Chronological Retrospect of the History of Yarmouth and Neighbourhood. William Finch-Crisp
Mayor, died, aged 67 years.
Hon. Charles Townshend and Hon. Horatio Walpole returned to Parliament. The latter created a Baronet in 1756.
Guildhall, near St. Nicholas’ Church, pulled down and replaced by an unsightly building, where Corporate assemblies were held till 1835.
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.
Corbridge published his “West Prospect of Yarmouth.” Buck published one in 1741; and Laing’s Map came out in 1867.
July 14th. Mrs. Bridget Bendish, granddaughter of Oliver Cromwell, died at Southtown.
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.”
The Pillory removed.
£50 raised by the town for the relief of the English prisoners at Mequinez.
July. A remarkable storm and tempest; hailstones of prodigious magnitude fell.
Sir Robert Walpole, Earl of Orford, K.G., High Steward of the Borough.
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.)
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.
Elizabeth Thompson hanged for the murder of a Dutchman in the Gaol-row.
Jan. 14th. George II. landed a few miles south of Yarmouth.
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.
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.
Hon. Roger Townshend and E. Walpole, Esq., returned to Parliament. Votes – T., 400, W., 391; Howling Luston, 104; Richard Fuller, 97.
John Thacker hanged for killing John Auger with a pistol ball in a shop near the “Wheel of Fortune.”
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.
Ancient Order of Foresters first formed.
Robert Walpole, Earl of Orford, High Steward of the Borough.
Nov. 25th. Mayor’s medal appendant sold; its value applied for adding links to the chain, the two being valued at £166. (See 1734.)
Hon. E. Walpole and the Hon. Chas. Townshend elected to Parliament.
The Cage or Stock-house removed.
Nov. 30th. John Dobson Tongue hanged for robbing Mr. Halsden on the Southtown-road.
Oct. 13th. John Sullivan hanged for robbing Mrs. Meed on the Denes.
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.
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.
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.
Expenses of Yarmouth Haven amounted to £3,360 3s. 9d.
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.
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.
An Act for the better recovery of small debts within the liberties of the Borough obtained.
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