Volume I Part 71 (1/2)
FEBRUARY.
7.*-”So great is the panic in Lynn in the minds of the credulous with reference to the resurrectionists, that an individual who was consigned to the grave had round his coffin 13 iron hoops, and in the lid 50 screws.”
9.-A brig of 100 tons burden was ”raised” at Mr. T. Batley's staith at Carrow, Norwich. Upon the stem of the vessel was the inscription: ”This is the first seaborne vessel that was ever built in Norwich. Began January, 1829, by Thomas Batley, and the first bolt was driven by C.
Brown, Esq., Alderman of this city.” The vessel, which was named the Spring (Capt. Brook), was launched on May 28th. She had two masts, brig-rigged fore and schooner-rigged aft, and was intended for the general trade.
11.-Downham Theatre was opened by Mr. Smedley, in consequence of Mr.
Fisher declining that portion of the circuit. ”The painting of the ceiling, together with the panelling and ornaments in front of the boxes and gallery, have a very lively effect, and give it the appearance of a neat and modern theatre.”
14.-Heigham House, Norwich, was opened under the management of Mr.
Jollye, formerly of Loddon, as a retreat for insane persons.
-An extraordinary marriage took place at Yarmouth. A boy, 15 years of age, the son of a respectable tradesman, absconded from his home and married a Mrs. Bull, a widow, aged 43, the mother of five children. ”The fact was ascertained by application to the Rev. Thomas Browne, D.D., at Gorleston.”
15.-Lieut.-Col. Harvey conveyed to London a pet.i.tion signed by 8,920 of the inhabitants of Norwich against the claims of the Roman Catholics. It was presented in due course in the House of Commons. On the 17th the Mayor and Aldermen, and the members of the Common Council of Norwich, adopted pet.i.tions in favour of the Roman Catholic claims.
21.-The ”African Roscius” (known also by the name of Keene) appeared at Norwich Theatre as Oth.e.l.lo. On subsequent evenings he performed the parts of Mungo (”The Padlock”), Oroonoko, Bajazet (”Tamerlane”), Rolla (”Pizzaro”), Alambra (”Paul and Virginia”), and Sambo (”Live when you can”).
28.*-”In the Court of Exchequer, last week, an information was filed against Robert Hudson, a paper manufacturer, of Norwich, for arrears of duty on a quant.i.ty of paper removed from a mill at Lyng without bearing the Excise mark. A verdict was returned for the Crown-damages, 300.
The defendant is now in prison on a former conviction for penalties to the amount of 1,000.”
MARCH.
5.-The Westacre Staghounds had a remarkable run. The meet was at Watton, where the stag was turned off, and led a field of between 60 and 70 to Ovington, s.h.i.+pdham, Whinbergh, over Reymerston Common, touching Southbergh, to Carbrooke, crossing Griston Common, to Thompson Heath.
Here there was a short check, which was. .h.i.t off in good style, and away they went for Tottington, on to Wretham, leaving the decoy on the left, thence to Kilverstone and Brettenham Heaths, to the left of Croxton, and to the River Ouze, which was crossed between Santon Downham and Thetford.
Only nine hors.e.m.e.n forded the river; they dashed away across the open in the direction of Barton Mills, where another check occurred. They then pa.s.sed over w.a.n.gford Warren to Lakenheath Common, straight for Bramber Hall, and the stag was killed in the plantations of Mr. Edward Bliss, after a run of three hours and three-quarters. (The hounds were advertised to be sold at the first Newmarket meeting, April 22nd.)
22.-Died at Diss, aged 105 years 6 months, Mrs. Philip Bacon.
23.-A prize-fight took place at Thurton, between Garratt, the Suffolk champion, and Mendham, the Norfolk Youth, for 10 a side. They were also backed for 25. Mendham was seconded by Ned Painter, and Garratt by Wigg. Thirty-five rounds were fought in 1 hour 25 mins. Garratt was the winner. ”The crowd to view the fight was very large, and consisted of a due mixture of the s.e.xes.”
APRIL.
8.-Died at Shotesham, Mr. Robert Fellowes, aged 87. He was for many years an active magistrate of the county, and represented Norwich in Parliament from 1802 to 1806.
13.-Two troops of the 7th Dragoon Guards, under the command of Capt.
Nugent, arrived at Norwich, to replace the 12th Lancers, ordered to York.
18.-The execution took place on Castle Hill, Norwich, of John Wood (41) and Thomas Butler (29), for sheep stealing, and of Richard Everett (28), for horse stealing. ”The number of women present amounted to at least two to one man, and, what was yet more remarkable, crowds of women brought young children with them.”
20.-Miss Foote, of Drury Lane Theatre, commenced an engagement at the Theatre Royal, Norwich, where she appeared as Let.i.tia Hardy (”The Belle's Stratagem”), Variella (”The Weatherc.o.c.k”), Rosalind, Zephyrina (”The Lady and the Devil”), Violante (”The Wonder”), Arinette (”The Little Jockey”), Beatrice, and Maria Darlington (”A Roland for an Oliver”).
21.-A vessel of 313 tons was launched from the yard of Messrs. H. Fellows and Co., Yarmouth.