Norfolk Annals
Chapter 59 : 2.-At a public meeting held at Lynn, the Mayor presiding, it was resolved that a gas co

2.-At a public meeting held at Lynn, the Mayor presiding, it was resolved that a gas company be formed. The shares were fixed at 20 each, and Mr.

John James Coulton appointed secretary and agent.

3.-Died at the house of his son-in-law (Mr. H. Dowson, of Geldeston), aged 65, the Rev. Pendlebury Houghton. "He received his education at Warrington at the time Dr. Atkin was the cla.s.sical teacher there, and after the completion of his studies continued there one year as a.s.sistant cla.s.sical tutor. He first settled as minister at Dob Lane, near Manchester, whence he removed to Shrewsbury, and in 1787 was chosen a pastor, with Dr. Enfield, of the Unitarian congregation in Norwich. On the death of Dr. Enfield in 1797 he became sole minister. In 1808 he succeeded Mr. Jervis at Prince's Street, Westminster, and in 1811 returned to Norwich. In 1812 his was invited to become joint pastor with Mr. Yates, of the congregation in Paradise Street, Liverpool, where he continued till 1823, when he retired from his ministerial labours."

7.-At a meeting held at Norwich, it was agreed "that the Rosary burial-ground having been duly entered at the office of the Bishop of the Diocese, and therein designated a general burial-ground for the use of persons of all sects and denominations, shall be invested in trustees on behalf of those who may become the holders of shares, to be limited to 500."

8.-A performance was given at Norwich Theatre by the Stagorians. "The stage exhibited the appearance of the interior of a Stagorian lodge, and presented a spectacle at once novel and striking. In accordance with the principles of the a.s.sembled brethren the ceremony opened with 'G.o.d save the King,' and closed with the last verse of that same loyal strain. The whole was conducted and well supported by Mr. Hudson, treasurer of the lodge No. 2, Independent, who sang a song in so good a style that the audience testified their approbation by loud and repeated cheerings."

9.-Died, suddenly, in the Fleet Prison, the Rev. John Cross Morphew, rector of Cley and of Walpole St. Peter.

10.*-(Advt.) "Mr. Edward Painter informs his friends and the public that his horse, the celebrated Tam o' Shanter, will be shown upon Norwich Hill this day, and every Sat.u.r.day during the season, at 12 o'clock. His trotting and other paces the proprietor leaves for the public at large to be their own judges, as puffing is quite out of the question. N.B.-Tam o' Shanter will be found at the White Hart, St. Peter's, Norwich."

-*"Miss Bathurst, daughter of the late Mr. Benjamin Bathurst, and granddaughter of the Lord Bishop of the Diocese, was riding in Rome on horseback, accompanied by Lord and Lady Aylmer and the Duc de Montmorency, when her horse slipped down the steep bank into the Tiber, and with its rider was washed away, and never seen again." The body of Miss Bathurst was recovered on September 26th.

-The proprietors of the Expedition coach started new coaches, called the Magnet, which ran from the Swan Inn and Rampant Horse Inn, Norwich, each afternoon at four o'clock and arrived in London at seven in the morning.

The return coach left the Golden Cross, Charing Cross, at six p.m., called at the White Horse, Fetter Lane, at 6.20, the Cross Keys, Wood Street, at 6.30, "cleared" from the Flower Pot and Bull Inns at seven o'clock, and arrived at Norwich at nine the next morning.

-The following malefactors were executed at Thetford: James Reeve for rape; Miles Wiseman for shooting at and wounding William Everett, gamekeeper, at Rackheath; and Robert Gibson for sheep stealing. "The body of Wiseman was buried at Hardingham churchyard, whence it was stolen by resurrection men, who had been observed lurking about the chief part of the previous day."

15.-Wombwell's National Menagerie was exhibited at Tombland Fair, Norwich. It was described as "the greatest variety of living animals ever collected together since the days of Noah."

16.-Died at Caister, near Norwich, Francis Neale, in the 100th year of his age.

21.-Died at Harley Street, Cavendish Square, aged 71, Mr. John Dixon, of Rainham Hall, Norwich, and of Gledhow, Yorks.h.i.+re, Colonel of the West York Militia.

25.-The organ at North Walsham church was opened with a recital given by Mr. E. Pettet, of Norwich.

29.-The members of the three Church of England Societies, namely for the Education of the Poor, for Promoting Christian Knowledge, and for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, had their "first united anniversary" dinner at the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich. The Deputy Mayor, Mr.

Robert Hawkes, presided.

MAY.

1.-Mr. Henry Francis was elected Mayor of Norwich.

5.-Died at an advanced age, Mrs. Windham, widow of the Right Hon. William Windham, of Felbrigg.

6.-The second anniversary dinner of the Swaffham Rat Society was held at the George Inn, in that town. The report stated: "From the time the ferrets re-commenced their operations in October, 1823, a.s.sisted by the terriers, the total number of rats killed up to May 6th was 1,140, which added to last year's return makes 2,947 rats exterminated in the course of twelve months."

8.*-"The King has granted William Lukin, Esq., Rear-Admiral of the White Squadron of his Majesty's Fleet, to take, use, and bear the arms of Windham, in memory of his uncle, the Right Hon. William Windham, of Felbrigg Hall." (By the death of Mrs. Windham Admiral Windham came into possession of the estates of his late uncle.)

-*"We understand that there are at this time persons stationed upon the road between Norwich and London for the purpose of giving information against the proprietors of coaches carrying more than the number of pa.s.sengers allowed by Act of Parliament, or any waggon or van carrying pa.s.sengers without being duly licensed."

10.-A prize fight took place near Arminghall between Nicholls and Thompson, of Norwich. "The battle lasted upwards of two hours, and both men displayed better bottom than science."

-For the benefit of the manager of Norwich Theatre (Mr. Smith), his younger son, Mr. J. Smith, appeared as Selico in "The Africans."

15.*-"A gentleman from Lynn for a wager shot 20 dozen rooks with an air gun, which he loaded himself, in the course of a day. He commenced shooting at half-past six in the morning, and finished his task in a masterly manner at four o'clock in the afternoon, in the rookery belonging to Mr. John Lloyd, of Pentney."

-*(Advt.) "c.o.c.king. To be fought at the White Swan Inn, Norwich, on May 31st and two following days, three double days' play of c.o.c.ks for 5 a battle and 100 the odd, between the gentlemen of Norwich and the gentlemen of Yarmouth. Feeders: Stafford for Norwich, Anson for Yarmouth."

-The Magnet coach from London to Norwich had just crossed the bridge at Chesterford, Ess.e.x, when, owing to the swollen state of the river, the arch burst with a tremendous crash. Another coach was approaching, and received a lantern warning from the guard of the Magnet. The up Magnet coach from Norwich crossed the bridge shortly before its demolition but got off the road into a swamp. The pa.s.sengers had to climb out upon the roof and remained there while the water flowed through the windows. The coach was dragged out by a strong team of cart horses. A public subscription was started in Norwich to reward the guard of the Magnet.

22.-Townshend, the pedestrian, commenced a walk of 64 miles per day of sixteen hours for six successive days. He started from Swaffham at 4.30 a.m., pa.s.sed through Watton at 6.30, through Dereham at 8.30, and arrived at Swaffham at noon, and completed the same journey in the afternoon.

(No further record.)

27.-Died, Mrs. M. Jones, of the Theatre Royal, Norwich, in her 61st year, "after long and patient suffering under one of the most tormenting of human disorders." She was a daughter of the Rev. Nathaniel Gerard, rector of Waxham and vicar of Palling, and of Whepstead Rectory, Suffolk.

28.-Six officers of the 8th Hussars rowed in Capt. Cartwright's six-oared boat from Norwich to Yarmouth in four hours against the tide, and returned in four and a half hours with a strong stream against them.

29.-The Ottawa, 320 tons, intended as a pa.s.sage vessel from London to Quebec, was launched from the yard of Messrs. John and Thomas Douglas, at Yarmouth.

31.-The Mayor of Norwich (Mr. J. S. Patteson), with the Sheriffs, magistrates, and aldermen went in procession from the Guildhall to the site of the new gaol outside St. Giles' Gates, and laid the foundation-stone. Several gold, silver, and copper coins were deposited in the stone, "and the whole was cemented with mortar and fastened with lead poured in boiling hot." The proceedings were witnessed by hundreds of spectators, one of whom, "a person of respectability, had his pocket picked of a gold watch, chain, and seals."

JUNE.

3.-Died, on his return from Madeira, aged 29, Dr. Thomas Martineau.

4.-The 3rd Norfolk Yeomanry Cavalry was inspected at Sprowston at the conclusion of permanent duty at Norwich.

7.-The Yarmouth Yeomanry Cavalry, commanded by Sir E. K. Lacon, Bart., were inspected by Major Deare, 8th Hussars, after permanent duty.

-Townshend, the pedestrian, "undertook to pick up with his mouth, on Monday last, from the ground in Finches' Gardens, 300 stones placed one yard apart and to deposit the same in a basket in eleven successive hours, being a distance of 51 miles 540 yards." The feat was performed sixteen minutes within the time. On June 14th he undertook to walk 40 miles backwards in ten hours at the same Gardens, but failed owing to the unfavourable state of the weather.

8.-The commissioners appointed under the Norwich Paving Act determined to apply to Parliament for leave to bring in a Bill for amending the Act and for raising additional funds.

-A prize fight took place at Poringland between Fenn and Camplin, of Norwich. Three thousand persons were present, and 76 rounds fought. The contest terminated in favour of Fenn.

9.-McMullon, a youth of sixteen, at the Prussia Gardens, Norwich, walked 12 miles in two hours; and on the 14th walked forty miles in eight hours.

16.-Died at Gissing, aged 86, Mr. J. Hunt, surgeon, and founder of the Ebenezer Chapel in Ber Street, Norwich. "He was a man of extraordinary piety and extensive benevolence, who was singularly infatuated by a diversity of religious opinions as to render his character in the highest degree eccentric. Having successively embraced the profession of Presbyterian, Independent, Anabaptist, Swedenborgian, Unitarian, and Methodist, he recently founded and endowed a chapel at Gissing to a profession made up of a heterogeneous mixture of doctrines. That nothing might be wanting to complete his religious character he was a constant attendant on the wors.h.i.+p of the parish church, keeping his meeting closed on those occasions, and a regular communicant with the minister of the parish till a short time before his death, when his advanced age and increasing infirmities precluded the possibility of his attendance."

17.-A trotting match took place on St. Stephen's Road, Norwich, the best two of three one mile heats, between a pony belonging to Mr. Durrant, of the Norfolk Hotel, and a pony the property of Mr. Davey, horse dealer.

The former won easily.

-The 8th Hussars marched from Norwich Barracks for Ipswich.

19.*-"One day last week Messrs. James Stannard, T. Turner, Samuel Poll, and Alfred Stannard, four oars, rowed from Norwich to Yarmouth and back in eight hours, notwithstanding wind and tide were full against them in crossing Breydon."

-The season's benefits at Norwich Theatre were announced to have been as follow: Mr. Smith, 125; Mr. Chippendale, 39; Mr. Vining, 114; Mr.

Beacham, 89; Miss Pindar, 40; Mr. G. Smith, 70; Mr. Harrison, 46; Mr.

Clifford, 67; Mr. and Mrs. Sloman, 156; Mr. Benson, 69; the Misses Glover, 91; Mr. Crook, 63; Miss Wensley, 72; Miss Mason, 74; Mr. and Mrs. Hamerton, 51; Mr. Brundall, 45; Mr. Wharton, 41; Mr. Mueller, 62; Mr. Thorne, 28; Miss Tubby, 99; Mr. Hunt, 78; Mr. Chippendale (second benefit), 57. The total amount was 1,556; average, 70 14s.

9d.

22.-Guild Day at Norwich. The Mayor-elect, Mr. Henry Francis, entertained 806 guests at the guild feast, and the ball at Chapel Field House was fully attended. The streets in the parish of St. Stephen's, where the Mayor resided, were decorated.