1820.
The country was this year in a ferment with the proceedings on the Queen’s trial. Trade still languid, but the harvest was uncommonly abundant; and the price of corn and country produce was thus materially reduced, to the relief of the mechanics and lower ranks of the town populations. Consols at 68; wheat averaged 67s. 10d.
January—Subscription in Worcester for the relief of the poor, realising £1,250, and distributed in coal and soup.
January—The Worcestershire Hunt reorganised, under the management of T. C. Hornyold, Esq., of Blackmore Park.
April 25—Elizabeth Waterson strangled in bed by her husband, Joseph Waterson, a miller, living at Bromsgrove. It was quite clear that the man had been some time insane; and the coroner’s jury returning a verdict to that effect, he was at once removed to the Lunatic Asylum at Droitwich.
May 16—Colonel Davies moved for a select committee to investigate the military expenditure, in a very spirited speech. Motion negatived by 125 to 45.
May 29—The walking of the trades was this year revived in Worcester.
July—Hartlebury Common enclosed.
August 10—A splendid service of china, from the manufactory of Messrs. Grainger, Lee, and Co., presented to Colonel Davies, in “testimony of the high sense entertained by his electors of his truly patriotic and distinguished conduct during the whole of his Parliamentary career.”
October 5—The Worcester and London Fly coach upset at Stoughton bridge on its return from town. There were fourteen passengers, exclusive of the coachman and guard, and all were hurt. A lady had her arm broken; a poor woman her arm broken, and various contusions; a gentleman had his hip dislocated, &c., &c. No explanation of the cause. The Aurora and the Royal Sovereign, both day coaches to London, were upset the next week, and some passengers hurt.
November 1—A quantity of unseasonable salmon seized in Worcester market by the committee of the Worcester Severn Association, and ordered by the magistrates to be burnt.
November 13—Worcester illuminated on the Queen’s acquittal. Illuminations also at Kidderminster, Bromsgrove, Droitwich, Evesham, Upton, &c. At Evesham also a public dinner took place at the Cross Keys, with C. E. Hanford, Esq., in the chair, and a subscription set on foot for the poor by Mr. Nathaniel Hartland, by which 1,200 families were supplied with bread and meat.
November 27—At a meeting held at the Rein Deer, Worcester, a petition to the King praying him to dismiss his ministers, and a congratulatory address to the Queen on her acquittal, were agreed on, and afterwards received about 2,000 signatures. A counter address to the King, from the Mayor, magistrates, clergy, and others, declaring their attachment and loyalty, &c., &c., begging him to maintain the rights of the crown, otherwise the country would be involved in ruin, &c., &c., received about 500 signatures. The first was presented by Lord Foley and Mr. Hobhouse; the second by the Earl of Coventry. Loyal addresses, denouncing a licentious press, sent from Evesham and Stourbridge. An address for the county was also drawn up by the Lord Lieutenant, and being approved of by the High Sheriff was sent to the different towns in the county for signatures, as the promoters could not have convened a public meeting with any hope of success to their cause. A counter address, headed by Lord Foley’s signature, was immediately got up. Counter addresses sent from Droitwich, &c.