Chronological Retrospect of the History of Yarmouth and Neighbourhood. William Finch-Crisp
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.
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.
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.
The number of boys and girls at the Hospital School reduced from 49 to 41.
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.
Dec. 10th. Rev. Christopher Spendlove, sen., lecturer, of Yarmouth, died, aged 69 years.
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.
100 ft. of the Jetty carried away by high tide.
C. Townshend, Esq., returned to Parliament, with the Hon. Richard Walpole. (Also in 1770, 1774, and 1780.)
Sept. 16th. Elizabeth Martin executed for the murder of her illegitimate child.
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.
“Clappermen” appointed to watch the vessels in the Harbour, and prevent any fire or light being used on board.
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.)
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.
The “Nine houses” at Southtown built by John Eggoty, on the site of public tea-gardens and cream house.
“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.
Dec. 4th. Theatre erected, and opened with the comedy of the English Merchant. Building cost £1,500. Renovated in 1828.
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.
March 6th. A Monthly Book Club established by the Rev. R. Turner, B.D.
Armed Associations formed at Yarmouth.
William Penn, a pirate, hanged in London, and afterwards put on a gibbet on the North Denes.
Two batteries on the North Denes erected.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Martha Stanninot, a peculiar woman known as “Queen Martha,” who fancied she should be Queen of England, lived and died in Row 28.
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.
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.
George Townshend, Marquis Townshend, High Steward of the Borough.
Feb.