1758.—The country butchers were again admitted to sell meat in the town, and shambles were erected for them near St. Alkmund’s church.
1762.—A great fire happened in New-street, Frankwell, on the 23rd February.
1766.—February 12th, 13th, and 14th, there fell a great snow in Shrewsbury, which lay on the ground several days, eighteen inches deep.
1772.—A smart shock of an earthquake was felt, which occasioned much terror and consternation.
1774.—On Good Friday, April 1st, a fire broke out in the Abbey Foregate, by which forty-seven houses were burnt down, and several others much damaged.
1775.—September 8th, the inhabitants were much alarmed with the shock of an earthquake; in the midst of a calm a rumbling noise much like that of a strong wind was heard; this was soon followed by two tremulous motions of the earth, succeeding each other instantaneously.
1778.—The Shropshire militia marched from Shrewsbury on May 7 to Bridgnorth, where they were reviewed; from thence they marched into Kent.
1780.—A stage coach began to run between Shrewsbury and Holyhead.
1782.—Baron Hotham laid a fine of £2000 upon the county, till they should build a new Shire Hall; the new hall was built 1786.
1789.—July 23rd, T. Phipps, a lawer, and his son, just twenty years of age, were executed at the old heath for forgery; Mr. Phipps had an income of about £300 a year from landed property.