22.—Five hundred children under seven years of age assembled at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, and underwent the system of examination introduced by Mr. Wilderspin, the originator of infant schools. On April 7th a public meeting was held at the Guildhall, at which it was decided to establish a society to promote the extension of the infant school system in the county and city.
—Died, suddenly, of apoplexy, while hunting with Sir James Flowers’ hounds at Tibenham, Mr. William Chambers, of Norwich, who served the office of Sheriff from Michaelmas, 1834, to January 1st of this year, and was the last Sheriff elected under the old system. Mr. Chambers was in his 45th year.
24.—Died at his house in Bethel Street, Norwich, aged 62, Mr. Robert Hawkes, who was elected Alderman of the Mancroft Ward in 1818, served the office of Sheriff in 1819, and that of Mayor in 1822. In consequence of Mr. Hawkes’ death, the Judges of Assize, whose official lodgings were at his house, were invited by the Very Rev. Dr. Pellew to stay at the Deanery. At the Norfolk Quarter Sessions, on April 8th, the thanks of the county were accorded to Dr. Pellew.
29.—At the Norwich Assizes, before Mr. Justice Gaselee, the case of John Pilgrim was further respited, in consequence of the illness of one of the prosecutors. (There is no further record of this case.)
APRIL.
1.—At the Norfolk Assizes, before Mr. Justice Gaselee, Peter Taylor was found guilty, as an accessary before the fact, of the murder of Mary Taylor, his wife, at Burnham Westgate, on March 12th, 1835. The prosecution arose out of the trial of the women Frarey and Billing, who were executed as principals in the murder. Taylor, who to the last protested his innocence, was hanged on the Castle Hill, Norwich, on April 23rd.
—At the same Assizes, before Mr. Justice Gaselee, John Sucker (23), Thomas Bassett (40), Joseph Bruce (21), Thomas Dawes (25), and James Staines (37) were indicted, Sucker and Bassett for the murder of William Case, on November 30th, 1835, and the other prisoners for aiding and assisting in the commission of the crime while poaching on the lands of Mr. W. L. Jones, at Methwold. They were found guilty and sentenced to death. The jury subsequently delivered to his lordship at the Deanery the following declaration: “Our opinion is that the prisoners were guilty of manslaughter, not murder, and it was our intention so to find had we not been called upon to give our opinion as to the facts.” The execution was deferred for the opinion of the Judges assembled in the Court of Exchequer. On April 23rd Lord Denman stated that the Judges, after hearing counsel on both sides, were of opinion it would not be proper to execute the prisoners for the crime of murder.
2.—A vessel of 500 tons burden, intended for the trade between England and the Mauritius, was launched from the ship-yard of Mr. Richardson, Friars’ Fleet, Lynn.
4.—On the occasion of the presentation of a piece of plate to the Rev. A. Goode, of Terrington St. Clement, 800 villagers accompanied
the deputation, with flags and banners, and “86 young females attending the Sunday School bore branches of laurel.” The plate was borne upon a tray by “two respectable parishioners,” supported by “some emblematical characters, one of whom personated the renowned Tom Hickathrift, the Marshland giant of the olden time, and the bold defender of the ancient rights of Marshland Smeeth. The representative of Hickathrift delivered an appropriate speech.”