Chronological Retrospect of the History of Yarmouth and Neighbourhood

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.

Bishop of Norwich inspected the plate at St. Nicholas’ Church and St. George’s Chapel.

Horatio Walpole, Earl of Orford, High Steward of the Borough.

1834

Jan. 15th. Divine Service performed in the Chancel of St. Nicholas’ Church for the first time.

Jan. 24th. Brig “Pioneer,” of Yarmouth, stranded near the Dungeness Light.

May 12th. Proprietary Grammar School at Southtown opened. It was demolished in July, 1858, to make room for the Goods Station of the East Suffolk Railway. The school cost £1,500.

June 16th. Yarmouth and Southtown Ferry opened.

Aug. 1st. First Annual Marine Regatta held.

The Fort removed.

Launches: May 18th, brig “Alexander,” from Mr. Preston’s yard; June 21st, schooner “Racer,” and Sept. 11th, schooner “Maria,” from Mr. Lubbock’s yard; Sept. 17th, brig “Vivid,” and Oct. 16th, schooner “Nora Creina,” from Messrs. Fellows’ yard.

An inquiry opened at the Tolhouse Hall, before J. H. Hogg and J. Buckle, Esqs., two of her Majesty’s Commissioners, respecting the state of the Yarmouth Corporation. After nineteen days’ inquiry, it was adjourned sine die. The evidence adduced was published the same year by Mr. Henry Barrett.

1835

Jan. 7th. Thomas Baling and W. M. Praed, Esqs., returned to Parliament.

Jan. 23rd. Lord Walpole and E. Woodhouse, Esq., returned to Parliament.

April 7th. The “Baltic,” “Venus,” and “Wellington” left the Harbour with 200 emigrants for Canada.

Oct. 6th. Samuel Brock, a Yarmouth beachman, with a company, went off in the yawl “Increase” to the rescue of the crew of a Spanish ship, about twelve miles from land. They reached the vessel, and on returning in a squall the yawl was capsized, and nine men were drowned. Brock, the only surviving one, after battling with the waves for seven hours, was safely taken on board the brig “Betsy,” at 1 a.m. the next morning, and put ashore at Lowestoft. (See 1873.)

Dec. 26th. In pursuance of the Act, 6 William 4th, cap. 76, for the better Regulation of Municipal Corporations in England and Wales, the first Election of Councillors (under this Act) took place, when the returns were as follows: —North Ward– R. Hammond (108 votes), W. N. Burroughs (99), A. Sewell (94), Chas. G. Doughty (91), Benj. Sherrington (90), E. H. L. Preston (89). Market– Simon Cobb (135), Wm. Johnson (134), Wm. Hammond (131), B. Cobb (129), Edw. N. Clowes (128), Edw. Sewell (124). Regent– John Brightwen (98), S. T. Palmer (98), S. Charles Marsh (98), J. Tomlinson (98), Cufaude Davie (97), Benjamin Dowson (95). St. George’s– C. Sayers (91), Wm. Grave (91), G. Penrice (91), Wm. Barber (91), H. V. Worship (90), T. Lettis (89). Nelson– G. D. Palmer (147), R. Palmer Kemp (137), G. Garson (127), Matthew Butcher (124), John Symonds (122), S. Robinson (118). St. Andrew’s– J. S. Bell (115), T. Hammond (111), J. W. Dowson (105), Wm. Barth (101), Hezekiah Martin (91), Patrick Stead (87). At a Meeting of the Council, on the 31st Dec., 1835, the following gentlemen were elected the Aldermen for the Borough, viz.: – John Brightwen, Benj. Dowson, Captain Wm. Larke, Richard Sibbs Lonsdale, J. B. Palmer, Joseph Starling, Robert Teasdel, George Jeffries, Benjamin Fenn, Robert Wall, Thomas Pitt, Charles Nichols.

The custom of electing Mayors by an inquest abolished. They were elected previous to this date, Sept. 29th.

Scheme projected for supplying the Town with Fresh Water by means of a Reservoir on the high lands at Burgh Castle, but unsupported.

The Hon. and Rev. Edward Pellew, fourth son of Admiral Lord Viscount Exmouth, appointed to the incumbency of St. Nicholas’ Church, on the resignation of Mr. Turner.

The two stuffed figures representing John and Betty Goblett, annually exhibited in front of Tolhouse Hall, prohibited being placed there.

Capital Jurisdiction abolished.

1836

William Barth, Esq., elected Mayor on Jan. 1st, and again on Nov. 9th.

Feb. 27th. Brig “Isis” wrecked on the South Beach. “The History, Gazetteer, and Directory of Norfolk, including Great Yarmouth,” by Mr. William White, of Sheffield, published; second edition in 1815.

Thomas William Anson, Earl of Lichfield, High Steward of the Borough.

Great storm, twenty-three vessels stranded on Yarmouth Beach, and upwards of forty lost on the coast.

The last Market Cross removed.

Rev. R. Pillans, while driving his carriage into the Angel yard, struck his head against a beam and broke his neck.

1837

Nov. 12th. Captain William Watts died, aged 70 years.

Dec. 2nd. Brig “Valeria” launched from Mr. Lubbock’s yard.

First stone of the Wesleyan Chapel laid. The building cost £4,200.

On Queen Victoria ascending the Throne, C. E. Rumbold, Esq., was re-seated in Parliament, and the election of W. Wilshere, Esq., secured as a colleague.

G. D. Palmer, Esq., appointed as a Magistrate.

1838

Aug. 28th. William Wilshere again returned to Parliament.

The new Workhouse opened. Cost of entire building up to 1860, about £10,000.

Sergeant John Wright died, aged 110 years.

The last of the Town Gates (Pudding) pulled down.

Yarmouth Hospital founded, mainly through the exertions of Mr. Wm. Steward, and completed in 1839.

Crew of ten hands, drowned from the fishing lugger “Walter and Ann.”

1839

Feb. 14th. Brig “James,” of Yarmouth, lost off the coast of Scotland.

March 7th. A tremendous hurricane, and the streets and rows were strewn with débris from the roofs of houses, to which much damage was done.

Sept. 25th. Arthur Beevor, Esq. died, aged 82 years.

Launches: June 13th, schooner “Rob Roy,” from Mr. Lubbock’s yard; Aug. 29th, schooner “George Lord,” from Mr. Preston’s yard; Oct. 2nd, brig “Elizabeth,” from Messrs. Fellows’ yard; and Nov. 11th, schooner “Star,” from Mr. Teasdel’s yard.

1840

Jan. 10th. The uniform penny postage first came into operation, and excited a great deal of ridicule, and its speedy failure predicted. Railways were in their infancy. Book post established in 1855, and Postal Cards introduced in 1870.

Jan. 30th. William Finch-Crisp, the compiler of this work, born at Hackney, afterwards lived at Erith, in Kent, for 11 years (where his father died on March 12th, 1850), and then came to reside in Great Yarmouth at the end of the year 1854, at which place he married Mary Ann, second daughter of the late Robert Boyce Crisp, on June 25th, 1870. His dearly-beloved mother died in Oxford on Dec. 5th, 1869, and her remains were interred in Jericho Cemetery, Oxford.

Nov. 4th. A selection of sacred music from Handel’s oratorios, Judas Maccabæus and the Messiah, performed at St. Nicholas’ Church by the Yarmouth Choral Society. Conductor, Mr. Woolman. Price (by ticket only), 2s. 6d., and for young ladies and gentlemen under 14 years of age, 1s. 6d.; book of words, 6d. Concert on behalf of Yarmouth Hospital and Dispensary.

Dec. Mr. James Burman conducted a complete peal of Bob Major on the Parish Church bells, composed of 5,040 changes, which were rung in 3 hrs. 25 min. In Jan., 1843, was rung a true and complete peal of Grandsire caters, containing 4,004 changes, in 3½ hours (composed by Burman), the only peal of the kind on record; also, same year, a peal of Treble Bob Royal, 5,040 changes, in 3 hrs. 35 min. (These records are now in the belfry.)

The old Post Office in Row 63 removed to the Hall Quay. The first office was in Row 107, about the year 1695.

John W. Shelly and Wm. Johnson, Esqs., were appointed Magistrates.

Gorleston National Schools erected.

John Clowes, Esq., presented with the silver medal of the Lifeboat Association for personal exertions rendered in the Nov. gale.

1841

March 22nd. First stone of the Victoria Buildings laid.

June 29th. C. E. Rumbold and W. Wilshere, Esqs., returned to Parliament.

Nov. 14th. The Birmingham Gazette of 100 years ago (1741) says: – “From Yarmouth we hear there are great complaints this year in relation to their herring fishery; their men being all pressed into the service, and only boys left in the town for that employ.”

Nov. 18th. The barque “Iron Duke” came ashore, and sunk near the Britannia Pier. (See Oct., 1879.)

The Sawyers’ Arms public-house, Fuller’s Hill, destroyed by fire, and the Albion Tavern subsequently built on the site.

They were 49 persons in the Children’s Hospital, 223 in the Workhouse, 6 in the Royal Hospital, 37 in the Borough Gaol, 134 fishermen, &c., in boats and barges, and 173 absent mariners, according to return.

Launches: March 17th, the brig “Norfolk Lass,” and May 24th, the barque “Maria Soanes.”

Richard Hammond, J. F. Costerton, E. H. L. Preston, J. C. Smith, and W. Yetts, Esqs., were appointed as Magistrates.

Sir E. Lacon and Sons endeavoured to sink an Artesian well on their premises, but an accident to the pipes after boring 600 feet caused the undertaking to be abandoned. Sand and shingle were found to the depth of 111 ft., then 49 ft. of dark sand, below this very fine clay to the depth of 350 ft., then a layer of flints 5 ft. thick, and below them chalk, which was not penetrated.

Census taken. Population, 24,529 – 10,780 males and 18,529 females; Gorleston and Southtown making an addition of 3,779 – total, 28,038. Of the inhabitants of Yarmouth, 3,340 were not born in Norfolk, and 13,430 were above 20 years of age – 5,515 males and 7,915 females. Gorleston comprised 3,201 acres of land, and had 6,223 houses; of the latter, 5,408 were considered in Yarmouth, 164 were uninhabited, and 61 building.

Lifeboat Station first established at Caister.

Deaths: John Berney Crome. – August 18th, Giles Borrett, Esq., M.D.

1842

Nov. 21st. First Concert of the Great Yarmouth Amateur Musical Society given at the Town Hall. Leader of the band, Mr. A. Suggate.

The present Hospital School erected on the site of the one built in 1278.

The duties levied on vessels entering the Port and discharging cargoes from the Roadstead amounted to £10,074 17s.

Police Court, Station House, and detention cells added to the Town Hall. (See Sept. 30th, 1879.)