Norfolk Annals
Chapter 56 : 21.-At a public meeting held at the Guildhall, Norwich, presided over by the Mayor (Mr.

21.-At a public meeting held at the Guildhall, Norwich, presided over by the Mayor (Mr. Robert Hawkes), it was resolved, on the motion of Mr. John Harvey seconded by Mr. Crisp Brown, and unanimously agreed, that direct and improved communication with the sea was an object of the first importance to the future prosperity of the city; that the plan for an open harbour at Lowestoft be approved; that application be made to Parliament for carrying the undertaking into execution; and that a subscription for the purpose based on shares of 100 each be immediately opened. On February 8th a letter from the fis.h.i.+ng masters, boatmen, and pilots to Mr. Harvey, expressing the hope that the proposed plan would be of the greatest benefit to the city of Norwich as well as to the town of Lowestoft, was published.

24.-Capt. Hayes, "the Father of the British Army," was entertained at the Star Inn, Norwich, on the anniversary of his entrance into the service.

He had served 62 years.

25.-It was announced that Messrs. W. and M. Stark, manufacturers, of Norwich, had completed an establishment for carrying into operation the patent of Mr. J. F. Smith, of Dunston Hall, Chesterfield, in the method of finis.h.i.+ng bombazines and other silk and worstead goods.

FEBRUARY.

1.-Died, Mrs. Browne, formerly of the Theatre Royal, Norwich, and mother of Mrs. J. Brunton.

-A new drama, ent.i.tled "The Fortunes of Nigel, or King James the First and his Times," founded upon Mr. Scott's novel, and written by Mr. Edward Ball, formerly of Norwich, was produced at Norwich Theatre for the first time.

-An action "of an entirely novel description to Norfolk" was tried in the Sheriffs' court at Norwich, "Jonathan Wrench _v._ the men inhabiting the Hundred of Holt in Norfolk." It was brought for the purpose of ascertaining the amount of damage the plaintiff had sustained by having a stack of corn destroyed by fire through the act of an incendiary. It was enacted by 9th George I. c 22, that the owner of property so injured was ent.i.tled to recover an amount not exceeding 200 from the inhabitants of the Hundred in which the property was situate on complying with the requirements of the Act, namely by giving notice within two days after the commission of the offence "to some of the inhabitants near unto the place where any such act shall be committed, and within four days after such notice that statement be made before a justice of the peace." It was admitted that the requirements of the Act had been complied with, and a verdict was given for the plaintiff-damages 143 15s.

2.-A congregation of about 120 persons, "of the sect commonly called Ranters," were a.s.sembled for wors.h.i.+p in a room adjoining the City of Norwich public-house, St. Stephen's, Norwich, when the floor gave way and the whole were precipitated into a cellar nine feet deep. Twenty-five received material injury and were conveyed to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. Four were suffering from fractured limbs, and one person had his leg amputated.

10.-A trotting match took place between a brown mare, the property of Mr.

William Day, of St. Stephen's, and a mare owned by Mr. J. Harper, auctioneer,-stakes 10, distance two miles. Ned Painter rode Mr.

Harper's mare and the brown had her owner up. "They started from Earlham toll-gate, and within a short distance of the starting post Mr. Day's mare broke into a gallop, and she had to turn back. By this circ.u.mstance she was dead beat."

15.-Owing to the frequency with which a number of trunks, measuring 28 inches long, 13 inches wide, and 12 inches deep, had been sent from the Rampant Horse Inn, Norwich, by the Telegraph coach to London, suspicion was aroused at the coach office, and directions were given that the porter bringing the next be detained and the parcel examined. This was done on the 15th, when it was found that the package contained the dead and naked body of an old man. The Rev. George Carter, vicar of Lakenham, identified the body as that of a man named Brundall whom he had buried a few days previously. Brundall's grave was examined and it was found that only the coffin and the shroud remained. From information given by the porter, two men named Collins and Crowe were apprehended and committed for trial at the Quarter Sessions. On July 15th they were tried, found guilty, and sentenced to three months' imprisonment, and to pay a fine of 50.

MARCH.

8.-Messrs. Marshall's panorama of the battle of Trafalgar and the death of Nelson was exhibited at Norwich.

31.-"A serio-comic Mill-Dramatic Farcical, Moral Burletta, called 'The Tread Mill, or Tom and Jerry at Brixton,'" was produced at Norwich Theatre. "An exact representation of a tread mill with culprits at work made a goodly show in the lower circle, crowded the gallery, and filled the pit to the excess of squeezing."

APRIL.

2.*-(Advt.) "It having been represented that there are well-founded grounds of apprehension that some mad dogs have made their appearance in different parts of the city and neighbourhood of Norwich by whom several other dogs have been bitten, the Mayor hereby recommends all of the inhabitants who have dogs immediately to cause them to be tied up or otherwise confined, as in case of their continuing to suffer them to be in the streets, an order will be issued for their being killed" (_sic_).

5.-The Rev. Chancellor Yonge, as one of the Visiting Justices of Swaffham Bridewell, reported to the Home Secretary, in reply to inquiries made respecting the use of the tread-wheel, "it has been in use here about four months, and during that time no injurious effects whatever have been experienced to the health of the prisoners. There have been in general a large number of prisoners and they have been very healthy, which may in some measure be owing to the regular exercise on the tread-wheel. The exercise of the tread-wheel is very salutary."

-*(Advt.) "The annual great main of c.o.c.ks between the gentlemen of Norwich and Northamptons.h.i.+re for 5 a battle and 200 the odd, will be fought at the White Swan Inn, St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich, on Tuesday, April 22nd, and two following days. A silver tankard will be fought for by 16 subscribers. No c.o.c.k to exceed four pounds ten ounces. The above to be fought in fair silver spurs, and to commence fighting each day at twelve o'clock. Feeders: Nash for Northampton, Skipper for Norwich."

-At noon William Bray, aged 20, was executed at the foot of the bridge, Castle Hill, Norwich, for a burglary at Shouldham. "Almost continually night and day he was crying out to G.o.d for mercy in so lamentable a manner as to leave little room for religious impressions. His parents were too poor to send for his remains, which were interred the same day in St. Michael-at-Thorn churchyard."

11.-At the Norfolk Quarter Sessions, the county justices appointed a committee to consider the best means of procuring the holding of the Lent a.s.sizes at Norwich instead of at Thetford. On April 14th the Norwich Corporation pet.i.tioned his Majesty in favour of two gaol deliveries each year. (The NORFOLK CHRONICLE contained the following editorial note: "The holding of the Lent a.s.sizes for Norfolk at Thetford has been long and justly complained of as a serious grievance. It is high time to put an end to the disgraceful scene annually exhibited of a body of criminals being exposed in open waggons from Norwich to Thetford, and there congregated for a week without regard to age or crime.")

16.-Died at Great Malvern, Mrs. Bathurst, wife of the Lord Bishop of Norwich.

23.-On the occasion of the celebration of the King's birthday, the members of the Norwich Light Horse Volunteers presented to Lieut.-Col.

Harvey "a valuable scymetar, in recognition of his services during the 26 years that he had commanded the corps."

25.-Pursuant to requisition a meeting was held at the Guildhall, Norwich, presided over by the Mayor, "to take into consideration the state of the British West Indian Colonies with the view to the gradual and complete abolition of slavery." Resolutions were pa.s.sed in favour of the movement.

30.-A man who sold sand about the streets of Norwich drove his cart and pair of horses up the flight of ten steps, leading from Davey Place to the Castle ditches. "The horses did it with much ease and without receiving any injury, to the astonishment of the spectators."

-A singular case came before the Mayor of Norwich. A man named Stebbings had sold his wife to a person named Turner for 6 10s., who, having paid down 4 on account, took home his "bargain" and brutally turned his lawful wife out of doors. On Mrs. Turner applying to the court for relief, the parties were summoned before the Mayor, who obliged Turner to relinquish his bargain and Stebbings to support his own wife.

MAY.

1.-Four candidates were nominated for the Mayoralty of Norwich, and the polling resulted as follows: Alderman Patteson, 835; Alderman Francis, 774; Alderman Leman, 101; Alderman Yallop, 94. Mr. Patteson was returned by the Court of Aldermen on May 3rd.

3.-At a quarterly a.s.sembly of the Norwich Corporation, it was resolved that a former order for taking toll for cattle standing for sale on the Castle Meadow be rescinded.

5.-A great main of c.o.c.ks was fought at the White Swan Inn, Norwich, on this and the three following days between the gentlemen of Norfolk and the gentlemen of Herefords.h.i.+re. The stakes were five guineas a battle and 200 guineas the odd battle. The feeders were Burn for Herefords.h.i.+re, Lamb for Norfolk. Herefords.h.i.+re won by ten in the main and three in the byes.

12.-Messrs. Stannard, Athow, De Carle, Wright, and Coleman, of Norwich, became the purchasers of Wanstead House, Ess.e.x, which was sold by auction on this date. The amount given was 10,000, and one of the conditions of sale was that the purchaser or purchasers should clear everything away even to the foundation by Lady Day, 1825. The purchasers "absolutely sold a pair of marble chimney pieces for 300 guineas before they left the room. Thus is sacrificed on the shrine of extravagance and gambling, a mansion which cost in its erection more than 360,000, and which has no equal in the county of Ess.e.x."

13.-The first annual dinner of the Norfolk Society in London was held at the City of London Tavern. The objects of the society were: to afford means of social intercourse between persons connected with the county residing in London; to promote by mutual co-operation the general interests of its members; and to form a fund for the relief, education, or apprentices.h.i.+p of such objects of charity as the society considered suitable.

22.-Died, aged 55, Mr. Thomas Coldwell, postmaster of Norwich, and a common councilman of the Great Mancroft Ward.

23.-A cricket match was played at Hockwold-c.u.m-Wilton between 11 married and 11 single females for eleven pairs of gloves. The match terminated in favour of the former. "The parties were dressed in jackets and trousers tastefully decorated with blue ribbands."

27.-Married at St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich, by the Rev. John Bowman, Mr.

James Vining, of Norwich Theatre, to Miss Caroline Holmes, daughter of Mr. George Holmes, of Burstall Hall, Suffolk.

29.-In celebration of the Restoration of Charles II. the Mayor and Corporation of Yarmouth attended service at St Nicholas' Church, the s.h.i.+ps in the harbour were "dressed," and a salute was fired from the fort at noon.

JUNE.

2.-A curious incident occurred at the Fighting c.o.c.ks Inn, Winfarthing.

"A large c.o.c.k, of the true fighting breed, attacked a beautiful child, of a year and a half old, belonging to the family of the landlord, and wounded him in several places in the head and face, and if timely a.s.sistance had not been at hand there is little doubt that he would have repeated his attacks till he had deprived him of his sight, if not his life. The c.o.c.k was killed immediately."

4.-A new melo-drama, ent.i.tled "Eugenio, or the Secrets of the Abbey,"

written by Mr. J. Bambridge, a native of the city, was performed at Norwich Theatre for the first time.

5.-Mr. Marker Graze was appointed Postmaster of Norwich, in place of Mr.

Thomas Coldwell, deceased.

11.-The theatrical season ended at Norwich. The benefit receipts were as follow: Mr. Smith (manager), 146; Mr. Thorne, 54; Mr. Vining, 118; Mr.

Clifford, 87; Mr. G. Smith, 72; Mrs. Jones, 105; Messrs. Wharton and Hamerton, 35; Miss Brunton, 70; Miss Wensley, 72; Mr. Beacham, 79; Mr. and Mrs. Sloman, 130; Mr. Harrison, 62; Mr. Henderson, 53; Mr.

Bennett, 111; Miss Glover, 45; Mr. Benson 56; Mr. and Mrs.

Osbaldiston, 134; Mr. Hunt, 86; Miss Tubby, 111; Messrs. Wharton and Hamerton (second benefit in consequence of wet weather on the previous occasion), 75; Mr. Simpson and Miss Adc.o.c.k, 35. Total, 1,738; average, 82 15s.