12.--At the Norwich Quarter Sessions, the Norwich Flour Company appealed
against the assessment of their premises in St. Andrew's. The company
was described as an unprofitable concern. The assessment was reduced.
--A member of the Swaffham Cricket Club played and beat, with great ease
in one innings, "six players of professional celebrity in that town."
13.--The thermometer registered 97 degrees in the shade at Catton. Many
horses died from the excessive heat.
14.--Sergt.-Major Marshall, of the Thetford Volunteer Corps, and his son
were killed by an accidental explosion while sorting damaged cartridges.
18.--A prize fight, for 40 pounds a side, took place on Kirstead Green,
between Wm. Underwood, of Seething, and John Chase, of Brooke.
Eighty-five rounds were fought in two hours. Underwood won.
21.--Thorpe Water Frolic took place. "The Admiral of the flotilla was
placed in a small boat and carried round Thorpe Gardens several times,
with guns firing, flags flying, and music playing. The company sang 'God
Save the King' and 'Rule Britannia.' A young gentleman favoured the
company with an excellent hornpipe on the top of the Apollo barge."
23.--The bankruptcy of Sir R. Kerrison and Sons created much sensation in
Norwich. "The crowd was so great in the King's Head Inn yard of persons
who came to prove their debts that many had to return without proving
them." The amount proved was considerably over 580,000 pounds. On
January 16th, 1809, the creditors agreed to pay the sum of 5,500 pounds
to Lady Kerrison, in lieu of dower and of other claims and demands she
might have on the estate. On May 13th, a dividend of 6s. 8d. in the
pound was ordered to be paid on the 17th to the 3,600 creditors who had
proved their debts. Dividends amounting to 16s. 4d. in the pound were
afterwards paid.
29.--At a special meeting of the Norwich Corporation, an address to his
Majesty was unanimously agreed to, "on the subject of the noble struggle
of the patriots of Spain and Portugal against the Ruler of France, and of
the generous aid given to their endeavours by our Government."