Norfolk Annals Volume I Part 93

1839.

JANUARY.

5.-Died at Braconash, aged 85, Elizabeth, widow of Mr. Thomas Berney, and third and last surviving daughter of Sir George Duckett, Bart., of Hartham, Wilts. "Mrs. Berney was a true representative of an English lady of times past, in its dignified and most attractive form." At the funeral at Braconash, on the 15th, the hea.r.s.e was preceded by "a canopy of plumes of feathers, borne by a mute with two others, one on each side."

7.-A severe gale raged on the Norfolk coast, and many vessels were wrecked. Thirteen sail of vessels belonging to Yarmouth, with 100 hands on board, were missing, and at a public meeting held in the borough on the 23rd, a fund was started for the relief of the widows and children.

14.-At Lynn Quarter Sessions, before the Recorder (Mr. Martin John West), an indictment was preferred by Dr. John Tweedale, of that town, against Mr. William Drake, of East Dereham, and Mr. James Bowker, charging the defendants with provoking him to fight a duel, and with common a.s.sault.

Mr. Drake, a solicitor, was employed by the Conservative party in the borough to attend the revision of the munic.i.p.al voters' lists, and a quarrel arose in consequence of certain evidence given by Dr. Tweedale as a charity trustee. The defendant Drake was found guilty of a common a.s.sault, and fined 5; and Bowker was acquitted.

-The agitation for the repeal of the Corn Laws was commenced in Norwich by the holding of a preliminary meeting, at which a pet.i.tion in favour of the movement was agreed to. A common hall was held on February 7th, presided over by the Mayor (Mr. J. Marshall), when the Chartists attended and created a great disturbance. A resolution in favour of repeal was adopted. The Town Council discussed the subject on February 8th and 11th, and a motion for pet.i.tioning both Houses of Parliament for a total repeal was carried by 26 votes to 20. Meetings with the same object became general throughout the county.

16.-Heigham Episcopal chapel, Norwich, was consecrated by the Bishop of the Diocese, and was known afterwards as the chapel of the Holy Trinity.

21.-Died at Catton, aged 38, the Rev. Dacre Barrett Lennard, sixth son of Sir Thomas Barrett Lennard, of Belhus, Ess.e.x, rector of St. Michael at Plea, Norwich, and chaplain to H.R.H. the Duke of Suss.e.x and Lord Western. His remains were interred on the 28th "in a vault near the altar of his church."

28.-Died at Hampstead, Sir William Beechey, R.A., aged 86. He was a native of Burford, Oxfordshire, and in early life settled and married in Norwich. Elected an a.s.sociate of the Royal Academy in 1793, he painted in the same year a full-length portrait of Queen Charlotte, who honoured him with the appointment of Queen's portrait painter. In 1798 he painted an equestrian portrait of George III., with the Prince of Wales and Duke of York, reviewing the 3rd and 10th Dragoons, attended by Lieut.-General Dundas, General Sir William Fawcett, and Major George Goldsworthy. In the same year he received the honour of knighthood, the first instance of its being conferred on an artist since the time of Sir Joshua Reynolds.

At St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, there are four portraits by Sir William, namely, those of Admiral Lord Nelson, Mr. John Patteson, Mr. Elisha de Hague, and Mr. J. S. Patteson. His son, Capt. Beechey, R.N., was one of Capt. Sir Edward Parry's lieutenants in his second expedition towards the North Pole.

FEBRUARY.

3.-This day (Sunday) a prize-fight took place on Costessey Common, between Rix and Clarke, of Norwich, seconded by Cricknell and Blanchflower, "of the new scientific school." Sixty-three rounds were fought, in 1 hr. 20 mins. Rix was the victor. "Never were two men more severely punished by each other."

6.-The Rev. W. J. Bakewell, upwards of eleven years minister of the Unitarian chapel, Norwich, "who is about to embark for America," was presented by his congregation with a purse of 105 sovs.

10.*-"The week before last, in a little more than three days, Sir Richard Sutton, Bart., and a small party of friends shot 1,313 pheasants and an immense quant.i.ty of hares, rabbits, partridges, and woodc.o.c.k, on his estate at Lynford and Tofts." (This was described as "killing, not sporting.")

-Mr. William Dalrymple resigned office as one of the surgeons of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, and Mr. J. G.o.dwin Johnson was elected in his place.

11.-A trotting match took place at Attleborough, between a horse named Scroggins, belonging to Mr. Ling, of Besthorpe, and a cob the property of Mr. Robert Large, of Ellingham. The match was run in two mile heats, and was won by the former, in the presence of upwards of 3,000 spectators.

19.-Mr. Hotson, solicitor, of Long Stratton, while driving to Norwich, was robbed of a purse of money and a case of bank notes, near Harford Bridges. One of his a.s.sailants pulled him back in the gig and covered his mouth with his hand while three others rifled his pockets. At the Norwich Quarter Sessions, in April, a man named Daniel Archer was charged with the offence, and acquitted.

21.-The litigation respecting the Norwich charities entered upon its final stage in the House of Lords, when the appeal, Bignold and others _v._ Springfield came on for hearing. Lord Wynford said the question he had to propose was that the judges should state their opinion whether, having reference to the 74th section of the Munic.i.p.al Corporation Act, the administration of the charities continued in the old Corporation after August 1st, 1836. Mr. Justice Littledale asked for time to consider the question. On June 24th the House decided in favour of the then trustees. Lord Chief Justice Tindal said: "Upon the whole we think the administration of the charity estates did not continue in the persons described in the 71st section of the 5th and 6th William IV. after August 1st." The order was confirmed, with costs against the appellants.

-The Marquis of Douro presented to the House of Commons a pet.i.tion signed by 1,600 of the inhabitants of Norwich for leave to bring in the Norwich Improvement Bill. The Bill was read a first time. It pa.s.sed its second reading on March 21st, and was read a third time on June 19th. The object of the Bill was to repeal the then existing Acts and to subst.i.tute a more effectual provision for the better paving, lighting, and improvement of the city. At a special meeting of the Town Council on July 16th it was agreed to pet.i.tion the House of Lords in opposition to the Bill "in the way it should come from the Commons." When the Bill was before the Committee of the House of Lords on July 23rd objection was taken that the notices on the part of the promoters were insufficient, and the Bill was consequently lost. At a meeting of the Paving Commissioners on December 17th it was reported that costs amounting to 1,500 had been incurred in opposing the Bill.

MARCH.

2.-Smallpox was reported to be very prevalent in Norwich. Within the preceding month one hundred persons died of the disease.

5.-An alarming report was circulated about the arming of the Chartists in Norwich, where, it was stated, a club had been formed for the more extensive distribution of pikes and other weapons. "Some are formed like a common halbert, others have a crescent at the bottom and the blade pointed forward, with a sharp edge, supposed to be designed for cutting the girths or reins of horses. It is said that about 60 will leave Norwich armed with these weapons, and some of them with pistols, for the north of England." At a meeting of the Town Council on March 11th the Mayor said, in reply to questions by Mr. Bignold, that the report had been greatly exaggerated. Pikes had been manufactured, but there was not a great number of them. Meanwhile the Chartists held meetings in Norwich Market Place, on Mousehold Heath, and elsewhere. In August pikes and guns were taken by the police from various persons, and on the 10th of that month John Dover, the keeper of a beer shop in St. Paul's, was apprehended on the charge of giving an order to James Tillett, a smith, to make pikes for unlawful purposes, and was bound over to appear at the a.s.sizes. On the 14th the Chartists made a demonstration on Mousehold Heath; the police force was strengthened in consequence, special constables sworn in, and the staff of the West Norfolk Militia held in readiness for immediate action. On Sunday, the 18th, the Chartists attended the Cathedral service in a body, and were appealed to by the Bishop to take to heart the words of advice he addressed to them. On the evening of the same day they attended St. Stephen's church and interrupted the preacher, the Rev. P. Booth, with hisses and noise. The church of SS. Simon and Jude was visited on Sunday, the 25th, and hundreds were unable to gain admission in consequence of the crowd. "A text had been sent to the Rev. John Owen by some of the Chartists, with a respectful request that he would preach from it, and the greatest order prevailed."

8.-A heavy fall of snow took place. The Birmingham mail coach arrived in Norwich ten hours late, and on the 9th several carriers were unable to reach the city.

11.-At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council a pet.i.tion "from certain persons, denominating themselves anglers," was read, requesting that means should be taken to prevent the dragging of the river for fish. It was stated that fishing for smelts was at one time a source of income to many persons, several boats having earned as much as 23 a year. The pet.i.tion was referred to the magistrates, who were asked to prohibit illegal fishing.

16.*-"A fine white-tailed eagle was last week shot on Beachamwell Warren.

It measured between the tips of the wings 7 ft. 5 ins., and weighed 10 lbs. It has been preserved by the Rev. H. Dugmore, of Swaffham."

20.-Fakenham Steeplechases took place. Among the other meetings this season were Eccles Hunt Steeplechases, March 26th; North Walsham, April 12th; and Barnham Broom, April 18th.

21.-Died at his apartments in London, Mr. Edmund Henry Barker, of Thetford. "He had rendered valuable services to literature; in early life he was an intimate and respected friend of Dr. Parr; and his labours on the Thesaurus of Stephens will remain a n.o.ble monument of his indefatigable zeal in the cause of Greek literature." He was buried at St. Andrew's, Holborn.

24.-Died, aged 85, Mary, wife of Captain Richard Browne, of the Cathedral precincts, Norwich, and eldest daughter of Dr. John Murray.

26.-The troop of the 4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards, stationed at Norwich, marched thence for Clifton. They were replaced in April by two troops of the 9th Lancers, commanded by Capt. Fullarton.

APRIL.

1.-Mr. G. V. Brooke appeared at Norwich Theatre as Sir Edward Mortimer ("The Iron Chest"). During the short season he performed a round of his favourite characters.

6.*-"We regret to find our antic.i.p.ations that the Eastern Counties'

Railway is to terminate at Colchester have been realised, as it seems the directors have come to the conclusion not to carry it further, in accordance with the wishes of the Lancashire proprietors, who hare so great a stake in the undertaking." On May 6th a rule _nisi_ was granted in the Bail Court to compel the Company to proceed with the works in accordance with their original contract with the public. (The Act of Parliament was obtained upon the representation that the line should be carried from London to Yarmouth.) In the Court of Queen's Bench on June 22nd Lord Chief Justice Denman, in delivering judgment on the points raised, said: "Upon the whole, without coming to any final decision, we think the case is involved in such doubt as to require the return of the mandamus, and that a writ should go for that purpose."

9.-At the Norfolk a.s.sizes, before Mr. Justice Vaughan, John Hall and Wm.

Palmer were indicted upon the unusual charge of stealing a bell from a parish church. The bell was lying in the west end of North Walsham church, and the prisoners, with the a.s.sistance of a man named John Daniels (who turned Queen's evidence), took it away in a cart, broke it up, and endeavoured to dispose of the metal in Norwich. The prisoners were sentenced to one year's imprisonment, with hard labour. (For an account of a similar theft see December 28th, 1839.)

10.-At the same a.s.sizes, before Lord Chief Justice Tindal, an action was brought against an overseer named Burrell, of Lynn, for the recovery of a penalty of 50 for failing to deliver a signed list of persons claiming to be registered as voters under the Munic.i.p.al Reform Act. A verdict was given for the plaintiff, a Mr. King, for the amount claimed.

11.-Charles Daines was indicted at the Norfolk a.s.sizes, before Mr.

Justice Vaughan, for the wilful murder of Elizabeth Daines, his infant daughter, by poisoning her at Hempnall on March 11th. The prisoner was acquitted. He was then charged with attempting to murder his wife by poisoning her with a.r.s.enic, found guilty, and sentenced to death. The execution took place on the Castle Hill, Norwich, on April 27th. "He appeared to die an exceedingly hard death. He clasped his hands, and raised his arms several times towards his breast, as if in the act of prayer, unquestionably showing that consciousness had not left him. His remains were buried in St. Michael-at-Thorn churchyard."

13.*-"We understand it is in contemplation to revive in Norwich under different regulations and on a more extensive scale those annual art exhibitions, which for the last six years have ceased to take place. It is proposed to form a society, through the medium of which artists and amateurs in Norwich and its neighbourhood may have the opportunity of offering to public inspection and patronage productions in any department of art. The large room in the building, lately occupied as a bazaar in St. Andrew's, is to form the gallery." (The exhibition was opened on August 16th.)

-*"An enormous eel was lately brought to Norwich Fish-market. It weighed 25 lbs., and was sold to be placed in the collection of a London naturalist."

13.-Died at Doughty's Hospital, Norwich, Elizabeth Bentley, "the Norwich poetess," in the 72nd year of her age. She was born in the parish of All Saints, and was the only child of Daniel Bentley, a journeyman shoemaker, who died in 1783. Two years after her father's death she developed a taste for versification, and in 1791 appeared the first volume of her poems, dedicated to Mr. Wm. Drake, jun., M.P. The profits of the publication (from the contributions of nearly 2,000 subscribers) enabled her for many years, with the income arising from a small school, to support the declining age of her mother. Another volume of her poems was published in 1821.

MAY.

6.-At the sale of effects at Gunton Hall, very high prices were realised for the wine, liquors, and ale. Griffith's port (1830) sold at 81s. per dozen; Fontignac, at 8 per dozen; curacoa, 13 per dozen; brandy, 9 per dozen; ale, 4 per barrel. At Tattersall's, 49 horses and colts belonging to Lord Suffield produced 4,400, and the pack of 47 couples and 13 b.i.t.c.hes with their whelps 280.

9.-The Yarmouth Town Council accepted the tender of the Rev. Mark Waters for the presentation to St. George's chapel. The minimum price fixed was 620; the highest tender 661.

14.-The Purple and Orange Club, at a meeting presided over by Mr. W. J.

Utten Browne, and held at the Maid's Head Inn, adopted an address to the Queen, expressing regret at the threatening aspect of affairs in our Colonial possessions, and of sedition manifest in England, and imploring her Majesty to summon to her counsels "all those upright and enlightened statesmen whose consistent advocacy of Conservative principles has obtained for them the respect and confidence of the nation." On the 23rd the Norwich Town Council adopted a counter address, "thanking her Majesty for her choice of ministers who deserve the regard of the nation by righteous taxation, by extending commerce, by improving criminal and civil laws, by commuting t.i.thes, by amending the Poor-laws, by granting self-government to the people by munic.i.p.al corporations, and by making provision for national education."