10.—Mr. Edward Hall Alderson, son of the Recorder of Norwich, and Mr. John Patteson, son of the Rev. Henry Patteson, of Drinkstone, Suffolk, and nephew of Mr. Alderman Patteson, of Norwich, were appointed Judges of the High Court.
—On this date began the machine-breaking riots and stack firing, which gradually extended over the greater part of the county. The first fire occurred on the farm of Mr. J. Hill, of Briston, and a reward of £1,000 was offered by Sir Jacob Astley for the discovery of the offenders. On the 16th a mob destroyed the agricultural machinery belonging to Mr. John Girling, of Paston. The outrages became so numerous that the principal agriculturists got rid of their threshing-machines,
and Col. Wodehouse, the Lieutenant of the County, issued a circular to the magistrates, requesting them to swear in special constables in every parish. At Melton Constable, on the 22nd, it was feared that an attack would be made upon the Hall, but the gentlemen in the neighbourhood went to the assistance of Sir Jacob Astley, and, meeting the rioters at Hindolvestone, seized the ringleaders and conveyed them to Walsingham Bridewell. Another mob assembled on the 23rd, and further arrests were made. The High Sheriff (the Hon. G. J. Milles), anticipating a further attack, despatched a messenger to Elmham Park, requesting the assistance of the gentlemen of the Norfolk Hunt, who had a meet there that day. The summons was immediately obeyed, and the horsemen, on arriving at Melton Constable, dispersed the rioters and made several arrests. The same day detachments of the 1st Royal Dragoons were sent from Norwich to do duty in the disturbed districts. At Norwich, on the 29th, the mob destroyed the sawmills of Mr. Calver, at New Catton, and the looms at Messrs. Willett’s factory in St. Martin’s, and broke the windows of the silk factory. The Sheriffs and the magistrates were in daily and nightly attendance at the Guildhall, and the Chelsea pensioners in the city, to the number of 200, were called out to assist in preserving the peace. On December 4th the county of Norfolk was included in his Majesty’s proclamation, offering a reward of £50 in respect of every person convicted of any outrage upon property. At the Norfolk Quarter Sessions, held on December 18th, two Committees were appointed, one for East and the other for West Norfolk, “to arrange and put the constabulary force on the most efficient footing to preserve the peace and protect the persons and property of the inhabitants of the county.” The thanks of the Court were given to the 1st Royals for their services, and to the Mayor and magistrates of Norwich for their cordial co-operation with the county authorities in the suppression of the disturbances.
20.—A whale, which had stranded upon a sandbank four miles below the harbour, was landed on the common staith at King’s Lynn. “It was placed on two trucks, dragged by six horses, and measured 21 ft. 3 in. in length, and 13 ft. 6 in. in circumference.”
25.—Mr. Robert Grant, one of the members for Norwich, having accepted the office of Judge Advocate under the new Administration, a fresh election was rendered necessary, and the writ was received on this date. The right hon. gentleman was returned unopposed on November 30th. He was afterwards appointed a Government Commissioner for the affairs of India.
DECEMBER.
6.—Died at his house, St. Giles’ Terrace, Norwich, Joseph Stannard, artist.
11*.—“On Sunday, November 7th, were deposited in Lakenham churchyard the remains of Elizabeth Watts, aged 24 years; and on the 28th of the same month a brother of the deceased died. He expressed the wish to be buried in the same grave with his sister. It was found that the grave had been opened and the body of the sister taken away. The shroud remained.”
11.—Died, in consequence of a fall from his horse, the Very Rev. Edward Mellish, M.A., formerly of Trinity College, Cambridge, rector of East Tuddenham, vicar of Honingham, and Dean of Hereford.
16.—Died at Costessey, Captain William Bolton, R.N., eldest son of the Rev. William Bolton, “and one of the few surviving Norfolk heroes who accompanied Nelson in his deeds of fame.”