1802.
The confirmation of the Peace of Amiens diffused universal joy, and the harvest of 1801 having been tolerably abundant, much less pressure was experienced on account of the price of bread. Three per Cents. stood at about 70½. Wheat averaged 69s. 10d.
January 9—C. Thellusson, Esq., M.P. for Evesham, distributed one hundred guineas amongst the poor freemen of that borough.
January 11—William Smith publicly whipped in the corn market, Worcester, according to sentence of sessions, for stealing a bag.
February 1—Lord Foley appeared at the bar of the Court of Common Pleas, and suffered recoveries of estates of considerable value. He took his seat in the House of Lords on the 22nd April.
April 16—The Worcester Militia, under Colonel Newport, called together and disembodied.
May 5—A private in the 5th Dragoons, immured in Worcester gaol for desertion, and daily expecting exemplary punishment, received an account of the death of a distant relation in Ireland, bequeathing him a property of £4,000 per annum.
June 1—General Thanksgiving for the Peace. An address of congratulation was voted on the occasion by the Corporation of Worcester, and forwarded to the Earl of Coventry, as recorder of the city, for presentation.
June 9—The Hon. Mr. Ward attained his majority, and the event was celebrated at Himley with great rejoicings. A barrel of beer, called “Big Ben,” containing 1,000 gallons, which had been brewed at the birth of Mr. Ward, was tapped on the occasion.
June 8—The Yeomanry assembled on the Sunday, as requested, and received the thanks of His Majesty and the Parliament. Each troop, henceforth, reduced to forty rank and file.
August 29—Lord Nelson, accompanied by Sir William and Lady Hamilton, visited Worcester, on their return from a tour through South Wales. He was met on the road by a great number of people, who drew his carriage into the city: visited the china manufactory; was received by the Mayor and Corporation at the Town Hall; entertained at a collation; and the Earl of Coventry, the recorder, presented him with the freedom of the city in a china vase from Messrs. Chamberlain’s manufactory. [The visit is recorded by the mosaic of stones in front of the Guildhall.]
September 10—The price of coals being raised, Lord Dudley and Ward directed that the poor inhabitants of Worcester should be supplied from his pits at nearly half the ordinary cost.
September 27—H.R.H. the Duke of Cambridge visited Worcester, his regiment being then quartered in this county, and was presented with the freedom of the city.
December 10—The magistrates of Worcester published a correct list of fairs, &c., because the difference between the Old and New Styles being then thirteen days instead of twelve, great uncertainty prevailed respecting the days on which they actually took place, and people frequently arrived “a day after the fair.”
Private Act passed this year—For enclosure of waste lands at Ripple.