1.--At the Norfolk Assizes, before Mr. Justice Gaselee, Peter Taylor was
found guilty, as an accessary before the fact, of the murder of Mary
Taylor, his wife, at Burnham Westgate, on March 12th, 1835. The
prosecution arose out of the trial of the women Frarey and Billing, who
were executed as principals in the murder. Taylor, who to the last
protested his innocence, was hanged on the Castle Hill, Norwich, on April
23rd.
--At the same Assizes, before Mr. Justice Gaselee, John Sucker (23),
Thomas Bassett (40), Joseph Bruce (21), Thomas Dawes (25), and James
Staines (37) were indicted, Sucker and Bassett for the murder of William
Case, on November 30th, 1835, and the other prisoners for aiding and
assisting in the commission of the crime while poaching on the lands of
Mr. W. L. Jones, at Methwold. They were found guilty and sentenced to
death. The jury subsequently delivered to his lordship at the Deanery
the following declaration: "Our opinion is that the prisoners were guilty
of manslaughter, not murder, and it was our intention so to find had we
not been called upon to give our opinion as to the facts." The execution
was deferred for the opinion of the Judges assembled in the Court of
Exchequer. On April 23rd Lord Denman stated that the Judges, after
hearing counsel on both sides, were of opinion it would not be proper to
execute the prisoners for the crime of murder.
2.--A vessel of 500 tons burden, intended for the trade between England
and the Mauritius, was launched from the ship-yard of Mr. Richardson,
Friars' Fleet, Lynn.
4.--On the occasion of the presentation of a piece of plate to the Rev.
A. Goode, of Terrington St. Clement, 800 villagers accompanied the
deputation, with flags and banners, and "86 young females attending the
Sunday School bore branches of laurel." The plate was borne upon a tray
by "two respectable parishioners," supported by "some emblematical
characters, one of whom personated the renowned Tom Hickathrift, the
Marshland giant of the olden time, and the bold defender of the ancient
rights of Marshland Smeeth. The representative of Hickathrift delivered
an appropriate speech."
8.--At the Norfolk county magistrates' meeting, Mr. J. Brown was elected
Surveyor of the county, and Mr. James Watson surveyor of bridges.
--The Lord Lieutenant of the county, accompanied by Mr. Samuel Bignold,
visited the factory of the Norwich Yarn Company. "There are now 300
workmen, upwards of 60 reelers, and about 200 children constantly at work
in the establishment, and the labour bill exceeds 200 pounds a week."
--Francis Widdows, "who was upwards of 50 years leader of the company of
singers in St. Mary's chapel," died at Doughty's Hospital, Norwich, in
his 80th year.
13.--One hundred and ninety-five emigrants from villages in the
neighbourhood embarked at Friars' Fleet, Lynn, on board the ship Anne,
bound for Quebec. Mr. Daniel Gurney distributed among them Bibles,
Prayer-books, &c. Large numbers of emigrants left the county during the
spring. By May 17th 1,625 had sailed from Yarmouth. From the same port,
on May 25th, sailed the Morning Star, with 212 emigrants, chiefly
labourers, from Suffolk, and the Brunswick, with 447 agriculturists from
East Norfolk. By July 2nd the total number embarked at Yarmouth for
Quebec and Port St. Francis on the St. Lawrence was 3,200.
22.--Died, aged 72, at St. John Timberhill, Norwich, Mr. J. P. Cocksedge,
who served the office of Sheriff in 1827.
27.--Died, aged 37, "the eccentric and whimsical John Gudgeon, the
celebrated shuttle-maker, of Norwich."
28.--In consequence of the Mayor and Sheriff of Norwich having declined
to extend the customary patronage to the Theatre, the performance on this
night was under "the immediate patronage of the Conservatives of
Norwich." The pieces produced were "The Rivals" and "The Mayor of
Garrat."
--The three troops of the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons stationed at Norwich
Cavalry Barracks, marched on their route to Canterbury and Brighton, and
were replaced by three troops of the 17th Lancers from Manchester.
30.*--"The King has been pleased to confer the honour of knighthood on a
native of Norwich, Dr. W. J. Hooker, Professor of Botany at Glasgow, and
a Companion of the Third Class of the Royal Guelphio Hanoverian Order."