of 700 years ago.” The Bill was passed on September 9th, and on October 3rd the Norfolk Chronicle stated: “St. Michael ‘shone no festive holiday’ either at Norwich, Lynn, or Yarmouth. For many centuries until this annus mirabilis of Liberalism the Sheriffs of Norwich (from 1403), the Mayors of Lynn (from 1268) and of Yarmouth (from 1684), were sworn into office on new Michaelmas day. . . . Under the new Act the present Mayors and Sheriffs are to continue to hold their respective offices until January 1st next, and their immediate successors—one Sheriff until the first, and the Mayors until the 9th of November, on which days the elections of Sheriffs and Mayors of boroughs will in future take place.”
7.—At the Norfolk Assizes, before Mr. Justice Bolland, Frances Billing, aged 46, and Catherine Frarey, aged 40, were found guilty of the murder of Mary Taylor, of Burnham Westgate, by administering arsenic to her. They were also convicted of the murder of Robert Frarey, husband of the last-named prisoner. The execution took place on the Castle Hill, Norwich, on August 10th. Frarey was dressed in deep mourning for her husband, and wore a widow’s cap. They held each other by the hand when upon the scaffold. “The silence which had hitherto pervaded the immense concourse who stood intently gazing on this dreadful exhibition was broken by a piercing shriek when the drop fell; then all was still again.” Mrs. Billing had had eleven children, eight of whom were living at the time of the execution. Both women had been in the habit of consulting reputed witches at Burnham and Sall (See April 1st, 1836.)
14.—Died, aged 79, Mr. William Mason, of Necton. “He was accomplished in literature, and was one of the favourite scholars of the late Dr. Parr.”
22.—Died, aged 78, the Hon. George Walpole, second son of Horatio, first Earl of Orford and fourth Lord Walpole of Walpole. He commanded the troops employed in suppressing the rebellion of the Maroons in Jamaica. On his retirement from the Army he went into Parliament, and was Under-Secretary of State during the Fox Administration in 1806.
23.—Died, aged 65, Mr. Francis Stone, architect, Norwich, and for nearly 30 years Surveyor of the County of Norfolk.
25.—The last election for the office of freemen’s Sheriff took place at Norwich. Mr. Paul Squire was returned, with 829 votes. Mr. Edward Willett, his opponent, polled 437.
SEPTEMBER.
18.—At nine o’clock in the morning, Mr. Green, the aeronaut, who had ascended in his balloon from Vauxhall Gardens, London, at six o’clock in the evening of the 17th, descended between North Runcton and Hardwick, about a mile from Lynn South Gates.
22.—The Duchess of Kent and Princess Victoria, on their way from Burleigh House, Stamford, to Holkham Park, on a visit to Mr. Coke, passed through Lynn, and were received with great enthusiasm. The horses were removed from the Royal carriage, which was dragged through the town to the Duke’s Head Inn. The relay of horses having
been sent towards Gaywood, the populace drew the carriage, amid most loyal demonstrations, to the eastern boundary of the town, where the horses were put to and the journey resumed. At Holkham the preventive service formed a guard of honour, and the whole of the tenantry were in attendance. On the 23rd their Royal Highnesses were presented by the inhabitants of Wells with a loyal address, to which the Duchess of Kent graciously replied. Their Royal Highnesses left Holkham on the 24th for the seat of the Duke of Grafton at Euston, and passed through Swaffham, where the race meeting was delayed in order to give the large concourse the opportunity of greeting their future Sovereign.