Chronological Retrospect of the History of Yarmouth and Neighbourhood Part 22

1769.

Sept. 16th. Elizabeth Martin executed for the murder of her illegitimate child.

1770.

April 18th. The day of John Wilkes's releas.e.m.e.nt from the Tower celebrated at Yarmouth with great rejoicings. He was an eminent English politician.

Nov. 8th. Rev. John Manclarke, minister of the parish, died, aged 38 years.

During a gale, thirty vessels and two hundred men lost.

Four of the Town Gates pulled down.

One guinea bounty offered to every able seaman at Yarmouth who would join the fleet to suppress the war with Spain.

1771.

"Clappermen" appointed to watch the vessels in the Harbour, and prevent any fire or light being used on board.

1772.

Jan. 11th. Henry Swinden, a diligent antiquary, who for twenty years collected and digested a large ma.s.s of information respecting his native town, author of "History of Great Yarmouth," died, the same year his work was published, and while the last sheet was in the press, aged 55 years.

(See 1776.)

1774.

Charles Townshend, Esq., and the Hon. Richard Walpole returned to Parliament. Votes-T., 310; W., 310; W. Beckford, 218; Sir Charles Saunders, K.B., 216. In 1777, Charles Townshend, Esq., vacated his seat, but was returned with W. Beckford, Esq. Votes-T., 502; B., 199.

The overseers' account for the past year, ending at Easter, was-Money received, 2,694 16s.; money paid (including everything, and a new building at 201 10s.) left a balance in hand of 61 15s. 7d.

1775.

The "Nine houses" at Southtown built by John Eggoty, on the site of public tea-gardens and cream house.

1776.

"The History and Antiquities of Yarmouth," by the Rev. Charles Parkin, M.A., Rector of Oxburgh, published.

John Ives, F.R.S., F.S.A., died. He was born at Yarmouth in 1730, and became eminent for his skill in antiquarian science. He published "Mans.h.i.+p's History," wrote the preface, and erected a marble monument in St. Nicholas' Church to Mans.h.i.+p's memory.

1778.

Dec. 4th. Theatre erected, and opened with the comedy of the _English Merchant_. Building cost 1,500. Renovated in 1828.

1779.

Jan. 1st. A tremendous storm and flood, and much damage done to s.h.i.+pping.

First Map of Yarmouth published by Mr. M. J. Armstrong. It was prepared by Swinden in 1722.

1780.

March 6th. A Monthly Book Club established by the Rev. R. Turner, B.D.

Armed a.s.sociations formed at Yarmouth.

1781.

William Penn, a pirate, hanged in London, and afterwards put on a gibbet on the North Denes.

Two batteries on the North Denes erected.

1782.