Chronological Retrospect of the History of Yarmouth and Neighbourhood Part 23

A fort erected on Gorleston heights, armed with six 24-pounders and a battery of nine 18-pounders, for the defence of St. Nicholas' Gat. An invasion expected.

The Fisheries protected by an armed force.

Parliamentary Reform agitated; and the town was filled with troops, much to the annoyance of the inhabitants.

An Act pa.s.sed for the better securing the duties payable on the importation of coal and cinders.

The Norfolk Rangers first established.

1783.

The celebrated John Wesley preached in Yarmouth, and on Oct. the 22nd opened a chapel. He paid the town several visits, the last in 1790, not five months before his death in 1791. Aged 87.

Right Hon. C. Townshend re-elected to Parliament.

1784.

First Census taken. Population 12,608.

Two vessels fitted out for the Greenland whale fishery.

Mr. S. Bream, of Yarmouth, advocated the extension of the North Pier for the removal of the Bar. Mr. J. Nichalls, an engineer, suggested in a report that the river should be straightened, and a weir placed across the river near its junction with Breydon.

1784.

June 22nd. A great part of the outward wall of the east end of the Parish Church fell down, and destroyed the tombs and gravestones to some distance.

Mr. Barrett died, aged 100 years.

Oct. The Prince of Wales (afterwards Geo. IV.) invited by the Corporation to dine at the Town Hall. Not accepted.

Sir John Jervis, K.B., returned to Parliament with H. Beaufoy, Esq.

1785.

Another town gate pulled down.

The Dutch sent over 87 boats for the herring fishery off our coast.

Wooden drawbridge across the stream near the Town Hall built, and existed till 1843.

1786.

Second drawbridge connecting Yarmouth with Southtown over the Yare re-built and opened to the public.

Josiah Curtis appointed town crier, an office which he held for 32 years.

1788.

Martha Stanninot, a peculiar woman known as "Queen Martha," who fancied she should be Queen of England, lived and died in Row 28.

1789.

Nov. 1st. Forty vessels driven ash.o.r.e between Yarmouth and Southwold; 80 fis.h.i.+ng boats wrecked, and 120 bodies washed ash.o.r.e between Yarmouth and Cromer.

An appointed day of thanksgiving for the King's recovery, and the town illuminated.

Seven hundred lasts of herrings taken by 180 boats.

1790.

June 18th. Right Hon. Charles Townshend and Henry Beaufoy, Esq., returned to Parliament. Votes-T., 632; B., 455; J. T. Sandys, 182.

A pottery established at Yarmouth.

1791.

George Townshend, Marquis Townshend, High Steward of the Borough.

Feb. 3rd. Part of the Jetty carried away by a destructive high tide, and the Denes under water. On the Southtown-road the water was deep enough for boats to ply.