Norfolk Annals
Chapter 9 : Night signals were established along the coast, and special constables sworn in at Yarmo

Night signals were established along the coast, and special constables sworn in at Yarmouth, Lynn, and elsewhere.

At the suggestion of Major-General Money, two companies of Sharpshooters were raised, and, with a company of Cavalry Pioneers, were attached to the East Norfolk Regiment of Yeomanry Cavalry.

SEPTEMBER.

1.-What was considered to be a big bag of partridges was killed at Stiffkey by Lord James Townshend and Major Loftus, namely, 43 brace. At Cromer, Major Windham killed 25 brace.

4.-The Musquito brig, of 18 guns, was launched from Mr. John Preston's yard at Yarmouth.

6.-The Cygnet sloop of war, of 18 guns, was launched from Mr. Nathaniel Palmer's yard at Yarmouth.

13.-Excessive heat prevailed. On this day 80 degrees Fahr. was recorded.

15.*-"The Ipswich Mail now goes every day from the King's Head Inn, Market Place, Norwich, to the Swan with two Necks, Lad Lane; and the Newmarket Mail to the Golden Cross, Charing Cross, daily. The mails arrive in London every morning at seven o'clock."

24.-The East Norfolk Regiment of Yeomanry Cavalry, with Capt. C. Brown's Company of Cavalry Pioneers, and Capt. Pillan's Company of Sharpshooters, encamped on h.e.l.lesdon Field, under the command of Major-General Money. A sham fight, in which were engaged the Norwich Volunteer Infantry, under Col. Harvey, the Norwich Rifles, and the Artillery detachment, under Capt. Fyers, followed.

Major-General Milner was appointed to the charge of the Volunteer Infantry of Norfolk, which were inspected by him during the month.

OCTOBER.

6.-Died, aged 60, Sir Wm. Kemp, Bart., of Briston. "He was riding on a hobby, from which he fell and expired immediately."

13.-A report was published by Messrs. Kent and Crease, suggesting improvements to Wells harbour at the estimated cost of 30,000.

17.-Died, in St. Augustine's, Norwich, Mr. John Thompson, aged 70. "He established himself the heir-at-law of the late John Tilyard, whose property had long been the subject of litigation, by obtaining a verdict in his favour at the summer a.s.sizes for this county in 1792, whereby he became ent.i.tled to a valuable estate at Oby."

20.-A musical farce, ent.i.tled "Dash, or who but he?" written by Mr. F.

Lathom, of Norwich, was produced at Drury Lane. It was first performed at Norwich Theatre under the t.i.tle of "Holiday Time, or the School Boy's Frolic."

26.-Died, aged 83, the Rev. John Peele, 38 years Upper Minister of St.

Peter Mancroft, Norwich. He was succeeded by the Rev. C J. Chapman.

-Races were held at Blickling Park. Events: A subscription purse for horses bred in Norfolk, the best of three one mile, heats; a subscription purse of 50, for the best of three two mile heats. Silver cup for the best of three two mile heats. A purse of five guineas for ponies, for the best of three two mile heats.

27.*-(Advt.) "The public are respectfully informed that the first number of a new weekly newspaper, ent.i.tled the 'Yarmouth Herald, or Norfolk, Suffolk, and Ess.e.x Advertiser,' will be published on Sat.u.r.day, November 10th, 1804, and sold by James Black, bookseller, Great Yarmouth."

-*"Mrs. Tuthill, wife of Mr. John Tuthill, of Heigham, is the fortunate holder of a 16th of the 10,000 prize."

28.-Died, at Ipswich, Lord Viscount Chedworth. His estate was valued at 500,000, of which sum he bequeathed 180,000 in legacies to various persons, some of whom were unknown to him personally. Mr. Thomas Penrice, of Yarmouth, received 20,000 legacy, and was also residuary legatee, by which he came into a property of at least 300,000. His lords.h.i.+p left 40,000 to his solicitor, and large amounts to actors and actresses in Norwich and London. A caveat was entered by the next of kin, and on July 5th, 1805, an action to contest the validity of the will was tried before Lord Ellenborough in the Court of King's Bench. The jury confirmed the will, and gave a verdict accordingly. An application for a new trial was refused.

31.-At a public meeting at Cromer it was resolved to establish a lifeboat, and upwards of 500 was subscribed for the purpose.

NOVEMBER.

10.-A one hundred yards race took place in Gunton Park between the Hon.

Edward Harbord and a well-known runner, named Wade, of Aylsham. Mr.

Harbord won by about four yards.

11.*-"In pulling down the old workhouse in the Lower Close, Norwich, to improve the entrance to the Deanery, some very curious remains of an ancient Saxon Gothic building were discovered. The arches and capitals had been richly gilt and ornamented. The style of architecture appeared to be that in use about the reign of King Stephen."

14.-Died, at Norton, near Lincoln, aged 74, the Right Hon. George, Earl of Buckinghams.h.i.+re, Baron Hobart, of Blickling, in Norfolk. He was succeeded in his t.i.tle and estates by the Right Hon. Lord Hobart, formerly his Majesty's Princ.i.p.al Secretary of State for the Department of War and the Colonies.

16.-The Rev. J. Bowman was elected Under Minister at St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich, in succession to the Rev. C. J. Chapman.

22.-The Romney, of 50 guns, which sailed from Yarmouth Roads on the 18th, with bullocks and vegetables for the blockading fleet off the Texel, was lost in a gale on the South Haak Sand. All the officers and crew saved themselves on rafts, but were made prisoners by the Dutch. The officers were liberated on their parole by the Dutch Admiral Kikkert.

24.-The night coach from Norwich to Yarmouth was left near the King's Arms, Burgh, in charge of a lad, when the horses broke away and galloped in the direction of Yarmouth. A Norwich tradesman, who was an inside pa.s.senger, climbed upon the box, succeeded in reaching the reins, which had become entangled upon the splinter bar, and stopped the animals.

26.-Ninety-eight French prisoners, the crew of a large French privateer, of 18 guns, commanded by the noted Blackman, and captured by Capt.

Hanc.o.c.k, of the Cruiser sloop, marched into Norwich, and next morning proceeded, under a guard of Fifes.h.i.+re Militia, for Norman Cross Barracks.

The Corporation of Yarmouth and the merchants of the port voted their thanks to Capt. Hanc.o.c.k and his officers for their exertions in capturing Blackman, who had committed great depredations. Blackman himself was s.h.i.+pped to Chatham in the Monmouth. His vessel, La Contre-Amiral Magon, had sustained but trifling damage, and while she was lying at Mr.

Palmer's dock at Yarmouth, 2,500 was offered for her for privateering purposes.

27.-David Graham was convicted, before the Rev. J. Oldershaw, for driving cattle on Sunday at Harleston, and under the Act of Charles I. paid a penalty of 20s.

30.-It was reported at the annual meeting of the Society of Universal Good Will, at Norwich, that the number of persons relieved by it since its establishment was 1,940. An appeal was made for public support.

DECEMBER.

3.*-"The inhabitants of Loddon have entered into a subscription for the purpose of defraying the expense of lighting the town."

4.-Signor Belzoni from Sadler's Wells, by permission of the Mayor, gave a performance in the a.s.sembly room at the Maid's Head Inn, Norwich. It was described as "a grand hydraulic exhibition, called Fire and Water, along with his phantasmagoria and wonderful feats of strength performed by the Patagonian Samson, who will carry on his head, arms, and body from five to ten men with the greatest ease." This was the famous Belzoni, the traveller and discoverer of Egyptian antiquities, whose book ent.i.tled, "Narrative of the Operations and recent Discoveries in the Pyramids, Temples, Tombs, and Cities of Egypt and Nubia," obtained a wide circulation.

10.-Thetford coursing meeting commenced. It lasted four days.

1805.

JANUARY.

10.-The Supervisor and officers of Excise belonging to the East Dereham district seized at Melton a horse and cart, with 80 gallons of Geneva and four gallons of brandy.

11.-A murderous poaching affray occurred in Thorpe Wood, near Aylsham, when several game watchers, in the service of Lord Suffield, were severely wounded. At the Norfolk a.s.sizes at Thetford, in March, six of the poachers, indicted under the Black Act, were found guilty and sentenced to death. Lord Suffield and the Hon. Edward Harbord pleaded that their lives might be spared, and the sentence was ultimately commuted to transportation. When the gang were being conveyed by the Expedition night mail coach from Norwich, on their way to Portsmouth, the convicts got free from the chain and made a desperate attempt to escape, but were too heavily ironed. They attacked the coachman, and one of the guards presented a pistol, which missed fire; Johnson, the gaoler, rushed amongst them with a cutla.s.s, and subdued them. One prisoner escaped, and the others were lodged in the Surrey New Gaol on the following morning.

17.-At a public meeting held at the Guildhall, Norwich, it was resolved to establish a Hospital and School for the Indigent Blind in Norfolk and Norwich; towards the foundation of which Mr. Thomas Tawell contributed a house and 3 acres of land in Magdalen Street, valued at 1,050. Mr.

Tawell, who was himself blind, made an eloquent and successful appeal, and the inst.i.tution was opened on October 14th.