Yarmouth Notes Part 1

Yarmouth Notes.

by Frederick Danby Palmer.

PREFACE.

The following pages are a reprint of extracts from the file of the _Norwich Mercury_, which, under the heading of "Yarmouth Notes," have recently appeared in the columns of the _Yarmouth Mercury_; and in consequence of a very generally expressed wish on the part of the public, re-appear in the present form.

At the time these notices of Yarmouth News appeared in the _Norwich Mercury_, that journal was the organ of the old Whig party, and such of them, as treat of politics, being doubtless tinged by the party feeling of the Editor, should be so taken and read.

The idea of collating this matter suggested itself to the compiler upon the occasion of Geo. Wm. Darby Palmer-Kerrison, Esq., presenting the file of the _Norwich Mercury_, (then in his Library), but which had been preserved by the late Robert Palmer Kemp, Esq., to the Yarmouth Free Library, and it is hoped that this action will not only prove of some entertainment and amus.e.m.e.nt to the reader, but also will be of service to any person who may, in the future, deal with local events as affecting the history of the borough of Great Yarmouth.

F. D. P.

FIRST SERIES, 183040.

"When found, make a note of"-

CAPT. CUTTLE.

1830.

Jan. 2nd.-Contains an advertis.e.m.e.nt of the report of the "Norfolk a.s.sociation for preserving the lives of Shipwrecked Mariners," held at Norwich, William Barth, Esq., in the chair, from which it appears that an investigation had taken place as to the loss of seven men from the brig Hamond, and that as the lifeboat was not constructed with a view to affording aid to vessels immediately on the beach, Mr. Ambrose Palmer had most kindly offered to supply a boat for that purpose.

Jan. 9th.-The prisoners in the gaol returned thanks to Mr. Daniel Hook for the good dinner of "roast beef and plum pudding and a quart of ale each," which he had given them on New Year's Day.

Jan. 21.-Mr. William Ferrier had given a lecture on Natural History, at the Mechanics' Inst.i.tution; and at an adjourned meeting of the Public library, Mr. Charles Nicholls entered upon the office of Treasurer in the room of the Rev. H. R. Bowles, deceased; and Mr. Thomas Hammond was re-elected librarian.

Jan. 28th.-Charles John Palmer, Esq., had been elected a F.S.A.

Feb. 4th.-Navigation was stopped by the frost.

Feb. 11th.-A Fisherman's Provident Society had been established, to which George Danby-Palmer, Esq., "had been a liberal subscriber, and had accepted the office of treasurer, Mr. Thomas Hammond acting as secretary."

March 25th.-A meeting had been held at the New Hall (George Bateman, Mayor, in the chair) to take into consideration "the expediency of building a new church," when Robert Wall, Esq., George Danby-Palmer, Esq., Samuel Tolver, Esq. (Town-clerk), and Mr. Ferrier took part, and a resolution was carried against the proposal to build the church.

April 3rd.-A boldly contested steeplechase had been run off between several gentlemen of the Munro Hunt, when the prize, a large silver Cup and cover, was won by H. Munro, Esq., who rode the distance, from Fritton to Gorleston (above four miles), in fifteen minutes. Above forty gentlemen afterwards dined at the Bear.

April 15th.-A meeting had been held at the New Hall "for the purpose of pet.i.tioning Parliament for the further reduction of taxation and a retrenchment in the public expenditure." George Danby-Palmer, Esq., was in the chair, and William Barth, Esq., Simon Cobb, Esq., John Sh.e.l.ley, Esq., John Burton Palmer, Esq., William Smith, Esq., Mr. John Barnes, Mr.

Boulton, Mr. Dennent, and Mr. Barrett, took part in the proceedings.

April 22nd.-Much damage had been done to the shipping and in the town by a gale.

May 6th.-A meeting (George Danby-Palmer, Esq., in the chair) had been held for the purpose of appointing a select vestry for the parish.

July 3rd.-Owing to the death of King George IV. the paper appeared in mourning.

July 8th.-The Hon. Col. Anson and Mr. Rumbold had arrived to canva.s.s the Borough.

July 15th.-A funeral service had been held for the late King (the Corporation attending in black robes, were afterwards entertained by the Mayor to chocolate, &c.) It was estimated that there were 3,000 persons in the church.

July 22nd.-Messrs. Preston and Campbell (the Tory candidates) had arrived. They were attended (so says the advertis.e.m.e.nt) "by upwards of 400 persons, 50 gentlemen on horseback, and an enormous company of gentlemen in their carriages, comprising all the consequence and wealth of the town."

Aug. 12th.-A meeting had been held to congratulate the King on his accession to the Throne (George Danby-Palmer, Esq., in the chair); to the resolution then pa.s.sed Mr. Palmer received a reply from Sir Robert Peel, stating that the King had received the same in a most gracious manner.

Aug. 15th.-Messrs. Anson and Rumbold had been returned "after a severe opposition by almost the entire force of the Corporation." The poll closing-Anson, 944; Rumbold, 944; Campbell, 754; Preston, 754. A dinner of their supporters (W. Barth, Esq., in the chair) was afterwards held at the Masonic Hall.

Aug. 26th.-Contains an advertis.e.m.e.nt that "the old annual main of c.o.c.ks would be fought near the Feathers' Inn, on Tuesday and Wednesday, the 7th and 8th September, between the gentlemen of Norwich and Yarmouth, for five sovs. a battle and 50 the odds. Feeders-Stafford, Norwich, and Lamb, Yarmouth."

Sept. 2nd.-On the "decollation of S. John" the following officers were elected for the Borough for the ensuing year:-

Mayor elect-Edmund Preston, Esq.

Chamberlain-Mr. Robert B. Fenn.

Churchwardens-I. Preston, Esq. and Mr. J. T. Bracey.

Auditors-G. Bateman, Esq., F. R. Reynolds, Esq., Mr. I. Preston, and Mr.

E. Youell.

Collectors-Charles Costerton, Esq., and Mr. James Clarke.

Muragers-Charles Symonds and Charles J. Palmer, Esqs.

Dec. 9th.-A meeting had been held to pet.i.tion the legislature for a Reform in Parliament. The Mayor (E. Preston, Esq., in the chair), Mr.

Alderman Barth, Mr. S. Cobb, John Sh.e.l.ley, Esq., and John Brightwen, Esq., took part in the proceedings.

Dec. 23rd.-The self-styled Gorleston and Southtown Corporation dissolved, and formed itself into the "Hand in Hand Friendly Society," and it was ordered that "the regalia of the late Corporation should be sold and the money arising therefrom distributed among the poor of the parish."

1831.

Feb. 10th-_The Gorleston and Southtown Magazine_ had been issued in weekly numbers or monthly parts, and contained a biographical notice of Mr. Dawson Turner, F.S.A., &c.

Feb. 17th.-Amongst the vessels lost and driven ash.o.r.e by the then late gales were the Alfred (Simmonds), the Flora, the Juno (Moss), the Elizabeth and Mary Welch (Amis), and the Anson (Garwood).

March 5th.-Contains the following notice of Mr. Palmer's Fancy Dress Ball:-