Norfolk Annals
Chapter 71 : FEBRUARY.7.*-"So great is the panic in Lynn in the minds of the credulous with ref

FEBRUARY.

7.*-"So great is the panic in Lynn in the minds of the credulous with reference to the resurrectionists, that an individual who was consigned to the grave had round his coffin 13 iron hoops, and in the lid 50 screws."

9.-A brig of 100 tons burden was "raised" at Mr. T. Batley's staith at Carrow, Norwich. Upon the stem of the vessel was the inscription: "This is the first seaborne vessel that was ever built in Norwich. Began January, 1829, by Thomas Batley, and the first bolt was driven by C.

Brown, Esq., Alderman of this city." The vessel, which was named the Spring (Capt. Brook), was launched on May 28th. She had two masts, brig-rigged fore and schooner-rigged aft, and was intended for the general trade.

11.-Downham Theatre was opened by Mr. Smedley, in consequence of Mr.

Fisher declining that portion of the circuit. "The painting of the ceiling, together with the panelling and ornaments in front of the boxes and gallery, have a very lively effect, and give it the appearance of a neat and modern theatre."

14.-Heigham House, Norwich, was opened under the management of Mr.

Jollye, formerly of Loddon, as a retreat for insane persons.

-An extraordinary marriage took place at Yarmouth. A boy, 15 years of age, the son of a respectable tradesman, absconded from his home and married a Mrs. Bull, a widow, aged 43, the mother of five children. "The fact was ascertained by application to the Rev. Thomas Browne, D.D., at Gorleston."

15.-Lieut.-Col. Harvey conveyed to London a pet.i.tion signed by 8,920 of the inhabitants of Norwich against the claims of the Roman Catholics. It was presented in due course in the House of Commons. On the 17th the Mayor and Aldermen, and the members of the Common Council of Norwich, adopted pet.i.tions in favour of the Roman Catholic claims.

21.-The "African Roscius" (known also by the name of Keene) appeared at Norwich Theatre as Oth.e.l.lo. On subsequent evenings he performed the parts of Mungo ("The Padlock"), Oroonoko, Bajazet ("Tamerlane"), Rolla ("Pizzaro"), Alambra ("Paul and Virginia"), and Sambo ("Live when you can").

28.*-"In the Court of Exchequer, last week, an information was filed against Robert Hudson, a paper manufacturer, of Norwich, for arrears of duty on a quant.i.ty of paper removed from a mill at Lyng without bearing the Excise mark. A verdict was returned for the Crown-damages, 300.

The defendant is now in prison on a former conviction for penalties to the amount of 1,000."

MARCH.

5.-The Westacre Staghounds had a remarkable run. The meet was at Watton, where the stag was turned off, and led a field of between 60 and 70 to Ovington, s.h.i.+pdham, Whinbergh, over Reymerston Common, touching Southbergh, to Carbrooke, crossing Griston Common, to Thompson Heath.

Here there was a short check, which was. .h.i.t off in good style, and away they went for Tottington, on to Wretham, leaving the decoy on the left, thence to Kilverstone and Brettenham Heaths, to the left of Croxton, and to the River Ouze, which was crossed between Santon Downham and Thetford.

Only nine hors.e.m.e.n forded the river; they dashed away across the open in the direction of Barton Mills, where another check occurred. They then pa.s.sed over w.a.n.gford Warren to Lakenheath Common, straight for Bramber Hall, and the stag was killed in the plantations of Mr. Edward Bliss, after a run of three hours and three-quarters. (The hounds were advertised to be sold at the first Newmarket meeting, April 22nd.)

22.-Died at Diss, aged 105 years 6 months, Mrs. Philip Bacon.

23.-A prize-fight took place at Thurton, between Garratt, the Suffolk champion, and Mendham, the Norfolk Youth, for 10 a side. They were also backed for 25. Mendham was seconded by Ned Painter, and Garratt by Wigg. Thirty-five rounds were fought in 1 hour 25 mins. Garratt was the winner. "The crowd to view the fight was very large, and consisted of a due mixture of the s.e.xes."

APRIL.

8.-Died at Shotesham, Mr. Robert Fellowes, aged 87. He was for many years an active magistrate of the county, and represented Norwich in Parliament from 1802 to 1806.

13.-Two troops of the 7th Dragoon Guards, under the command of Capt.

Nugent, arrived at Norwich, to replace the 12th Lancers, ordered to York.

18.-The execution took place on Castle Hill, Norwich, of John Wood (41) and Thomas Butler (29), for sheep stealing, and of Richard Everett (28), for horse stealing. "The number of women present amounted to at least two to one man, and, what was yet more remarkable, crowds of women brought young children with them."

20.-Miss Foote, of Drury Lane Theatre, commenced an engagement at the Theatre Royal, Norwich, where she appeared as Let.i.tia Hardy ("The Belle's Stratagem"), Variella ("The Weatherc.o.c.k"), Rosalind, Zephyrina ("The Lady and the Devil"), Violante ("The Wonder"), Arinette ("The Little Jockey"), Beatrice, and Maria Darlington ("A Roland for an Oliver").

21.-A vessel of 313 tons was launched from the yard of Messrs. H. Fellows and Co., Yarmouth.

23.-A new suspension bridge, erected over the Bure at Yarmouth, by Mr.

Robert Cory, jun., was opened with much ceremony. The contractor was Mr.

G.o.dfrey G.o.ddard. (_See_ May 2nd, 1845.)

MAY.

1.-Mr. T. O. Springfield was elected Mayor of Norwich.

3.-The freedom of Norwich was conferred upon Mr. Edward Hall Alderson, barrister-at-law, eldest son of Mr. Robert Alderson, Recorder of the city.

-The Norwich Corporation voted a grant of 100 to the Norfolk and Suffolk Artists' Society, "to a.s.sist in enabling them to enlarge their premises and to purchase casts and models, with the view to the further promotion of the fine arts in this part of the country."

-An illuminated clock was ordered to be placed "on the top of the Guildhall, next the Market Place."

14.-The body of a woman named Gooderham was found murdered in Broome Lane, Diss. After an inquiry lasting six days, during which 41 witnesses were examined, the Coroner's jury returned a verdict of "Wilful murder against some person or persons unknown."

20.-Died, aged 71, Mr. John Dawson Downes, of Lowestoft (formerly of Yarmouth), "a gentleman well known to the sporting world, and in this county as the only constant follower of that n.o.ble diversion, hawking."

23.*-[Advt.] "c.o.c.king: A double-day's play of c.o.c.king will be fought between the gentlemen of Swaffham and Wisbech, on Wednesday, May 27th, at the Coffee Pot Inn, Downham, for 10 a battle and 50 the odd. Feeders: Leech for Swaffham; Foster for Wisbech."

28.-The bounds were beaten at Lynn by the clergyman, churchwardens, and officers of the parish, accompanied by 236 boys from the Free School.

"The place of rendezvous was St. Margaret's church, where, on entering, each boy was supplied with a long white-wand. At ten o'clock the procession set out for the sh.o.r.e of the harbour, and at the expiration of two hours returned again to the same place, having performed the usual evolutions of ducking, tubbing, and other ceremonies peculiar to such occasions. The boundaries of this place appear to terminate in some very singular points, as the parties had to enter several houses by the door and make their exit through the window. At the close of the circuit, the boys were all seated in the Crown Yard and regaled with a large plum bun and half a pint of beer each, and the elders dined at the Crown Tavern."

31.-At Norwich Theatre was performed, for the first time, a tragedy written by Mr. J. Smith, ent.i.tled, "Ralph de BiG.o.d, Earl of Norwich."

JUNE.

3.-The old City Gaol, situate opposite the Guildhall, with a frontage of 70 feet and a depth of 156 feet, was sold by auction to Messrs. De Caux, Son, and Pratt, for 1,570; and the old Bridewell, in St. Andrew's, with a frontage of 64 feet and a depth of 100 feet, was purchased on the same date by Mr. J. Curr, for 1,140.

9.-Miss Paton appeared at Norwich Theatre as Rosetta ("Love in a Village"). Her other impersonations during her engagement included Rosina ("The Barber of Seville"), Susanna ("The Marriage of Figaro"), Mary Copp ("Charles the Second"), Roxalana ("The Sultan"). Miss Paton cleared 140 at her benefit performance.

15.-At an a.s.sembly of the Norwich Corporation, the retiring Mayor (Mr.

Thurtell), in replying to the customary vote of thanks, complained that he had been repeatedly insulted during his year of office. "I have been attacked by a bulldog," he said, "and the yap has been continually barking at my heels, and language has been applied to me that would disgrace Billingsgate itself."

16.-Guild Day at Norwich. Mr. T. O. Springfield was sworn in as Mayor.

Great confusion was caused by an altercation between Mr. Thurtell and Mr.

Crisp Brown. The Guild feast was held at St. Andrew's Hall, and a ball took place at the a.s.sembly Rooms.

18.-The Rev. H. R. Bowles (formerly of Norwich Theatre), master of the Yarmouth Academy, was entertained at luncheon at the Black Lion Tavern in that town, and presented by his former pupils with a silver salver weighing 84 ozs. In his reply, he said that far different pursuits had occupied his earlier years, but for twenty years he had never been absent a day from his school-room for pleasure.

29.-The annual cattle fair held at s.h.i.+pdham, on St. Peter's-day, in accordance with the terms of a charter granted by Henry III., was this year revived.

JULY.