Norfolk Annals, Vol. 2 / A Chronological Record of Remarkable Events in the Nineteeth Century

9.—The first of the peripatetic shows of the Norfolk Agricultural Association was held at East Dereham.  “The cautious and timid members of the Norfolk Association who prophesied that so many dark and dreadful events would happen to the society if absolved from her marriage vow which wedded her entirely to Norwich, and Swaffham, must have been pleasantly surprised by the entire success of the Dereham meeting.”  So great was the rush to the show-ground that more than once the barrier was broken down.  The sum of £230 was taken in admission money, whereas it had never before amounted to £150, and rarely exceeded £80.

17.—Mr. Henry Stevenson, one of the proprietors of the Norfolk Chronicle, was driving through Upper Surrey Street, Norwich, with his wife, when the horse started off at full speed in the direction of All Saints’ church, where the phaeton was upset, and Mrs. Stevenson sustained injuries from which she died an hour afterwards.

27.—Died, in St. John de Sepulchre, Norwich, the Widow Rumsby, aged 100 years.

—Died, in London, Mr. H. L. Styleman le Strange.  He was the only son of Mr. Henry Styleman, of Snettisham Hall, where he was born in 1815.  Educated at Eton and at Christchurch, Oxford, he travelled, on the completion of his University career, in Egypt, and, returning home in 1836, his majority was celebrated at Hunstanton Hall, the ancient residence of the le Stranges.  In 1839 he procured the Royal licence to assume the patronymic surname of le Strange, in addition to that of Styleman, and in the same year married Jamesina Joice Ellen, daughter of Mr. John Stewart, of Balladrum, Inverness, by whom he left issue two sons and three daughters.  Mr. le Strange, acceding to the request of the Conservative party, stood for the Western division of the county, and was defeated by a small majority.  He left the hustings with the promise that at the next election he would again offer himself; he kept his promise, but eventually withdrew, and retired from politics.  He then commenced his great work of painting the roof of Ely Cathedral, on the design and execution of which he bestowed many years of hard toil.  At his death the work was about half completed, and he had only recently received recognition of his artistic talents by being appointed a member of a commission for investigating the state of the frescoes in the new Houses of Parliament.  Hunstanton church is a monument to his taste and skill.  Mr. le Strange was senior co-heir to the baronies of Hastings and Foliot, and co-heir to those of Camoys and Strathbolgie.  He had served the office of High Sheriff of Norfolk, was a magistrate and deputy lieutenant, and a director of the Lynn and Hunstanton Railway Company.

AUGUST.

28.—A cricket match, between twenty-two of Norfolk and Norwich and eleven of United All England commenced on the Cricket Ground, Norwich, and concluded on the 29th.  Norfolk and Norwich, 73—75; United All England, 119—31.

SEPTEMBER.

8.—A trial of McCormick’s new reaper took place on Mr. Clare Sewell Read’s farm at Little Plumstead.  The experiments were conducted by Mr. McCormick, the inventor, and Mr. Burgess, the manufacturer of the machine, in the presence of Baron Ricasoli, ex-Prime Minister of Italy, and of several other foreigners of distinction.

11.—Three troops of the 5th Royal Irish Lancers, with headquarters and band, arrived at Norwich.  “Although the regiment has been formed only five years, the principal portion of the non-commissioned officers and many of the privates were engaged at Balaclava, being Volunteers from other regiments to assist in training the present regiment.”

12.—A great Volunteer fête, given at Crown Point, by the High Sheriff of Norfolk (Mr. Harvey), was attended by many thousands of spectators from all parts of the county.  The city and county corps, in two brigades, commanded respectively by Lieut.-Col. Custance and Lieut.-Col. Astley, with the Norwich Light Horse, under Lieut. Hay Gurney, were reviewed by Major-General Sir Archdale Wilson, K.C.B.  The Norwich Cadet Corps, recently organized by Mr. Noverre, and the Grammar School Cadet Corps, were also in attendance.  After the review the troops were entertained at dinner, a balloon ascent was made by Mr. Simmons, and military and other sports followed.

17.—The foundation-stone of a new church at Hautbois Magna was laid by Lord Suffield.  The new building, which was designed to supplement the old parish church, was erected mainly by the exertions of the rector (the Rev. J. C. Girling), who gave the site.  The cost was estimated at from £800 to £900.  The church was consecrated by the Bishop of Norwich on May 26th, 1864.

OCTOBER.

6.—Died at his house, Belitha Villas, Barnsbury Park, London, Mr. John Curtis, F.L.S., aged 72.  Mr. Curtis was a native of Norwich, where he resided many years.  He was author of the celebrated work, “British Entomology,” on the completion of which Sir Robert Peel awarded him a pension for life.

17.—A severe storm occurred at Yarmouth, and numerous shipping casualties were reported.

19.—A fire took place on the premises of Messrs. Tillyard and Howlett, wholesale boot and shoe manufacturers, Water Lane, St. George’s Colegate, Norwich, and damage was done to the amount of £2000.

29.—Died at St. Leonard’s-on-Sea, the Dowager Lady Stafford.  Her ladyship was an American by birth, one of four daughters of Mr. C. Caton, of Baltimore.  So remarkable were the sisters for their personal charms, that they were known as “the beauties of Baltimore,” a reputation which had the effect of securing for three of them British coronets, one as the Duchess of Leeds, another as the Marchioness Wellesley, and the third as the Baroness Stafford.  She became the second wife of the 8th Lord Stafford in 1837.

NOVEMBER.

10.—Mr. Henry Staniforth Patteson was elected Mayor, and Mr. J. J. Colman appointed Sheriff of Norwich.

18.—The Norwich Town Council adopted an address to the Queen, congratulating her Majesty upon the attainment of his majority by H.R.H. the Prince of Wales.  The county magistrates adopted a similar address on January 8th, 1863.

19.—Died, suddenly, aged 50, Mr. John Wodderspoon, sub-editor of the “Norwich Mercury.”  He had resided in Norwich about fourteen years, and had previously been connected with the “Suffolk Chronicle,” at Ipswich.  Mr. Wodderspoon devoted his leisure time to the pursuit of the fine arts, and had achieved considerable proficiency as an amateur artist, a talent which assisted him materially in his other favourite study, archæology.  He was an active member of the Norfolk and Norwich Archæological Society, and whilst resident at Ipswich, wrote, “Memorials of Ipswich” and “Historic Sites of Suffolk.”  His death occurred under painful circumstances.  On the previous day a summons had been served upon him for threatening, it was alleged, a reporter on the “Mercury” staff.  When giving instructions to Mr. Bugg, his solicitor in the case, Mr. Wodderspoon fell down and instantly expired.

22.*—“The Queen has been pleased to grant unto Henry Evans, the elder, of Lyng and of Bylaugh, clerk, and to his eldest son, Henry Evans, the younger, of Elmswell, in Suffolk, clerk, her Royal licence and authority that they and their respective heirs may, in compliance with a proviso contained in the last will and testament of Sir John Lombe, late of Great Melton, baronet, deceased, respectively take and henceforth use the surname of Lombe only, and use and bear the arms of Lombe in lieu of their present surname and arms of Evans.”

1.—Father Gavazzi lectured at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, on “Italy, Victor Emanuel, Garibaldi, and the Pope,” and on the 2nd on “The Progress of the Gospel in Italy.”

10.—Mr. Charles Mathews appeared at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, in his entertainment, “Personal Reminiscences, in Eight Chapters.”  The entertainment was repeated on December 13th.

13.—Died at his residence, Elmsfield, Harrow, Lieut.-Col. Richard Montague Oakes, formerly of the 1st Life Guards, and Chief Constable of Norfolk, aged 71.

18.—A gale of great severity commenced at Yarmouth, and continued until the 22nd.  “The lifeboats were suffered to lie quiescent on the beach, their crews (of the Young and Diamond Company) standing stolidly by, indifferent even to the signals of distress which from time to time came over the raging waters from vessels in great danger.”  There was no loss of life.  An inquiry was opened on January 6th, 1863, as to the conduct of the lifeboat crew, and adjourned to the 12th, when a resolution was adopted exonerating them from blame.

20.—Died at his residence, Norton Lodge, Freshwater, Isle of Wight, Admiral of the Fleet Sir Graham E. Hamond, Bart., G.C.B.  He was the only son of Captain Sir Andrew Snape Hamond, R.N., created baronet in 1783, and was born December 30th, 1779.  On the death of his father, at the advanced age of 90, in September, 1828, he succeeded to the baronetcy.  He commenced his naval career in 1793, as midshipman in the Phaeton 38, under the command of his cousin, Sir A. S. Douglas; he then removed to the Queen Charlotte, 100, the flagship of Admiral Lord Howe, under whom he shared the honour and took part in the victory of “the glorious first of June.”  Joining the Britannia, 100, the flagship of Admiral Hotham, he served in the Mediterranean, and witnessed the destruction of L’Alcide 74, taken in the action of July 13th.  After constant active service on the Lisbon and home stations, during which he assisted at the capture of several French privateers and at the blockade of Malta and the siege of La Valette, he was appointed to the command of the Blanche, 36, in which ship he participated in the battle of Copenhagen.  In 1804 he was appointed to the Lively, 38, in which frigate he captured, off Cape St. Mary, three Spanish frigates laden with treasure, and destroyed a fourth; during a subsequent cruise off Cape St. Vincent he captured the San Miguel, and the same day, in company with the Polyphemus, 64, took the Santa Gertruyda, 36, laden with a valuable cargo of 11,215,000 dollars in specie.  In December, 1808, he was appointed to the command of the Victorious, 74, in which he assisted at the reduction of Flushing in 1809.  He was appointed commander-in-chief of the South African station in September, 1834.  Sir Graham was a magistrate and deputy lieutenant for the county of Norfolk.

21.—The sea broke over the sandhills at Wells and flooded about 700 acres of the west marshes, which had been reclaimed from the ocean by the Earl of Leicester.  The damage was estimated at £10,000.

1863.

JANUARY.

21.—Died at his residence, Thorpe Hamlet, aged 82, Mr. John Skipper, who had filled several offices under the old Corporation of Norwich, including those of Speaker and Chamberlain.

24.—Died at Trumpington Street, Cambridge, Mr. S. D. Colkett, artist, formerly of Norwich.

31.—The litigation arising from the inundation in Marshland commenced on this date with the hearing, in the Vice-Chancellor’s Court, of an application for a mandamus to compel the Middle Level Commissioners to restore the paling path over the breach made by the inundations.  At the suggestion of the Court, it was agreed that the only question in dispute, that of legal liability, should be raised as a special case.  At the Norfolk Assizes, on April 1st, before Lord Chief Justice Erle, two actions, Mason v. Wise and Coe v. Wise (clerk to the Middle Level Commissioners), were down for trial by special jury.  It was understood that these cases, which were brought for the recovery of damages consequent upon the inundation, were selected out of a total of 107 causes in which writs had been issued.  In the action Coe v. Wise, the declaration alleged that by a certain Act of Parliament the Middle Level Commissioners were bound to make and maintain a certain cut, bank, and sluices; it was complained that, in consequence of their negligence, the tidal waters burst through them and flooded the lands of the plaintiff.  The defendant entered a plea of not guilty, and alleged that the plaintiff was not possessed of the lands.  The hearing of the case occupied four days.  The Judge, in summing up, directed the jury to decide whether the damage was caused to the plaintiff by the absence of due care and skill on the part of the defendants, (1) in respect of the making of the sluice; (2) in respect of maintaining the sluice; (3) in respect of providing remedies against mishap after the sluice was destroyed; and (4) was damage caused to the plaintiff by reason that no puddled wall was made along both banks of the cut?  The jury found for the defendant on the first point, and for the plaintiff on the other three points.  In the Court of Queen’s Bench, on April 18th, Mr. Fitzroy Kelly moved for a rule calling upon plaintiff to show cause why the verdict should not be set aside and entered for the defendant, on the ground of misdirection, and that the verdict was against the evidence.  Lord Chief Justice Cockburn said the Court would grant a rule upon the question of law involved, but not as regarded the evidence, because their lordships found that Lord Chief Justice Erle was satisfied with the verdict.  The case was again before the Court of Queen’s Bench on November 19th, and, alter two days’ argument, was ordered to stand over until the next term.  (See January 21st, 1864.)

16.—Charles Mower, the Dereham pedestrian, ran a one-mile match for £50 a side, with Edward Mills, of London, the six miles champion, on the Brampton Pedestrian Ground.  Mower was a runner of considerable repute.  His best performance was at Salford, in December, 1860, when he defeated Allison for the champion cup, running the mile in 4 minutes 24 seconds, the ground at the time being covered with snow.  In his match with Mills he was beaten by 20 yards, in 4 minutes 34 seconds.

MARCH.

3.—The Norwich Poor-law Amendment Bill was considered by a Committee of the House of Commons.  Its object was to repeal the Act passed in 1831, “for the better management of the several parishes and hamlets of the city and county of the city of Norwich”; to substitute another body for the Incorporation of Guardians; and to introduce certain clauses for the equalisation of the rates between the city and hamlets; and for the inclusion of the Cathedral Close, which was not then within the jurisdiction of the Guardians.  The Bill passed through Committee on March 12th, and was directed to be reported to the House.  The last meeting of the old Court of Guardians was held at the Guildhall, Norwich, on October 6th, and its existence as a corporate body expired on the 22nd, when the new Board was elected.  Prior to the election, a meeting, presided over by the Mayor (Mr. Patteson), was held, at which was passed a resolution to the effect that, “considering the excessive poor-rates which have pressed upon this city for so many years, and the abuses which have sprung up in the administration of the Poor-law, it is incumbent upon the ratepayers to sink party and other differences and co-operate for carrying out the new Act with integrity and impartiality.”

12.—Died at Brentwood, Mr. Edward Taylor, professor of music at Gresham College, London, aged 79.  He was a native of Norwich, and a son of Mr. John Taylor, who occupied a prominent position in the city as a wool and yarn factor, and displayed considerable literary and musical abilities.  Mr. Edward Taylor had been many years resident in London, but he constantly attended the Norwich Musical Festivals, in the establishment of which he took a leading part, and was a frequent vocal performer.  He was a pleasing composer, and some of his songs met with deserved appreciation.

16.—Professor J. H. Pepper lectured at Noverre’s Rooms, Norwich, on “Optical Illusions,” and for the first time exhibited in the city the now well-known illusion, “Pepper’s Ghost.”

19.—The Yarmouth Gas Bill, the object of which was to incorporate the Great Yarmouth Gas Company and to make further provision for lighting the town and certain neighbouring places with gas, was considered by a Committee of the House of Lords.  The Bill was read a third time in that House on the 24th, and passed.

29.—Died at Wakefield Lodge, Northamptonshire, his Grace the Duke of Grafton.  He was the eldest son of George Henry, fourth Duke, by Charlotte Maria Waldegrave, second daughter of James, second Earl Waldegrave and Maria, who afterwards became Duchess of Gloucester.  Born on February 10th, 1790, he married, on June 20th, 1812, Mary Caroline, third daughter of Admiral the Hon. Sir George Cranfield Berkeley.  He represented Bury St. Edmund’s from 1826 to 1830, and had a seat in the Lower House for Thetford from 1834 to September, 1844.  By his death, his eldest son, the Earl of Euston, M.P. for Thetford since 1847, inherited the family honours.

APRIL.

5.—Died at Chester Terrace, Regent’s Park, London, Mr. John Taylor, F.R.S.  Born at Norwich on August 22nd, 1779, he was trained as a land surveyor and engineer, and in 1798 was invited to take the management of a mine near Tavistock.  It proved very profitable.  In 1803 he projected and commenced the Tavistock Canal, of which about three miles were tunnelled through a granite hill.  The execution of this work led to the discovery of two other mines, which produced large quantities of copper, and yielded considerable profits.  The success of these and other mines in the neighbourhood of Tavistock, in Cornwall, and in the North of England, brought Mr. Taylor into great repute as a mining engineer.  He was the author of several useful papers on mining, and one of the first to propose the formation of a Mining School; he was, too, one of the earliest Fellows of the Geological Society, and for many years acted as treasurer and vice-president.  In 1825 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, and was one of the founders of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, of which organization he was treasurer until 1862.  An excellent portrait of Mr. Taylor was painted by Sir Thomas Lawrence in 1825, and afterwards engraved by Charles Turner.  Another portrait was painted in 1861, by Mr. Sydney Hodges.

6.—Madame Celeste commenced, at Norwich Theatre, a short season, during which she appeared in a round of her favourite characters.

20.—The nomination of candidates to contest the seat rendered vacant by the elevation of the Earl of Euston to the House of Lords took place at Thetford.  Lord Frederick John FitzRoy and Mr. Robert John Harvey Harvey were proposed.  The poll was opened on the 21st, and resulted as follows: FitzRoy, 93; Harvey, 81.  There had been no contest at Thetford for twenty-two years previously.

MAY.

1.—Died at his residence, Newmarket Road, Norwich, aged 63, Mr. Isaac Wiseman, who served the office of Sheriff in 1830.

9.*—“Challenge: Thomas Jessup, of East Harling, now in his 102nd year, is willing to walk against ‘Father Time’ or any other man of the same age as himself now living in England or elsewhere, a fair toe and heel match, without the aid of stick, crutch, or other auxiliary.  The one doing the greatest distance in one day (or in a month, if preferred) to be entitled to the stakes, which can be made for any sum not exceeding £50 a side.”

11.—At Norwich Police Court, Mr. Edward Manning, of London Street, and Mr. William Edwards, of Sprowston, were summoned for assaulting Jonas Dye, of Pockthorpe, in contesting the question of common rights on Mousehold Heath.  According to Mr. Simms Reeve, who appeared for the prosecution, the Dean and Chapter of Norwich owned the Heath, and the people of Pockthorpe, whether they had the right or not, claimed common rights.  The Dean and Chapter did not dispute those rights, and the people not only used the Heath themselves, but let it to others to graze their cattle, to take turf at so much per hundred, and gravel at so much per load.  The revenue formed a common fund, managed by a committee elected each year at a public meeting, at which the clergyman of the parish presided.  The defendants contested these rights, and liberated stock which had been impounded.  The Town Clerk (Mr. Mendham) objected to the magistrates’ jurisdiction, under 6th and 7th Vic., cap. 30, which provided that no justice of the peace “should hear and determine any case of assault or battery in which any question should arise as to the title of any lands, tenements, or hereditaments, or the interest accruing therefrom.”  The magistrates dismissed the case.

26.—A dreadful accident occurred at Yarmouth.  Two negro vocalists, named Charles Marsh and Henry Wharton, attended the Whit-Tuesday sports on the South Denes, when the former proposed that they should ascend the Nelson Monument.  The other agreed, and the ascent commenced, Marsh performing “God Save the Queen” upon his violin, and Wharton playing a banjo accompaniment.  Arrived at the summit, Marsh, who added to his other accomplishments that of a posturer, scaled the stone fence on the platform, and, seizing the lightning conductor, climbed upon the emblematic figure of Britannia and there remained for ten minutes, singing and waving his hands to the crowd beneath.  In descending, he was compelled to stoop head foremost to grasp the handle of Britannia’s trident.  From some cause he slipped, fell upon the plinth, and thence rebounded into space, falling with arms outstretched to the base of the column, a depth of 144 feet.  His death was instantaneous.

28.—Died at Edinburgh, aged 52, Mr. Archibald Dalrymple, F.R.C.S., formerly surgeon to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.

JUNE.

4.—Four specimens of Pallas’s sand grouse—one male and three females—were shot at Waxham, by the Rev. Mr. Wheeler and Mr. Gibbs.  On the 8th a fine male specimen was shot on Yarmouth Denes, near the old battery; and on the 9th and 10th a flock of about forty of the birds appeared upon Horsey beach.  A pair was killed on Titchwell beach on the 10th, and another pair at about the same date in the adjoining parish of Brancaster.  Altogether twenty-six specimens of these rare visitants from the Kirghis steppes of Tartary were procured in the county, and all were found either basking in the sands or feeding in grass fields close to the sea shore.

13.—At the sale of the Rev. John Gilbert’s property, by Messrs. Spelman, at the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich, a farm of forty acres realised £2,600, and the Church Farm, of forty-nine acres, at Heckingham, was sold for £2,000.

17.—The show of the Norfolk Agricultural Association took place at Yarmouth, and was the most successful of the exhibitions yet held.

22.—The 5th Royal Irish Lancers marched from the Cavalry Barracks, Norwich, for Aldershot, and a few weeks later sailed for India.

JULY.

1.—A fine barque of 410 tons, named the Egbert, was launched from the shipyard of Messrs. Fellows and Son, Southtown, Great Yarmouth.

2.—The Second Administrative Battalion of Norfolk Rifle Volunteers, numbering 22 officers, 30 non-commissioned officers, and 260 rank and file, encamped at Langley Park, the seat of the Colonel-Commandant, Sir Thomas Proctor Beauchamp, Bart.  This was the first Volunteer camp formed in the county.  “Fifty camp tents, borrowed from the War Office for the occasion, were pitched in rows beyond the parade-ground, and in these the Volunteers encamped for the night, a plentiful supply of straw being provided for them.”  The First Administrative Battalion encamped at Gunton Park, from July 22nd to 25th, and the Dereham and Wymondham Companies formed a camp at Letton Park, on September 22nd.

14.—The Channel Fleet of eight ships of war, under the command of Rear-Admiral Dacres, arrived in Yarmouth Roads.  The total number of men on board was 4,800.  The Fleet weighed anchor on the 18th, and sailed for the Downs.

15.—The Maharajah Duleep Singh, the new owner of the Elveden estate, arrived at Thetford for the purpose of inspecting the property.  The church bells were rung in honour of the illustrious visitor.  On November 21st it was announced that the Maharajah made almost daily excursions in pursuit of his favourite sport of hawking, and that a pack of hounds had also arrived at Elveden.

16.—A serious fire occurred at East Dereham, on the premises of Mr. William Hubbard, builder.  It resulted in the total destruction of the large workshops, and entailed a loss of about £2,000.  An adjacent warehouse was stored with £400 worth of goods belonging to Mr. E. Smith was also destroyed.  Furniture and goods were hastily removed from adjoining houses and placed in the Corn Hall; the tenants of Mrs. Dingle’s cottages suffered great loss from their articles being broken or stolen.  A public subscription was made to recoup Mr. Hubbard’s workmen the loss of their trade tools, valued at about £130; and on August 10th, at a meeting of the townspeople, a fire brigade was organized.  The origin of the fire was never discovered.  A groom in the employment of Mr. Hubbard was apprehended upon suspicion, but was discharged for want of evidence.

30.—Died at his residence, Town Close, Norwich, Mr. Samuel Shalders Bears, aged 76.  He was for many years prominently connected with Norwich, both as a man of business and as a member of most of the leading institutions, charitable, literary, and political.  In 1829, under the old Corporation, he was elected Sheriff, and in 1837, under the new régime, he served the office of Mayor.  Mr. Beare was senior magistrate on the Norwich Bench, and was upon the commission of the peace for the county of Suffolk.

AUGUST.

3.—A dreadful railway accident took place upon the newly-opened line between Lynn and Hunstanton, by which five persons were killed and between twenty and thirty seriously injured.  The accident was caused by the over-running of a bullock which had strayed upon the line.  At the inquest, on August 13th, the jury returned a verdict of accidental death, and called attention to the insufficiency of the fences provided by the Great Eastern Railway Company.  The amount paid by the company in claims and compensation exceeded, it was stated, the sum of £10,000.

19.—Three troops of the 18th Hussars, with headquarters, marched into Norwich, under the command of Lieut.-Col. Knox, formerly Major in the 15th Hussars.

—A great archery fête was held at Crown Point, Norwich.  The societies represented were the Norfolk and Norwich Archery Club, the East Norfolk, West Norfolk, East Suffolk, West Suffolk, Westwick, Long Melford, Waveney Borderers, Waveney Valley, Yarmouth, and Copdock Archers.

31.—Died at his residence, the South Quay, Great Yarmouth, Mr. Samuel Charles Marsh, aged 53.  He occupied for many years a conspicuous public position in the borough, and twice served the office of Mayor—in 1844 and 1852.

SEPTEMBER.

10.—Died at Raynham Hall, his Norfolk seat, Rear-Admiral the Marquis Townshend.  His lordship was riding in the park on the 9th, when he was seized with a paralytic stroke.  John Townshend was son of Lord John Townshend, second son of George, first Marquis Townshend.  He was born March 28th, 1798, and succeeded to the family honours on the death of his cousin, George Ferrars, third Marquis, in December, 1855.  He married, August 18th, 1825, Elizabeth Jane, eldest daughter of Rear-Admiral Lord George Stuart, who survived him, and left issue an only son, John Villiers Stuart, Viscount Rainham, M.P., and three daughters.  He entered the Navy as midshipman in 1814, but his services, owing to the peace of 1815, were not distinguished.  Before his accession to the House of Lords he was elected member for Tamworth.  In politics he was a pronounced Liberal, “being in advance of the political party to which he professed to belong, for he had voted in favour of the ballot, and was also for the admission of Jews into Parliament and the removal of all religious disabilities.”

14.—The Earl of Leicester, as Lord Lieutenant of the county, reviewed the Volunteers of Norfolk and Norwich, on Mousehold Heath.  Upwards of 2,000 were on parade, and were inspected by Col. McMurdo, Inspector-General of the Volunteer Forces.  The troops were afterwards entertained at dinner at the Corn Hall.  The Mayor (Mr. Patteson) presided, supported by the Lord Lieutenant and many distinguished guests.

21.—James Naylor, of Elsing, aged 51, murdered his wife, Charlotte Naylor, aged 81.  “From the time he was committed to Norwich Castle to take his trial at the Assizes, he endeavoured to lead people to imagine that he was not of sound mind.”  He died in prison on November 23rd, from cancer in the stomach.

30.—At a dinner held at St. Nicholas’ Hall, East Dereham, Capt. Bulwer, the commanding-officer of the 15th Norfolk Rifle Volunteers, was presented with an album containing photographs of every member of the company, “in recognition of his valuable services in promoting the success and efficiency of the corps.”  A presentation was also made to Mrs. Bulwer.

OCTOBER.

2.—Died in London, Sir William Bellairs, of Mulbarton Lodge, in his 70th year.  From 1811 to 1819 he served in the 15th Hussars, and went through the campaigns of 1813 and 1814.  He was present at Vittoria, the Pyrenees, Orthes, Tarbes, Toulouse, and other engagements, and also served in the campaign of 1815, had a horse killed under him in the retreat from Quatre Bras, and received two wounds at the battle of Waterloo.  In 1837 he was appointed exon of the Yeomen of the Guard, which he held up to 1849.  He married, in 1822, Miss Hooke, daughter and heiress of Mr. Edmund Hooke, of Mulbarton Lodge.

10.—Died at his residence, St. Catherine’s Cottage, Norwich, in his 62nd year, Mr. William Matchett, senior proprietor of the Norfolk Chronicle.  He was the second son of Mr. Jonathan Matchett, a former proprietor of the journal.  Educated at Norwich Grammar School, under the Rev. Dr. Valpy, he became a partner in the establishment in 1827, from which time until his death he took an active share in its management.  “In former days, before the science of shorthand writing had become a business in itself, Mr. Matchett, like his school-fellow and contemporary, Mr. R. N. Bacon, performed for this newspaper all those duties which the exigencies of the present age require should be distributed amongst a ‘staff of reporters,’ and as the representative of the Chronicle attended most of the principal meetings in the city and county, the proceedings at which were ably condensed for the public eye by the aid of his brief notes and singularly retentive memory.  Under the old Corporation, and for a short period under the new régime, Mr. Matchett was connected with the Norwich Town Council for upwards of eight years, and at all times took a warm interest in the welfare and improvement of his native city.

27.—Elihu Burritt, “the Learned Blacksmith,” delivered a lecture to the Norwich Young Men’s Christian Association, on “The Higher Law and Mission of Commerce.”

NOVEMBER.

7.*—“The gales that have visited the coast during the last week have been terrific.  For days there has been an enormous fleet of southward bound colliers in Yarmouth Roads.  With other vessels, the coast, extending from Caister to Corton, a distance of several miles, has been crowded with shipping, and several shipwrecked crews have been landed at the Sailors’ Home.”

9.—Died at Norwich, in his 76th year, Mr. William Stark, F.G.S.  He was well-known in his day as an able chemist, and was one of the first dyers of fabrics of Norwich manufacture, “particularly of the colour called Turkey red, the manufacturers in the North sending large quantities of goods for dyeing.”  He devoted much of his time to the prosecution of scientific studies, and was a Fellow of the Geological Society.  In the days when Dr. Rigby, William Taylor, Dalrymple, Crosse, C. Austrin, Dr. Evans, &c., belonged to the Norwich Philosophical Society, Mr. Stark contributed many papers at its meetings, in which he bore a distinguished part.  For many years he had been afflicted by partial loss of sight, and a few months before his death became totally blind.

9.—Mr. Osborn Springfield was elected Mayor, and Mr. Frederick Brown appointed Sheriff of Norwich.

14.—A meeting for the promotion of the East Norfolk Railway was held at the Swan Hotel, St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich, under the presidency of Lord Suffield.  A resolution emphasising the importance of the scheme was adopted, and the following motion was also unanimously passed: “That the offer of the Great Eastern Railway Company to render substantial help in the formation of lines of railway to North Walsham, Aylsham, and Cromer, and to work the same when made at 50 per cent. upon the gross receipts, should be cordially accepted by the district, as conferring the means of accomplishing public works of the greatest benefit, and which otherwise must have been indefinitely postponed.”  (See May 5th, 1864.)

22.—The death occurred at Yarmouth, in his 43rd year, of Hales, the Norfolk Giant.  He was born at West Somerton, and for some years was engaged in seafaring pursuits, until his enormous height, 7 ft. 6 inches, gained for him such notoriety that he was induced to abandon the sea and exhibit himself.  During his nomadic career he visited almost every town in the kingdom, and scarcely a fair was considered complete without the huge yellow caravan which formed his temporary abode.  Becoming tired of his wandering life.  Hales took up his abode in London, and whilst there had the honour of appearing before the Court and of receiving from the Queen a handsome gold watch and chain.  Shortly after his appearance at Court, the fame of the Norfolk Giant reached Barnum, who lost no time in engaging his services.  Hales remained with Barnum for some years, in the course of which he visited most of the cities and towns in America.  On his return to England he resumed his wanderings, and, in the course of the summer of 1862 came to Yarmouth, where his presence on the Britannia Pier attracted large numbers of visitors.  Hales’s parents were conspicuous for their great height, his father being 6 ft 6 ins., and his mother 6 ft.  He had five sisters, who averaged 6 ft 6 ins.  One of them, Mary, was 7 ft. 2 ins. in height, and for some years travelled with her brother.  She died in Guernsey.  His four brothers averaged 6 ft 5 inches.  A few days before his death, Hales was walking about Norwich, where he attracted great crowds by his immense size.

23.—Died at the Rectory, Long Stratton, Mr. George Birch Jerrard, son of Major-General Jerrard.  Born at Bodmin, on November 24th, 1804, he acquired considerable fame as a mathematician, and was the author of “Mathematical Researches” and of “An Essay on the Resolution of Equations.”  In his first-named work, “he made a great step in Algebra, and one acknowledged by all mathematicians, namely, the taking away of three terms from equations of any degree.  In his latter work he maintains he has solved the great problem of Algebra, namely, the resolution of all equations.”  At the time of his death he was engaged in writing a work on “Prophecy,” a subject in which he was greatly interested.

26.—Brother Ignatius, “a clergyman of the English Church, who has the temerity to come before a public audience attired as a Benedictine monk, with bare head and bare feet, carrying a rosary and crucifix, which in this country are regarded as symbolic only of the Romish Church, and calling himself by a name not accorded to him by his godfathers and godmother,” lectured at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, on “Monks and Monasteries for the English Church.”  (See February 13th, 1864.)

DECEMBER.

9.—A meeting of weavers was held at Norwich, to consider the rates of payment for work.  It was stated that in 1846 a list of prices was agreed to by the manufacturers and operatives for all fabrics then made.  These prices had, with few exceptions, been maintained in Norwich, but a great deal of work was sent into the country, where it was done at the reduced rate of 5½d. per dozen skeins, or considerably more than 50 per cent. difference.  The weavers resolved that any departure from the list of prices would be alike injurious to employers and employed, and a deputation was appointed to wait upon the manufacturers to enforce this view.

—Mr. David Fisher gave, at Noverre’s Rooms, Norwich, his entertainment, entitled, “Facts and Fancies,” with which he had achieved great success during the London season.  Mr. Fisher was known in Norwich not only as an excellent actor and accomplished musician, but as a vocalist of much taste.

21.—At the Norwich Assizes, before Mr. Baron Martin, James Margatroyed Hubbard (24), described as a general dealer, and son of a Norwich brewer, was indicted for forging a bill of exchange for £45, and sentenced to 20 years’ penal servitude.

25.—The weather was very mild.  A picotee bloom and rose were gathered in a garden at Norwich.

26.—Mr. H. J. Byron was the author of the pantomime produced at Norwich Theatre.  It was entitled, “Ali Baba, or the Thirty-nine Thieves.”

—A revolting performance was given at one of the shows at the Norwich Christmas Fair.  “A man and woman, said to be Kaffirs, actually fed upon live rats, in the presence of continually succeeding audiences.”  The details, as published in the newspaper, are too horrible to be quoted.  The Mayor, on being informed of the proceedings, prohibited the exhibition, after which raw flesh was substituted for live rats.  At Walsingham, a few days afterwards, the show was visited by many hundreds of country folk; at Wells the police expelled the performers from the town.

1864.

JANUARY.

6.—The mild weather of Christmas week was succeeded by frost of great intensity.  On this day the thermometer stood at 14 degrees, and the river above the New Mills at Norwich was frozen.  Large numbers of golden plover made their appearance in the neighbourhood of Thetford, and an extraordinary quantity of wild fowl came within the bounds of Shadwell, where Sir Robert Buxton prohibited their being shot or molested.

19.—Died at Norwich, Mr. George Fisher, a member of the talented and well-known local family of that name, and of the Norfolk and Suffolk Company of Comedians.  On retiring from the stage, he conducted a school at Swaffham, and subsequently resided at Lynn, where he was for many years known as an enthusiastic votary of the violin, and a useful member of the band of the Musical Union.  He was author of a curious and voluminous work, entitled, “A Companion and Key to the History of England,” printed by Skill, of Swaffham, and published in 1832.

20.—Died at Hove, Brighton, Captain J. J. B. E. Frere, R.N.  He entered the Navy in 1826, and had been for nearly twenty-five years engaged on active service—against the pirates in the Mediterranean, in the operations on the coast of Syria, in the Pacific with Lord George Paulet, and as commissioner for the Government of the Sandwich Islands, while held temporarily under the British flag.

21.—The hearing of the action, Cox v. Wise, arising out of the inundation in Marshland, was resumed in the Court of Queen’s Bench, and, after three days’ argument for the rule in support of the verdict, and against the rule to set it aside, the case was closed.  Their lordships reserved judgment until May 24th, when Mr. Justice Mellor held that the Middle Level Commissioners were trustees for public purposes, acting without reward and deriving no tolls from the works; they had not the means of raising funds except for the specific performance of the objects of their private Act.  He was of opinion that they were not liable for damages, and that the rule must be made absolute.  Mr. Justice Blackburn was of the contrary opinion; he thought the plaintiff had a right to his verdict, and that the rule should be discharged.  Lord Chief Justice Cockburn thought the defendants were not liable, and said that the rule must be made absolute.  Rule absolute accordingly.  (See June 9th, 1865.)

FEBRUARY.

8.—Died, aged 91, Mr. John Bennett, for many years resident in Norwich.  “The deceased wore a pigtail to the day of his death and was the last of the old school in the city.”

22.—Died at Sidcup, Kent, in his 96th year, Mr. Edward Smyth, formerly agent in Norwich of the Bank of England.  His early career was spent in the Army.  He served at the fall of Seringapatam, in 1799, with the 25th Light Dragoons, who, at Mullavelly, routed the cavalry of Tippoo Sahib, thereby enabling Lord Harris to bring to a successful termination his siege operations against that important fortress.  Mr. Smith afterwards served with the Duke of Wellington in that Indian campaign which ended with the famous battles of Assaye and Urgam.

MARCH.

8.—The agitation for the repeal of the Malt Tax was re-opened with increased vigour at a large meeting of West Norfolk farmers, held at the Town Hall, Lynn, under the presidency of the High Sheriff (Mr. H. Lee Warner).  A resolution was passed affirming that the tax was unjust in principle, utterly opposed to the Free Trade policy adopted on the repeal of the Corn Laws, and most injurious to British farmers as producers of barley.  Members of Parliament were urged to support its repeal.

9.—Sir Henry Stracey announced to the electors of Yarmouth his intention of retiring from the representation of the borough.

10.—The Mayor of Yarmouth (Mr. R. Steward), who, for the fourth time, had held that office, was presented with a piece of plate, valued at 200 gs., in appreciation of his public services and his private worth.

APRIL.

9.*—“Col. Black, Chief Constable of the county, has accepted the command of the Norwich Battalion of Volunteers, as offered him by the Lord Lieutenant, on the retirement of Lieut.-Col. Brett.”

22.—Died at his residence, Prince of Wales Road, Norwich, Mr. David Hodgson, artist.  He was the son of Mr. Charles Hodgson.  “The names of both father and son are connected with the list of local celebrities in Art, in which may be included the names of Crome, Vincent, Stark, and Joseph Stannard.”  David Hodgson excelled in architectural subjects, which he painted with great care and truthfulness of detail.

26.—The marriage of Viscount Powerscourt and Lady Julia Coke, eldest daughter of the Earl and Countess of Leicester, was solemnised at St. George’s church, Hanover Square.

27.—The first meeting of the Norwich Geological Society was held under the presidency of the Rev. J. Gunn, F.G.S.

MAY.

5.—The Bill for the projected East Norfolk Railway was considered before a Committee of the House of Commons.  It was strongly opposed by the Yarmouth Haven and Pier Commissioners, and by the North Walsham and Dilham Canal Commissioners, as offering unfair competition with water communication in that part of the county.  (See October 18th, 1865.)

16.—Mr. Edmund Rosenthal’s grand English opera and burlesque company commenced an engagement at Norwich Theatre.  The artistes included Madame Haigh-Dyer, Miss Ada Taylor, Miss Hodgson, Miss Brooke, Miss Alessandri, Miss Bronti, Miss Mills, Miss Shepherd, Miss Tempest, and Miss Marian Taylor; Mr. W. Parkinson, Mr. J. Manley, Mr. Tempest, Mr. Warden, Mr. Bentley, Mr. Melville, Mr. R. Arthur, Mr. Smith, Mr. Arnott, Mr. Morgan, and Mr. Edmund Rosenthal.  The operas produced were “Maritana,” “Lucia di Lammermoor,” &c., and the burlesque “Prince Amabel.”

19.—The Norfolk Hotel, Norwich, was sold by Messrs. Spelman, at the Auction Mart, London, for the sum of £4,000.

24.—The Queen’s birthday was observed at Norwich as a general holiday.  The 18th Hussars, the Norfolk Light Horse, the Artillery and Rifle Volunteers, and the Cadet Corps were reviewed in Chapel Field; the officers were entertained at luncheon at the Guildhall, and the Volunteers at the Corn Hall; and at night the Mayor and Miss Springfield gave a ball at St. Andrew’s Hall.

JUNE.

2.—Died at his residence, Tombland, Norwich, Mr. Roger Kerrison, aged 61.  He had for some time been in ill-health, and five weeks before his death, while superintending the cutting down of some timber, sustained a fall and received a severe shock.  Mr. Kerrison was, in many respects, a remarkable personage.  He was the son of Mr. Allday Kerrison, and was educated for the law, a profession he continued to practise until his decease, although a large accession of fortune on the death of his uncle, Mr. Matthew Kerrison, of Ranworth, twenty years previously, had placed him in independent circumstances.  Mr. Kerrison held several important public appointments, but he was more widely known by reason of his connection with the Norwich Triennial Musical Festival, of which he was for some years the active honorary secretary.  In politics he was Conservative, but by no means a prejudiced partisan, and he never scrupled to act independently when he deemed it right to do so.  He was a bachelor, and the bulk of his fortune went to his brother, Mr. Allday Kerrison, a partner in the Crown Bank, Norwich.

3.—Died, in his 78th year, Mr. William Johnson Fox, for many years member of Parliament for Oldham, and popularly known as “the Norwich Weaver Boy.”

7.—The 18th Hussars left Norwich for Shorncliffe, prior to their embarkation for India.  This was the first regiment which departed from the city by train.

8.—The annual show of the Norfolk Agricultural Association was held at Lynn, and was visited by upwards of 14,000 persons.  Mr. R. J. H. Harvey was president for the year.

18.—Died, near Christchurch, New Zealand, aged 59, the Ven. Octavius Mathias, Archdeacon of Akaron and formerly vicar of Horsford.  He was one of the first to take an interest in the foundation of Canterbury Cathedral, New Zealand, and was elected one of the capitular clergy.

JULY.

5.—A barque, named the Oriental, was launched from Mr. J. W. Rust’s shipyard at Yarmouth.  The vessel, which was intended for the China trade, was 115 feet long, 24 feet beam, 15 ft. 8 inches in depth, and 320 tons burthen.

23.—Died at the Palace Hotel, Buckingham Gate, London, Admiral Bertie Cornelius Cator, younger brother of Mr. John Cator, of Beckenham, Kent, and of Woodbastwick.  He entered the Navy in 1800, under his uncle, Captain Albemarle Bertie, and was actively employed early in his professional career in the capture of privateers in the Mediterranean.  In 1810 he assisted at the taking of the Isle of France; commanded the Actæon on the coast of America in the attack on the enemy’s barracks in Lynn Haven Bay in 1813, and participated in various other services.  After gaining post rank, he was not employed afloat.  He accepted retirement in 1846.

29.—Merton Park was the scene of great rejoicing, on the coming of age of the Hon. Thomas de Grey.  Seven hundred cottagers and labourers were entertained at dinner, and Lord and Lady Walsingham received a large number of personal friends in a pavilion erected near the famous Merton oak.  At luncheon Lord Ashburton proposed the health of Mr. de Grey, which was drunk with great enthusiasm.  The day’s festivities concluded with a display of fireworks.  On the 30th Lord and Lady Walsingham gave a ball to 150 tenants on the Merton estate, and on the 31st the celebration ended with a servants’ ball.

AUGUST.

26.—Two troops of the 16th Lancers arrived at Norwich Barracks.

28.—St. George’s Brewery, Norwich, and 40 public-houses were offered for sale by Messrs. Spelman.  Messrs. Youngs, Crawshay, and Youngs were the purchasers, at the sum of £15,300.

11.—Died at Norwich, aged 81, Henry Drane, for thirty-six years proprietor of the Telegraph coach.

19.—A prize-fight for £5 took place near Lynn, between Pooley Mace and Grey.  Mace was declared the victor, after a contest which lasted 35 minutes.

OCTOBER.

4.—The Yarmouth Town Council, by a majority of 25 to 11, adopted the Public House Closing Act, 1864.

8.—The first sod of the West Norfolk Junction Railway was turned by Miss Ellen Simpson, daughter of Mr. Lightly Simpson, the chairman of the company.  Many persons travelled to Heacham to take part in the proceedings.  (See January 8th, 1866.)

11.—Died, Captain Becher, “the well-known sportsman and father of steeplechase riders, whose deeds in the pigskin some 30 years back have immortalised him in the annals of that sport.”  Captain Becher was born in Norfolk, and was the son of a farmer, “who was very conspicuous as a horseman and the last of the leather breeches school.”

16.—A new screw steamer, the Ontario, 3,200 tons, Captain Brooklin, upon her first voyage, from Shields to Alexandria, laden with coals and iron, struck upon Happisburgh Sand.  Three steam tugs and the Caister lifeboat proceeded to her assistance, and her cargo was thrown overboard, but every effort made to get her off proved unavailing.  On the 17th the weather became very threatening, and the lifeboat took off 56 coal heavers, but the captain and officers and 86 of the crew determined to remain with the vessel.  During the night the storm increased, and the crew, apparently in great distress, sent up rockets and burned blue lights.  The Yarmouth lifeboatmen were implored by the ship’s agent, Mr. Butler, to go to the ship, but in vain.  They refused to launch the lifeboat unless they were paid from £400 to £500, saying that the steam tugs had begun the work and had better finish it.  The Caister lifeboat stood by the vessel, which, by the 20th, had so settled down that it was hopeless to attempt to get her off.  On this day 68 of the crew left in a lifeboat belonging to the steamer, but the captain and officers declined to desert her.  They were, however, compelled to leave on the 22nd, when she became a total wreck, and was offered for sale.  The original value of the Ontario was £120,000.

21.—The church of St. Nicholas, Yarmouth, was opened after restoration, at the cost of about £6,000.  The sermon was preached by the Bishop of Oxford, and at the luncheon held subsequently, under the presidency of the Mayor (Mr. R. Steward), the company included the Bishops of Norwich and Oxford, the Bishop of British Columbia, Lord Sondes (High Steward of the borough), and many other distinguished guests.

NOVEMBER.

9.—Mr. Charles Edward Tuck was elected Mayor, and Mr. Charles Jecks appointed Sheriff of Norwich.