Norfolk Newspapers -

Norfolk Chronicle

Extracts from August 23rd 1783

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Copyright © Pat Newby
February 2007

Norfolk Chronicle Extracts from August 23rd 1783

Transcription and notes copyright © Janelle Penney.

These transcriptions have been made from microfilm supplied by the British Library Newspaper Library, which holds the copyright of the images. If you cite from, or download any part of, these transcriptions you must include this paragraph to acknowledge the British Library Newspaper Library as the source of the material.

Note: the Norfolk Chronicle was published in Norwich. When no place is referred to exactly, or the term "this city" is used, Norwich is the place referred to. Similarly, mentions of "the Castle", the City Gaol" etc refer to institutions in Norwich.

Page 2, column 2

A few days ago a mob at Holt, just after service was over at a tabernacle there, broke open the door, pulled down the pulpit, and did other damage.

On Thursday was married at Tasburgh, Thomas SCARTH, Esq., of Whitby, to Miss FRESHFIELD, daughter of Mr FRESHFIELD, of this city.

Assizes.

Monday evening Mr Justice BATHURST, and Mr Baron HOTHAM, arrived in this city, and immediately proceeded to the Shire-house, on the Castle-hill, where they opened their commission for holding the assizes for this county.

The following Gentlemen composed the Grand Jury.
Foreman.
     Hon. Henry HOBART
Baronets.
     Sir E. BACON, Sir J. BERNEY, Sir T. BEAUCHAMP.
Esqrs.
     F. W. COKE, C. MOLYNEUX, R. MARSHAM, E. ROLFE,
     W.W. BULWER, T. DURRANT, J. LOMBE, T. BEEVOR,
     E. HASE [might be HAFE], T. WODEHOUSE, J. PRESTON,
     R. FELLOWES, J. MICKLETHWAYTE, P. BEDINGFIELD,
     R. CAULDWELL, J. WORRAL, A. AUFRERE, J. CUSTANCE.

And on Wednesday ended the assizes at the Crown-side, when Robert FOX, convicted of robbing Isaac LEVI of King's Lynn, travelling silversmith, and most dangerously beating him, received sentence of death, and is, we hear, to be executed at some place near the town of Lynn. -- Charles PLUMB, for stealing nine ewe sheep, three hoggets, and nine lambs, the property of John CHAMBERS, of Swaffham, received also sentence of death, but since reprieved. -- Henry JOLLY, for breaking open the shop of Sarah DEXTER, of Stow-Bedon, and stealing two yards of hempen cloth, about six ounces of yarn, and about 20 shillings in silver and eighteen pennyworth of halfpence; and Thomas GROOM, for breaking into a water- mill belonging to William BULL, of Stoke Ferry, miller, and stealing about 25 stone of flour, and four hempen sacks, to be kept to hard labour twelve months in one of the houses of correction. -- Jonathan CARTER, for receiving the said flour and sacks, knowing them to have been stolen, to be kept to hard labour for the space of two years. -- Susannah WHITEHEAD, for stealing four gowns and two petticoats, the property of James ADCOCK, of Hempnall; John MEERS and Thomas GARDINER, for stealing about two stone of beef, the property of Elizabeth ADKIN of Downham Market; and Thomas HEMP, for stealing two turkey cocks, the property of Eliz. GOWING, of Sloley, to be privately whipped and discharged. -- Ann DAVY, for stealing a quantity of wearing apparel, etc the property of William SIMS of East Ruston, farmer, to be publicly whipped at North Walsham; and John EWSTON, otherwise HEWSTON, was ordered to remain in prison on his former commitment.

The following were acquitted: - John BARNARD and William BARNARD, Mary GARDINER, Charles CARTON, John FREEZER, James BROOKE, Susannah EDWARDS, and Thomas SMITH.

Page 2, columns 2 and 3

At the assizes for this city, Mark TURNER and Samuel SOWTER, for robbing the bleaching-ground at Heigham; Christopher CHRISTIAN and Michael NEWHOUSE, for stealing a double-cased silver watch, the property of James EDWARDS, in St Andrew's, watch-maker; and Thomas FORSTER, for stealing a quantity of books, medicines, etc the property of William CHASE, late of St Andrew's, bookseller, deceased, to be transported for seven years. -- Thomas POTTER, for receiving the part of the above from Thomas FORSTER, knowing them to have been stolen, admitted to bail until the next assizes. -- Mary ALLISON, for stealing eight guineas and a half in gold, a pair of silver shoe-buckles, and a linen handkerchief, the property of Isaac CANNEL, of Cringleford; and Mary SWEETEN, for stealing a silk purse, the property of William CHASE, printer, confined one year in the house of correction, and kept to hard labour.

The two following were acquitted:-- Sarah ALDEN, for picking the pockets of Robert HOWLETT, of Ditchingham, husbandman, of five guineas; and Mary STRETCH, for robbing Isaac CANNEL.

Matthew LINEGOE, for bestiality, discharged by proclamation.

Page 2, column 3

On Wednesday last was tried at these assizes, before Mr Justice ASHURST, and a special jury of the county of Norfolk, a cause, wherein the Rev. Jacob MOUNTAIN was plaintiff, and the Rev. Lancaster ADKIN defendant. This action commenced by the direction of the Court of King's bench, upon a feigned issue, to try the validity of the plaintiff's election, to the perpetual curacy of the parish of St Andrew's, in the city of Norwich. On the part of the plaintiff it appeared, that the right of election was in the parishioners -- that the poll was agreed to be opened at two o'clock in the afternoon, and closed at five; but that about half past four the defendant desired the poll might be closed, declaring he would give the parishioners no further trouble, upon which the plaintiff was declared duly elected. This was not contradicted on the part of the defendant, who attempted to invalidate several of the plaintiff's votes. No reply being deemed necessary on the part of the plaintiff, the judge directed the Jury, that the defendant's declining the poll precluded him from ever contesting the validity of the plaintiff's election; but that they need not take that circumstance into their consideration; for that five of the votes objected to by the defendant, as not being resident within the parish, were, in law, parishioners, and clearly entitled to vote, and that it was incumbent on the defendant to produce evidence to take them out of the general rule, which he had not done; but on the contrary, the plaintiff had proved more than was necessary on his part, viz. that persons of that description had voted at former elections, so that the custom, as well as the law, was in his favour, and that unless these votes could be set aside, the plaintiff had a majority, and therefore, in either case, they must find a verdict for the plaintiff, which they immediately did, with costs of suit.
     Council for the plaintiff were Mr PARTRIDGE, Mr ADAIR, Mr JODDRELL, and Mr HARVEY. Attornies [sic], Messrs. MORPHEW and Son.
     Council for the defendant were Mr GRAHAM Mr LE BLANC, and Mr WILSON. Attorney, Mr UTTEN.

On Thursday morning came on at the Shire-house on the Castle-hill, before a Special Jury, the trial of Mr and Mrs FALCONER, defendants, on a charge of ill treatment and various cruelties exercised on the body of a girl which they had recommended to them from the Asylum, London; made by the Crown, the Governors of that charity, and the parish of Walpole, in this county, as plaintiffs; when after a full and able examination of the girl and many evidences on both sides, the defendants were found guilty, and they are to receive the sentence and judgment of the Court of the King's-bench.

Wednesday was committed to the castle, by William GIRLING, Esq., Robert NEWSHAM, charged with breaking into the dwelling-house of Samuel WILSON, of West Lexham, on the 19th inst. and stealing thereout one silk handkerchief, the property of the said Samuel WILSON. -- A watch was found in the prisoner's pocket, supposed to be stolen.

Page 3, column 1

The Commissioners in a Commission of Bankrupt awarded and issued forth against James POOLE, late of the City of Norwich, Wine Merchant, deceased, intend to meet on Tuesday the 28th Day of October next, at Three o'Clock in the Afternoon, at the House of Benjamin PROBERT, called the King's Head Inn, in the Market- place, Norwich, in order to make a final Dividend of the said Bankrupt's Estate and Effects; when and where the Creditors who have not already proved their Debts are to come prepared to prove the same, or they will be excluded the Benefit of the said Dividend; and all Persons who have made any Claims are to come and prove the same, or they will be disallowed.

Page 3, column 3

To be Sold,

A Very eligible Farm at Dickleburgh, in the County of Norfolk, consisting of about forty-six Acres of excellent Land, Part Freehold, and Part Copy- hold, with a good Farm house, Barns, Stables, and every convenience requisite for the Farm, as the same is now in the Occupation of William DRANE, as Tenant at Will. The Buildings stand upon the Freehold, and are in good Repair, and the Land is in high Cultivation.
     Enquire of Messrs DEWING and RUSSEL, Attornies [sic], at Norwich.

To be Sold by Auction, by William SEAMAN,

By Order of the Assignees, at the Sailcloth Warehouse, of James THOMPSON, in Great Yarmouth, on Thursday next, the 28th Inst. 1783.
     All the Goods now manufactured in the Factory and Ropery Business, consisting of Sailcloth from No.1 to No.8 inclusive, several Bolts of 30 Inch Canvas and Grey Duck, Sacking and Sacks, War-ropes, Cordage, Seasing and Nett Ropes, Housline, Marline, and Hambro' Lines, Herring Twine, Mackarel [sic] Twine, Lead-lines, and other Articles. The Sale to begin at Ten o'Clock. The Goods may be viewed at any Time before the Sale, and will be put up in small Lots.

Page 3, column 4

For the Norfolk Chronicle.

Sir,
     On Monday evening, about half after nine o'clock, I observed a large fiery meteor in the air, running in a direction between N.E. and S.W. with a long tail or train of fiery particles extending from the body of the meteor to a very considerable length. This appearance was very splendid, and gave a light equal to that of the full moon for about the space of 20 seconds in time, and was attended with a rumbling noise, representing that of distant thunder.
     As many of your readers may be unacquainted with the nature of their appearances, and as some may be apt to put a wrong construction on them, I am led to think that a short account of these meteors may be acceptable.
     Meteors (according to the Cartesians) are certain various impressions made upon the elements, exhibiting them in different forms, and are called meteors from their elevation; because for the most part they appear to be high in the air, and they are either fiery, airy, or watery. Fiery meteors are such as consist of a [unreadable word] sulphurous kindled smoak [sic], whereof there are several kinds; as ignis fatius, trabs, ignis pyramidalis, draco volans, capra saltans, thunder and lightning, etc. Airy meteors are such as consists of flatulous and spiritous exhalations, as wind, etc. Watery meteors consist of vapours, or watery particles, by the action of heat separated from each other, and variously modified, as rain, dew, etc.
     Doctor WOODWARD, supposes the matter of meteors to be in a good measure of a mineral nature, and that the mineral particles contained in the strata of the earth are raised up by the subterranean heat or fire, along with the vapours ascending from the abyss, and pervading those strata, and especially at such times as the sun's power is so great as to penetrate the exterior parts of the earth, and therefore help to mount them up into the atmosphere. These sulphurous, nitrous, and other light and active mineral particles do form meteors in the air, and particularly are the cause of thunder, lightning, etc and other fiery compositions there.
     I am, Sir, your humble Servant,
     B. HANCOCK.

Transcription and notes copyright © Janelle Penney.

These transcriptions have been made from microfilm supplied by the British Library Newspaper Library, which holds the copyright of the images. If you cite from, or download any part of, these transcriptions you must include this paragraph to acknowledge the British Library Newspaper Library as the source of the material.