Norfolk Newspapers -

Norfolk Chronicle

Extracts from September 13th 1783

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Copyright © Pat Newby
May 2007

Norfolk Chronicle Extracts from September 13th 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 1, column 3

Upwards of 300 British naval Lieutenants, Midshipmen and Surgeons, embarked in the course of the last week for Petersburgh, in order to serve on board the Russian ships of war.

A letter from Petersburgh says, that 16 English Gentlemen arrived in that city in order to enter into the Empress's service; some for the army, and others for the navy, and that the Empress gives the greatest encouragement to all English Officers who will enter into her service.

Page 2, column 1

It is said the Empress of Russia has solicited his Majesty to permit a certain number of Marine Officers to serve in her fleet destined for the Mediterranean, and we hear a Field Officer and five Captains, with a proportional number of subalterns, are soon to embark for Petersburgh.

Page 2, column 2

On Thursday last the Independent Club held the anniversary of the Eleventh of September at the White Swann Inn, in commemoration of the glorious and successful effort made in 1780, by the Freemen of this city, to return to Parliament a Representative of Their Own Choice, and to emancipate themselves from that state of slavish usurption, so long practiced by a few men over the rights and privileges of their fellow- citizens. A very numerous and respectable body of members of the club, and other gentlemen of the city and county dined, after which the following toasts were drank to. [not transcribed]

We are informed the grocers of this city have provided themselves with discoloured Salt, agreeable to a late Act of Parliament, for the purpose of curing seed wheat and manuring land. They intend selling it at three shillings per bushel, with an allowance to wholesale dealers.

On Friday, September the 7th, died at the house of his friend Dr BURNEY, in St Martin's-street, London, where he was upon a visit, Mr William BEWLEY, of Massingham, in this county. His death will be sincerely lamented by all men of Science, as his great abilities, particularly in Anatomy, Electricity, and Chemistry, had penetrated through the obscurity of his abode, and the natural modesty and diffidence of his disposition. The depth, indeed, and extent of his knowledge in every important branch of Philosophy, could only be equalled by his goodness of heart, simplicity of manners, and innocence of life. His virtues and his talents were alike seasoned with a genuine, unsought wit and humour, of a cast most original, pleasant, and inoffensive.
     In the last century, HOBBES, whose writings were chiefly levelled against the religion of his country, was called, from the place of his residence, the Philosopher of Malmsbury. The life of Mr BEWLEY was employed in exploring the works of Nature, in facilitating the improvements of Art, in exposing ostentations and trifling Sophistry, and in communicating sound and useful knowledge. With how much more truth and propriety will such a writer and such a man be distinguished by the respectable title of The Philosopher of Massingham ?

On Tuesday died Mrs MEEN, aged 62, relict of the late Mr Abel MEEN, Surgeon.

On Tuesday last died at Carleton, in this county, Acourt DODD, Esq.

This week died at Hunstanton, where he went for the benefit of his health, Mr KIMMIN, one of the Clerks of the Bank of England.

On Saturday last died, Mr Charles COLLETT, who had kept Harsam turnpike ever since its erection. He was a man of strict integrity, possessed of strong natural abilities, and respected by all ranks of people.

Monday last some villains broke into the shop of Mr RIST, at Fordham, and stole thereout a quantity of linen drapery and other goods, to the value of 50 pounds and upwards.

Early on Thursday morning the dwelling-house of the Rev. Charles TOPPING, of West Bradenham, in this county, was broke into, and several articles to a considerable amount stolen thereout. -- See advertisement in our 3d page [which may be found below].

On Thursday was committed to the city gaol, by Jeremiah Ives HARVEY, Esq., Mayor, Peter CROSKILL, and Ann his wife, charged on suspicion of stealing ninety six pounds weight of wollen [sic] yarn, the property of John PATTESON, Esq.

On Friday the 12th instant, a man that calls himself William SMITH, late of Eye, in the county of Suffolk, linen-weaver, (which is supposed to be his right name), and has also gone by the name of William CLARK, of Hoxne, in the same county, shopkeeper and farmer, and at other times of Snetterton, in this county, was committed to our Castle, by Roger KERRISON, Esq., for swindling or fraudulently obtaining goods by false pretences from Mr Thomas HIRST and Mr William FISHER, both of this city, linen-drapers, and attempting to do the same on Messrs L. and G. LEWIS, and Mr Benjamin GUNTON, of this city, linen-drapers. He seems to be about forty years of age, about five feet eight inches, wears his own hair, which is a dark brown, and short; it is supposed he has taken in several tradesmen.

Saturday last was executed at Hardwick Common, near Lynn, pursuant to his sentence, Robert FOX, for robbing and cruelly treating Isaac LEVI, a Jew lad about 16 years of age. At the place of execution his behaviour was manly and decent, and upon the whole becoming his unhappy situation. He acknowledged his being guilty of the crime for which he suffered, and confessed his having committed two other robberies, the one on Mr STURLEY, a farmer Leziate; the other on Mr GROOM of Congham.

Page 2, columns 2 and 3

Extract from a Letter from East Dereham, Sept. 6, 1783.

"This day our worthy Bishop held a Confirmation at this town, when, notwithstanding the badness of the weather, and the general sickness so prevalent at this time, he was attended by almost every resident Clergy- man in the district, required to be present, together with such part of their respective parishioners as were proper for Confirmation, as far as the weather would permit.

There were between 400 and 500 confirmed, and every thing was conducted under the particular direction of his Lordship, with that decent and silent order becoming to so sacred an institution, and the duty performed by a person of his venerable and commanding manners.

The Confirmation ended, the Bishop, with many of the Clergy, and some Gentlemen of the Laity (who came on purpose to pay their respects to him at this place) were pleased to partake of an elegant entertainment provided by the George; every mark of duty and respect was endeavoured to be paid him, not only by the Clergy, but also by the Churchwardens and other inhabitants of Dereham, becoming persons sensible of the importance of a visit from so respectable a character, performing his duty on this solemn occasion.

In these times, when religion is at so low an ebb, and even ridiculed by persons of pretended wit and learning, and particularly when the church of England is attacked by so many different sectaries, under the mask of extraordinary piety and devotion, surely it becomes her worthy sons to be more than ordinarily vigilant, in their endeavours to assist, protect and defend her most excellent constitution, more especially as they have a Bishop who sets them so bright an example."

Page 2, column 3

Extract from a letter from Wisbich, Sept. 11.

"On Wednesday last in the afternoon, the Brazen cutter, commanded by Lieut. THORNTON, seized off Cromer, a smuggling-cutter at anchor, with only one half-anker on board, but found 87 others they had sunk along-side of them, which, we hear, he conveyed to Yarmouth.
     On Saturday the brig William and May, of Lynn, drove from her anchors in a gale of wind, in the New Roads, and went ashore on Snettisham beach, where she received considerable damage; but we hear is likely to be got off.
     And yesterday we received the melancholy account of the Fanny sloop, of that port, foundering at her anchors in Grimsby Roads, in a hard gale of wind, the Captain, whose name is JEFFERSON, and all the crew perished. "

Arrived in Yarmouth Roads, the Speedy ship of war, Captain ROBERTS, on that station.

Page 2, column 4

Norwich, September 10, 1783.
To the Gentleman Wool Growers, Wool-buyers, Yarn Makers, and all Persons concerned in those Articles.

Whereas a Report has very industriously been circulated, that John DAY, Wool and Yarn-factor, of this City, had declined the said Trade on account of his taking a Brewing office; the Public are hereby informed, that the above Business will, from Michaelmas Day next, be carried on in the Names of John DAY and Son, and all Persons who will please to consign Wool or Yarn to their Wool-hall, No.39, St Giles's, may depend on the readiest Sales and best Prices, with every Accommodation they can desire; and for the said Purpose a constant Attendance will be given at the Hall.

Elizabeth PETERSON and Son, in Goat Lane, Norwich,

Beg Leave to return Thanks to the Friends and Customers of the late Edward PETERSON, Salesman, deceased, for their obliging Favors [sic] conferred in his Life-time; and which they now solicit a Continuance of, as they intend carrying on the Business as usual, and also to measure and make up Cloaths [sic] to any Price, in the most fashionable and expeditious Manner, on as low Terms as any other Person whatsoever.

Thomas BURRELL and Arthur REDDY,

Take the earliest Opportunity of acquainting the Friends of Mr Samuel GAZE, Merchant, of Norwich, deceased, and their Friends and the Public in general, that they have entered in Partnership, and taken the Premises of the late Mr GAZE, which they intent entering upon Michaelmas next, and propose carrying on the Coal, Corn, and Malt Trade, Wholesale and Retail. -- Those who please to favour them with their Orders, may depend on being served on the shortest Notice with the very best Goods, and on the lowest Terms, and all Favours gratefully acknowledged,
     By their humble Servants,
     BURRELL and REDDY.
N.B. Arthur REDDY, of Setche Bridge, Norfolk, returns his most sincere Thanks to his Friends for the many Favours received by him, and hopes for a Continuance of them, as he means carrying on the same Trade till Michaelmas 1784, and they may depend on being served with the very best Goods on the lowest Terms.

Page 3, column 1

Norfolk Estates.
To be Sold by Private Contract, Together or in Parcels.

A Capital Messuage, with Brewhouse, Coach-house, Barn, Stables, and every Convenience necessary for a Gentleman's Family, with three Acres, more or less, of Garden well planted with Wall and Standard Fruit Trees, in full Bearing, a Green-house and Fish Ponds; also Six Acres of Land planted with Wood and Underwood, and 21 Acres, more or less, of rich Pasture Land, all in a Ring Fence.
     Also a Cottage, and two Roods of Land at the End of the said Garden, all now in Tenure of the Reverend John Towers ALLEN, or his Undertenants.
     Also a Farm-House, with Barns, Stables, and other Conveniences, with 154 Acres and three Roods, more or less, of rich Pasture and Arable Land, in the Tenure of Thomas SAMPSON.
     Also a small Farm-House, with 17 Acres of rich Pasture Land, in Tenure of George GROMET.
     Also 29 Acres and two Roods of rich Pasture Land, in three Pieces, in the several Tenures of Leonard SADD, Thomas GOODALE, and William WALSHAM.
     All the Buildings are in excellent Repair, and the Premises are all Freehold, well supplied with fresh Water from the River Nar, and are situated in Wiggenhall St Germans, on the Bank of a navigable River, four Miles from the Port of King's Lynn, and twelve Miles from the Port of Wisbech, the Turnpike Road from Lynn to Wisbech running through the Village.
     For the Price and further Particulars apply to Mr CONY, in Lynn, who will direct a proper Person to shew [sic] the Premises.

Page 3, column 4

A Robbery.

Whereas the Dwelling-House of the Rev. Charles TOPPING, of West Bradenham, in Norfolk, was broke into early on Thursday Morning, the Eleventh of September, by some Person or Persons unknown, by cutting away three Panes of Glass from the back Kitchen Window, and entering thereby; -- and the said Person or Persons did then steal from the said back Kitchen, or Kitchen adjoining, a Dozen of plain Silver Tea Spoons, their Handles bent backwards; a Pair of Silver Buckles from Mr TOPPING's Shoes; a Pair of plated Spurs; eight Shirts, some marked on the Side Gussets C T with Ink, almost washed out, others C T with a marking Stitch, one new and fine, not marked; one white Handkerchief, with a purple Border, new, marked M D T with Ink; one white Ditto, with A T in the marking Stitch, with various other Articles. This, therefore is to give Notice, that any Person who shall give Information of the said Robber or Robbers, so that he, she, or they, may be brought to Justice, and convicted of the Robbery, shall receive of Mr TOPPING, of West Bradenham above mentioned, Ten Guineas Reward.
     West Bradenham, September 11, 1783.

At the same Time stolen, or otherwise taken away for the Convenience of the Thief or Thieves, a Black Mare, the Property of a Gentleman on a Visit to Mr TOPPING, rising four Years old, about fourteen Hands and a half high, with a white Shim down her Face, one white Foot on the near Side behind, a hanging Mane and Twitch Tail -- a Saddle with an orange coloured Pad, a snaffle Bridle with a double Bit, and a Pair of light Boots, double stitched on the Tops.

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.