Norfolk Annals Volume I Part 18

14.-Sergt.-Major Marshall, of the Thetford Volunteer Corps, and his son were killed by an accidental explosion while sorting damaged cartridges.

18.-A prize fight, for 40 a side, took place on Kirstead Green, between Wm. Underwood, of Seething, and John Chase, of Brooke. Eighty-five rounds were fought in two hours. Underwood won.

21.-Thorpe Water Frolic took place. "The Admiral of the flotilla was placed in a small boat and carried round Thorpe Gardens several times, with guns firing, flags flying, and music playing. The company sang 'G.o.d Save the King' and 'Rule Britannia.' A young gentleman favoured the company with an excellent hornpipe on the top of the Apollo barge."

23.-The bankruptcy of Sir R. Kerrison and Sons created much sensation in Norwich. "The crowd was so great in the King's Head Inn yard of persons who came to prove their debts that many had to return without proving them." The amount proved was considerably over 580,000. On January 16th, 1809, the creditors agreed to pay the sum of 5,500 to Lady Kerrison, in lieu of dower and of other claims and demands she might have on the estate. On May 13th, a dividend of 6s. 8d. in the pound was ordered to be paid on the 17th to the 3,600 creditors who had proved their debts. Dividends amounting to 16s. 4d. in the pound were afterwards paid.

29.-At a special meeting of the Norwich Corporation, an address to his Majesty was unanimously agreed to, "on the subject of the n.o.ble struggle of the patriots of Spain and Portugal against the Ruler of France, and of the generous aid given to their endeavours by our Government."

AUGUST.

1.-Mr. Stephen Springall, farmer, of Wroxham Hall, and his nephew, aged 12, were drowned at Wroxham Water Frolic, through the capsizing of their boat.

8.-A remarkable storm occurred at Norwich. Streets were inundated and cellars flooded. "The roaring of the waters in falling from the roof to the lower leads of the Cathedral was so tremendous as literally to drown the noise of the thunder that accompanied it."

15.-The Norwich Society of Artists opened their fourth exhibition.

20.*-"At the Hospital anniversary at Norwich, the sum collected at the Cathedral was 161 1s., and at the dinner, 53 7s. Of the church collection, 1 6s. 6d. was base coin."

-*"Among the many performers who have contributed in the course of the a.s.size week to the entertainment of the city, may be reckoned the wonderful John Howes, from Eyke, near Woodbridge. Though bereft of sight and moving in a humble sphere of life, his arrival in Norwich was announced by the ringing of bells, for he carries a complete peal of twelve about with him, which, when he performs, he suspends upon a pole placed horizontally across the backs of two chairs. A variety of peals, as well as song tunes, country dances, &c., he plays with a degree of accuracy and precision that charm all those who witness his performance."

28.-Braconash Church was reopened for service by the Bishop of Norwich, after its complete restoration. Mr. T. T. Berney, of Bracon Hall, entertained many of the neighbouring clergy at dinner.

30.-Died, at the age of 101, Mrs. Mary Moneyment, of St. Faith's.

Many of the Volunteers transferred their services to the Local Militia, established this month under the Act pa.s.sed in July.

SEPTEMBER.

2.-Died, in his 49th year, Dr. Richard Lubbock, of Norwich. He was educated at the Grammar School, under the Rev. G. W. Lemon, author of the "English Derivative Dictionary," was a pupil of Mr. Rigby, and studied for several years at Edinburgh University.

5.-A cricket match was played at Thetford, between the Thetford and Newmarket clubs. The former won by 50 "notches."

17.*-"At the late meeting of the county magistrates, it was agreed that the pa.s.sage way from the top of the Castle Hill, Norwich, to the north-east side should be filled up, and the iron railing continued from the bridge quite round. The descent from that part of the hill towards Gurney's bank will be by a flight of stone steps."

19.-Great festivities took place at Rainham Hall to celebrate the arrival of the Marquis Townshend. "A bullock was roasted and four sheep boiled, and a large quant.i.ty of that old beverage made from malt and hops contributed to make all heads and hearts glow with grat.i.tude to the n.o.ble donor."

21.-At a quarterly meeting of the Norwich Corporation, the Commons proposed that the representatives of the city be instructed to oppose the Bill for erecting a bridge over the river at Carrow Abbey. The motion was not agreed to by the aldermen. On December 15th, a numerous meeting was held at the Guildhall to oppose the erection of the bridge, on the ground that it was unnecessary. On February 20th, 1809, Mr. Patteson presented a pet.i.tion to the House of Commons, praying for leave to bring in a Bill for carrying out the proposal. On April 21st, Mr. Patteson moved the second reading of the Carrow Bridge Bill, which was opposed by Mr. W. Smith. Fourteen voted for the motion, and nine against. These numbers not const.i.tuting a House, the further consideration of the Bill was deferred to a future sitting, when the second reading was carried by 48 votes to 26. Ultimately, the Bill received the Royal a.s.sent. On July 26th, the Commissioners selected Mr. A. Brown's plan for an iron bridge, and on July 31st, contracts were entered into with Mr. J. G. Aggs for casting the ironwork; with Messrs. Athow and De Carle for the stonework; and with Mr. N. Wyeth for the brickwork and abutments. On December 18th, a proposition was submitted to the Commissioners in favour of abandoning the Carrow Bridge scheme, in view of the projected erection, near the Foundry, of a bridge over the Wensum. It was decided, however, to push on with the work as speedily as possible; and the first stone was laid on April 26th, 1810, by the Mayor, Mr. Thomas Back.

25.-Died, the celebrated Greek scholar, Richard Porson. He was a native of Ruston, in Norfolk. He left a sister, the wife of Mr. S. Hawes, of Coltishall. His brother Thomas, who kept a boarding school at Fakenham, died in 1792.

27.-A rowing match, for ten guineas a side, took place at Norwich, between the six-oared boats, the Britannia and the Crown Point. The latter won. Distance, 4 miles; time, 30 minutes 30 seconds.

OCTOBER.

5.-Mr. Shelford Bidwell was elected Mayor of Thetford. "The usual entertainment was given to the Corporation. The source from whence it was, as usual, derived is worthy of record. The roast beef is provided by the Town Clerk; the boiled beef by the tenant of the tolls of the navigation; the geese by the tenant of the bridge tolls; the game and wine by the Mayor-Elect; and the keeper of the tavern adjacent to the Guildhall finds the plumb puddings. Is this immemorial custom in the above very ancient borough not the origin of the present fas.h.i.+onable _Pic Nics_?"

10.-About two-thirds of Col. Patteson's Volunteer Infantry were enrolled as Local Militia.

15.-The Norwich corn merchants demanded of the farmers a month's credit, instead of paying ready money for their corn as. .h.i.therto, but it was resisted by the growers, and ultimately abandoned by the merchants. In the Court of King's Bench, on November 25th, Lord Ellenborough, who was applied to for a rule, held that individuals might buy and sell upon terms agreed to, but combining to impose terms upon the growers was calculated to enhance the price of grain in the market, and to lessen the supply in the market, which was another cause for an increased price.

16.-Fundenhall Church was opened, after extensive repair. The chancel was almost rebuilt by Mr. T. T. Berney, the impropriator.

18.-A rowing match, for five guineas a side, took place between the Revenge, six oars, and the Lion, four oars. The course was from Carrow to Whitlingham and back. The Revenge won.

25.-At Blickling Races a silver cup was for the first time offered for compet.i.tion by horses ridden in a regiment or troop of Norfolk Yeomanry Cavalry.

28.-The organ erected at St. Andrew's Church, Norwich, was opened by Dr.

Beckwith. A grand selection from the works of Handel was played upon the instrument, and upwards of 120 was collected.

31.-At Holkham, from October 31st to November 17th, Mr. c.o.ke and seven other guns killed 1,131 hares, 214 pheasants, 366 partridges, 983 rabbits, 30 woodc.o.c.k, 12 wood pigeons, and 5 snipe.

NOVEMBER.

9.-A woman, named Mary Hudson, aged 35, escaped from Norwich City Gaol under extraordinary circ.u.mstances. She made a hole through the wall of the room in which she was confined, and crept through it into the street, taking her six months old infant with her. The wall was two feet in thickness, and she must have been employed some nights in making the aperture. The bricks were concealed beneath her bed, and the loose rubbish put into the pillowcase. Another bed served to conceal the hole in the wall. In the hue and cry advertis.e.m.e.nt, offering a reward of ten guineas for her recapture, it was stated that a Yarmouth hawker and pedlar, named Thomas c.o.c.ks, "who frequently feeds c.o.c.ks for fighting in Norfolk and Suffolk," was suspected of having a.s.sisted the woman to escape. There is no record of her recapture.

15.-Swaffham Coursing Meeting took place. It was described as "the most successful meeting since the renewal of coursing here." Two hundred persons attended the ball.

24.-The Wymondham troop of Yeomanry Cavalry presented a valuable sword to the commanding officer, Capt. John Darell.

DECEMBER.

10.*-"The lay clerks of Norwich Cathedral have lately had their salaries augmented 12 each, being only the second advance since the time of Henry VIII."

17.-From Sat.u.r.day, the 17th, to Sat.u.r.day, the 24th, the Newmarket mail coach, owing to the heavy fall of snow, did not arrive in Norwich with the letters until after the departure of the coaches for London. Great inconvenience was occasioned thereby in commercial circles.

21.-Died, aged 18, Miss Fisher, only daughter of Mr. Fisher, of the Newmarket Theatre, and formerly of Norwich.

24.*-(Advt.) "A main of c.o.c.ks will be fought at the Maid's Head Inn, Norwich, on Tuesday and Wednesday, the 3rd and 4th of January, 1809; to show 31 mains, to fight for ten guineas a battle, and 100 the odd battle.

Likewise to show ten bye c.o.c.ks for five guineas a battle, and two turn outs. Feeders, Lamb, Norfolk; c.o.c.k, Norwich."

31.-John Gulley, Tom Crib, and Tom Belcher gave a boxing exhibition at Norwich before an audience of 800 persons.

Col. Robert Harvey, not being joined by a sufficient number of the Volunteers under his command to permit of its becoming a battalion of Local Militia, he resigned his commission, and was succeeded by Lieut.-Col. De Hague.

1809.