1843.
Distress in the manufacturing districts gave increased force and vigour to the anti-corn law agitation; but Lord Howick’s motion for a committee of inquiry into the causes of that distress was negatived by a majority of 306 to 191, and Mr. Villiers’s annual motion for a committee of the whole House upon the corn laws was supported by only 125 members, while 381 voted against it. The defeat of Sir James Graham’s educational measure by the opposition of the Dissenters was the most remarkable feature in the Parliamentary year. In Scotland the year was most signally marked by the secession of the non-intrusionist ministers from the Established Church, carrying with them the bulk of the laity—in Ireland, by the violence of the repeal agitation, and the arrest of Mr. O’Connell—and in Wales, by the singular outbreak against turnpike gates, known as the Rebecca riots. Consols averaged 95; wheat averaged 50s. 1d.
February 21—The Worcester City Mission, a Christian society which has been, and continues to be, the means of doing a great deal of good amongst the poor, with a very small income, established at a meeting held at the Natural History Society’s room, over which the Mayor presided.
April 4—The Worcester magistrates, at their quarter sessional meeting, appointed Mr. Herbert Budd as surgeon to the City Gaol, in the room of Mr. F. Walter, retired. The Council had claimed the right to see to all the expenses of the gaol, and not leave the supply of provisions in the hands of the visiting magistrates; and the magistrates claimed the right of appointing all officers, under the 38th clause of 1st Vict., cap. 78.
April 17—Dinner to the Dudley magistrates, to express approval of their conduct during recent disturbances. Lord Ward presided, and Lord Lyttelton and about one hundred other gentlemen were present. The magistrates had refused to accept as bail for Chartists persons of the same political opinions, and the matter had been made subject of severe comment in the House of Commons.
May—The Dissenters throughout the county petitioned urgently against the educational measures proposed by Government.
June 20—A meeting held at Bromsgrove, with the view of alleviating the distress of the nailors, whom low wages, and a strike in consequence, had reduced to a condition of grievous wretchedness. The Right Hon. and Rev. Lord Aston took the chair, and a subscription was entered into, and a goodly sum raised, to be laid out under the management of a committee.
August 1—A Commission of Inquiry opened at the Angel Inn, Pershore, into the conduct of the Rev. William Smith, Vicar of Overbury. The commissioners appointed by the Bishop were Dr. Phillimore, Chancellor of the Diocese; Archdeacon Timbrill; Rev. F. D. Gilby; Rev. T. A. Strickland; and Rev. W. Parker. The charges preferred by the parishioners were twenty-two in number, and were supported by Mr. Elgie—Mr. Foley appearing for the vicar. The inquiry lasted four days, and a great number of witnesses were examined pro. and con. On the 18th, the chancellor pronounced the decision of the Commission in the Lady Chapel at the Cathedral, Worcester. Many of the charges were abandoned; and of those that remained, the chancellor said that on six a prima facie case had been made out for the Bishop to institute further proceedings. These were, the removal of tombstones without a faculty; thrice forcibly expelling the clerk during the service; placing persons in the singing gallery to “read him down;” refusing to ask the prayers of the congregation for a parishioner; and interfering in the election of churchwardens. There was also a special presentment as to his general conduct. As the Rev. gentleman refused to submit the matter to the Bishop, further proceedings were referred to the superior courts, but none were taken. The Bishop afterwards addressed an admonitory letter to the Rev. gentleman, which was published, and drew from him a very singular reply.
August 2—A porter on the Birmingham and Gloucester Railway, named John Killcash, having been drinking in the evening, laid himself down upon the rails and fell asleep. The next train which came up severed his head from his body.
August 8—The Queen Dowager took up her abode at Witley Court. Triumphal arches, and other methods of welcome, were adopted at Droitwich. On the following Monday week Her Majesty visited Worcester, and attended divine service in the Cathedral. Her return was to have been a public progress, but the torrents of rain which descended spoilt the whole affair; so that all the civic dignitaries could do was to rush down the Guildhall steps in their scarlet robes, just as Her Majesty passed, and bow their acknowledgments at the carriage door. On the evening after, the tradesmen honoured by Her Majesty’s patronage illuminated their houses. The Queen Dowager afterwards sent a cheque for £100 to the funds of the Worcester Infirmary.
August 19—The first stone of a new Chapel of Ease laid at Barnard’s Green, by the Lady Emily Foley.
August 30—The Severn and Teme Fisheries Association formed at a public meeting held in the Guildhall, Worcester; Matthew Pierpoint, Esq., in the chair.
October 7—Messrs. Cobden and Bright visited Worcester, in furtherance of the anti-corn law agitation, and addressed an audience of about 1,200 people in the Guildhall. The High Sheriff refused to call a county meeting; therefore Edward Holland, Esq., took the chair. But a small proportion of the meeting were farmers. There was a show of opposition on the part of the Chartists, but it was very feeble and soon put down. The corn law repealers afterwards had a dinner at the Bell Inn; W. B. Collis, Esq., in the chair, and Robert Hardy, Esq., vice-president.
October 29—The new parish church at Oldswinford opened for divine service, with two sermons by the Lord Bishop and the Rev. T. L. Claughton. The collections amounted to £207. This church cost about £5,000, and it contains 1,457 sittings—781 of which are free.
October 27—The Chapel of Ease at Headless Cross consecrated. The Lord Bishop preached, and £60. 11s. were collected. The building will seat about 250 persons, and most of the sittings are free.
December 10—Earl Beauchamp’s cash box, containing about £120, stolen during the night from his dressing-room, at Madresfield Court. The thief was never discovered.
December 18—A Winter Assizes before Mr. Baron Rolfe, occupying three days. None of the cases tried were of much importance.
Local Acts—To enable the Worcestershire and Staffordshire Canal Company to lend money to the Severn Navigation Commissioners; to enable the Birmingham and Gloucester Railway Company to raise a further sum of money, and to amend the acts relating thereto.
1844.
The legislature was this year occupied with many exciting subjects; especially the state of Ireland, then agitated by the proceedings on Mr. O’Connell’s trial; restrictions on labour in factories; and the Dissenters’ Chapel Bill. The financial measures of the year were likewise very important; including, as they did, the reduction of the Three-and-half per Cents., and the passing of the Bank Restriction Act—an act, the wisdom of which is yet to be determined. Mr. Villiers’s annual motion for repeal of the Corn Laws was negatived by 328 to 124. Consols in October reached 100⅞, and averaged throughout the year, 99; wheat averaged 51s. 3d.
February 16—The Ombersley Labourers’ Friendly Society, for granting allotments in that parish, set on foot by the Hon. and Rev. W. W. C. Talbot.
April 12—The Worcestershire Labourers’ Friendly Society formed at an influential meeting of landowners and farmers at the Shire Hall, over which Lord Lyttelton presided. The object of the society was to ameliorate the condition and standing of the agricultural labourers, by giving them allotments.
July 29—A silver tankard, weighing fifty ounces, presented to T. C. Hornyold, Esq., by his tenantry, at their audit dinner.
October 5—Great festivities at Eardiston, on Sir William Smith attaining his majority.
December 1—The Lord Bishop of the Diocese, in delivering an ordination charge, expressed very decidedly his disapproval of Tractarianism and the revival of obsolete customs in the Church, such as preaching in the surplice.
December 28—An illicit still, which had been for some time quietly at work in Worcester, discovered and seized by the police.
Local Act—To alter and extend the provisions of the Severn Improvement Act.