Norfolk Annals Volume I Part 7

13.-The Wymondham troop of Yeomanry Cavalry, commanded by Capt. the Hon.

Wm. Wodehouse, attended at Kimberley and "thanked Lady Wodehouse for the colours lately presented by her ladys.h.i.+p, when they had the honour of dining with the family."

14.-The colours of the Norwich Juvenile Regiment of Infantry were presented to them by "a young lady of the city." (This was a cadet corps, armed with dummy muskets and tin bayonets.)

14.*-(Advt.) "The Norwich and Yarmouth Volunteer Coach leaves the Bell Inn, Hog Hill, every morning at eight o'clock, to the Wrestlers Inn, Great Yarmouth, and returns at four o'clock."

18.-The City of Norwich Regiment of Volunteer Infantry, Lieut.-Col.

Harvey, were presented with colours by the Mayor and Corporation. The colours were consecrated by the Rev. E. S. Thurlow, Prebendary of Norwich, and handed to the colonel by the Mayor (Mr. John Morse); and the King's and regimental standards were delivered to the ensigns. The artillery, on Castle Hill, fired salutes, and the regiment discharged three volleys in the Market Place in the presence of an immense crowd.

22.-This day (Sunday) John Baker, a private in the Loddon Volunteers, was dismissed, "with every mark of ignominy at the head of the company, for refusing to take the oath of allegiance to his Majesty. His arms and accoutrements, together with the Volunteer clothing, were stripped off on parade, much to the satisfaction of the whole corps."

31.-A baker of Norwich, named Winter, undertook, for a wager of 40, to carry 6s. worth of bread in a basket from Norwich to Yarmouth within six hours. He accomplished his task in 5 hours 35 minutes.

Mr. T. W. c.o.ke was this month promoted to be lieutenant-colonel of the Western Regiment of Yeomanry Cavalry; Mr. Hammond Alpe to be lieutenant-colonel of the Eastern Regiment; and Mr. John Smyth to be lieutenant-colonel of the Midland Regiment.

The several companies of Norfolk Volunteer Infantry were this month formed into battalions as follow:-1st (Lynn), Lieut.-Col. E. Everard; 2nd (Wells, &c.), Lieut.-Col. Francis Bedingfeld; 3rd (not then appointed); 4th (Cromer, &c.), Lieut.-Col. the Right Hon. Wm. Windham; 5th (Aylsham, &c.), Lieut.-Col. Thomas Hutton (afterwards Sir Thomas Preston, Bart.); 6th (Yarmouth), Lieut.-Col. Wm Gould; 7th (Norwich), Lieut.-Col. Harvey; 8th (Loddon, &c.), Lieut.-Col. John Kerrich; 9th (Diss, &c.), Lieut.-Col.

T. J. Woodward; 10th (Swaffham, &c.), Lieut.-Col. R. W. Ottley; 11th (Freebridge Lynn, &c.), Lieut.-Col. A. Hamond.

300 pikes were sent to Norwich for the use of the special constables, who were called out to receive instruction in the pike exercise.

Flag staffs were placed at Rainham Hall, Holkham Hall, and Houghton Hall.

The red flag was only to be hoisted in case of actual invasion or on the appearance of an enemy on the coast.

The ladies of Lynn inaugurated a movement for making flannel underclothing for the use of the men of the Lynn Volunteers.

FEBRUARY.

4.-The Cromer Sea Fencibles were practising with canister and grape shot upon the beach, when a ball struck Capt. Tremlett, R.N., on the foot, and shattered the leg of Mr. John Smith, so as to render immediate amputation necessary. A public subscription, amounting to 500, was made for Mr.

Smith.

21.-Died, at Long Stratton, Mrs. Everitt, a Quaker, who had attained her one hundredth year. Lineally descended from her and living at the time were 77 children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

27.-Colours were presented to the East Dereham troop of Yeomanry Cavalry by Mrs. Smyth, on behalf of the ladies of the town and neighbourhood.

The troop, accompanied by Capt. Leeder's corps of infantry, attended service at the parish church, where the colours were "consecrated by prayer," and the sermon was preached by the Rev. Geo. Preston, curate. A dinner followed at the King's Arms Inn.

The Corporation of Norwich this month ordered an iron bridge to be erected at St. Michael's Coslany. It was opened on November 15th.

MARCH.

1.-The birthday of the Marquis Townshend was celebrated at Fakenham by a dinner to the Norfolk Rangers.

27.-Lieut.-General Sir James Craig inspected the batteries and works from Holt to Cromer. Next day he reviewed, near Norwich, the 24th Regiment of Foot (Col. Macdonald); the detachment of Royal Artillery under Capt.

Fyers; and two troops of the 1st Dragoons (Capt. Craven).

APRIL.

4.-Arrived at Yarmouth, the Antelope, cruiser brig, Commodore Sir Sidney Smith, and the Prince of Wales cutter, from the Flus.h.i.+ng station. Some boats sent out by Sir Sidney made an unsuccessful attempt to cut out an armed brig near the Scaw. The boats were attacked by an armed schooner, and obliged to abandon their enterprise, with the loss of five killed and ten wounded.

10.-Died, aged 12, Lord Viscount Bury, eldest son of the Earl of Albemarle.

11.-Commodore Sir Sidney Smith arrived at Norwich from Yarmouth, proceeded next day on a tour of the county, and returned to Yarmouth on the 13th.

21.-James Airton was publicly whipped in Norwich Market Place for stealing a box coat from the coach-house of Mr. Wm. Harvey.

25.-The Scipio of North s.h.i.+elds, Capt. Robinson, coal laden, was attacked by a sloop-rigged privateer four miles from Cromer. A sharp action, lasting three quarters of an hour, ensued, when the privateer sheered off. Capt. Robinson was wounded in the foot by a musket ball, and the vessel, whose sails and rigging were very much cut, was taken by the crew to Yarmouth Roads, where medical a.s.sistance was rendered to Capt.

Robinson on board the Irresistible.

The portrait, painted by Hoppner, of the Right Hon. William Windham was this month placed in St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich. It was afterwards engraved in mezzotinto by Reynolds.

MAY.

2.-The gibbet on which the body of Payne (the pirate) was hung in chains, about 23 years previously, upon Yarmouth North Denes, was taken down by order of the Corporation. "A ludicrous circ.u.mstance happened the night it was erected. The different tackling being all adjusted previous to putting down the gibbet the day before Payne was hanged, some daring licencious bloods hoisted up a young a.s.s by the hind legs, to the amus.e.m.e.nt of the spectators next morning, who could not but be surprised to find the gibbet so unexpectedly occupied. In consequence, however, the tackling became so entangled that until a young sailor undertook to climb the gibbet the prisoner could not be suspended."

3.-The 2nd Battalion Norfolk Volunteer Infantry marched into Yarmouth for a fortnight's permanent duty.

-A party of the Shrops.h.i.+re Militia marched into Norwich from Yarmouth with 84 French and Dutch prisoners, including five officers. The next day they proceeded on their route for Yaxley Barracks, under an escort provided by the 24th Regiment of Foot.

-An a.s.sembly of the Corporation of Norwich unanimously requested Mr.

Charles Harvey, Recorder of the city, to sit for his portrait.

5.*-(Advt.) "There will be a regular main of c.o.c.ks fought between the gentlemen of Norwich and the gentlemen of Norfolk, to show 21 mains for ten guineas the battle, and 50 the odd. The three turn outs for ten guineas a battle; to fight on the 23rd and 24th days of May at Mrs.

Back's, at the Bowling Green, Chapel Field. A pair of c.o.c.ks to be pitted at six o'clock precisely. Feeders, Lamb for Norwich; c.o.x for Norfolk."

7.-Col. Patteson's Battalion of Volunteers (with the Riffle Corps attached), commanded by Capt. Cole; and the City of Norwich Regiment of Volunteer Infantry were brigaded under the command of Lieut.-Col. Harvey, and, with the Royal Artillery under Capt. Fyers, were manuvred at h.e.l.lesdon.

13.-Died, aged 76, the Rev. John Bruckner. He was invited to Norwich in 1750 as minister of the Walloon congregation, and during many years gave public and private lessons in French.

-The 10th Battalion Norfolk Volunteer Infantry marched into Lynn for ten days' permanent duty.

14.-The birthday of the Right Hon. Wm Windham was celebrated by a numerous party of his friends at the Angel Inn, Norwich.

-The 1st Battalion of Norfolk Volunteer Infantry marched to Yarmouth for 14 days' permanent duty.

21.-The 3rd Regiment of Norfolk Yeomanry Cavalry marched into Norwich for five days' drill, and on the 24th were inspected by Major-General Milner at h.e.l.lesdon.

22.-The Blickling and Gunton Riflemen, commanded by the Hon. Lieut.-Col.

Harbord, marched into Norwich, and next day proceeded to Yarmouth for 14 days' permanent duty.

24.-A tight rope performer, named Richer, appeared at Norwich Theatre, where his performances were "the theme of general admiration."