Norfolk Annals
Chapter 163 : 2.-Died at Neal's Square, St. Benedict's Church Alley, Norwich, Susannah Ste

2.-Died at Neal's Square, St. Benedict's Church Alley, Norwich, Susannah Steavenson, in her 105th year. "A few days ago she repeated no less than thirty verses which she had learnt at school 95 years ago. She attended the Mayor's feast, given to the aged poor last Whit-Monday, and was accompanied by her daughter, aged 79. Mrs. Steavonson was born December 14th, 1769, and, according to a certificate given in 1836 by the Rev. W.

F. Blakewell, the then minister at the Octagon chapel, was baptised there on December 24th, 1769. She was the daughter of Joshua Sabberton, chairmaker, in St. George's Colegate."

7.-Died at Saxlingham Hall, Mr. Edward Steward, aged 67. He was the last Tory Alderman elected under the old Corporation, and, owing to his youth, was known as "The Boy Alderman." In 1832 he fought a severe contest with Mr. (afterwards Sir William) Foster, for the office of Freemen's Sheriff, and was defeated by seven votes only. In the following year he was elected without opposition, and served in conjunction with Mr. W. J.

Utten Browne. Mr. Steward was president of the Norwich Union Fire Office.

13.-Died at his residence, St. Giles' Street, Norwich, Mr. John G.o.dwin Johnson, in his 77th year. Born November 26th, 1797, he was the youngest son of Mr. John Johnson, for many years Governor of Norwich Castle. He became a pupil of Dr. Rigby, and afterwards joining Mr. Page Scott, commenced a long and successful career as a medical pract.i.tioner. Mr.

Johnson was a member of both the old and "reformed" Corporations, was elected Mayor in 1855, and for twenty-five years was on the Haven and Pier Commission. He took a prominent part in founding the Jenny Lind Infirmary for Sick Children.

13.-Died at Amelie les Bains, Mr. Charles Mends Gibson, F.R.C.S., aged 65. He was for many years resident medical-officer of the Norwich Bethel, devoted much of his time to scientific pursuits, was a member of the Royal Microscopical and other societies, and a warm supporter of the Norfolk and Norwich Museum and Literary Inst.i.tution.

-At a meeting of the Norwich Union Fire Insurance Society, Sir Samuel Bignold was presented by the proprietors with his portrait (painted by Sandys), in recognition of his long and successful services as secretary.

16.-The marriage of Lady Anne c.o.ke, second daughter of the Earl of Leicester, with Lieut.-Colonel Edmund Manningham Buller, of the Rifle Brigade, second son of Sir Edward Manningham Buller, of Dilhorn Hall, Staffords.h.i.+re, was solemnised at Holkham church.

20.-At a special meeting of the Norwich Town Council, the report of Mr.

J. W. Bazalgette on the condition of the low-level sewer was adopted, and it was agreed to consult Sir John Hawkshaw and Mr. J. F. Bateman. On July 21st it was decided, on their recommendation, to line the sewer with cast-iron tubing; and on November 17th the Council pa.s.sed a resolution in favour of applying to the Local Government Board for powers to raise for the purpose a sum not exceeding 25,000, on mortgage of the General District Rates.

23.-The marriage of the Duke of Edinburgh was celebrated in Norwich by the partial decoration of the city. The 3rd Dragoon Guards and the Volunteers paraded in the Market Place and fired a _feu de joie_, and at a special meeting of the Town Council congratulatory addresses were adopted and the loving-cup pa.s.sed round. At night a display of fireworks took place on the Castle Meadow, and on the 27th the Mayor gave a _soiree_ at St. Andrew's Hall.

31.-The General Election, the first contested under the Ballot Act, commenced in Norfolk, with the unopposed return for the Northern Division of the Hon. Frederick Walpole and Sir Edmund K. Lacon, Bart.

-King's Lynn election took place. The candidates were the Hon. R.

Bourke, 1,163 votes; Lord Claud Hamilton, 1,093; Sir William ffolkes, Bart., 999; and Mr. E. R. Wodehouse, 895.

FEBRUARY.

2.-Sir William Bagge, Bart., and Mr. G. W. P. Bentinck were returned unopposed for West Norfolk.

4.-Polling took place at Norwich, "when, owing to the operation of the Ballot Act, there was less excitement than usual." The votes were counted on the 5th, and the poll was declared at five o'clock, as follows: Mr. J. J. Colman, 6,138; Mr. J. W. Huddleston, Q.C., 5,823; Mr.

J. H. Tillett, 5,776; and Sir H. J. Stracey, Bart., 5,290. The number of votes polled was 11,786, and the time occupied in counting, eight hours.

(_See_ August 16th, 1875.)

10.-The South Norfolk election took place. The votes were counted at the s.h.i.+rehall, Norwich, on the 11th, and the result was declared as follows: Mr. C. S. Read, 3,146; Sir R. J. Buxton, Bart., 3,010; Mr. R. T. Gurdon, 2,699. Mr. Read, M.P., and Sir R. J. Buxton, M.P., were, on April 9th, entertained at a banquet given at Wymondham by the Conservatives of the district, when Mr. H. W. B. Edwards, chairman of the South Norfolk Conservative Registration a.s.sociation, presided.

14.-Died at Snetterton, Sarah Edwards, aged 100 years.

15.-Died at St. John Maddermarket, Norwich, the Rev. John Dalton, canon of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Northampton, in his 60th year. Canon Dalton was of Irish parentage, and pa.s.sed the early years of his life at Coventry. After his ordination, he was employed on missions at Northampton, Lynn, and Norwich. In 185859 he resided at St. Alban's College, Valladolid, in Spain. He returned to that country in 1866, to collect subscriptions towards the erection in London of a cathedral in memory of the ill.u.s.trious Cardinal Wiseman, who was himself born in Spain; his mission was, however, unsuccessful. Canon Dalton was the author of several theological works. "Amiable, genial-hearted, charitable, and good, no sectarian difference was ever suffered to affect that thorough respect and esteem which was extended to him from the representatives of all creeds."

28.-At a meeting of the Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture, held at the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich, a resolution was adopted expressive of satisfaction on the appointment of the President, Mr. C. S. Read, M.P., as Parliamentary Secretary of the Local Government Board.

MARCH.

14.-A meeting of the agriculturists of the county, whose interests were affected by the action of the Labourers' Union, was held at the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich, "to take action with reference to the demands now being pressed upon the occupiers of the soil." It was decided to form a Norfolk Farmers' Labour Defence a.s.sociation. Another meeting took place on April 25th, for promoting the objects of the a.s.sociation. Many meetings were held throughout the county by the Labourers' Union during this year, and much strong feeling was manifested. At the Norfolk Lent a.s.sizes, on March 28th, before Mr. Justice Blackburn, the Rev. John Spurgin, vicar of Hockham, brought an action against Mr. John Edward Matthew Vincent, of the "Labourers' Union Chronicle," for publis.h.i.+ng a false and malicious libel, "whereby he was injured in his credit and reputation as a clergyman." The paper, which was published at Leamington, alleged that the "reverend divine" claimed t.i.the on charity coals supplied to the poor paris.h.i.+oners, and "had two tons out of the twenty carted to his divine rectory, for his own consumption." The defendant afterwards expressed deep regret for publis.h.i.+ng the imputation, and the jury found a verdict for the plaintiff-damages 100.

APRIL.

19.-Died, while on a visit to Norwich, Mr. Robert Seaman, of Tunbridge Wells, aged 63. He served the office of Sheriff in 185657, and was a magistrate for the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk.

MAY.

2.-The marriage of Lady Margaret c.o.ke, sixth daughter of the Earl of Leicester, with the Hon. H. Strutt, eldest son of Lord Belper, took place at Holkham church.

5.-Died at his residence, Newmarket Road, Norwich, Mr. John Robison. He was born in Norwich in November, 1809, was for many years a partner in the firm of Grout and Co., and in 1868 served the office of Sheriff.

9.-Died in London, Lieut.-General Sir Archdale Wilson, G.C.B., Colonel commandant Royal Artillery. Born in 1803, he was a son of the Rev.

George Wilson, of Kirby Cane (uncle of Lord Berners), by a daughter of the Rev. C. Millard, Chancellor of Norwich. He entered the service of the East India Company, and went through some of the earlier campaigns in India. For his eminent services during the Indian Mutiny he received the thanks of both Houses of Parliament, and was nominated in succession Companion, Knight Commander, and Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath. General Wilson was granted a pension of 1,000 a year by the East India Company, and created a baronet. He was a brother of Mr. Philip Wilson, a Lynn solicitor, with whom he resided for some time after his return from India, and was succeeded in the baronetcy by his nephew, Mr. Rowland Knyvett Wilson, Fellow of King's College, Cambridge.

15.-Died at his residence, Unthank's Road, Norwich, Mr. John Briggs, who for many years was connected with the firm of Messrs. Bullard and Sons.

Early in life Mr. Briggs married a sister-in-law of Mr. Richard Bullard, and sailed for America, where he landed with only a few s.h.i.+llings in his pocket. He offered his services as an a.s.sistant in a lithographic establishment, and though practically unacquainted with the business beyond a taste for drawing, he not only secured the appointment, but in a short time acquired sufficient knowledge of the art to earn a fair competence for himself. Amongst other work which subsequently came into his hands was the drawing of plans for many of the streets and blocks of buildings in Chicago, of which the chief part were destroyed in the great fire. Mr. Briggs made several remunerative purchases of land in the United States. Ill-health compelled him to return to England, and, settling in Norwich, he joined his brother-in-law in the Anchor Brewery, the success of which was greatly promoted by his active business habits.

19.-At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council, certain members expressed strong disapproval of the action of the City Committee "in ordering the destruction of the chapel of Thomas a Becket, one of the archaeological gems of the city." Several members stated that they had never heard of the place, and the Town Clerk informed the Council that the chapel was "a vault at the back of the Dutch church," and had been converted into a place of storage. The subject was discussed at a meeting of the Norfolk and Norwich Archaeological Society, on the 20th, when Mr. Gunn referred to the members of the Town Council as "a pachydermatous set," and Sir Francis Boileau described them as "ruthless Goths."

25.-The Mayor and Sheriff of Norwich entertained, at St. Andrew's Hall, 1,600 of the aged poor of the city, in celebration of the Queen's birthday.

JUNE.

3.-Died, aged 69, Mr. John Oddin Taylor, of Norwich. He was an Alderman of the city, "and the grand Cattle Market and Prince of Wales Road, for which we are mainly indebted to him, are monuments of his far-seeing judgment and untiring zeal." Descended from a long line of Norfolk yeomen, Mr. Taylor was born at Thuxton, on April 26th, 1805, and in due course was articled to Mr. T. Bignold and Mr. T. Brightwell. In politics he was one of the old school of Whigs, and on the pa.s.sing of the Munic.i.p.al Reform Act in 1835 became a member of the Corporation. Mr.

Taylor was one of the Liberals who protested against the displacement of the old Corporation officials. He served the office of Mayor in 186162; was made a Deputy-Lieutenant of the county in acknowledgment of his political services as Liberal agent, and was a trustee of the Grammar and Commercial Schools, and an active member of the Committee of the Norfolk and Norwich Triennial Musical Festival. Mr. Taylor married the eldest daughter of Mr. Brewer, of Mile End House, Norwich, and of the marriage there were two sons and three daughters.

15.-A fire took place on the premises of Mr. Dixon, silversmith and jeweller, of London Street, Norwich, and did damage to the amount of 2,000.

17.-The annual show of the Norfolk Agricultural a.s.sociation commenced at Norwich. It was held upon the grounds of the Sheriff (Mr. A. R.

Chamberlin), on Ipswich Road, and the luncheon was under the presidency of Mr. J. J. Colman, M.P.

18.-A meeting of the Norfolk and Norwich Provident Building Society was held at the Bell Hotel, Norwich, under the presidency of Mr. H. S.

Patteson, when it was reported that the secretary, Mr. Josiah b.u.t.tifant, had left the city on the 2nd inst., ostensibly for the purpose of taking a holiday; but it was afterwards discovered that he had committed defalcations to the amount of about 5,000. A committee was appointed to consider the best course to be adopted, and soon afterwards a pet.i.tion was presented for the winding-up of the society, and a warrant issued for the apprehension of b.u.t.tifant. On July 6th William Frederick Fish, a clerk in the employment of b.u.t.tifant, was taken into custody, on the information of Samuel Beckett Hook, a shareholder in the society, on the charge of cheating and defrauding Agas Goose and others, trustees, of the sum of 10 7s., and on other days of divers other sums, amounting in the whole to 10,000. The accused was finally committed for trial on July 20th; and on July 27th Mr. Justice Blackburn granted an application for a writ of _certiorari_ to remove the trial of Fish to the Central Criminal Court. On August 14th a telegram was received in Norwich, announcing that b.u.t.tifant had been arrested at Valentia. The arrest was effected on August 7th, by Detective Williamson, of the Norwich police. b.u.t.tifant and his son Archibald were staying, under the name of Biron, at the Hotel de Ville Madrid, Valentia. He was brought to England, _via_ Ma.r.s.eilles, reached Norwich on August 14th, and underwent his preliminary examination before the magistrates on the 15th, on charges of forgery and embezzlement. After several remands he was committed for trial at the Norwich a.s.sizes. At the Central Criminal Court, on November 25th, Fish was placed upon his trial, on the charge of stealing 39 2s., and of aiding and a.s.sisting b.u.t.tifant in the embezzlement, and was sentenced by Mr. Baron Pollock to sixteen calendar months' imprisonment, with hard labour. (_See_ March 25th, 1875.)

JULY.

6.-The first prize-day was held at the resuscitated Grammar School at North Walsham. In 1606 Sir William Paston founded a free Grammar School in the town for forty boys, sons of inhabitants of the Hundreds of Tunstead, North Erpingham, Happing, and East and West Flegg. The school gradually decayed until only the head-master remained. In 1871 Mr.

Robert Wortley called attention to the fact that the endowment was lying perfectly useless; an appeal was made to the Endowed School Commission to take action, and finally the Committee of Council on Education adapted a scheme for the management of the school. New governors were appointed, with Lord Suffield as president, the school house and master's house were restored, and the Rev. F. R. Pentreath, formerly master of Retford Grammar School, appointed head-master. The school was re-opened in February, 1874.

8.-The foundation-stone of the Baptist church in Unthank's Road, Norwich, was laid by Mr. J. J. Colman, M.P. The building, which was designed by Mr. Edward Boardman, and was estimated to cost 5,000, was opened for public wors.h.i.+p on July 8th, 1875.

11.-During the week ending this date the 3rd Dragoon Guards marched from the Cavalry Barracks, Norwich, _en route_ to York.