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.