# Chronological Retrospect of the History of Yarmouth and Neighbourhood

William Finch-Crisp

> ’Tis well to wander back at times
> Through Memory’s faded Halls,
> And gaze upon the many Scenes
> That hang upon its Walls.


## PREFACE

Few words only are necessary to introduce this Third Edition to our readers, beyond expressing a hope that the contents will meet with general approbation, and that much pleasure will be derived from its perusal, now and for many years to come. We would ask, as a SPECIAL FAVOUR, in order to ensure a wider circulation, that our friends will recapitulate the comments of the Press, by recommending this History of Yarmouth as “worthy of a place in every library.” It is seven years since the Second Edition, without supplement, was published.

No greater honour could have been conferred upon the Author than when the Heir Apparent to the Throne of England (His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, K.G.), on his visit to Yarmouth in 1882, expressed his pleasure, through Colonel Teesdale, in the acceptance as a present, of a copy of this History; and the placing of this work, with supplement (A.D. 46 to 1879) in the principal stone of the New Town Hall in 1880 by the then Mayor (C. C. Aldred, Esq.) was also gratifying.

Edward Birkbeck, Esq., M.P., writing to us from the House of Commons, on March 19th, 1884, says: – “I do not think my name is worthy of having a book dedicated to me, but I shall nevertheless be proud to have it placed where you suggest.” The people of Yarmouth will endorse our sentiments when we say, for his zeal and untiring energy in promoting many special objects in the “good old town,” that he is worthy of greater eulogiums than we can bestow, and therefore tender our best thanks to that gentleman for his courtesy in allowing this volume to be dedicated to him – a privilege that was also given us in a first issue, by his predecessor in the Imperial Parliament, the lamented Colonel Duff. Neither must we forget to express our obligation to a select list of subscribers to the work.

Great Yarmouth, April, 1884.

TO

EDWARD BIRKBECK, ESQ

M.P. FOR NORTH NORFOLK,

THIS BOOK

(WITH PERMISSION)

IS

MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED

BY

HIS OBEDIENT AND HUMBLE SERVANT,

> WM. FINCH-CRISP.

## LIST OF MAYORS

The following dates refer to the time of election, November 9th, after the year 1836.


Note – Those with an *, see Historical Pages.

From 1688 to 1700, two Bailiffs were chosen instead of a Mayor.


## Crisp’s History Of Great Yarmouth

A.D. 46

The Romans entered this part of Britain when the valleys of the Yare, Waveney, and Bure, as well as the sand-bank upon which Yarmouth stands, were covered by the ocean.

100

Burgh Castle, a Roman encampment, supposed to have been founded.

495

Cerdic, a Saxon Prince, and Qenrick his son, with five ships, entered the port of Yarmouth and named in Cerdic Shore. This Cerdic Shore seems to have been a great sand-bank formed along the shore between two branches or channels of the Yare called Havens, by which two channels the river entered the sea, one running near Caister and the other near Gorleston.

633

Between this and the year 640, a Saxon Monastery was founded at Burgh, by Fursey, an Irish monk.

870

Lodbrog, the Dane, driven by a sudden tempest from Denmark across the sea, and, entering the Yare, landed at Reedham, where the Court of Edmund, King of East Anglia, was then kept. Lodbrog is said to have been received into Court favour, but was soon afterwards murdered in a wood by the King’s huntsman (Bern) through jealousy. This led to the imprisonment and execution of Edmund, and put an end to the Saxon dynasty in East Anglia, after Hinguar and Hubba, two Danish chieftains, at the head of 20,000 men, had ravished all East Anglia.

1008

First houses and habitations erected in Yarmouth on Fuller’s Hill, that being then the only dry land in Yarmouth.

1041–7

Yarmouth belonged to the King in the reign of Edward the Confessor, and had 70 burgesses, besides a number of soccagers.

1045

Bishop Herbert born; and in 1091 was consecrated Bishop of Thetford.

1066

Cocklewater, or Grubb’s Haven, stopped up with sand.

1100

St. Bennet’s Church pulled down. It was built in the time of Edward the Confessor.

Yarmouth governed by a Provost, the first constituted magistrate, whose public office was in the Congé, North Quay. Foreigners were only allowed to come to Yarmouth at the annual free-fair.

1101

Bishop Herbert de Lozinga, the first Bishop of Norwich [translated from the See of Thetford in the 7th year of William II. (Rufus), whose Chamberlain he was], founded St. Nicholas’ Church, and re-built a Chapel on the North Denes. He was made Lord High Chancellor to Henry I. of England in 1104, and died August 11th, 1119.

1119

St. Nicholas’ Church consecrated. Enlarged 1123, 1250, and 1338. The last attempt after 10 years’ labour in trying to build a west aisle, failing, the ruins were used in the building of a Chapel-of-Ease.

1199

Forty thousand lives lost at sea during the war between King John and the Barons; a great multitude washed ashore on Yarmouth beach.

1204

Monastery of Black Friars founded by St. Dominica.

1205

Yarmouth had three galleys or vessels of war. Two were manned with seven score mariners.

1209

First charter granted by King John, and Yarmouth incorporated as a borough. The document is still preserved (1834).

1216

All vessels in the port with Scottish property on board were arrested.

1257

Henry III. granted certain franchises. In 1261 he granted licenses for fortifying the town; and on Sept. 28th, 1262, granted a Charter for enclosing the town with a wall and moat, so as to resist the power of an invading enemy. (See 1396.)

1261

The Tolhouse Hall, Middlegate Street, erected.

1272

Yarmouth first called Magna (Great) in the reign of Edward I., to distinguish it from Little Yarmouth, or Southtown.

1275

The town wall and fosse commenced at the north end of town.

1272

St. Mary’s Hospital founded. It was a free Grammar School in 1551, and fitted up as a school for poor children in 1634.

The Carmelites, or Whitefriars, founded at Yarmouth, and took the north and some other parts of the town under their charge. (See 1509.)

1285

King Henry’s Tower erected at the north-east corner of St. Nicholas’ churchyard.

1286

St. Nicholas’ Church and churchyard consecrated by Bishop Middleton, of Norwich.

1287

The sea flowed into St. Nicholas’ Church 4 feet deep, and the town was inundated.

1290

A beautiful ship built at Yarmouth for King Edward II., and sent to Norway for the King’s daughter, upon her proposed marriage with the then Prince. She was heiress of Norway and Scotland.

1291

No one allowed to draw wine after the Curfew bell had rung.

1294

Yarmouth first summoned to send four Burgesses annually to Parliament.

1295

Sir J. De Botetourt, a Norfolk Knight, had command of a Yarmouth fleet of fifty-three vessels. Fresh herrings sold for 37s. per last.

1297

Simon Blaking, of Martham, fled into St. Nicholas’ Church, and confessed to having broken open a house at Hemsby and the prison at Southtown, and to having killed W. F. N. Blaking. The law in those days was, if a murderer could reach a church or churchyard before being apprehended, and confessed his crime to a coroner, justice, &c., he was set at liberty without taking a trial.

1299

William Fastolf and H. Rose, Esqs., returned to Parliament, held at Lincoln.

1300

Leather was not only used for various military purposes, but formed a considerable part of the common dress of the people before the introduction, and during the infancy, of the woollen manufacture.

1305

Yarmouth claimed a free Borough by the Burgesses.

1307

William Fastolf and H. Rose, Esqs., again returned to Parliament, held at Nottingham.

Price of pipe (120 gals.) of “red wine,” 20s.

1308 to 1472

During the reigns of Edward II. and III., Richard II., Henry IV., V., and VI., and Edward IV., upwards of 160 Burgesses were returned to Parliament, 72 of which were held at Westminster, 6 at York, 1 at London, Ripon, and New Sarum, and 2 at Gloucester.

1314

Two Parliaments held, but not represented by the same Burgesses.

1330

A Castle stood on the site of the King Street Independent Chapel, but was demolished in 1621.

1332

Great disputes between the Barons of the Cinque Ports and the Bailiffs of this Borough, concerning the free fair which the former attempted to remove.

1333

Burgesses exempted from serving on Juries, Inquests, or at Assizes, within the Borough.

1337

Blackfriars’ Tower completed.

Forty ships of war ordered to Yarmouth roads.

The Yarmouth navy, comprising 20 men-of-war, had orders to proceed to the port of Dort, to convoy the King’s four plenipotentiaries to the Court of Hainault from those parts to England. On their return they took two Flemish ships and their cargoes. The Bishop of Glasgow, who was on board one, died of his wounds at Sandwich.

1338

Thomas De Drayton, a Yarmouth man, who had held the office of bailiff fifteen times, was appointed Admiral of the North Fleet.

Yarmouth magistrates, &c., fitted out a fleet of men-of-war, well equipped, at their own cost and charge, to go against the enemy at sea for the space of a month.

1340

John Perebrown, a burgess of Yarmouth, led the King’s North Sea Fleet in the great battle of Sluys, and did great service; 230 ships and 30,000 Frenchmen were lost.

1342

Oct. Edward III. embarked on board the Yarmouth squadron in his unsuccessful expedition to Brittany.

The principal inhabitants fined 1000 marks for committing trespasses, &c., on the sea coast.

1346

The first Haven cut.

1347

Yarmouth assisted Edward III. at the siege of Calais with 43 vessels of war and 1,075 mariners, which was 18 ships more than London sent, and more than any other port, except Fowey.

1348–9

Plague carried off 7,052 persons out of the then population of 10,000.

1352

Yarmouth gave to the St. George’s College of Windsor by charter, a last of red herrings, to be delivered annually for ever on St. Andrew’s day, concerning which many disputes have since arisen.

1353

Passenger boat from Yarmouth to Norwich sunk near Cantley, and 38 persons drowned.

1354

Fastolf, father of the renowned Sir John Fastolf, one of the bailiffs.

1365

Six Yarmouth vessels captured and burnt in the Bay of Brittany.

1368

John Lawers hung for not paying the Custom House dues.

1369

Yarmouth first appointed a staple port.

1372

August 22nd. Kirkley Road united to the town and port of Yarmouth by charter of Edward III., but repealed four years afterwards.

1378

Price of coal, including freight, 5s. 6d. per chaldron.

1381

The memorable rebellion of Wat Taylor. The town attacked by 20,000 rebel archers or bowmen, who plundered houses and did much damage, but who were defeated after much bloodshed.

1382

June 20th. Violent shock of an earthquake, and much damage done.

June. King Richard II. visited Great Yarmouth.

1384

Market Place paved, and a Cross and Pillory built.

1385

William Bardolf, Baron Bardolf, died. He had large estates near Yarmouth.

1386

Sir Henry Percy and Fauset Percy sent to Yarmouth with 300 men-at-arms and 600 archers, to guard the coast, an invasion from France being apprehended.

1392

A Horse Ferry at Gorleston existed.

1393

The second Haven made, and a third in 1408.

1395

Several small Yarmouth and other ships taken by Danish pirates in a sharp conflict off the coast. Lost £20,000 in specie.

1396

After a lapse of 111 years the fortifications of the town were completed – 20 towers, 10 gates, and the wall, 2,280 yards in extent. (See 1544.)

1400

Coals first imported here from Newcastle. Wood was used as fuel before this.

1403

Henry IV. granted, by the consent of Parliament, that the shipping, weighing, and packing of wool, hides, and skins, should be done at Yarmouth, it being a frontier town.

1408

Third Haven cut.

1427

The annual election of four Bailiffs, reduced to two, and so continued until a Mayor was appointed in their stead.

Yarmouth Bridge, with 8 arches, built, before which a horse, cart, cattle, and foot ferry-boat existed. This was replaced by 4 successive drawbridges, i.e., 1553, 1570, 1785, and 1836. (See 1849.)

1428

About 60 pilgrims sailed from Yarmouth in the ship “Falcon,” for the shrine at Santiago, in Spain; and in 1434, 20 more left.

1440

The freedom of the Borough purchased for two marks.

1448

Ralph Wadiswyke was made Comptroller of the Customs for taking Lord Doisemond, a French lieutenant, prisoner.

1450

Caister Castle supposed to have been founded by Sir John Fastolf, K.G. He was born in 1377, and died in 1459 in his Hall at Caister, aged 82 years, and was buried in the Abbey Church of St. Bennet, at Holme, leaving his estate to John Paston, Esq.

1459

July 24th. Lord Lieutenants of Counties first appointed.

1462 to 1586

Sacred Dramas and Mysteries performed in St. Nicholas’ Church.

1463

John Pedle, labourer, of Yarmouth, executed for coining and uttering 18 groats, made of copper and lead, as good and lawful money of England.

1465

Our Lady’s organ in St. Nicholas’ Church built; the old and new organs in 1485; great old organs in 1486; and Jesus’ organ in 1550.

1466

John Paston died in the Fleet Prison, after the seizure of his estates.

1467

Fourteen persons hanged at one time upon a gallows erected on the beach.

1469

The Duke of Norfolk, at the head of 3,000 men, laid siege to Caister Castle, which was surrendered to his Grace. He died in 1475, and Caister Castle again reverted to the Paston family.

1475

Yarmouth threatened by the French fleet. 200 armed men sent from Norwich.

A whale came ashore south of Grubb’s Haven, which was cut to pieces and carried away in carts.

1488

The Bailiffs feasted Sir John Paston, son of the late John Paston, on porpoise, then a royal fish.

1493

May 16th. By charter of Henry VII., Burgesses were empowered to constitute Justices of the Peace.

1508

The fourth Haven made; and the fifth Haven cut in the reign of Henry VIII., 1529.

1509

House of Carmelites, or White Friars, destroyed by fire; founded in Edward I.’s time, 1278.

1511

Southtown united with Gorleston.

1515

Queen of France and her husband, Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, entertained here three days.

1525

Church of the Dominicans burnt down.

1528

Great dearth of corn. The extravagant sale price then was 26s. 8d. per quarter. Several men were hanged for taking part in a riot arising from the same.

Gorleston began to be built upon. (See 1511.)

The first Yarmouth crane erected by Richard Bishop.

1529

Duke of Suffolk suppressed a riot arising from the dearness of corn.

1535

Nov. 1st. Tumult in St. Nicholas’ Church; twenty-four persons, with William Swarton, the chaplain, at their head, disturbed the congregation while the Rev. D. R. Cotton was preaching.

1538

The high altar of St. Nicholas’ Church, remarkable for its richness and beauty, with the saints’ figures and pictures, broken and destroyed.

1541

Oct. 28th. Four merchant heretics entered St. Nicholas’ Church, and created a great disturbance during the service.

Nov. 2nd. A merchant and shoemaker were fined 2s. each for bargaining and selling a last of white herring in the Church.

Sir Humphrey Wingfield returned to Parliament, held at Westminster.

Ordered that Aldermen should wear scarlet gowns, with fur tippets and straight hose, at assemblies and festivals.

1544

Height of town wall, 23 feet. On war being declared the following year with France, a large rampire was thrown up on the eastern side, and afterwards extended along the north and south walls. (See 1396.)

Sir H. Wingfield again returned to Parliament.

1545

At Corporate meetings no member allowed to depart without leave of the Bailiffs; otherwise was fined for disorderly conduct. Members of the Corporation compelled to wear scarlet gowns and straight hose, under penalty of fines.

1546

Two French ships and 120 prisoners taken by the town.

A house for country butchers built.

1549

The sixth Haven made. It was agreed that the money, plate, ornaments, robes, vestments, tunicles, albs, ameffes, belonging to St. Nicholas’ Church, should be disposed of, together with the bells in the steeple and other property in the Church, and the proceeds (£1,816 9s. 7d.) devoted to its construction. The Haven was then commenced, 100 men being employed daily upon it.

A rebellion in the town. Kett’s adherents advanced and destroyed all the materials for the Haven, and laid it in ruins; and the work of the Harbour was stopped till the following year. The next attempt also proved as unsuccessful. Another report says – The Norfolk rebellion, under Kett, the tanner, commenced; but their designs were frustrated by Yarmouth men, who, setting fire to a stack of hay on the west side of the Haven, were able to attack the enemy unseen, and defeated them, many insurgents being killed, 80 taken prisoners, and six pieces of ordnance secured. They were afterwards defeated by the Earl of Warwick at head-quarters in Norwich, and lost some 4,500 men; their leaders, William and Robert Kett, being suspended alive in chains on a gibbet.

1550

Another great Plague. (See 1349.)

The Castle used as a Borough Gaol. During subsequent periods of alarm, it was again repaired. The upper part of it was taken down in 1620, and the following year the whole fabric was ordered to be dismantled and demolished.

1551

Many of the brasses enclosing the inscriptions on the walls of St. Nicholas’ Church sent to London to be cast into weights and measures for the town’s use.

John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, K.G., High Steward of the Borough.

1551

A Grammar and Free School in existence in Yarmouth, the “Parson of Haddiscoe” being appointed for a quarter of a year on trial. He was succeeded the same year by an “expert man;” and it was agreed that each of the four-and-twenties (Aldermen) should pay towards his living 18d., and each of the eight-and-forties (Common Councilmen) 8d. a-year over the stipends, upon the well-doing of the schoolmaster. From 1551 till 1757, twenty-eight gentlemen were appointed to the Mastership. In 1757 the school appears to have been closed, for we find the master quitting possession and resigning his office; and on Feb. 5th, 1773, the chamberlains were directed to do necessary repairs, and to let the school to Mr. Richard Eaton, the younger, for £4 a-year. The school was re-established in 1863.

1552

Sir W. Wodehouse, Knt., and N. Frymage, Esq., returned to Parliament. Every inhabitant found smoking tobacco or overcome with drink in any tippling-house was apprehended.

1553

Oct. 1st. Robert Eyre and Simon More were chosen Burgesses of the Parliament.

Drawbridge erected to connect Southtown with Great Yarmouth, in place of the one built in 1427, but which was carried away in 1570 by the tide.

Beer sold at 3s. 4d. per thirty-two gallons.

This year and two following, six Aldermen were returned to Parliament.

1554

Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk, High Steward of the Borough.

Fifty vessels wrecked off Yarmouth within 24 hours.

A fire beacon placed on the top of the Castle, as the Haven was very dangerous.

1555

No brewer allowed to brew in the town unless by the appointment of the Bailiffs.

Another attempt to form a Haven, a ship being sunk at the mouth to stem the tide. But this project was abandoned the following year, and it was stopped up with furze bundles in 1557.

The Hermitage on the west side of the Haven given to the town.

1557

Dec. 1st. The town inundated. Men rowed up and down the streets in boats, and several ships were drawn over the Denes with windlasses.

1558 to 1567

The ground on the south side of Town Hall was, in the time of Queen Elizabeth, called “The South Foreland,” or “Furlong’s End.” In 1568 the houses there standing were given by William Garton to the churchwardens for the use of the Church. In 1622 they were repaired, and in 1674 rebuilt. John Fastolf, the father of Sir John Fastolf, of Caister Castle, had a house in the “Foreland,” but whereabouts cannot now be discovered. These houses were re-fronted by the present owner in 1866.

Sir T. Wodehouse, Knt., and William Barker, Esq., returned to Parliament.

The Market Cross repaired.

1559

May 26th. Queen Elizabeth granted a Charter for the better security, defence, and protection of the town.

1560

Jan. 8th. The present (seventh) Haven commenced. Joyce Johnson, the eminent Dutch engineer, who superintended the construction, was paid 4s. a day. This Haven was cut near the spot of the one made in 1529. Nearly 1,000 persons, including women and children, were employed about the works, which were completed on March 4th to the satisfaction of the inhabitants. In 1566 the water broke through, and made its old channel towards Newton Cross.

First Jetty erected, having a crane at the end to facilitate the landing of goods from boats. Re-built in 1767.

1561

Three town wells opened.

1562

Thomas Timperley and William Grice, Esqs., were returned to Parliament; the latter was also returned in 1570 with William Barker, Esq.; in 1571 with John Bacon, Esq.; and in 1584 and 1585 with Thomas Damett, Esq.

Three small silver maces, belonging to the Corporation, made.

1563

Herrings very scarce, and sold for £9 a last.

1567

Piers built on both sides of the Haven’s mouth.

The London Privy Council lent the town of Yarmouth £1,000 without interest, for repairing the Haven, which was refunded by instalments of £100 a-year.

1569

Three ships of war compelled to leave by the town guns.

Haven expenses for the year, £1,230 12s. 4d.

The Paston family sold Caister Castle to meet their embarrassments.

Herrings sold for £8 a last; a tun (4 hogshds.) of wine was also of the same value.

Part of the town wall fell through being overcharged.

1570

Mr. Vincent Goodwin first preacher appointed at St. Nicholas’ Church.

Drawbridge carried away by high tide, and another constructed in 1785, at a cost of £403 15s. 9d., notwithstanding £225 had been expended the year previous in repairs.

1571

Thatched roofs to houses forbidden, and wood was substituted.

1572

Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, K.G., High Steward of the Borough.

Brewers ordered to brew with coals instead of wood.

Every ale-house licensed by the Bailiffs.

1573

Regulations made to prevent goods lying on the Quay longer than necessary.

1574

A Bill introduced to Parliament to enroll Yarmouth as a Cinque Port; but this was not properly carried out. In 1702 the Government of Yarmouth was settled under Anne in its proper and present form.

1575

Feb. 10th. Mr. Harbrowne elected to Parliament in place of John Bacon, Esq., but only served one day, the latter being re-elected.

1576

Edward Owner born. He represented the town in Parliament four times, and died August 13th, 1650.

A part of the Hospital, Market Place, converted into a House of Correction.

1577

Burgh Water Frolic first spoken of, being a grand event, and patronized by the Mayor and Corporation.

1578

Inhabitants prohibited from washing their clothes near the public wells.

Lord Burleigh and the Earl of Leicester paid Yarmouth a visit, and were entertained at the Priory. Queen Elizabeth was expected, and a silver cup, in the form of a ship, costing £16, made for presentation to her Majesty, but she reached no further than Norwich.

Scratby Sand became entirely dry land, and raised its head so much above high-water mark, that grass, &c., grew on it, and sea birds built their nests. It was called “Yarmouth Island,” and was a favourite resort in the summer season for Yarmouth people.

1579

May to Sept. Great plague; 2,000 persons died, and the Grammar School shut up for six months. (See 1349 and 1550.)

1580

August 2nd. Dinner provided for 43 gentlemen on a sandbank out at sea, called Scratby Sand. In 1582 it was swept away by a strong easterly wind and tide, much to the disappointment of Sir Edward Clare, Knt., who had made a claim to it. Valuable wreckage was often found there.

2,000 lasts (2,640,000 single fish) of herrings brought in on one tide.

1582

Large fish, 17 yards long, the jaw 3¼ yards long, body 4½ yards thick, caught at Caister.

1583

No one could be elected a Burgess in Parliament unless he was an Alderman.

1585

The Privy Council requested the town to provide ships for the transport of 400 soldiers into the Low Countries. To raise funds, every Alderman advanced £5, and every Common Councilman £2 10s., the rest of the money being raised by assessment.

1586

Pulpit erected at the west-end of St. Nicholas’ Church; removed in 1635. Another erected in the south-east comer of the south aisle, which was also removed in 1846.

Number of “tippling houses” in Yarmouth restricted to 16.

1588

John Stubbs and Roger Drury, Esqs., elected to Parliament.

William Cecil, Lord Burleigh, K.G., High Steward of the Borough. In 1578 he visited Yarmouth in company with the Earl of Leicester.

Preparations to receive the Spanish Armada. The fortifications put into the best state of defence, a boom thrown across the Haven at the south gates, and a mound of earth raised higher than the walls, called the “South Mount,” on which was placed several pieces of ordnance. Another mound, the “New Mount,” was afterwards thrown up near St. George’s Chapel, and a warlike ship fitted out at the town’s expense to annoy the enemy at sea, and preparations made to lodge and provision a garrison of 1,000 men. The sum of £1,355 4s. 9d. was assessed on the County.

1589

No victualler or innkeeper allowed to retail any “strange beer” under pain of forfeiture.

1591

An ale-house or tavern could only be kept by a Freeman or the widow of a Freeman.

Two Yarmouth ships required to carry out 150 soldiers to Normandy.

1592

T. Damett, Esq., again returned to Parliament with John Felton, Esq.

1593

The fishing nets used by boat owners valued at £50,000.

1596

John Felton, Esq., again returned to Parliament with Sir H. Hobart.

Elizabethan House on the Quay, built by Benjamin Cowper. It was sold to John Carter, a friend of Oliver Cromwell. The supporters of Cromwell frequently assembled in this house, and it is supposed that the death of Charles I. was here determined on. It was for many years previously to Feb. 26th, 1867, the residence and property of the late Charles J. Palmer, Esq., F.S.A.

Arthur Wilson born at Yarmouth. He published an account of the life and reign of James I, written with much freedom, and displaying a thorough knowledge of Court intrigues; but the liberties he took in exposing the propensities of that monarch and his son towards the Catholic cause, brought upon him the vehement censure of the friends of the Stuart family, who said that he had written from conjectures rather than from records, and that his work was more like a pasquinade than an authentic history. He was for many years an attendant on the Earl of Essex, and afterwards steward to the Earl of Warwick. He died in 1652.

1597

Seven hundred vessels in the Haven at one time.

1598

The number of Rows was seven score (140).

The south side of the Hospital School used as a House of Correction.

Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex, K.G., High Steward of the Borough.

1599

Rev. Thomas Nash published the “Lenten Stuffe,” containing a poetical and satirical description of Yarmouth, &c., and a play in “Praise of a Red Herring.” He was born at Lowestoft in 1567, and died in 1600. He was called by Dr. Lodge “the true English Gifford or Aretino.” His name is mentioned by Michael Drayton, and also in the play, “Return from Parnassus.” (Vide page 486, Pimperley’s “Encyclopædia of Literary and Typ. Anecdote.”)

One penny per swill by day and 1½d. at night were charged for carting herrings from the beach.

1599 to 1660

Caister Castle deserted as a residence.

1600

Sir Henry Hobart and T. Damett, Esq., again returned to Parliament; the latter, with John Wheeler, Esq., also returned on the accession of James I.

The Dutch Chapel, South Quay, built, and afterwards converted into a Theatre.

Every Alderman, or his deputy, with a constable, ordered to visit all ale-houses and taverns twice a week, and make inquiries respecting the customers.

1601

The washing and rinsing of nets near the public wells forbidden.

The town required to provide and provision ships for transporting 600 soldiers to the Low Countries.

Charles Howard, Earl of Nottingham, K.G., Lord High Admiral of England, elected High Steward of the Borough.

1604

A third Market Cross erected.

1607

The three local rivers frozen over for 40 days.

1608

James I. made Yarmouth a free Borough by charter, by the title of Bailiff, Aldermen, Burgesses, and Commonalty; which charter in 1683 (Charles II.) was surrendered to the King. (See July 22nd, 1684.)

1611

Drapers, mercers, grocers, and haberdashers prohibited from having stalls in the market.

Herring Fair held. A great scarcity of herrings this year – a last of Windsor herrings being sold for £15 5s.

1612

Great damage done to the Piers by a raging tide.

Aldermen who had held office as Bailiffs, compelled to wear scarlet gowns with tippets, under pain of a 40s. fine. (See 1541.)

1613

The present Haven completed at a cost of £38,682, and from this date to 1770 inclusive, £215,644 had been expended about the Haven and Piers.

1614

Sir Theophilus Finch and G. Hardware, Esq., returned to Parliament, but the former was succeeded soon after by Sir Henry Hobart.

One hundred jacobuses (a gold coin struck in the time of James I.) presented to King James I. by the town, as a mark of loyalty and affection.

1615

At Corporate meetings no gentleman allowed to make uncomely and indecent speeches out of time and order, or create a disturbance when touching upon any public good, or even allowed to make a remark till the previous speaker had sat down, under penalty of fine or dismissal.

1616

About 50 Yarmouth fishermen laid up their vessels, having no licenses for exportation.

1617

License granted for the export of 600 lasts of herrings, which was annually renewed till 1624.

1618

The Cage or Stock-house set up.

An ordinance made that all doors opening outwards into the Rows should be made to swing inwards, otherwise the constables would nail them up, and levy a fine of 5s. on the owners.

1619

The last demand made by the Crown for furnishing vessels of war, until Charles I. resorted to that means of raising a revenue without the sanction of Parliament.

1620

Dec. 21st. John Cowldham, J.P., four times a Bailiff, died, aged 84 years.

B. Cowper and Edward Owner, Esqs., free Burgesses, elected to Parliament.

1622

“Tippling houses” had increased to 40, and were restricted to that number.

1623

Benjamin Cowper, Esq., re-elected, with G. Hardware, Esq., to serve in Parliament.

1624

Artillery yard on the site of present Unitarian Chapel.

1625

Dec. 29th. Poor people were ordered not to marry unless sanctioned in writing by the Chief Alderman and Chief Constable.

Manship, who wrote the “History of Great Yarmouth,” died. He was Town Clerk in 1579.

Sir John Corbet and E. Owner, Esq., elected to Parliament; and in the same year Sir John was re-elected with Thomas Johnson, Esq.

Fish Market, on the site of the present, covered in and paved. Covering removed in 1844.

1626

Robert Sydney, Earl of Leicester, K.G., High Steward of the Borough.

1626

Nicholas Felton, Bishop of Ely, died. He was a native of Yarmouth, and one of the prelates employed by James I. in the new translation of the Bible.

1627

Sir John Wentworth and Miles Corbet, Esq., elected to Parliament.

1628

The town obtained leave to export 1,000 lasts of herrings, which continued till 1637, when £50 per annum was demanded by the Trinity for 10 years, and afterwards for 40 years.

1629

Twelve hundred householders in Yarmouth.

Edward Sackville, Earl of Dorset, K.G., High Steward of the Borough.

1631

Fishing with a trawl prohibited by proclamation.

£1 a quarter paid by the town to the Postmaster of Ipswich for carrying letters to and from Yarmouth for London.

1632

Tobacco allowed only to be retailed in this town by one apothecary, six grocers, two hosiers, one merchant, and a chairmaker.

June 26th. Four Frenchmen executed for murdering Nicholas Harpley.

1633

Aldermen’s wives compelled to wear velvet hats up to this date, when the ordinance was annulled.

1637

Thirty-four brewing-houses in Yarmouth.

1639

Miles Corbet, Esq., re-elected, with Edward Owner, Esq., as members of Parliament.

The East and West Flegg granted to the family of Cornwallis.

1642

Oct. 12th. A ship, with 140 armed soldiers on board, through stress of weather, put into Yarmouth port; she was seized by the townsmen, and her crew and soldiers imprisoned on behalf of the Parliament.

1642

Sept. Earl of Warwick, Lord High Admiral, visited Yarmouth, and was entertained by the Corporation.

Dec. 23rd. A rate of £1,200 assessed upon the inhabitants for the fortifications.

The town collected £136 for the relief of distressed subjects in Ireland.

1643

Feb. Lord Grey of Werke required Yarmouth to send 80 dragoons to Cambridge.

1644

The number of “tippling-houses” increased to 80, besides great inns and taverns; and in 1705 augmented to 120.

Letters between Yarmouth and London only passed once a week.

Twenty Iceland fishing barques belonging to Yarmouth merchants taken by pirates, only three escaping.

1645

Additional fortifications made. Breastworks and platforms built at the seaside, and ordnance mounted on them.

The Earl of Lauderdale visited Yarmouth, and was sumptuously entertained at the town’s expense.

1648

Sep. 9th. Lord Fairfax marched into Yarmouth, and the town was converted into a garrison.

Three men-of-war ships sent to convoy the fishers and guard the coast.

The Burgesses raised 600 foot and 50 horse soldiers, in lieu of having other forces marched into the town to do garrison duty.

1649

Four Aldermen and 16 Common Councillors resigned office in the Corporation; 6 were afterwards reinstated.

1650

The Puritans removed a fine old organ from St. Nicholas’ Church.

The Presbyterians made a doorway in the north wall of the Parish Church, and opened the north aisle of the chancel for public worship.

1651

Up to this date prayer was always used before the commencement of public business.

1652

Admiral Blake sent several ships to Yarmouth, which he had captured from the Dutch.

Dr. Thomes Soame died. He was the son of a fisherman at Yarmouth, but related to a wealthy family of the same name at Burnham. He lived in the reign of Charles I., and having entered holy orders he became minister of Staines in Middlesex, and Prebendary of Windsor. During the civil wars he was so zealously attached to Royalty that he sent all he had to the King, so that when the rebels came to plunder him he had nothing, for which he was imprisoned, first in Newgate, and afterwards in the Fleet Prison, where he died.

1653

June 6th. Yarmouth sent 5 members to the “Little” Parliament summoned by Cromwell. Resigned Dec. 12th.

Aug. 29th. General Monk granted a warrant to free Yarmouth fishermen from being pressed into the service of the State.

Lord Henry, youngest son of Oliver Cromwell, High Steward of the Borough.

1653–4

Norfolk sent ten members to Parliament.

1654

Dec. 16th. Oliver Cromwell proclaimed in the Market Place Protector of the Commonwealth of the United Kingdom.

Colonel William Goffe and Thomas Dunne, Esq., were elected Burgesses to Parliament by 3 Aldermen and 26 Common Councilmen.

1656

William Burton and C. G. Cock, Esqs., elected to Parliament.

1659

W. Burton and C. G. Cock, Esqs., re-elected to Parliament.

Yarmouth people sent to Southwold 30 coombs of wheat and 10 coombs of rye for the sufferers from a fire which consumed the greater part of that town.

1660

Edward Hyde, Earl of Clarendon, High Steward of the Borough.

A “Healing Parliament” called, and Sir J. Palgrave, Bart., and Miles Corbet, Esq., elected.

1661

Sir William D’Oyley, Bart., and Sir W. Coventry, Bart., Secretary to the Admiralty, returned to Parliament.

1662

Contention and bloodshed through concurrent jurisdiction ceased, when the Cinque Ports dissolved government with Yarmouth.

Dec. 10th. James Smith was fined £10 for saying of Sir Thomas Medowe, a Bailiff, “He is a fool, and I have killed a bull of 80s. that had better brains than Sir Thomas have.”

1664

Jan. 22nd. Rev. John Brinsley, sen., lecturer in Yarmouth, died, aged 64.

Two thousand five hundred persons died of plague, including two ministers of St. Nicholas’ Church. (See 1349, 1550, and 1579.)

1665

June 3rd. Great sea fight off Lowestoft, when the Dutch Admiral (Opdam) was defeated.

Every person receiving parish relief ordered to wear a pewter badge on the left arm, which was called “the badge of poverty.”

1667

John Carter, twice Bailiff, and one of the Elders, died, aged 73.

Town farthings coined by the Overseers “for the use of the poor.” In 1673 they were cried down, and the town fined £90 for setting up a local mint. Lord Townshend petitioned the King on their behalf that he would pardon their offence.

1668

Twenty-two thousand seven hundred and sixty chaldrons of coal imported.

1670

An Act of Parliament passed appointing Haven Commissioners, viz., three for Norfolk, three for Suffolk, two for Norwich, and two for Yarmouth.

April 21st. Mitchell Mew, twice Bailiff, and once Mayor, died, aged 71 years.

1671

Sep. 27th. Charles II. visited Yarmouth, accompanied by the Dukes of York, Monmouth, and Buckingham, and publicly entertained at a cost of £1,000. – The Corporation presented the King with four golden herrings and a chain, value £250. The King knighted three gentlemen of the Council.

1672

May 28th. Duke of York, commander of the English fleet, defeated the Dutch fleet under De Ruyter, in Sole Bay, or Southwold Bay. The guns were heard at Yarmouth, and the sick and wounded afterwards brought here. Yarmouth sent presents of wine, sheep, lambs, lemons, fowls, and fish to the Duke of York, previous to the engagement.

1673

April 8th. William Burton, sen., twice Bailiff of the town, died, aged 65 years.

Son of Sir William Paston created Baron Paston and Viscount Yarmouth; also created Earl of Yarmouth in 1679. In 1676 he was shot at and wounded while in his coach. He died in 1682.

1674

Robert Paston, Viscount Yarmouth, chosen High Steward of the Borough.

The famous “Yarmouth Troll Cart” in use. At this date they were known by the name of “Yarmouth Coaches,” being more elegantly made, and let out to pleasure parties.

Bell factory supposed to have existed.

Haven expenses this year, £2,099 9s. 6d.

1677

Grand celebration in Yarmouth on the marriage of William III., Prince of Orange, with Princess Mary.

Captain Booth executed in the town for stabbing a seaman.

The ground between the walls and the east side of the town, from the Market Place, along King Street to the Friars’ Lane, was sold for £2,265 17s. 6d., to sundry persons to build upon.

1678

Bonfires, by order of the Corporation, made in the Market Place and other parts of the town, on the passing of the “Test Act” by both Houses of Parliament.

1679

Sir W. Coventry, Knt., re-elected to Parliament, with Lord Huntingdon.

1680

Richard Huntingdon and George England, Esqs., returned to Parliament.

1681

Oct. 21st. Sir William Gooch, Bart., born at Yarmouth. Early in life he entered the army, and distinguished himself in the Rebellion of 1715. George I. made him Lieutenant-Governor of Virginia in 1727; and in 1740 he was appointed Colonel of an American Regiment, and assisted at the memorable siege of Carthagena. For his services he was promoted, being first made Brigadier and then Major-General, in which capacity, in 1747, he commanded in the expedition to Quebec. Died at Bath, Dec. 17th, 1751.

The whole body of Freemen claimed a right of electing members for the town, and accordingly chose Sir James Johnson, Knt., and George England, Esq. Before this, the Corporation had usually taken upon themselves this business, sometimes by a majority of the assembly, and sometimes by an inquest of six Aldermen and six Common Councilmen.

H.R.H. the Duke of York entertained to a sumptuous dinner in Yarmouth; afterwards embarked in the frigate “Gloucester,” but (May 6th) the vessel striking on the Leman and Ower sand, 12 leagues from Yarmouth, she filled with water, and the Duke escaped in a shallop, with Colonel Churchill, Earl of Aberdeen, Duke of Montrose, and a few other distinguished personages.

1683

William Paston, Earl of Yarmouth, High Steward of the Borough.

Spire of St. Nicholas’ Church, being of wood and lead, set on fire by lightning. John Grice received from the Corporation a piece of plate, value £10, for extinguishing it.

1684

April 26th. First Yarmouth Fair held.

May 7th. John Hall, Esq., died, aged 61 years. He was a merchant, Alderman by the old and new charters, and twice Bailiff of the town.

July 22nd. The charter granted by which a Mayor was substituted for the 2 Bailiffs, 18 Aldermen instead of 36, and 36 Common Councilmen instead of 18. By Charles II. a High Steward, a Recorder, a Sub-Steward, 2 Coroners, 2 Chamberlains, and a Clerk of the Courts were also appointed. Southtown was added to the liberties of the Borough. (See 1608, 1687, and 1763.) This charter also empowered them to hold two fairs yearly. The instrument was brought from London by the eldest son of the Earl of Yarmouth to Haddiscoe, and given to George Ward, Esq., the first Mayor elected. He, accompanied by a large train of carriages, and from 300 to 400 horsemen, proceeded to Haddiscoe to receive it. Great rejoicing in the town.

Lady Yarmouth, wife of the above Earl, died.

The Corporation Sword of Justice, carried before the Mayor, adopted.

Sir Thomas Medowe, Mayor, being the second elected the same year. Bailiffs prior to this year were chosen instead of Mayor.

Lord Huntingdon and George England, Esq., returned to Parliament; also in 1686 and 1688.

Town Charters surrendered to Charles II.

1685

May 1st. Earl of Yarmouth invited Sir A. Dean and Sir H. Shiers to view the Haven and Piers. The latter was presented at the “Three Feathers” Inn with 100 guineas for his journey. He also visited the town in 1687, accompanied by Lord Dartmouth, who recommended that a ship be sunk, or jetty made, northward of the north Pier, to prevent the sand from coming into the Haven, and that a basin be formed westward of the “brush,” with a sluice to let out the water forcibly into the Haven towards the latter ebb.

1686

Lord Huntingdon and George England, Esq., elected by the Freemen to serve in Parliament. The right of Freemen to vote was ever acquiesced in by the Corporation.

1687

Aug. 12th. Prince George of Denmark landed at Yarmouth, and went post to Windsor.

James II. ejected 5 Aldermen and 12 Common Councilmen from the Corporate Body; and in the following year 3 Aldermen and 4 Councilmen, and placed others in their stead. This right of displacing the Corporate body was reserved by the King.

1688

June 24th. Tumult and riotous proceedings took place in the town through the bigoted conduct of King James II.

Lord Huntingdon and G. England, Esq., again elected, and sent to the Convention Parliament the same year. Re-elected in 1690 and 1695.

Prince George of Denmark’s regiment of Dragoons sent to Yarmouth; and in 1696, two companies of Lieut. – General Bellasis’ Royal Fusiliers were quartered in the town.

The office of Mayor ceased, and the Government of the town again reverted to two Bailiffs, under King James II.’s proclamation. This continued till the time of Queen Anne. (See 1702.)

Haven expenses for the year, £2,323 5s. 4d.

1689

Feb. 16th. Prince of Orange and the Princess Mary proclaimed in the Market Place.

George England and Samuel Fuller, Esqs., returned to Parliament; also in 1695, 1698, and 1700.

1690

May 16th. Edmund Thaxter, Alderman and twice Bailiff, died, aged 62.

The Maces carried by the Mayor’s officers ordered to be made. At New Romney are now (1884) two maces used here at Herring Fair.

1691

Anthony Ellys, Bishop of St. David’s, and author of several theological works, was born at Yarmouth. Died in 1761.

1692

Oct. 18th. William III. landed at Yarmouth, and received with great enthusiasm. The Corporation spent £106 in entertaining him.

All Boroughs were reduced by proclamation to the same state of government as before the surrender of charters to Charles II. (See 1702.)

Two hundred vessels and nearly 1,000 lives lost in one night off this coast.

1693

Sept. 11th. Thomas, second son of Sir George England, Alderman and twice Bailiff, died, aged 48 years.

Oct. 28th. John Albertson, Esq., Alderman and Bailiff in 1655, died, aged 71 years.

1694

A Bar having formed across the Harbour’s mouth, the dangerous state of the Haven was made known by the beat of a drum, and the inhabitants desired to cut and dig a “gut” or trench through the Bar.

Proposed to break up the streets and lay pipes to supply the inhabitants with spring water from a large reservoir, collected from the wells on the Denes. Also in 1810. (See 1835 and 1855.)

1697

Corporation voted an address to the King upon his safe return, and peace with the French King.

1701

John Nicholson and John Burton, Esqs., returned to Parliament.

1702

June 30th. George England, Esq., eldest son of Sir George, died, aged 58 years. He was Recorder, and several times member of Parliament for the Borough. (See 1693 and 1711.)

Fishermen’s Hospital (for 40 persons) erected by the Corporation.

The Corporation obtained a new charter, granted by Queen Anne, which again allowed them to choose a Mayor on Sept. 29th, instead of two Bailiffs. (See 1692.)

Benjamin England and J. Nicholson, Esqs., returned to Parliament; also in 1705.

1703

July 3rd. Thomas Bradford, Esq., Mayor, died, aged 74 years.

March 11th. Twenty-fifth and last Charter granted by Queen Anne, re-appointing certain governors of the town. (See 1684.) When the Parliamentary and Municipal Reform Acts were passed (1832 and 1835), the Mayor was again required to be chosen from the whole body of the Corporation, whether Aldermen or Town Councillors.

A dreadful Fire broke out at the north end of the town, and several houses were blown up to prevent its spreading.

1704

April 30th. Thomas Godfrey, twice Bailiff and many years Town Clerk of this Borough, died, aged 63 years. He was succeeded by John Carlow, and at his decease in 1710 by Francis Turner.

1706

The expenses of Yarmouth Haven amounted to £2,710 7s. 5d.

1707

April 27th. Thomas Bendish, Esq., died, aged 61 years. He was a descendant of the ancient family of Sir Thomas Bendish, Bart., of Essex, who was ambassador from Charles II. to the Grand Seigneur. He married Bridget, daughter of H. Ireton, Esq., of Ireton, for some time Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.

1708

Hon. Roger Townshend and Richard Ferrier, Esq., returned to Parliament.

1709

A Quaker had his Burgess Letter on taking his solemn affirmation only.

1710

Nov. 7th. William Browne, Esq., Mayor, died, aged 46 years.

Richard Ferrier and Benjamin England, Esqs., returned to Parliament. Poll – F. 278; Eng. 269; Townshend 231; Ellys 173. Also in 1713.

1711

April 30th. Benjamin England, Esq., third son of Sir George, died. He was several times Bailiff, Mayor, and Member of Parliament for the Borough.

Henry Borrett, Esq., was Mayor, but dying before his term of office was completed, Samuel Wakeman, Esq., was chosen.

Ordered that no license be granted to any person to draw or retail ale or any other liquor at any house by the sea-side, except during the fishing seasons.

1712

Oct. 3rd. Twenty persons drowned on Breydon from the upsetting of a wherry.

An Act obtained for making a causeway over the Denes from Yarmouth to Caister.

1713

The Charity School erected in the Market Place by a few benevolent persons; and in 1724 the Corporation built two large rooms.

First Town Hall built at a cost of £880. (See April 20th, 1880, and May 31st, 1882.)

1715

Mayors and Justices allowed to wear different gowns to those of other Corporate members.

St. George’s Episcopal Chapel finished building. The contractors were Messrs. Price and Son, who built the Town Hall. The Chapel was consecrated Dec. 8th, 1815. Cost £3,800.

South Denes laid out as a race-course by John Holdrich and other innkeepers of Yarmouth; but annual races not held till 1810.

Easter Fair held on Good Friday until this date, when the Corporation ordered it to take place on the Friday following.

Geo. England, Esq., and the Hon. Horatio Townshend returned to Parliament.

1718

It was agreed that the two last and every succeeding Mayor should receive £100 each, in lieu of the fishing thousand.

The Vicar’s house built by the Corporation.

1721

An Act passed enforcing half the amount of ordinary duties on the Haven to be expended in improving the Haven, Piers, and Jetties; one-fourth part to be expended in deepening and cleansing the three rivers, and repairing the bridge and public quays at Yarmouth; and the remaining fourth part in cleansing and deepening Breydon.

1722

Oct. 2nd. William Spooner, Bailiff, and afterwards Mayor, died, aged 67 years.

Hon. Charles Townshend and Hon. Horatio Walpole returned to Parliament. The latter created a Baronet in 1756.

1723

Guildhall, near St. Nicholas’ Church, pulled down and replaced by an unsightly building, where Corporate assemblies were held till 1835.

1724

The Charity School for 50 boys and 30 girls was built by subscription. (See, 1713).

Jan. 28th. James Artis, Esq., Bailiff, Mayor, and Captain of Fusiliers, died, aged 68 years.

1724

Corbridge published his “West Prospect of Yarmouth.” Buck published one in 1741; and Laing’s Map came out in 1867.

1726

July 14th. Mrs. Bridget Bendish, granddaughter of Oliver Cromwell, died at Southtown.

1727

Hon. W. Townshend and Hon. Horatio Walpole returned to Parliament.

The Norwich Mercury of this date says: – “The persons appointed for choosing a Mayor for the town of Great Yarmouth (according to custom) were locked up in a room on Tuesday last at 12 o’clock, and did not determine the election till 9 o’clock on Thursday morning, when Samuel Artis, Esq., a gentleman of known loyalty and integrity, was declared Mayor-Elect for the year ensuing, to the great disappointment of the Tories.”

1729

The Pillory removed.

£50 raised by the town for the relief of the English prisoners at Mequinez.

1730

July. A remarkable storm and tempest; hailstones of prodigious magnitude fell.

1732

Sir Robert Walpole, Earl of Orford, K.G., High Steward of the Borough.

1733

Dec. 20th. Organ now at the Parish Church first opened. The Rev. Thos. Macro, D.D., minister of Yarmouth, preached the sermon on “The Melody of the Heart.” —Eph. 5, 19 verse. (See Jan. 25th, 1869.)

1734

A poor fisherman named Danby obtained a verdict, with £15 damages, against William Brown, Esq. (the Mayor), Justice Artis, and Masters (the Bridewell man), for whipping and false imprisoning the plaintiff.

The Mayor’s gold chain and medal appendant having the arms of the Corporation on one side, and a ship under sail on the reverse, to be worn by every Mayor for ever. (See 1746.) It was subscribed for. The cost of the chain alone was £141 18s. 3d.

Organ at St. George’s Chapel built by Jordan.

Hon. Edward Walpole and the Hon. William Townshend returned to Parliament, but the latter dying in 1737, was succeeded by his brother, the Hon. Roger Townshend.

Sarah Johnson, a widow, was whipped upon a cart round the Market Place, for stealing three gold rings and a silver spoon. In 1763 two sailors were served in like manner, receiving four lashes under each public-house sign for stealing merchandise.

1736

Elizabeth Thompson hanged for the murder of a Dutchman in the Gaol-row.

1737

Jan. 14th. George II. landed a few miles south of Yarmouth.

1739

Sir R. Walpole sent 50 guineas to be expended in coal for the poor.

Robert Ferrier appointed Town Clerk, and eleven years afterwards he filled the civic chair.

1740

Chris. Bernard, Esq., elected Mayor, but died before completing his term of office.

Expenses of Yarmouth Haven were £3,299 15s. 9d.

Amelia Sophia de Walmoden, presumed to have been the mistress of George II., was created Baroness and Countess of Yarmouth for life. She died in 1750.

1741

Hon. Roger Townshend and E. Walpole, Esq., returned to Parliament. Votes – T., 400, W., 391; Howling Luston, 104; Richard Fuller, 97.

1742

John Thacker hanged for killing John Auger with a pistol ball in a shop near the “Wheel of Fortune.”

1744

The inquest, chosen for electing a Mayor, locked up in the Guildhall for ten days; in 1765, six days; in 1767, three days and three nights; and in 1814, fifty-four hours.

Samuel Killett, Esq., Alderman, gave the Corporation of Yarmouth a silver oar, double gilt, the insignia of the Admiralty Court.

1745

Ancient Order of Foresters first formed.

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

1746

Nov. 25th. Mayor’s medal appendant sold; its value applied for adding links to the chain, the two being valued at £166. (See 1734.)

1747

Hon. E. Walpole and the Hon. Chas. Townshend elected to Parliament.

The Cage or Stock-house removed.

1748

Nov. 30th. John Dobson Tongue hanged for robbing Mr. Halsden on the Southtown-road.

1749

Oct. 13th. John Sullivan hanged for robbing Mrs. Meed on the Denes.

1750

John Barcham, mariner, executed for the murder of Robert Bullen.

An Act passed appointing a committee of twelve inhabitants of Yarmouth to inspect the Haven works, and to summon the Commissioners in cases of need.

Mrs. Cromwell, lineally descended from Oliver Cromwell, died at Yarmouth, at an advanced age.

A live infant named Sarah Pycraft found in a basket in St. Nicholas’ Churchyard, and was taken to the Workhouse, where she died 96 years afterwards.

1751

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

Dr. John Butler, minister at St. Nicholas’ Church, and afterwards Bishop of Oxford and Hereford. He died in 1802.

An Act passed to open the port of Yarmouth for the importation of wool and woollen yarn from Ireland.

1752

Chris. Taylor, Esq., Mayor, died before completing his term of office, and was succeeded by Giles Wakeman.

The Gallows-house on the North Denes removed.

1753

Expenses of Yarmouth Haven amounted to £3,360 3s. 9d.

1754

April 18th. Right Hon. C. Townshend and his former colleague, then Sir E. Walpole, K.B., and Chief Secretary for Ireland, elected to Parliament. Votes – T., 541; W., 518; R. Fuller, 397; and William Browne, 342.

Mr. Thos. Olivers made an unsuccessful attempt to introduce Methodism into the town. He and a friend were assailed on the Sunday with dirt, stones, and missiles of every description without mercy, and driven out of the town. Mr. Howell Harris made an attempt in 1760, which was more successful, though at great risk of his life.

1756

July 23rd. William Burton, M.D., died, aged 53.

Sept. 1st. Naval engagement off Lowestoft between H.M.S. “Hazard” and a French privateer, “La Subtille,” carrying 12 guns and 86 men. After six hours the Frenchman struck off Winterton, and the next day (Sunday) the prisoners were landed and lodged in gaol. By undermining the prison wall, fourteen broke out, and only four were retaken.

C. Townshend, Esq., of Honingham, a cousin to the Hon. Charles, was elected to Parliament by a majority of 32 votes, on the latter accepting the office of Treasurer of his Majesty’s Chamber. Mr. C. Townshend was elected eight times in thirty-three years.

1756

An Act for the better recovery of small debts within the liberties of the Borough obtained.

1758

Oct. 7th. Joseph Ames, F.R.S., died. He was born at Yarmouth on Jan. 23rd, 1688, and was the author of “Typographical Antiquities”; being an historical account of printing in England, with memoirs of our ancient printers, and a register of the books printed by them, from the year 1471 to 1600, with an appendix concerning printing in Scotland and Ireland to the same time. It was dedicated to Philip, Earl of Hardwick, Lord High Chancellor of England. He was originally a piano maker, and afterwards a ship chandler at Wapping, which trade he carried on till his death. He was a great lover of history. In 1741 was appointed secretary of the Society of Antiquaries. Mr. Ames printed a “Catalogue of English Printers from 1471 to 1700,” “An Index to Lord Pembroke’s Coins,” also “A Catalogue of English Heads, or an account of about 2,000 prints,” describing what is peculiar on each; he drew up the “Parentalia, or Memoirs of the Family of Wren.” His collection of coins, curiosities, books, &c., were sold in 1760. Among the latter was a copy of Tindall’s New Testament, supposed to be the only one which escaped the flames, when the Bishop of London (Tonstall) ordered them to be burnt. Vide “Timperley’s Encyclopedia of Literary and Typ. Anecdote,” 1842, p. 703.

1759

Yarmouth Sea-baths built. Cost £2,000. A handsome public room added in 1785.

Terrible affray with the 2nd Dragoons (Scotch Greys) and 6th Irish Dragoons (Enniskilling), who were quartered in the town. They attacked each other with swords.

1761

John Willis, Esq., elected Mayor, but died before completing his term of office.

Hon. Sir Edward Walpole, K.B., and C. Townshend, Esq., returned to Parliament.

1762

The number of boys and girls at the Hospital School reduced from 49 to 41.

1763

Gorleston Parish, with the Hamlet of Southtown, in Mutford and Lothingland Hundreds (Suffolk) incorporated for the maintenance of the poor of its 24 parishes. Also by an amended Act in 1833.

1765

Dec. 10th. Rev. Christopher Spendlove, sen., lecturer, of Yarmouth, died, aged 69 years.

1766

Jan. 8th. Much distress caused through the high price of food, and a subscription was opened and liberally supported by the inhabitants – 60,138 quartern loaves, weighing 4 lbs. 14 ozs., at 3d. each, distributed for three months, among the poor till April 25th.

1767

100 ft. of the Jetty carried away by high tide.

1768

C. Townshend, Esq., returned to Parliament, with the Hon. Richard Walpole. (Also in 1770, 1774, and 1780.)

1769

Sept. 16th. Elizabeth Martin executed for the murder of her illegitimate child.

1770

April 18th. The day of John Wilkes’s releasement from the Tower celebrated at Yarmouth with great rejoicings. He was an eminent English politician.

Nov. 8th. Rev. John Manclarke, minister of the parish, died, aged 38 years.

During a gale, thirty vessels and two hundred men lost.

Four of the Town Gates pulled down.

One guinea bounty offered to every able seaman at Yarmouth who would join the fleet to suppress the war with Spain.

1771

“Clappermen” appointed to watch the vessels in the Harbour, and prevent any fire or light being used on board.

1772

Jan. 11th. Henry Swinden, a diligent antiquary, who for twenty years collected and digested a large mass of information respecting his native town, author of “History of Great Yarmouth,” died, the same year his work was published, and while the last sheet was in the press, aged 55 years. (See 1776.)

1774

Charles Townshend, Esq., and the Hon. Richard Walpole returned to Parliament. Votes – T., 310; W., 310; W. Beckford, 218; Sir Charles Saunders, K.B., 216. In 1777, Charles Townshend, Esq., vacated his seat, but was returned with W. Beckford, Esq. Votes – T., 502; B., 199.

The overseers’ account for the past year, ending at Easter, was – Money received, £2,694 16s.; money paid (including everything, and a new building at £201 10s.) left a balance in hand of £61 15s. 7d.

1775

The “Nine houses” at Southtown built by John Eggoty, on the site of public tea-gardens and cream house.

1776

“The History and Antiquities of Yarmouth,” by the Rev. Charles Parkin, M.A., Rector of Oxburgh, published.

John Ives, F.R.S., F.S.A., died. He was born at Yarmouth in 1730, and became eminent for his skill in antiquarian science. He published “Manship’s History,” wrote the preface, and erected a marble monument in St. Nicholas’ Church to Manship’s memory.

1778

Dec. 4th. Theatre erected, and opened with the comedy of the English Merchant. Building cost £1,500. Renovated in 1828.

1779

Jan. 1st. A tremendous storm and flood, and much damage done to shipping.

First Map of Yarmouth published by Mr. M. J. Armstrong. It was prepared by Swinden in 1722.

1780

March 6th. A Monthly Book Club established by the Rev. R. Turner, B.D.

Armed Associations formed at Yarmouth.

1781

William Penn, a pirate, hanged in London, and afterwards put on a gibbet on the North Denes.

Two batteries on the North Denes erected.

1782

A fort erected on Gorleston heights, armed with six 24-pounders and a battery of nine 18-pounders, for the defence of St. Nicholas’ Gat. An invasion expected.

The Fisheries protected by an armed force.

Parliamentary Reform agitated; and the town was filled with troops, much to the annoyance of the inhabitants.

An Act passed for the better securing the duties payable on the importation of coal and cinders.

The Norfolk Rangers first established.

1783

The celebrated John Wesley preached in Yarmouth, and on Oct. the 22nd opened a chapel. He paid the town several visits, the last in 1790, not five months before his death in 1791. Aged 87.

Right Hon. C. Townshend re-elected to Parliament.

1784

First Census taken. Population 12,608.

Two vessels fitted out for the Greenland whale fishery.

Mr. S. Bream, of Yarmouth, advocated the extension of the North Pier for the removal of the Bar. Mr. J. Nichalls, an engineer, suggested in a report that the river should be straightened, and a weir placed across the river near its junction with Breydon.

1784

June 22nd. A great part of the outward wall of the east end of the Parish Church fell down, and destroyed the tombs and gravestones to some distance.

Mr. Barrett died, aged 100 years.

Oct. The Prince of Wales (afterwards Geo. IV.) invited by the Corporation to dine at the Town Hall. Not accepted.

Sir John Jervis, K.B., returned to Parliament with H. Beaufoy, Esq.

1785

Another town gate pulled down.

The Dutch sent over 87 boats for the herring fishery off our coast.

Wooden drawbridge across the stream near the Town Hall built, and existed till 1843.

1786

Second drawbridge connecting Yarmouth with Southtown over the Yare re-built and opened to the public.

Josiah Curtis appointed town crier, an office which he held for 32 years.

1788

Martha Stanninot, a peculiar woman known as “Queen Martha,” who fancied she should be Queen of England, lived and died in Row 28.

1789

Nov. 1st. Forty vessels driven ashore between Yarmouth and Southwold; 80 fishing boats wrecked, and 120 bodies washed ashore between Yarmouth and Cromer.

An appointed day of thanksgiving for the King’s recovery, and the town illuminated.

Seven hundred lasts of herrings taken by 180 boats.

1790

June 18th. Right Hon. Charles Townshend and Henry Beaufoy, Esq., returned to Parliament. Votes – T., 632; B., 455; J. T. Sandys, 182.

A pottery established at Yarmouth.

1791

George Townshend, Marquis Townshend, High Steward of the Borough.

Feb. 3rd. Part of the Jetty carried away by a destructive high tide, and the Denes under water. On the Southtown-road the water was deep enough for boats to ply.

Oct. 27th. Riot on account of the dearness of provisions, but suppressed by the magistrates.

1792

Feb. 7th. House of Commons petitioned by Yarmouth for the abolition of slave trade.

May 29th. The “Church and King Club” established, and first meeting held at the “Wrestler’s Inn.”

Dec. Meeting held in Yarmouth, pledging themselves to support the Constitution of King, Lords, and Commons, as established in 1688.

1793

Feb. 11th. Embargo laid on all vessels at Yarmouth.

Feb. 28th. H.M.S. “Savage” brought in the French privateer, “Custine,” she being the first prize taken in the war.

Matthew Champion died at the age of 111 years.

The title of Earl of Yarmouth was revived as the secondary title of the Marquis of Hertford.

1794

July. Subscription entered into and a benefit play performed at Yarmouth, for the relief of the widows and orphans of those killed on board the fleet in Lord Howe’s victory on June 1st.

1795

May 29th. On the death of H. Beaufoy, Esq., Colonel S. Howe was elected to Parliament with George Anson, Esq. Votes – H., 483; A., 347.

Sir Edmund Lacon, Knt., Mayor. This hon. gentleman was knighted for quelling the riot which began in the Market Place, occasioned by the high price of provisions.

The Distillery, on the site of the Silk Factory purchased by Government, and Barracks made of wood, erected there for 1,600 men.

Jan. 19th. The illustrious fugitive, the Princess of Orange, with her daughter-in-law, little granddaughter, and the child’s nurse, accompanied by two gentlemen, embarked on board a fishing boat. They took up their quarters in the hold of the vessel, and were covered with the sails as a defence against the inclement weather. After being safely landed at Yarmouth, the military were drawn up, and their Royal Highnesses driven twice round the Market Place, and then entertained by the Mayor. The Prince unexpectedly came also and took his wife away. The next day the Duke of York visited Yarmouth for the purpose of welcoming them, and, though disappointed, was enthusiastically received by the inhabitants.

Another unfortunate Princess near landing on our shore. Princess Caroline of Brunswick, accompanied by the English envoy, Lord Malmesbury, embarked at Cuxhaven on board the “Jupiter,” 50 guns, and through stress of weather came within six leagues of the Beach.

A line of packets to Cuxhaven was started from our Port, and the Dover and Harwich packets removed.

Congratulatory address from the Corporation and inhabitants of Yarmouth presented to George III. on his escape from the attack made on his person while proceeding to Parliament House.

1796

June. Lord C. P. T. Townshend and Colonel S. Howe returned to Parliament. Lord Charles on the day following his election was found dead in his carriage, shot in the mouth by a pistol ball. The same year (Oct. 26th), Major-General W. Loftus and H. Jodrell, Esq., were elected to Parliament. Votes – L., 599; J., 561; Sir J. Jervis, K.B., 418.

June 25th. First time that a squadron of men-of-war ships entered Yarmouth Roads. There were 13 British and 3 Russian, under the command of Admiral Macbride.

Freedom of the Borough presented to Captain Trollope, for defeating 8 French ships of war off the coast of Holland.

Aug. 19th. Whilst Thelwall, a political lecturer, was declaiming in a room at Yarmouth, a party of armed sailors from the ships in the Roads broke in, and in their attempt to seize the orator, knocked down every person who opposed them. Upwards of 40 persons were wounded in the scuffle; the orator escaped unhurt.

1797

June 1st. Mutiny on board the North Sea Fleet at Yarmouth, and several sail of the line hoisted the red flag of defiance.

Sept. 18th. Admiral Duncan assumed the command of the North Sea Fleet in the Roadstead, vice Admiral Macbride.

Oct. 3rd. Admiral Duncan put into Yarmouth Roads, and six days afterwards went in search of the Dutch fleet, which was totally defeated (Oct. 11th) off Camperdown. The British fleet returned in triumph to Yarmouth Roads, bringing seven sail of the line as prizes. The wounded men were landed and conveyed to the Barracks and to Norwich – there being no Naval Hospital. Yarmouth for several days was thronged with visitors to see the victorious British fleet and their prizes. A subscription was raised on behalf of the wounded.

A high tide nearly demolished the Bath House.

Somerset Militia quartered in the town.

Captain Rysoort, of the “Hercules” (one of Admiral Duncan’s prizes), died in Yarmouth, and was buried with military honours.

A boat on the river Breydon upset, and six out of seven youths drowned.

Freedom of the town presented to Lord Duncan and Sir Richard Onslow for their victories over the Dutch fleet; also to Earl St. Vincent for the victory over the Spanish fleet on the 14th of February.

Mutiny broke out at the Nore, and extended itself to the vessels in Yarmouth Roads, but was quickly suppressed.

1798

Mar. 2nd. Through financial pressure at the Bank of England, Yarmouth banks paid in their own notes, and fractional parts were paid in specie.

Two Volunteer Companies of Yeomanry Cavalry formed at Yarmouth under Samuel Barker and H. Worship, Esqs.

Oct. 1st. Intelligence of Admiral Viscount Nelson’s ever memorable victory off the mouth of the Nile received at Yarmouth with great rejoicing.

Oct. 1st. The Times says: At half-past twelve the following men-of-war in Yarmouth Roads got under weigh to cruise off the Texel: – “Monarch,” 74 guns, Admiral Sir Richard Onslow, Captain Sutton; “Monmouth,” 64, Deane; “Belligneux,” 64, England; “Ardent,” 64, Bertie; “Agamemnon,” 64, Fancourt. Remaining in the Roads: – “Kent,” 74, Lord Duncan; “Ganges,” 74, Captain M’Dowall; “America,” 64, Smith; “Veteran,” 64, Mosse; “Glatton,” 54, Cobb; with the “Europa” and “Mististoff” men-of-war.

1799

Sept. 28th. The Duke of York’s army returned from an unsuccessful campaign, and the Guards and 24 other regiments, comprising 25,000 troops (infantry and cavalry), were landed at Yarmouth on their return from Holland.

An embargo laid on all shipping at Yarmouth.

Hospital for sick and wounded soldiers erected on the site of Grout’s Silk Factory. The wounded from Copenhagen were taken here.

1800

Sept. 25th. Freedom of the Borough voted to Sir A. Dickson and Mr. Pitt.

Nov. 6th. Admiral Lord Nelson landed here after the battle of Aboukir, having been absent 2½ years from his native county, and was presented with an enthusiastic welcome and the freedom of the town. He stayed at the “Wrestler’s” Inn, Church Plain, and in a speech he made there, said, “I am myself a Norfolk man, and I glory in being so.” When he subsequently visited the Parish Church, the organ played, “See the Conquering Hero comes.” He was accompanied by Lady and Sir William Hamilton.

Nov. 20th. The herring fishery off Yarmouth was unusually productive this year, the catch being so great that one of Mr. Batley’s boats, after taking on board 14 lasts, was obliged to throw two lasts overboard.

1801

Jan. 1st. This day being the first of the 19th century, and the day on which the union of Great Britain and Ireland took place, the Durham Militia fired a feu de joie at Yarmouth; and the ships in the Roadstead gave a royal salute and hoisted their new colours in honour of the union.

Mar. 7th. The St. “George,” carrying 98 guns, and bearing the flag of Lord Nelson, arrived in the Roadstead.

Mar. 12th. The grand fleet of 47 ships of war, with 3,000 mariners, under the command of Admiral Sir Hyde Parker in the “London,” 98 guns, with Lord Nelson as his Vice-Admiral, sailed from Yarmouth, and proceeded, after they had been joined by seven sail of the line in Leith Roads, to Copenhagen to destroy the Danish navy.

Mar. 16th. The “Invincible,” 74 guns (built in 1766), Rear-Admiral Totty, on her way to join the grand fleet, got on the ridge near Hasbro’ Sand, and remained till daybreak next morning, but had no sooner floated into deep water than she went down with her captain (J. Lawford), several officers, and about 300 men. By the exertions of Daniel Grigson, master of the cod-smack, “Nancy,” the Admiral, 7 officers, and about 190 of the crew, were saved.

April 14th. Intelligence received at Yarmouth of the destruction of the Danish navy in Copenhagen by the British fleet, on April 2nd, after four hours’ fighting. Great rejoicing in this town and country generally.

July 1st. Owing to Lord Nelson’s ill-health he again landed at the Jetty from the gun-brig, “Kite.”

Nov. 2nd. The Prince of Orange arrived at Yarmouth from London, and on the 6th sailed in the packet “Diana,” for Cuxhaven.

Census taken. Population of Yarmouth, 14,854; with Gorleston and Southtown, 16,573.

The batteries erected on the verge of the beach, and mounted with 32-pounders. The harbour was also defended on each side by two bastions of a mural construction. They were dismounted after the general peace, and guns returned to Woolwich.

1802

Jan. 6th. The Public Library first instituted by a certain number of subscribers. In 1808 the Corporation granted the lease of the present building. The Dutch clock (removed in 1861) was erected on the exterior in 1600, when the building was used as a Dutch Chapel by the Hollanders; was afterwards used as an English Chapel, and previous to the Theatre being built the back premises were converted into a room for dramatic entertainments. New Reading Room opened Feb. 19th, 1859.

May 5th. The town illuminated on the proclamation of peace.

May 24th. The Duke of Cambridge sailed from Yarmouth in the frigate, “Amphion,” for Hanover, of which kingdom he was appointed Regent. (See June 13th, 1803.)

June 28th. Custom House opened.

July. Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Trowbridge, Bart., and Thomas Jervis, Esq., returned to Parliament. The boat built for Sir Thomas to be chaired in, made of oak, 14 ft. long, and 3 ft. 9 in. wide, is still preserved (1884). On the stern is “Trowbridge and the Navy,” under which is a naval crown and trophy. It was built by Mr. James Hurry.

Three hundred persons impressed, but 250 were afterwards liberated. (See 1805.)

Montgomeryshire and Cheshire Militia left the town.

1803

May 5th. An active press at Yarmouth.

May 16th. Embargo laid on all vessels in the Roads.

June 13th. H.R.H. the Duke of Cambridge and suite left Yarmouth for Norwich. They came in the same frigate which brought Prince William of Gloucester from Cuxhaven, where their Royal Highnesses were nearly being made prisoners by the advanced guard of the French army. Had they remained there another hour they would have shared the fate of the Hanoverian army. The French General in Holland put an immense number of fishing boats in requisition for the avowed purpose of invading England.

Oct. 25th. The Volunteer Regiments in Norfolk and Norwich resolved to perform permanent duty in Yarmouth in case of an invasion, and on Nov. the 9th two troops of Norfolk Rangers (established 1782), headed by the Marquis Townshend, the Lord Lieutenant, and commanded by Captain Sir M. B. Ffolkes, Bart., and Capt. Beauchamp, marched to Yarmouth on permanent duty; also the Norwich and the Fakenham Volunteers.

Nov. 5th. The Lord Lieutenants of the maritime counties received warrants under his Majesty’s sign-manual, commanding them, “as there was actual appearance of invasion,” to give the necessary orders in pursuance of the late statute, that on the approach of the enemy all waggons and carts, cattle, and stores of corn, likely to fall into their hands, be removed or destroyed, and also that all women and children be likewise removed. The proprietors to be indemnified.

Nov. 7th. Lieut. – Col. Harvey’s battalion of Norwich Volunteers arrived here for garrison duty; also the Norfolk Rangers and Norwich and Fakenham Corps.

Nov. 10th. The Yarmouth Volunteer Infantry received their colours (presented by the Corporation) from the hands of the Mayoress.

Dec. 6th. On the Norwich Volunteers’ return to Norwich, this regiment was succeeded in their fortnight’s garrison duty by the Yarmouth Volunteer Infantry (550), commanded by Lieut. – Colonel Gould.

Dec. 15th. The Lynn and Freebridge Yeomanry Cavalry, with the Artillery and Rifle Corps, marched through Norwich to Yarmouth, to relieve the Dereham and South Erpingham troops.

Dec. 22nd. The Dereham and Swaffham troops of Yeomanry Cavalry marched through Norwich for Yarmouth, to relieve the Lynn and Freebridge troops; and the Diss, North Walsham, Wells, and Old Buckenham Volunteer Companies of Infantry marched into Yarmouth for a fortnight’s duty.

Dec. 30th. The Hingham and Wymondham troops marched to Yarmouth, to relieve the Swaffham and Dereham troops.

Tower and spire of St. Nicholas’ Church removed; rebuilt in 1807 at a cost of £1,890. (See 1806.)

The Militia regiments of the county assembled at Yarmouth and were embodied.

1804

April 4th. The “Antelope,” (Commodore Sir W. Sydney Smith,) the brig “Cruizer,” and the cutter “Prince of Wales,” arrived at Yarmouth, from the Flushing station, which made an unsuccessful attempt to cut out an armed brig near the Scaw. They were attacked by an armed schooner, and obliged to abandon their enterprize, with the loss of five killed and ten wounded.

April 11th. Rear-Admiral Sir W. Sydney Smith left Yarmouth for Norwich. The hero of St. Jean d’Acre proceeded next day on a tour of the country before accompanying the King of Portugal to Brazil.

May 2nd. The gibbet on which Payne was hung in 1781 taken down by order of the Corporation.

May 14th. Lynn Volunteers and (May 26th) North Walsham Light Infantry, came for a fortnight’s training.

The first newspaper, The Yarmouth Herald, printed in the town by a Mr. Black.

May 23rd. Blickling and Gunton Rifle Corps arrived here for a fortnight’s garrison duty.

May 25th. A general fast observed. The Shropshire Militia and the Volunteers at Yarmouth (nearly 25,000 men) attended divine service.

May 26th. The sloop “Helena,” 20 guns, and on Sept. 4th the brig “Musquito,” 18 guns, launched from Mr. J. Preston’s yard.

Sept. 6th. Sloop of war “Cygnet,” 18 guns, launched from Mr. Nathaniel Palmer’s yard.

Oct. 28th. Lord Viscount Chedworth, of Ipswich, died worth £500,000. Thomas Penrice, Esq., surgeon, of Yarmouth, was left a legacy of £20,000 and also residuary legatee, by which he came into possession of at least £300,000.

Nov. 26th. The Corporation and merchants of Yarmouth voted their thanks to Captain Hancock and his officers for capturing the notorious Blackman, who commanded a French privateer of 18 guns, and 98 prisoners were also taken.

Nov. 22nd. The “Romney,” 50 guns, which sailed from Yarmouth Roadstead on the 18th with bullocks and vegetables for the blockading fleet off the Texel, under Admiral Russell, was lost in a dreadful gale of wind on the South Haak Sand. All the officers and crew saved themselves on rafts, but were made prisoners by the Dutch. The officers were afterwards liberated on their parole by the Dutch Admiral Kikkert.

William Gould, Esq., appointed Lieutenant-Colonel of the 6th (Yarmouth) Norfolk Volunteer Infantry.

Night signals established along the coast, and special constables sworn in at Yarmouth.

Yarmouth Volunteer Infantry embodied for 14 days’ garrison duty.

The Rows first numbered; they formerly bore the names of houses in or near them, or persons living near them.

The public mind was much excited by a possible French Invasion, under Napoleon, and many Volunteer and Militia Regiments of Norfolk and Suffolk did garrison duty here.

The Gorleston Volunteers had a field day, when the manœuvres were done in a masterly style, under Captain J. B. Bell. They afterwards dined at the “Feathers” Inn.

Hay was sold at £4 10s. per ton.

The winter was a very severe one, more intense than in 1740. Coals were 2s. a chaldron.

Capt. Dickens, of the Shropshire Militia, walked from the “Angel” Inn, at Yarmouth, to the “Angel” Inn, at Norwich, and back again (47 miles) in 11½ hours, for a wager.

A very large sale of 50 prize ships was advertised to take place at Yarmouth on the 25th. These were principally Dutch vessels used as privateers and fishing vessels, and the description of them took about one column of space. No auctioneer was named, but catalogues were to be had of Mr. A. H. Steward, of Great Yarmouth.

Mr. Aldred, of Yarmouth, met with a serious loss by being robbed in Long Lane, Smithfield, of notes, bills, and jewellery, to the amount of £2,000. He was seized from behind a chaise by a daring street robber, who eluded the vigilance of the police.

1805

April 27th. Two gun-brigs, 14 guns each, built in Mr. J. Preston’s yard, launched.

May 9th. One of the sharpest presses ever remembered in Yarmouth took place. No fewer than 300 persons of the town were impressed, of whom only about 50 were ultimately detained. (See 1802.)

Nov. 7th. Intelligence received of the glorious victory over the combined fleets of France and Spain, off Cape Trafalgar, on the 21st of October, though purchased by the ever-to-be-lamented death of Vice-Admiral Lord Viscount Nelson, who was born at Burnham Thorpe, Norfolk, September 29th, 1758. Congratulatory addresses were voted to his Majesty by Yarmouth; feu de joie fired by the military and volunteers.

Several regiments of Volunteers did garrison duty in the town till relieved by the Shropshire Militia.

1806

April 19th. The frigate, “Boreas,” 28 guns, launched from Messrs. Stone and Constance’s yard; the sloop, “Ariel,” 18 guns, from Mr. N. Palmer’s yard.

June 9th. Vice-Admiral Russell, accompanied by several officers of the North Sea Fleet who were stationed at Yarmouth, visited Norwich.

July 26th. French frigate “La Guerrière,” brought into the Roadstead by the frigate “Blanche.” The former was captured on the 18th, after a desperate action of 45 minutes; she had taken eight Greenlandmen and one Yarmouth vessel, all of which she destroyed.

Aug. 14th. Frigate “Comus,” launched from Messrs. Constance and Co.’s yard.

Nov. 4th. Hon. E. Harbord (second son of Lord Suffield) and Stephen Lushington, Esq., returned to Parliament, but on June 25th, 1808, Dr. Lushington vacated his seat in favour of Giffin Wilson, Esq.

An Act of Parliament passed for repairing the Parish Church of Great Yarmouth and rebuilding the tower belonging to it. (See 1803.)

Southtown Armoury built by Wyatt, at a cost of £15,000. During the war 10,000 stand of arms were arranged in it, after the disposition observed in the Tower of London. After the war the arms were removed to the Tower.

The gun-brig, “Fancy,” built in Mr. J. Preston’s yard.

1807

Feb. 17th. Gun-brig “Snipe,” with 30 French prisoners on board, wrecked on the Beach. Many of them were drowned, together with part of her crew and some women, in all upwards of 60. There were several other wrecks, for the wind blew a hurricane, and a drifting snow rendered the highways for a time impassable.

Feb. 18th. Capt. G. W. Manby, barrack-master at Yarmouth, first succeeded in projecting a line over a stranded vessel; and on Feb. 12th, 1808, seven lives were saved from a vessel 150 yards from the Beach. Parliament rewarded him at different times with grants amounting to £6,000. He was born at Hilgay, Norfolk. Captain Manby, at the age of 88 years, had the satisfaction of knowing that he had been instrumental in saving upwards of 1,000 lives in various parts of the world by his invention. The two ingenious painters (the Joys), brothers and sons of a mail-guard, owed much of their fame to the patronage and assistance afforded them in their youth by Captain Manby.

May 9th. Hon. E. Harbord and S. Lushington, Esq., returned to Parliament. Votes – H., 627; L., 604; William Jacob, 341; A. Upcher, 21.

July 3rd. Mrs. Cooper, relict of the Rev. D. Cooper, of Yarmouth, died. This lady, with an ardent desire to inculcate Christian morality, penned several publications, viz., “Fanny Meadows,” “The Daughter,” “The School for Wives,” and “Exemplary Mother.”

July 26th. The fleet, under Lord Gambier and Vice-Admiral Stanhope (69 pennants in all), sailed from Yarmouth Roads. Sir W. Sidney Smith sailed in Gambier’s flag-ship, “Prince of Wales,” 98 guns. Soon afterwards was fought the second battle of Copenhagen (Sept. 7th). Most of their prizes were brought to Yarmouth – 64 vessels mounting 1,994 guns.

Aug. 14th. E. H. K. Lacon born. He was educated at Cambridge, and created a baronet in 1820 on the death of his father.

Sept. 7th. Norwich Volunteer Infantry marched to Yarmouth for garrison duty.

Oct. 29th. Several transports lost off Yarmouth and Lowestoft.

Nov. 14th. Privateer “Le Décide” brought into this port by the frigate “L’Amiable.” She had made no less than 30 prizes.

Nov. 2nd. Louis XVIII. (under the title of Count de Lille) landed at Yarmouth from a Swedish frigate. The Dukes d’Angouleme and De Berri, and several French noblemen, came with him. This was the first time since the memorable battle of Poictiers, in 1356, that a King of France had been in England.

Dec. A Telegraph erected upon the hill at Thorpe communicating with Yarmouth. An order from the Admiralty Office in London was received at Yarmouth in seventeen minutes.

North Gate removed to widen the roadway. It was flanked with square towers of curious workmanship.

One hundred and forty-four dead bodies washed ashore in this vicinity after a heavy gale.

A new peal of ten bells put in the tower of St. Nicholas’ Church, and first rung out on May 2nd, 1808. Cost £1,161 8s. 4d. The spire of the Church was also rebuilt the same year.

1808

Jan. 10th. Lord Hutchinson and Lord Gower landed here from the “Bellette” sloop-of-war, from St. Petersburgh.

March 30th. Silver eel, 6 ft. long and 21 in. in girth, and weighing 42lbs., caught a mile below Yarmouth bridge in the harbour.

May 10th. Expedition, consisting of 105 transports, under Admiral Keats, left the Roadstead for the Baltic and the protection of Sweden. Sir John Moore commanded the troops. He sailed in the “Mars,” and Major-Generals Paget and Murray in the “Audacious.”

Aug. 20th. First pile of the present Jetty driven, and finished building and opened to the public Jan. 13th, 1809, at a cost of £5,000; 450 ft. long, and platform 21 ft. wide. Extended 60 ft. in 1846 at a cost of about £900, and again 60 ft. in 1870 at a further cost of £859 10s. Constructed on the site of one built in 1560.

Charles Townshend, Lord Bayning, High Steward of the Borough.

Shropshire and Cambridgeshire Militia left the town.

1809

Jan. 28th. Owing to a rapid thaw and the inundation of the meadows the barges proceeding from Norwich to Yarmouth were obliged to return, because the men were unable to find the channel of the river.

Oct. 25th. Fiftieth anniversary of George III.’s reign celebrated in Yarmouth as a jubilee.

One thousand four hundred and sixty-four pounds of fresh salmon from Scotland landed in one day, and sold in Yarmouth market owing to the embargo on all shipping.

A very productive herring fishery.

1810

May 10th. Vice-Admiral Sir J. Saumarez’s fleet left the Roadstead for the Baltic; also the “Victory” (100 guns) and seven other sail of the line.

May 20th. The Eight Hon. Charles, Lord Bayning, of Honingham Hall, a Privy Councillor and High Steward of Yarmouth, died in London, aged 81 years.

Aug. Yarmouth Annual Races first established by the Officers of the Berkshire Militia.

Berkshire Militia left the town.

Mrs. Hunter died, aged 102.

By the Paving Act, provision was made against placing materials on the Quays or other public places for a longer time than was necessary for removing and housing the same.

Nov. 2nd. The Beach from Yarmouth to Wells covered with wrecks and dead bodies after a heavy gale. Another gale and high tide on the 10th, and many vessels and lives lost.

Nov. 14th. Gustavus Adolphus IV., ex-King of Sweden, who had abdicated his throne, landed on the Beach from the sloop “Tartar.” He assumed the title of Count Guttorp, and afterwards proceeded to London.

1811

March 28th. Count Guttorp sailed from Yarmouth on his return to the Continent.

Vice-Admiral Murray appointed to the Naval command of Yarmouth. In 1815 Admiral Drake was appointed Port-Admiral of Yarmouth, the last who held the appointment.

Census taken. Population of Yarmouth, 17,977; with Gorleston and Southtown, 19,691.

The Royal Hospital or Asylum built by Government at a cost of £120,000. Foundation-stone laid by Admiral Billy Douglas in 1809. (See 1815.) The building was erected by Mr. Peto (father of Sir S. Morton Peto), from designs by H. Parkington, Esq., for a naval Hospital. The 11 acres of ground to the east cost the Government £11,000 in 1875.

1812

March 13th. The South Gate sold for £26 to Jonathan Poppy.

July 27th. General Viscount Cathcart’s embassy to the Court of Russia left the Roadstead in the frigate “Aquilon.” Lord Walpole, secretary of Legation to Lord Cathcart, sailed in the “Calipso” to the headquarters of the Russian army.

Oct. 6th. Edmund Knowles Lacon and William Loftus, Esqs., returned to Parliament. Votes – Lacon, 607; Loftus, 387; G. Wilson, 329.

Oct. 26th. Tremendous gale, and eight vessels driven ashore in the vicinity.

A. Royals died, aged 103.

1813

Feb. A high wind blew down and completely demolished the Conventual Church at Gorleston, dedicated to St. Nicholas.

Feb. 18th. Gorleston steeple (about 100 ft. high), which stood near the Haven’s mouth as an immemorial sea-mark, was blown down in a gale.

March 24th. Volunteer Corps of Infantry disbanded, and deposited their arms in store on the establishment of the local Militia.

April 15th. Prince of Orange landed at the Jetty.

April 29th. H.R.H. the Duke of Cumberland arrived at Yarmouth, and embarked on board the frigate “Nymphen” for the Continent.

July 4th. News of Wellington’s victory over the French at Vittoria in Spain received here with great rejoicings.

Aug. 10th. First steam barge proceeded from Yarmouth to Norwich at the rate of five miles per hour.

Sept. 29th. Regent Street formed and opened at a cost of £30,000. Before the opening of this street there was no roadway between King Street and the Quay, except Fuller’s Hill and Friar’s Lane, the latter of which was widened in 1866.

Nov. 14th. Great rejoicing at Yarmouth on the splendid victories gained over the French in Spain and Germany.

The Lancasterian or British School erected; enlarged in 1861.

William III. landed at the Jetty.

North Mayo Militia left the town, and the Wexford Militia the following year.

Sept. 3rd. John Hannah (70) tried at the Yarmouth Sessions for the murder of Elizabeth, his wife, he being the last man executed in the town for murder. A bill issued, with the imprint of Clark, Broad Row, Yarmouth, read as follows: “Monday Morning, Sept. 6th, at about 11 o’clock. Everything being ready, the prisoner, attended by the gaoler and a number of constables, with a great concourse of spectators, moved from the Gaol at 11.15. They went at a slow pace, and at the entrance of Regent Street were joined by the Mayor and other Borough Officers. It was past 12 o’clock when the prisoner arrived at the place of execution; on his way thither he was perfectly composed, turning from one side to the other, viewing the populace. After ascending the scaffold, he spent some time in prayer, and when the hangman had placed the rope round his neck, he was asked if he had anything farther to say. He then confessed as follows: ‘That he was the murderer of his wife by strangling her with his hands, and not with a rope, as had been stated; he said they had lived a very uncomfortable life for many years past, owing to his wife giving her company to other men, which was the cause of his committing the murder.’ The instant before being turned off, he particularly requested to see his daughter, when he was informed it was not possible, as she was confined in Bedlam; he also desired the gaoler to look under the step of the cell, and he would there find four shillings and sixpence. A signal was then given, and the unhappy man was immediately launched into eternity. The body, after hanging the usual time, was delivered to the surgeons for dissection. The gaoler, on his return, found the money as described in the cell.”

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.