Norfolk Annals
Chapter 35 : OCTOBER.1.-Died at his house on Tombland, Norwich, Robert Dixon, aged 35. He studied at

OCTOBER.

1.-Died at his house on Tombland, Norwich, Robert Dixon, aged 35. He studied at the Royal Academy, settled in Norwich as an artist in 1800, and gave lessons in drawing. "As a scene painter Mr. Dixon stood proudly pre-eminent, and Norwich Theatre may boast of monuments of his greatness." A public exhibition of his works was held in the room of the Norwich Society of Artists, and on January 22nd, 1816, a performance was given at the Theatre, for the benefit of his widow and children.

17.-At the Norwich Quarter Sessions the Grand Jury made a presentment on the defective state of the pavements, and expressed the opinion that, the streets were inadequately cleansed and lighted.

19.-A grand musical performance was given at St. Stephen's Church, Norwich, in aid of the Blind School. The princ.i.p.al performers were Miss King, Mr. Barrow, and Mr. French; leader of the band, Mr. Fish; at the organ, Mr. Pettet.

21.-The Norwich, Ipswich, Colchester, and London Post Coach was advertised to start from the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich, at eight o'clock every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning.

NOVEMBER.

4.*-"Died lately, aged 101, Mrs. Stockings, of East Harling."

11.-The Day Norwich and London New Post Coach was advertised to perform the journey between Norwich and the Metropolis in 14 hours. It started from the Rampant Horse Inn every morning at six o'clock, and arrived the same evening at the Black Bull Inn and Spread Eagle Inn, Gracechurch Street. It left London at six o'clock on the following morning. The proprietors were Richard Gurney, Ann Nelson and Sons, T. and J. Boyce, Samuel Bright, and William Jones.

14.-The Duke of York arrived at Quidenham Hall on a visit to the Earl of Albemarle for a week's pheasant shooting.

16.-In the Court of King's Bench, Benjamin Branford, Joshua Forby, James Jessup, and William Quant, convicted at the Norfolk a.s.sizes of conspiring to falsely accuse Mr. Henry Goggs, of Whissonsett, of a serious offence, were sentenced, Branford to twelve months', Forby to six months', and Jessup and Quant to three months' imprisonment in Norwich Castle.

24.-Died, at Thursford, Sir George Chad, Bart., aged 84.

27.-The Marquis Cornwallis, Earl and Lady Chatham, and other notabilities, pa.s.sed through Norwich on their way from Blickling Hall to Henham Park.

30.-The Duke of Gloucester, the Lord Bishop of Norwich, and the Earl and Countess of Albemarle, visited Mr. T. W. c.o.ke at Holkham.

DECEMBER.

1.-Lord Sydney visited Yarmouth and was presented with the patent of the office of High Steward of the borough. His lords.h.i.+p invited the Corporation to dinner at the Nelson Hotel, and General Loftus, M.P., by whom he was accompanied, gave a ball at the Town Hall.

7.-A sixteenth share of the lottery prize of 50,000 three per cent.

consols was drawn by Mr. C. Davy, farmer, Great Plumstead.

16.-Died at his house in St. James's Square, London, in his 70th year, Charles Howard, Duke of Norfolk, Earl Marshal and Hereditary Marshal of England. He was succeeded in his t.i.tles, hereditary honours, and princ.i.p.al estates, by Mr. Barnard Edward Howard, of Fornham, near Bury St. Edmund's.

18.-Colombier's French Company of Equestrians commenced an engagement at the Pantheon, Norwich.

24.-Died, Mrs. Mary Dye, of Elsing, aged 101.

-Lord and Lady Castlereagh arrived in Norwich, and after dining at the Norfolk Hotel, proceeded on a visit to Lord Suffield, at Blickling Park.

30.*-"A fire engine completed by Mr. Jordan, an ingenious mechanic, of this city (Norwich), and requiring only 18 men to work it, was tried against one of Hadley and Co.'s patent engines in the Market Place yesterday, and proved equal, if not superior, to it in power. Messrs.

Hartley's engine cost 180 and Mr. Jordan's only 80."

1816.

JANUARY.

5.-At a Provincial Grand Lodge of Freemasons held at Norwich, Sir Jacob Henry Astley, M.P., was elected Grand Master.

6.-Mr. Thomas Coldwell was appointed postmaster at Norwich, in place of G. Litchfield.

-*"One day this week a salmon trout measuring one yard four inches, and weighing twenty-one pounds, was caught in Trowse River, near Norwich."

18.-Thanksgiving day for the restoration of Peace. The Mayor and Corporation of Norwich attended the Cathedral in state, and services were held at most of the city churches.

20.-Died, aged 83, Mr. James Clabburn, many years keeper of the Close Jail, at Norwich.

-*"An order has been received at Norwich for upwards of 10,000 pieces of broad whites from the East India Company, and distributed among the different manufacturers much in the same proportions as last year."

-*"There is now living in Forncett St. Mary a Mrs. Knights, who is 106 years old."

24.-Mr. Betty, originally known as the Young Roscius, commenced an engagement at Norwich Theatre. He appeared as Douglas, Sir Edward Mortimer ("The Iron Chest"), and Rolla ("Pizarro").

25.-At the 51st anniversary meeting of the Castle Corporation, at Norwich, Mr. Thomas Back presented to the society two medals to be worn respectively by the "Recorder" and "Steward." They were intended to commemorate the battle of Waterloo.

25.-A memorial was sent to the Postmaster-General by the inhabitants of Norwich, setting forth the great inconvenience occasioned by the late delivery of letters by the mail. Afterwards the coach arrived at twelve o'clock instead of at one o'clock.

27.*-"Died, at Exeter, aged 63, Mr. John Bennett, formerly of the Norwich Theatre."

29.-Died, in his 87th year, Mr. Robert Harvey, of Norwich. He twice served the office of Mayor (1770 and 1800), and at his death was "Father of the City." "He enjoyed the gratification of seeing his three surviving sons holding high munic.i.p.al positions, one of whom received the additional honour of being its representative in Parliament."

FEBRUARY.

3.-Mr. Dowton commenced an engagement of four nights at Norwich Theatre.

He appeared as Sir Anthony Absolute, Abednego ("The Jew and the Doctor"), Sir Francis Gripe ("The Busybody"), Scout ("The Village Lawyer"), and Old Dorley ("Who's the Dupe?").

4.-Died at Hamilton Place, London, Robert, Earl of Buckinghams.h.i.+re, Baron Hobart, President of the India Board. He was half brother to John, Earl of Buckinghams.h.i.+re, who resided at Blickling, and who was father of Lady Suffield and Lady Castlereagh.

5.-Died in St. Stephen's, Norwich, aged 69, Sir John Odingsells Leake, Bart., formerly of Quebec House, East Dereham.

12.-Mr. Elliston appeared at Lynn Theatre as Duke Aranza ("The Honeymoon") and Rover ("Wild Oats").

16.-A high tide at Yarmouth. The Denes and the west side of the haven were inundated. A similar occurrence had not been recorded since 1791.

A flood also took place at Lynn.

17.-Mrs. Davison, of Drury Lane, appeared at Norwich Theatre as Let.i.tia Hardy ("Belle's Stratagem"), and on succeeding evenings as Maria ("Of Age To-morrow"), Peggy ("The Country Girl"), &c.