Norfolk Newspapers -

Norfolk Chronicle

Extracts from September 27th 1783

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Copyright © Pat Newby
May 2007

Norfolk Chronicle Extracts from September 27th 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

We hear from Thornham, that on Sunday morning last, about nine o'clock, a large smuggling cutter brought up at anchor off there, and immediately the smugglers, who were assembled to the number of about 200, began to unload her, which they continued till after two in the afternoon, and carried the goods off unmolested, the officers not having assistance enough to oppose them.

Captain JEFFERSON, who it was reported was lost with the rest of the crew in the Fanny sloop, that foundered in Grimsby roads, (as mentioned in our paper of the 13th) was taken off the mast-head by a boat belonging to a vessel from Sunderland, after having hung by a yard for upwards of ten hours. He is since arrived at Lynn, to the inexpressible joy of his family and acquaintance.

Page 2, columns 2 and 3

A correspondent in Yarmouth has favoured us with the following: - A Mr BAROLETT, a native of Switzerland, who for several years past has lived with Mess. GOOCH and COTTON, merchants of that town, was lately sent over to Bruges, to transact some business, where he had been but a few days before he was seized and dragged to prison, charged with being a criminal named DURAND, who had been convicted of committing a murder on the 22d of September, 1782, and sentenced to die, but had escaped from gaol. What is most remarkable, the Judge who tried DURAND Swore to Mr BAROLETT being the identical person he had tried; the gaoler and five other persons corroborated his testimony, and the unfortunate man was, in consequence, ordered for execution, and would have suffered the next, notwithstanding his declarations of innocence, had it not been for Lord TORRINGTON, who, with great difficulty, procured a respite, and furnished Mr BAROLETT with means of sending over to that town, to procure evidence. The instant the alarming news arrived, Mr GOOCH procured several affidavits, all clearly proving Mr BAROLETT was at Yarmouth at the time the murder was committed at Bruges, and that he had remained at Yarmouth till he was sent there on business. These affidavits were not sufficient to procure the release of the unfortunate man, the Judge declaring they only went to prove that Mr BAROLETT was at Yarmouth, and by no means satisfied him that the person in custody was not the criminal named DURAND, who had escaped. Lord TORRINGTON again applied for a further respite, and a few days since Mr GOOCH set off for Bruges, to prove the identity of his person, taking with him a set of books that were kept by Mr BAROLETT for months before and after the murther [sic] was committed, without a single entry intervening or being made by another person.

There is no doubt but Mr GOOCH will procure his release; but what recompense can be made to the unfortunate man, who has not only been chained down to the floor, and in every other respect treated as a criminal, but would certainly have suffered death, had not Lord TORRINGTON heard of the affair by mere accident.

Page 2, column 3

On Wednesday last, George CLARKE, Esq., was elected Mayor of the borough of Thetford, for the year ending, without opposition.

On Wednesday morning last the following melancholy accident happened at Drayton, near this city; James SMITH and William COOK, bricklayer's labourers, being at work pulling down an old wall, it suddenly gave way and fell upon them both, by which means COOK was killed and SMITH had his thigh broke, who was immediately carried to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, and is in a fair way of recovery. -- The Coroner's inquest sat on the body of COOK, and returned their verdict Accidental Death.

On Saturday last Lydia TEASDELL, advertised in our last, was taken out of the river, near Colney. The Coroner's Inquest brought in their verdict, Lunacy.

Last week died suddenly at Lynn Regis, of an apoplectic fit, on his return from taking a walk in the town, very much respected and esteemed by all his friends and acquaintance, Mr EDWARDS, formerly a considerable farmer and grazier at Terrington in Marshland.

Yesterday se'nnight died, at Diss, in this county, aged 75, Mrs Elizabeth CHAPPELOW, widow of the late Rev. Edward CHAPPELOW, Rector of Roydon.

On Sunday last died, Mrs AGGS, in St Michael at Plea, in this city, in the 84th year of her age.

On Monday last died, after a severe and painful illness, in the 53d year of his age, at Wereham, the Rev. James ADAMSON, Rector of Barton St Andrew, and Sloley, and perpetual Curate of West Dereham, all in this county. -- Barton St Andrew is in the gift of the Crown; Sloley in the Right Hon. George Earl of ORFORD, and West Dereham in Soame JENYNS, Esq.

On Monday died, in his 82d year, Mr John NOLLORTH, who had been in partnership with Alderman STARLING for fifty-three years. He was a man of unaffected plainness, and simplicity of manners; of strict integrity in all his transactions; and in his life time, as well as death, appropriated the fruits of his industry for the relief and support of his numerous indigent relations.

On Saturday last was committed to Norwich Castle, by Samuel RASH and John FENN, Esqrs., one John ABELL of Morton, just released from the 19th regiment of foot, charged on the oaths of Thomas PALMER, of Morton aforesaid, tenant to William Clarke WOODBINE, Esqr., and others, that he, in company with Samuel SOUTHER, late of Reepham, shoemaker, Thomas ALLEN and William NOLLORTH, both of Morton aforesaid, did on Wednesday the 9th of July last, about midnight, drag the fish-pond of the said William Clarke WOODBINE, situate very near the farm-house, and stole thereout a quantity of tench. The fishing-net they made use of was stole [sic] from Mr Richard GURNEY, banker, of Norwich. This Samuel SOUTHER is now in Norwich city gaol, and was convicted at last Norwich assizes for stealing a large quantity of linen from a common bleaching in Heigham, and is under sentence of transportation. Thomas ALLEN is fled, and 'tis reported has been concerned in smuggling; he is about 28 years of age, 5 feet 9 inches high, dark complexion, short hair, wears a round hat, fustian frock, has a scar on his nose, made by the kick of a horse, a fore finger of his right hand split near the nail. This particular description is given, that whoever secures him, so that he may be brought to justice and convicted, may receive a suitable Reward from Mr WOODBINE.
     'Tis remarkable, from experience, that smuggling and poaching are the beginning and foundation of almost every other capital crime, besides the very great injury done to the fair trader. Nothwithstanding this fact is so well known, the encouragement given to these sort of idle and disorderly persons by different ranks of people is astonishing and truly alarming! The acquittal of a very notorious smuggler at last Thetford assizes is one instance fresh in the memory of numbers of people, and what rejoicings were made at particular places on account of such acquittal. The consequences arising therefrom are to be dreaded by every sober person; and therefore, surely, 'tis worthy of one of the first consideration of our Legislators to contrive some law more effectual to bring such offenders to justice, and strictly to put those laws in execution already made, which greatly want a revisal and digestion.

Wednesday was committed to the Castle, by Thomas DURRANT, Esq., Mary LOADS, of North Walsham, charged with stealing one guinea and a half in gold, and four shillings in silver, the property of Mr Peter ISAAC.

On Thursday one John CROSLING, a private soldier, was committed by Jeremiah Ives HARVEY, Esq., Mayor, and Nathaniel ROE, Esq., being charged on theoaths of Frances MURRELL and Hannah BRERETON, with having on Tuesday last robbed them of their hats and caps; and Sarh GUNNER, an old offender, was also committed by the same Magistrates, for aiding and assisting CROSLING in his committing the said felonies.

On Friday was committed to the city gaol, by Jeremiah Ives HARVEY, Esq., Mayor, Mary WILSEA, charged on the oath of Ann HAMMOND, with suspicion of stealing one shirt the property of the said Ann HAMMOND. And on Tuesday was committed to the said gaol, Sarah PANK, on suspicion of stealing a great coat, the property of the Rev. Christopher SMEARS.

Page 2, column 4

Aylsham.
For the Benefit of Miss LEAK, Daughter of Mr Alexander LEAK,

On Monday October the 13th, in the Assembly Rooms at the Black Boys, will be a Concert of Vocal and Instrumental Music. The Vocal Parts by Miss LEAK (a Child of six Years of Age) and Mr LEAK. The evening to be concluded with a Ball.
     Tickets to be had at the Black Boys, at the Dog, and of Mr LEAK, at 2 shillings and 6 pence each. N.B. To begin Half after Six o'Clock.

Page 4, columns 1 and 2

An enterprising genius, of the name of WRIGHT, has constructed a most ingenious machine, that he calls a Diving Cap, which is much superior to all those inventions denominated Diving Bells, and which have proved coffins to several diving madmen, who ventured in them. The dangers of drowning and suffocation are, by this contrivance rendered impossible; the whole apparatus weighing no more than two pounds seven ounces, is fitted on the neck, and incloses the head only, giving the diver all the advantages of using his hands and feet free from any incumbrance. His machine has been examined by several gentlemen who are fellows of the Royal Society, who have been pleased to speak in its praise in terms of the highest panegyric. He exhibited his Diving Cap in the river Nen, which runs from Wisbech to Northampton, at a place called Peerless Pool, in a depth of 29 feet of water, and continued under water three hours and 17 minutes, traversing up and down the river near two miles, picking up as he went, fossils, which he conveyed to the surface of the water by a string made of a fine cord and a cork, which floated as soon as he let them go out of his hand, and entertained a most numerous company of spectators with several experiments, while he was thus employed in exploring a passage which never before was explored by mortals. The construction of this machine is globicular, and is 12 inches in diameter, having a pane of glass fixed to enable him to see his way, and on the top of it are two pipes of leather, guarded within with rings, to prevent pressure, which pipes are so contrived as to float on the surface of the water, having valves, which give a free passage of air, and which, from the peculiarity of their contrivance, prevent the water from making way into the cap.

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.