Norfolk Annals
Chapter 176 : DECEMBER.3.-Died at Westbourne Terrace, Hyde Park, London, Mr. John Unthank. The third

DECEMBER.

3.-Died at Westbourne Terrace, Hyde Park, London, Mr. John Unthank. The third son of Mr. William Unthank, of Norwich, a solicitor in considerable practice and agent to Mr. c.o.ke, afterwards Earl of Leicester, he was born in 1798. In 1842 he was called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn, and joined the Northern Circuit, where, for several years, he practised as a special pleader. In 1859 he was appointed a Master of the Court of Queen's Bench, and held the post until 1878, when he retired, in consequence of ill-health.

7.-Died at 18, Bethel Street, Norwich, Mr. Frederick Lawrence Phillips, journalist, for many years editor and part proprietor of the "Norwich Argus." Mr. Phillips, who was sixty years of age, was originally intended for the legal profession, but took to the stage, upon which he achieved fair success, and married Miss Ellen Daly, a prominent actress of her day. An unfortunate accident, while playing Rob Roy, at Norwich Theatre, terminated his hope of advancement in the theatrical profession.

Confined to his couch for some time, he employed himself in the study of languages, and subsequently devoted himself to the translation of tales and dramas, and to the production of original dramatic works.

9.-The Rev. Osborne W. Tanc.o.c.k, M.A., of Exeter College, Oxford, seventeen years master at Sherborne School, was appointed master of Norwich Grammar School, in place of the Rev. Dr. Jessopp, on his presentation to the rectory of Scarning.

18.-The marriage of William Heveagre Legge, Viscount Lewisham, Member of Parliament for West Kent, eldest son of the Earl of Dartmouth, with Lady Mary c.o.ke, fourth daughter of the Earl of Leicester, took place at Holkham.

25.-Died at Threxton, aged 68, Mr. Thomas Edward Walter Barton. The Watton and Thetford Railway was originated mainly through Mr. Barton's instrumentality. His favourite study was archaeology, and he possessed a valuable antiquarian collection and library.

26.-The Christmas pantomime produced at Norwich Theatre by Mr. R. Hall was ent.i.tled, "Aladdin the Great."

27.-Died at his residence, Upper Surrey Street, Norwich, aged 68, Mr.

Thomas Brightwell, a well-known solicitor, and clerk to the Charity Trustees, in which office he was succeeded by Mr. E. S. Bignold.

1880.

JANUARY.

17.-Died at St. Giles' Street, Norwich, in his 63rd year, Mr. Arthur Morris Foster Morgan, surgeon. He was third son of Mr. Richard Morgan, actuary of the Norwich Union Life Insurance Society, and after completing his professional studies was appointed medical-officer of the Norwich Dispensary, a post which he relinquished on entering into private practice. Mr. Morgan was president of the Board of Directors of the Norwich Equitable Fire Insurance Company, and held several other public appointments. For twenty years he was a member of the Corporation, and for some time was an alderman of the city. In polities he was a Liberal.

FEBRUARY.

12.-Died at his residence, Stradsett Hall, near Downham Market, Sir William Bagge, Bart., M.P. One of twins born on June 17th, 1810, he was a son of Mr. Thomas Philip Bagge, and priority of birth ent.i.tled him to the family estates, to which he succeeded on the death of his father, on June 30th, 1827. In 1833 he married Frances, fourth daughter of Sir Thomas Preston, Bart., of Beeston Hall, and two years after made his entry into public life by acceding to a request to contest the Parliamentary representation of West Norfolk, which had hitherto been in undisturbed possession of the Whigs. In this first attempt to break down the political monopoly exercised in the division Mr. Bagge was unsuccessful; three years subsequently, however, he and Mr. Chute were returned. In 1841 he and his colleague were returned unopposed. In 1847 the Liberals made another attempt, and succeeded in electing one of their candidates, the Hon. E. K. c.o.ke, but were unable to displace Mr. Bagge from his position. In 1852 Mr. Bagge was joined by Mr. G. W. P.

Bentinck, and the contest resulted in an easy victory over Mr. Hamond.

It was deemed advisable by both sides in 1857 to have a compromise, and Mr. Bagge, "from private reasons, and a desire not to disturb the peace of the county," retired to make room for Mr. Gurdon, who, with Mr.

Bentinck, thereafter represented the division. At the General Election in 1865 the Conservatives resolved to take the entire representation, and Mr. Bentinck's state of health not allowing him to undertake the fatigue of a contest, Mr. Bagge was asked to come forward with the Hon. T. de Grey. The result was a large increase of Conservative strength and the return of both candidates. In 1867 the honour of a baronetcy was conferred upon Mr. Bagge, in recognition of his valuable political services. Sir William was succeeded by his eldest son, William Henry Ernest, who was born in 1840.

14.-A public meeting was held at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, for the purpose of making known in the county the aims and objects of the Farmers' Alliance. Mr. Henry Birkbeck presided, and it was a.s.serted that the society was non-political. "Everything pa.s.sed smoothly until the hon. member for South Norfolk, Mr. C. S. Read, ventured to take a different view from that of preceding speakers, and he was subjected to persistent interruption by certain well-known Liberal politicians." Mr.

J. Howard, president of the Alliance, and Mr. J. W. Barclay, M.P. for Forfars.h.i.+re, were among the speakers.

17.-Two monster pike were captured in private waters in the county. One, taken by Mr. Joseph English, of Upper St. Giles' Street, Norwich, weighed 30 lbs., and measured from the nose to the fork of the tail nearly 46 inches; its girth was 24 inches, and the length of its head 13 inches.

The other, killed by Mr. Frank Thorns, of Exchange Street, Norwich, was 47 inches in length, and 27 inches in girth; its head from the tip of the lower jaw to the edge of the gill covers was 13 inches.

21.-Died at Yarmouth, Mr. James Henry Orde. He was born in Jersey, graduated at Oriel College, Oxford, and was appointed a clerk in the War Office through the influence of his uncle, Lord Raglan. Mr. Orde was appointed private secretary to General Peele, Secretary of State for War, and held that office until 1859, when he went to Yarmouth, and devoted himself to public affairs in that town. He married Margaret Barclay, fourth daughter of Mr. Daniel Gurney, of North Runcton.

24.-Died at Ber Street, Norwich, Mr. Samuel Richardson, aged 73. He was well-known in scientific circles as a geologist and antiquary, and as a contributor to various periodicals.

25.-Died at his residence, the Upper Close, Norwich, Dr. Edward Copeman.

For nearly half a century he occupied a prominent position in the medical profession of East Anglia. The eldest son of Mr. Edward Breese Copeman, merchant, he was born at Great Witchingham on December 26th, 1809, and was educated at Trunch Grammar School, then conducted by the Rev. W.

Rees. He became a pupil of Mr. Arthur Brown, of Norwich, on whose death he was transferred to Mr. J. G. Crosse; he subsequently studied at St.

George's Hospital, London, and became M.R.C.S. and L.A.C. in 1832. Soon afterwards he was elected house-surgeon of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, which inst.i.tution he left to enter into general practice with Mr. W. Taylor, at Coltishall. In 1848 he returned to Norwich, and, having graduated as M.D. at Aberdeen University, established himself in consulting practice. Dr. Copeman was afterwards elected a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, became a member of the Royal College of Physicians, and in 1871 was made a Fellow of that body. In 1851 he was elected physician of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital; he was also physician to the Norwich Eye Infirmary, the Norwich Magdalen, and the Lying-in Charity, and was one of the founders of the Jenny Lind Infirmary for Sick Children, of which inst.i.tution he was the first physician. Dr.

Copeman was a magistrate of the city and a trustee of Doughty's Hospital.

A frequent contributor to the medical literature of the day, he was the author of several standard works, among which were "A Treatise on Apoplexy," "Records of Obstetric Practice," "Ill.u.s.trations of Puerperal Fever," "Cerebral Diseases of Infancy," "A History of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital," &c.

MARCH.

6.-A disastrous fire occurred at New Buckenham, in a range of shops and private houses. Damage was done to the amount of 3,000.

8.-Mr. William Amhurst Tyssen-Amherst was returned unopposed as the representative of the division of West Norfolk, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Sir William Bagge, Bart., M.P.

16.-At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council, the Town Clerk reported the receipt of a letter from the Home Office, informing him that the old City Gaol had been sold for 7,505, and that, in accordance with the provisions of the Prisons Act, the sum of 1,984 0s. 5d. was due from that amount to the Corporation.

29.-Mr. Charles Dillon, "one of the few living actors of the old school"

commenced a twelve nights' engagement at Norwich Theatre. He was supported by Miss Bella Mortimer. Among the plays produced were "Richelieu," "Oth.e.l.lo," "The Merchant of Venice," "The Gamester," "Much Ado about Nothing," and "Macbeth." The last-named tragedy was performed on Sat.u.r.day, April 10th, on which occasion Mr. Dillon made his final appearance on the Norwich stage. (_See_ June 24th, 1881.)

30.-The nomination of candidates for the representation of Norwich took place. The nominees were Mr. J. J. Column and Mr. J. H. Tillett (liberals), sad Mr. Henry Harben, of Seaford Lodge, Hampstead, and the Hon. F. W. B. Ma.s.sey-Mainwaring, 30, Grosvenor Place, London (Conservatives). The potting on the 31st resulted as follows: Colman, 6,549; Tillett, 6,512; Harben, 5,242; Ma.s.sey-Mainwaring 5,032.

31.-Sir Robert Jacob Buxton, Bart., and Mr. Clare Sewell Read (Conservatives), and Mr. Robert Thornhagh Gurdon (Liberal) were nominated candidates for the representation of South Norfolk. The polling took place on April 6th, and the counting of the ballot-papers was proceeded with at the s.h.i.+rehall, Norwich, on the 7th. "The result of the first count was a dead heat between Mr. Read and Mr. Gurdon, the numbers for both being 2,906. Mr. Read's agent demanded a second count, and on the clerks going through the papers, one of them discovered a voting-paper for Buxton and Read, on the back of which the voter, in distinct violation of the Ballot Act, had inscribed his name. The rejection of this paper made the numbers as between Mr. Read and Mr. Gurdon 2,905 and 2,906. Thus the seat was lost by one vote, and the official return was made as follows; Buxton, 2,917; Gurdon, 2,906; Read, 2905." A proposed pet.i.tion against the return of Mr. Gurdon was abandoned.

APRIL.

3.-Sir E. H. K. Lacon, Bart., and Mr. Edward Birkbeck were returned unopposed for the division of North Norfolk.

4.-The funeral took place at Langham of William Nelson, who died at the age of 101 years 4 months.

8.-Mr. Kay, Q.C., was appointed third Chairman of the Norfolk Court of Quarter Sessions.

-King's Lynn election took place, and resulted as follows: Sir W. ffolkes (Liberal), 1,286; the Hon. R. Bourke (Conservative), 1,257; Lord Claud J.

Hamilton (Conservative), 1,192; Mr. Frank Lockwood (Liberal), 1,151.

9.-Polling took place in the Western Division of Norfolk, and resulted as follows: Mr. William Amhurst Tyssen-Amherst, 2,671; Mr. G. Bentinck, 2,433; Mr. Anthony Hamond, 2,304.

10.-Mr. Thomas Johnson Seppings, of Wormegay Grange, Mayor of King's Lynn, died suddenly when presiding at a meeting of a Committee of the Corporation, held at the Town Hall. Mr. Seppings was in his 69th year.

14.-Lord Walsingham was elected second Chairman of Swaffham Quarter Sessions, in place of Sir William Bagge, deceased.

23.-Mr. Bret Harte, the celebrated American author, delivered, at Noverre's Rooms, Norwich, a lecture descriptive of early Californian life, ent.i.tled, "The Argonauts of '49."

MAY.

3.-The Norwich City Asylum, at h.e.l.lesdon, built by Messrs. Cornish and Gaymer, from plans by Mr. R. M. Phipson, was formally handed over to the Committee of Visitors by the contractors. The wards were designed for the accommodation of 311 patients, and the total cost of the Asylum, including land (1,841), and building (48,708) was 62,159.