Houses inhabited. Uninhabited. Total. Building.
5,984 344 6,328 78
Families. Males. Females. Total.
6,154 11,544 15,014 26,558
Increase of population per cent., 10.3. This included 347 inmates of the
Workhouse.
It was noted that in 1619 Manship estimated the then population of the
town at 1,200 households, which would give a population of some 7,000.
In 1724 a writer named Andrews stated the population at 13,000 or 14,000;
and in 1784 when it was first accurately taken, it was found to be
12,608.
The then returns were considered disappointing, as it was expected that
the town contained 30,000 persons, but it was noted that 2,500 sailors
belonged to the port, half of whom were probably not at home when the
return was made.
At this time Gorleston had a population of 2,586, and Southtown of 1,412
persons.
John Annison, the driver of the Sutton coach, had been convicted for the
fourth time of conveying passengers to Yarmouth at a greater speed than
four miles an hour without having a number plate on his vehicle, and
fined £10 with £3 3s. costs.
May 31st.—Visitors were beginning to arrive.
June 7th.—A project was on foot for laying out the Chapel Denes as an
ornamental walk for the public.
June 28th.—A mushroom measuring 29 inches in circumference, with a stalk
about the thickness of a man’s wrist and weighing 2½lbs., had been grown
at Bradwell.
James Gedge, a pauper lunatic, had escaped from the Workhouse, having
only a shirt on.
July 5th.—A Bill had been brought in by Lord Seymour and Mr. Cornewall
Lewis confirming the provisional order to applying the provisions of the
Board of Health Act to the town.
July 19th.—A petition, signed by 1,550 persons, had been presented to the
House, and a deputation had waited on Lord John Russell with regard to
this action of the Government.
The M.P’s. for the town being in favour of the measure, “had been
requested to resign the trust they had abused.” This action emanated
from a public meeting of ratepayers, over which. George Danby-Palmer,
Esq., presided, and at which Mr. S. W. Bly, Mr. A. Ames, Mr. W. N.
Burroughs, Mr. S. V. Moore, Mr. R. Hammond, and Mr. T. Parker took part.
July 26th.—The Bill nevertheless passed through Committee by a majority
of 92 against 12.
Sir J. Walmsley had opposed and Lord Seymour supported the measure, but
eventually it passed the House of Commons without a division.
The paupers were much dissatisfied at not being allowed, as formerly, to
attend places of Worship in the town on Sundays.
Mr. C. Houchen had delivered an address on this subject, and denounced
the action of the Guardians.
Aug. 9th.—It was computed that many hundreds of children in the North
District were entirely without the opportunity for instruction, and it
was proposed to fit up the Priory as a National School to meet this want.
Evidence had been taken by the Committee of the House of Lords upon the
Public Health Bill being applied to the town, and they reported the Bill
to the House without amendment; thus there was a “speedy prospect of the
town being well drained and made clean and healthy in spite of its
one-idead rulers.”
Captain Smyth, R.N., had been raised to the rank of Post-Captain.
Six hundred and thirty electors had signed a requisition calling on
Messrs. Rumbold and Saunders to resign their seats as M.P’s. for the
Borough. This would form a majority of the voters.
The East Norfolk and Suffolk Horticultural Show had been held under the
patronage of the Mayoress, Lady Lacon, and Mr. S. C. J. Palmer.
Aug. 16th.—The 279th, and last, meeting of the Paving Commissioners had
been held, when there were present—Messrs. George Danby-Palmer (in the
chair), B. Dowson, W. N. Burroughs, J. Fish, C. E. Bartram, F. Palmer, J.
H. Harrison, S. V. Moore, P. White, J. Cobb, W. Crow, I. Lettis, jun.,
and W. H. Bessey.
Mr. Beeching’s newly-built lifeboat had been submitted to several tests
opposite the Crane.
Aug. 23rd.—Mr. Beeching’s model had obtained the prize in the Lifeboat
Competition at Somerset House. There were 280 models and plans sent in,
the first six boats being—James Beeching, Great Yarmouth; Henry Hinks,
Appledore; J. and E. Pellew, Newbury; William Teasdel, Great Yarmouth;
Harvey and Son, Ipswich, and George Farrow, South Shields.
Aug. 30th.—The Licensed Victuallers had held a large and important
meeting for the purpose of protecting their interests, S. C. Marsh, Esq.,
in the chair.
Mr. G. Blyth (Reporter to the _Norfolk News_) had been induced to visit
at night a tower in the South-End of the town, belonging to George
Danby-Palmer, Esq., when he had been assaulted by some person there, and
of this he had complained to the Bench.
Sept. 13th.—The Justices had refused to grant any fresh licenses at the
Brewster Sessions.
The “Reindeer” yawl (manned by Beachmen) had challenged the “America”
yacht to sail for £105.
Sept. 20th.—The Council meeting had been broken up, leaving 20 subjects
undisposed of, owing to all the Conservatives and two or three of the
Liberal members leaving the meeting, which was thus reduced below the
required number to form a “quorum.”
Sept. 27th.—Mr. Hilling had been appointed Town Surveyor at a salary of
£30 per annum, and £250 had been proposed as the salary of the
Town-Clerk, he also acting as Clerk to the newly-formed Local Board of
Health. Mr. Clowes, however, declined to give his assent to serve on
these terms without further consideration.
Oct. 4th.—There had been heavy gales and the Roadstead presented “a most
lamentable scene, crowded with shipping, which had put in for refuge to
the number of some hundreds.”
Two of the vessels belonging to the Franklin Exploration Expedition were
in the Roads.
Oct. 11th.—Harris Wilshak had been charged with being concerned in
smuggling 14lbs. of tobacco.
At the Revision Court Mr. F. S. Costerton appeared for the Liberals, and
Mr. C. Preston for the Tories. Neither party claimed any gain from the
proceedings on the Parliamentary Lists, but on the Burgess Roll the
Liberals claimed a gain of 19, of which 15 were in the Regent-ward, where
a very warm contest was expected in November.
Oct. 18th.—Mr. J. W. Crowe had been elected Surgeon to the Hospital
School.
The new Valuation Lists had increased the assessment of the parish by
£47,000.
Active preparations were being made for the Municipal contests.
Mr. Wilshak had been acquitted on the charge of smuggling.
George Deacon, known as “The Prophet,” had thrown himself into the river,
as he stated that it was impossible that he should sink; he would have
been drowned but for the help of the bystanders. When taken to the
Station House he was found to have £18, 2 old gold coins, and 21s. 6d.
upon him.
Oct. 25th.—The Priory was being fitted for National Schools.
Houchen, who had been preaching against “the powers that be,” had been
bound over to keep the peace in two sureties of £25 and himself in £50.
Nov. 8th.—The Municipal Election had been hotly contested and the
partizans of the winning party (the Tories) made it “a boast of having
expended in the five wards a sum of money variously stated from £800 to
£1,200.” The following was the return given with the poll of 1850
appended to it:—
_North Ward_.
1851—219 Voters.
Mr. S. Nightingale, C. 108
Mr. W. H. Bessey, C. 103
Mr. J. Mainprice, L. 97
Mr. H. D. Palmer, L. 95
1850—208 Voters.
Mr. J. Jackson, L. 108
Mr. Burroughs, L. 105
Mr. Nightingale, C. 90
Mr. Cory, C. 68
In this Ward the Liberals headed the poll until nearly one o’clock, when
a detachment of Conservative “runners” with some “dust” turned the
election. The price of votes was high, and ranged from £8 to £12; and it
is said that two polled for the winning party cost £20!
_Market Ward_.
1851—270 Voters.
Mr. J. E. Barnby, C. 148
Mr. J. Fenn, C. 132
Mr. John Cobb, L. 120
1850—261 Voters.
Mr. C. Aldred, C. 129
Mr. F. Worship, C. 123
Mr. Owles, L. 104
Mr. J. S. Cobb, L. 84
In this Ward the Liberals did not bring forward two candidates, being
anxious to mark their approbation of Mr. Barnby’s consistent opposition
to the Public Health Act; and here, as in the North Ward, their candidate
headed the poll until the arrival of the other portion of Conservative
workers from the Regent Ward, when a sufficient number of loose fish were
immediately polled to swamp the majority, at that time about twenty. The
prices of votes ranged from five pounds to ten guineas at a late hour of
the day.
_Regent Ward_.
1851—244 Voters.
Sir E. H. K. Lacon, C. 115
Mr. J. Cherry, C. 114
Mr. F. Palmer, L. 101
Mr. J. Clowes, L. 90
1850—234 Voters.
Mr. Chapman, L. 104
Mr. Marsh, C. 104
Mr. Harmer, C. 93
Mr. F. Palmer, L. 84
Great exertions were used to secure the return of the out-going
Councillors, and it having been almost publicly stated that the
Conservatives were determined to win “at any cost,” votes, in
consequence, got up the night before the election to a very high
premium—from £5 to £15; and “split” votes even were in very great demand
at £8 and £10. One case is mentioned of a voter, in another Ward, who,
forseeing the value which votes would attain, speculated in the purchase
of one in this a month before the election, at the trifling sum of £3,
and so profitable was the investment that on the election morning he sold
it for £10. The money spent in this Ward was stated at £350.
_St. George’s Ward_.
1851—256 Voters.
Mr. R. Ferrier, jun., C. 126
Mr. H. Jay, C. 126
Mr. P. Pullyn, L. 76
Mr. J. W. Shelly, L. 66
1850—250 Voters.
Mr. J. Plummer, C. 130
Mr. J. C. Smith, C. 116
Mr. J. Barker, L. 101
Mr. Pullyn and Mr. R. Ferrier, jun., were the outgoing Councillors, and
the former was brought forward again by the Liberals, in conjunction with
Mr. Shelly, the Conservatives selecting Mr. H. Jay (who had formerly
contested the Nelson Ward unsuccessfully) as a colleague for Mr. Ferrier.
Messrs. Pullyn and Shelly refused even to canvass the electors, and
although some of their friends solicited the suffrages of the Ward for
them, there can be no doubt, however right in principle the
non-canvassing may be, it operated against them, and this, combined with
the constitutional principles upon which their election was conducted,
contributed to their defeat, money being freely spent on the other side.
Much regret is felt at this result, and especially at the loss of the
public services of Mr. Pullyn, after his having so long served the Ward,
and after his twice filling the office of Chief Magistrate in a manner
that won for him the praise even of his political opponents.
_Nelson Ward_.
1851—341 Voters.
Dr. Impey, L. 132
Mr. S. V. Moore, L. 132
1850—317 Voters.
Mr. G. D. Palmer, L. 121
Mr. T. Lettis, L. 119
The Conservatives did not contest this Ward, and Dr. Impey was
re-elected, in conjunction with Mr. Moore in the room of Mr. J. Symonds,
now non-resident.
_Gorleston Ward_.
1851—344 Voters.
Mr. S. Miller, C 136
Mr. W. H. Palmer, C 135
Mr. J. H. Harrison, L 76
Mr. N. Sterry, L. 74
1850—337 Voters.
Mr. E. H. L. Preston, C 185
Mr. W. Hammond, C 169
Mr. S. Crow, L 78
Mr. Costerton, L 64
This Ward was contested, but in rather a peculiar way, for although it
was supposed that some opposition to the outgoing Councillors would be
made, it was treated by the Conservatives as a “sham” one, and such it
really seemed up to 12 o’clock, when the state of the poll came out with
upwards of 100 for Messrs. Miller and Palmer, and only about two votes
for each of their opponents! This, however, was only a _ruse de guerre_,
and in a short time the voters came up almost in a body for Messrs.
Harrison and Sterry, who stated in their address that in “the short space
of four hours they obtained 97 promises,” and had they been sooner in the
field it is thought they would have met with better success.
The result of the Elections has been a gain to the Conservative party of
two seats, and this reduces the two parties to a level in the Council;
the Liberals have still, however, a bare majority, and it is doubted
whether they will not be able to carry the Mayoralty for another year.
The Conservatives, it is said, intend nominating either Sir E. H. K.
Lacon, or (which is more likely) Mr. S. C. Marsh for that office, whilst
the names of Alderman E. R. Palmer and Alderman Bartram are spoken of by
the Liberals.
The Bishop of Norwich, attended by the Rev. S. Hills and his chaplain,
had inspected the Priory buildings, when they were received by J. H.
Hakewell, Esq., (the architect) and C. J. Palmer, Esq., (the hon.
secretary to the Committee).
Mr. Worlledge had moved the Court of Queen’s Bench for a “_quo warranto_”
to try the legality of Mr. Hammond’s election as a Councillor for the St.
Andrew’s Ward, and the rule had been granted.
Nov. 15th.—The Hospital was badly supported, and it was stated that
unless £150 a year in additional subscriptions could be obtained, the
assistance afforded to sufferers must be abridged.
A lecture on “Bloomerism” had been delivered by Mrs. Knights at the Corn
Hall in full “Bloomer” costume, but she did not appear to have achieved a
marked success.
Dr. Wolff (the traveller) had offered to give some lectures in the town
in aid of the National Priory Schools.
At the Town Council for the Election of Mayor, a great crowd assembled
prior to the meeting, when Sir E. K. Lacon proposed, and Mr. Fenn
seconded, S. C. Marsh, Esq., to fill that office, and Mr. George
Danby-Palmer moved, and Mr. R. Hammond seconded, the re-election of
Captain Charles Pearson, R.N. Upon the votes being taken, there appeared
for Captain Pearson—Aldermen Pearson, Boulter, Bartram, Bayly, Fiddes,
Hammond, Pike, R. Hammond, jun., E. R. Palmer, and Barker; Councillors
Burroughs, Butcher, Cannell, Clarke, Chapman, Fish, Gourlay, Impey,
Jackson, Lettis, Moore, G. D. Palmer, and P. White; total, 23. For Mr.
Marsh—Alderman B. Fenn; Councillors C. Aldred, E. Aldred, Barber, Bessey,
Cherry, Ferrier, Ferrier, jun., J. Fenn, W. Hammond, B. Jay, H. Jay,
Lacon, Marsh, S. Miller, Nightingale, W. H. Palmer, Plummer, Preston,
Smith, Steward, F. Worship, and W. Worship; total, 23. And the Mayor,
giving a casting vote for himself, declared himself duly elected.
Subsequently the Town Clerk (Mr. John Clowes) declared that he would not
continue in that office at the salary of £250, and it having been stated
that Mr. Charles Cory would accept it on those terms, he was elected Town
Clerk by 23 against 15 voices. Mr. Cory then attended, was informed of
his election, and an order made on the late Clerk to hand over the papers
relating to the office to him. In conclusion, the Editor expressed a
hope that “on no future occasion will any parties be allowed to violate
order and decorum in a way so disgraceful as they did on Monday last.”
Nov. 22nd.—A dinner had been given to the Mayor at the Star-hotel, when
45 members of the Council and others attended.
A Poor’s Rate of 1s. 2d. in the £ had been made. Great dissatisfaction
existed as to the new assessment of the parish.
Nov. 29th.—Mr. Joseph Sandars, M.P., had issued a reply to the
requisition of the electors, justifying the course he had taken with
regard to the Public Health Act.
A meeting had been held with regard to the new assessment, Mr. J. H.
Harrison in the chair.
The town had been visited with a tremendous gale, during which several
vessels had been blown out to sea. At the time of the storm there were
700 sail between this port and Lowestoft.
The “Enterprise,” 600 tons, had been launched from Mr. Branford’s Yard;
she was christened by Miss Barber and Miss Holt.
Dec. 6th.—A public meeting had been held at the Town-hall (Mr. J. H.
Harrison in the chair) for the purpose of considering the Poor’s Rate
assessment recently made. About 400 persons attended, when the same was
condemned, and a subscription commenced for the purpose of disputing the
validity of it.
In respect of such proceedings, Mr. F. S. Costerton had been engaged as
solicitor to the owners of small tenements, and Mr. C. H. Chamberlin for
the general body of appellants, estimated at from 500 to 600 in number at
the least.
Dec. 13th.—At the special meeting of the Town Council, “a scene of much
disorder and confusion arose out of some recriminations relative the late
Town-Clerk, between Mr. Burroughs and Mr. Preston.”
Dec. 20th.—On the hearing of the assessment appeals, the rate was quashed
by the Justices on the ground of unequal assessment. In these
proceedings Mr. Chamberlin appeared on behalf of the Committee of
Ratepayers, Mr. C. Cory for several private individuals, and Mr. Cufaude
for the Overseers.
Dec. 27th—The Overseers had applied for, and obtained a fresh rate of 1s.
2d. in the £.
It had been determined in future not to use the “St. Nicholas’ Seal,”
belonging to the Corporation, and for practical purposes a smaller seal
was to be made; the old one had been in use since about the year 1251.
The Race Committee had issued its report, from which it appeared that the
income had been, for the last year, £512 1s. 3d., as against £523 3s.
11d. expended.
1852.
Jan. 3rd.—The new Railway Bridge had been opened.
Jan. 17th.—There was further dissatisfaction in the town on the subject
of the Assessment and the Poor’s Rate; a summons, obtained by Mr. J. H.
Harrison against some officials for not allowing him to inspect the
rate-books, was dismissed with costs.
Mr. Hammond (one of the Justices) had called the attention of the Press
to the manner in which on certain occasions Magistrates were “drummed
up.”
William Rising, Esq., of Somerton Hall, had entertained a large party of
sporting friends at the Angel Hotel.
A portion of the Gorleston Cliff had fallen away, carrying with it the
Misses Barber, who were subsequently dug out of the sand below.
A high tide had washed over the west side of the Harbour with such force
that a vessel belonging to W. H. Palmer, Esq., had been driven from her
moorings. On the Beach it flowed past the Britannia Terrace.
Jan. 24th.—There were more Poor’s Rate appeals, and Mr. J. H. Harrison
being dissatisfied with the result of them, gave notice that he should
carry his case to the Quarter Sessions,
Jan. 31st.—Captain Manby had received a medal from the Jurors at the
Great Exhibition for the life-saving models which he had exhibited there.
The parish had been divided into five wards for Poor Law purposes; prior
to this the whole 16 Guardians had been voted for “en bloc” by the
ratepayers throughout the whole parish.
Mr. Worlledge had again appeared before the Queen’s Bench in the case of
“The Queen _v._ Hammond,” and the Court had granted the rule.
Feb. 7th.—Mr. J. H. Harrison had been fined for an alleged assault on a
constable, arising out of the confusion in the Court on the late hearing
of the Poor’s Rate appeals. He gave notice of appeal to the Quarter
Sessions.
Feb. 14th.—Mr. Harrison had presided at another meeting of ratepayers who
were dissatisfied with the action of the Justices as to the assessment.
Feb. 21st.—It was announced by a handbill signed by Mr. Harrison, that
these owners had come to a satisfactory arrangement with the Overseers,
and that further legal proceedings had been abandoned.
Feb. 28th.—“The Queen Charlotte” and “Mad Bess” steam-packets were
advertised as going to run between this port and Rotterdam.
March 6th.—A meeting of shipowners had been held (S. Paget, Esq., in the
chair), to consider certain representations made to them from other
places, with regard to the action to be taken by their class at the next
General Election, but no resolution was arrived at in conformity
therewith.
Henry Austin, Esq., (Secretary to the General Board of Health), had
visited and inspected the town.
March 13th.—Mr. Beeching continued to receive numerous orders for his
improved lifeboats.
The Mormons had engaged the School of Industry as a “Church.”
The following were the tenders for the Priory Schools:—Mr. John Key
£1,120, Mr. R. Page £1,232, Mr. R. Pratt, £1,310, and a London builder
£1,637. Mr. Norfor and Mr. Stanley were acting with the successful
contractor.
March 20th.—A meeting had been held at the King’s Head Inn with regard to
the representation of the Borough. Mr. J. W. Shelly was chairman, and
Mr. R. Hammond, John Owles, and C. E. Bartram took part in the
proceedings, which eventuated in a request to Sir Charles Napier, K.C.B.,
and W. T. M’Cullagh, Esq., M.P., to contest the Borough in the Liberal
interest.
March 27th.—The Conservatives had held a meeting at the Angel-hotel for a
similar purpose. Mr. E. H. L. Preston presided. Mr. R. Ferrier moved,
and Mr. W. H. Palmer seconded Sir E. H. K. Lacon as a candidate for the
Borough, and Mr. B. Dowson proposed, and Mr. S. H. Aldred seconded Mr. C.
Rumbold as his colleague.
The question of the rating of the Vauxhall property had been settled by
the Court finding that the premises were in Norfolk, which was, in fact,
a verdict for the plaintiff. The sum in dispute was 11s. 8d., and it was
estimated that the costs amounted to about £1,000.
A fire had occurred on Mr. Ecclestone’s premises in the Broad Bow. G.
Danby-Palmer, E. H. L. Preston. R. Hammond, and W. N. Burroughs, Esqs.,
were early on the spot and rendered valuable assistance.
Mr. George Barrett had been elected Master of the Blue Coat Charity
School in the place of the late Mr. Gershom Davie.
Captain Ellis, R.N., and the Coastguard had seized 162 bales of tobacco
on board the collier “Martha.”
A quartett meeting had been held at Noverre’s Rooms, the performers being
William Yetts, Esq., (leader), Mr. D. Hogarth, Mr. G. Sharp, and Mr.
Stonex.
April 3rd.—The Liberal party had held a meeting at the “Star” for the
purpose of receiving Admiral Sir C. Napier and W. T. M’Cullagh, Esq.,
M.P., who had arrived in the town (J. W. Shelly, Esq., in the chair); on
the same day a public meeting of electors had been held in the Corn
Exchange (George Danby-Palmer, Esq., chairman), and on the platform were
R. Hammond, P. Pullyn, J. W. Shelly, J. Bayly, T. Lettis, J. Jackson, C.
E. Bartram, R. Barber, C. Miller, Esqs., Captain W. Briggs, Messrs. J. D.
Chapman, Chris. Steward, J. Mainprice, B. Bellin, J. Cobb, P. White, and
others.
The meeting was a crowded one, and the candidates appear to have been
heartily received.
April 10th.—W. Stirling Lacon, Esq., H.E.C.S., had invented an appliance
for the more easily lowering of ships’ boats, which was approved by many
nautical gentlemen, including, locally, Admiral Sir E. Travers, R.N., and
Captain Pearson, R.N.
The Rev. Partridge, A.M., had been recommended by the Committee to the
proprietors for the post of Head Master at the Grammar School.
The Priory Schools had been commenced.
At the Election of Guardians, Mr. J. H. Harrison had been nominated for
all the Wards, but had elected to stand for the Nelson Ward, in which he
resided.
Messrs. W. Green, W. Wright, S. Lessey, and J. Borking had been
re-elected Overseers.
Captain John Pike (one of the Aldermen) had died.
April 17th.—Mr. Rumbold, M.P., had arrived in Yarmouth, as also had Sir
E. H. K. Lacon, Admiral Sir C. Napier, and W. T. McCullagh, Esq., M.P.
The Tories were making a private canvass in the evenings.
The Rev. Bowyer Vaux had been appointed Chaplain to the Military Asylum,
vice the Rev. C. Davie, M.A., resigned.