Part 5

Oct. 6th. Edmund Knowles Lacon and William Loftus, Esqs., returned to Parliament. Votes—Lacon, 607; Loftus, 387; G. Wilson, 329.

Oct. 26th. Tremendous gale, and eight vessels driven ashore in the vicinity.

A. Royals died, aged 103.

1813.

Feb. A high wind blew down and completely demolished the Conventual Church at Gorleston, dedicated to St. Nicholas.

Feb. 18th. Gorleston steeple (about 100 ft. high), which stood near the Haven’s mouth as an immemorial sea-mark, was blown down in a gale.

March 24th. Volunteer Corps of Infantry disbanded, and deposited their arms in store on the establishment of the local Militia.

April 15th. Prince of Orange landed at the Jetty.

April 29th. H.R.H. the Duke of Cumberland arrived at Yarmouth, and embarked on board the frigate “Nymphen” for the Continent.

July 4th. News of Wellington’s victory over the French at Vittoria in Spain received here with great rejoicings.

Aug. 10th. First steam barge proceeded from Yarmouth to Norwich at the rate of five miles per hour.

Sept. 29th. Regent Street formed and opened at a cost of £30,000. Before the opening of this street there was no roadway between King Street and the Quay, except Fuller’s Hill and Friar’s Lane, the latter of which was widened in 1866.

Nov. 14th. Great rejoicing at Yarmouth on the splendid victories gained over the French in Spain and Germany.

The Lancasterian or British School erected; enlarged in 1861.

William III. landed at the Jetty.

North Mayo Militia left the town, and the Wexford Militia the following year.

Sept. 3rd. John Hannah (70) tried at the Yarmouth Sessions for the murder of Elizabeth, his wife, he being the last man executed in the town for murder. A bill issued, with the imprint of Clark, Broad Row, Yarmouth, read as follows: “Monday Morning, Sept. 6th, at about 11 o’clock. Everything being ready, the prisoner, attended by the gaoler and a number of constables, with a great concourse of spectators, moved from the Gaol at 11.15. They went at a slow pace, and at the entrance of Regent Street were joined by the Mayor and other Borough Officers. It was past 12 o’clock when the prisoner arrived at the place of execution; on his way thither he was perfectly composed, turning from one side to the other, viewing the populace. After ascending the scaffold, he spent some time in prayer, and when the hangman had placed the rope round his neck, he was asked if he had anything farther to say. He then confessed as follows: ‘That he was the murderer of his wife by strangling her with his hands, and not with a rope, as had been stated; he said they had lived a very uncomfortable life for many years past, owing to his wife giving her company to other men, which was the cause of his committing the murder.’ The instant before being turned off, he particularly requested to see his daughter, when he was informed it was not possible, as she was confined in Bedlam; he also desired the gaoler to look under the step of the cell, and he would there find four shillings and sixpence. A signal was then given, and the unhappy man was immediately launched into eternity. The body, after hanging the usual time, was delivered to the surgeons for dissection. The gaoler, on his return, found the money as described in the cell.”

1814.

July 6th. Peace proclaimed at Yarmouth; Mayor and Corporation went in procession, and at night the town was illuminated.

The Duke of Clarence (afterwards King William IV.), accompanied by his Duchess (Queen Adelaide), landed at Yarmouth, and stayed one night at the “Angel Hotel.”

March 11th. Henry Joddrell, Esq., Bayfield Hall, many years Recorder and Representative of Yarmouth, Chairman of the Norfolk Quarter Sessions, died in London.

April 21st. Restoration of Louis XVIII. to the throne of France. The inhabitants of Yarmouth subscribed £1,106 8s. 6d., for providing a grand dinner to all the inhabitants who chose to partake of it. Fifty-eight tables were spread in the open air along the Hall and South Quays, at which 8,028 persons were seated, and made an excellent dinner of roast beef and plum-pudding. A man personating Neptune in a car attended by Tritons and other deities paraded the town, headed by a band of music. In the evening a large bonfire was made on the North Denes, in which the effigy of Napoleon was consumed amidst much rejoicing, and in the presence of nearly 30,000 persons.

July 14th. First division of West Norfolk Militia landed at Yarmouth from Edinburgh, and marched to Norwich, and joined their Colonel, the Earl of Orford.

Aug. 11th. The Hon. John Wodehouse proposed, and T. W. Coke, Esq., seconded, resolutions recommending that a subscription should be opened for erecting a monument at Yarmouth to the memory of the late Lord Nelson. Lord and Lady Wodehouse, the Hon. Colonel Wodehouse, and Mr. and Miss Coke headed the list with £700. The Corporation of Norwich subscribed £200. (See Aug. 15th, 1817.)

1815.

Jan. 24th. A sea-eagle shot at Rollesby, which measured from tip to tip of its wings 7 ft. 6 in.

May 10th. Sharp press for seamen at Yarmouth.

John Thomas Townshend, Viscount Sydney, High Steward of the Borough. He died in 1831.

Six hundred wounded men from Waterloo lodged in the Naval Hospital. (See 1811.)

March 29th. The Nelson Monument Committee at Thetford, after inspecting 44 beautiful plans and designs, selected an Athenian Doric Column, sent by William Wilkins, Esq., architect, of London, a native of Norwich, and author of “Magna Græcia.” Nearly £7,000 was subscribed.

1816.

Feb. 16th. Very high tide, the sea and river meeting over the South Denes. A similar event had not occurred since Feb. 3rd, 1791.

Feb. 19th. Corporation petitioned Parliament for a continuance of the Property Tax.

Feb. 26th. Mr. Incledon, Master Taylor, and Mr. Collyer appeared at the Theatre Royal, in _The Minstrel_; _or_, _a Tour Through England and Ireland_. Prices—4s., 3s., 2s. 6d., and 1s.

Nov. 2nd. Thomas Penrice, Esq., of Yarmouth, to whom the late Lord Chedworth, of Ipswich, left the bulk of his immense property, died at Narford Hall, the seat of A. Fountaine, Esq., his son-in-law. (See Oct. 28th, 1804.)

1817.

Jan. 1st. £1,000 subscribed at Yarmouth to relieve and employ the labouring poor; 460 men were employed to form roads to the Bath House, Jetty, &c.

Feb. 4th. The Corporation voted a loyal address to the Prince Regent, expressive of their abhorrence of the attack made upon his Royal person on his return from opening Parliament on the 28th ult. Presented at the levée by Isaac Preston, Esq. (Mayor), accompanied by the High Steward and the Members for the Borough.

Feb. 13th. The new silver coinage of crowns, half-crowns, shillings, and sixpences exchanged for the old at the Town Hall.

Between 7,000 and 8,000 lasts of Herrings taken by 193 boats.

An Act passed to continue two former Acts for widening and amending the road from Yarmouth Bridge to Gorleston.

April 4th, Good Friday morning. Explosion on board the Norwich and Yarmouth steamer—ten persons killed and five injured—just as she was leaving the Foundry Bridge, Norwich. She had 22 men, women, and children on board. £350 raised for relief. These steamboats were first employed on Aug. 10th, 1813.

June 5th. The celebrated Mr. Betty performed at the Theatre in the _Iron Chest_, as “Sir Edward Mortimer;” and as “Frislam Fickle,” in _The Weather Cock_.

June 11th. Mr. Matthews appeared at the Theatre as “Goldfinch,” in the _Road to Ruin_; and as “Somno,” in the _Sleep Walker_. On 12th, as “Sir David Dundee,” in _Ways and Means_, “Chip,” in _A Chip of the Old Block_, and “Buskin,” in _Killing no Murder_. On the 16th, as “Rover,” in _Wild Oats_; and in the _Adventures of a Mail Coach_.

June 23rd. Munden appeared at the Theatre as “Sir Abel Handy,” in _Speed the Plough_, and as “Crack,” in the _Turnpike Gate_. On the 25th, as “Old Rapid,” in a _Cure for the Heartache_, and as “Dozey,” in _Past Ten o’clock_. On the 26th, as “Sir Anthony Absolute,” in the _Rivals_, and as “Sam Dabbs,” in _Who’s Who?_ On the 28th, as “Bonus,” in _Laugh When You Can_, as “Nipperkin,” in the _Rival Soldier_, and “Lazarillo,” in _Two Strings to Your Bow_.

Aug. 15th. First stone of Nelson Monument laid by Col. Wodehouse. The column is 144 ft. high, ascended by a flight of 217 steps. The architect was Mr. Wm. Wilkin, R.A., a Norfolk man. There was a grand civic, military, and masonic procession from the Town Hall. After the ceremony, the Mayor, (Isaac Preston, Esq.) gave a dinner to the company; and in the evening he gave a grand ball to 350 of the _élite_, at the Town Hall.

The Rev. Fisher Watson, M.A., elected minister of St. George’s Chapel, on the death of the Rev. S. L. Cooper in June. On Aug. 9th, 1821, the Rev. John Homfray, and April 16th, 1833, the Rev. Mark Waters, were appointed at salaries of £100 per annum.

Aug. 20th. The great Edward Kean appeared at Theatre Royal in _Richard the Third_, when nothing but full prices were taken—Lower Boxes, 5s.; Green, 4s.; Pit, 3s.; Gallery, 1s.—and part of the Pit taken into the Boxes, and part of the Gallery railed off for the use of the Pit. Free list suspended during the engagement. On the 21st, Mr. Kean took the character of “Sir Giles Overreach,” in _New Way to Pay Old Debts_. On the 22nd, in _Othello_. On Sept. 5th, “Shylock,” in the _Merchant of Venice_. On Sept. 6th (Mr. Kean’s benefit) he appeared as “Octavia,” in the _Mountaineers_, and as “Paul,” in _Paul and Virginia_.

Nov. 19th. The remains of Princess Charlotte interred at Windsor. The bells tolled, the shops closed all the day, and the day solemnly observed.

Dec. 3rd. The Corporation voted addresses of condolence to the Prince Regent and Prince Leopold of Saxe-Cobourg on the death of Princess Charlotte.

Dec. 31st. At the Concert Room, Mr. Matthews, the celebrated Irish comedian, appeared in the entertainment of the _Union_, of the English, Irish, and Scotch characters.

1818.

Jan. 19th. £6,000 subscribed for aiding a plan to extend the navigation of the River Waveney from Bungay to Diss by the inhabitants of Yarmouth at a meeting at the New Hall.

March 4th. Several ships driven ashore in a heavy gale from the south-east.

June 1st. Miss Bryne sustained the part of “Adela,” at the Theatre Royal, in the _Haunted Tower_. On the 2nd, in _Love in a Village_ as “Rosella,” and in _No Song No Supper_ the part of “Margaretta.” On the 4th, “Rosina,” in _Rosina_, and “Leonora,” in the _Padlock_. On the 6th, “Lilla,” in _Siege of Belgrade_, and “Virginia,” in _Paul and Virginia_.

June 8th. Mr. Bartley appeared at the Theatre Royal as “Sir John Falstaff,” in _Henry IV._ On the 9th, as “Solas,” in _Every One has His Fault_, and “Michael,” in the _Adopted Child_. On the 11th, “Sir John Falstaff,” in the _Merry Wives of Windsor_. On the 13th, as “Governor Heartall,” in the _Soldier’s Daughter_.

June 19th. Hon. T. W. Anson and C. E. Rumbold, Esq., returned to Parliament. It was a three days’ poll, and one of the severest contests ever known in the Borough. Anson polled 780; Rumbold, 760; E. K. Lacon, Esq., 651; General Loftus, 612.

Aug. 3rd. At the Theatre Royal, Mr. Blanchard, of Covent Garden, appeared in the _Soldier’s Daughter_, as “Governor Heartall,” and “Crack,” in _Turnpike Gate_. On the 5th, as “Dr. Ollapod,” in the _Poor Gentleman_; and “Abnego,” in the _Jew and Doctor_. On the 6th, as “Tobby Allspice,” in _The Way to get Married_, and “Caleb Quotem,” in the _Wags of Windsor_. On the 8th, “Dr. Panglos,” in the _Heir at Law_, and “Davy,” in _Bon Ton_.

Sept. 4th. Miss O’Neil appeared at the Theatre as “Belvidere,” in _Venice Preserved_. On the 5th, as “Juliet,” in _Romeo and Juliet_. On the 7th, as “Mrs. Haller.”

Sept. 30th. Lord Viscount Anson died in London, aged 57; and the newly-elected Member of Parliament succeeded to the title.

Oct. 3rd. Sir Edmund Lacon, Knt., of Great Yarmouth; Thomas Hare, Esq., of Stow Hall; and Edward Stracey, Esq., of Rackheath Hall, created Baronets.

Dec. 2nd. The day of interment of her late Majesty Queen Charlotte at Windsor, observed with great solemnity. Addresses of condolence to the Prince Regent on the death of her late Majesty were voted by the Corporation of Yarmouth on the 7th.

John Bennie, Esq., engineer to the Haven Commissioners, drew up a report for improving the Bar and Haven. On 4th of Oct., 1821, he died in London, aged 64.

The Yarmouth Savings Bank established. The deposits in 1843 amounted to £80,246 19s. 7d., belonging to 2,550 depositors and 67 charities and friendly societies.

Nearly 100 vessels building at one time in our shipyards.

The gun-brig “Havoc” built in Mr. Stone’s yard.

Borough Gaol enlarged and House of Correction added; it was strengthened in 1835. The original built 609 years previously.

1819.

Feb. 15th. The Hon. George Anson unanimously elected Member of Parliament for the Borough (there being no other candidate), in the room of his brother, Lord Viscount Anson.

April. Velocipedes or Pedestrian Hobby-horses used this year. A person could walk from eight to ten miles an hour on them. Like the Kaleidoscope, they proved only “a nine-days’ wonder,” till 1872, when velocipedes again came into general use.

June 1st. Mr. Thomas Sutton (as surveyor) died on the top of the Nelson Monument, while giving directions. Aged 66 years.

June 14th. Mr. Edmund Kean again appeared at the Theatre as “Brutus,” in _Brutus_; and on the 15th as “Mortimer,” in the _Iron Chest_.

July 18th. Mr. N. B. Palmer presented with a piece of plate (an épergne), value 100 guineas, for his exertions in the election and firm support of his principles, which seated the Hon. G. Anson and C. E. Rumbold, Esq., as Members for the Borough.

Sept. 6th to 9th. The celebrated Young appeared at the Theatre in _Hamlet_, _Revenge_, _Macbeth_, _King Lear_.

Duty on coals, 6s. 6d. per chaldron.

Paxton’s “Picture of Great Yarmouth” published, illustrated with engravings of public buildings.

1820.

Jan. 29th. Death of George III., in the 82nd year of his age and 60th of his reign. On Feb. 1st George IV. was proclaimed at Yarmouth with much ceremony and rejoicing.

Feb. 28th. Parliament dissolved; and on the 10th of March, after four days’ sharp contest, the Hon. George Anson and C. E. Rumbold Esq., were returned to Parliament for the Borough. The Hon. G. Anson polled 754; C. E. Rumbold, Esq., 752; Lieut.-General John Michell, 612; and J. H. Stracey, Esq., 612 votes.

March 1st. A number of vessels stranded along the Beach. A high flood and tremendous storm, the like not known since Jan. 1st, 1779. On Nov. 4th there was another great gale.

April 19th. Frigate “Boreas,” 28 guns, launched from Messrs. Stone and Constance’s yard.

July 19th. Coronation day of George IV. at Westminster Abbey, which auspicious event was celebrated at Yarmouth by a public dinner at the Town Hall; bonfires, bullock roasting, fireworks, and other rejoicings also marked the occasion.

Aug. 15th. A grand Musical Festival at the Town Hall. The next morning, selections from the _Messiah_ were performed at St. Nicholas’ Church; on Wednesday at the Town Hall; and again on the Thursday following the entire first part of the _Creation_ was executed at the Church, with two miscellaneous acts selected from the _Requiem_, _Mount of Olives_, _Judas Maccabeus_, _Israel in Egypt_, and other esteemed compositions. The Church presented a very brilliant appearance, from the number of lamps and candles with which the orchestra (expressly built for the occasion) and the other parts of the edifice were dedicated. Among the eminent professors who aided in the festival was Lindley, the celebrated violoncello performer; Mr. Eager, and his principal second Mr. Cooper, conducted the instrumental band, and Mr. Buck presided at the organ.

Aug. 20th. Mrs. Bartley recited _Collins’ Ode to the Passions_, at the Theatre Royal.

Sept. 6th. Mrs. Davidson appeared at the Theatre Royal in the _Jealous Wife_, as “Mrs. Oakley.” On the 7th, in _The Belle’s Stratagem_, as “Letitia Hardy.” On the 9th, in _The School for Scandal_, as “Lady Teazle.” On the 11th, in _Know Your Own Mind_, as “Lady Bell.”

Nov. 3rd. Sir Edmund Lacon, Bart., died at Yarmouth, universally regretted, aged 69 years. He was the senior Alderman of the Borough.

1821.

Feb. 28th. An unusual supply of herrings caught off Yarmouth; and sold in the town twelve for one penny.

March 13th. Petition presented by E. Wodehouse, Esq., to the House of Commons from the owners and occupiers of land in the vicinity of Yarmouth, praying for a repeal of the Malt-tax, and a modified tax on property.

April 10th. A committee appointed and subscription entered into for forming a fund for rewarding boatmen who might save persons from shipwreck.

Nov. 4th. Tremendous gale—a great number of vessels foundered in the Roadstead, and also many came ashore near Yarmouth. It was just such another gale as was recorded Nov. 1st, 1789.

Dec. 23rd. A fine new East Indiaman, the “Indian,” 400 tons, totally wrecked off Yarmouth. The crew of twenty were saved, and a small part of the stores. The value of ship and cargo estimated at £10,000.

Dec. 25th. Season unusually mild; the thermometer stood at 50, and so continued throughout the following winter months. Many remarkable specimens of early vegetation; and swallows were seen flying about at Yarmouth. Since the 1st of Sept. there had been but eighteen days without rain.

There were 1,229 men, women, and children receiving out-door parish relief; and the income of the parish was £10,770. The income in 1875 was about £15,000 a year.

Census taken. Population of Yarmouth, 18,040; with Gorleston and Southtown, 19,968. Houses inhabited, 3,981; inhabited by families, 4,318; uninhabited, 157; building, 20—total, 8,476.

1822.

Jan. 31st. George IV. arrived, and anchored his vessel in the Roads.

July 29th. Samuel Tolver, Esq., elected Town Clerk. He was succeeded by Henry Palmer, Esq., on June 6th, 1848; John Clowes, Esq., on Nov. 26th, 1850; and Chas. Cory, Esq., on Nov. 9th, 1851. (See June 9th, 1869.)

Oct. 14th. The Revenue cutter “Ranger” lost at sea.

Oct. 21st and 22nd. Miscellaneous concert, under the direction of Mr. Sippe, given at the Theatre. Leader, Mr. Eager. The principals were Mrs. Salmon and the Misses Sapis and Beale.

Exported from the Port of Yarmouth—flour 105,377 sacks; barley, malt, oats, beans, pease, rye, and wheat, 298,147 quarters.

J. Matchett, of Lakenham, published “The Norfolk and Norwich Remembrancer and Vade Mecum.”

1823.

March 3rd. Samuel Hurst, Esq., died at Southtown.

Exported from the Port of Yarmouth—flour 126,768 sacks; barley, malt, oats, beans, pease, rye, and wheat, 264,546 quarters.

Grout and Co.’s Silk Crape Factory erected.

Admiralty Sessions for trial of Pirates last held in Yarmouth.

Porpoise found on the Beach—7 ft. long, and weighing 4 cwt.

Masonic Hall erected in Gaol Paved Row.

James Sayer, son of a Yarmouth block-maker, a celebrated caricaturist, and author of many satirical poems suitable to the political topics of the times, died in London.

1824.

Exported from the Port of Yarmouth—flour 148,252 sacks; barley, malt, oats, beans, pease, rye, and wheat, 326,789 quarters.

Gas Works constructed; enlarged in 1862 and 1864, and new additional works afterwards erected. About five miles of the main iron pipe were laid in the streets, and on Dec. 6th the street lamps, 150 in number, were first lighted.

Five beachmen drowned in rescuing a crew.

Luke Waller died, aged 105 years.

The number of vessels of all classes registered at the Custom House amounted to 549.

1825.

Sept. 3rd. Miss Cranmer appeared at the Theatre Royal in _Don Giovanni_; and “Adela,” in the _Haunted Tower_.

Sept. 8th. Mr. Chippendale played “Useph,” in _The Siege of Belgrade_; and “Chip,” in a _Chip of the Old Block_, at the Theatre Royal.

Oct. 11th. The Catholic Chapel, in George Street (the first built in the town), finished, and consecrated by the Rev. Joseph Tate.

The mackerel brought to Yarmouth realized £17,000.

River overflowed the Quays and entered the houses and stores, doing much damage.

1826.

M. A. Jefferies threw himself from the bridge.

May 15th. Lord Anson and C. E. Rumbold, Esq., presented with the freedom of the town, and returned to Parliament June 9th. Votes—R., 649; A., 645; Sir E. K. Lacon, 250; Lord Suffield, 250.

May 25th. The old Crane on South Quay blown down during a heavy gale of wind, and a new one erected at a cost of about £1,400.

Mariners’ Chapel built by George Palmer, Esq., service having previously been held in a vessel named the “Ark,” which fell into decay and so became useless.

“Historical and Topographical Notices of Great Yarmouth and its Environs,” by John Henry Druery, published. The work was dedicated to the Right Hon. George William, Lord Stafford, Baron Stafford and Baronet, of Costessey Park, Norfolk.

1827.

Feb. 6th. Mary Welch died, aged 73 years, leaving 102 children and grandchildren.

Vaughan and Murphey, two noted resurrectionists, stole several bodies from St. Nicholas’ churchyard, and caused great excitement in the town. The railings on the west side were subsequently erected in consequence.

1828.

Mr. David Service, the Yarmouth poet, died.

1829.

May 29th. The bells rang out a merry peal on the opening day of the Suspension Bridge. This structure, on the North Quay, was made chiefly of iron, and thrown across the river Bure by Robert Cory, Esq., under the powers of an Act of Parliament passed in the year 1827. It cost about £4,000.

1830.

Feb. 8th. Intense frost; river frozen as far down as the Public Library.

July 31st. Hon. Colonel G. Anson and C. E. Rumbold, Esq., returned to Parliament. Votes—A., 946; R., 945; H. Preston, 751; T. E. Campbell, 754.

1831.

Launches: March 8th, schooner “Sea Witch;” March 15th, brig “Ocean,” from Mr. Palmer’s yard; Aug. 1st, brig “Earl Grey,” from Mr. Teasdel’s yard.

March 15th. Marriage at Stokesby Church of Samuel Taylor, only son of Wm. Huke, of Yarmouth, with Charlotte Crowe Norton, of Stokesby.

May 2nd. Hon. G. Anson and C. E. Rumbold, Esq., again returned to Parliament.

July 7th. First stone of St. Peter’s Church laid, and finished building and consecrated Aug. 26th, 1838. Cost £12,000.

Sept. 12th. Mr. Power, of Covent Garden, appeared at the Theatre Royal, as “Colonel O’Dillon,” in _The Married Lover_.

Census taken. Population of Yarmouth 21,115; with Gorleston and Southtown, 28,231.

St. Mary’s Church, Southtown, erected. Site presented by the Earl of Lichfield; cost, raised by subscription, about £3,000.

1832.

April 3rd. The Hon. and Rev. E. Pellew appointed Chaplain of St. Nicholas’ Church, at £40 per annum.

April 17th. Mr. Wm. Hazard died, aged 72 years.

May 27th. Messrs. Grout and Co.’s Silk Crape Factory burnt down. Present one erected in the same place. A Hospital originally stood here. (See 1828.)

Oct. 11th. Russian Horn Band Concert at the Town Hall.

Dec. 11th. The Hon. G. Anson and C. E. Rumbold, Esq., returned to Parliament, after the passing of the Reform Bill.

Edw. Pellew, Admiral Viscount Exmouth, High Steward of the Borough.

District Visiting Society established, and failed for want of support; but another attempt was made to re-establish it April 10th, 1861.

Yarmouth Glee Society gave their first concert.

1832 to 1835.

By Municipal Reform Act the rest of Gorleston parish added to Yarmouth Borough.

1833.

Launches: Jan. 18th, schooner “Cornelia” from Mr. Holmes’ yard; May 6th, brig “Hudson” from Mr. Preston’s yard; July 12th, schooner “Abeona” from Messrs. Fellows’ yard; July 21st, brig “Margaret” from Messrs. Fellows’ yard; same year the barque “Harmony;” Dec. 10th, schooner “Fairy Queen,” and Dec. 12th, brig “Pioneer” from Mr. Lubbock’s yard.