1811.
JANUARY.
19.*—“Greatly to the credit of the numerous population of Norwich the Bridewell doors were thrown open several days during the present week, there not being a single person confined for any misdemeanour, a circumstance that has not before happened for a great number of years.”
A piece of plate, value 100 guineas, was this month presented by the principal inhabitants of East and West Flegg Hundreds to the Rev. B. U. Salmon, for his public services as a magistrate, and as a mark of their individual esteem.
FEBRUARY.
2.—A county meeting, presided over by the High Sheriff, was held at the Shirehouse, Norwich, when resolutions, stating the injury that would be sustained by a continuation of the prohibition of the use of grain in the distilleries, were agreed to. A committee of landowners and corn growers was appointed to adopt measures for the protection of the interests of agriculture. (The Distillery Bill was thrown out by the House of Lords.)
7.—Died, at Norton Place, near Lincoln, in his 78th year, Mr. John Harrison, twice member of Parliament for Thetford.
10.—Died, at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, in his 79th year, the Rev. Neville Maskelyne, Astronomer Royal, and rector of North Runcton.
12.—Died, the Rev. Philip Wodehouse, brother of Lord Wodehouse, and a Prebendary of Norwich Cathedral, aged 66. In digging the grave for the interment of the deceased, beneath the organ loft at the Cathedral, the workmen found, two feet beneath the surface, a stone coffin enclosing a wooden shell containing the body of Dean Croft, who died in 1670. “His remains were found apparently in a perfect state, excepting the tip of the nose, and the shroud was a little discoloured.”
16.—Robert Waller and John Kerrison, who were in the permanent employment of Mr. Lindley, of Catton, were committed to Aylsham Bridewell for one month’s hard labour, for “illegally combining to alter and lessen the usual time of his labourers going and being at work.”
17.—Died, aged 62, John Thompson, lamp lighter of Norwich. “His lamp of life being out, and all his oil consumed, he was by his own request buried at St. Martin-at-Palace at night, all his brethren of the ladder and torch attending in the funeral procession with their flambeaux to light him to his long home, in the presence of thousands assembled on the plain.”
MARCH.
14.—Died, at his seat at Euston, in his 76th year, the Duke of Grafton. His Grace had been Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, and Recorder of Thetford and Coventry.
16.—A complaint was published that the posting masters in Norfolk charged at the rate of 1s. 9d. per mile, when nowhere else was the charge more than 1s. 6d.
17.—A disastrous fire occurred at the warehouse of Messrs. R. and S. Culley, grocers, the Upper Market, Norwich. The fire engines were inefficient, and the appliances out of repair. Notwithstanding the exertions of a detachment of the Royal Artillery, under Capt. Cockburn and Lieut. Day, the fire communicated with the adjoining premises of Mr. Freeman, and the two upper storeys of his house were destroyed. “The Pope’s Head had a wonderful escape, almost surrounded as it was by fire.” The damage was estimated at upwards of £5,000.
20.—A general fast was observed. Business was suspended in Norwich, where the churches and chapels were numerously attended, and collections made for the relief of British prisoners in France.
23.—The county magistrates examined plans for the erection of a lunatic asylum, and accepted those of Mr. William Brown, architect, of Ipswich.
25.—At the Norfolk Assizes, which commenced at Thetford, before Mr. Justice Grose, William Charles Fortescue, Lord Viscount Clermont, was charged with an assault on Sarah Lumley, a widow, residing at Saham Toney. His lordship was ordered to pay a fine of 50 marks to the King.
—At the same Assizes the tithe case, Royle, clerk, v. Parsley, was heard. The plaintiff, who was rector of Hilgay and proprietor of the tithes, sought to recover treble the value of the tithes on eight acres of wheat grown on the defendant’s farm. The defendant was the only occupier in the parish who paid the tithes in kind, and it was alleged that he had not fairly set them out. The jury returned a verdict for the defendant.
28.—Died, aged 43, Lady Elizabeth, wife of Lieut.-General Loftus, and daughter of the Marquis Townshend.
30.*—“This week a main of 41 battles (of which 31 came in fray) was fought at the King’s Head Inn, Norwich (Norwich against Cambridgeshire) for 10 guineas the battle, and 100 the odd. Neither, however, were winners, each having won 15 battles, and the odd battle being a draw.”
APRIL.
2.—Miss Greenfield, an actress, made her first appearance at the Theatre Royal, Norwich.
2.—A Lancasterian free school was opened in College Court, St. Martin-at-Palace, Norwich, for 420 boys.
6.—The receipts at Norwich Theatre on the occasion of the benefit of the manager, Mr. Hindes, amounted to £177 15s.
9.—Mr. J. Moreton, formerly of the Norwich Theatre, died at Woolwich, in his 62nd year.
11.—Miss Biffin, born deficient of arms and legs, was exhibited in a booth at Tombland Fair, Norwich. She had previously displayed her powers in miniature painting and needlework at the Angel Inn.
15.—Died in St. Simon’s, Norwich, aged 86, James Fuller, who was for 51 years clerk of that parish. His funeral was attended by all the parish clerks in the city.
21.—Interred at St. Saviour’s Church, Norwich, the remains of William Andrews, aged 85, many years sexton of the parish. The funeral was attended by 22 sextons of the city.
26.—Died, at Buckenham, General Sir James Pulteney, Bart., from the effects of an accidental explosion of a flask of gunpowder six days previously. He was colonel of the 18th Regiment of Foot, and had distinguished himself in the American War. He served on the Continent under the Duke of York, and was Commander-in-Chief of the unsuccessful expedition against Ferrol. He was afterwards appointed Secretary of War. The interest of the money left him by his wife, the Countess of Bath, amounting to £50,000 per annum, devolved at his death upon the four children of Mrs. Monkham, who had been divorced from her husband, a son of the Archbishop of York.
30.—Died in St. Peter Permountergate, Norwich, aged 63, William Harwin, nearly 40 years superintendent of the Unitarian Free Schools. “He had published a remarkably concise system of Stenography.”
MAY.
4.*—“Lieut. Richard Brunton, of the 43rd Regiment, son of J.
Brunton, Esq., late manager of our Theatre, is appointed Captain in the 6th Regiment of Portuguese Cacadores.”
21.—Intelligence received of a brilliant achievement in the Adriatic by Capt. William Hoste in the Amphion, who with two frigates and a sloop defeated the combined French and Italian squadrons of five frigates, a corvette, &c. He captured and destroyed four of the enemy’s frigates. The action took place on March 13th.
25.—A Royal license was granted to Elizabeth Barber Bulwer, widow of Brigadier-General Bulwer, of Wood Dalling and Heydon, and only child of Richard Warburton Lytton, late of Knebworth Place, Herts., to take and use the surname and arms of Lytton in addition to and with those of Bulwer.
—*“This week the churchwardens and officers, and many of the inhabitants of St. John Maddermarket, St. Stephen’s, St. Augustine’s, and St. John Timberhill, went the bounds of their respective parishes, when the usual ceremonies of bumping and ducking (inside and out) took place amid the ringing of bells, &c.”
A census was taken in Norwich during this month. The population was returned as 37,256, an increase since 1801 of 424.
JUNE.
8.—A thunderstorm of great severity occurred in Norwich.
15.*—“General Money has made an offer to the Commander-in-Chief to raise 400 rough hussars mounted on Welsh horses, by men below the army standard, to be embarked in four months. The object of this corps is to relieve the fine regiments of Cavalry in the Peninsula from all the harassing duties of the camp.”
18.—A new Methodist Chapel was opened in Calvert Street, St. George’s Colegate, Norwich, by the Rev. T. Cooke, LL.D., successor to the Rev. John Wesley.
—Guild Day at Norwich. “St. Giles’ Broad Street was decorated with streamers, garlands, and evergreens, whilst old Snap displayed his glittering wings and gilt tail, and cleared the way for the civic procession to the Cathedral.” After the service Robert Burrage, senior pupil at the Free Grammar School, and a “plebeian,” delivered the customary Latin oration at the school porch, and Mr. John Hamond Cole, having been sworn in at the Guildhall as Mayor of the city, entertained a company of 650 at the Guild feast at St. Andrew’s Hall.
20.—Died, at Athlone, Ireland, aged 38, James Wheeler, formerly of the Norwich Company of Comedians.
24.—Holkham Sheep Shearing commenced.
29.—A cricket match was played on Mulbarton Common between the Ashwelthorpe and Mulbarton teams, “for 22 bottles of cyder and 22 lbs. of cherries.” The Ashwelthorpe players won.
The East Norfolk Militia, commanded by Col. Wodehouse, volunteered to serve in Ireland. The Government accepted their services, and the regiment arrived in Cork in the following November.
JULY.
15.—Died, in his 69th year, at his house at Keswick, Mr. Richard Gurney. The interment took place at the Gildencroft burial-ground, Norwich.
18.—A cricket match was played on Swaffham race-course between the gentlemen of Swaffham and the gentlemen of Terrington for 50 guineas a aids. The match lasted two days. Swaffham, 122-110; Terrington, 100-69. The return match was played at Terrington on July 22nd. Swaffham, 44; Terrington, 22-20. “Even betting on the match.”
22.—A cricket match was played on the Town Close ground, Norwich, between the 2nd and 3rd Norwich clubs. 3rd club, 47; 2nd club, 19-42.
—An inquest was held in St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich, on the body of Ann Hammont, aged 28. “She destroyed herself in a manner very uncommon. She wound a piece of tape three times tight round her neck, and, finding it insufficient to effect her purpose, she resolutely put her head into a tub of water and so completed her suffocation.”
26.—The anniversary meeting of the Norfolk Agricultural Society was held at East Dereham. In consequence of the increase of the members (nearly 200) new regulations were made for conducting the society.
27.—Died at Richmond, Surrey, the Marquis Townshend, Earl of Leicester, &c., of Rainham. He was President of the Society of Antiquaries.
AUGUST.
3.—Polito’s menagerie was exhibited on the Castle Hill, Norwich.
6.—The portrait of Mr. Thomas Back, ex-Mayor of Norwich, was placed in St. Andrew’s Hall. It was painted by Clover, a native of the city.
8.—After the lapse of half a century Heigham Water Frolic was revived in Norwich.
10.—A prize fight took place at Fakenham between “the noted” Christopher Cox, of Sculthorpe, and J. Withers, “the blind boy,” servant to Mr. E. Holman, of the former place. “After two rounds in which Cox was confronted by his adversary, the conceit was pretty well taken out of him. Some little sparring then took place, when Cox was knocked down by a right hand facer, and after several other rounds, which were all in favour of Withers, Cox was completely beat off his legs.”
12.—Between six a.m. and five p.m. two persons caught by angling near Buckenham Ferry 132 lbs. of perch, bream, and roach.
13.—At the Norwich Assizes, before Mr. Justice Heath, William Charles Walker, aged 26, was sentenced to death for a burglary at the shop of Messrs. Dunham and Yallop, silversmiths, the Market Place.
19.—A cricket match was played on the Town Close ground between the Norwich club and “the two new ones united.” Norwich club, 128; united clubs, 84-65.
Molineux, Richmond, and Belcher, “the noted pugilists,” visited Norwich this month, and “gave lessons in the science of self-defence.”
SEPTEMBER.
3.—Married at North Elmham, Mr. Frost to Miss Copsey. “The marriage ceremony suffered a delay of two hours in consequence of the bride not having fully made up her mind, which occasioned a large assembly of the inhabitants at the church, before whom at last the knot was tied.”
5.—A comet appeared and remained visible until October 24th.
11th.—The Norfolk and Norwich Auxiliary Bible Society was instituted at a numerous meeting held at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich. The Mayor (Mr. J. H. Cole) presided. The Bishop of Norwich was appointed president of the Society.
16.—At a meeting held, under the presidency of Lord Suffield, at the King’s Arms Inn, North Walsham, it was resolved that the county members be requested to petition Parliament for a Bill for making a canal from Wayford Bridge to Lingate Common, North Walsham.
23.—Yarmouth Races commenced, and were attended by 20,000 people.
OCTOBER.
8.—A grand Musical Festival commenced in Norwich, when a miscellaneous concert was given at St. Andrew’s Hall. On the 9th a selection of sacred music was performed in the church of St. Peter Mancroft. The “Messiah” was produced on the 10th, selections were given from various composers on the 11th, and on both evenings concerts took place in St. Andrew’s Hall. The principal vocalists were Madame Catalani, Miss Booth, Mrs. Branchi, Mr. Braham, Mr. Goss, and Mr. Bellamy. The prices of admission were: Single tickets for the church from the orchestra to the altar, 10s. 6d.; side aisles, 7s. Single tickets for the hall, for the division west of the orchestra, 10s. 6d.; other parts, 7s. The receipts amounted to £1,800.
Died, this month, Mr. Thomas Cooke, of Pentonville, a native of Norfolk. He bequeathed £6,600 three per cent. Consols to Doughty’s Hospital, Norwich, expressly to augment the weekly allowance to the inmates; £1,750 to Cook’s Hospital; £1,000 to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital; and a like sum to the Blind School. He also gave £2,100 three per cents. to Framlingham Hospital; £700 to Valinger’s Hospital; and £2,300 to St. James’s Hospital at Lynn, where the testator resided some years previously. Mr. Cooke was an eccentric character, and was known as the “Pentonville Miser.”
NOVEMBER.
9.*—“Died, lately, at Scarborough, Mr. Bramwell, formerly of the Theatre Royal, Norwich.”
16.*—“The Master of the Rolls has appointed Mr. Charles Knight Murray, eldest son of Mr. Charles Murray, and grandson of Dr. John Murray, of Norwich, to be second secretary to his Honour.”
18.—At a special assembly of the Corporation of Norwich it was resolved, in consequence of the increased prices of grain, to petition the Prince Regent to cause the distillation of spirits from corn to be suspended until the sense of Parliament could be taken thereon. Wheat at that time was quoted at 45s. to 63s.; barley at 20s. to 26s.; oats, 13s. to 17s. per coomb; malt, 44s. per coomb; and flour, 95s. per sack. Prices declined soon afterwards.
27.—In the Court of King’s Bench, before Lord Ellenborough, a rule against Mr. Thomas Hoseason, a magistrate for the county of Norfolk, for having acted in his own cause in committing to the house of correction his servant, General Batterby, there to be kept to hard labour, and publicly whipped, was discharged on payment of costs.
30.*—“Mr. Angerstein has completely wound up his extensive mercantile concerns, and retired from business with an immense fortune, most honourably acquired. One of the last purchases which he made was a Government annuity of £3,000 on his own life. Weeting Hall, formerly Lord Montrath’s, was also a recent purchase.”
H.R.H. the Duke of Gloucester this month visited Holkham, as the guest of Mr. T. W. Coke.
DECEMBER.
10.—At a meeting of the Trafalgar Lodge of Oddfellows, held at the Three Tuns, St. Andrew’s, Norwich, the floor of the upper room gave way and precipitated the members into a lower apartment. “One of the members on finding himself sinking laid hold of the bars of the fire grate, but he soon relinquished his hold and dropped on his companions.” No one was injured. The meeting, at the time of the accident, had under discussion the question of the desirability of removing the lodge to other quarters.
28.—An equestrian troupe, under the management of Mr. Moritz, opened for the season at Harper’s Pantheon, Norwich.
—Bullock’s Museum of Natural History and productions of the fine arts was exhibited in the large room at the Angel Inn, Norwich.
Prices were very high this month. Wheat was quoted at 100s. to 110s.; rye, 46s. to 48s.; barley, 36s. to 47s.; and oats, 28s. to 32s. per quarter. The average price of wheat was 53s. 4d. per coomb, and the average price of flour £4 11s. 6d. per sack. Coals were 46s. 4d. per chaldron.
1812.
JANUARY.
2.—A silver vase, of the value of 200 guineas, was presented to Sir Edmund Bacon, premier baronet, of Raveningham, at the Swan Inn, Loddon, by the inhabitants of the Loddon and Clavering Hundred, as a token of their respect for him as a magistrate, and in recognition of his valuable services in the improvement of the roads in the district.
11.*—“The East India Company, on a representation from the manufacturers of camblets in Norwich, have raised their order from 16,000 to 22,000 pieces this season, and the manufacturers have lately advanced the wages of the journeyman weavers.”
20.—A two days’ cocking match commenced between the gentlemen of Yarmouth and the gentlemen of Blofield, for £5 a battle, £20 the odd, and two byes for £10 each. On the first day Blofield won four battles, and Yarmouth three battles and a bye. On the second day Yarmouth won four battles, and Blofield three battles and a bye. “The pit was filled each night, and there was much betting between the parties.”
30.—A deputation of the citizens waited upon the Lighting and Watching Committee of the Norwich Corporation to complain of the inadequate provisions for the public safety. The committee gave an assurance that the watchmen should be periodically inspected and an inquiry made whether the funds of the committee would enable them to give an increased allowance to watchmen whereby more able men might be appointed, and the time of watching extended to a later hour.
FEBRUARY.
4.—Died, at the age of 104, John Brown, carpenter, of Wymondham. “He retained his faculties to the last, and till within a week or two of his death frequently walked twenty miles a day.”
5.—A general fast was observed in Norwich.
13.—A Lancastrian school was established on the Denes at Yarmouth.
27.—Died at Worstead, Mr. Thomas Deeker, “and on the same day in Pall Mall, London, his brother, who in 1785 twice ascended in his balloon from Norwich.”
MARCH.
28.*—“The partnership between Messrs. Fisher and Scraggs having expired the theatre at Thetford was opened for the season commencing
with the Assize week, under the direction of Mr. Fisher only, with that success which diligence and long-established integrity merit.”
This month the public lighting of Thetford by voluntary subscription was inaugurated.
APRIL.
6.—The first annual meeting of the Norwich Association against Felonies was held at the Guildhall.
7.—Died from the effects of a wound received in the storming of Badajoz, in his 25th year, Lieut. W. S. Unthank, of the 44th Regiment, eldest son of Mr. William Unthank, of Norwich.
15.—Died at Scoulton, Lieut.-General James Hethersett, in his 77th year. “He was the last surviving officer who fought by the side of the immortal Wolfe on the day that he fell.” General Hethersett possessed property of the value of £80,000.
18.*—“A few days since at Corpusty, aged 102, Samuel Mog, one of the last survivors of that British Army which fought under the celebrated General Wolfe at the battle of Quebec.”
MAY.
1.—Election of Mayor at Norwich. Mr. Starling Day was nominated for the office, but asked to be relieved on account of his advanced age (78). A poll resulted, and on the 2nd the numbers were declared as follow:—Mr. Day, 761; Mr. R. Harvey, jun., 757; Mr. Alderman Davey, 566; Mr. Alderman Leman, 507. “Mr. Day sent a message to St. Peter’s ringers ordering them to cease their triumphant peal, on the ground that he had declared his intention not to serve.” Guild Day was fixed for June 16, and the usual quarterly assembly of the Corporation on the day preceding it had to be abandoned because the attendance was insufficient to form a quorum. Mr. Day was sworn into office on the 16th, but “there was no church, no dinner.” Mr. Alderman Davey invited the freemen of the Blue and White interest to dine with him beneath the trees at Eaton Hall. The guests, 500 in number, “were refreshed on their dusty march by Mr. Alderman Yallop, at his cottage, with a pint of beer each, 600 of which were swallowed in twenty minutes.”
11.—Died, Mr. Johnson, the venerable parish clerk of St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich, after about 35 years’ service. He was succeeded by James Twiddy, a hairdresser, who possessed considerable literary ability, and was the author of many poetical productions and pamphlets on various subjects.
JUNE.
22.—Holkham Sheep Shearing commenced. Mr. Mann, of Thornage, was awarded the prize for the best implement of husbandry, namely, an improved drilling machine.
27.—In the Court of Exchequer, before the Lord Chief Baron, a prosecution was instituted by the Board of Taxes against Daniel Morling, of Yarmouth, for having obstructed Mr. Hunter, the inspector for that district, when surveying the windows of his house. A penalty of £50 was asked for, and a verdict was given for the Crown for that amount.
JULY.
2.—A wrestling match took place at Blofield Globe between William Benstead, of that parish, and Charles Layton, “the famed wrestler, who, for his invincible skill in that science, had been declared the ‘Reedham Game Chicken’ at the late wrestling match at Lingwood, and who has since challenged all England.” Benstead succeeded in beating the champion.
9.—Died, at Ashfield, Suffolk, Mr. James Mingay, for many years eminently distinguished as a King’s Counsel, Recorder of Aldborough, and one of the capital burgesses of the borough of Thetford.
14.—Died, aged 71, Simon Watling, “many years master of the Eight Ringers public-house, St. Michael-at-Coslany, Norwich, and one of St. Peter’s ringers. He was one of the company that rang at St. Peter’s in York in 1772.”
17.—At a meeting held at the Shirehouse, Norwich, at which Lord Viscount Primrose presided, the Norfolk and Norwich Society for the Education of the Poor in the Principles of the Church of England was established. Upwards of £3,000 was subscribed; and the Bishop of Norwich became Patron, and Lord Suffield, President.
20.—Died, at the age of 101, Mrs. Jane Fair, of St. Mary’s, Norwich.
23.—Died, Mrs. Coppin, wife of Mr. Daniel Coppin, of St. Stephen’s, Norwich. “She possessed a refined taste for the polite arts, and great skill in imitating the works of the old masters.”
25.—Mr. Scraggs and his company of comedians concluded a theatrical season at Holt. “There is ground to hope that the patronage which was so liberally conferred by the county on the late Mr. Scraggs, will be continued to his son and family.” The company was advertised as “The Original Norfolk and Suffolk Company.”
27.—General Viscount Cathcart, Ambassador Extraordinary to the Court of Russia, passed through Norwich and embarked on board the Aquilon frigate at Yarmouth. Lord Walpole, one of the Lords of the Admiralty, sailed in the Calypso, on his appointment as Secretary of Legation to Lord Cathcart, who proceeded to the headquarters of the Russian Army.
AUGUST.
15.—It was reported that small-pox had broken out in Norwich. Many children were vaccinated, and by the end of the year the operation had been performed on 1,400 persons.
17.—The mail coaches arrived at Norwich, with colours flying, bringing intelligence of Lord Wellington’s brilliant victory near Salamanca.
19.—William Flaxman, of Gorleston, was placed in a pillory erected in Yarmouth Market Place, and after standing the usual time was removed to the gaol to complete a term of three months’ imprisonment.
20.—The old custom of a country excursion was revived by the foreman of the Headborough Inquest at Yarmouth. “A wherry was fitted out for the purpose, and several officers of the Royal South Lincoln Regiment, with other gentlemen, were invited to accompany the inquest. The wherry was attended by several boats, and went as far as the Beccles river, where a convivial meeting was held, and the party returned at nine o’clock at night.”
SEPTEMBER.
5.*—(Advt.) “Windham Petty Sessions will be held at the King’s Head Inn on Monday, 28th September, 1812, for hiring and retaining servants. There will be another Sessions, as usual, on Monday, October 12th. John Syder, John Cullyer, chief constables.”
6.—Intelligence received of the capture of Madrid by the Marquis Wellington. The bells of St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich, were rung all day, and at East Dereham on the 22nd a ball was held in celebration of the event.
—Died, at Upper Fitzroy Street, London, aged 68, Major-General Robert Bowles, an officer on the Bombay Establishment. He served in the East India Company 35 years, and was a native of Norwich.
14.—The first stone of the new chapel in the Black Boys Yard, St. Clement, Norwich, laid by the Rev. Mr. Wilkes and Mr. Alderman Davey. The chapel was opened for public worship on May 5th, 1814.
21.—Yarmouth Races commenced. There was an attendance of about 18,000. Most of the county families were present at the assembly, where the dancing was opened by Sir George Jerningham and Lady Hoste.
22.—Died at Yarmouth, aged 73, Mr. Robert Warmington. He served the office of Mayor in 1790 and 1808, and was Prussian, Swedish, Danish, Hamburgh, and American Vice-Consul, and Naval Store Keeper at that port.
25.—At the Norwich Court of Trials a motion was made by Mr. Cooper that the attornies, who then held briefs on behalf of clients, be not allowed the privilege of pleading. It was urged that the actual right of pleading existed in favour of barristers to the exclusion of attornies. The City Steward (Mr. Alderson) thought that the exclusive right of counsel rested more upon courtesy than upon any positive right, and as no authority had been cited he declined to give any decision upon the point.
OCTOBER.
3.—A correspondent in a letter to the Norfolk Chronicle expressed the hope “that now Parliament is dissolving, the ancient custom of nominating the members in St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, previously to the day of election, may be revived. This used to be done formerly
in order to give the old members an opportunity of explaining and justifying their past conduct as representatives, and of each candidate stating his pretensions to popular support.” The Mayor refused to grant the use of the hall for the purpose.
6.—Yarmouth Election: Capt. Lacon, 607; General Loftus, 387; Mr. Giffen Willson, 329. The two first-named were returned.
7.—Norwich Election commenced on this date and concluded on the 8th: Mr. W. Smith, 1,544; Mr. Charles Harvey, 1,349; Mr. John Patteson, 1,221.
—Thetford Election: Lord John Fitzroy and Mr. Creevey returned unopposed.
14.—Norfolk Election: Sir J. H. Astley and Mr. T. W. Coke were re-elected unopposed.
17.—St. Faith’s Fair commenced. “John Dunn, the clerk of St. John Maddermarket, Norwich, and who for the last 46 years acted as the leader of the men who chaired the Whig members at their election, attended St. Faith’s Fair for the 76th time, without intermission, having been carried to St. Faith’s when he was two years old.” Dunn died January 20, 1813.
24.*—(Advt.) “Norwich and Ipswich New Post Coach through Scole, Eye, Debenham, and Helmingham, by W. Norbrook, sets off from the Greyhound, in Norwich, on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings at eight o’clock, arrives at the Old White Hart Inn, Ipswich, the same evening, whence it sets off every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning at eight o’clock, and arrives at Norwich the same evening.”
29.—A branch of the Norfolk and Norwich Auxiliary Bible Society was formed at Yarmouth; branches were established at about this date at Wymondham, Downham Market, and other towns.
31.*—“A few days since the Norwich Expedition Coach was robbed of bank notes to the amount of £500.” A man, named Silvester, who presented £140 worth of the notes at a London bank, was arrested on suspicion.
NOVEMBER.
1.—James Parsons, a farrier, in the employment of Mr. Richard Watson, veterinary surgeon, Norwich, was buried with “veterinary and masonic” ceremonies at St. Gregory’s Church, in the presence of 2,000 persons. The procession was headed by two farriers with white aprons, and their implements bound with white ribbons and reversed. “The corpse was carried by six brethren of a lodge called the Stags Lodge, in their regalia, the sword, middle apron, and collar laid on the pall. His favourite horse which he rode for many years, covered with black velvet, the boots and spurs across, was led behind. The head stall and bridle were adorned with white roses and facings, he dying a bachelor.” At the conclusion of the service “a solemn dirge was sung which much gratified many hundreds of persons.”
5.—Died, Thomas Gill, aged 86, fifty-two years sexton of St. Margaret’s, Norwich. “He had been five times married, never had any children, and buried all his wives.”
13.—Whilst the bells of St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich, were ringing on the occasion of the receipt of the intelligence of the defeat of the French by the Russians, and of the recapture of Moscow, the Prince Regent passed through the city from Houghton on his way to Saxmundham. His Royal Highness changed horses at the Angel Inn, but did not alight. On the 14th the Duke of Clarence, accompanied by the Earl of Yarmouth, arrived at Norwich, and after dining at the Angel Inn, proceeded to join the Prince Regent at Saxmundham.
15.—The Duke of Cambridge passed through Fakenham, from Houghton, on his way to join a shooting party at Blickling, the seat of Lord Suffield.
17.—Died, at Green Street, Grosvenor Square, London, in his 75th year, Mr. Edward Jerningham. “Although all his family were of the Roman Catholic religion he very early conformed to the Protestant faith, and remained in it till his death, having received the sacrament according to the rites of the Church of England. He was a good scholar and an elegant poet.”
21.—A fully-rigged vessel, built for Mr. John Bloom, was launched from the ship-yard of Mr. Parker at Wells-next-the-Sea. “Seven ships in the harbour belonging to Mr. Bloom, dressed in their colours, fired a royal salute as the ship went off.”
23.—Died at his house, Tombland, Norwich, Mr. Edward Colman, one of the surgeons of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. He served the office of Sheriff in 1795. “Having been for twenty-four years a member of the Friars’ Society the brethren held a special conclave, when appropriate compositions in prose and verse were delivered, and his obituary medal was deposited in the sepulchral urn.”
28.—Died at Cheltenham, in his 74th year, the Rev. George William Lukin, LL.D., Dean of Wells, forty-nine years rector of Felbrigg and Aylmerton, and half-brother to the Right Hon. William Windham.
—Equestrian entertainments commenced at Harper’s Pantheon, Norwich, under the management of Mr. R. Key.
DECEMBER.
3.—Intelligence received at Yarmouth of the defeat of the French Army in Russia. On the arrival at Norwich of the coaches conveying the news, the bells of St. Peter Mancroft were rung.
17.—Further celebrations took place at Norwich on the receipt of the intelligence of the victories obtained by the Russians over the two divisions of the French Army, commanded by Marshals Daoust and Ney.
20.—Died, aged 101, Thomas Armstrong, of West Dereham, upwards of 40 years clerk of the parish.
25.—On Christmas Day “the Corporation of Thetford assembled, according to custom, at the house of the Mayor (Mr. L. S. Bidwell), and after partaking of an elegant cold collation, attended divine service at St. Peter’s Church.”
26.*—“In the Court of King’s Bench last week an action was brought by Mr. Bignold, banker of Norwich, against Mr. Waterhouse,
one of the coach proprietors, at Lad Lane, for the loss of a parcel containing bills and notes to a considerable amount. The Solicitor-General, for the defendant, produced a notice in which he stated that he would not hold himself responsible for parcels above the value of £5. The judge held this to be a good defence, and non-suited the plaintiff.”
In the course of this year upwards of 1,400 persons were vaccinated in Norwich.