Norfolk Annals Volume I Part 60

29.-Great rejoicings took place at Costessey in celebration of the elevation to the peerage of Sir George Jerningham, Bart., by the t.i.tle of Baron Stafford, of Stafford Castle, in Staffordshire, of Shiffnall in Shropshire, and of Costessey in Norfolk. A large cavalcade attended by a band of music proceeded to Easton, where Lord and Lady Stafford and their daughters were received with enthusiastic cheering and escorted to Costessey Hall. Sheep were roasted, 500 loaves of bread distributed, and many barrels of beer consumed.

JULY.

7.-At a meeting, presided over by Dr. Yelloly, at the Rampant Horse Inn, Norwich, the medical men of the city decided "to form a union between the two previously existing societies in order to render more efficient the circulation of medical books, and the establishment of a medical library in Norwich."

12.-Meetings of Loyal Orange Societies, No. 50, held at the Waggon and Horses, Tombland, and No. 213 at the Waterloo Tavern, St. Stephen's, Norwich, celebrated the anniversary of the battle of the Boyne.

14.-A severe thunderstorm occurred at Norwich after a period of very sultry weather. "Almost immediately after the tempest a cloud of immense magnitude and extreme density, having the appearance of a ma.s.s of snow, pa.s.sed over the city. Drifting with a strong westerly wind it was so low as to envelope a considerable portion of the Cathedral spire. Its pa.s.sage was attended with a very curious phenomenon. The current of the river, which had previously been sluggish, suddenly became very rapid, as if propelled by the irruption of some mighty flood. This acceleration lasted about ten minutes, the cloud having once pa.s.sed over, the stream gradually resumed its former rate of progression."

15.-Died at his residence, Catton Place, aged 58, Mr. Joseph Fitch, who served the office of Sheriff of Norwich in 1808.

16.-A troop of the 2nd Queen's Dragoon Guards, commanded by Capt.

Kearney, marched into Norwich Barracks, and were followed by three other troops. "This fine regiment, whose uniform is free from modern finery, and has a truly British appearance, is commanded by Lieut.-Col. Kearney.

They were the first regiment who occupied the Norwich Barracks after their erection in the year 1793."

22.-The new Union steamboat intended for pa.s.senger traffic between Lynn and Cambridge made her first voyage. "She is 72 feet long, 12 wide, carries 100 pa.s.sengers, and is propelled by two engines. Her paddles are in the stern; they communicate with the boiler and engine by means of long rods through more than half the length of the vessel."

30.-Died at her house in the Close, Norwich, aged 65, Mrs. d.i.c.kens, wife of Mr. W. H. d.i.c.kens. "She was the widow of the late Mr. William Crowe, of Lakenham, who on his death bed enjoined her to marry Capt. d.i.c.kens immediately after his (Mr. Crowe's) decease."

31.*-(Advt.) "To the corn growers of the county of Norfolk. Gentlemen, the merchants of Norwich having honoured me by accepting the Pantheon, in which to hold their corn market, permit me to acquaint you the same will be held at the Pantheon, Ranelagh Gardens, during their pleasure.-W.

Finch." The removal of the corn market to the Pantheon was rendered necessary by the alterations in progress at the Hall in preparation for the first Triennial Musical Festival. On August 14th a meeting of millers, merchants, and corn growers was held at the Norfolk Hotel, "for the purpose of taking into consideration the best means of erecting a Corn Exchange." Mr. J. Culley presided, and resolutions were adopted in favour of the proposal, the required amount to be raised in 100 shares.

A committee was appointed to ask the county magistrates to grant a site "within the iron railing on the north side of the Castle Hill, in the intermediate s.p.a.ce between the road leading from Messrs. Gurney's Bank on the right to the opening from Davey Steps on the left." A further meeting was held on October 23rd, at which it was reported that the magistrates declined to accede to the request, but that the Corporation of Norwich had agreed "that a piece of ground on the Castle Meadow, in length 130 feet and in breadth 70 feet, be granted to the corn merchants for a term of 99 years at the yearly rent of 10, for the purpose of building thereon a corn exchange." A meeting was held on November 1st, at which it was decided to accept the offer, and to issue shares of 50 each to the amount of 2,000. (_See_ February 24th, 1825.)

AUGUST.

4.-In consequence of a requisition the Mayor of Norwich convened a meeting at the Guildhall to consider the subject of establishing a botanical garden in the neighbourhood of Norwich. Resolutions were adopted in favour of the scheme, which was introduced by Dr. Yelloly.

-Died at Norwich, aged 72, Mr. John Funnell Goldsmith Atkinson, solicitor. "He was devotedly attached to the const.i.tution in Church and State, and was in reality the character which has often been drawn of Honest John Bull."

11.-At the Norfolk a.s.sizes at Norwich, before Sir William Alexander, Chief Baron of the Exchequer, came on the action Howard _v._ Howes. The plaintiff sought to substantiate his right to the exclusive enjoyment of a pew in the parish church of Fundenhall. He and his father had occupied it since 1787 until disturbed in such occupation by the defendant on November 2nd, 1823. Verdict for the plaintiff, damages 1s.-At the same a.s.sizes, a similar action, Reader _v._ Bloom, was tried, and damages claimed for a.s.sault. The declaration set forth that the defendant on August 31st, 1823, at Wells, "did grievously with his hands and feet a.s.sault the plaintiff," a maiden lady, in the same town, to whom had been bequeathed a house, which, it was supposed, ent.i.tled her to the use of a certain pew in the parish church. Defendant contested the right, locked the pew, and nailed over the door a piece of wood to prevent entry thereto. When plaintiff endeavoured to effect an entrance Mr. Bloom kicked her legs and nipped her arm. The defence was that the plaintiff first "clapperclawed" the defendant. The jury returned a verdict for plaintiff, damages 1s.

31.-An election took place at Norwich for the office of freemen's Sheriff. Mr. Charles Turner was nominated in the "Purple and Orange,"

and Mr. T. O. Springfield in the "Blue and White" interest. "About an hour after the poll had commenced it was announced to Mr. Turner's committee that the 'Blue and Whites' were giving 5s. for each vote. This information caused the 'Purple and Orange' party also to unloose their purse strings, and the cash was paid down on both sides to all who would receive it." Result of the poll: Turner, 1,165; Springfield, 929.

SEPTEMBER.

5.-Died, aged 73, Mrs. Death, widow of Mr. Thomas Death, of the Theatre Royal, Norwich, and of Covent Garden, London.

11.-St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, was for the first time lighted with gas in preparation for the Musical Festival. "The pure bright flame that issued from the numerous gas burners communicated a l.u.s.tre to every part of the edifice more evident, perhaps, than what it receives from the light of day."

17.-Married at St. Martin's-in-the-Fields, London, Mr. William Henry Brundall to Miss Priscilla Mason, both formerly of the Theatre Royal, Norwich.

19.-Died at Chelsea, Mr. Henry Cooper, barrister, aged 39. The son of an eminent Norwich barrister, he went to sea with Nelson, and as a boy was present at the battle of the Nile. He early quitted the naval profession for that of the law, and was afterwards appointed Attorney-General of the Bermudas. On the appointment of Mr. Sergeant Blosset to the Chief Justiceship of Bengal, Mr. Cooper, who was then rapidly rising on the Norfolk circuit, became one of the leaders.

21.-The first Triennial Musical Festival, "for the benefit of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital," commenced on this date. On the evenings of the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd a miscellaneous concert was given at St. Andrew's Hall; on the mornings of the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th oratorios were performed in the same building; and on the evening of the 24th a ball took place. The princ.i.p.al vocal performers were Mrs. Salmon, Miss Stephens, Miss Carew, Madame Renzi De Begnes, Mr. Vaughan, M. Sapio, Mr.

Bellamy, Mr. Edward Taylor, of Norwich (in place of Mr. F. Novello, absent through family bereavement), Mr. Terrail, Master Kempton, and Signor De Begnes. Sir George Smart was the conductor. The Festival was attended by H.R.H. the Duke of Suss.e.x, who was the guest of the Bishop of Norwich. The receipts amounted to 6,695, and the amount given to the Hospital was 2,411 4s. 2d. At a quarterly a.s.sembly of the Corporation on September 27th, the freedom of the city was voted to Sir George Smart, "for the eminent services rendered by him to the city and county as conductor of the late Musical Festival"; and the Corporation further agreed to purchase the organ erected for the occasion in St. Andrew's Hall by Mr. Grey, for the sum of 280 guineas.

29.-Races were held at East Dereham, and were well attended by "beauty and fashion."

OCTOBER.

14.-The premises of Mr. Ling, upholsterer and cabinet maker, Bridewell Alley, Norwich, were destroyed by fire. The terrified prisoners were removed from their cells in the Bridewell adjoining and conveyed to the City Gaol, and all the property that could be saved from the burning premises was taken into St. Andrew's church. The 2nd Dragoon Guards were called out to preserve order, and the staff of the West Norfolk Militia a.s.sembled under arms. "Owing to the goods being stored in St. Andrew's church it was impossible to hold service there on Sunday."

15.-Died, in his 88th year, Mr. Robert Priest, of St. James' Street, Norwich. He was for many years treasurer to the Charity Schools, and in 1786 paid the fine on declining the office of Sheriff.

21.-Died of consumption, in his 24th year, at Little Baddow, Ess.e.x, the Rev. Stephen Morell, "pastor of the Christian Society at the Old Meeting House, Norwich."

26.-Mrs. Sloman, formerly of the Norwich Company, made her first appearance at Covent Garden as Belvedera in "Venice Preserved." The "Times" described the performance as "more than respectable-in many parts excellent"; and the "Morning Herald" stated that "it was the most promising tragic _debut_ since the days of Miss O'Neil, and the applause at the dropping of the curtain was long, loud, and universal." Mrs.

Sloman was subsequently engaged by the managers of Covent Garden for three years at a high salary.

NOVEMBER.

7.-William Brownsell, many years in the service of Mr. William Mason, of Necton, was accidentally shot in his master's plantation by a spring gun.

He lay in dreadful agony all night and died soon after being found next morning.

15.-A private watch inst.i.tuted and maintained by the inhabitants of St.

Stephen's, Norwich, commenced its duties.

-A prize fight took place near Mattishall between Mike Fenn and John Short, of Norwich. "After 14 rounds Fenn was so dreadfully beaten that he was carried off the ground in a state of insensibility." Two thousand persons were present.

20.*-"Died at East Dereham last week a poor woman of the name of Rumble, aged 103 years. She retained her faculties till within a month of her decease."

DECEMBER.

3.-At a meeting held at the Guildhall, Norwich, under the presidency of the Mayor, it was resolved to establish a law library in the city.

11.-The prospectus of a plan for establishing a "Museum of Natural History, Antiquity, &c." in Norwich was issued in accordance with a resolution pa.s.sed at a meeting held a short time previously under the chairmanship of Mr. John Harvey.

14.-The London, Yarmouth, and Norwich Steampacket Company announced the completion of a new vessel, called the City of Norwich, for the London and Yarmouth trade. A considerable portion of the stock of this company was raised in Norwich and Yarmouth.

15.-Married at East Dereham, by the Rev. C. H. Wollaston, Mr. Fisher, jun., of the Norfolk and Suffolk Company of Comedians, to Sarah, third daughter of Mr. William Howard.

-A meeting was held at the King's Arms Inn, North Walsham, at which it was resolved to carry into immediate execution the Act of Parliament for the construction of the North Walsham and Dilham Ca.n.a.l.

17.-Concerts were given on the 17th and 18th at Norwich Theatre under the management of Messrs. Pettet. The performers included Signor and Madame Renzi De Begnes and Miss Paton.

20.-Signor Antonio, "generally called Il Diavolo Antonio," commenced an engagement at the Norwich a.s.sembly Room in an entertainment consisting of gymnastic exercises, feats of strength, juggling, and fantoccini.