1820.
JANUARY.
1.*—(Advt.) “Ned Painter begs to inform his friends and the public that he has taken the Sun and Anchor Tavern, Lobster Lane, Norwich, where he will have for their accommodation the best ales, London porter, spirits, wine, &c., and he hopes by strict attention to merit patronage and support. N. P. begs to inform the Amateurs of Norwich and Norfolk that he intends to give private lessons in sparring in the most scientific style and at reasonable terms at all hours of the day.”
13.—Died at Catton, aged 68, Mr. Robert Harvey, an Alderman of Norwich, and a magistrate for the county. He served the office of Sheriff in 1784, and of Mayor in 1787.
15.—Very severe weather set in. The thermometer fell to seven degrees. A rapid thaw took place on the 18th, and a flood ensued.
17.—Lord and Lady Castlereagh, accompanied by the Marquis of Ancram, arrived in Norwich on their way to visit Lord Suffield at Gunton. Whilst the horses were being changed at the Angel, a mob hooted and hissed the visitors, and one of the ringleaders was seized by Mr. Crisp Brown.
18.—Died in London, aged 92, Mrs. Linley, widow of Mr. Linley, formerly proprietor of Drury Lane Theatre, who was father of the first Mrs. Sheridan, and of the Rev. O. T. Linley, of Norwich.
20.—The Duke of Wellington passed through Norwich on his way to Gunton. His grace returned to the city on the 27th on his journey back to town.
21.—Died, John Nash, of Hempnall. He was clerk of the parish 56 years, keeper of the Swan Inn 35 years, and at the age of 40 weighed 24 stone.
23.—Died at Ludham, aged 79, Thomas Smith, shoemaker. “By his particular request he was carried to the grave by six men of his own trade, each with his leather apron tied round him, and stirrups with hand leathers attached slung across their shoulders.”
24.—Fox’s birthday was commemorated by a dinner at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, at which 460 noblemen and gentlemen were present. The company included H.R.H. the Duke of Sussex, the Duke of Norfolk, the Earl of Albemarle (who presided), Mr. T. W. Coke, M.P., &c.
25.—Intelligence was received in Norwich of the death of H.R.H. the Duke of Kent.
27.—The Castle Corporation at Norwich celebrated their 55th anniversary.
29.—Mr. Harley, of Drury Lane Theatre, commenced an engagement at Norwich Theatre. The performances were interrupted by the intelligence of the death of George III., and were resumed on February 17th. His characters included Marplot (“The Busybody”), Tristran Fickle (“The Weathercock”), Popolino (“The Sleeping Draught”), Risk (“Love Laughs at Locksmiths”), Caleb Quotem (“The Wags of Windsor”), Peter Fidget (“The Boarding House”), Phantom (“Frightened to Death”), and Somno (“The Sleep Walker”).
30.—A messenger from London brought to Lord and Lady Castlereagh, who were staying at Gunton Hall, intelligence of the death of George III., which was announced in Norwich on the morning of the 31st. Most of the shops were immediately closed, and the bells of the parish churches were tolled for three hours.
FEBRUARY.
2.—The accession of George IV. was proclaimed on the Castle Hill, Norwich, by Sir William Windham Dalling, Bart., High Sheriff of the county of Norfolk, who was accompanied by Mr. Edmond Wodehouse, M.P., and other gentlemen, who gave three cheers for his Majesty. In accordance with a writ addressed to the Mayor and Sheriffs of Norwich on the 1st inst., the proclamation was made in the city with due formality on the 2nd. The Corporation assembled at the Guildhall, and the 14th Light Dragoons paraded in the Market Place. From the leads of the Guildhall, after a flourish of trumpets, the Town Clerk (Mr. Elisha de Hague) read the proclamation amid loud cheers. A procession was afterwards formed and passed through the city, the proclamation being read at various points. “At the upper gate of the Close the Under Chamberlain advanced and demanded the gates to be opened in pursuance of the King’s writ. Mr. J. Kitson, the Chapter clerk, then answered from within, ‘In obedience to his Majesty’s commands the gates shall be opened.’” After the proclamation had been made in the Close the procession returned to the Guildhall, where refreshments were served. The proclamation was made in similar form at Yarmouth, Lynn, and Thetford.
16.—This being the day of the funeral of the late King, all the shops in Norwich were closed, and almost every person appeared in deep mourning. The Mayor, members, and officials of the Corporation, wearing black scarfs over their robes, went in solemn procession to the Cathedral, where a sermon was preached by the Rev. Prebendary Thurlow. At the different churches and chapels throughout the city proper Psalms and lessons were read, and in the evening muffled peals were rung.
21.—Died in the Council Chamber at the Guildhall, Norwich, Mr. Thomas Back, aged 52. He served the office of Sheriff in 1802, was elected alderman of the Great Ward of Mancroft in 1808, and Mayor in 1809; and shortly before his death was appointed a deputy lieutenant for the county of Norfolk.
24.—Mr. Young appeared at Norwich Theatre as Othello. On subsequent evenings he sustained the characters of Brutus, The
Stranger, Sir Edward Mortimer (“The Iron Chest”), King John, Petruchio, and Coriolanus.
MARCH.
1.—A severe storm and high flood occurred in the Lynn district. A large number of vessels were stranded on the Norfolk coast.
2.—Died at Norwich, aged 85, Mr. Starling Day, who served the office of Sheriff in 1775, was elected alderman in 1777, and Mayor in 1782-1812.
6.—Miss Brunton appeared at Norwich Theatre as Rosalind. She also played the parts of Lady Contest (“The Wedding Day”), and Lady Teazle (to the Charles Surface of Mr. Brunton). In a piece, entitled “An Actress of all Work,” she sustained seven different characters.
7.—Parliament having been dissolved by proclamation on February 28th, consequent upon the death of the late King, the Norwich election was fixed for this date. The sitting representatives, Mr. William Smith and Mr. R. H. Gurney, were returned without opposition. The circumstance of a Norwich election passing off without a contest had not occurred since 1774, when Sir Harbord Harbord, Bart., and Mr. Edward Bacon were elected.
10.—Yarmouth election, which began on the 7th, concluded on this date. The result was declared as follows:—The Hon. George Anson, 753; Mr. E. E. Rumbold, 750; Lieut.-General Michel, 612; Mr. Josias H. Stracey, 612. The two first-named were elected.
13.—Mr. T. W. Coke and Mr. Edmond Wodehouse were re-elected without opposition to represent Norfolk. Among the other local elections which took place were the following:—Thetford, Lord C. Fitzroy and Mr. N. W. R. Colbourne, returned unopposed; Castle Rising, the Earl of Rocksavage and Col. F. G. Howard, unopposed.
15.—Died in St. Andrew’s, Norwich, aged 64, Mr. John Lovick, common councilman for the Great Ward of Wymer. He served the office of Sheriff in 1817.
16.—At a special assembly of the Corporation of Norwich an address of condolence on the death of his late Majesty and of the Duke of Kent was unanimously passed, and afterwards presented to the King by the members for the city.
20.—At the Lent Assizes held at Thetford, the Grand Jury made a presentment to the effect that Norwich Castle was inefficient, as then constructed, for the purposes of a county prison.
24.—Died at Catton, aged 66, Mr. Jeremiah Ives, an acting magistrate for the county, and alderman for the Great Wymer Ward. He was Sheriff in 1782, and Mayor in 1786-1801.
25.*—“Cleansing week, at Norwich, has resulted in the restoration of the ascendancy of the ‘Purple and Orange’ party in the Corporation of the city.”
APRIL.
3.—A prize fight took place in a field at West Burlingham between
Rushmore, a blacksmith, of Limpenhoe, and Layden, the Cantley carpenter. The match was for £100, subscribed by the fathers of the combatants. Rushmore was attended by Ned Painter, and Layden by Potter, of Yarmouth. “There were 44 rounds of hard milling without science or skill, and Rushmore won.”
—Mr. Kean appeared at Lynn Theatre for a short season as King Richard III., Othello, Shylock, &c.
6.—A prize fight took place at St. Faith’s between Cox, the blacksmith, of Norwich, and Teasdale, “the noted prize fighter from London, who had been brought to Norwich and passed off as a countryman under the feigned name of Johnson.” More than 5,000 persons were present. Ned Painter and Purcell attended on Teasdale, and Warkley and Hurry on Cox. The battle lasted one hour thirteen minutes, and 65 desperate rounds were fought. “Cox faced his man and fought with great resolution, and drove his adversary over the ropes eleven times. In the end, however, superior science prevailed, and in the 65th round Cox received several violent blows on the left eye, which had been cut on one of the stakes in a fall in the second round, and victory was declared in favour of Teasdale. After the battle the imposition was discovered, and a hand bill circulated, declaring all bets void. The friends of Teasdale denied any deception, and said his name was really Johnson.”—Another battle took place for a subscription purse of £5 on the same ground, between Dan, a stonemason, of Norwich, and Sparks, a blacksmith, of Norton. Dan won after 25 rounds had been fought.
13.—Mr. Edward Ball’s new melodrama, “Giraldi” (founded on Mrs. Opie’s popular tale, “The Russian Boy”), was performed for the first time at Norwich Theatre, and received with great applause.
15.—A county meeting was held at the Shirehouse, Norwich, the High Sheriff (Mr. G. S. Kett) presiding, at which an address of condolence on the death of the late King was adopted, and afterwards presented to his Majesty by the High Sheriff.
24.—This day was appointed for the celebration of his Majesty’s birthday. At Norwich the Union flag was hoisted on the steeple of St. Peter Mancroft, and the bells were rung. The 14th Light Dragoons fired a feu de joie in the barrack square, and the Norwich Light Horse Volunteers a salute on the Castle Meadow. The several troops of Norfolk Yeomanry Cavalry paraded in review order.
28.—A grand fête was given in Heydon Park in celebration of the majority of Mr. William Earle Lytton Bulwer. The inhabitants of Heydon and of the neighbouring villages went in procession to the park, where dinner was served at 155 tables. A performance was given by a troupe of equestrians, and “28 barrels of strong ale were placed in different positions in the park.”
MAY.
1.—A contested election for the office of Mayor of Norwich commenced this day and ended on the 2nd, when the result was declared as follows:—Alderman Burt, 1,173; Alderman Marsh, 1,077; Alderman Thurtell, 1,018. Mr. Burt was afterwards chosen Mayor by the aldermen.
2.—Died, in his 89th year, Mr. William Calthorpe, the oldest inhabitant of St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich. “He generally commenced his morning walk about four o’clock during the summer season, and gradually later as the days became shorter. He almost constantly attended daily prayers at St. Peter’s Church.”
3.—At a quarterly assembly of the Norwich Corporation, Mr. A. A. H. Beckwith was elected Speaker of the Common Council.
5.—Four prisoners made their escape from the city gaol at Norwich. Each prisoner was wearing his leg irons, and their escape was observed. One was apprehended immediately, another was captured at Wymondham, a third at St. Augustine’s gates, and the fourth surrendered.
10.—Died at Cheltenham, aged 57, Major-General Sir Haylett Framingham, K.C.B., colonel of the Royal Horse Artillery and commanding officer of Royal Artillery in Ireland. He was the eldest son of Mr. C. Framingham, of Swaffham, and served under Wellington in the Peninsula.
14.—The Bishop of Norwich commenced his Ordinary Visitation at Thetford, where he confirmed 1,500 persons. The numbers confirmed in other centres in the diocese were:—At Newmarket, 2,900; Sudbury, 2,400; Bury St. Edmund’s, 4,320; Stowmarket, 2,200; Ipswich, 2,300; Woodbridge, 1,400; Framlingham, 1,900; Halesworth, 1,300; Lowestoft, 600; Beccles, 700; North Walsham, 1,370; Holt, 1,200; Fakenham, 2,000; Lynn, 2,000; Downham, 1,300; Swaffham, 1,600; and Dereham, 1,230. The Visitation concluded on July 1st, and was said to have “redounded highly to the honour of the clergy of this extensive diocese, as the number of persons confirmed greatly exceeded all former visitations.”
—Died at King Street, Norwich, in her 104th year, Mrs. Laney, widow of the Rev. Benjamin Laney, formerly rector of Mulbarton.
20.*—“The depredations on the river Yare during the last five years have amounted to £25,000.”
24.—At a meeting of the clergy of the county of Norfolk and of the diocese of Norwich, held at the Swan Inn, St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich, under the presidency of Archdeacon Bathurst, it was decided to petition Parliament against the claims of “the Roman Catholic persuasion.”
29.—Pitt’s birthday was celebrated by a public dinner at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, at which 350 noblemen and gentlemen were present. Lord Bayning presided.
JUNE.
1.—A detachment of the 10th Light Dragoons, commanded by Major Stapleton, arrived at Norwich to relieve the 14th Light Dragoons, who on the same day left on their route to Canterbury.
4.—Died at his house in the Close, Norwich, Mr. Thomas Tawell, aged 57, “who, having been deprived of his sight for some years, founded the Hospital and School for the Indigent Blind in Norwich, in 1806.”
13.—Died, aged 84, at her house in Surrey Street, Norwich, Mrs. Holland, “formerly and for many years a respectable actress in the Norwich company.”
14.—Died at the Great Hospital, Bishopgate Street, Norwich, aged 70, John Dale, “who for many years travelled the circuit with the Norwich company as dresser to the actresses, and whose skill and ingenuity in that capacity stood unrivalled, for the taste and excellence which he manifested in his profession. By his industry he was enabled to support his father and mother in their extreme old age.”
19.—Mr. Booth appeared on the Norwich stage as Richard III. His other characters were King Lear, Octavian, Sir Giles Overreach, and Jerry Sneak (“The Mayor of Garrat”).
20.—Guild Day at Norwich. The Corporation attended service at the Cathedral, and Mr. William Burt was sworn in as Mayor at the Guildhall. He afterwards entertained 600 guests at the guild feast at St. Andrew’s Hall, and in the evening gave a ball at Chapel Field House.
22.—A fire engine, constructed by Mr. Jordan for the Norwich Union Fire Office, “was tried on the society’s house in Surrey Street. It discharged three barrels of water a minute, and its price is £78—cheaper by £50 than the more cumbrous engines.”
26.—The First or West Norfolk Militia, commanded by the Earl of Orford, assembled on the Castle Hill, Norwich, for 28 days’ training. “The next morning the men paraded in their new scarlet coats and blue pantaloons.” The regiment was paid off on July 23rd, when “the Earl of Orford made each of the non-commissioned officers a handsome present for their exertions.”
28.—A dinner was given at the Feathers Hotel, Holt, in honour of Mr. W. E. L. Bulwer, on his accession to the Heydon estate. Mr. R. Brereton presided over 320 guests.
30.—A meeting of the owners and occupiers of lands and tenements in the hamlets of the city was held at the Guildhall, Norwich, under the presidency of Mr. J. Harvey, when resolutions were moved against the new and increased assessment of the hamlets to the poor rates, according to the valuation of property made by order of the Court of Guardians, and a subscription was started for defraying the expenses of appealing against the mulct and of any other legal proceedings.
JULY.
3.—Holkham Sheep Shearing, which commenced on this date, was attended by a very large company. “Perhaps we cannot give our readers a better idea of the utility of the system of agriculture practised at Holkham, than to inform them that it and the adjoining country for many miles around were fifty years ago a barren waste where scarcely a rabbit could find subsistence, and that it is now the garden of England, covered with most luxuriant crops of every description.” H.R.H. the Duke of Sussex, and the Russian Princes Potemkin and Trabetzkoy, were present this year. Mr. Morton, of Leith, showed a small cast-iron plough, performing five different operations; a revolving harrow, and a weed extirpator.
3.—A prize fight took place on Tharston Common between Dan, the stonemason, and Gales, the butcher. The stakes amounted to £20, and 120 rounds were fought in one hour twenty-one minutes. Gales was the winner.
8.*—“We congratulate the county on the election of a Norfolk man, Dr. Hyde Wollaston, to the president’s chair of the Royal Society. It is a curious circumstance that the presidents of three very distinguished and scientific bodies, and two of the principal officers of two others are natives of this county, namely, Dr. Wollaston, president of the Royal Society; Sir James Edward Smith, president of the Linnæan Society; Dr. Astley Cooper, president of the Medical Chirurgical Society; Mr. Richard Taylor, secretary of the Linnæan Society; and Mr. John Taylor, treasurer of the Geological Society.”
17.—The great prize fight between Painter and Oliver, commemorated by Borrow in “Lavengro,” took place near North Walsham. The stakes were £100 a side, and the amateurs of Norwich gave £20 towards the training expenses of Oliver, on condition that he fought within reasonable distance of Norwich. The battle was contested upon a platform. A staging about 100 yards in length was erected for the accommodation of spectators, for whom, also, sixty waggons were formed in a circle round the outer ring; £50 was collected at the gate, and the sums charged for admission to the seats on the staging produced £80. The greatest order prevailed among the 20,000 persons present, the ring being kept by Shelton, Randall, Turner, Scroggins, Eales, Josh Hudson, Harmer, Purcell, and other noted pugilists. Oliver was seconded by Cribb and Belcher, and Painter by Spring (his former opponent) and Paul. The odds were five and a half to four on Painter. Twelve rounds were fought, and Painter won. His colours (yellow) were hoisted upon a waggon, and he was everywhere greeted with loud cheering. Many of the London contingent lost heavily over the fight.—A second battle took place between Sampson, the Birmingham youth, and Martin, the baker (the Master of the Rolls). The former was seconded by Turner and Paul, and the latter by Cribb and Spring. The odds were six to four on Martin, who won after 29 rounds, fought in 38 minutes. It was during this fight that the thunderstorm, so vividly described by Borrow, occurred. At a dinner given at North Walsham the same evening Painter announced that this was his last appearance in the prize ring. Other “festivities” took place the same week. On the 19th there was a “turn up” between Josh Hudson and Belasco on Gurney’s bowling-green, Norwich, the former of whom was seconded by Spring and a Norwich amateur, and his opponent by Martin. Thirty-three rounds were fought, in the course of which Hudson dislocated his shoulder and lost. The sum of £10 was collected round the ring. On Saturday, 22nd, a benefit was given for Painter in the large room at the Swan Inn, at which most of the above-named pugilists appeared. “The amateurs could not separate without giving a chance to West Country Dick, who was matched against George Redgrave.” The fight was decided in the room. Dick won after a contest of eleven rounds occupying sixteen minutes.
—The great main of cocks annually fought between the gentlemen of Norwich and the gentlemen of Cambridgeshire this year fell through. A match was accordingly arranged with the gentlemen of London. It commenced on this date at the Swan Inn, Norwich, for
£10 a battle and £100 the odd, and ended on the 19th, when the local sportsmen won by four battles. Feeders: Nash, sen., for London, Lamb for Norwich.
19.—Married at St. Luke’s Chapel, Norwich Cathedral, by the Lord Bishop, the Rev. Heaton C. de Crespigny, second son of Sir W. de Crespigny, Bart., M.P., to Miss Caroline Bathurst, third daughter of his lordship.
AUGUST.
1.—Died in St. John Maddermarket, Norwich, the Rev. Edward Beaumont, “who for 62 years had exercised the functions of a Catholic priest in this city.” He took up his residence in Norwich on August 1st, 1758. His remains were interred on August 8th in St. Giles’ church after the funeral service had been performed in his own chapel according to the rites of the Roman Catholic Church.
2.—A meeting was held at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, for the purpose of passing resolutions expressive of sympathy with her Majesty Queen Caroline. The Mayor (Mr. W. Burt) declined to preside and left the Hall, and Mr. Alderman Leman then took the chair. The resolutions were adopted. The only person who expressed disapproval was Mr. Kerrison Harvey, who narrowly escaped rough handling. An address of congratulation was also adopted, and was presented to the Queen by Mr. N. Bolingbroke and Mr. Edward Taylor.
11.—Died in St. Margaret’s, Norwich, aged 46, Capt. Robert Tinkler, R.N. “He signalised himself by his intrepid bravery in several engagements, in which he had received twenty-one wounds. Capt. Tinkler was cabin boy on board his Majesty’s ship Bounty (Capt. Blyth) at the time the crew of that ship mutinied in the South Seas in 1789, and was one of the twelve persons who with the captain were turned adrift in a boat by the mutineers. Capt. Blyth and his companions, after a voyage of 1,200 leagues, during which the only sustenance they had was one ounce of bread and a quarter of a pint of water each per day, had the good fortune to arrive at the Dutch settlement of Cupan, in the island of Timor.”
14.—Jennings, the pedestrian, undertook to walk 100 miles in twenty-two hours at the Prussia Gardens, Norwich. He covered 90 miles in twenty hours eight minutes, “and would have finished with ease, but a misunderstanding having taken place between the timekeepers he thought proper to give up.”
19.—A detachment of the 9th Lancers marched into Norwich from Nottingham, under the command of Capt. D’Este.
—The Norfolk Society celebrated the 50th year of its establishment by a dinner at the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich. Mr. T. Cubitt, Father of the Society, presided, and Major Payne was vice-chairman. (This was a non-political society.)
—A county meeting was held at the Shirehouse, Norwich, when resolutions protesting against the mood of proceeding by Bill of Pains and Penalties against her Majesty, Queen Caroline, were adopted. A petition for presentation to the House of Commons against the Bill was also agreed to. The resolutions were moved by the Hon. George Walpole, seconded by the Ven. Archdeacon Bathurst, and supported
by Mr. T. W. Coke, M.P. The High Sheriff (Mr. S. Kett) declined to preside, and Mr. Edmond Wodehouse, M.P., dissented from the proceedings as impolitic and unnecessary.
29.—This being the anniversary of the Decollation of St. John an assembly was held at the Church Hall, Yarmouth, at which the Mayor and Corporation were present, for the purpose of electing a Mayor, chamberlain, churchwardens, and other officers of the borough for the year ensuing. “The inquest was balloted for and locked up on Tuesday afternoon, and kept without fire, candle, meat, or drink till ten o’clock on Thursday morning, when they returned the following gentlemen as being elected to fill the respective offices:—Mr. John Goat Fisher, Mayor; Mr. William Barth, chamberlain; Mr. T. Bateman and Mr. John Preston, churchwardens.”
—A contest for freemen’s Sheriff took place at Norwich. Mr. E. T. Booth was elected with 929 votes, against 478 recorded for Mr. Peter Finch.
SEPTEMBER.
1.—Mr. Robert Hamond, shooting in West Norfolk, killed to one brace of pointers, and “without cleaning his gun,” 53 brace of partridges, a hare, and a landrail. He missed eight shots, lost only one brace of birds, and had only one double shot. The gun was by Scarlett, of Swaffham.
5.—A prize fight took place on Ashby Common, near Thurton, between Cox, the Norwich blacksmith, and Barlee, the Berghapton Groom, for a purse of £25. Walkley and Payne seconded Cox, and Ned Painter and Teasdale waited upon Barlee. “The odds were greatly in favour of Cox till the 30th round, when Barlee planted some severe blows, and in the 47th round floored his opponent. In the 53rd round Cox made a desperate effort and beat, or rather ran down, his opponent in every round till the 80th. The betting was now seven to four in favour of Cox. Barlee again exerted himself, and in the next six rounds planted several desperate hits on his adversary’s face, and in the 88th round brought Cox to the ground by a tremendous blow under the jaw, and won the fight in one hour twenty-three minutes. Cox’s head and face presented a frightful spectacle, and not a feature of his countenance could be distinguished.”
—Died at the house of Mr. Robert Marsham, at Stratton, Sir Edmund Bacon, premier baronet, of Raveningham. He was in his 71st year, and his death was occasioned by a fall from his carriage on August 30th. “Sir Edmund was director of the Loddon and Clavering Incorporation, and chairman of the committee of the Norfolk Lunatic Asylum. He had made unremitting exertions to improve the public roads. It was one of his fixed opinions that the roads might be kept in a good state of repair by the fair performance of the Statute duty without the imposition of tolls, and he practically evinced the truth of the opinion which he had formed. In the attainment of this important object he had to encounter the prejudices of the ignorant and the complaints of the interested, but he steadily pursued his course regardless of the unpopularity which he thus caused, and at length had the gratification of making converts of his most decided opponents.”
12.—Miss Macauley, from the King’s Concert Room, London, gave her literary and musical entertainment, La Petit Souper, at Norwich Theatre. On the 14th she gave a dramatic reading at the New Concert Room, St. George’s.
18.—A fire broke out on the premises of Mr. Neale, coach maker, St. Giles’ Gates. The whole range of workshops was consumed, and damage done to the amount of £2,000.
24.—Died at his seat at Nackington, Kent, Mr. Richard Milles, of North Elmham, aged 85.
25.—Cossey bells, rehung by Messrs. T. and J. Hurry, of Norwich, were re-opened. “Five good hats” were offered for competition.
29.—Mr. Henry Francis and Mr. E. T. Booth, Sheriffs of Norwich, gave a dinner to 130 guests at Chapel Field House. “A turtle, weighing 130 lbs., was dressed by Mr. Snow, and so highly relished that not a fragment remained.”
Rear-Admiral Philip Wilkinson assumed this month the surname and the arms of Stephens, in compliance with the request contained in the will of his maternal great uncle, Sir Philip Stephens, Bart., for many years Secretary to the Admiralty.
OCTOBER.
1.—Died, aged 47, at Dunkirk, Mr. Charles William Jerningham, second son of Sir William Jerningham, of Costessey. “Mr. Jerningham had served eight camps in the Austrian Army with distinguished valour, being engaged in the great battles of Jemappe and Fleurus, and was several times wounded.” His remains were interred at Costessey on October 23rd.
7.*—“It is with mingled feelings of shame and disgust that we state no less than four pugilistic battles were fought on Sunday morning last on Mousehold Heath, near Norwich, and that many hundreds of persons were present to witness the unchristianlike scene.”
16.—At a dinner held at the King’s Arms Inn, North Walsham, under the presidency of Capt. Simpson, Capt. Cooper was presented with a piece of plate by the inhabitants of the town and neighbourhood as a testimony of their high esteem for his public conduct and private worth.
19.—At the opening concert of the Harmonic Society, Mr. and Miss Mori made their first appearance in Norwich. Mr. Mori is stated to have been “well known as one of the first violin performers of the present day.”
21.—The Rev. Edward Bankes, LL.B., was installed a Prebendary of Norwich Cathedral, in place of the Rev. George Anguish, A.M., resigned.
—*“Died at her father’s house in Gun Lane, in this city, aged 19, Miss Smith, daughter of Mr. Smith, of Norwich Theatre.”
NOVEMBER.
3.—Died at Yarmouth, aged 70, Sir Edmund Lacon, Bart., senior
alderman of the borough. He four times served the office of Mayor. He was succeeded by Mr. Edmund Knowles Lacon, of Ormsby.
11.—Soon after the arrival at Norwich of the coaches with the intelligence of the abandonment of the Bill of Pains and Penalties after its third reading in the House of Lords, the bells of “one or two of the minor parishes” were rung, a few houses illuminated, and parties paraded the streets with flambeaux, crying “Light up for the Queen.” An attempt to make a bonfire on the Castle ditches was prevented by the magistrates, many of the torches were put out, and eight of the torch bearers taken to the watch-house. In view of a disturbance 1,000 special constables were sworn in on the 13th, on which evening a procession was formed on Tombland. In passing through the city the mob groaned outside houses which were not illuminated, and an iron ball was hurled through the window of Dr. Reeve’s house in St. Giles’. On the 23rd a public meeting was held at St. Andrew’s Hall, presided over by the Mayor, when congratulatory resolutions and an address to the Queen were adopted. (The address was subsequently presented to her Majesty at Bradenburgh House by Mr. N. Bolingbroke, who was accompanied by Mr. W. Smith, M.P., and Mr. Edward Taylor.) After the meeting a bonfire was lighted in the Market Place. “We understand that an impression of the Norfolk Chronicle (surely not dishonoured by being obnoxious to such a crew) was committed to the flames.” Demonstrations took place at Yarmouth, Lynn, and other towns.
13.—The Olympic Circus was opened by Mr. T. Cooke at the Pantheon, Norwich.
19.—Died in St. Andrew’s, Norwich, aged 81, an eccentric person named Charles Archer. “It was his constant practice to be at his post every morning at four o’clock with his kettle of hot cocoa and saloop. His station was near the Two-Necked-Swan, and he was allowed half a pint of porter each morning for calling up the landlord at six, which custom continuing 14 years he drank at that house 2,556 half pints, or something more than 319 gallons. He had formerly been in the 12th Regiment of Foot, and lost a leg in the memorable siege of Gibraltar, for which he was granted a pension which he received 39 years. But what most affected his mind next to the misfortune of having his leg shot away was to see a hog, a circumstance related by himself, snatch it up in his mouth and run away with it without his being able to prevent it.”
28.—Died, in his 82nd year, at the Great Hospital, Bishopgate Street, Norwich, Robert Davey, “who for several years was leader of the nocturnal band of musicians vulgarly called ‘mumpers,’ though their performances justly entitled them to a more respectable appellation. He personated Orpheus in the grand procession which took place in Norwich in honour of Bishop Blaize on March 24th, 1783.”
29.—H.R.H. the Duke of York passed through Norwich on his way to Gunton Hall, the seat of Lord Suffield. On the duke’s approach to St. Stephen’s Gates the horses were taken from his carriage, and it was dragged through St. Stephen’s Street and Rampant Horse Street to the Market Place. After changing horses at the Angel Inn, his Royal Highness proceeded on his journey. On the following day
the Duke of Wellington passed through the city on his way to Gunton.
30.—Died, aged 102, Mr. John Walden, of Wells-next-the-Sea.
DECEMBER.
1.—A special assembly of the Norwich Corporation was held at which a loyal address to his Majesty was adopted. Similar addresses were passed by the Corporations of Yarmouth and Lynn.
2.—At a special assembly of the Corporation it was resolved to grant the honorary freedom of Norwich to the Duke of York and the Duke of Wellington. These illustrious personages arrived unexpectedly in the city on their return from Gunton on the following day (Sunday, 3rd). After attending service at the Cathedral they proceeded to the Angel Inn, where the Mayor (Mr. William Burt), the Sheriffs, and other civic officials waited upon them. The Steward (Mr. Robert Alderson) read the address passed on the previous day, and the admission to the freedom of the city was completed in due form. His Royal Highness and the Duke of Wellington returned thanks, and afterwards invited the company to luncheon. On their departure from Norwich the same afternoon they were enthusiastically cheered.
9.—The Duke of Gloucester visited Col. Dixon at Rainham, and afterwards proceeded to Holkham as the guest of Mr. T. W. Coke, M.P.
10.—Died at Hethel, aged 68, Sir Thomas Beevor, Bart., D.L., one of the chairmen of Norfolk Quarter Sessions.
13.—A meeting of the owners, occupiers, and inhabitants of the hamlets was held at the Guildhall, Norwich, to take into consideration the expediency of establishing an effective police for the district. Resolutions were passed asking the assistance of the city magistrates. In consequence of the numerous highway robberies and burglaries, and other depredations committed in city and county, public meetings were held and resolutions passed granting a reward of £5 to watchmen who apprehended offenders. It was stated that more burglaries had been committed within the three preceding months than in the former twenty years.
25.—The Hon. George John Watson, of North Elmham, second son of the Right Hon. Baron Sondes, deceased, assumed the surname and arms of Milles, in compliance with the will of his maternal grandfather, Mr. Richard Milles, of North Elmham, and of Nackington, Kent.
27.—A meeting, presided over by Mr. John Morse, Father of the City, was held at the Angel Inn, Norwich, at which resolutions expressive of attachment to his Majesty’s person and Government, and to the established constitution in Church and State were passed, and a loyal address to the King adopted. The address, which received 1,634 signatures, was presented to his Majesty in the following January by Mr. Charles Harvey, M.P., Mr. John Harvey, alderman, and Sir Robert John Harvey. Similar addresses were adopted by the Corporations of Yarmouth and Lynn.
1821.
JANUARY.
2.—A meeting of the dyers, dressers, and manufacturers was held at the Guildhall, Norwich, under the presidency of Mr. John Harvey, chairman of the manufacturing interest, to consider “the most effectual means of checking the violation of the Sabbath, which has of late arisen to a most shameful height, in consequence of the recent increase in the trade of the city”; and the notice “on the part of the dyers and dressers of bombazines announcing to the manufacturers the conditions on which alone they had agreed to conduct their business, namely that of holding goods which they may have in hand at the time of any bankruptcy or failure as a lien for any balance due to them on their accounts.” The meeting was adjourned sine die.
6.*—“The Rev. Alfred Inigo Fox, of Woodton Hall, has assumed the surname of Suckling only, with the arms of Suckling, quarterly, with his own, pursuant to the will of the late Robert Suckling, of Woodton Hall.”
9.—Mr. Mathews appeared at Norwich Theatre in his entertainments, “At Home,” “A Trip to Paris,” and “Country Cousins.”
—At Norwich Quarter Sessions, Sarah Powell, keeper of a boarding school, was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment for cruelly ill-treating and wounding Mary Ann Phillips, aged 6½ years.
13.—At the Norfolk Quarter Sessions, the case of the King on the prosecution of Robert Leamon, the younger, against Edmund Heagren Gibbs for assault, was tried. The defendant, an opulent farmer living at Quarles, pleaded guilty to the charge. The offence was committed in Fakenham Market Place, and it was alleged that the defendant several times struck the plaintiff with a jockey whip. He was fined £300.
22.—Mr. Dowton appeared at Norwich Theatre as Sir Peter Teazle and Restive (“Turn Out”). On succeeding evenings he took the parts of Job Thornberry, Sir Anthony Absolute, Barnaby Brittle, Old Drugget (“Three Weeks after Marriage”), Sheva (“The Jew”), &c.
27.*—(Advt.) “£100 Reward. Whereas at about nine o’clock on the evening of the 22nd inst., Mr. John Thurtell was attacked in Chapel Field, Norwich, by three men, knocked down, and robbed of a pocket book containing £1,508 in notes, thirteen of which were of the Bank of England, value £100 each, and the name of John Thurtell is endorsed on them. Notice is hereby given that whoever will give information which might lead to the apprehension and conviction of the persons concerned in this robbery, shall be paid the above reward on applying to Mr. Thurtell; and any person concerned in the robbery who will give information of his accomplices will receive the reward and a free pardon. Norwich, January 23rd, 1821.” (In the following week it was announced that a commission of bankruptcy had issued against John Thurtell and John Giddens, bombazine manufacturers, dealers, and chapmen. Soon afterwards Thurtell absconded.)
29.—The first anniversary of the King’s Accession to the Throne was celebrated in Norwich by peals on the bells of St. Peter Mancroft, and of several of the minor parishes of the city. At Methwold a lad named T. Coates, aged 11, rang second in a peal of single bob major, and “the company challenged England for his equal.”
FEBRUARY.
3.—At a meeting held at the Rampant Horse Inn, Norwich, the Norfolk Agricultural Association adopted a form of petition to be presented to the House of Commons upon “the present deplorable condition of Agriculture.”
10.*—“The remains of two bodies (no doubt those of Roman soldiers) were lately dug up in a field opposite the west front of the Roman camp at Caister, near Norwich. Nothing was entire of them except several teeth and a metal brooch in excellent preservation, although they cannot have been interred less than 1,400 years. Eleven or twelve human skeletons, supposed to have been buried after some battle, were also discovered on a farm at Longham, near Mileham, close at the foot of an antient ditch, which Parkin supposes gives name to the Hundred of Launditch. Eight or ten years ago, in removing a tumulus in the same parish, some urns were discovered.”
10.—Bloggs’ London caravan was advertised to run from the Rampant Horse coach office, Norwich, to London in 24 hours. It started on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings at four o’clock, and returned on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The Norwich and London Fly vans ran from the Star Inn, Norwich, to the Bull Inn, Aldgate.
—Dr. Lewis Evans was elected physician to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital on the resignation of Dr. Alderson, to whom a vote of thanks was accorded by the governors for his professional services of 50 years.
12.—Miss Macaulay commenced at Norwich Theatre an engagement of four nights, during which she appeared as Lady Randolph (“Douglas”), Violante (“The Wonder”), Jane Shore, Rosabello (“Rugantino”), Lady Townley (“The Provoked Husband”), and Phœbe (“Rosina”).
15.—By the careless driving of the coachman the Morning Star, Yarmouth coach, was overturned at Scole Inn, and of the three inside and nine outside passengers, one, Mr. Butterfield, of Leeds, was seriously injured, and died on April 14th. At the Norfolk Assizes in March, 1822, an action was brought by Butterfield’s employers against the owners of the coach for the recovery of damages sustained by them by the loss of their servant. The jury found for the plaintiffs, damages, £100; expenses, £258; and costs, 40s.
17.—The perfectly new house of Mr. John Cator, at Woodbastwick, was destroyed by fire. “The interior of the building was consumed, the walls alone left standing.”
24.—Mr. J. M. Murry, of Davey Place, Norwich, advertised himself as “sole agent for the sale of Bridgman’s patent iron coffins as security to the deceased persons.”
26.—Mrs. Davison appeared at the Theatre Royal, Norwich, in the character of Letitia Hardy. On subsequent evenings she performed Priscilla Tomboy, Hypolita (“She Wou’d and She Wou’d Not”), and Kathleen (“The Poor Soldier”).
28.—An unusually large supply of white herring was received from Yarmouth at Norwich. The fish were sold at a penny a dozen at Fye Bridge staith, and afforded great relief to the poor.
MARCH.
3.*—“Died lately at Reepham Moor, St. John Hunt, who was buried by his desire in his best suit of clothes, great coat, hat, &c. A tobacco box, short pipe, and walking stick were also deposited by his side in the coffin.”
—Mr. Richard Taylor, of Norwich, published his well-known work, the “Index Monasticus.”
—Died at his house in Queen Street, Norwich, Mr. William Foster, an alderman of the Wymer Ward.
5.—Died, at Versailles, in her 70th year, Miss Hannah Brand, formerly of Norwich.
7.—Three prisoners confined in the city gaol, Norwich, and charged with capital offences, effected their escape by making a hole through the wall of their cell. They were recaptured.
—Mr. Edward Temple Booth, Sheriff of Norwich, was elected an alderman of the Great Ward of Wymer, in place of Mr. Foster, deceased. The other candidate was Mr. Richard Shaw, who served the office in 1818.
8.—A new tragedy, entitled “Antigone,” written by Mr. Edward Ball, of Duke’s Palace House, Norwich, was produced at Norwich Theatre for the first time.
13.—Mr. E. Wodehouse presented to the House of Commons petitions from the owners and occupiers of land in the vicinity of Norwich, Yarmouth, and North Walsham, on the depressed state of agriculture, praying for a repeal of the last duty on malt, and for the substitution of a modified tax on property. At this date wheat was making 25s. to 31s.; barley, 9s. to 12s. 6d.; oats, 9s. to 10s.; and malt, 34s. per coomb.
22.—A performance took place for the benefit of the Theatrical Fund, established for the relief of aged and decayed actors of the Norwich company. The Freemasons gave their patronage, and, in full regalia, attended the Theatre, where the pieces produced were the comedy “Secrets worth Knowing,” and the musical farce “The Padlock.” The proceeds amounted to £117 2s. 6d.
26.—Mrs. Bartley commenced at Norwich Theatre an engagement, during which she appeared in the characters of Bianca (“Fazio”), Jane Shaw, Madame Chermont (“Adrian and Orrila”), Mary Stuart, and Catherine (“The Taming of the Shrew”).
31.—The freedom of the city of Norwich was presented to Capt. William Edward Parry, R.N., prior to his departure for the Arctic Seas to ascertain the existence of a north-west passage. He was a nephew
of Dr. Rigby, of Norwich. The parchment was presented in an oak box, made of a piece of the wood of the Hecla, the ship commanded by him in his voyage of discovery towards the North Pole in 1819–20.
APRIL.
2.—A new peal of bells, hung by Messrs. Hurry, of Norwich, was opened at Ditchingham.
3.—Died, aged 92, Thomas Burton, “father of the St. Peter’s company of ringers, Norwich.”
—Died in St. George Colegate, Norwich, aged 88, Mrs. Goulty, widow of Mr. John Goulty, and aunt to Admiral Lord Nelson.
—Mr. R. Morlege, many years confidential clerk to Messrs. W. and S. Bircham, of Reepham, “left that place with his family, a wife, and seven children, one an infant, in a covered van for Liverpool, there to embark for Baltimore, and from thence to proceed in his van, which he takes on board with him, about 400 miles up the country, and to settle on the banks of the Ohio.”
5.—Died in St. Swithin’s, Norwich, aged 84, the Rev. James Lane, for 32 years Roman Catholic priest in the city.
7.—A “new and elegant” light post coach, “The Times,” was announced to set out from the Angel Inn, Norwich, to the Swan-with-Two-Necks, Lad Lane, London, on Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday morning at six o’clock, by way of Scole, Bury, Sudbury, and Halstead. It returned on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The proprietors, W. Start, J. Thorogood and Co., regretted “the circumstance which rendered the dissolution of partnership between them and Mrs. Nelson indispensable, in consequence of which they had no connection with the Phenomena coach.” Thorogood himself drove the coach both to and from London.
9.—Mr. J. Brunton, the former manager, and his daughter, Miss Fanny Brunton, performed at Norwich Theatre. They appeared respectively as Othello and Desdemona on the opening night, and on subsequent evenings as Horatius and Horatia (“The Roman Father”), and Wildlove and Zephyrina (“The Lady and the Devil”). “Miss Brunton, though not 19 years of age, has made great progress towards histrionic excellence.”
10.—At a public meeting held at the Town Hall, Yarmouth, under the presidency of the Mayor (Mr. Fisher), a committee was appointed and a subscription opened for the formation of a fund from which to reward boatmen for rescuing persons from shipwreck.
14.—The Wellington coach ran from Norwich on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday to Stamford, where it effected a connection with coaches to the Midlands and the North.
15.—Wombwell’s Menagerie was exhibited on the Castle Meadow, Norwich.
17.—The erection of a new jetty was commenced at Cromer. It was finished in the summer of 1822. “Erected on massy iron frames by Mr. Hase, of Saxthorpe, it exhibits a magnificent proof of the skill of the engineer, and of his honourable attention to his contract.”
22.—Died in St. George’s Colegate, Norwich, after a few days’ illness, John Crome, the elder. He was president of the Norwich Society of Artists, and an artist of considerable repute. His remains were interred on the 27th in a vault in St. George’s church.
23.—St. George’s Day being the day appointed for the celebration of his Majesty’s birthday, the Corporation of Norwich attended service at the Cathedral, and the 9th Lancers and the Norwich Light Horse Volunteers fired three volleys with their pistols in the Market Place. The Mayor gave a dinner at his house, Major Harvey and the officers and men of the Light Horse dined at the White Lion Inn, St. Benedict’s, and several members of the Common Council met for dinner at the Castle Inn. The Loyal Heroes or Sons of Pitt, and several other societies dined at their respective club houses.
—Miss Rosalie Corri appeared at Norwich Theatre as Polly (“The Beggars’ Opera”). Her other characters included Louison (“Henri Quatre”), Zerlina (“The Libertine”), &c.
25.—At a meeting held at the Guildhall, Norwich, for the promotion of vaccination amongst the poor, it was stated that in 1819, when about 500 persons died of small-pox, “the figures of persons liable to take the disease was on an average of five years not less than 1,000 annually.” Since that year vaccination had again languished, and in 1820 not 100 of the poor were vaccinated. The meeting directed that a census be immediately taken for the purpose of ascertaining how many persons remained unvaccinated, and what would be the extent of the danger attending the introduction of small-pox.
26.—A smuggling boat was captured at Yarmouth between the Nelson monument and the old jetty, by boats of the Revenue cutter Ranger, Capt. Sayer. The smuggler had on board about 400 tubs of Geneva, and a quantity of dry goods, and her crew escaped by jumping overboard and swimming ashore.
28.*—“Died last week at Swaffham, the widow Turner, aged 96, formerly a midwife. Mrs. Turner had a perfect remembrance of the girl who was burnt at Lynn on April 1st, 1731, for aiding and assisting in the murder of her mistress, and was taken by her friends to visit her in prison a few days before the execution of that dreadful sentence.”
—Gurney’s Original day coach was advertised to leave the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich, for the Spread Eagle, Gracechurch Street, and the Black Bear, Piccadilly. The proprietor referred to the liberal patronage he had received “amidst the powerful ruinous competition among other parties concerned in the Norwich and London coaches.”
30.—At the White Swan Inn, Norwich, commenced a three double days’ play of cocks, for 10 guineas a battle and 200 guineas the odd, between the gentlemen of Norwich and the gentlemen of Cambridgeshire. Feeders: Lamb for Norwich, Burn for Cambridge. Norwich won by seven battles ahead in the mains, and two in the byes.
MAY.
1.—There was a contest this year for the Mayoralty of Norwich. At the close of the poll the numbers were declared as follow:—Alderman Rackham, 986; Alderman Hawkes, 950; Alderman Marsh, 630;
Alderman Yallop, 631. The two first-named were returned to the Court of Aldermen, who elected Mr. Rackham to serve the office.
2.—Died at his ancestral seat at Great Ormesby, aged 68, Mr. James Symonds, who was descended from one of the oldest families in Norfolk.
8.—At a meeting of the merchants, manufacturers, dyers, &c., held at the Guildhall, Norwich, presided over by Mr. John Harvey, it was resolved to petition Parliament for a repeal of the tax on imported foreign wool.
12.—A foot race of 30 miles was run at New Buckenham, between two men named Tuttle and Beales. The former won easily in five hours nine minutes.
13.—Died at his house in Surrey Street, Norwich, aged 72, Mr. William Stevenson, upwards of 35 years proprietor of the Norfolk Chronicle. He served the office of Sheriff in 1799.
—Died at Lyng, Christopher Allcock, aged 91. “He served in the first draft of the Norfolk Militia when called out in the glorious year, 1759, and such was his attachment to the military service that he made a reserve of his coat that it might serve him for a shroud.”
18.—Died at Norwich, aged 53, Robert Chesnut, leader of the St. Peter’s ringers.
19.—The “safety” coach from the Rampant Horse Inn, Norwich, commenced running to London on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings by way of Thetford, Bury, and Newmarket.
23.—At a special court of the Norwich Guardians it was agreed to petition the House of Commons against the Bill introduced into Parliament by Mr. Scarlett, for amending the laws relating to the relief of the poor in England.
28.—The principal inhabitants, with many other parishioners, perambulated the parish of St. Clement’s, Norwich, and afterwards dined at the Bull Inn, Magdalen Street.
30.—A glass bottle was thrown from the gallery on to the stage of Norwich Theatre by a youth named Wheeler, son of a former member of the Norwich company. He was apprehended by Mr. Smith, the manager, taken before the Mayor, and sentenced to one month’s imprisonment in the Bridewell.
JUNE.
12.—Costessey Guild was held, and the “Mayor” sworn in with great formality. Several “splendid equipages” appeared in the subsequent procession.
—The festivities connected with Necton Guild were carried out on a scale of much splendour in a field adjoining the residence of Major Mason, of Necton Hall, the patron of this annual gathering.
—The Census was completed on this day at Norwich. The city, with its hamlets and the Close, contained 10,833 houses and 50,173 souls, namely, 22,732 males and 27,441 females. In comparison with the returns at the previous Census these figures showed an increase of 2,300 houses and of 12,917 persons.
18.—Guild Day at Norwich. Mr. William Rackham was sworn in Mayor, and entertained 650 guests at the guild feast at St. Andrew’s Hall.
—Died, aged 52, Charles Hague, Mus. Doc., professor of music at the University of Cambridge.
—At an assembly of the Norwich Corporation, the Tonnage Committee was ordered to obtain plans and estimates for the improvement of the south side of St. Andrew’s Hall, and of the plain and gardens. The proposed work included the taking down of the old Library Room and the Court of Conscience, which formed part of the entrance to the Hall, and completely obscured and disgraced the structure; the erection of a Gothic porch on part of their site to correspond with the architecture of the original building, and the laying open of the whole south side of the Hall, “by taking down the present garden walls, so as to form a square in front of the hall.” It was also proposed that the building be no longer used as a corn exchange.
—About twenty of the Waterloo men resident in Norwich were entertained to dinner at the Coach and Horses, Red Lion Lane, in celebration of the anniversary of the battle.
23.*—“The curious antique pump in St. Lawrence, in this city (Norwich), erected by Robert Gybson in 1576, has been lately put into repair, and the singular inscription and ornaments thereon repainted by the present proprietor, Quarter-Master Betts, of the West Norfolk Regiment.”
28.—The Marshland free bridge, built by Messrs. Jolliffe and Bank, under the direction of the engineer, Mr. Rennie, and forming a direct means of communication between the eastern and northern districts, was opened on this date. A procession of carriages, preceded by a band of music and banners, with 7,000 pedestrians, passed over the bridge at one o’clock. The carriage of Mr. Thomas Hoseason led the van. Among the vehicles was the Lynn and London coach, drawn by four bays decorated with ribbands and flowers.
JULY.
2.—Twelve smacks were despatched from Wells to a newly discovered oyster bed at Happisburgh, whence they returned on the following day with from 100 to 121 tubs each.
—*“Notwithstanding the clouds which lower on the landed interest, the sun of Holkham’s prosperity has shone forth with undiminished splendour,” was the comment which prefaced this year’s report of the Holkham Sheep Shearing. The business of the meeting commenced with an inspection in front of the hall “of the various processes in the manufacture (by the labourers’ children and the parish poor) of part of the crop of flax and hemp grown upon Holkham Park Farm in the last year. The several operations of breaking, heckling, and spinning were gone through by females of various ages with ease and facility.” Some of the sacks and sheeting manufactured from the materials were also shown. The gathering was attended by H.R.H. the Duke of Sussex, the Duke of Bedford, the Earl of Albemarle, Lord Erskine, Lord Crewe, Sir F. Burdett, Mr. Hume, &c. “The
magnificent hospitality of these meetings congregated men from all parts of the civilized world. None but agricultural subjects were discussed. On these the most conflicting opinions were freely given and as freely canvassed, but anything political was excluded. And thus, although the political opinions of Mr. Coke and most of his personal friends were not only very decided, but for a great period, and that the most brilliant era of the Holkham meetings, unpopular with the great majority of those connected with the landed interest, yet men of every shade of political opinion were heartily welcome . . . and although they might hear some favourite theory of farming ridiculed they never would find anything hurtful to their political feelings advanced. The Sheep Shearing of 1821, indeed, was an exception. Political topics were then introduced. It was a bad omen. This Sheep Shearing was the last.”—“Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society,” Vol. XIV., part 1.
7.—Miss Biffin paid a return visit to Norwich, and was exhibited at St. Peter’s Steps, the Market Place.
19.—Norwich, in common with the cities and towns of the kingdom generally, celebrated the Coronation day of King George IV. The Mayor and Corporation went in procession to the Cathedral, preceded by a troop of the 9th Lancers, commanded by Capt. Campbell, sixty-four Waterloo men wearing their medals, and by the loyal and constitutional clubs with their flags. The procession was closed in by the Norwich Light Horse Volunteers. After service a roasted bullock, weighing 60 stones, was distributed in the Market Place, with 2,880 penny loaves, and several barrels of beer. There was a similar distribution in Ber Street. A dinner took place at St. Andrew’s Hall, under the presidency of the Mayor, and at night a display of fireworks was given on a staging erected on the south side of the Market Place. A very elaborate triumphal arch, erected near the Guildhall, was brilliantly illuminated. There were like demonstrations at Yarmouth, Lynn, and other towns in the county.
29.—Died at St. John Timberhill, Norwich, John Smith, schoolmaster, aged 54, “the author of several scholastic works and an English grammar.”
30.—A grand cricket match between the Holt and Nottingham clubs commenced at Holt, and was continued on the two following days. It terminated in favour of Nottingham, with ten wickets to spare—Nottingham, 150-154; Holt, 80-73. The Holt team included R. J. Brereton, Garwood, N. Pilch, William Pilch, F. Pilch, W. Englebright, R. Englebright, Frost, Brunton, Carmichael, and Goggs.
31.—The new river or Cut from King’s Lynn to Eau Brink was opened. At 8.30 a steam barge passed beneath the new bridge into the Cut, followed by a great number of boats. After the commissioners had viewed the work the steamboat returned to Lynn, where dinner was served at the Town Hall, under the presidency of Lord William Bentinck.
AUGUST.
1.—Died at his house in Charles Street, Berkeley Square, the Right Hon. Lord Suffield, his Majesty’s Lieutenant of Norfolk. His lordship,
who was in his 54th year, dying without issue, he was succeeded in his title and estates by his brother, the Hon. Edward Harbord, M.P. for Shaftesbury. The remains of his lordship arrived at Aylsham, and lay in state at the Black Boys Inn on August 12th, and the funeral took place at Gunton on the 13th.
4.*—“In the recent creation of baronets are Major-General Sir Edward Kerrison and Mr. Astley Paston Cooper, surgeon to his Majesty’s person.”
6.—The Norwich Assurance Company and the Norwich Union Society combined their establishments under the style of the Norwich Union Fire Insurance Society, with a capital of £550,000.
9.—Official intelligence was received in Norwich of the death of Queen Caroline. Her Majesty died at Bradenburgh House, Hammersmith, on the 7th.
10.—The organ in Loddon church, the gift of Mr. Thomas Reynolds, of Chedgrave, was opened with a performance of sacred music by Messrs. Pettet and Woolman. The principal vocalists were Miss Gaskill, of Norwich Theatre, Mrs. Card, and Mr. French; and the instrumental band was composed of Norwich and Yarmouth amateurs. “Tickets: middle aisle, 3s.; side aisle, 2s.”
11.*—“A troop of the 4th Dragoons arrived here last week to replace the troop of 9th Lancers, who have gone to Canterbury.”
—*“Died, last week, at Surlingham, Mrs. Elizabeth Utting, in her 104th year.”
14.—Mr. Justice Richardson, in charging the Grand Jury at the Norwich Summer Assizes, made reference to the large number of street robberies and burglaries that had taken place in the city. “Several persons had their pockets picked in court; one man was detected in the act, and was committed to Bridewell.”
17.—Among the civil actions tried at the Norwich Assizes, before Sir Robert Dallas, Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, was that of Crawcour v. Smith. It was for the recovery of the cost of a suit of clothes, &c., bought by the plaintiff in consequence of having received from the defendant a fictitious card of invitation to dine at the Guild feast in 1820. The defendant, who admitted the sending of the card, was heard to remark that “he would rather undergo transportation than not see the plaintiff (a Jew dentist) at the door of the Guildhall in his pomps and opera hat.” Counsel for the defendant endeavoured to show that the order for the apparel was given subsequent to the plaintiff receiving notice of the fictitiousness of the card; and he argued that even if he had gone to the feast he could not have partaken of it without incurring the censure of the higher orders of his religion. Mr. Sergeant Blossett, for the plaintiff, replied that “of the 600 covers placed on the tables on Guild Day there were several of which Mr. Crawcour might partake without injury either of his soul or his stomach.” The jury found for the plaintiff—damages 1s. (Mr. Crawcour on September 23rd met with a terrible accident on Tombland. The horse, which he was driving, ran away, and he was thrown from the vehicle. His leg was fractured in so shocking a manner that immediate amputation was rendered necessary.)
18.—Col. the Hon. John Wodehouse, M.P., was appointed his
Majesty’s Lieutenant, Vice-Admiral of the county, and Custos Rotulorum, in place of the late Lord Suffield.
20.—A fire took place on the premises of Mr. Cross, Lower Earlham, by which his barns and outhouses, hay, corn, and straw stacks were destroyed. The damage was estimated at £1,000.
21.—Belzoni, the celebrated traveller and discoverer of Egyptian antiquities, visited Norwich, and stayed with Mr. Jeremiah Ives, at his residence, St. Catherine’s Hill, where several gentlemen of the city were invited to meet him.
22.—Died, aged 72, Mrs. Mary Mountain, of Norwich. “On the first establishment of the Institution for the Indigent Blind in this city she tendered her gratuitous services as matron, and for 16 years filled that situation.”
28.—A contest for freemen’s Sheriff took place at Norwich. Mr. Joseph Gibson, 680; Mr. T. O. Springfield, 442. A scrutiny was afterwards demanded and granted, but was abandoned.
SEPTEMBER.
1.*—“The Easton Lodge estate, the property of the late Mr. W. Foster, has been purchased by Mr. Thomas Trench Berney, of Morton Hall, for 30,000 guineas.”
—*“The tower of the antient church of St. John of Maddermarket, Norwich, which has long been in a state of dilapidation, is now taking down to be reduced by 14 feet, so as just to leave room for the bells.”
—A panorama of Waterloo was exhibited at Ranelagh Gardens, Norwich.
6.—The freemen of the “Blue and White” interest presented to Mr. Alderman James Marsh a silver vase, weighing upwards of 100 ozs. The presentation was made at the Angel Inn, Norwich, by Mr. Edward Taylor.
—Workmen digging at the bottom of Bethel Street, Norwich, discovered a human skeleton “laid exactly in the crossway of the roads; it was thought to be the body of a criminal who died in prison and was buried there.”
8.*—“That highly esteemed performer, Mr. Vining, has formed a very advantageous engagement with the proprietor of the Bath Theatre, and will leave the Norwich company at the termination of Bury Fair.” (He was succeeded by his brother, Mr. J. Vining, who ultimately became a great favourite on the Norwich stage.)
10.—Miss Dance, of Covent Garden Theatre, appeared at Norwich Theatre in the character of Belvedera (“Venice Preserved”). Her other impersonations included Lady Teazle, Juliet, Widow Cheerly (“The Soldier’s Daughter”), Mrs. Haller, Maria (“The Citizen”), &c.
16.—Died at Downham Market, at a very advanced age, William Howlett. “He was for many years employed as a labourer on the premises of Mr. E. R. Pratt, at Ryston. About 30 years ago he sold his wife, and delivered her to the fortunate purchaser in a halter in the Market Place at Downham, with whom she has ever since lived, and it is supposed they will now marry.”
21.—At a quarterly meeting of the Corporation of Norwich, a committee was appointed to take into consideration Mr. Cubitt’s plan for connecting the city with the sea by way of Lowestoft.
26.—The foundation-stone of the Unitarian Chapel in Park Field, Diss, was laid by Mr. Meadows Taylor and Mr. Thomas Dyson.
28.—Experiments with a life-saving rocket on Tregrouse’s principle were made on Yarmouth beach by Rear-Admiral Spranger. The rocket carried a line from the ship to the shore, and running rigging was then brought into use.
OCTOBER.
4.—Died in London, aged 64, the celebrated engineer, Mr. John Rennie, who a few weeks previously had attended the opening of the Eau Brink cut.
6.*—(Advt.) “Distressing case of long imprisonment. Christopher Wood, formerly of Lynn, bricklayer, committed in 1813 to Norwich Castle for contempt of the Court of Chancery, incurred by his inability through poverty to put in an answer to a bill filed against him to foreclose a mortgage on an estate of which, unfortunately for him, he became owner. He has been in prison eight years, and has hitherto been supported by his labour beyond the prison allowance of bread, but having lately nearly lost his sight he must in future depend entirely on the latter. The expense of putting in his answer will amount to £18, and being totally unable to raise that sum must end his days in prison unless the benevolent shall extend their bounty towards him by putting in his answer to obtain his discharge, the Act for the Relief of Insolvent Debtors not extending to persons in custody for contempts.”
10.—Robert Skipper, the Norwich pedestrian, commenced the task of walking 1,000 miles in twenty successive days at the Prussia Gardens, Norwich. He had completed 100 miles on the evening of the 11th, and at the 390th mile was compelled to give up in consequence of magisterial interference.
27.*—“Lady Beevor, widow of the late Sir Thomas Beevor, has taken the surname of Hare out of respect to the memory of her late father.”
—Died, aged 74, Mr. Edward Rigby, M.D., of Norwich. He received his medical education under Mr. Martineau, and first began practice in 1769, when he distinguished himself as an accoucheur, and was the author of a treatise on subjects connected with that branch of his profession. In 1814 he took his degree in physic. Dr. Rigby in 1786 established the Benevolent Medical Society for the relief of the widows and orphans of medical men; and in 1789 became a member of the Corporation of Surgeons and of the Medical Society in London. He was assistant surgeon of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital on its establishment in 1771, surgeon in 1790, and physician in 1814. For many years he kept a private lunatic asylum; and made constant and unremitted exertions in the cause of vaccination. He wrote several treatises on agricultural subjects, and was in 1820 elected an hon. member of the Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture. He was also a member of the Linnæan Society. Dr. Rigby
was elected an alderman in 1802, Sheriff in 1803, and Mayor in 1805. His remains were interred at Framingham, near Norwich, on November 5th.
28.—The county magistrates adopted a plan prepared by Mr. Wilkins for the erection of a new county gaol on the Castle Hill, Norwich, “so far as the sum of £26,000 would carry it into effect.” This plan included the removal of the then Shirehouse and inconvenient courts of justice. In order that the whole of the expense of the work should not fall upon occupiers it was arranged that half only be paid by them, and the other half by the owners of estates.—On December 1st a meeting of the county magistrates was held at the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich, to remonstrate against the selection of the Castle Hill as the site for the new gaol. At the Norfolk Quarter Sessions in January, 1822, the subject was reconsidered, and it was finally decided by 30 to 24 votes to adhere to the Castle Hill site.—On July 29th the workmen began to prepare the ground for the foundations of the Shirehall, and on September 9th the foundation-stone was laid with “Masonic ceremony.” Current coins were deposited in the cavity, and upon the stone was a Latin inscription composed by the Rev. F. Howes.—The demolition of the old debtors’ court commenced on May 7th, 1823, previous to which the prisoners committed on criminal charges were removed to the different bridewells and houses of correction in the county, the debtors only remaining in the Castle keep.—On July 11th some workmen employed on the building were raising a large stone, which fell and injured four of them, and one, Nicholas Mase, died next day in hospital. The new Shirehall was completed in time to admit of the Quarter Sessions being held therein on October 15th, 1823, which was the first occasion on which the building was used. “As to the prison buildings the ancient Saxon castle with Bigod’s tower is left entire in its pristine state. The hill is now surrounded with a castellated wall of Aberdeen granite 20 feet high, leaving, however, in general a space of nearly 20 feet for a public promenade on the summit of the hill.” The Castle ditches and meadow had previously been improved at considerable expense by the city. These works completed the first part of the extensive scheme undertaken by the county.
—Lord Suffield was elected one of the chairmen of Norfolk Quarter Sessions, in the room of the late Sir Thomas Beevor, Bart.
31.—There were two candidates for the vacancy occasioned upon the Norwich aldermanic bench by the death of Dr. Rigby—namely, Mr. Jeremiah Ives and Mr. Thomas Osborne Springfield. Both political parties paraded the streets with bands of music, flags, &c. The poll was declared as follows:—Springfield, 430; Ives, 268. “The major part of the electors of the Great Northern Ward received a couple of guineas each for their free and independent votes.”
NOVEMBER.
3.—An accelerated mail service was introduced between London and Norwich by the Postmaster-General. By this arrangement the Norwich and Ipswich mail coach performed the journey in one hour less time than previously. On December 8th, however, it was announced that in consequence of the Ipswich mail not having kept to the prescribed
rate of travelling the Post Office authorities had been obliged to return to the former times of departure and arrival in respect to the London mail. On the 17th a new contract was entered into, by which the London mail to Norwich was conveyed viâ Newmarket. The coach reached the city at ten o’clock am. and departed at five p.m.
4.—A great gale occurred on the Norfolk coast, many vessels were driven ashore between Yarmouth and Wells, and several foundered at sea.
10.*—“Mr. Charles Thurtell, son of Mr. Thomas Thurtell, of Lakenham, has obtained a lieutenancy on board the Rochefort, now in the Mediterranean.”
13.—Died at Biddeford, Devonshire, aged 63, Major Charles Berkeley Money, Royal Marines. “He had retired from the service some years on account of a severe wound received when captain on board the Royal Sovereign on the glorious 1st of June. He was a native and freeman of Norwich.”
16.—A severe storm took place. The roads were in many parts of the county rendered impassable by the heavy rains, and the marshes and low grounds were flooded.
18.—Died at the house of his son-in-law, Mr. William Mason, of Necton, the Rev. Paul Colombine, D.D., rector of Little Plumstead with Witton and Brundall, perpetual curate of Hardley, and rector of Chilton, Suffolk. He was presented to the living of Thurlton by the Mayor and Corporation of Norwich in 1757. He was in his 92nd year.
23.—Died, aged 62, Mr. William Burrows, alderman of the Great Northern Ward, and Sheriff of Norwich in 1817.
24.—Dr. Yelloly was elected physician to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, in place of Dr. Rigby, deceased.
26.—Mr. Peter Finch was elected an alderman of the Great Northern Ward, Norwich, in place of Mr. William Burrows, deceased.
DECEMBER.
1.—A troop of the 4th Light Dragoons, under the command of Capt. Pratt, left Norwich for Romford.
3.—A coursing party at Horsford “started a fine stout fox which was instantly pursued by a brace of fleet greyhounds. He kept before them for more than half a mile when the dogs turned him. After beating them off for more than an hour he was taken alive. Soon after Sir George Brograve’s huntsman and hounds came up, when the coursing party, who had joined in the chase, offered to unbag the fox for another run, but he was found too exhausted and injured for the purpose, and it became necessary to give him the coup de grace, and his head and brush were carried off in triumph.”
7.—Mr. R. Hamond turned off a deer at Swaffham which led the field a chase of nearly 30 miles. “It crossed the river twice, and what is most extraordinary Mr. A. Hamond, who is in his 81st year, partook of the whole chase, and was at the spot when the deer was taken near Lynn.”
8.*—“Died last week at Ramsgate, at an advanced age, the Rev. Samuel Vince, M.A., F.R.S., Plumian Professor of Astronomy in the University of Cambridge, and Archdeacon of Bedford. He was also rector of Kirby Bedon and vicar of South Creake.”
11.—Died at his house in Mansfield Street, Sir Martin Browne ffolkes, Bart, of Hillington Hall, M.P., F.R.S. He was created baronet in 1774, served the office of High Sheriff in 1783, and in 1790 was elected member of Parliament for King’s Lynn, and continued to represent the borough without intermission until the time of his death.
—An inquest was held at Lynn by Mr. Samuel Hadley, one of the coroners of the borough, on the body of Robert Roberson, who was shot by Mr. Henry Pond, a linen draper in High Street, whilst in the act of breaking into his shop. The jury returned a verdict of justifiable homicide.
15.*—“Robberies and depredations upon the public having been made to an extent hitherto unknown, it is the determination of the justices in certain Hundreds to form an establishment that will give vigour and effect to the exertions of the magistrates in preventing robberies, burglaries, larcenies, poaching, and felonies of various descriptions.”
17.—Cooke’s Company of Equestrians commenced a season’s engagement at the Norwich Pantheon.
18.—A deputation waited upon Mr. Alderman Crisp Brown, of Norwich, to acquaint him that 300 citizens had subscribed for his full-length portrait, as a mark of “the respect and esteem entertained towards him for his manly and loyal conduct upon all occasions, and for the strenuous exertions which he made during his mayoralty to promote the better observance of the Lord’s day.” The portrait, by Clover, was hung in St. Andrew’s Hall in October, 1822.
22.*—“Mr. Alexander Baring has purchased the mansion and domains of the Hon. Mr. Petre in Norfolk, it is said for £300,000. The estate is situate near Thetford, and there are 26,000 acres of land.”
—*“An experiment has been tried for the bettering of the condition of the labourers in agriculture, and for reducing the poor rates in the parish of Terrington by the apportionment of parcels of land from one to five roods, which has been found, after three years’ trial, to be productive of the happiest effects.”
23.—During a violent gale from the N.N.W. a new East Indiaman, the Indian, of 400 tons, from Hull to London, was wrecked off Yarmouth. The crew of 20 hands and a small part of her stores were saved. The value of the ship and cargo was estimated at £10,000.
25.—Service was held at St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich, when “the lighting of the church was strikingly beautiful, and had a very imposing effect by the admission of some additional lamps, which were very judiciously arranged, giving to the altar and the communion plate upon the table a very brilliant and splendid appearance.”
28.—A prize fight took place at Testerton Park, the residence of Major Case, between Barlee, the Berghapton Groom, and Gales, the Norwich butcher. The former was attended by Ned Painter and Hervey, and the latter by Josh Hudson and Cullington. Seventy-eight rounds were fought in one hour three minutes, and the battle was won by Barlee. “Barlee, on being declared victor, immediately
planted an oak in the ring in the presence of about 5,000 spectators in front of Testerton Hall. The two young pugilists were, by order of Major Case, taken under his hospitable roof and put to bed, where everything needful was generously offered them. A large party of the Fancy had the honour of dining with the major.”