Norfolk Annals
Chapter 55 : OCTOBER.1.-H.R.H. the Duke of Suss.e.x arrived at Lynn on his way to Holkham Hall.A mee

OCTOBER.

1.-H.R.H. the Duke of Suss.e.x arrived at Lynn on his way to Holkham Hall.

A meeting of the Corporation was held, at which his Royal Highness was enrolled a free burgess of the borough. Luncheon was served at the Town Hall, and "the Mayor presented that exquisite relic of antiquity, King John's cup, filled with wine, of which his Royal Highness partook."

1.-Died, in his 81st year, at Westacre High House, Mr. Anthony Hamond.

"He lived a life of extraordinary activity, and rode the foremost in the coursing as well as in the hunting field on the most spirited horses, even to a few weeks of his death. He was born at South Woodton, near Lynn, and succeeded his uncle, Mr. Richard Hamond, in possession of his extensive landed property. By the female line he was related to the Duke and Princess Sophia of Gloucester, the late Earl of Orford, and the present Marquis Cholmondeley, his grandmother being sister of Sir Robert Walpole. He was the only surviving original member of the Swaffham Coursing Society, established in 1779. He served the office of Sheriff of Norfolk in 1792, and leaves surviving three sons and two daughters."

2.-M. Chalon, the famous French conjurer, performed at the Norwich Theatre.

8.-The Norfolk and Norwich Literary Inst.i.tution was founded at a meeting held at the Guildhall. The rooms of the inst.i.tution were at a house in the Haymarket.

12.*-"A short time since as two gentlemen of Norwich were fis.h.i.+ng at Halvergate, they caught a pike which weighed twenty-two ounces and measured twenty-three inches in length; in the body of which they found a weasel in a perfect state, which weighed six ounces and measured twelve inches in length."

13.-During a terrible gale the Revenue cutter Ranger, Capt. John Sayers, was lost off Happisburgh with 30 of her crew. Capt. Sayer was appointed to the command of the Lapwing cutter in 1807, and of the Ranger in 1809.

The latter vessel was wrecked within 50 yards of the spot where another Revenue cutter, the Hunter, was lost some years previously. Allegations, the truth of which was denied, were made that the inhabitants of Happisburgh shamefully neglected the signals of distress made by the Ranger. "The shrieks of the crew," it was said, "were heard distinctly on the sh.o.r.e, yet no attempt was made to rescue."

15.-A "grand music meeting" commenced in Norwich, and concluded on the 18th. Evening concerts were given at the Theatre, and morning performances in the Hall Concert Room, St. George's. The managers were Messrs. A. and E. Pettet, and the princ.i.p.al vocal performers M. Sapio, Mr. Beale, and Madame Camporese.

18.-Died, aged 51, Daniel Coppin, of St. Catherine's Plain, Norwich. He was a member of the Norwich Society of Artists, and was princ.i.p.ally known for his highly creditable studies from Opie.

28.-Two men named Grint, a dyer, and Purdy, a weaver, "neither of whom had any pretensions to pugilistic science," fought for an hour near Bishop Bridge, Norwich, until Purdy became insensible, and three days afterwards died. Grint was committed for trial, and at the Norwich Summer a.s.sizes, in 1823, was found guilty, and sentenced by Mr. Justice Blossett to three months' imprisonment.

31.-The chandling office of Messrs. Staff and Chamberlin, St.

Martin-at-Palace, Norwich, was destroyed by fire. "Several hogsheads of tallow and a large quant.i.ty of candles were melted and ran down the streets in a stream into the river, from the surface of which more than ten cwt. was skimmed off by persons in boats."

NOVEMBER.

4.-Mr. Harvey was presented by the Corporation with a ma.s.sive silver candelabrum in recognition of his impartial and honourable conduct as Steward and Recorder of Norwich during the period of 40 years, and of his zeal on all occasions for the interests of the city.

5.-Mutton of the best quality was sold in Lynn Market at 3d. per pound.

On the 6th Mr. Martin, butcher, sold mutton at 2d. per pound.

9.*-"Lately was launched from Mr. Bottomley's yard in South Lynn a s.h.i.+p of 600 tons burden with figure-head and quarter galleries, built for the Jamaica trade. She was called the Marlborough."

-The Phnix new night coach from the Star Inn, Market Place, Norwich, left on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday, at four o'clock and arrived at the Bull Inn, Aldgate, at eight in the morning. It was advertised on this date as the property of Ann Nelson and Sons and Thomas Ridley and Co.

-Died at Coltishall, aged 77, Mr. William Palgrave, an alderman of Yarmouth, who served the office of Mayor of that borough in 1782 and 1805.

26.-A grand moving panorama of the battle of Genappe, St. Helena, &c., was opened in Mr. Noverre's room, St. Michael-at-Plea, Norwich.

28.-Died at Doughty's Hospital, in his 63rd year, John Swan, for many years an inhabitant of St. Peter Mancroft. "In the former part of his life he acted as watchman and parish constable. Being of athletic make, of a stern countenance, and possessing a sonorous, rough voice he excited terror and commanded obedience to his authority. He was several years one of the appointed trumpeters for sounding before the judges in the a.s.size week, and also for attending at Thetford on the same occasion."

29.-An inquest was held at Loddon by Mr. Pilgrim, coroner, on the body of James Dale, who was killed the preceding day by a patient in the private lunatic asylum kept by Mr. Jollye, surgeon. The deceased, a keeper, incautiously laid down the carving knife which he was using at the dinner table, when the patient s.n.a.t.c.hed it up and stabbed him in the left breast, killing him instantly.

30.-Lloyd's Equestrian Troupe commenced a season's engagement at the Ranelagh Gardens, Norwich.

DECEMBER.

1.-H.R.H. the Duke of York pa.s.sed through Norwich on returning from a visit to Houghton Hall.

-Died at Downham Market, Mrs. Pidgeon. "This venerable person was 89 years of age, and what is remarkable she never had any other place of residence than the one she died in, and expired upon the same bed on which she was born."

6.-Sir Jacob Astley's hounds drew at Ringstead and chased a fox to within a mile of Fakenham, a distance of 16 miles, when the hounds became at fault. "Reynard was spied upon the tiles of a cottage, when a general cry was raised to spare him. The huntsman dismounted and caught him as he slipped off the tiles by the cottage door, and drove him in, when he was secured and saved and taken home in a sack for another day's sport."

7.-A panorama ill.u.s.trating Lord Exmouth's victory over the Algerines was exhibited in a wooden building specially erected on the Castle ditches, Norwich. It was described as "the peristrephic or moving panorama," and was invented by the exhibitors, Messrs. Marshall.

12.-Died at Hampstead Park, Berks.h.i.+re, the seat of the Earl of Craven, Mr. John Brunton, aged 82. "He was father of the late Mrs. Merry, of the present Lady Craven, and of Mr. John Brunton, manager of the West London Theatre. He was a native of Norwich, and for many years patentee and manager of the Norwich Theatre, in which situation he was highly esteemed for his judicious and liberal conduct. He was a superior actor, and in the characters of Lear, Iago, Evander, and The Stranger but few excelled him."

21.*-"We understand that Mr. Telford, successor to the late Mr. Rennie, has delivered a report on the proposed plan for making Norwich a port, in which he bears ample testimony to the satisfactory nature of Mr. Cubitt's professional investigations and remarks." Mr. John Harvey, chairman of the committee for carrying the project into execution, forwarded to the Mayor of Yarmouth a copy of Mr. Telford's report, and received in reply an a.s.surance that the Corporation of Yarmouth would do everything in its power to oppose an undertaking "which was pregnant with the most ruinous consequences to the navigation of that port and to the trading interests of the town and neighbourhood." (See January 21st, 1823.)

26.-Lady Anne c.o.ke gave birth to a son and heir at Holkham. The infant was christened at the town house of Mr. T. W. c.o.ke, M.P., Hanover Square, on June 21st, 1823, when their Royal Highnesses the Dukes of Suss.e.x and Gloucester stood sponsors, and Lady Andover G.o.dmother. The ceremony was performed by the Lord Bishop of Norwich.

1823.

JANUARY.

1.-At the Norwich Adjourned Quarter Sessions, the magistrates decided to build a new gaol on a piece of ground outside St. Giles' Gates. On February 23rd the Corporation granted to the justices a lease of the site, five acres in extent, for 500 years, at the annual rent of 50. At a full a.s.sembly of the magistrates on August 26th the tenders of Messrs.

Mears and Blyth for building the new gaol in accordance with plans prepared by Mr. Barnes, for the sum of 17,395, were accepted.

2.-The coming of age of Mr. Henry Jerningham, eldest son of Sir George and Lady Jerningham, was celebrated at Costessey Park with great rejoicings.

3.-Pursuant to requisition signed by 540 occupiers of land, &c., in the county the High Sheriff of Norfolk (Sir R. P. Jodrell), convened a meeting at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, "for the purpose of taking into consideration the severe and unprecedented distresses of agriculture and the best means of relieving them." The High Sheriff presided, supported by the county members, Mr. T. W. c.o.ke and Mr. Edmond Wodehouse. Mr.

Cobbett was in the body of the Hall, and great confusion prevailed at intervals. Mr. Alderman Thurtell moved a string of resolutions in favour of the reduction of taxation and the abolition of needless and, therefore, useless places, pensions, and sinecures, such a reduction of the National Debt as was required; and the total repeal of the Malt and Beer taxes, which would relieve heavy burdens and encourage the growth of barley. Mr. George Watson seconded the resolutions. Mr. Cobbett, amid great uproar, then moved, as an amendment to Mr. Thurtell's resolutions, that a pet.i.tion be presented to Parliament containing among other suggestions the following: the appropriation of part of the public property, commonly called Church property, to be applied to the liquidation of the National Debt; the abolition of the standing army; the total abolition of sinecure pensions, grants, and emoluments; the sale of numerous public estates commonly called Crown lands, and the application of the money towards the liquidation of the public debt; to suspend by law for one year all distraints for rents; to suspend all processes for t.i.thes for the same period, and all processes arising out of mortgages effected on houses or land; and to repeal the taxes on malt, hops, leather, soap, and candles. Not three-fourths of the audience were able to hear the reading of the pet.i.tion, but it was adopted, and the resolutions moved by Mr. Thurtell negatived by at least twenty to one.

Mr. Cobbett, at the close of the meeting, stood forward and said this was the greatest triumph he had ever had; it was their triumph also-the triumph of truth and sound principles. Subsequently meetings were held in the various Hundreds of the county "to disavow the Norwich proceedings of the 3rd," and "to express abhorrence and detestation of the revolutionary doctrines promulgated, and the measures of fraud and spoliation recommended for legislative adoption." On March 8th the NORFOLK CHRONICLE published the following paragraph: "Norfolk Pet.i.tion.

Serious loss. We understand the county has been so unfortunate as to be deprived of its Pet.i.tion by some daring depredator who had the audacity to steal it from the coach by which it was sent to London about a fortnight ago. The most diligent search has been made for this important doc.u.ment, but without success."

4.*-"We have been called upon by several gentlemen who were witnesses of the circ.u.mstance to notice the very reprehensible conduct of the persons who drove the Day and Times coaches into this city on Tuesday evening.

These coaches had been racing on the road, and proceeded at such a rapid rate that they reached Norwich at a quarter before five o'clock, having performed the journey from London, 112 miles, in less than eleven hours."

11.-Master Hubbard, "the scissor artist," exhibited his proficiency in cutting out profiles in paper at Norwich.

11.-At a fire which occurred at Blackthorn Farm, Diss, in the occupation of Mr. John Elsey, a chimney fell and killed John Gardiner and William Tipple. Two other persons were severely injured.

16.-Married at Lakenham church, by the Rev. George Carter, Mr. George Thurtell, son of Mr. Alderman Thurtell, to Miss Edwards.

-Married at North Walsham, by the Rev. W. F. Wilkinson, Mr. George Fisher, of the Norfolk and Suffolk Company of Comedians, to Miss Marianne Nickless, niece of Mrs. Saul, of that place.

20.-A coach commenced running from the Crown Tavern, Lynn, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning by Swaffham and Dereham to Norwich. It returned from Norwich _via_ Hingham, Watton, and Swaffham. Another coach set out from the White Swan, Norwich, every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sat.u.r.day morning at eleven o'clock, and travelled by Dereham and Swaffham to meet the Stamford coach at Lynn. It returned after the arrival of the Stamford coach, by Swaffham, Watton, and Hingham.