Norfolk Annals
Chapter 69 : Alderman Thurtell, of Norwich, master-at-arms of the Atlas Indiaman."-*"Died

Alderman Thurtell, of Norwich, master-at-arms of the Atlas Indiaman."

-*"Died at Yarmouth, Mr. David Service, aged 52, the well-known author of the 'Caledonian Herd-boy' and many other poetical productions of considerable merit."

24.-The ward elections commenced at Norwich on this date. "Five s.h.i.+llings a man had been given on each side from the commencement; but about eleven o'clock a placard was put out from the window of the 'Blue and White' (the Reformers') room, bearing the words, 'The Blues pay gold.' This alteration in the market was followed, about an hour afterwards, by a similar declaration from the 'Orange and Purples.' From this moment stock looked up; the price for the freemen altered from five s.h.i.+llings to half a sovereign, and a whole sovereign, and so on to sums of which we are not prepared to limit the extent. A whole club, consisting of 20 members, calling themselves 'the Independent Club,' was purchased in the lump by one of the 'Blue and White' candidates. The price first demanded was 5 guineas a man, but others allow they were knocked down at the price of 50 gs."

APRIL.

2.-Died, aged 106, Thomas Sc.r.a.pe. "He was the father of Mrs. Lovell, of the Lobster Inn, St. John Maddermerket, Norwich, and was born at Stalham in 1722, in the 9th year of the reign of George I. He had been often heard to speak of remembering as a child the illuminations on the occasion of the accession of George II. At the age of 105 this extraordinary old man presided at a large convivial party at his residence. His pipe was his constant companion, and he was often to be seen smoking and enjoying it at his daughter's house, where his latter days were rendered comfortable."

3.-Tombland Fair, Norwich, was ushered in by a severe snowstorm. "The Banisters, the Samwells, the Chipperfields, the Adamses, and a host of other ornaments of the vagrant stage for daylight gauds and the practical wit of buffoons displayed themselves in imposing array." The only "rational" exhibition at the fair was Atkins' Menagerie.

5.-A vessel, named the Lord William Bentinck, was launched from the s.h.i.+pyard of Mr. Frederick Preston, at Yarmouth. She was nearly 500 tons burden, and the largest s.h.i.+p, with one exception, ever built at the port.

7.-Ching Lau Lauro, "the celebrated posture master and buffo from Drury Lane," appeared at Norwich Theatre. On the 10th he performed in a harlequinade, ent.i.tled, "The Man in the Moon." "No viler tissue of nonsensical stuff could be foisted on the patience of an insulted audience. It had more revolting coa.r.s.eness, and infinitely less ingenuity than ever characterised the worst puppet shows' clumsiest performers. 'Harlequin in the Shades' descended to the lowest vault of the Capulets, amidst universal hisses which such execrable trash deservedly called forth, in spite of Ching Lau Lauro swallowing his own head."

19.-The Norfolk County Cricket Club announced the completion of a new cricket ground at East Dereham, described as one of the best in the provinces.

25.-A remarkable whirlwind occurred at Gresham. "It came suddenly as in a moment from the south-west, accompanied by a roar like thunder, and taking a north-easterly direction towards Cromer, spent itself at sea.

The extreme force of the whirlwind lasted scarcely three minutes, but in that time it completely ruined one William Watts, by rending the sails and stocks from his mill, lifting the whole fabric from off the post, and crus.h.i.+ng the beams and inside works to pieces, together with the roof and walls of the round-house."

27.-Died at his house, Vauxhall, Lambeth, Mr. Thomas H. Hull, aged 74, "a gentleman well-known in Norwich and Norfolk for a great number of years, and where many of his beautifully-executed pictures remain as specimens of his superior talent in the miniature department of portrait painting."

MAY.

1.-Mr. Angell and Mr. Patteson were nominated for the Mayoralty of Norwich. Mr. W. Wilde nominated Mr. Alderman Thurtell, the senior alderman below the chair; and Mr. Alderman Yallop was also proposed. A poll was demanded, and the result was declared as follows: Thurtell, 1,144; Yallop, 1,148; Angell, 1,042; Patteson, 979. Application was made by Messrs. Angell and Patteson for the reopening of the books on the following morning, when the voting was: Thurtell, 1,210; Yallop, 1,212; Angell, 1,097; Patteson, 1,020. The Court of Aldermen subsequently elected Mr. Thurtell.

5.-A public meeting was held at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, under the presidency of the Mayor (Mr. Finch), at which resolutions were pa.s.sed affirming that it was objectionable to continue bounties on the export of sugar and prohibitory duties on the produce of Colonial free labour, by which slavery was supported at the expense of the British public. It was also decided to pet.i.tion Parliament to repeal such bounties and duties, and to take measures to ensure the immediate alleviation and the ultimate extinction of British Colonial slavery. The pet.i.tion, which was signed by 10,125 persons, measured 150 feet in length, and was presented in the House of Commons by Mr. William Smith.

6.-A new theatre was opened at North Walsham by Mr. Fisher, with the performance of the comic opera, "Sweethearts and Wives," and the musical farce of "The Turnpike Gate."

8.-Died at t.i.ttleshall, Mr. Thomas Riches, farmer, aged 69. "In his early life he for many years, by being pressed from Lynn, served his country at sea, and was in many distinguished actions. He was at Gibraltar, at the Chesapeak with Hood, in the same s.h.i.+p with our present Lord High Admiral, then a boy; and was in the Formidable (flags.h.i.+p) with Sir George, afterwards Lord Rodney, in the memorable battle of 1782, when M. De Gra.s.se was taken. On his discharge and his return to his native county, he embraced farming for a livelihood, and always retained many of the peculiarities and superst.i.tions of a sailor's life."

27.-The first seaborne vessel from London to Norwich port direct, the Thames steam packet, Capt. John Morley, arrived at Carrow Bridge. She was of 120 tons burden, 82 feet in length, and handsomely fitted up for the accommodation of pa.s.sengers. The duration of her voyage was 28 hours.

-The Norwich Corporation decided to rebuild Fye Bridge of iron, in accordance with the plans of Mr. Stone. The foundation-stone of the new bridge was laid by the Mayor (Mr. Thurtell) on June 2nd, 1829.

JUNE.

9.-Mr. Kean, jun., made his first appearance at Norwich Theatre in the character of Romeo. During his engagement he appeared also as Jaffier ("Venice Preserved") and Felix ("Hunter of the Alps"). "It is difficult, indeed, to imagine," says the critic, "what besides an irresistible _penchant_ for the stage and an hereditary attachment for the most elevated dramatic work, could have induced this gentleman to choose the profession of a tragedian. Of a stature rather below the middle size, and with a countenance that forms no index of the heroic mind, the younger Kean seems studious of displaying all those peculiarities of att.i.tude, action, and intonation which we have been accustomed to regard rather as defects than as excellencies in his justly celebrated father.

The genius of the elder Kean does not s.h.i.+ne forth in his son."

-A prize-fight took place between Warren and c.o.c.ks, light weights, for 50 a side. The gathering, which was at Mattishall, was attended by many of the princ.i.p.al gentry in the county, and by several members of the London ring, including Phil Sampson (conqueror of Big Brown), d.i.c.k Curtis, Tom Oliver, Frank Redmond, Ned Stockman, and Frosty-Faced Fogo, "the Poet Laureate of the Ring." The combatants met in a meadow belonging to Mr. Petch.e.l.l, but a magistrate interfered, and a move was made to Elsing Common, where the fight was brought off. c.o.c.ks was attended by Ned Painter and Ben Gale, and Warren by Curtis and Redmond.

Forty-one rounds were fought in 56 minutes. c.o.c.ks, who won, threw his man 23 times in the first 25 rounds.

17.-Guild Day was celebrated in Norwich. Mr. Alderman Thurtell, on being sworn in as Mayor, stated that he stood in rotation for the office in 1818, and to his utter astonishment the late Mr. Back was put in nomination and elected. "I thank G.o.d," he added, "I have had nerve enough to break all connection with a set of men who have acted with so much duplicity and injustice towards me." The Guild feast at St.

Andrew's Hall was attended by 460 guests.

24.-Died, Captain John Murray Browne, of the 75th Regiment, aged 36, only son of the Rev. M. Browne, Minor Canon of Norwich Cathedral, and grandson of Dr. John Murray. Capt. Browne, who was drowned while fis.h.i.+ng on a Lake near Mullingar, had been in the Army from his youth, and served throughout the Peninsular War. He was the author of a work ent.i.tled, "The State of Portugal, by an eyewitness."

26.-Died at Hingham, suddenly, Charles Alexander, aged 23, "an excellent cricketer, and the fastest length bowler in the county."

JULY.

4.-A severe storm occurred in the Dereham, Fakenham, and Cromer districts. Unsettled weather prevailed until the 13th, when the lower parts of Norwich and the meadows and marshes above and below the city were flooded. Much meadow hay was swept away, and the grain crops beaten down.

8.-Twenty-three mackerel luggers contested for a subscription purse of 100, at Yarmouth. The race, which took place in the Roads, was won by the Brothers (Capt. John Ayres), owned by Messrs. R. and B. Fenn.

9.-An inter-county cricket match, Norfolk _v._ Lincolns.h.i.+re, was commenced at East Dereham. Scores: Lincoln, 110; Norfolk, 74-30. At the conclusion of the first day's play, a dinner, presided over by Lord Suffield, and attended by eighty-six ladies and gentlemen, was given at the a.s.sembly Rooms; and on the 10th a grand ball took place in the evening.

12.-The following statement was published of the number of benefits, with the gross receipts, at Norwich Theatre during the period of 22 years, ending 1828:-

Number of benefits. Gross receipts.

1807 15 1090 1808 17 1870 1809 18 1540 1810 20 1610 1811 21 1890 1812 23 2140 1813 23 1970 1814 25 1940 1815 23 1890 1816 19 1250 1817 15 1050 1818 14 1360 1819 14 1320 1820 17 1410 1821 20 1670 1822 21 1620 1823 22 1720 1824 23 1690 1825 22 1900 1826 25 1760 1827 21 1450 1828 23 1430 441 85070

16.-At the Norfolk Quarter Sessions, Mr. T. W. c.o.ke, M.P., gave notice that at the ensuing October Sessions he would move "that reporters for the newspapers be admitted into the Grand Jury Chamber when the magistrates a.s.semble there at Quarter Sessions for the despatch of the business of the county." The motion was discussed on October 17th, when, after three hours' debate, the Court divided, with the following result: For the motion, 46; against, 45.

22.-Died at Stalham, aged 103, Isabella Perowne.

25.-A Jews' Synagogue was opened in the parish of St. George, Tombland, Norwich.

26.-The announcement was made that the Norwich Cricket Club had "engrafted an archery branch" on their own "excellent establishment."

The members of the Archery Club were permitted the use of the Norwich Cricket Ground on certain days.

AUGUST.

4.-Died at the Deanery, in his 83rd year, the Very Rev. James Turner, D.D., F.S.A., Dean of Norwich, Master of Pembroke Hall, Cambridge, and rector of Sudbourne and Orford, Suffolk. He was installed Dean of Norwich on June 24th, 1790. His remains were interred in the Cathedral on August 12th. Dean Turner was succeeded by the Hon. and Rev. George Pellew, Prebendary of Canterbury and of York, and third son of Lord Viscount Exmouth. Dean Pellew was installed on December 13th.

11.-A libel action, Maitland _v._ Kinnebrook, was tried at the Norwich a.s.sizes, before Lord Chief Baron Alexander. The plaintiff was an attorney living at North Walsham, and the defendant one of the proprietors of the "Norwich Mercury." The libel, which the defendant admitted, was contained in a letter published in the "Mercury." The plaintiff had provoked and carried on a newspaper correspondence, and because the defendant published the replies of adversaries of the plaintiff's own creation, the plaintiff sued him for damages, which the jury a.s.sessed at one farthing.

-Exchange Street, Norwich, was first opened to the public. There was no communication, however, with St. Andrew's Street, and it was not until April, 1829, that operations were commenced for the removal of the old buildings at the north end of the new thoroughfare. That portion of the street was opened to the public on May 21st, 1832; and public business was for the first time transacted in the Post Office erected there, on June 25th, 1832.

-The members of the Norfolk and Suffolk Inst.i.tution, the new t.i.tle by which the Norwich Society of Artists established in 1805 was known, celebrated the opening of their new gallery in Exchange Street by dining at the Norfolk Hotel, under the presidency of Mr. J. B. Crome, with Mr.

Stark in the vice-chair. The first exhibition in the new gallery was opened on the 13th, and was visited in state by the Mayor, Sheriffs, and Aldermen.

26.-Mr. George Grout was elected freemen's Sheriff at Norwich.

SEPTEMBER.