Norfolk Annals
Chapter 67 : APRIL.1.-A newly-erected malthouse, belonging to Mr. W. Hardy, at Letheringsett, was de

APRIL.

1.-A newly-erected malthouse, belonging to Mr. W. Hardy, at Letheringsett, was destroyed by fire. The building was 150 feet by 40 feet, and contained 90 last of malt, a considerable quant.i.ty of wool, barley, and empty casks. "The engine from Holt did not arrive until after the roof fell in, the people supposing the alarm of fire to be only an April hoax."

2.-The annual election of Common Councilmen commenced at Norwich. "For several years 'cleansing week' has pa.s.sed off without any serious contests, and the 'Purple and Orange' party has held uninterrupted ascendency in three of the great wards since 1820. All at once, however, the 'Blue and Whites' have roused themselves from their inaction, and again entering the field of party warfare, have succeeded in displacing their opponents. It is useless to deny that the week's proceedings have been marked by undisguised bribery and corruption, and that the object of the triumphant party has mainly been achieved by superior weight of metal-by dint of money."

10.-Died at his residence in London, aged 78, the Marquis of Cholmondeley, of Houghton Hall, Lord Steward of his Majesty's Household, &c.

13.-Died, aged 82, Mr. Daniel Clark, of Norwich. "He was in the commercial establishment of Messrs. Ives for nearly 70 years and was justly esteemed in nautical and musical communities. To the last his song was cheerful and his convivial good humour unabated, and many a head must lie as low as his before the name of 'Admiral' Clark will be forgotten, or his memory ceased to be cherished with respect."

14.-The Norwich Cricket Club announced that a lease had been taken of a field at Lakenham, "without Ber Street Gates, and nearly opposite Lakenham Terrace," and that the ground had been "laid down with fine turf by Mr. Bentley, of Lords." The secretary of the club was Mr. Henry Hobart, solicitor, of Bethel Street.

22.-Died at Harleston, aged 66, Mr. Robert Paul, formerly of Starston, "well known to agriculturists for several ingenious inventions and for his inquiries into the nature, history, and habitudes of the turnip fly and wireworm."

MAY.

1.-Four candidates were nominated for the Mayoralty of Norwich, namely, Alderman Peter Finch, who received 918 votes; Alderman Yallop, 867; Alderman J. S. Patteson, 566; and Alderman C. Brown, 565. At the Court of Aldermen on the 3rd Mr. Finch was elected Mayor.

3.-Newspaper reporters were for the first time admitted to the a.s.sembly of the Norwich Corporation.

9.-Died at Margaretta Farm, Clenchwarton, aged 83, Dr. Charles Browne, for many years physician to the King of Prussia. On his return to England his Majesty conferred upon him the Order of the Red Eagle as a mark of his esteem. Dr. Browne was a man of high literary attainments.

24.-The bounds of St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich, were perambulated. "It gave rise to those scenes of vulgar mirth for which occasions of this kind are used as an excuse for indulging in with impunity. We never remember the ducking system carried to such lengths. The Rev. J. Bowman, in the early stage of the proceedings, was on Hay Hill drenched from head to foot. The pail which a fellow had in his hand (and which had been filled with water from an adjoining pump) being dropped at his feet, he accidentally fell over, but fortunately escaped without any serious injury. The company afterwards met for dinner at the Angel Inn."

29.-The Bishop of Chichester, acting on behalf of the Bishop of Norwich, held a visitation at Lynn and confirmed 1,400 persons at St. Margaret's church, and 620 at St. Nicholas' chapel. The number confirmed at Holt was 1,120; at Fakenham, 1,800; at East Dereham, 1,100; and at Hingham, 803.

JUNE.

4.-Mr. Bolton, formerly coach proprietor and landlord of the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich, was driving between Melton Mowbray and Stamford when his horse ran away and overturned the vehicle. Mr. Bolton received severe injuries, from which he died on the 10th.

12.-A serious riot occurred at Norwich. A party of Wymondham weavers, who had damaged looms and destroyed silk to the value of 1,000, at Ashwellthorpe, had been conveyed to Norwich Castle for examination. The witnesses were brought to the city in hackney coaches, escorted by a detachment of the 12th Lancers. The Norwich weavers, who had barricaded the Golden Ball Lane entrance to Castle Meadow with a waggon, and placed a similar obstruction near the Castle Bridge, received the military with a volley of stones. The witnesses were then conveyed by way of Timberhill to Orford Hill, and while a large body of special constables displaced the waggon at the bridge, a second detachment of Lancers came from the Barracks, charged the mob at full gallop, and dispersed them in all directions. An attempted rally was frustrated by a second charge.

The Militia staff were under arms on the Castle Hill, and the streets were patrolled by the Norwich light Horse Volunteers. At the Norwich a.s.sizes, on August 11th, several of the rioters were indicted before Mr.

Baron Garrow for a.s.saults, and were discharged on entering into their recognisances. David Seeker, Henry Rix, and William Thurston were charged with the capital offence of riotously a.s.sembling together to the disturbance of the public peace. Mr. Cooper, for the defence, objected to the wording of the indictment. The words of the King's proclamation read at the time of the disturbance were "chargeth and commandeth all persons," &c.; the indictment said "chargeth and command"; and instead of directing the people to "depart to their lawful habitations _or_ to their lawful homes," the indictment said "_and_ to their lawful homes." The learned Judge p.r.o.nounced the objection to be valid, and expressed the hope that the prisoners "would go home sensible of the blessings of Providence in having s.h.i.+elded them that day, and saved them from an ignominious death." The Ashwellthorpe rioters were bound over in the sum of 50 each.

19.-Breakfast _a la fourchette_ with the Mayor-elect (Mr. Peter Finch) and luncheon with the Mayor (Mr. E. T. Booth), prepared the Sheriffs, Aldermen, &c., for the Guild Day proceedings at Norwich. The customary ceremonies were observed at the Guildhall, service was attended at the Cathedral, and 600 guests dined at St Andrew's Hall.

23.-The Surrey Gardens, Thorpe Road, Norwich, were advertised as a resort "for the reception of respectable families and invalids," where "pure air, unbounded prospects of land and water, refres.h.i.+ng fruits and odoriferous flowers" could be obtained. A military band played on Sunday evenings, from five to seven o'clock.

27.-The Bishop of Norwich confirmed at North Walsham church 1,280 persons. On one day in the previous week his lords.h.i.+p confirmed in Norwich Cathedral 1,100 persons.

30.-Died at Yarmouth, aged 87, Mr. Jacob Preston, senior magistrate of the borough. He was Mayor in 1793, 1801, and 1813.

-Mr. Yates gave his entertainment, "Portraits and Sketches," at Norwich Theatre. On subsequent evenings he was a.s.sisted by Mr. Brunton and Mrs.

Yates (formerly Miss Brunton).

JULY.

25.-A well-contested prize fight took place at Bessingham, between Rix and Sharpens, for 5 aside. The former beat his opponent, after fighting 78 rounds in 45 minutes.

AUGUST.

5.-A duel took place on Yarmouth Denes "between J--- B---, Esq., and W.

M---, Esq., in consequence of a dispute the previous day at the Bath Rooms. Both were to fire at the same time, but on the signal being given Mr. M.'s ball did not take effect, and Mr. B.'s pistol missed fire. The seconds then interfered, and the affair was adjusted without much difficulty."

6.-Norwich Theatre was re-opened for the a.s.size week. "The return of Mr.

Osbaldiston gave rise to scenes of disturbance which interrupted the progress of the performance for several evenings. A kind of set appears to have been made against him, but he has been warmly applauded by the respectable part of the audience."

6.-The Norfolk Cricket Club played the first of a series of matches which took place during the Norwich a.s.size week. The annual dinner was held at the Rampant Horse Inn on the 10th, under the presidency of Lord Suffield, and in the evening a ball was given at Chapel Field Rooms. The patronesses were the Countess of Albemarle, Lady Anne c.o.ke, Lady Stafford, Lady Suffield, the Hon. Mrs. Wodehouse, Lady Lacon, and Mrs.

Gurdon. "The waltz was introduced for the first time in the course of the evening, but a very select few appeared inclined to join in that rotatory movement."

28.-The election of freemen's Sheriff took place at Norwich; the candidates were Alderman T. O. Springfield and Lieut. Fred White, R.N.

"As soon as the polling commenced, a ticket was given by the 'Blue and White' party, ent.i.tling the voter who chose to accept it to half-a-crown.

Nothing was given on the side of the 'Purple and Orange,' Lieut. White having merely come forward in consequence of a requisition sent to him by the poor freemen and signed by upwards of 300 names." The poll was thus declared: Springfield, 1,210; White, 474. Lieut. White, in his subsequent address, wrote: "I consider my failure more honourable than to have gained the day by bribery and corruption. The 474 votes I obtained will at least rescue the character of a considerable portion of our fellow-citizens from the reproach of selling themselves to the highest bidder."

SEPTEMBER.

5.-The first stone of the new Roman Catholic chapel in St. Giles' parish, Norwich, was laid by the Hon. and Rev. Edward Clifford.

8.-Died, aged 74, at his house in St. Faith's Lane, Norwich, Mr. William Herring, 32 years an alderman of the city. He was the second son of the Very Rev. William Herring, D.D., Dean of St. Asaph.

12.-The election of an alderman to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Herring took place at Norwich. The candidates were Mr. Angell, "Purple and Orange," and Mr. Marshall, "Blue and White." Great excitement prevailed throughout the contest. "The 'Purple and Orange'

party were informed in the course of the day that some of their friends had been carried off and were detained in a warehouse in St. Clement's.

A magistrates' warrant was applied for and the captives set at liberty."

At the close of the day the voting stood as follows: Angell, 215; Marshall, 195. The friends of the latter demanded that the poll be continued on the 13th, "because seven of Mr. Marshall's friends were detained at Ranworth against their will." The other side retaliated that eleven of their voters had been forcibly carried away by the "Blue and Whites." The Mayor deprecated the system that had been put in force, and adjourned the poll till 10 o'clock the following morning. The poll was finally declared as follows: Angell, 218; Marshall, 196. (_See_ September 24th.)

18.-A Musical Festival for the benefit of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital commenced at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, and concluded with a ball in the same building on the 21st. The princ.i.p.als engaged for the oratorios and concerts were Madame Pasta, Miss Stephens, Miss Bacon, Miss Farrar, Madame Caradori Allan, Mr. Braham, Mr. Vaughan, Mr. Terrail, Mr.

Edward Taylor, and Signor Zuch.e.l.li. Sir George Smart conducted. The total receipts amounted to about 6,400, of which 1,672 12s. 1d. was handed to the Hospital.

24.-An inquest was held by Mr. Bell, the Norwich Coroner, on the body of James Bailey, one of the persons who was forcibly carried away to prevent his voting at the Alderman's election on the 12th. "On the 10th he was taken away by the 'Blues and Whites' to Wroxham Castle public-house, the next morning removed to Horning Swan, afterwards taken to Smallburgh, and on the same night removed to Ridlington Plough. They wanted nothing for eating and drinking, but Bailey being very ill, suffered very much from being moved about." On his return to Norwich he was engaged to sell programmes at the Musical Festival, where he was in attendance from the 18th to the 20th. On the 22nd he broke a blood vessel and died. "His attendance at the Festival took the onus off his captors, and the jury returned a verdict of 'Died from the visitation of G.o.d.'"

28.-Mr. Samuel Stone was elected Speaker of the Common Council of Norwich, in the room of Mr. J. S. Parkinson, deceased.

29.*-[Advt.] "100 Reward, and his Majesty's Pardon. Eight horses belonging to Mr. William Slack, of Norwich, died between the 25th August last and the 10th September, six soon after their return from Attleborough (one of the depots for horses drawing the London vans) to Norwich, one at Attleborough, and the other at Newmarket, and upon being opened it has been ascertained that they died by mineral poisoning, supposed to have been administered in water or in some liquid form. The Government offer the above reward."

-*"The week before last Mr. Meyer Levi, gold and silver smith, a converted Jew, together with Mrs. Hannah Levi, a converted Jewess, received the rite of Christian baptism at the hands of the vicar in the parish church of St. Stephen's, Norwich, when the Christian names of John and Hannah were given to the above parties, and at the same time they adopted the surname of Herbert."