Part 36

1714. Dr. Thurlin’s library deposited in St. Margaret’s church, in a commodious place fitted up for its reception, to which the old church library was at the same time removed: a faculty being obtained from the bishop.—The same year the first commemoration sermon for _Framingham_ was preached at St. Nicholas’s, by Mr. _Pyle_, for which he had 20_s._ and 10_s._ more _for reading the Will_—which, are still continued.

1715. The first rebellion in behalf of the Pretender broke out. See p. 894.

1719. January 26. Ordered that none be admitted into Gaywood Hospital under 60 years old.

1720. John Cary junior (father of our late alderman of that name) elected master of the Writing-School—the aldermen Berney and Scarlet being then Governors and Inspectors of the same.

1721. Our corporation now, apprehensive of losing the navigation of the Cambridge river, (from the representation of a Mr. Stafford of Denver,) which they thought proper to communicate to the corporation of Adventurers. The result not stated.

1723. Two new galleries erected in St. Margaret’s church, on the sides of the organ loft; with projections for two particular families.—This year (or during the mayoralty of William Allen, which commenced at Michaelmas,) _Thomas German_ (says one MS.) was hanged here for burglary, on the gallows out of the South Gates—Cooper’s MS. calls him _Jarmey_, in a memorandum which reads thus—“1723: A night watch set up for all the year, and the _king’s watch_ dropt here, being one Jarmey, who broke into several houses, and was hanged for the same out of the South Gates.”—The same MS. referring to the same year, has this passage—“A great fleet of ships lost on Christmas day; Mr. Vinkerson’s ship right against West Lynn church, laden with coals.”—Dr. Browne this year gave great offence to the Hall and especially the mayor—of which see p. 900.

1724. The chapel chimes, which formerly played but one tune, were this year altered, and made to play several tunes.

1725. Ever since 1682 it was customary for each alderman upon his election to give 10_l._ and each common-council-man 6_l._ 13_s._ 6_d._ towards the Workhouse: but this year Mr. Thomas Allen, being chosen alderman, refused to comply with this custom, and thereby occasioned the cessation of those laudable donations. (Cooper’s MS.)—From the book of Extracts it seems it was in 1726 Mr. T. A. became an alderman.—The harbour now in a most wretched state, see p. 901.—And this year 1725 (if we are not mistaken, for the last figure is not very plain) Cooper’s MS. mentions a _great tide_, which happened on the 8th. of March, and came into a Warehouse in Puddin Lane, where was a quantity of unslaked lime, which being wetted became so hot as to set some deals that lay there on fire, so as to endanger the firing of the town. He seems indeed to say that it was a piece of _iron_ heated by the quick lime which set the deals on fire.

1726. _Henry Southwell_, a freeman, charged by the corporation (unjustly it seems) with having violated his oath of freedom, and threatened with disfranchisement.

1727. The mayor, Mr. Thomas Allen issued an order to the _barbers_, to _prohibit them to shave on Sundays_—of which see p. 910.—February 3rd. this year the above Henry Southwell was disfranchised.

1728. The decree of disfranchisement against Mr. Southwell was rescinded On the 29th. of April this year; of which see further at p. 902, and 3.—Of this year’s mayor, _Goodwin_, and his successor _Taylor_, see pages 910 and 11.

1730. April 6. Our corporation made a remonstrance to the corporation of the Bedford Level against repairing Denver Sluice: which was probably very right.

1731. Great complaints of the decrease of trade &c. here this year. But among the occurrences of this period the most deplorable and shocking was the _murder of Ann Wright_, a publican, by one _George Smith_, who had been let into the house in the dead of the night by the servant, _Mary Taylor_, for which she was burnt at a stake in the Tuesday market-place, and the man was hanged on a gallows, 17 yards distant, on Thursday the 1st. of April, see p. 912 and 914.

1738. Law-suit between the corporation and alderman Thomas Allen, who was charged with attempting to evade the customary payment of 1_d._ per quarter for corn sold by him to unfreemen. See p. 918.

1741. On the 9th of September a violent hurricane which blew down the spires of St. Margaret’s and St. Nicholas’s and did immense damage all about the country.—St. Margaret’s spire falling on the body of the church demolished a great part of it—the rebuilding began in 1742, and was completed in 1747.—see pp. 919, 20, 21.

1742. State of the harbour growing still worse, an application to parliament on that occasion was made the latter part of this year: see p. 922, &c.

1745. The second rebellion in behalf of the Pretender commenced: of its effects at Lynn, see p. 926, &c. also pp. 1073, and 4.

1747. A contested Election this year between Turner and Folkes; and the most violent perhaps ever witnessed in Lynn: for the particulars see p. 947 to 952.—A great many here now made free gratis, see p. 931.

1749. _Charles Holditch_ executed for burglary, see the page last referred to.

1751. _William Chaplain_, for the murder of _Mary Gafferson_, was hanged in chains on a gibbet upon South Lynn Common, see p. 932.

1753. The New Walks laid out and the trees planted.—Also the Tuesday Market-place new paved.—One Jumper condemned for the murder of Jones, was afterwards reprieved and transported for life.

1754. One Elizabeth Neivel stood in the pillory.—Also one Hannah Clark _ducked_ for _scolding_.

1755. Certain profitable appointments attached to our Recordership, and the mayor’s annual salary settled at 100_l._—see 933, and 4.

1759. The West Norfolk militia reviewed on Sayer’s Marsh, by the Earl of Orford, previous to their being called out on actual service.

1760. Mayor secured from any charges incurred through neglects of gaoler and serjeants.—October 29. the king died in his 77th. year. In his reign _Methodism_ sprung up in these kingdoms.—see p. 934, 5, etc.—The present inglorious era and disastrous reign now commenced.

1761. The tower of All Saints or South Lynn church fell down, to rise no more. See p. 943.—About the same time a large whale was taken here near Darsingham, 56 feet 9 inches long, and 34 feet 4 inches in girth, see p. 944.—A man and his wife transported, he for 7, she for 14 years, the cause not noted.

1763. December 2. A dreadful high wind and tide here, which did great damage among the shipping, many of which were wrecked on the coast: cattle and sheep also in vast numbers were drowned in Marshland, and about Snettisham, &c.

1764. The town served a vile trick by the mayor, which they seem to have submitted to very tamely, see 945.

1765. A shocking murder committed here by one _Rudderham_.—See 945, and 6.

1766. January 27. Rudderham hanged here for the above murder of Leonard Wilson, near the Rope Walk.

1768. A great contested election here between _Turner_ and _Molineux_. See 946.

1769. The corporation had a great law-suit with Mr. Carr, about the fleet on both sides of Littleport-bridge. Of this affair see p. 952.—Two men in a boat carried away by the strong current of a land-flood on the 10th of April to sea, and picked up there and brought home on 19th.

1770. Our corporation suddenly became mighty patriots and violent lovers of liberty.—see 953.—_Pilling_ hanged here for a rape.

1771. _Wilkes_ visited Lynn, to the no small joy of our patriotic corporation, who entertained him sumptuously and conferred on him the freedom of this ancient borough. See 954.—Different temper of the town when _Thelwall_, another great patriot, visited it above 20 years after. Ibid.

1772. St. Margaret’s church damaged by a thunder storm.

1779. On new-years day there was a strong gale and a very extraordinary tide, the highest known here in the memory of man; which overflowed and demolished the sea banks in many places, and did vast damage in and about this town.—The Lynn armed association was also formed in the course of this year, under the command of Captain _Thames Day_—and continued embodied till 1785. See 958.

1782. A woman, named _Howard_, stood here in the pillory—we know not for what crime.—Towards the close of this year _Beeton_ robbed the mail; and he was executed the 17th of the following February. See 960.

1783. _Isaac Levi_, a Jew lad, robbed, by one _Robert Fox_, on the road between Lynn and West Winch, and left apparently dead; for which Fox was hanged, 7th. of September, on Hardwick common.

1784. Another contested election here, when Mr. _Fountaine_ was one of the candidates, but was unsuccessful.—See 961.

1785. November 5. the Recorder being ill, the mayor, William Bagge, sat as sole judge at our sessions, and upon the conviction of John Bradley and another person, his said worship passed on them the sentence of transportation:—but with what solemnity, if any, we have not learnt.—So late at the 24th of November this year, a Mr. Berry brought to town some young rooks from Mr. Fisher’s Carr at Tilney.

1788. On the 5th of November the centenary of the revolution was here kept by a select party. The same was then done at _Holkham_ and other places . . . see 965, and 1083. About nine days after, it was also kept here at the Hall, by the corporation, with no small parade, and thought by some to rival if not excel the Holkham Fete.—A strange report of an extraordinary adventure of one of our Greenland captains this year—see p. 964.—The autumn and winter of this year were distinguished by the _king’s memorable illness_, which almost broke the hearts of half his subjects, and overwhelmed the whole nation with grief and dismay. In this affliction Lynn, without doubt, shared largely:—but it happily proved not of long duration.

1789. On the 12th of February his majesty was pronounced to be in a state of progressive amendment; and by the 18th of March he was deemed fit to resume the royal functions. The joy and exultation of the public now equalled their former grief and dismay, and they might be said to have gone from one extreme to the other. On the evening of the day last mentioned this town was most splendidly illuminated, and exhibited the most unequivocal tokens of its joy, and demonstrations of its loyalty.—See p. 969.—The 23rd of April was observed as a day of thanksgiving for the king’s recovery.—See p. 970.

1791. The law-suit between this corporation and that of London was determined in favour of the _Dentons_ and other London freemen.—See p. 970.

1792. Effects of the _royal proclamation_ against tumultuous meetings and seditious writings, and of Reeves’s _Crown and anchor association_ manifested here.—See p. 973.

1794. In consequence of great complaints of the defective and decayed state of the Fen Drainage, the Eau-brink Cut was proposed and approved of as a remedy. Our trained bands or armed association again revived—and the _Lynn Volunteers_, infantry and cavalry, landsmen and marines, blunt-shooters and sharp-shooters, made their appearance among us. They consisted of different corps, but the most numerous was commanded by Colonel Everard, which was about three years after disbanded:—most of the others still remain, see 977, &c.—A violent thunderstorm happened this year, when a young girl was killed here by the lightening.

1796. February 23. Eleven persons lost their lives in attempting to cross the river in the Ferry-Boat—see 978.—The preceding day a Marshland man, of the name of _Fuller_, going to see the wild beasts, and putting his hand to a Lion’s mouth, narrowly escaped being torn to pieces by him.—April 25. The Free-masons, went in procession, from the Maid’s Head Inn to St. Margaret’s church, where a sermon was preached to them by _Dr. Lloyd_, the present Hebrew Professor at Cambridge; all this preparatory or introductory to the instituting and consecrating a _new lodge_ of Lynn Free Masons: see p. 1120, &c.

1797. A whale, measuring 44 feet, caught in Lynn channel.—An improved method of cleaning Wheat seed discovered by some of our farmers: see p. 979.—The subscription Library established this year; of which see p. 1176.—In April this year, _prince William_ (now duke) _of Gloucester_ visited Lynn, and, after reviewing the Volunteers and dining with the mayor, was admitted to the freedom of this borough.

1798. Lynn and Freebridge Yeomanry Cavalry, under Colonel Taylor, embodied. Divers other such corps in our vicinity sprung up about the same time—the martial ardour of the time extended even to the priesthood.—On 29 Dec. this year the Thermometer said to be at 3 below 0: see p. 981.

1799. The _Lynn and Wisbeach Packet_, and also the inglorious _Income Tax_ commenced their progress and operations: the former with far less success than the latter.—A great controversy soon after arose here about the termination of the century; one party placing it at the close of this, and the other at the close of the following year: so that the controversy rested on this curious ground, whether or not 99 was equal to 100.

1800. _St. Catherine’s Gates_, commonly called East Gates, taken down after having stood above 700 years.—Sept. 3. The dearness of provisions caused here a considerable commotion among the common people; and _Mr. Forster_, a flour merchant, was very roughly treated by some of them.—The attempt of Hadfield upon the king’s life, at the theatre, this summer, caused no small agitation here and throughout the nation: two very loyal addresses were now presented to his majesty, by our _corporation_ and the _inhabitants_.

1801. The old building or tower, called the Black Mount, on the town walls, fell this year without doing much damage, as the ropers had just left it, being their dinner time.—816_l._ 9_s._ subscribed here this year, to furnish the poor with _pease-soup_, which was served out to them from the Town Hall thrice a week, by reason of the extreme dearness of provisions.—Also one _Peter Donahue_ executed here for forgery.—The _Peace of Amiens_ excited no small joy here, and the town was illuminated on the occasion.

1802. A grand Fete given at Refley Spring, when a whole sheep, roasted (says one account,) was served up at dinner, as a _peace-offering_ to the friends of Refley [which _friends of Refley_, we may suppose, were the gods worshipped there that day.]

1803. The first act for _paving_ and improving the town was now obtained.—The _new-road_, from the South gate to St. James’s End, was also made this year.—Also the new Burying ground and Chapel consecrated, by the then bishop of Norwich, Dec. 14.

1806. In the course of this year there was a very high tide which demolished the remaining ruins of our Lady’s Chapel on the Bridge.—St. Nicholas’s Chapel this same year thoroughly repaired and greatly improved at a considerable expense.

1807. His royal highness the _duke of Clarence_, attended by _Earl Cholmondeley_ visited Lynn, (13. October,) and they were both presented with the freedom of this borough.

1808. The names of many of the Streets of the town were this year most capriciously, childishly, and confoundingly changed; and the rage for changing names appeared now so predominant, that some began to expect no less than that the town itself was to receive a new name.

In the summer of this year the _Lancasterian School_ was established here, of which see page 1145.

1809. In the month of October this year, the memorable _Jubilee_ took place, which was kept and solemnized here with the greatest hilarity and exultation, as if the commencement of the present reign had been the introduction of the very millennium itself. It was a political manœuvre; and not the first to which the British public have been the dupes.

1810. This year a negotiation took place, and was carried on for some months, between _Mr. William Corston_ of Ludgate Hill, London, and the Lynn _Court of Guardians_, in consequence of a proposal from the former, to furnish employment for the _female_ children of the Lynn poor, in plaiting of straw and knitting of hats, on certain terms and conditions: _viz._ To be provided with a proper house for the manufactory, and a dwelling for the superintendents, together with the loan of a large sum of money, on proper security, for seven years, without interest.—This notable treaty was opened in March, and after a number of Letters had passed between the parties, it was closed by a Letter from the _Registrar_ to Mr. Corston, dated Sept. 15. of which the following is a copy—

“Sir, I was duly favoured with your Letter of the 20th. of August, inclosing answers to my questions respecting your plan for employing the female poor of this borough, which, with the sketch of the proposed building, &c. transmitted to Mr. Dixon, I laid before the Court of Guardians at their meeting, holden on Thursday last; who after having given the matter their most mature consideration, instruct me to inform you, that they entirely decline acceding to your propositions. I therefore return you the several papers, requesting you will be pleased to accept the thanks of the Court for the trouble you have had in the business. I am, &c. J. _Smeatham_.”

So the affair ended; happily or otherwise, we take not upon us to say.

1811. St. Margaret’s church thoroughly cleaned, white washed, and beautified, at considerable expense.—A new place of worship, called _Salem Chapel_ erected—and premises Purchased, in Tower Street, for the erection of the splendid Methodist minster.—Those premises cost between 8 and 900_l._ and the subsequent erection will cost between 4 and 5000_l._ more.—In the early part of this year, if we are not mistaken, Mr. Allen, one of our common—brewers, relinquished his memorable attempt to dig a well, after having sunk to the vast depth of 560 feet and spent a large sum of money without success; so that it seems now that though Lynn is situated in a bog, the ground below is as destitute of water as any spot in the kingdom can well be. Some praise however seems to be due to Mr. A. for having so long persevered in this arduous undertaking, attended as it was with so much expense and discouragement. Some curious fossils, and even bones; were said to be discovered there at a great depth.

On Saturday evening, Oct. 5, one of the ferry-men in a small boat, which they use only occasionally, attempting to bring over from West-Lynn too many passengers, the boat suddenly went down and every soul perished: They were 9 if not more beside the ferry-man; and the boat was capable of carrying safely not above half that number. This fatal disaster was imputed to the perverse temerity of the boatman.

The last month of this year was rendered memorable by the death of the most singular and excentric character in the whole town, and probably in the whole county. His name was _Robert Pursglove_: he was descended from very worthy and reputable parents, who belonged to the respectable society of Friends or Quakers. With that society he himself was also generally classed, although for many years past almost every shade of resemblance between his character and theirs had disappeared. His parents left him in possession of good property, which he managed most strangely and in a manner peculiar to himself. He had a _Ship_, which he might have sold for a good sum of money; but he had it laid up, till it rotted all to pieces—a number of _hay-stacks_ he also had, which he might have sold and turned to good account, but he would hear nothing of that, and they were left, year after year, till they were quite spoilt and good for nothing.—He had _kine_ and other cattle, which were of course neglected and mismanaged—he lived in a large house, which he had purchased, where formerly had resided one of our first families; but he suffered every thing there to go to decay and utter ruin, till doors, windows, floors, stair-cases, roofs, and every thing became perfect pictures of desolation—his dogs, and even his swine and kine occupied some of its best apartments, all ill-fed and half starved.—In this dreary mansion of desolation he was himself at last found, in the agonies of death, resulting from an apoplectic attack, and beyond the possibility of deriving any relief from medical skill. He is said to have often wanted food, though he left behind him property to the amount, as it is reported, of near if not quite 10,000_l._—This sketch might be greatly enlarged, but this will serve to give the reader some idea of the eccentricities and peculiarities of this extraordinary person.