JUNE.
4.—Mr. Bolton, formerly coach proprietor and landlord of the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich, was driving between Melton Mowbray and Stamford when his horse ran away and overturned the vehicle. Mr. Bolton received severe injuries, from which he died on the 10th.
12.—A serious riot occurred at Norwich. A party of Wymondham weavers, who had damaged looms and destroyed silk to the value of £1,000, at Ashwellthorpe, had been conveyed to Norwich Castle for examination. The witnesses were brought to the city in hackney coaches, escorted by a detachment of the 12th Lancers. The Norwich weavers, who had barricaded the Golden Ball Lane entrance to Castle Meadow with a waggon, and placed a similar obstruction near the Castle Bridge, received the military with a volley of stones. The witnesses were then conveyed by way of Timberhill to Orford Hill, and while a large body of special constables displaced the waggon at the bridge, a second detachment of Lancers came from the Barracks, charged the mob at full gallop, and dispersed them in all directions. An attempted rally was frustrated by a second charge. The Militia staff were under arms on the Castle Hill, and the streets were patrolled by the Norwich light Horse Volunteers. At the Norwich Assizes, on August 11th, several of the rioters were indicted before Mr. Baron
Garrow for assaults, and were discharged on entering into their recognisances. David Seeker, Henry Rix, and William Thurston were charged with the capital offence of riotously assembling together to the disturbance of the public peace. Mr. Cooper, for the defence, objected to the wording of the indictment. The words of the King’s proclamation read at the time of the disturbance were “chargeth and commandeth all persons,” &c.; the indictment said “chargeth and command”; and instead of directing the people to “depart to their lawful habitations or to their lawful homes,” the indictment said “and to their lawful homes.” The learned Judge pronounced the objection to be valid, and expressed the hope that the prisoners “would go home sensible of the blessings of Providence in having shielded them that day, and saved them from an ignominious death.” The Ashwellthorpe rioters were bound over in the sum of £50 each.
19.—Breakfast à la fourchette with the Mayor-elect (Mr. Peter Finch) and luncheon with the Mayor (Mr. E. T. Booth), prepared the Sheriffs, Aldermen, &c., for the Guild Day proceedings at Norwich. The customary ceremonies were observed at the Guildhall, service was attended at the Cathedral, and 600 guests dined at St Andrew’s Hall.
23.—The Surrey Gardens, Thorpe Road, Norwich, were advertised as a resort “for the reception of respectable families and invalids,” where “pure air, unbounded prospects of land and water, refreshing fruits and odoriferous flowers” could be obtained. A military band played on Sunday evenings, from five to seven o’clock.
27.—The Bishop of Norwich confirmed at North Walsham church 1,280 persons. On one day in the previous week his lordship confirmed in Norwich Cathedral 1,100 persons.
30.—Died at Yarmouth, aged 87, Mr. Jacob Preston, senior magistrate of the borough. He was Mayor in 1793, 1801, and 1813.
—Mr. Yates gave his entertainment, “Portraits and Sketches,” at Norwich Theatre. On subsequent evenings he was assisted by Mr. Brunton and Mrs. Yates (formerly Miss Brunton).