near the weighing machine on the Castle Meadow, and on the very drop itself "he seemed to evince perfect indifference to the fate which awaited him." After hanging for an hour "the bodies were carried by twelve bearers to the house of Carter's parents in St. Margaret's, and were buried on the 26th in the churchyard of that parish."

3.*-"Mr. Yarrington, of this city, plumber and glazier, has presented the Dean and Chapter of Norwich with a valuable piece of stained gla.s.s, a portrait of the Virgin, which has been placed in the west window of the Cathedral."

6.-A great c.o.c.king match lasting two days commenced at Yarmouth, between the gentlemen of that town and of Norwich. Yarmouth won eleven mains and five byes, and Norwich nine mains and seven byes. "The feeder for Norwich (Nash) proved the excellence of his management. On Wednesday evening the Norwich c.o.c.k was pounded and taken by Nash, and from the superiority of his condition afterwards won the battle. In the second pit the same evening one of the Norwich c.o.c.ks had his thigh broken in the first part of the battle, and afterwards fought two hours, and at one time brought the odds from ten to one against him to the same odds in his favour. He, however, eventually lost. This battle would have been withdrawn, but as the money depended upon it they were induced to continue it."

7.-Mr. Heber, "the very eminent book collector and M.P. for the University of Oxford," dined with the Bishop of Norwich at the Palace, and on the following morning proceeded to Blickling to inspect the library at the hall.

8.-A cricket match between eleven members of the Holt club and the first eleven of the Nottingham club, commenced at Nottingham, and owing to unfavourable weather was protracted to the 11th. Scores: Nottingham, 109-91; Holt, 52-43. "Bets to the amount of several thousand pounds were dependent upon the match."

11.-His Majesty the King pa.s.sed off Yarmouth on his voyage to Scotland.

"About half past five o'clock two steam tugs were seen with the Royal yacht in tow, and thousands of persons crowded to the jetty and beach."

The vessels steered a course outside the Roads; but the Perseverance yawl put off with thirty persons on board, "and had the good fortune to fall in with the yacht as it was weathering the Newarp floating light. The company in the boat gave four cheers for the King, who came on board and returned the salutation." On his return voyage on Sat.u.r.day, August 31st, his Majesty pa.s.sed through the Roads, and the yacht came close in sh.o.r.e.

"His Majesty was greatly disappointed in not receiving a supply of fresh provisions which had been previously ordered to be ready for him on his arrival off the town. The letter arrived two hours after the King had pa.s.sed."

12.-Marshland free bridge and causeway were opened for the use of the public. A procession, led by the carriage of Mr. Thomas Hoseason, and followed by those of Sir Thomas Hare, Mr. Anthony Hamond, and others started from the South Gates, Lynn, preceded by a band of music. On the arrival of the procession at the foot of the bridge the horses were taken out of Mr. Hoseason's carriage and men who had been employed on the works dragged it over the bridge and causeway. After a congratulatory speech by Mr. Hoseason, luncheon was provided for 200 guests at the expense of the directors. In the evening a dinner was given at the Freemasons'

Tavern, and on the marshes belonging to Mr. W. G.o.ddard, at West Lynn, a fair for stock was held for the first time, a sheep roasted, and several barrels of beer given away.

17.*-"Thorogood, one of the proprietors of the Times coach from Norwich to London, has actually driven the whole distance, 116 miles, and been in both those cities _every day_ for more than a twelvemonth, an instance of laborious perseverance altogether unparalleled."

19.-Lee Sugg, the ventriloquist, who had been before the public for half a century as a performer, gave his entertainment at the Prussia Gardens, Norwich.

29.-This being the anniversary of the Decollation of St. John the usual formalities were observed at the election of the Mayor, chamberlain, and churchwardens of Yarmouth. The inquest was locked up at twelve noon, and did not come to a decision until next morning at 7.30, when the following officers were returned: Mayor, Mr. Isaac Preston; churchwardens, Messrs.

Robert Cory and Danby Palmer; chamberlain, Mr. James Lawes.

SEPTEMBER.

9.-At Thorpe Water Frolic a match was sailed by nine boats for a silver cup, gave by Mr. Harvey. Rowing matches followed, and "the banks of the Yare were thronged beyond all precedency with genteel company."

12.-A meeting was held at the Guildhall, Norwich, for the purpose of furthering the scheme for making Norwich a port, in accordance with the plans prepared by Mr. William Cubitt, C.E. On the motion of Mr. Crisp Brown, seconded by Mr. Joseph Geldart, it was agreed to open a subscription for carrying the plans into effect, and formal notice was given of the introduction of the Bill into Parliament. (See December 21st, 1822.)

14.*-"Died last week in Norwich, well stricken in years, Mr. James Paston, a comedian of considerable talent, many years a performer in the Norfolk and Suffolk Company, and was much admired in that circuit as an actor."

25.-A camping match took place at Worstead between ten men of the Blofield Hundred and ten of the Tunstead and Happing Hundred. It terminated in favour of the former. "A poor old man, who had repaired thither to see the sport, fell down and expired on the spot."

27.-A deputation of journeyman weavers presented Mr. John Harvey with a silver vase, subscribed for by 2,300 persons, "in testimony of the high esteem in which they regarded him as a liberal patron and spirited promoter of the manufactures of his native city of Norwich, and as a small tribute of grat.i.tude for the many acts of kindness he had manifested towards them on various occasions."

30.-Mr. David Fisher's season terminated at Swaffham Theatre. "With the close of the season has ended the use of the present Theatre, which is to be pulled down and a new one on a more extended and improved scale erected."

-A dinner was given at the Town Hall, Lynn, by the Mayor-elect, Mr.

Edward Everard. The company present included, among others, Mr. T. W.

c.o.ke, M.P., the Marquis of Tichfield, M.P., Col. Walpole, M.P., &c.

"Some pointed remarks fell from both parties, and Mr. c.o.ke made some remarks which called forth some observations from Mr. Wodehouse."

Alderman Blencowe proposed "the health of Lady Anne," and Mr. c.o.ke, in reply, said "it was extremely natural that he should wish for a son and heir to the Holkham estate, but declared that rather than his son should prove a Tory he should wish not to have a son at all."

-A serious accident occurred at Yarmouth on the occasion of the dinner given by the Mayor-elect. As the company were entering the Town Hall a salute was fired from some "swivels" laid on the Quay, one of which burst and severely wounded seven or eight lads. From the effects of the terrible injuries he received, one of the lads died next day.