Norfolk Annals
Chapter 11 : JULY.6.-Mr. Edward Rigby, Mayor of Norwich, in a letter to the NORFOLK CHRONICLE, advoc

JULY.

6.-Mr. Edward Rigby, Mayor of Norwich, in a letter to the NORFOLK CHRONICLE, advocated vaccine inoculation. He wrote: "I inoculated my twin children when they were eight months old with smallpox ichor, and they resisted the infection. Since then I have exposed them to patients under smallpox and at that period of the disease when most likely to communicate infection, which, as before, they were insusceptible to."

9.-Mdlle. Eloise Adelaide de Bourbon, daughter of the Prince of Conde, took the veil at Bodney Hall, the retreat of the nuns of Montargis.

-A "bugle man" of the Norwich Rifle Corps, named Hardingham, was killed by the accidental discharge of a rifle at target practice. His remains were interred, with military honours, in St. Giles' churchyard on the 11th.

16.-At a meeting held at the Guildhall, presided over by the Mayor of Norwich, resolutions were adopted for taking the best means of stopping the progress of the contagion of smallpox, and of extending vaccine inoculation. A committee afterwards presented a memorial in favour of vaccination. On September 14th it was announced that nearly 400 of the poor had been vaccinated.

24.-A gift of silver plate was presented to Sir Thomas Beevor, Bart., at Hethel, by the Chairman and Committees of Chief Constables in Humbleyard and adjacent Hundreds, as "a testimonial of esteem and respect and approbation of the able and upright manner in which he had discharged the duties of a magistrate for more than half a century."

27.*-"At Diss, a number of labourers in husbandry refused to work for the customary wages, and being out of employment applied to the magistrates, who advised the parish officers to put them to work, which they accordingly did. Their business was to carry bricks in a hod from Palgrave to Diss, a distance of two miles. This medicine had the desired effect, for after two days they returned to their former employment."

AUGUST.

3.*-(Advt.) "A main of c.o.c.ks will be fought at the Sun Inn, Wells, on Tuesday, August 13th, between the gentlemen of Foulsham and the gentlemen of Wells, five guineas the battle and twenty guineas the odd. There will be two pits. Feeders, Whisker for Foulsham; Souther for Wells."

6.-The Norwich Society of Artists opened an exhibition of paintings and drawings in their room in Sir Benjamin Wrenche's Court.

8.-In consequence of official intelligence of preparations along the enemy's coast, Major-General Money addressed a letter to the commandants of Yeomanry and Volunteer Cavalry in Norfolk and Suffolk, requesting them to have their corps ready for inspection, and in marching order. A similar letter was sent by Major-General Milner to the commandants of Norfolk Volunteer Infantry, adding that the requisite number of waggons was ordered for their conveyance in case of necessity.

12.-A cricket match was played at Reepham between the gentlemen of Foulsham and the gentlemen of Reepham, Hackford, Whitwell, and Corpusty "for a considerable sum." It was won by the former, "with eight notches to spare." The return match, on October 21st, was also won by Foulsham.

26.-A cricket match was played in Blickling Park between elevens of the Blickling and Norwich clubs, and was won by the former. It was followed by a single wicket match between the same teams, when Blickling again won, with nine wickets to go down.

SEPTEMBER.

3.-The committee of the Court of Guardians, appointed to examine the poor-rates of the city and hamlets of Norwich, and to obtain a more equal a.s.sessment, reported that an increase of 16,000 stock and 1,800 rent, calculating on the half-rental only, might be made; and recommended a general survey and new valuation to be taken, in consequence of the great alteration which had taken place in property, and in the value of land in particular since 1786, when the last survey was made.

7.-A remarkable whirlwind occurred at Rockland St. Mary. A rowing boat, lying on the bank of the broad, was lifted into the air and blown a distance of 70 yards; and another large boat was raised out of the water and hurled a considerable distance. A young man was lifted three or four yards in the air and blown several yards. Much damage was done to the roofs of cottages and to wheat sheafs in the fields.

13.-Mr. Incledon, the famous vocalist, appeared at Norwich Theatre in his entertainment, "The Wandering Melodist."

21.-At a meeting of the Norwich Corporation the committee appointed to take into consideration the propriety of applying to Parliament for an Act for the better lighting, watching, and paving of the city, reported in favour of the proposal, and a gentleman present offered to subscribe 500 towards the undertaking. On October 26th, it was reported that the aldermen had adopted the recommendation, but the Commons threw it out by 20 votes against 16. At a meeting held on October 30th, at which the Bishop, the Mayor, and many of the princ.i.p.al owners and occupiers of estates were present, the pet.i.tion was unanimously agreed to and signed.

28.*-"A finely preserved Saxon font has been discovered in the church of Great Hautbois, near Coltishall, by Mr. J. A. Repton. Many curious remains of antient sculpture are obscured by repeated coats of dirt and whitewash in our churches."

-*"Died, lately, Sir James Tylney Longe, Bart., in the eleventh year of his age. By his death the Tylney property, amounting to 25,000 per annum and nearly 300,000 in the Funds, devolves on the distant branches of the Longe family."

During this month Mr. James Neild, of Chelsea, a well-known philanthropist, visited the county gaol, the city gaol and bridewell, the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, and the Duke's Palace Workhouse. In his report on the Hospital he wrote: "It does honour to the county, and is one of the best I have seen."

OCTOBER.

7.-A mysterious outrage was committed at Fakenham. A man entered the bed-room of two maiden ladies, named Bale, brutally thrashed one, and attempted to cut the throat of the other, after which he decamped. The Home Office offered his Majesty's pardon to any accomplice who gave evidence that would lead to a conviction, and Mr. Edward Bale, of Toftrees, offered a reward of 100 for the discovery of the guilty person. No clue was forthcoming.

12.*-"A few days since the Russian Countess Mengdon arrived at her newly-purchased seat, called New Place, Thetford, late the residence of Mr. James Mingay."

18.-One of a pair of eagles was shot at Cantley. The extended wings measured 7 feet 4 inches, and the bird was 2 feet in height.

22.-A two days' race meeting commenced in Blickling Park. A ball and supper were given by Lord Suffield.

-The Norwich Battalion of Volunteers, commanded by Lieut.-Col. Patteson, and the City of Norwich Battalion of Volunteer Infantry (Lieut.-Col.

Harvey) were inspected by Major-General Milner. "A portion of the latter corps proceeded from the Castle ditches to Mile End in waggons, fitted up with seats, and provided throughout the county pursuant to general orders."

Under the Additional Force Act, Norfolk raised this month 248 men to supply vacancies occasioned by those who had enlisted out of the Militia into the regular Army.

NOVEMBER.

2.*-"The Sheriff of Norwich, Mr. J. H. Yallop, is the fortunate holder of a sixteenth share of the ticket drawn for a prize of 3,000. In the lottery of 1803, Mr. Yallop also shared a prize of 2,000, and in 1804, part of the 20,000 prize."

7.-Intelligence was received of the battle of Trafalgar, which was fought on October 21st, and of the death of Nelson. "The bells were rung and fired throughout the day, but all the joy that would have arisen from the victory was wholly absorbed in sorrow and regret for the death of the Hero of the Nile and Trafalgar." Great rejoicings afterwards took place, and addresses of congratulation to his Majesty were unanimously voted by the Corporations of Norwich, Yarmouth, Lynn, &c.

30.-A county meeting was held at the s.h.i.+rehall, Norwich, when an address to his Majesty on the victory of Trafalgar was agreed to. It was also resolved to open a subscription for erecting a memorial to perpetuate the memory of Lord Nelson's victories.

DECEMBER.

3.-The Duke of Norfolk arrived at Norwich, and visited the Cathedral, St.

Andrew's Hall, and other public buildings.

-Thanksgiving day. Collections were made in the churches for the relief of the families of those who fell, and for those who were wounded. At Aylsham, there was a "grand naval procession," barrels of beer were drunk in the Market Place, and a display of fireworks took place at night.

17.-A grand _fete_ was held at the Norwich a.s.sembly Rooms, in honour of Nelson's victory. Upwards of 450 ladies and gentlemen of the county and city were present at the ball and supper, and the rooms were decorated with transparencies and brilliantly illuminated. The arrangements were carried out by the Norfolk Society, established in 1770.

Among the Acts of Parliament pa.s.sed this year was one to enable Mr.

Daniel Henry Woodward, his sons, and their descendants to use the surname and family arms of Mr. Henry Lee Warner, late of Walsingham.

1806.

JANUARY.

4.*-(Advt.) "To be sold, a Proprietor's Share in the Norwich Theatre, with or without transferable ticket, which will admit the holder to the Yarmouth, Ipswich, and Colchester Theatres."