Norfolk Annals Volume I Part 31

21.-At the Norfolk a.s.sizes, held at Thetford, before Mr. Justice Heath, the action Mann _v._ Carroll and others was tried. The plaintiff was master of the Red Lion Inn, Thetford, and the defendants executors of the late Mr. James Mingay, Member of Parliament for the borough. The claim was for 338 15s. 5d., the amount of certain expenses incurred at plaintiff's house at the General Election of 1806, including a dinner on the polling day, and a ball and supper on the following evening. Mr.

Mingay and Lord William Fitzroy were returned, but the former had been unseated, and several questions arose as to his personal liability: first, whether or not any a.s.sumpsit could be fixed upon him at all; second, whether or not he was liable for the whole; third, whether he was or not jointly liable with his colleague; and fourth, whether or not upon the event of his death such liability vested in the survivor, absolving the personal representatives of the deceased. The defendants endeavoured to show that the expense of the entertainments was incurred by the Corporation of Thetford, and that Mr. Mingay took part as a guest and not as lord of the feast. The Judge held that Mr. Mingay "was personally liable from having partaken of the entertainments, it having been decided in many cases that in all public feasts the individuals present were jointly and severally liable for the whole expense incurred." A verdict was given for the plaintiff for the full amount, subject to a reference as to the items of the bill.

-At the same a.s.sizes Robert Trundle and Rosetta Trundle were criminally indicted for forging a writing purporting to be the will of Mary Inalls, of Great Dunham, and for suborning witnesses to prove the due execution of such writing to affect the disposition of the property of the deceased with intent thereby to defraud the next of kin. The doc.u.ment had been proved as a will in the Archdeaconry Court of Norwich on July 17th, 1812, and was drawn in favour of the prisoners. The Judge thought there was not sufficient evidence of forgery, and under his direction the jury acquitted the accused.

24.-The Dutch Regiment, about 600 strong, which had been formed at Yarmouth, embarked in three transports from that port for Holland.

25.-Died, at Barnbougle Castle, his lords.h.i.+p's seat in Linlithgow, in his 86th year, the Right Hon. Neil Earl of Rosebery, K.T. He married first, in 1764, Susan, only sister and heiress of Sir Randal Ward, Bart., of Bixley, who died in 1771, without issue, and secondly, in 1775, Mary, daughter of Sir Francis Vincent, Bart., by whom he had two sons and three daughters.

26.*-"Lieut.-Col. Harvey, acting Quarter-Master-General of the column of Lord Wellington's army which fought in the battle of St. Boes, and had the brunt of the late actions, escaped unhurt. Lieut.-Col. Kerrison, of the 7th Hussars, greatly distinguished himself in the late actions. He seized the opportunity of charging the French infantry in disorder and flight, taking a great many of them. This regiment took about 600 prisoners. The whole army was witness of this affair with whom it is a subject of admiration."

APRIL.

2.*-"Mr. William George Daniel, of Folly House, Kent, and of Foulden Hall, in this county, a captain in the Army, and lord of the manor of Hackney, in the county of Middles.e.x, takes the surname and arms of Tyssen."

6.-With colours flying and the pa.s.sengers decorated with the white c.o.c.kade, the Newmarket mail brought to Norwich news of the entry of the Allied Army into Paris on March 31st. The church bells were rung, and a bonfire lighted in the Market Place. The rejoicings were renewed on the 9th, 10th, and 11th, upon the receipt of the intelligence of the counter Revolution, Buonaparte's abdication, and the restoration of the Bourbons.

On the last mentioned day the horses were removed from the mail coach, and the people dragged it thrice round the Market Place. The Chevalier De Bardelin, a French emigrant gentleman, formerly in the service of the King of France, left Norwich, where he had resided 15 years, to accompany Louis XVIII. to Paris.

9.-The Rev. T. C. Munnings, of Gorgate Hall, East Dereham, exhibited at Norwich Market specimens of his "preserved turnips." He introduced the plan of earthing up the roots in November and December for consumption in March and April.

11.-Miss Binfield, of the Norwich Theatre, was elected organist of St.

Mary-le-Tower Church, Ipswich.

16.*-"Mr. G. G. Lowne, a native of Norwich, who was taken prisoner on board his Majesty's s.h.i.+p Shannon, when that frigate was wrecked on the rocks of La Hogue in December, 1803, lately arrived here, having made his escape from close confinement at Cambay on the approach of the Allies to that part of the French frontiers."

19.-A grand _fete_ was held at Yarmouth in honour of the victories. It commenced with a pageant called "The Triumph of Neptune." The "sea G.o.d"

landed upon the beach and headed a procession round the town. In the procession was an effigy of Buonaparte in fetters. "Afterwards 58 tables were laid on the Quay from north to south, each accommodating from 120 to 150 persons, to whom roast beef and plum pudding were served." After dinner there was a naval procession to the Denes, where donkey races and other sports took place; a bonfire concluded the day's rejoicings. The public subscription to defray the cost of the celebration exceeded 1,000.

23.*-"The Earl of Home takes the surname of Ramey in addition to that of Home, in compliance with a condition contained in the will of his maternal grandfather, Mr. John Ramey, of Yarmouth."

-*"Died last week, aged 83, Mr. William Cutting, formerly a manufacturer, of Norwich, who served the office of Sheriff in 1790."

-*"Died last week, at Oakingham, Berks., aged 63, John Waddy, late of Covent Garden, and formerly of Norwich Theatre."

29.-An organ erected in St. Stephen's Church, Norwich, by Mr. England, was opened by Mr. Pettet. Mrs. Solomon and Mr. C. Smith were the vocalists, who also took part in a concert held in the evening at Noverre's Room, St. Michael-at-Plea.

MAY.

1.-This day (Sunday), being May Day, "came on agreeably to charter," the election of Mayor of Norwich. The polling continued throughout Sunday and Monday. At seven o'clock on Sunday evening the votes recorded were: Alderman Robberds, 762; Alderman Davey, 616; Alderman Back, 508; Alderman Patteson, 170. "The majority for Alderman Davey over Alderman Back being 108, the friends of the latter demanded that the books should be opened again next morning." The second day's poll was closed by agreement at 12 o'clock, when the result was declared as follows: Davey, 757; Robberds, 919; Patteson, 180; Back, 763. A scrutiny was demanded on behalf of Mr.

Davey. It commenced on the 12th and continued till the 19th, when Mr.

Davey withdrew. Mr. Robberds and Mr. Back were then returned to the Court of Aldermen, by whom the former was elected to the office of Mayor.

5.-Mr. Fitzgerald, a favourite actor in the Norwich Company, appeared as Shylock, and delivered a farewell address, on leaving the circuit for the Theatre Royal at Hull and York, of which he was appointed patentee.

7.*-(Advt.) "Stoke Mills near Norwich. Jeremiah Colman having taken the stock and trade lately carried on by Mr. Edward Ames, respectfully informs his customers and the public in general that he will continue the manufacturing of mustard, and he takes leave to a.s.sure those who may be pleased to favour him with their orders that they shall be supplied in such a manner as cannot fail to secure their approbation."

17.-At a special a.s.sembly of the Corporation of Norwich it was resolved to pet.i.tion Parliament against the proposed alteration in the Corn Laws.

18.-Thorpe Asylum was opened for the reception of forty male pauper lunatics.

19.-The minister, churchwardens, and princ.i.p.al inhabitants of St. Giles', Norwich, went the bounds of the parish, and afterwards dined at the Woolpack Inn. "Ale, buns, and b.u.mps were distributed among the attendants, one of whom swam across the basin in Chapel Field to observe the line of demarkation between St. Peter's parish for which he received half a crown."

21.*-"The long depending wrestling match between Lock and the Game Chicken was lately decided in favour of the former after a severe contest of a quarter of an hour."

24.-A _fete_ in celebration of the victories commenced at Thetford. A procession escorting an effigy of Buonaparte "loaded with irons" went round the town, and a ball took place in the evening. On the 26th 1,500 persons were entertained at dinner in a paddock. The Mayor presided, and the Bishop of Norwich witnessed the proceedings. Sports were held, and at night a bonfire was lighted, and the effigy of Buonaparte consumed in the flames.

The death took place at Oulton, this month, of Mrs. Margaret Dent, at the age of 100.

JUNE.

1.-Died in London, aged 53, Mr. Robert Herring, of Bracondale, Norwich.

He was alderman for South Conisford Ward, served the office of Sheriff in 1791, and was Mayor in 1807. Mr. Thomas Thurtell, of Lakenham, was elected to the vacant aldermans.h.i.+p on June 6th.

-A public meeting was held at the Guildhall, Norwich, when resolutions were moved by Mr. E. Taylor in opposition to the Corn Bill. The resolutions, which were unanimously adopted, represented that the citizens had for twenty years suffered great privations and hards.h.i.+ps from the advance in price of all necessaries of life, and particularly of "bread corn," that they viewed with alarm the measure introduced in Parliament as calculated to raise the price of grain; and that the proposed alterations in the Corn Laws were ill-timed, unwise, and oppressive.-The "Bill for Regulating the Importation Duties" was defeated in the House of Commons by a majority of ten on June 6th, and on the arrival of the intelligence by the Newmarket mail on the 8th, the horses were removed from the coach, which was drawn for three hours through the streets. Persons with large loaves of bread on their heads were on the box seat, bells were rung, and pistols fired, and at midnight a bonfire was lighted in the Market Place, and many depredations were committed by those who obtained the materials with which to feed the flames.

3.-The Expedition coach arrived at Norwich with news of the definite Treaty of Peace, which was signed in Paris on the 30th ult. Amid great rejoicings the people dragged the coach four times round the Market Place, and through the princ.i.p.al streets. On the 15th 500 freemen of the Long Ward were entertained by Mr. S. Mitch.e.l.l to a dinner of roast beef at Harper's Gardens; on the 16th the Mayor entertained the parochial poor, and there was a grand illumination in the evening. Peace was formally proclaimed on the 27th by the Mayor and Corporation walking in procession to various parts of the city. Before being admitted to the Close the Mayor knocked thrice at the gate, and informed Mr. J. Kitson, the Bishop's registrar, that admittance was asked by virtue of his Majesty's writ. The proclamation was then made in the Cathedral precincts, and on returning to the Guildhall the Corporation partook of refreshments. Mr. Sheriff Higgins entertained the company to dinner at his house in Pitt Street, and also feasted the poor. Thanksgiving services were held on July 7th, and 723 charity children were entertained in St. Andrew's Hall. On the 20th at a quarterly a.s.sembly of the Corporation an address was voted to the Prince Regent congratulating him on "the highly honourable and auspicious Peace concluded with France."

20.-Mr. Robert Partridge, alderman, presented to the Corporation of Norwich "an elegant tripod in the Grecian style, to support a silver candelabrum of three lights, surmounted with the figures of St. George and the Dragon," given by him in 1786.

21.-Guild Day was held in the "old style" at Norwich by Mr. J. W.

Robberds on his being sworn in as Mayor. The feast at St. Andrew's Hall was attended by upwards of 500 guests, and a ball took place in the evening at Chapel Field House.

22.-A Musical Festival, "in celebration of the Peace," commenced at the church of St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich, with a performance of "Judas Maccabaeus." The "Messiah" was given on the 23rd, and a selection of sacred music on the 24th. On each evening a miscellaneous concert took place in St. Andrew's Hall. The princ.i.p.al performers were Madame Catalani, Miss Stephens, Miss Booth, Mr. Braham, Mr. Garbett, Mr. Turner, and Mr. Welsh; leader of the band, Dr. Hague; organ and pianoforte, Mr.

Beckwith.

JULY.

1.-A meeting, presided over by the Mayor, was held at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, when resolutions were pa.s.sed in favour of the abolition of the African slave trade, and it was decided to pet.i.tion the House of Commons to the same effect. The opponents of the resolutions moved, as an amendment, that the Prince Regent was the only person to be addressed pending the negociations with France upon the subject. The resolutions were adopted by large majorities.

2.*-"Capt. Matthias, of Stanhoe Hall, has returned to his family in perfect health after being a prisoner in France ten and a half years."

4.-Holkham Sheep Shearing commenced on this date, a fortnight later than usual owing to the Peace celebrations in Norwich and the county. "None of the implements possessed sufficient merit to ent.i.tle the inventor to the handsome premium offered by Mr. c.o.ke."

6.-Peace was proclaimed at Yarmouth by the Mayor and Corporation going in procession through the town. At night there was a general illumination.

7.-Peace was proclaimed at King's Lynn.

12.-At the Norwich Quarter Sessions the case of the King _v._ Griggs was tried. This was a prosecution at the suit of Mr. Joseph Stannard, a pork butcher, against the defendant, a dealer, for the publication of a libel in the form of a song, ent.i.tled "Soup Meagre Joe." The song reflected on the quality of the soup made by Mr. Stannard, at the request of a Mr.

Mitch.e.l.l, for distribution among the poor of the city during the severe weather in February, 1814. It was stated that the prosecutor neither received nor expected remuneration. His beneficence was rewarded by gross insults from the mob, by a.s.saults, by placards in the streets, by anonymous letters, and by songs which were sung by "Blind Peter" and another ballad singer. One of these songs was printed by Mr. Stewardson from MS. furnished by the defendant. The jury, after four hours'

deliberation, returned a verdict of guilty, and the defendant was fined 10.

13.-The first division of West Norfolk Militia, under the command of Col.