Norfolk Annals Volume I Part 4

5.-Parliament having been dissolved on June 29th, the election of members for the city of Norwich took place on this day. The candidates were the Right Hon. Wm. Windham, of Felbrigg, and Mr. John Frere, of Roydon; Mr.

Robert Fellowes, of Shottesham, and Mr. William Smith. At the close of the poll the numbers were:-Fellowes, 1,532; Smith, 1,439; Windham, 1,356; Frere, 1,328. There was great rioting. The chairing took place on the day following the declaration of the poll.

12.-After the lapse of 34 years, a contested election took place for the county of Norfolk. The poll opened on the 12th, and continued for eight days. The result was declared as follows:-Mr. Thomas Wm. c.o.ke, 4,317; Sir Jacob Henry Astley, 3,612; the Hon. Col. Wodehouse, 3,517. A scrutiny was demanded by the friends of the latter and granted. It commenced on July 30th, and continued till August 28th, when Col.

Wodehouse's counsel retired from the case, and Sir J. H. Astley and Mr.

c.o.ke were declared duly elected. The expenses of the contest were estimated at 35,000, and the amount spent by the successful candidates to bring distant voters to the poll was enormous.

Mr. John Hookham Frere, of Roydon, was this month appointed Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Madrid.

AUGUST.

12.-This year's anniversary service at the Cathedral, in aid of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, realised 165 3s. 4d. With the proceeds of the dinner at the Maid's Head Inn, the total amount handed to the inst.i.tution was 204 17s. 8d.

14.*-"We hear from Brussels that a party of gentlemen from Lynn have reached that city in the Hebe pleasure yacht. This being the first vessel that ever displayed the British flag in Brussels the quay of the port has been crowded with spectators looking at her."

17.-A duel was fought on Mousehold Heath, Norwich, by Mr. Robert Alderson, a well-known barrister, and Mr. Grigby. The latter conceived that he had been unfairly treated in cross-examination by Mr. Alderson at the Suffolk a.s.sizes, and, refusing to accept his explanation, sent him a challenge. "Mr. Alderson was attended to the field by Mr. Mackintosh, and Mr. Grigby by Mr. Turner. Two shots were exchanged, with no effect than that of Mr. Grigby's first ball pa.s.sing through the skirts of Mr.

Alderson's coat. A cordial reconciliation was afterwards effected."

28.-William Rix was executed on Castle Hill, Norwich, for sheep stealing.

SEPTEMBER.

5.-The organ of the Octagon Chapel, Norwich, was opened by Mr. Beckwith.

The instrument was built by Crotch.

OCTOBER.

4.-A grand Musical Festival was held in Norwich, under the direction of Messrs. Beckwith and Sharp, and Mr. Ashley, of London, Mrs. Billington, Mr. Bartleman, and Mr. Braham were the princ.i.p.al _artistes_. The last performance was given on the 7th.

8.-The Princess of Wales concluded a visit to the Marquis and Marchioness Townshend at Rainham, and returned to Blackheath.

13.-Mr. Alderman Francis Columbine resigned his seat. Owing to his pecuniary distress, the Corporation of Norwich granted to him and his daughter an annuity of 100.

14.-Races were held at Blickling Park. Lady Caroline Harbord gave a ball and supper, attended by upwards of 100 guests from Aylsham and the neighbourhood.

18.-Three gentlemen, for a considerable wager, undertook to walk blindfolded from Post Office Court to the great doors of St. Peter Mancroft Church, Norwich, in 15 minutes. "Two of them performed it in less than the given time, much to the satisfaction of the spectators, but the other unfortunate gentleman bent his course rapidly for the Upper Market, and found himself at the expiration of the time at the great doors of St. Andrew's Hall."

21.-Mr. Edward Rigby was elected Alderman of the Great Northern Ward, in room of Mr. Francis Columbine, after a severe contest lasting two days.

His opponent was Mr. Jonathan Davey.

23.-Died, at Vienna, aged 80, General Jerningham, nephew of Sir George Jerningham, Bart., of Costessey. He was upwards of 50 years in the Imperial service, and was Chamberlin to the Empress Maria Theresa and to the Emperors Joseph, Leopold, and Francis.

NOVEMBER.

8.-Swaffham coursing meeting commenced.

25.-Mr. Welby, of Blickling, undertook, for a bet of 50 guineas, to ride his mare 90 miles on the Aylsham road in ten hours, all paces. "She performed the first 80 miles in 8 hours 25 minutes, and had an hour and thirty-five minutes to run the last ten miles, but was unable to accomplish it, to the great disappointment of those who bet three and four to one that the mare performed the journey."

1803.

FEBRUARY.

8.-At a meeting held at the Guildhall, Norwich, a committee was appointed to prepare a Bill to be laid before a future meeting for the better paving, lighting, watching, and cleansing of the city. A meeting was held on the 15th, at which resolutions were pa.s.sed in opposition to the proposal; and in the month of March it was announced that the Paving Committee deemed it advisable in the then state of public affairs to defer going to Parliament with their Bill until the next Session.

-Died, after having lived in three centuries, Mary Helsdon, of East Ruston, widow. "Her age was 105 years 11 months; she retained her faculties till about a year before her death, and she left a progeny of near 80 persons, including children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren."

12.*-"Mr. c.o.ke, of Holkham, let out his Southdown tups last season for 1,500."

-Nearly 100 pairs of shoes, the property of 20 different persons who had been fined for making them contrary to Act of Parliament, were publicly burnt in Norwich Market Place. One shoemaker, for refusing to allow the searchers to perform their duty, was fined the full penalty of 5. The tradespeople, after obtaining counsel's opinion, gave notice that actions for trespa.s.s would be taken against searchers and sealers of leather if they entered their premises. On March 7th two shoemakers were fined for offering resistence.

23.-Died, Mr. Wignell, manager of the Philadelphia Theatre. He married, a short time before his death, Mrs. Merry, formerly Miss Brunton, of Norwich Theatre.

24.-Died, at Coltishall, Mr. Bartlett Gurney, banker, of Norwich, aged 46. He left 500 to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.

MARCH.

5.*-"Mr. Stephen Martin, an old gentleman who lately died at Brentwood, bequeathed to the minister and churchwardens of St. Giles', Norwich, the sum of 1,000 Stock in the three per cent. Consols, to be laid out for the use and benefit of the poor of that parish, of which he was a native.

He was born in 1717, and when an infant was taken to Jamaica, where he ama.s.sed a fortune."

7.-At an a.s.sembly of the Corporation of Norwich an address of congratulation was ordered to be presented to his Majesty "on the providential discovery of the late traitorous conspiracy against his Royal person and Government, entered into by Col. Despard and six other persons, who were executed on the top of the new Surrey prison, in Horsemonger Lane, on February 21st." The address was presented to the King by the Mayor (Sir Roger Kerrison), accompanied by Mr. Robert Fellowes, M.P., and Alderman John Harvey. Similar addresses were voted by the Corporations of Yarmouth, Thetford, and Lynn; and by the High Sheriff and Grand Jury of Norfolk at the a.s.sizes at Thetford. The latter address was presented by Sir J. H. Astley, M.P., and Mr. T. W. c.o.ke, M.P., on March 30th.

11.-Died, aged 73, Mr. Thomas Twiddy, "who had been many years trumpet herald to the Norwich Company of Comedians."

14.-Died, Mrs. Parfrey, aged 80, wife of Mr. R. Parfrey, of Holme Hale, near Swaffham. "The public will best recollect her, as a doctress, by her former name of Fyson, and for the many cures she made in dropsy and other complaints."

15.-At a meeting held at St. Andrew's Hall the late members of the Norwich Loyal Military a.s.sociation, in consequence of the aspect of public affairs, offered their services to the Government.

19.*-"Two pairs of eagles were lately shot near Yarmouth. One pair measured and weighed as follows:-Female, length, 3 feet 4 inches; extent of wings, 8 feet; weight, 9 lbs. Male, length, 2 feet 9 inches; extent of wings, 7 feet 1 inch; weight, 9 lbs. Seventeen wild swans have also been shot by one man in the week."

21.-The Militia Regiments in the county this day a.s.sembled at Yarmouth, East Dereham, and Swaffham.

22.-At the Norfolk a.s.sizes, held at Thetford, before Mr. Justice Grose and a special jury, the case, Astley _v._ Harwood, was tried. This was an action for defamation. It was alleged that the defendant, at a ball held on July 6th, 1802, the day after the Norwich election, mounted a table, and, addressing the company, called the plaintiff a liar, a coward, an a.s.sa.s.sin, a scoundrel, and a murderer, "for he had murdered his father." The jury found a verdict for the plaintiff, and a.s.sessed the damages at 2,000. On June 11th the Court of King's Bench granted a new trial, on the ground that the impression the words made on the hearers was matter for aggravation or mitigation of damages. The new trial took place at Norwich a.s.sizes in August, 1803, when a special jury confirmed the former verdict, and awarded Sir Jacob Astley 2,000 damages. On December 3rd, it was announced that the case had been removed to the Court of Exchequer on writ of error. In June, 1804, the judges in the Exchequer Chamber unanimously confirmed the former verdict, and gave judgment, with costs, against Col. Harwood. Finally, on July 19th, 1804, the case was taken to the House of Lords, when the Lord Chancellor delivered his opinion in favour of Sir Jacob Astley, which was confirmed by the Lords, who ordered Col. Harwood to pay Sir Jacob 100 costs, occasioned by the writ of error.

The portrait of Capt. John Harvey, of the Norwich Light Horse Volunteers, painted by Opie at the request of the corps, was this month placed in St.

Andrew's Hall.