Читать книгу Norfolk Annals (Vol. 1&2) - Charles Mackie - Страница 38

9.—At a meeting of the deputy-lieutenants and magistrates of the county, presided over by the Marquis Townshend, the plan recommended by the Government, for establishing a system of communication throughout the county and for rendering the body of the people instrumental in the general defence and preservation of property in case of invasion, was approved and adopted. The county was formed into 13 divisions, consisting of a certain number of hundreds; each division was placed under the charge of lieutenants of divisions, nominated by the Lord Lieutenant; each hundred was under a magistrate, known as an Inspector of the Hundred; and each parish under some gentleman, clergyman, or principal farmer, termed Superintendent of the Parish.

13.—On this day and on the 14th, William Green, bricklayer, undertook at Yarmouth, for a bet of five guineas, to lay 3,800 bricks in a workmanlike manner in 24 hours, and completed his task in 20 hours, on a new building at the Bowling Green House.

23.—Two men, named Denny and Allen, were placed in the pillory at Norwich, in accordance with sentence passed upon them at the Quarter Sessions on July 15th, for conspiracy against Mr. F. Latham. “Over their heads was the inscription, ‘False Conspirators.’ Allen wept bitterly when he was put in, but Denny, with great effrontery, continued to nod and smile at the numerous spectators, until the people, by a shower of rotten eggs, and, at last, potatoes, convinced him of their detestation and abhorrence of his character and crime. This continued for about half-an-hour, when Denny, against whom all their violence was directed, appeared to faint, and by the advice of a medical man was taken out of the pillory and conducted to the gaol, where, being examined by several medical men, he was deemed to be in a fit state to be replaced on the pillory, and was carried back for that purpose, but all efforts to reinstate him there proved ineffectual, and he lay thereon till the hour was expired, amidst the execrations of the enraged multitude. When Denny was taken out the populace clamorously demanded that Allen, whose appearance excited their commiseration rather than their indignation, should be taken down. Mr. Sheriff Back immediately ascended the scaffold, and with the greatest firmness and severity expressed his determination to enforce obedience to the laws and to carry the sentence fully into execution. When the hour was expired they were taken down and removed to the Bridewell to undergo two years’ imprisonment.”

23.*—“All persons arrived from France and Holland and witnessed the immense preparations which are now making for the invasion of this country, express astonishment at the apathy and indifference which prevail here.”

24.—This day (Sunday) the Norfolk Rangers (Yeomanry Cavalry) had a field day at Rainham Park, and subscribed £100 towards the fund instituted by the merchants of London for the relief of persons “who may suffer in the general defence of the country.”

30.*—“At a Court of the Commissioners of Sewers, concerning the repairing of sea breaches between Happisburgh and Yarmouth, the jury, after hearing read three several verdicts of former juries given in 1702, 1715, and 1742, and also, hearing several witnesses, delivered a verdict agreeable to the above, by all of which it was determined that no particular persons were bound to sustain or repair the sea walls adjoining their lands.”

—*“The male part of the Norwich Company (theatrical) have agreed to enroll themselves to learn the use of arms.”

—*“Messrs. Marsh and Sons, Norwich and Cambridge carriers, have within the last few days offered, for the service of the Government in case of invasion, 100 horses, 12 broad-wheel waggons, 24 men as drivers and assistants, 24 boats, amounting altogether to 200 tons burden, 6 watermen, and 9 boys, with blacksmiths, with their apparatus, tools, &c., and 2 wheelwrights, and 2 harness makers, with all necessary tools.”

—Major-General Money published an address on the necessity of immediately associating, subscribing, and arming for the defence of the county in case of invasion. It resulted in the formation of Volunteer corps in all the seaports and market towns in Norfolk.

Capt. John Harvey was this month promoted to be major of the squadron of Norwich Light Horse Volunteers.

During this month the number of poor in the Norwich Workhouse did not exceed 400, “a circumstance almost unprecedented.”