Chronological Retrospect of the History of Yarmouth and Neighbourhood Part 15

Town farthings coined by the Overseers "for the use of the poor." In 1673 they were cried down, and the town fined 90 for setting up a local mint. Lord Townshend pet.i.tioned the King on their behalf that he would pardon their offence.

1668.

Twenty-two thousand seven hundred and sixty chaldrons of coal imported.

1670.

An Act of Parliament pa.s.sed appointing Haven Commissioners, viz., three for Norfolk, three for Suffolk, two for Norwich, and two for Yarmouth.

April 21st. Mitch.e.l.l Mew, twice Bailiff, and once Mayor, died, aged 71 years.

1671.

Sep. 27th. Charles II. visited Yarmouth, accompanied by the Dukes of York, Monmouth, and Buckingham, and publicly entertained at a cost of 1,000.-The Corporation presented the King with four golden herrings and a chain, value 250. The King knighted three gentlemen of the Council.

1672.

May 28th. Duke of York, commander of the English fleet, defeated the Dutch fleet under De Ruyter, in Sole Bay, or Southwold Bay. The guns were heard at Yarmouth, and the sick and wounded afterwards brought here.

Yarmouth sent presents of wine, sheep, lambs, lemons, fowls, and fish to the Duke of York, previous to the engagement.

1673.

April 8th. William Burton, sen., twice Bailiff of the town, died, aged 65 years.

Son of Sir William Paston created Baron Paston and Viscount Yarmouth; also created Earl of Yarmouth in 1679. In 1676 he was shot at and wounded while in his coach. He died in 1682.

1674.

Robert Paston, Viscount Yarmouth, chosen High Steward of the Borough.

The famous "Yarmouth Troll Cart" in use. At this date they were known by the name of "Yarmouth Coaches," being more elegantly made, and let out to pleasure parties.

Bell factory supposed to have existed.

Haven expenses this year, 2,099 9s. 6d.

1677.

Grand celebration in Yarmouth on the marriage of William III., Prince of Orange, with Princess Mary.

Captain Booth executed in the town for stabbing a seaman.

The ground between the walls and the east side of the town, from the Market Place, along King Street to the Friars' Lane, was sold for 2,265 17s. 6d., to sundry persons to build upon.

1678.

Bonfires, by order of the Corporation, made in the Market Place and other parts of the town, on the pa.s.sing of the "Test Act" by both Houses of Parliament.

1679.

Sir W. Coventry, Knt., re-elected to Parliament, with Lord Huntingdon.

1680.

Richard Huntingdon and George England, Esqs., returned to Parliament.

1681.

Oct. 21st. Sir William Gooch, Bart., born at Yarmouth. Early in life he entered the army, and distinguished himself in the Rebellion of 1715.

George I. made him Lieutenant-Governor of Virginia in 1727; and in 1740 he was appointed Colonel of an American Regiment, and a.s.sisted at the memorable siege of Carthagena. For his services he was promoted, being first made Brigadier and then Major-General, in which capacity, in 1747, he commanded in the expedition to Quebec. Died at Bath, Dec. 17th, 1751.

The whole body of Freemen claimed a right of electing members for the town, and accordingly chose Sir James Johnson, Knt., and George England, Esq. Before this, the Corporation had usually taken upon themselves this business, sometimes by a majority of the a.s.sembly, and sometimes by an inquest of six Aldermen and six Common Councilmen.

H.R.H. the Duke of York entertained to a sumptuous dinner in Yarmouth; afterwards embarked in the frigate "Gloucester," but (May 6th) the vessel striking on the Leman and Ower sand, 12 leagues from Yarmouth, she filled with water, and the Duke escaped in a shallop, with Colonel Churchill, Earl of Aberdeen, Duke of Montrose, and a few other distinguished personages.