1652. The Lynn garrison dissolved.
1653. One Say hanged here for killing her husband—one account says it was by poison.—The South gate was now let to Henry Bloy at 1l. 5s. a year, and the East gate to James Browne at 1l. 15s. which shews that the town had then more intercourse with the country by the East than by the South gate.—There being before this year only six corn meters, but they were now increased to ten.
1654. The town obtained a very advantageous charter from the Protector, of which we have not been able to get sight of any copy or transcript. It was probably destroyed at the restoration.
1655. Lynn now again garrisoned.
1656. The generals Rippon and Desborow elected members for this town, and their charges (we suppose 5s. per diem) ordered to be paid by the corporation.—St. George’s Hall now converted into an Exchange.
1657. Front of the Free-School-Master’s house rebuilt at the charge of the corporation—Rent of the two gates advanced from 1l. 5s. and 1l. 15s. to 15l. a year, which seems to indicate the thriving state of the town during the protectorate.—During this and some of the preceding years, a mighty stir was made here for the suppression of vice, and especially of profane swearing, excessive drinking, and tippling, which greatly affected the publicans, or ale-house-keepers, who were then very heavily fined, which occasioned great discontents and complaints on their part and that of their customers.—The money thus raised said to be applied towards paving and improving the town. Of that stir see pp. 773, &c.—The mayor now agreed to take forty shillings instead of two fatted swans from the Ferry-man.
1658. St. James’s church yard became the parish being-ground, there being no longer any room left for burying in St. Margaret’s churchyard.—One Dorothy Warden, alias Billins hanged for killing her child.—Oliver died, and was succeeded in the Protectorate by his son Richard, to whom an Address was voted by this corporation on the 8th of October.
1659. Jan. 3. The right of electing burgesses or members of parliament determined to be in the Hall, and not in the freemen at large: the two members, Toll and Lloyd were accordingly now elected by the Hall.—Jan. 14. Ordered that the chamberlain take of all townsmen who build Booths at the Mart, 6d. and of strangers 10d. a foot for their ground.
1660. April 13. The freemen at large claiming again, rather clamorously, a voice at the election of burgesses, the Hall thought proper to give way; Hare and Walpole were accordingly elected by the freemen at large.—May 29, 300 Young maids, dressed all in white, (200 of them at the expense of two wealthy individuals,) paraded through the principal streets, by way of joy and triumph for the king’s restoration, see p. [797].—Divine service now performed at St. Margaret’s, in summer at 5, and in winter at 6 o’clock in the morning, which had not been the case for the last ten years.
1661. Alderman Keeling expelled the Hall for non-residence.—Rent of South-gate tolls lowered from 15l. to 5l. a year.