Volume I Part 26 (1/2)

APRIL.

6.-The first annual meeting of the Norwich a.s.sociation against Felonies was held at the Guildhall.

7.-Died from the effects of a wound received in the storming of Badajoz, in his 25th year, Lieut. W. S. Unthank, of the 44th Regiment, eldest son of Mr. William Unthank, of Norwich.

15.-Died at Scoulton, Lieut.-General James Hethersett, in his 77th year.

”He was the last surviving officer who fought by the side of the immortal Wolfe on the day that he fell.” General Hethersett possessed property of the value of 80,000.

18.*-”A few days since at Corpusty, aged 102, Samuel Mog, one of the last survivors of that British Army which fought under the celebrated General Wolfe at the battle of Quebec.”

MAY.

1.-Election of Mayor at Norwich. Mr. Starling Day was nominated for the office, but asked to be relieved on account of his advanced age (78). A poll resulted, and on the 2nd the numbers were declared as follow:-Mr.

Day, 761; Mr. R. Harvey, jun., 757; Mr. Alderman Davey, 566; Mr. Alderman Leman, 507. ”Mr. Day sent a message to St. Peter's ringers ordering them to cease their triumphant peal, on the ground that he had declared his intention not to serve.” Guild Day was fixed for June 16, and the usual quarterly a.s.sembly of the Corporation on the day preceding it had to be abandoned because the attendance was insufficient to form a quorum. Mr.

Day was sworn into office on the 16th, but ”there was no church, no dinner.” Mr. Alderman Davey invited the freemen of the Blue and White interest to dine with him beneath the trees at Eaton Hall. The guests, 500 in number, ”were refreshed on their dusty march by Mr. Alderman Yallop, at his cottage, with a pint of beer each, 600 of which were swallowed in twenty minutes.”

11.-Died, Mr. Johnson, the venerable parish clerk of St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich, after about 35 years' service. He was succeeded by James Twiddy, a hairdresser, who possessed considerable literary ability, and was the author of many poetical productions and pamphlets on various subjects.

JUNE.

22.-Holkham Sheep Shearing commenced. Mr. Mann, of Thornage, was awarded the prize for the best implement of husbandry, namely, an improved drilling machine.

27.-In the Court of Exchequer, before the Lord Chief Baron, a prosecution was inst.i.tuted by the Board of Taxes against Daniel Morling, of Yarmouth, for having obstructed Mr. Hunter, the inspector for that district, when surveying the windows of his house. A penalty of 50 was asked for, and a verdict was given for the Crown for that amount.

JULY.

2.-A wrestling match took place at Blofield Globe between William Benstead, of that parish, and Charles Layton, ”the famed wrestler, who, for his invincible skill in that science, had been declared the 'Reedham Game Chicken' at the late wrestling match at Lingwood, and who has since challenged all England.” Benstead succeeded in beating the champion.

9.-Died, at Ashfield, Suffolk, Mr. James Mingay, for many years eminently distinguished as a King's Counsel, Recorder of Aldborough, and one of the capital burgesses of the borough of Thetford.

14.-Died, aged 71, Simon Watling, ”many years master of the Eight Ringers public-house, St. Michael-at-Coslany, Norwich, and one of St. Peter's ringers. He was one of the company that rang at St. Peter's in York in 1772.”

17.-At a meeting held at the s.h.i.+rehouse, Norwich, at which Lord Viscount Primrose presided, the Norfolk and Norwich Society for the Education of the Poor in the Principles of the Church of England was established.

Upwards of 3,000 was subscribed; and the Bishop of Norwich became Patron, and Lord Suffield, President.

20.-Died, at the age of 101, Mrs. Jane Fair, of St. Mary's, Norwich.

23.-Died, Mrs. Coppin, wife of Mr. Daniel Coppin, of St. Stephen's, Norwich. ”She possessed a refined taste for the polite arts, and great skill in imitating the works of the old masters.”

25.-Mr. Scraggs and his company of comedians concluded a theatrical season at Holt. ”There is ground to hope that the patronage which was so liberally conferred by the county on the late Mr. Scraggs, will be continued to his son and family.” The company was advertised as ”The Original Norfolk and Suffolk Company.”

27.-General Viscount Cathcart, Amba.s.sador Extraordinary to the Court of Russia, pa.s.sed through Norwich and embarked on board the Aquilon frigate at Yarmouth. Lord Walpole, one of the Lords of the Admiralty, sailed in the Calypso, on his appointment as Secretary of Legation to Lord Cathcart, who proceeded to the headquarters of the Russian Army.

AUGUST.