Norfolk Annals
Chapter 170 : 5.-Mr. C. J. Palmer, author of "The Perl.u.s.tration of Great Yarmouth," was

5.-Mr. C. J. Palmer, author of "The Perl.u.s.tration of Great Yarmouth," was presented with a silver epergne and gold watch by the inhabitants of the borough, in recognition of his labours in antiquarian work and literature.

9.-Died at Norwich, aged 59, Mr. James Frederick Hill, for twenty-five years chorus master of the Norfolk and Norwich Triennial Musical Festival.

15.-A resolution having been pa.s.sed by the owners and ratepayers, declaring the expediency of the parish of East Dereham being const.i.tuted a local government district, Mr. Arnold Taylor, the inspector appointed for the purpose, held an inquiry at the a.s.sembly Rooms, and received evidence on the subject. The first Local Improvement Board was elected on August 1st.

19.-At Norwich Theatre, Mr. W. H. Pennington, "the celebrated tragic actor, one of the Six Hundred, formerly of the 11th Hussars, and one of the few wounded survivors of the world-famed light cavalry charge at Balaclava, on October 25th, 1854," made his first appearance, in the character of Hamlet, and was supported by Miss Viola Dacre as Ophelia.

On subsequent evenings Mr. Pennington appeared as Macbeth, Richard the Third, &c., and on the 23rd recited, in the uniform of his old regiment, "The Charge of the Light Brigade."

MARCH.

5.-Died at Great Yarmouth, Major-General Francis Montague Ommanney, R.A., aged 50 years. He was the youngest son of Mr. E. S. Ommanney, formerly of Yarmouth, by Henrietta, daughter of Sir Edmund Lacon, Bart. With the Royal Artillery he served in the West Indies, and saw much service in the Indian Mutiny, when he commanded a siege train under Sir Hugh Rose, afterwards Lord Strathnairn. He married Harriet Ellen, youngest daughter of Mr. John Mortlock Lacon.

6.-Died at Scratby, Benjamin Daniels, "the last of the giants of East Anglia." His age was 54; height, 6 ft. 6 in.; weight, 24 stones; width, from shoulder to shoulder across the back, 24 inches. He possessed great strength, and frequently loaded has own waggon by carrying four bushels of wheat under both arms at one time. "When in great haste to have his farm work done, the horses being much engaged, he has harnessed himself to one of his harrows and cultivated the land." Daniels was buried at Ormesby St. Margaret, on March 12th.

10.-An unprecedented incident occurred in the ring at Messrs. Stoodley and Harmston's Circus, at Norwich, during the performance of "d.i.c.k Turpin's Ride to York." After the "ride," which results in the death of Black Bess, the mare is removed from the scene on hurdles. On this occasion, when the grooms, at the conclusion of the performance, attempted to raise the animal, it was found that life was really extinct-Black Bess had sustained an internal rupture in leaping the "turnpike" gate. The animal was the property of a French-woman named Gaertner, and, as a trick horse, was valued at several hundred pounds.

15.-The Norfolk Staghounds had an extraordinary run. The meet was at Hempnall House, and fifty hors.e.m.e.n were present. The stag ran to Shelton and Alburgh, and then made to the right for Redenhall, through Stanton, Pulham St. Mary, and Pulham Market, crossing the turnpike by Carpenter's Walk, on through Wacton and Moulton, to Tivetshall station, where the first check of two minutes occurred-time, 1 hour 3 minutes; distance, 14 miles. The hounds again upon the line, went through Gissing to d.i.c.kleburgh, Burston, and Diss, made for the right to Shelfanger, when another slight check occurred. The field by this time had dwindled down to twelve. On again through Winfarthing to Kenninghall, to the left to Bridgham and East Harling, and back to Kenninghall, where the deer was recaptured and placed in a stable belonging to Messrs. Murton and Turner.

The distance was supposed to be 45 miles, and the run occupied 3 hours 5 minutes. "Among those who rode straightest to the end of this wonderful run were Hickman, the huntsman, who went like a bird, and handled his horse well; Mr. E. Fellowes, Mr. T. N. Ward, Mr. James Limmer, Mr. Cross, and two officers of the Royal Dragoons, from Norwich."

23.-A pet.i.tion having been sent to the Local Government Board by the Corporation of Norwich, asking them to issue a provisional order confirming an improvement scheme made under the Artisans' and Labourers'

Dwellings Improvement Act, 1875, with reference to an area in the parish of St. Paul which had been declared by the Medical-Officer of Health as unhealthy and unfit for habitation, Lieut.-Colonel Ponsonby c.o.x, R.E., one of the inspectors of the Local Government Board, held an inquiry at the Guildhall, for the purpose of ascertaining the correctness of the official representation. The inspector commended the scheme, and stated that it was of a most satisfactory character.

24.-Captain Tyler, inspector of railways, made an official inspection of the newly-constructed railway between Gunton and Cromer, and consented to its being opened for traffic on the 26th.

-At the Norwich a.s.sizes, before Mr. Baron Bramwell, Ann Farrow, a widow living at Nordelph, brought an action against John Robert Childs, stonemason, of Norwich, to recover damages for breach of promise of marriage. After a trial which lasted two days, and in which the plaintiff made some remarkable allegations, the jury returned a verdict for the defendant.

APRIL.

5.-A new organ, erected at Swaffham church, by Messrs. Bishop and Son, of London, was opened.

7.-At the adjourned Norwich Quarter Sessions, before the Recorder (Mr. W.

J. Metcalfe, Q.C.), a special jury was empanelled to a.s.sess the value of certain property in London Street, which the Corporation proposed to take under the compulsory provisions of their Act of Parliament for the purpose of widening the thoroughfare. At a meeting of the Town Council on May 8th, it was agreed that the owners be offered sums amounting to 9,818.

9.-Lieut.-Colonel Bignold was elected president of the Norwich Central Conservative Club, a position which conferred upon him the leaders.h.i.+p of the Conservative party in Norwich.

9.-The Norwich Corporation farms at Whitlingham and Kirby Bedon having entailed a loss to the city of 4,000 in five years, the Town Council accepted the tender of Mr. Garrett Taylor, of Easton, to hire them at the annual rent of 1,710.

12.-At a meeting held at the King's Arms Hotel, North Walsham, nearly 300 was subscribed to start a pack of harriers in North Norfolk, and an offer by Lord Suffield to keep the pack in his kennels at Gunton was unanimously accepted.

13.-Mr. Samuel Brandram, M.A., gave a dramatic recital at Noverre's Rooms, Norwich, in aid of the building fund of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. It was the first appearance in Norwich of this accomplished elocutionist, who was regarded as the legitimate successor of the great Bellew.

18.-The 5th Royal Irish Lancers, commanded by Colonel Dunham Ma.s.sy, of Redan fame, marched into Norwich from Aldershot, to relieve the 1st Dragoons (Royal).

30.-At Norwich Theatre, H. J. Byron's comedy, "Our Boys," was presented for the first time by Mr. Duck's company. The part of Perkyn Middlewick was played by Mr. F. Marshall.

-Died at Norwich, aged 36, Mr. Robert Edward Gibson, surgeon. He was the son of a solicitor, a former Mayor of Plymouth, and a nephew of Mr. C. M.

Gibson, his predecessor in the office of medical superintendent of the Norwich Bethel. For some years he was surgeon to the Jenny Lind Infirmary, and held the appointments of surgeon to the City Police, the Post Office staff, and the Workhouse. Mr. Gibson married a daughter of Mr. I. O. Taylor.

MAY.

19.-Died at his residence at Catton, Mr. Osborn Springfield, in his 65th year. He was a son of Mr. T. O. Springfield, and served the office of Mayor of Norwich in 18634. For many years he was a member of the Town Council and a magistrate for the city, and was reputed to be one of the largest owners of cottage property in Norwich. Mr. Springfield was a Liberal in politics.

26.-The Norwich Town Council accepted the resignation of Mr. C. Thwaites, City Engineer, on his appointment to a similar post in the borough of Sunderland. Mr. Peter Paul Marshall, of Stone, near Dartford, was elected to fill the vacancy.

JUNE.

7.-A grand military tournament, the first of its kind in Norwich, was given on the Lakenham Cricket Ground by the officers and men of the 5th Royal Irish Lancers, in aid of a fund for the widow and orphans of Mr. A.

Frayling, late bandmaster of the regiment.

14.-The veteran actor, Mr. Charles Mathews, commenced a three nights'

engagement at Norwich Theatre, as Adonis Evergreen, in the comedy of "My Awful Dad."

20.-The two days' show of the Norfolk Agricultural a.s.sociation was opened in the grounds of Walcot Hall, Diss. Sir Edward C. Kerrison, Bart., presided at the luncheon.

24.-Died at 12, Queensbury Place, London, Sir John Henry Thomas Manners Sutton, third Viscount Canterbury and Baron Bottesford. His lords.h.i.+p was the younger and only surviving son of the first Viscount Canterbury, better known as Sir Charles Manners Sutton, for seventeen years Speaker of the House of Commons. Educated at Eton and at Trinity College, Cambridge, he sat in Parliament in 183940 as member for Cambridge. He was again elected in 1841, on his appointment as Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department under Sir Robert Peel's second Administration.

From 1854 to 1861 he was Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick, and from 1864 to 1866 Governor of Trinidad. In the latter year he was appointed Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Victoria. On his lords.h.i.+p's return to England in 1873, he resided chiefly on his estate in Norfolk. He married, July 5th, 1838, Georgiana, youngest daughter of Mr. Charles Tompson, of Witchingham Hall, by whom he had, with other issue, the Hon.

Henry Charles Manners Sutton, who married Amyee Rachael, only daughter of the Hon. Frederick Walpole, M.P.

JULY.

5.-Mr. C. S. Read, M.P., gave evidence before the Select Committee appointed by the House of Commons to consider what further legislation might be necessary for the repression of cattle disease, and for the regulation of the importation of foreign cattle. Mr. Read insisted upon the necessity of slaughtering foreign fat beasts at the port of debarkation, and of a period of quarantine for store stock, which he would only allow to be landed at certain ports.

7.-At the Norwich Police Court, John L'Estrange, of Union Place, "the well-known archaeological authority, who has published one or two highly important and valuable works on the archaeology of Norfolk," was charged with forging the name of Francis Gostling Foster, distributor of stamps, with intent to defraud, and with stealing stamps to the amount of 1,400.

The prisoner had been in the office for twenty years, and had charge of the stamp department. He was committed for trial on the 13th, and at the ensuing a.s.sizes, on August 4th, pleaded guilty, and was sentenced by Sir James Fitzjames Stephen to seven years' penal servitude. L'Estrange died in Millbank Prison, from fistula, on October 15th.

14.-The Norfolk team won the China Cup at the Wimbledon meeting.

Exceedingly good shooting was made by Norfolk Volunteers, and upwards of 150 was brought to the county.

21.-Died at St. Leonard's-on-Sea, the Rev. John Nathaniel Micklethwait, of Taverham, aged 65. He was the eldest surviving son of Mr. Nathaniel Micklethwait, who was High Sheriff in 1810. In 1849 he married Emily Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Mr. Charles Mills, of Hillingdon Court, Middles.e.x, and succeeded to the family estates on the death of his brother, in July, 1856. Mr. Micklethwait had no family, and was succeeded by his next brother, Henry Nathaniel, born in 1814. He was a warm supporter of the Conservative party, took a great interest in agriculture, and, in his later years, turned his attention to the breeding of shorthorns, of which he had formed a fine herd.

21.-Died at Portman Square, London, Mr. William Earle Lytton Bulwer, of Heydon Hall, the chief representative of the old Norman family of Bulwer, which has held a leading position in Norfolk since the time of the Conquest. Mr. Bulwer was born April 29th, 1799, and was the eldest son of General William Earle Bulwer, who married Elizabeth, daughter and sole heiress of Mr. Richard Warburton Lytton, of Knebworth Park, Herts., and whose other sons were the celebrated novelist and statesman, Lord Lytton, and the well-known diplomatist, Baron Dalling and Bulwer. Mr. Bulwer succeeded to the estates of his father in 1807, and married, in 1827, Emily, youngest daughter of General Gascoyne, by whom he had three sons and three daughters. He married subsequently, in 1841, Elizabeth, daughter of William Green, of Forty Hill, Enfield. He was succeeded by his eldest son, William Earle Gascoyne Lytton, formerly of the Scots Fusilier Guards, who married, in 1855, Marion Dering, daughter and heiress of Mr. W. Lee Warner, of Quebec House, East Dereham. Mr. Bulwer was a Liberal in politics, and took a leading part in all political movements in North Norfolk, where he was popular as a landlord, and had considerable influence.

-The 3rd and 4th Battalions of Norfolk Rifle Volunteers, commanded respectively by Lieut.-Colonel Duff, M.P., and Lieut.-Colonel Gurdon, went into camp at Yarmouth, and on the 26th were inspected by Colonel Harenc.

25.-The two princ.i.p.al stones of the nave of St. James' church, Yarmouth, were laid by the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr. and Mrs. T. B. Steward). The sum of 2,300 had been collected for the erection of the nave. The architect was Mr. J. P. Seddon, and the contractor Mr. W. E. Martin, of Hereford. The work was completed at the cost of about 3,250, and the new building was opened on May 1st, 1878, when the sermon was preached by Dean Goulburn.

AUGUST.