1800.
THE present century opened in a tempest of war and confusion, which gave
little prospect of soon exhausting its fury. Mention will be found below
of several serious riots on account of the high price of provisions,
which may be thus accounted for: The exemption from cash payments in 1797
had given great relief to the merchants and tradespeople generally, but
had little effect upon the condition of the working classes; and the war
had not yet withdrawn so many men from productive industry as materially
to raise the rate of wages. The total number of levies for the army,
from the commencement of the war to the end of 1800, was but 208,388. It
had, however, continued sufficiently long to raise the price of all
provisions enormously, and the very deficient harvests of 1799 and 1800
greatly increased this evil, and added to the distress. So much disquiet
was excited by these causes that Parliament was called together for a
second sitting in November, and all sorts of expedients were resorted to
to increase the supply of food—bounties were granted on the importation
of foreign corn—the use of corn in distilleries, or for making starch,
was prohibited—the manufacture of fine flour, or the use of it in making
bread, was forbidden, while the use of oats and barley was permitted and
encouraged—bakers were prohibited from selling bread that had not been
baked twenty-four hours—and, lastly, in the month of December His Majesty
issued a proclamation exhorting the strictest economy in families on the
use of every kind of grain, recommending that people should abstain from
pastry, and on no account allow the consumption of bread in their
households to exceed one quartern loaf for each person in a week.
Statutes against “engrossing and regrating,” that had almost become
obsolete, were also raked up and eagerly put in force against
speculators, whether great or small, both by country magistrates and
chief justices, though the great Holt had long ago laughed at them. The
average price of wheat this year was 119s. 6d. per quarter; and Three per
Cent. Consols averaged 63½.
JANUARY—A subscription entered into for the relief of the poor in
Worcester, in consequence of the “high price of bread, butter, and other
necessaries of life.” The parties at the public meeting, called to
promote the subscription, pledged themselves “to reduce the consumption
of flour and butter in their own families as much as possible, and
earnestly recommended the same to all ranks of persons within the city
and suburbs.” The subscription, in the whole, amounted to more than
£700. The soup kitchen was opened before this time.
JANUARY 7—The post boy, carrying the mail with the letter bags from
Worcester, for Bewdley, Kidderminster, and Stourbridge, was stopped about
six in the morning, two miles only from Worcester, by a man on foot, who
presented a pistol—cut the straps of the portmanteau and carried the mail
away. A reward of £200 was offered by Government, but the offender was
never apprehended.
JANUARY 14—The County Magistrates, at Quarter Sessions, ordered that “no
makers of bread for sale, shall make, or sell, any superior quality of
bread at a higher price than the standard wheaten bread; and that every
peck loaf should weigh 17 lbs. 6oz., and every quartern loaf 4 lbs. 5 oz.
8 drams.” Price of wheat in Worcester market, 13s. 4d. to 15s. 6d. the
bushel. Hops, £14 to £16 per cwt.
JANUARY 17—The “Worcester Fencible Light Dragoons,” retiring to England
from service in Ireland, were thanked by Lord Cornwallis, Adjutant
General of the forces in Ireland, for their services in that kingdom.
JANUARY 25—The magistrates of Worcester offered ten guineas reward for
the discovery of the writer of “several inflammatory papers, reflecting
upon their conduct,” which were found in the Foregate Street.
JANUARY 25—A labouring man robbed at Barbourne, Worcester, by footpads;
and, two days after, a farmer, on horseback, was stopped at the same
spot.
FEBRUARY 21—A man apprehended in Worcester market for “forestalling,” and
committed to the assizes for trial.
MARCH 9—A “Worcester Fire Office” established, with a capital of
£100,000.
APRIL 4—Disturbances in the Worcester markets, on account of the high
price of provisions. The magistrates issued a notice that sellers would
be protected. The consumption of butter greatly reduced in consequence
of its enormous price.
APRIL 7—The Corporation of Worcester offered premiums of 1s. 6d. for the
first 100 bushels of potatoes brought into the market before the 1st
July; 1s. for the second 100; and 9d. for the third. Claimants upon 240
bushels were paid. Wheat at 14s. 6d. to 18s. per bushel. Beef at least
9d., and mutton 10d. per lb.
APRIL 25—The colliers of Stourbridge in a state of great disturbance from
the scarcity. A squadron of the 7th Dragoon Guards sent into the
neighbourhood.
MAY 2—Meeting of the gentry and inhabitants of Stourbridge; the Hon.
Edward Foley in the chair; at which resolutions were passed, begging the
farmers to bring wheat into that market to sell at 15s. per bushel, and
barley at a price not exceeding 8s.
MAY 9—Disturbances at Redditch, which threatened to be very serious, but
quelled by the Bromsgrove Volunteers, who stood a furious attack made on
them by the mob with great firmness and prudence. Several of the rioters
were apprehended, but discharged on finding sureties for their good
behaviour.
MAY 15—Attempt on the King’s life in Drury Lane Theatre by Hadfield.
Addresses from the Worcester Corporation were sent to the Right Hon. the
Earl of Coventry for presentation, as recorder of the city.
MAY 30—Accounts of “Internal Defence Subscription” published, from which
it appeared that £4,550 had been subscribed by the county, and £532 by
the city of Worcester: spent equally in the augmentation of the Militia
and the Yeomanry Cavalry.
JUNE 10—Visitation and address by the Bishop, in which the scarcity was
attributed to the war and inclement seasons. Use of “Church Catechism,”
in the instruction of children, urgently enforced.
JUNE 26—Honorary degree of M.A. conferred on Lord Foley, at the Oxford
Commemoration of Founders and Benefactors of the University.
JULY 9—A further subscription entered into in Worcester for the relief of
the poor, who had been constantly subsidised from the fund ever since the
winter; 96,000 quarts of soup having been distributed amongst them,
besides great quantities of potatoes and much money.
JULY 21—Lord Dudley and Ward purchased a large quantity of imported wheat
at Liverpool, to retail to the poor at a reduced price. Price of wheat
in Worcester market, 21s. to 22s. 6d. per bushel.
AUGUST 10—The price of wheat in Worcester market having fallen to 10s.
and 13s. per bushel, the relief committee discontinued their labours.
The promise of a plenteous harvest produced this change for the better.
AUGUST 15—The Mayor and magistrates of Worcester attempted to enforce
sanitary regulations—such as cleansing “the kennels,” for they considered
“all stagnate water injurious to health, and the exhalations from it the
forerunners of contagious disorders.”
AUGUST—A great number of houses between Stourport and Worcester searched
for unlawful nets, used for the taking of small fish in the Severn. Many
such being found they were all publicly burned at Bewdley.
AUGUST 25—This evening, because the bakers in Worcester were unprovided
with bread to sell, the populace assembled as soon as it was dark and
began to demolish their windows, but the disturbance was soon put a stop
to by the magistrates. A sudden rise in the price of flour on the
previous Saturday had prevented the bakers from supplying themselves with
the necessary quantity for the week.
SEPTEMBER 12—The Mayor, magistrates, &c., of Worcester met “to ensure a
more regular supply of the necessaries of life, at reasonable prices,” to
their fellow citizens, and determine to erect a corn mill to be worked by
steam.
SEPTEMBER 19—A mare, belonging to Mr. Tully of St. John’s, ridden seventy
miles on the London Road, from Worcester to Benson, in eleven hours and
forty-nine minutes.
SEPTEMBER 21—Meeting of farmers, &c., at Bromsgrove, when they agreed to
supply that market, for three months, with wheat at 11s. 6d. a bushel.
NOVEMBER 21—“John Bunn, jun., flax dresser,” advertised his address.
Sales of flax crops occasionally advertised.
NOVEMBER 27—£2,350 subscribed to the Flour and Bread Institution, for the
benefit of the industrious poor. The institution bought foreign wheat
largely, and sold to the poor at reduced prices. It was said in its
results “greatly to exceed the expectations of its most sanguine
promoters.”
DECEMBER 1—Lord Valentia and Mr. Child supplied the Bewdley market with
grain, at 12s. a bushel, to be sold to the poor, under the direction of
the bailiff.
DECEMBER 5—Mr. Burrow, saddler, of Worcester, purchased a large quantity
of potatoes to sell again to the poor under the market price.
DECEMBER 10—John Beet, of Rowley Regis, butcher, was convicted by the
Droitwich magistrates, in the full penalty of 50s. for “cutting and
gashing two cow hides and a calf skin, and for slaying them below the
gambrel or knee.”
LOCAL ACTS PASSED THIS YEAR—For continuing and enlarging powers of
Bewdley Turnpike Trust; ditto Kidderminster Turnpikes; Act for repairing
roads leading to and from the Hundred House.
1801.
IN February, this year, Mr. Pitt unexpectedly retired, and Mr. Addington
was called to the King’s Councils, a fact principally to be attributed to
the ill success of the war which had been entered into with France, and
continued at a cost of blood and treasure totally disproportionate to its
advantages. The new ministry, from the moment of entering office,
declared peace to be their aim, and the preliminary articles were signed
in London in October. This war, which had lasted for eight years, cost
us £427,000,000, and at the end of it the only additional possessions we
retained were Trinidad and the Dutch holdings in Ceylon. In consequence
of the harvest in 1800 being almost an entire failure, the high price of
provisions continued to create much distress amongst the poor, and the
bounties on flour imported from America were increased. The Three per
Cents. fluctuated between 54¾, in January, and 69½, in October: average
price about 61. Wheat averaged 69s. 10d.
JANUARY—Price of grain in Worcester market 20s. to 24s. a bushel.
MARCH 28—Riot amongst the Worcester women, on account of the high price
of provisions—20d. being asked for a pound of butter; 2s. a peck for
potatoes; and 9d. a pound for meat. The mob of women prevented the
Birmingham “badgers” from carrying off their purchases, and then,
assembling before a baker’s shop in Broad Street, compelled his wife to
throw out to them all the bread she had in the house. Special constables
were at last sworn in and tranquillity restored.
MAY 27—Price of the quartern loaf fixed by the Mayor of Worcester at 1s.
7d., though selling the same day in London at 1s. 4½d. Constant
complaints that the markets at Worcester were higher than elsewhere, and
as this continued to be the case, a Mr. B. Lloyd purchased, in June,
1,000 barrels of American flour at Liverpool, and sold them here in
single barrels.
JUNE 20—Two vagrants, confined in the County Bridewell, forced out a
window, and, dropping themselves over a wall twenty feet high, made good
their escape.
JULY 17—The committee of the Worcester Flour and Bread Institution
reported, that since the previous October, 100,000 loaves had been sold
to the poor by its means at one third less than the average market price.
During the same period 140,000 quarts of soup had been distributed.
JULY 30—The Directors of the Worcester House of Industry, which was
established in 1795, published a statement apologising for the increase
of rates. The average number of poor relieved in and out of the house,
during the previous twelve months, had been 583 weekly! while in 1795 it
was only 235. The Directors attributed this increase to the high price
of food and the sickliness of the season, and said it was not greater
than in other manufacturing towns.
AUGUST 5—Miss Mellon performed at Worcester Theatre to crowded houses.
OCTOBER 14—Dinner at the Crown Hotel, Worcester, “to celebrate the
Peace.” Illumination, &c.
OCTOBER 15—Ball at the Guildhall, for the benefit of the Infirmary,
attended by 300 persons. Net profits £102.
NOVEMBER 10—Lord Foley met with a severe accident while hunting, one of
his horse’s legs dropping into a deep hole and falling back upon his
lordship.
NOVEMBER 10—An advertisement having been inserted in the Worcester
papers, by the Hon. Mr. Ward, stating that he intended to offer himself
as a candidate for Worcester at the next general election, the
Corporation met and voted unanimously that “as there is no vacancy in the
representation of the city, the Corporation considered that an
insuperable bar to their countenancing a contest from any quarter
whatever, having had woful experience how destructive it is of peace and
good neighbourhood, which happily has prevailed among all ranks of
citizens for a long time.”
DECEMBER 14—Both the Worcester members, Mr. Wigley and Mr. Robarts, voted
in a minority of 22 to 80, to continue the restrictions on the use of
barley in distilleries.
DECEMBER 18—General collection made throughout the city by the parish
officers on behalf of the Infirmary, instead of further illuminations on
account of the Peace.
DECEMBER 21—Considerable festivities at Witley Court, on Lord Foley
attaining his majority. A very large sum distributed amongst the poor of
the neighbourhood.
1802.
THE confirmation of the Peace of Amiens diffused universal joy, and the
harvest of 1801 having been tolerably abundant, much less pressure was
experienced on account of the price of bread. Three per Cents. stood at
about 70½. Wheat averaged 69s. 10d.
JANUARY 9—C. Thellusson, Esq., M.P. for Evesham, distributed one hundred
guineas amongst the poor freemen of that borough.
JANUARY 11—William Smith publicly whipped in the corn market, Worcester,
according to sentence of sessions, for stealing a bag.
FEBRUARY 1—Lord Foley appeared at the bar of the Court of Common Pleas,
and suffered recoveries of estates of considerable value. He took his
seat in the House of Lords on the 22nd April.
APRIL 16—The Worcester Militia, under Colonel Newport, called together
and disembodied.
MAY 5—A private in the 5th Dragoons, immured in Worcester gaol for
desertion, and daily expecting exemplary punishment, received an account
of the death of a distant relation in Ireland, bequeathing him a property
of £4,000 per annum.
JUNE 1—General Thanksgiving for the Peace. An address of congratulation
was voted on the occasion by the Corporation of Worcester, and forwarded
to the Earl of Coventry, as recorder of the city, for presentation.
JUNE 9—The Hon. Mr. Ward attained his majority, and the event was
celebrated at Himley with great rejoicings. A barrel of beer, called
“Big Ben,” containing 1,000 gallons, which had been brewed at the birth
of Mr. Ward, was tapped on the occasion.
JUNE 8—The Yeomanry assembled on the _Sunday_, as requested, and received
the thanks of His Majesty and the Parliament. Each troop, henceforth,
reduced to forty rank and file.
AUGUST 29—Lord Nelson, accompanied by Sir William and Lady Hamilton,
visited Worcester, on their return from a tour through South Wales. He
was met on the road by a great number of people, who drew his carriage
into the city: visited the china manufactory; was received by the Mayor
and Corporation at the Town Hall; entertained at a collation; and the
Earl of Coventry, the recorder, presented him with the freedom of the
city in a china vase from Messrs. Chamberlain’s manufactory. [The visit
is recorded by the mosaic of stones in front of the Guildhall.]
SEPTEMBER 10—The price of coals being raised, Lord Dudley and Ward
directed that the poor inhabitants of Worcester should be supplied from
his pits at nearly half the ordinary cost.
SEPTEMBER 27—H.R.H. the Duke of Cambridge visited Worcester, his regiment
being then quartered in this county, and was presented with the freedom
of the city.
DECEMBER 10—The magistrates of Worcester published a correct list of
fairs, &c., because the difference between the Old and New Styles being
then thirteen days instead of twelve, great uncertainty prevailed
respecting the days on which they actually took place, and people
frequently arrived “a day after the fair.”
PRIVATE ACT PASSED THIS YEAR—For enclosure of waste lands at Ripple.
1803.
THE hollow peace proved very short-lived. Buonaparte being evidently
bent on the subjugation of the entire continent, and the British refusing
to evacuate Malta till they had satisfaction as to his designs, war was
again declared in May this year. The return to hostilities seemed as
much to please the nation at large as the peace had done only the year
before. On the threat of invasion arose that unparalleled volunteer
enthusiasm to which many of the following memoranda have reference.
Consols fluctuated from 73 in January to 52 in October; average price,
about 60. Price of wheat, 58s. 10d.
JANUARY 10—A. Robarts, Esq., M.P. for Worcester, “with his accustomed
liberality,” presented half a guinea to each of the poor freemen of the
city who chose to accept it, and the gift was “gratefully received” by
upwards of 500 persons—the total sum distributed being 270 guineas.
JANUARY 24—The new member, Joseph Scott, Esq., entertained 500 of the
freemen at a dinner, and next day invited 123 of his more respectable
friends to dine at the Hoppole, in celebration of his election. One of
the toasts given was, “The pious and revered memory of the late Mr.
Alderman Mather.”
FEBRUARY 1—The Venerable Bishop Hurd completed the select and valuable
library at the Episcopal Palace, Hartlebury, which he has since
bequeathed as an heir-loom to his successors in the see.
MAY 18—The Worcestershire Militia, under Colonel Newport, set out, by
forced marches, for Gosport, in consequence of the renewal of war with
France.
MAY 26—The Messrs. Chamberlain sent, in pursuance to order, a superb set
of porcelain to court, for the use of His Majesty on the ensuing
birthday.
JUNE 6—The Droitwich Road Bill received the royal assent, after a very
severe opposition in Parliament.
JUNE 22—Meeting of the hop planters of Worcester and Hereford at the
Talbot, Tything, Worcester, the Hon. James S. Cocks in the chair, to
petition that the use of quassia may be prohibited.
AUGUST 12—The enthusiastic citizens of Worcester form themselves into a
corps of “Loyal Worcester Volunteers;” and similar corps were formed in
every town and many of the rural districts in the county. The
subscriptions for clothing and arms for the city corps amounted to
£2,500.
AUGUST 19—The Worcester Loyal Volunteers, amounting then to 722 men, met
on Pitchcroft, and elected the Hon. George Coventry their Lieutenant
Colonel, and Samuel Wall, jun., Esq., their Major.
SEPTEMBER 21—Lord Foley formed a rifle corps of 100 men, to be added to
the extraordinary defences of the country “at the present crisis.”
OCTOBER 9—(Sunday)—General muster and exercise of the Loyal Volunteer
Infantry on Pitchcroft. Almost all the drills took place on the
Sunday—the members of the corps being, from business, unable to attend on
any other day. Hon. George Coventry commandant of this district.
DECEMBER 3—The ladies bought up every particle of flannel that they could
lay their hands on, to make flannel dresses for the volunteers!
DECEMBER 16—William Sturges, Esq., of Acton Hall, Worcestershire, M.P.
for Christchurch, Hants, received permission to take the additional name
of Bourne. This gentleman gave name, in turn, to a very well known act
of Parliament.
LOCAL ACTS—For continuing and enlarging powers of acts for repair of road
from Worcester to Bromsgrove; for making horse towing path from Bewdley
to Diglis; for inclosure of lands at Little Comberton.
1804.
MR. PITT, having strengthened his hands by the addition of Addington, now
Viscount Sidmonth, and his friends, returned to office; the war with
Buonaparte was carried on with fresh vigour, and the volunteers at home
were fired with an increase of patriotic ardour. The number of men
withdrawn from productive industry amounted already to at least 400,000;
and that remarkable rise in prices, which continued throughout the war,
now commenced. Consols averaged 57. Bad harvest; wheat averaged 62s.
3d.
FEBRUARY 12—(Sunday)—General inspection, on Pitchcroft, of the Loyal
Worcester Volunteers under Colonel Coventry, by Colonel Houston. The St.
John’s, Bewdley, Stourport, Kidderminster, Evesham and Pershore, and
Elmley corps also reviewed this week.
MARCH 10—The towns of Bewdley and Kidderminster alarmed very early by the
beating of the Volunteer drums, in consequence of a report that the
French had landed, 50,000 strong. The Volunteers immediately assembled,
shouldered their muskets, and set off towards Worcester with immense
alacrity and amid the enthusiastic cheers of their wives and sweethearts.
After marching some three or four miles they were informed, that it was a
false alarm, intended merely by way of proof and exercise. So they
marched back again, in ire and chagrin.
APRIL 10—Colours, worked by the young ladies of Evesham, were presented
to the Evesham and Pershore Volunteers by Mrs. Perrott.
APRIL 17—A similar presentation was made to the Worcester Volunteers by
Lady Deerhurst. Colours afterwards consecrated in the Cathedral.
MAY 29—The ancient custom, of the different companies walking in
procession with the Mayor and Corporation of Worcester to the Cathedral,
revived.
AUGUST 1—The Tenbury Volunteers (Captain Edward Wheeler) received colours
from Mrs. Pytts of Kyre House.
SEPTEMBER 6—A meeting of the trustees of the Upton roads to rebut the
statement of “certain interested innholders who, to serve their own
private ends, make a practice of falsely representing to their customers
that the road from Upton to Gloucester is so greatly out of repair as to
endanger the safety of travellers, and that there are no proper
accommodations for persons travelling in carriages, either at Upton or
Corse Lawn.”
SEPTEMBER 17—The South Worcester Volunteers presented with colours on
Hanley Common by Mrs. Lygon, who also presented the privates with a purse
of 100 guineas to drink the King’s health.
NOVEMBER—The Directors of the Worcester House of Industry gave notice,
that they intended to obtain for all incorrigibly vicious females twelve
months’ hard labour in Bridewell; therefore they had better keep clear of
the united parishes and the workhouse beadles.
LOCAL ACT—For continuing and enlarging the powers of the Upton Turnpike
Trustees.
1805.
THE discussion of the Catholic claims was the principal domestic matter
occupying the attention of Parliament and the public; while the death of
Nelson, and Trafalgar, filled all men’s hearts and mouths towards the
close of the year. The war was fast becoming popular; for though the
taxes were enormous, our taxable income, which in 1792 appears not to
have exceeded £130,000,000, had increased to £220,000,000. A great
proportion of the vast war outlay was, in fact, but a circulation amongst
ourselves. Consols averaged 59; wheat averaged 89s. 9d.
JANUARY 4—The Vice Chancellor and Mayor of Oxford issuing a notice,
forbidding all stage carriages to pass through that city between nine
a.m. and four p.m. on Sundays, the times of the carriers leaving
Worcester on the Friday were obliged to be altered. They afterwards set
out for London at five p.m. on Friday, reaching London on Tuesday
morning.
FEBRUARY—A dispute between the physicians and surgeons of Worcester, the
former (Dr. Cameron, Dr. Wilson, and Dr. Barnett) declaring that they
would not meet the surgeons in consultation in any medical cases unless
the surgeons would refrain from acting as consulting physicians. They
defined the department of the surgeon to be—any external or local disease
unaccompanied by any general affection of the system but what the local
disease itself produced and requiring manual assistance in its treatment.
Messrs. Yeomans, Rayment, Nash, Hill, Hebb, and Romney consented to the
physicians’ terms; Messrs. Cole, Sandford, and Carden refused them.
FEBRUARY 25—The Hon. Mr. Ward presented a petition to the House of
Commons from the freeholders and rackrenters of Worcestershire and
Herefordshire, praying to be allowed to employ five horses in narrow
wheeled waggons.
MARCH 29—The following advertisement appeared in the _Worcester Herald_
of this date:
“COCKING: A main of cocks will be fought at the house of Mr. John
Lloyd, the sign of the Pheasant, New Street, Worcester, between the
gentlemen of Worcestershire and the gentlemen of Gloucestershire, to
show and weigh thirty-one cocks on each side in the main, for four
guineas a battle and fifty guineas the odd battle; and twenty cocks
on each side in the byes, for two guineas a battle. To weigh on
Saturday the 18th of April, 1805, and fight on Monday, Tuesday, and
Wednesday, the following week, being Easter week.
FEEDERS: GOSLING, Worcestershire. HAYNES, Gloucestershire.”
MAY 1—The Loyal Worcester Volunteers inspected by General Bingham, and
afterwards marched to Gloucester, there to remain twenty-one days on
permanent duty.
MAY 6—The Worcester Yeomanry Cavalry, under the command of the Hon.
Colonel Cocks, marched to Hereford, there to remain on fifteen days’
permanent duty.
MAY 20—The Volunteers return from Gloucester laden with honours and
encomiums. The officers of the regiment invited to a dinner at the Crown
Inn by the Mayor and Corporation.
JULY 22—The Young Roscius performed in Worcester Theatre with the same
success as elsewhere. The exorbitant prices which the manager, in the
first instance, wished to charge for admission caused considerable
excitement and a sort of O. P. riot, and the manager was obliged to
yield.
SEPTEMBER 25—A boy, gathering nuts in a wood at Crowle, accidentally
removed a piece of turf, and found beneath it a trap door and chimney.
He called several men to the spot, who immediately descended through the
door, and discovered a subterranean cave divided into several apartments
with much care and ingenuity. In one of the rooms there was a quantity
of cold meat, and in another a number of skins with entrails, &c. It had
evidently been the retreat of sheepstealers and general thieves, though
none happened to be there at the moment of discovery.
DECEMBER 11—An address presented to the King from the Corporation of
Worcester, congratulating him upon the glorious victory of Trafalgar, and
lamenting the death of Nelson. As much as £400 collected in Worcester
for the wounded marines, and the widows and orphans of those who fell in
the action.
LOCAL ACTS—For building a chapel of ease at Redditch; for enclosure of
waste lands at Rushock.
1806.
THIS year Pitt and Fox both passed from the scene. Pitt was only in the
forty-seventh year of his age; and though he had conducted the affairs of
the kingdom during a longer period, and with greater popularity, than
perhaps any other statesman in modern times, yet he may be said to have
died of chagrin at the defeat of all his favourite schemes. Grenville
and Fox succeeded him at the helm of affairs, and the general election
which then took place furnished them with a strong body of supporters in
the House of Commons. The new ministry were pacifically inclined, but
found it impossible to negociate with Buonaparte. A loan of twenty
millions was negociated to carry on the war, and the property tax
increased from 6¼ to 10 per cent. Consols stood at about 60; wheat
averaged 79s. 1d.
FEBRUARY 19—A Malvern carrier, returning to Worcester, drove his horse
and cart over the side of Powick bridge, at a place where the wall had
fallen down and the road broken in. He was carried a considerable
distance down the stream, but help came in time to save his life. The
dangerous state of the bridge was accounted for by there being a dispute
between the Earl of Coventry and the parish of Powick, as to who was
liable to the repairs. The matter had been tried at Gloucester Assizes
in 1802, and a verdict given for the parish; nevertheless, his lordship
had not repaired it.
APRIL 7—A man stopped by footpads on the road between Droitwich and
Worcester (about two miles from the former place), and robbed of all the
money he had, about 8s.
MAY—The Worcester Lying-in Charity established.
JULY 29—At the Summer Assizes, Michael Crockett found guilty of a fraud
at Bromsgrove, was ordered to be pilloried in that town on the succeeding
market day, and afterwards to be imprisoned for two years.
SEPTEMBER 5—The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Clarence visited Evesham
and Kidderminster.
LOCAL (PRIVATE) ACTS—For enclosure of lands in Wick and St. Andrew,
Pershore; ditto in Crowle.
1807.
THE abolition of the slave trade, under the short Grenville ministry,
must ever be remembered as the feature of this year. Lord Howick having
brought in a bill for securing to all His Majesty’s subjects the
privilege of serving in the army or navy without regard to religious
opinions, the King’s “scruples” were aroused, and he called a new
administration, with the Duke of Portland at its head, to his councils.
They dissolved Parliament, and the elections were attended with great
excitement. By means of the cry of “the Church in danger,” a remarkable
reaction was effected, and the ministry found themselves commanding large
majorities in the new House. One of the first acts of the new ministry
was one which marked by how long an interval they were separated from the
minister in whose steps they professed to follow. At the request of our
merchants, whose ships were under various disadvantages from which those
of neutral states were free, they issued Orders in Council that neutral
vessels, _whithersoever bound_, should put into some port connected with
England, and there obtain a license to continue their trade! A general
suspension of American navigation and trade consequently took place, and
these orders eventually led to the war with America in 1812. They
contributed also in various ways to the depreciation of our bank paper,
and their folly was thus terribly and speedily avenged upon ourselves.
Consols averaged 63; wheat averaged 75s. 4d.
FEBRUARY 25—A woman, named Mary Davies, publicly whipped at Kidderminster
by order of the magistrates, for embezzling a quantity of yarn.
APRIL 2—Captain Bund appointed to the Colonelcy of the Worcestershire
Militia, _vice_ Colonel Charlton, deceased.
APRIL 27—Mr. Robarts, member for Worcester, offered to erect a steam
engine for supplying the city with water. The waterworks which have ever
since been made to serve for that purpose, were erected in consequence of
this generous offer.
MAY 1—Sir Thomas Winnington fell from his horse, near Bromyard, while
accompanying Colonel Foley to his canvass in Herefordshire, and broke his
leg.
JUNE 23—A riot in Worcester between the mob and the military in barracks
there, and several parties taken into custody. A recruit, for aiding and
abetting the populace, was sentenced to receive 500 lashes!
JUNE 28—A meeting of the Worcester glovers, with Mr. J. Knapp in the
chair, to resist a combination of the “grounders, stoners, and white
leather parers” to obtain an advance of wages. The names of fifty-six
firms were appended to the resolutions—“John Dent and Son” standing
sixth.
AUGUST 10—The North Worcester Volunteers, commanded by Colonel Villiers,
assembled in a field near Bromsgrove, and were presented with a pair of
colours by the Right Hon. Lady Beauchamp.
AUGUST 19—H.R.H. The Duke of Gloucester visited Worcester, and proceeded
to Witley Court. Next day, accompanied by Lord and Lady Foley, the Dean
of Worcester, &c., he inspected the porcelain manufactory of Messrs.
Barr, Flight, and Barr, and ordered a superb service.
SEPTEMBER 23—The Prince of Wales, Duke of Sussex, and a large party of
other nobility visited the Marchioness of Downshire at Ombersley Court.
The Mayor and Justices of Worcester, with the Town Clerk and several of
the Council, waited on H.R.H. there, and presented an address to him.
SEPTEMBER 25—The Prince of Wales and a large party this day visited
Worcester, were met by the Recorder, Earl of Coventry, and partook of a
collation at the Town Hall. The streets were lined by the Worcester and
Birmingham Volunteers. A visit was paid, and orders given, at both china
manufactories. Messrs. Chamberlain and Co. appointed porcelain
manufacturers to H.R.H.
LOCAL ACTS—For enclosure of lands at Aldington and Broughton Hackett.
1808.
MATTERS at home remained quiet, and much as in the preceding year, the
public mind being taken up with the expedition to Spain, discussing the
battle of Vimiera, and Convention of Cintra. Three per Cents. stood as
high in June as 70⅜, and averaged throughout the year 65½. This was the
only year during this century in which our exports of wheat exceeded our
imports: average price, 81s. 4d.
MARCH 2—The mail from Birmingham to Bristol took on two passengers only
from Worcester, a young lady named Capper and a little child. On getting
to Severn Stoke the horses became restive, and at Ripple altogether ran
away. The reins broke, and both coachman and guard got down to stop the
horses, but were unable to do so, and the coach was soon out of their
sight. The young lady, while the vehicle was at its utmost speed, became
so alarmed that she threw herself out of the coach door, and her neck was
broken by the fall.
MAY 26—The Mayor of Worcester committed two journeymen bootmakers to
prison for combining with others against their master, Mr. J. Garner, to
demand an increase of wages. It was shown that industrious men could
obtain at that trade from 30s. to 50s. a week.
JUNE 24—A society formed in Worcester for the prevention of vice—such as
Sabbath breaking, &c.
JULY 6—The Rev. Rowland Hill preached in the Countess of Huntingdon’s
Chapel, Worcester, this (Wednesday) evening.
JULY 28—The Prince of Wales and Duke of Sussex again visited Ombersley
Court.
OCTOBER 21—A new double-bodied post coach advertised to run from
Worcester to London three days a week, starting from Worcester at twelve
at noon and arriving in London at eight next morning.
DECEMBER 6—Lieutenant Carden, of the Worcester militia, on his return
from Ombersley was stopped close to the Barbourne turnpike by three
recruits, and forced to deliver up his gold watch and money. They
afterwards beat a girl, and attempted to rob the Bewdley post boy; but
Mr. Carden having raised an alarm as soon as he got into the town, a
number of people started after them, and two out of the three were
apprehended the same night.
LOCAL ACTS—To amend and enlarge the acts relating to the Worcester and
Birmingham Canal Navigation; for enclosure of lands at Bredon.
1809.
PARLIAMENT was principally occupied with the inquiry which led to the
Duke of York’s resignation of the commandership of the army. Money was
so plentiful that a loan of eleven millions was raised at a lower rate of
interest than the public creditor had ever before consented to receive.
Consols stood at 68; harvest indifferent; wheat averaged 97s. 4d.
JANUARY—The first steps taken to establish a Lancastrian school in
Worcester. Up to this time there had been no day school at which it was
possible for the children of the poor to obtain an education. Sunday
schools had only been established a few years—that at Angel Street Chapel
(Independent), opened in 1797, being the first. In April, Mr. Lancaster
lectured on education, at the Hoppole Inn; and a meeting was held at the
Unicorn, John Williams, Esq., in the chair, at which resolutions were
come to to open a Lancastrian school immediately—all religious parties
uniting in its support on the common basis of the scriptures; the
Apostles’ Creed and Dr. Watts’s hymns being taught to all the children,
and the Church Catechism to those only whose parents requested it.
APRIL 26—A fire broke out, about eleven p.m., in the china manufactory of
Messrs. Grainger, Wood, and Co., Lowesmoor, Worcester, which in the
course of two hours reduced the whole premises to ruins. The property
was insured, but not by any means to its full amount.
MAY 5—In the _Worcester Herald_ of this date the Rev. Thomas Foley,
rector of Oldswinford, published, as an advertisement, a long vindication
of Joanna Southcote. The charge of her having sold her “seals” for
half-a-crown a piece he declared to be “an infamous falsehood;” as she
gave them away without money and without price “to all that had faith to
believe in her inspired writings.” He concluded by giving a summary of
her doctrines in most enthusiastic language.
JUNE 31—The toll on foot passengers passing over Worcester bridge
discontinued, as the flourishing state of the receipts had reduced the
debt to £5,000. The first stone of the present bridge was laid in 1771,
and it was opened to the public in 1781. The bridge and quays cost
£29,843.
JUNE 22—A young woman, named Harris, most inhumanly murdered at
Honeyborne, near Evesham. She was called up from bed, and, on opening
the door, was attacked by some person with a pitchfork, and at last
dragged to a horsepond and drowned in it. Suspicion fell on a young man
by whom she was pregnant, but the coroner’s jury returned a verdict of
“Wilful murder against some person or persons unknown.” The murderer was
never discovered.
OCTOBER 25—The celebration of the National Jubilee—fiftieth year of His
Majesty’s reign. At Worcester a subscription was raised for the relief
of the poor instead of illuminations. Dinner at the Guildhall—Earl of
Coventry in the chair—and 252 guests were present; and a ball at the
College Hall. A great number of benefactions throughout the county from
the rich to their poorer brethren. Meetings in all the towns of the
county to present addresses to the King. The debtors in the County Gaol
were released by subscriptions, and with the aid of the High Sheriff and
Lord Somers.
NOVEMBER 13—Thomas Freeman, glove manufacturer, fined £50 by the
magistrates of Worcester, for having in his possession four oil leather
skins and eleven pairs of gloves, which had been purloined from other
masters’ warehouses, and of which he could not give a satisfactory
account. A moiety of the penalty given to the Infirmary (a public
charity), in compliance with the terms of the act of Parliament.
LOCAL ACTS—To amend the road from Teddington to the turnpike road between
Evesham and Pershore; for enclosure of lands at Iccomb.
1810.
CONSIDERABLE commercial embarrassment was experienced this year; not,
however, arising from the unprecedented situation in which England found
herself placed—in having almost single handed to oppose the growing power
of Buonaparte—but from speculative trading in the markets of South
America. The depreciation of bank paper procured the appointment of a
bullion committee. The early part of the year was occupied with the
affair of Sir Francis Burdett; and the latter with the appointment of the
Prince of Wales as Regent, in consequence of the increasing incompetence
of the King to attend to business. Consols stood at 68. The imports of
wheat this year amounted to 1,491,300 quarters; average price, 106s. 5d.
MARCH 10—At the Lent Assizes, Francis Morris—for stealing a quantity of
unwinnowed barley, the property of Mr. G. Thomas of Hanbury—was sentenced
to be publicly whipped for the space of 100 yards on the next market day
at Worcester.
MARCH 21—R. Ellins, post boy, carrying the bag from Bewdley to
Stourbridge, was detected opening the bag and stealing out of it two
letters containing upwards of £3,000 in bank notes.
APRIL 6—The Mansion House at Glasshampton, Astley, the residence of the
Rev. J. J. Denham Cookes, burnt to the ground.
JUNE 3—(Sunday)—Dreadful fire in Kidderminster, consuming three dwelling
houses, a large carpet manufactory, barns, stables, waggons, carts,
implements, timber, &c. Believed to have been the act of incendiaries.
JUNE 11—A Sir Francis Burdett riot at Kidderminster. Two persons were
brought prisoners to the County Gaol for being concerned in it, and the
mob in Worcester attempted their rescue, and broke to pieces the carriage
in which they were being conveyed. They also broke the windows of
several obnoxious persons; but the magistrates, with the help of the
Yeomanry and Militia then on duty in the city, very speedily repressed
the tumult.
JULY 6—The Boys’ Subscription Free School opened in Worcester.
JULY 28—Advertisements in this day’s _Worcester Herald_ of a project to
open a “Bristol and Severn Canal,” in which the merchants of Worcester
were conceived to be much interested, and therefore invited to take
shares. And another of twelve acres of growing flax to be sold by
private contract.
LOCAL ACTS—For enclosure of waste lands at Holt, Sedgeberrow, Pensham,
Bonehill, Tibberton, and Eckington.
1811.
OUR military operations on the continent, and the large amount of specie
sent abroad in the previous year for the purchase of corn, continued and
increased the depreciation in the value of bank paper; and upon Lord King
giving notice to his tenants that he should require his rents paid in
guineas—or, if in notes, at an increase of £17. 10s. per cent. upon their
nominal value—a bill was hastily passed which made it illegal to give
more money for gold coin than was authorised by the mint, or to take Bank
of England notes for less than their ostensible value! The other
Parliamentary event of the year was the signal defeat of Lord Sidmouth’s
attempt to abrogate the Toleration Act, by requiring that Dissenting
ministers should find six householders to answer for their
respectability, before a license could be granted to them to preach.
Consols stood at 64; wheat averaged 95s. 3d.
APRIL 27—A prisoner, named Elizabeth Townshend, made her escape from the
County Gaol, having worked a hole in the wall.
MAY 9—Mr. Barr of Worcester, and three gentlemen from Burslem, had an
interview with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to represent to him the
impolicy of imposing a pottery tax as he proposed. The minister appeared
to be convinced, and no more was heard of it.
MAY 31—Lucien Buonaparte came to reside at Thorngrove House.
AUGUST 12—The Mayor and Corporation of Worcester dined at Croome. A most
sumptuous entertainment was provided for them.
NOVEMBER 3—The Worcester Association for the Severn Fisheries established
a fish market in Worcester—none having before existed. They took very
active steps in preserving the river from illegal and injurious fishing,
and a great number of condemned nets and wheels were publicly burnt in
the Corn Market.
NOVEMBER 8—The Directors of the Worcester House of Industry issued a
considerable number of copper tokens, which were much in demand on
account of the great want of small change in the country. The exchange
was immediately vested in the funds, and the interest applied to the
assistance of the poor rates. A meeting of tradesmen was afterwards held
(Mr. W. Beeken in the chair) at which resolutions were unanimously passed
to resist the introduction of any other copper tokens into the trade of
the city excepting those issued by Government and the Worcester House of
Industry. They asserted that there was a sufficiency of copper coinage
in the country. A counter meeting of manufacturers was held at the Star
and Garter immediately afterwards, asserting that the business of the
city could not be carried on without more change, and they, therefore,
determined to continue the issue of their own penny and halfpenny tokens,
which they declared to be equal in weight to the legal coin of the realm,
and that they always paid twenty shillings in the pound for them.
LOCAL ACTS—For enclosure of lands at Astley, Overbury, North, Middle, and
South Littleton, and Churchill.
1812.
MR. PERCIVAL’S ministry was continuing to increase in power and in
popularity, principally on account of the warm support which they had
given to the Spanish cause, when Mr. Percival himself was suddenly
assassinated in the lobby of the House of Commons, by Bellingham. After
the Prince Regent, by the Earl of Moira and Lord Wellesley, had
unsuccessfully, and to all appearance insincerely, negociated for the
formation of a new ministry, in which Lords Grey and Grenville should
have a part, the Earl of Liverpool was appointed First Lord of the
Treasury, and the rest of the old ministry remained as before. The
Regent henceforth forsook the Whig friends of his youth, and became a
good Tory. The orders in council respecting navigation, which had been
so obnoxious to the Americans were repealed under Lord Liverpool. A
motion, pledging Parliament to an early consideration of the Catholic
claims, was carried in the Commons by 300 to 215, but defeated in the
Lords by 174 to 103. The Parliament, having nearly run out its term, was
dissolved in October; but the elections did not produce much excitement,
or change in the position of parties. Considerable disturbances took
place in the manufacturing districts, on the introduction of new
machinery. The Three per Cents. did not average 60 throughout the year;
wheat averaged 126s. 6d.
JANUARY 19—The coming of age of T. C. Hornyold, Esq., celebrated at
Blackmore Park, by a series of splendid dinners, balls, and other
entertainments.
MARCH 27—An anonymous letter having been sent to Sir William Smith,
Bart., one of the commissioners of taxes for the hundred of Doddington,
threatening him with vengeance if he confirmed surcharges, a reward of
£100 was offered in the _Gazette_ for the discovery of the writer.
APRIL 26—The Worcester Church of England School, conducted on Dr. Bell’s
principles, first opened in Frog Lane.
APRIL—Wheat again risen to 18s. and 20s. per bushel, and the price of
potatoes also exorbitant, so that the poor had the greatest difficulty in
procuring the necessaries of life—in some places there had been riots.
In Kidderminster £500 was raised by subscription to purchase potatoes and
sell them to the poor at a reduced price.
AUGUST 7—The coachman of M. Lucien Buonaparate, now staying at
Thorngrove, stabbed by a fellow servant named Luigi Vespasiani, in the
heat of a dispute on some trifling subject. The coachman for a long
while remained in a very dangerous state.
AUGUST 24—A _fête_ on the occasion of the opening of the Severn Horse
Towing Path from Worcester bridge to the Lower Parting.
OCTOBER—The Hon. Lieutenant Colonel Cocks, eldest son of Lord Somers,
fell at the siege of the Castle of Burgos—Peninsular War. An address of
condolence was sent to Lord Somers from the Mayor, magistrates, and
citizens of Worcester. Lieutenant Cocks had been frequently noticed in
the Marquis of Wellington’s despatches in a most gratifying manner.
LOCAL ACTS—For enclosure of lands at Holdfast (Ripple),
Shipston-on-Stour, and Badsey.
1813.
THE estimates for the year amounted to seventy millions, and to meet this
great demand the sinking fund was trenched upon, for it was found
impossible to raise new taxes, though the rise of prices and the extended
circulation of bank notes had, hitherto, enabled the country to meet the
extraordinary demands upon it without difficulty. Mr. Vansittart, in his
financial statement this year, said he thought the sinking fund had
reached a point beyond which its operations ought not to go; it would be
very prejudicial to pay off too much of the National Debt at once! The
war which had now broken out with America was of course very injurious to
our commerce. A bill for the relief of the Catholics was brought in this
year by Mr. Grattan, and its general principle affirmed by a considerable
majority, but an amendment, excluding Catholics from a seat in
Parliament, being carried, by a majority of four, the bill was abandoned.
Three per Cents. stood at 59; wheat averaged 109s. 9d.
JANUARY 1—A novel species of amusement took place in the Hundred House
meadow, Witley. Five wild rabbits were singly turned off at an assigned
distance before a dog fox, trained for the purpose by Mr. Charles Tearne
of Stockton; and after an excellent course of about 400 yards, were
severally killed by Reynard in capital style. A large concourse of
people were assembled to witness this singular sport.
JANUARY 2—The clergy of the diocese met in the audit room, and agreed to
a petition against the Catholic claims. This was the occasion of a
series of letters between Mr. T. Hornyold, who accused the clergy of
illiberality, and the Rev. J. J. Denham Cookes. Mr. Hornyold distinctly
disclaimed the temporal authority of the Pope.
JANUARY 8—The Worcester Corporation voted the sum of 100 guineas for the
relief of the Russians in their contest with the French, and a general
subscription list was opened at the banks. At the same meeting it was
unanimously resolved to instruct the representatives of the city to
oppose the Catholic claims.
JUNE 23—An auxiliary to the Bible Society formed for the city and county
of Worcester. Several attempts had been made to effect this before, but
it was said that it would be in opposition to the Christian Knowledge
Society; and other obstacles were thrown in the way. Only four or five
clergymen of the Church of England were present at the first meeting. It
was, however, very warmly taken up in the first instance by the resident
gentry, the Earl of Coventry accepting the presidency; and Lord Deerhurst
took the chair at the preliminary meeting, held in the Guildhall, at
which the High Sheriff of the county and the Mayor of the city were also
present, and took part. The Rev. Mr. Burns, Rev. Mr. Steinkopff, and
Rev. Mr. Hughes were the deputation from the Parent Society.
AUGUST 8—The fine Wesleyan chapel in Pump Street, Worcester, opened, with
sermons by Dr. Adam Clarke. The collections amounted to £412.
OCTOBER 12—A meeting of freeholders at the White Lion, Upton-upon-Severn,
with Lord Somers in the chair, to deliberate on the propriety of
inclosing Malvern Chace. The meeting agreed to a petition in favour of
such a scheme.
LOCAL ACTS—For paving, cleansing, lighting, and watching the town of
Kidderminster; for effecting an exchange of lands belonging to the
Bishopric and the Dean and Chapter of Worcester; for enclosing lands at
North Piddle, Salwarp, and Flyford Flavell.
1814.
PEACE was at last announced, and its advent was hailed with the utmost
enthusiasm by the whole nation, who expected that it would bring with it
unnumbered blessings; but its immediate effects seemed to be only
disastrous. The reduction of our military forces threw great numbers of
men into the labour market, and wages were reduced. While the renewed
freedom of navigation brought abundance of all kinds of raw produce to
our ports, it did not bring any corresponding increase of our foreign
trade and exports to reimburse us, for British merchants had pushed their
speculative supplies to the continent, beyond prudential limits, in spite
of the Berlin and Milan decrees. For instance, tea and other goods had
been sent to Germany, from the port of Salonichi, in Greece, whence they
were carried two thousand miles on the backs of mules. The war too had
impoverished our customers. Three per Cents. fluctuated in April from 72
to 62, and averaged throughout the year 67. The harvest this year was
abundant, and corn fell to 74s. 4d.
JANUARY 19—A subscription set on foot for the relief of the poor of
Worcester. About £700 raised and distributed in coals.
APRIL 10—The populace burned an effigy of Buonaparte on occasion of the
Allies entering Paris. Great rejoicings in other towns of the county.
On the 7th and 8th of June there was a general illumination at Worcester
on account of the proclamation of Peace. Rejoicings at the various
county towns, and at many gentlemen’s seats—particularly at Stanford.
MAY 6—The Grand Duchess of Oldenburgh, sister to the Emperor of Russia,
visited Worcester with her suite. Inspected Messrs. Flight, Barr, and
Barr’s royal porcelain manufactory, and Mr. John Knapp’s glove
manufactory.
AUGUST 17—The first steam boat made its appearance below Gloucester,
intended for the conveyance of passengers and light goods between
Gloucester and Worcester. It made the return voyage to Gloucester in
four hours and a half.
SEPTEMBER 5—Prince Frederick of Orange visited Worcester.
SEPTEMBER 18—Mr. Kean performed at Worcester Theatre this (Saturday)
evening as _Richard III_, and on the following Monday morning as
_Hamlet_.
DECEMBER 26—A splendid silver vase, valued at two hundred guineas, and
the freedom of the city presented to Colonel Henry Walton Ellis, of the
23rd Fusiliers, a native of Worcester, who had most honourably
distinguished himself in Holland, Egypt, America, the West Indies, and
the Peninsular War. The Earl of Coventry was the presentee. Colonel
Ellis fell in the following June at Waterloo.
LOCAL ACTS—For enclosing lands at Bayton, Ombersley, Inkberrow, Abberley,
Norton, and Strensham; for vesting in Lord Somers the right of
presentation to the perpetual curacy of Stoulton; for taking down
Ombersley Church, erecting a new one, enlarging the churchyard, and
building a workhouse at Ombersley.
1815.
THE enactment of a new and more stringent Corn Law was the most important
proceeding of our Parliament this year. In the early years of our
commercial history, prohibitions were laid upon the exportation of corn,
but these were gradually relaxed, and in 1688 a bounty of 5s. per quarter
was offered, on exportation, till the home price had reached 48s., while
a duty of 6s. to 8s. per quarter was levied on imported wheat, while the
price ranged between 53s. 4d. and 80s. a quarter. In 1766, on the
apprehension of scarcity, this was entirely reversed, exportation was
prohibited, and importation was free. In 1774 a duty of 6d. a quarter
was levied on all imports of wheat, which were not permitted till the
price had reached 48s. in the home market. In 1791 this duty was raised
to 2s. 6d. a quarter, and in 1804 the importation price was fixed at 63s.
a quarter, instead of 48s. Such is a brief history of English Corn Laws
down to this period. In the session 1812–13, when prices were beginning
to decline, a committee was appointed to inquire into the working of the
Corn Laws, and though their report was very meagre in information, it yet
created great alarm throughout the country, and meetings were everywhere
held to petition against any alteration of the existing law, which might
prevent the people enjoying that which they had looked forward to as one
of the greatest blessings of peace—cheap bread. In May, 1814, Sir Henry
Parnell succeeded in carrying a resolution permitting the free
exportation of corn, be the price what it might; and it was intended to
have fixed an import duty of 24s. 3d. upon wheat until it rose to 63s.,
and a sliding scale from that price to 86s.; but the opposition it evoked
in the country was so strong that the project was abandoned. The House
of Commons resumed the discussion of the Corn Laws on February 22, 1815,
and after two evenings’ debate it was resolved, by a majority of 209 to
65, that wheat should not be imported till the price was 80s. a quarter.
Immediately the country was in arms; on the very next day a petition was
presented from the Corporation and liverymen of London, which had
received 40,000 signatures in ten hours, praying that no alteration might
take place. On the 3rd of March Mr. Vansittart moved the second reading
of the Corn Bill; and an attempt to delay it till the following week, to
allow time for the country to petition, was rejected by a majority of
171. On the 6th of March the House went into committee, but that evening
the populace of the metropolis had surrounded the House, and insisted on
stopping every member, and sought to make them pledge themselves to vote
against the obnoxious measure; a Mr. Croker was in particular very
ill-treated, and the Speaker sent for a detachment of the Life Guards,
who continued to surround the House for the rest of the evening. A very
high debate upon this matter took place in the House itself, but nothing
availed to stay the progress of the measure, and it was carried through
committee that evening by majorities varying from 120 to 180. The Bill
was read a third time, and passed on the 16th of March. It was carried
rapidly through the Lords by large majorities, and on the 23rd it
received the royal assent. The principal opponents of the measure were
Mr. Baring, Mr. Phillips, Sir R. Peel, Mr. Protheroe, &c. It did not
however answer the purpose of keeping up prices, for they gradually sank
lower and lower till they were considerably below 60s. per quarter, and
farmers, holding their lands on lease, constantly appeared in the
_Gazette_. The average price of wheat this year was 65s. 7d.; and
Consols stood at 60. For an account of the meetings held, and the steps
taken, in this county to protest against the enactment of the Corn Laws,
see ante, pp. 61, 63.
JANUARY 19—Lord Somers addressed the lords of manors and proprietors of
freeholds on Malvern Chace, announcing his intention of giving up all
further attempts to bring about an enclosure of the same. He found it
impossible to reconcile so many conflicting interests.
JANUARY 26—Mr. Charles Matthews gave his celebrated entertainment, called
“Mail Coach Adventures,” at Worcester Theatre.
JUNE 18—On the glorious field of Waterloo, Lieutenant Colonel Lygon
commanded the Life Guards. Lord Sandys, then Lord Arthur Hill, was an
A.D.C. to the Duke of Wellington.
DECEMBER 4—The Worcester and Birmingham Canal opened. The first act for
the cutting of this canal was passed on the 9th June, 1791. From the
Severn to Tardebigg (15 miles) there is a rise of 428 feet, with 71
locks. From Tardebigg to the Birmingham Canal (14 miles) is level. At
West Heath it passes through a tunnel 2,700 yards long. In the first and
subsequent acts power was taken to raise no less a sum than £657,500; the
original number of proprietors being only 1,800. It has throughout been
an unfortunate concern; for the first act is filled with guarantees to
other canals and opposing interests, which have hung like a millstone
round the necks of the proprietors. From Tardebigg to Birmingham the
canal is of greater capacity than in the part nearer the Severn. The
company is now, however, about to be absorbed into the Old Birmingham
Canal Company, and matters will, probably, henceforth wear a different
aspect.
DECEMBER—The celebrated Elliston opened Worcester Theatre for one season.
There being amongst his company the Misses Brunton, Mr. and Mrs. Keeley,
&c.
LOCAL ACTS—For taking down and rebuilding the parish church of St.
Thomas, Dudley; for enabling the Worcester and Birmingham Canal Company
to complete and extend their works.
1816.
THIS was a truly gloomy year. Agriculturists, manufacturers, and
tradespeople all alike experienced the depression resulting from the
sudden change from war to peace; and it was felt the more, as it was so
totally unexpected. The harvest was exceedingly unproductive, and the
farmers got no relief by the high prices which corn fetched—for the
quality of home-grown corn was poor in the extreme. The sudden reduction
of paper money in circulation had much to do with this untoward state of
things; the understanding that the Bank was to return to cash payments
immediately, had compelled them to reduce the quantity of notes in
circulation, and the metallic currency had either been bought up
privately and converted into bullion, or sent abroad. The ministry
proposed to continue the property and income tax, but such was the
feeling of the country against it, on the score of its being only a war
tax, that it was rejected by a majority of 238 to 201, and the ministers
were obliged to borrow to make up the year’s deficit. Three per Cents.
averaged 61; wheat averaged 78s. 6d.
JANUARY 22—Henry Wakeman, Esq., of Perdiswell, at his audit for Claines,
made a reduction in his tithes of £20 per cent., an example which was
pretty generally imitated by the large titheowners throughout the county.
The reason alleged was “the great declension in value of all farming
produce.” Wheat now selling at 6s. a bushel in Worcester market.
JANUARY 29—A Worcestershire Agricultural Society established, at a
meeting held at the Hoppole; Lord Viscount Elmley in the chair. Lord
Foley, Sir Thomas Winnington, Sir William Smith, &c., were among its
first supporters. Its first exhibition of stock took place in June, when
£40 was distributed in prizes (which were all carried off by five
persons); but, after languishing for a year or two, it was given up for
want of support.
MAY—The Messrs. Chamberlain ordered to attend at Warwick House, with
specimens of porcelain for the Princess Charlotte, who gave them a large
order in anticipation of her approaching marriage. Messrs. Flight, Barr,
and Barr were afterwards honoured with an order.
AUGUST 12—Miss Foote performed in _The Honeymoon_ at Worcester Theatre.
NOVEMBER 18—A subscription entered into for the relief of the poor of
Worcester. The gross amount collected was £1,900, the greater part of
which was distributed in coals. The apparatus for making soup by steam
first set up in the Bull Entry.
DECEMBER 20—A dinner given at the Lion Inn, Kidderminster, to the Right
Hon. Earl Beauchamp, in acknowledgment of the undeviating attention which
his lordship had uniformly paid to the interests of that town while he
had been the representative of the county.
LOCAL ACTS—For better repairing the roads leading into and from the city
of Worcester; for enlarging the powers of the acts for repairing the
roads from Bromsgrove to Dudley; for enclosing lands at Rock, Feckenham,
and Minith Wood.
1817.
THE distress which still continued in the early part of this year
occasioned many tumultuous meetings in different parts of the country,
and loud outcries for Parliamentary Reform. The ministry, taking
advantage of some of the excesses of the populace, obtained the
suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act, and the passing of an act for
repressing “seditious meetings.” Sir Francis Burdett’s motion for a
committee to inquire into the state of the representation, was negatived
by 205 to 77. Three per Cents. averaged 74; wheat averaged 96s. 11d.
FEBRUARY 26—Lord Deerhurst presented the Worcester petition for
Parliamentary Reform and Retrenchment, which had been signed by 3,000
freemen and inhabitants. He gave it a modified support in a maiden
speech of considerable length.
MARCH 25—A second subscription commenced for the relief of the Worcester
poor—the £1,900 subscribed in the previous November having been all spent
in coal, soup, and bread; 1,500 penny loaves and 1,500 quarts of soup
were given away daily, and 1,300 tons of coal distributed. The second
subscription realised about £300; and when the committee, at the end of
April, announced that they must discontinue giving bread with the soup,
Miss Stillingfleet of College Green requested that it might be furnished
at her expense, which was done for some time, at a total cost to that
lady of £150.
APRIL 18—A person exposing elvers for sale fined in the mitigated penalty
of 10s., at the instance of the Worcester Fisheries Association.
APRIL 24—The Hon. W. H. Lyttelton presented a petition to the House of
Commons from the parish of Oldswinford, complaining of the pressure of
the poor rates. The rate there assessed on houses amounted to 29s. in
the pound; on the rent of land employed in farming, to 32s.; and on
several other kinds of land, to 61s. in the pound! The population was
4,381, of whom 1,868 received parish relief, and only 158 persons were
able to contribute to the rates.
MAY 8—An elegant silver cup presented to Robert Felton, Esq., at a dinner
at the Star and Garter, on his leaving the neighbourhood, “In testimony
of the admiration of the donors of his ardent devotion to the public
welfare, and of their esteem for the disinterested friendship and
generous zeal which distinguished his social character.”
AUGUST 5—Viscount Sidmouth visited Worcester, and was presented with the
freedom of the city.
NOVEMBER 19—The whole of the shops closed in Worcester during the time
appointed for the funeral of the Princess Charlotte. The Mayor and
Corporation attended divine service at the Cathedral, where a pathetic
discourse was delivered by the Rev. Dr. Forester, one of the
Prebendaries, from _Luke_ viii, 52—“She is not dead, but sleepeth.”
LOCAL ACTS—For amending the act of last session as to repairing the
Worcester roads; for enclosing lands at Cofton Hackett.
1818.
TRADE began to revive and agriculturists again to be hopeful—principally
as the result of the favourable exchanges bringing us large quantities of
the precious metals from the continent, which gave ease to the banks and
encouraged the liberal use of money in various undertakings. Thus
employment became abundant, and the working classes were contented. The
gradual disappearance of the precious metals for several years past had
been a source of much disquietude to our statesmen, and was no doubt one
cause of the great fall in prices which took place on the advent of
peace; but it must principally be attributed to the absence of that
demand by Government for men and money which, during the war, was so
great. Consols averaged 79; wheat averaged 86s. 3d.
JANUARY—The Worcester Fire Office dissolved in favour of the Phœnix Fire
Office.
JANUARY—The price of hops at this time averaged from £26 to £31 per cwt.
MARCH 29—At the County Quarter Sessions, Earl Beauchamp, the chairman,
severely lectured the farmers, through the grand jury, on paying their
labourers such miserably low wages—as breaking down all independence of
spirit, and necessarily tending to the increase of crime.
APRIL 7—The WORCESTER GAS COMPANY formed at a meeting held at the
Guildhall, William Wall, Esq., in the chair. The share list, subscribing
£12,000, was filled up in a few hours, and the shares—on the deposit of
20s.—were, in two days, at 50s. premium.
MAY 14—The WORCESTER SAVINGS BANK established at a meeting held at the
Guildhall, with Earl Beauchamp in the chair. It was opened in June, at a
temporary office in Foregate Street, and £745 were paid in, in small
sums, the first day. It has ever since continued to be a flourishing and
most useful institution.
AUGUST—Six men charged before the magistrates of Worcester with garden
robbing, were ordered to be publicly whipped in the several parishes
where the offences were committed.
AUGUST 31—The WORCESTER SOCIETY OF ARTS exhibited their pictures—the
first exhibition of the kind in Worcester—at the Town Hall. The
paintings principally consisted of landscapes by Thornycroft, Smith, Doe,
and Young; animals by Pitman; some Scripture subjects by Bacon; portraits
by Millichap; and several contributions by amateurs.
SEPTEMBER 2—Twenty-seven illegal fishing nets and three large wheels,
found in use at a mill near Worcester, were seized by order of the
Worcester Severn Association committee, and publicly burnt in the Corn
Market.
SEPTEMBER 7—The Grand Duke Michael, brother to the Emperor of Russia,
visited Worcester, for the purpose of inspecting porcelain manufactories,
and ordered a large service of Messrs. Chamberlain.
SEPTEMBER 25—Eight men killed by an explosion of fire-damp in the Buffery
Colliery, Dudley.
OCTOBER 19—A bull baited on Pitchcroft. The poor animal was most
barbarously mangled, and, after the “sport,” was driven through the
principal streets to the slaughter house, writhing in torture.
LOCAL ACTS—For lighting Worcester and Kidderminster with gas; for
enclosing lands at Great Comberton.
1819.
THE hopes of a speedy return to prosperity which the previous year had
excited were again overcast, and all classes were feeling the pinchings
of distress. This renewed again the outcries for Parliamentary Reform;
and the people, exasperated by the stringent measures of the ministry,
began to exhibit some alarming symptoms of discontent. The crowning
scene was the meeting at Manchester, and the “Peterloo Massacre,” which
formed an exciting topic for Parliament. Lord John Russell made his
first motion for Parliamentary Reform, which only amounted to the
disfranchisement of a few of the rotten boroughs, and a transfer of their
franchise to the large towns; and it was withdrawn on the ministry
promising to disfranchise Grampound, where Sir M. M. Lopez, member for
Evesham in May, 1807, had bribed voters at £35 apiece. But by far the
most important measure of the year was the Cash Payments Bill, which is
generally known as “Peel’s Bill,” but is rather to be ascribed to Mr.
Huskisson and Mr. Ricardo. This provided for a gradual return to cash
payments, and the withdrawal of all bank notes under £5. The result of
this measure, in contracting the circulation of the country, and in
depressing prices, was far greater than had been anticipated. In
anticipation only of such a measure, the circulation of the Bank of
England had been reduced, since 1815, by two millions; and since 1814,
two hundred out of seven hundred country banks had entirely disappeared.
Three per Cents. averaged 71; wheat averaged 74s. 6d.
JANUARY—The WORCESTER HUMANE SOCIETY, which had been first of all
established in 1786, but suffered to die out, revived, under the auspices
of Lord Beauchamp.
FEBRUARY 26—Meeting at Stourport, the Rev. Reginald Pyndar in the chair,
to protest against any duty or tax being imposed upon coals at the pit’s
mouth.
MARCH 3—A silver cup, value 100 guineas, transmitted to Sir William Duff
Gordon, by those of his former constituents who had been his supporters.
APRIL 3—Two parcels, from the bankers of Worcester to the bank of Sir
William Curtis and Co., being incautiously left for a few minutes, by the
guard of the old Fly coach, in the bar of the Bull and Mouth, Aldersgate,
were stolen. They contained about £4,000 in unnegociable bills of
exchange, and about a like amount in provincial and Bank of England
notes.
APRIL 10—The wife of Joseph Richardson, a day labourer, living at
Cooksey, near Bromsgrove, and in receipt of 10s. a week wages, was
delivered of four children at a birth, all of whom lived and throve
heartily. Being deserving people they were subsidised by many of the
neighbouring gentry, and the four children proved a pretty stroke of
fortune to them. A ball was given on behalf of the four younglings at
the Talbot Inn, Stourbridge; and they were all christened at Upton Warren
Church, having sixteen godfathers and godmothers.
APRIL 30—Petitions presented from various towns in Worcestershire against
a proposed New Settlement Act, which would have given a settlement to a
pauper by three years’ residence only.
MAY 4—The Hon W. H. Lyttelton moved a resolution, in the House of
Commons, for the abolition of lotteries; but the Chancellor of the
Exchequer thought them very good things, and the Government could not
spare the £30,000 of revenue which they annually produced. The motion
was negatived by 133 to 84.
MAY 9—An association formed, at a meeting at the Crown Inn, called “The
Worcestershire Association for the Protection of Agriculture.”
Agriculture, the promoters said, ought to be the predominant interest in
the state, and they conceived that, from a want of union, they had
suffered many important privileges to be wrested from them.
MAY—T. C. Hornyold, Esq., and F. L. Charlton, Esq., endeavoured to
reëstablish a pack of fox hounds in this county, but failed.
AUGUST 5—The first anniversary dinner of the Worcestershire Medical and
Surgical Society, held in Worcester. Dr. Hastings, president; Mr. J. P.
Sheppard, vice president; Mr. C. H. Hebb, secretary. The Provincial
Medical and Surgical Association may be said to have had its origin with
this society.
AUGUST 9—The city of Worcester first lighted with gas.
SEPTEMBER 23—The freemen of Evesham entertained their representative, Sir
Charles Cockerell, Bart., to a dinner at the Guildhall, in commemoration
of his success in confining the franchise of the borough to the freemen
only. A handsome bronze medal was after dinner presented by Sir Charles
to each of the freemen present, as a mark of his favour and esteem.
NOVEMBER 19—The Duke of Gloucester, being on a visit at Croome, was
invited by the Corporation to visit Worcester. The Earl of Coventry, as
recorder of Worcester, presented H.R.H. with the freedom of the city; and
he afterwards partook of a collation provided by the Mayor, and then
visited the china manufactories.
NOVEMBER 30—Colonel Davies seconded Lord Althorpe’s motion for referring
the papers laid before the House, on the subject of the Manchester
massacre, to a select committee of inquiry, in a speech of considerable
power. For the motion, 150; against, 323: majority for ministers, 173.
LOCAL ACTS—For enlarging the powers of acts to repair the road from
Evesham to Alcester; for repairing the road from Bromsgrove to
Birmingham.
1820.
THE country was this year in a ferment with the proceedings on the
Queen’s trial. Trade still languid, but the harvest was uncommonly
abundant; and the price of corn and country produce was thus materially
reduced, to the relief of the mechanics and lower ranks of the town
populations. Consols at 68; wheat averaged 67s. 10d.
JANUARY—Subscription in Worcester for the relief of the poor, realising
£1,250, and distributed in coal and soup.
JANUARY—The Worcestershire Hunt reorganised, under the management of T.
C. Hornyold, Esq., of Blackmore Park.
APRIL 25—Elizabeth Waterson strangled in bed by her husband, Joseph
Waterson, a miller, living at Bromsgrove. It was quite clear that the
man had been some time insane; and the coroner’s jury returning a verdict
to that effect, he was at once removed to the Lunatic Asylum at
Droitwich.
MAY 16—Colonel Davies moved for a select committee to investigate the
military expenditure, in a very spirited speech. Motion negatived by 125
to 45.
MAY 29—The walking of the trades was this year revived in Worcester.
JULY—Hartlebury Common enclosed.
AUGUST 10—A splendid service of china, from the manufactory of Messrs.
Grainger, Lee, and Co., presented to Colonel Davies, in “testimony of the
high sense entertained by his electors of his truly patriotic and
distinguished conduct during the whole of his Parliamentary career.”
OCTOBER 5—The Worcester and London Fly coach upset at Stoughton bridge on
its return from town. There were fourteen passengers, exclusive of the
coachman and guard, and all were hurt. A lady had her arm broken; a poor
woman her arm broken, and various contusions; a gentleman had his hip
dislocated, &c., &c. No explanation of the cause. The Aurora and the
Royal Sovereign, both day coaches to London, were upset the next week,
and some passengers hurt.
NOVEMBER 1—A quantity of unseasonable salmon seized in Worcester market
by the committee of the Worcester Severn Association, and ordered by the
magistrates to be burnt.
NOVEMBER 13—Worcester illuminated on the Queen’s acquittal.
Illuminations also at Kidderminster, Bromsgrove, Droitwich, Evesham,
Upton, &c. At Evesham also a public dinner took place at the Cross Keys,
with C. E. Hanford, Esq., in the chair, and a subscription set on foot
for the poor by Mr. Nathaniel Hartland, by which 1,200 families were
supplied with bread and meat.
NOVEMBER 27—At a meeting held at the Rein Deer, Worcester, a petition to
the King praying him to dismiss his ministers, and a congratulatory
address to the Queen on her acquittal, were agreed on, and afterwards
received about 2,000 signatures. A counter address to the King, from the
Mayor, magistrates, clergy, and others, declaring their attachment and
loyalty, &c., &c., begging him to maintain the rights of the crown,
otherwise the country would be involved in ruin, &c., &c., received about
500 signatures. The first was presented by Lord Foley and Mr. Hobhouse;
the second by the Earl of Coventry. Loyal addresses, denouncing a
licentious press, sent from Evesham and Stourbridge. An address for the
county was also drawn up by the Lord Lieutenant, and being approved of by
the High Sheriff was sent to the different towns in the county for
signatures, as the promoters could not have convened a public meeting
with any hope of success to their cause. A counter address, headed by
Lord Foley’s signature, was immediately got up. Counter addresses sent
from Droitwich, &c.
1821.
THE low price of agricultural produce caused such an outcry from the
farmers, that a committee was appointed on agricultural distress, whose
report, however, did not tend much to enlighten Parliament as to the
means of relieving them. Tenants farming with borrowed capital, and
landowners whose estates were mortgaged, must of course, the committee
said, feel heavily the increased value of money occasioned by the recent
changes in the currency; and they could only hope for relief from a
reduction of the rate of interest—such as did actually take place shortly
afterwards. The Bank resumed cash payments, and called in all its £1
notes, on the 1st of May. The Catholic Emancipation Bill first passed
the Commons this year, by small majorities, but was rejected by the
Lords. Consols averaged 75; wheat averaged 56s. 1d.
JANUARY 31—Petitions presented from Kidderminster and Evesham praying
that the Queen’s name might be inserted in the liturgy.
MARCH 15—Dinner given at Stourport to the Rev. R. Pyndar of Arley House,
on his removal from the neighbourhood, to testify the respect the
inhabitants felt for his character and their gratitude for the services
he had rendered to the town. Richard Jukes, Esq., presided.
MARCH 27—The Dean, Archdeacon, and clergy of Worcestershire met in the
Chapter House and agreed to a petition against the Catholic Emancipation
Bill, in which they said that “the projected alteration in the laws
affecting Roman Catholics is a measure so hazardous in the experiment as
to afford just ground for alarm,” and they considered that “the
qualifying of Roman Catholics to possess political power will tend to
injure the Protestant Establishment, which they are bound to transmit,
unimpaired, to posterity.”
MAY 15—The operatives of Kidderminster presented the Queen with a carpet
of very beautiful workmanship and ten yards square; to defray the expense
of manufacturing which, 3,000 weavers and others had contributed 1s.
each.
MAY 29—The ancient pageant and procession of the Corporation, trades,
clubs, man in armour, &c., revived in Worcester with great gaiety and
show, under the conduct of the Mayor, Mr. Hooper.
JUNE 4—Lord Deerhurst and Colonel Davies both voted with the minority in
favour of Sir J. Macintosh’s motion for the abolition of the punishment
of death in cases of forgery.
JUNE 6—Colonel Davies brought in a bill for the better preventing the
adulteration of clover seed.
JULY 29—The coronation of His Majesty George IV celebrated in Worcester
by subscription, procession, and dinner. The procession to service in
the Cathedral comprised about 2,000 charity school children, Worcester
Militia, Corporation clothiers’ company, bakers’, smiths’, tailors’,
fishermen’s, butchers’, carpenters’ and masons’ companies, Druids’ Lodge,
Lodge of Odd Fellows, and the Orange Lodge. Festivities at Bromsgrove,
Bewdley, Evesham, Kidderminster, and Stourbridge, particularly
noticeable.
AUGUST 27—The new tower of St. Helen’s Church, Worcester, completed, and
the bells, which had so long remained mute, in consequence of the
dilapidation of the old tower, were once more roused into harmony. These
bells were cast in 1706, and bear the names of Queen Anne, her principal
commanders and their victories.
SEPTEMBER 8—A meeting of yeomanry, connected with the Agricultural
Association, held at the Crown Inn, Sir Thomas Winnington in the chair,
at which a series of resolutions were agreed to, tracing “agricultural
distress” to a depreciated paper currency, _doubling_ the prices of
produce labour and rents; and while the proposed return to the bullion
standard was reducing these to their former level, the charges to the
farmholder, sinecurist, and placeman were not reduced. They were also
still of opinion that the admission of foreign grain, duty free, [that is
after wheat was 80s. a quarter] added grievously to the difficulties of
the landed interest. Mr. George Webb Hall was the chief speaker.
LOCAL ACTS—For making a tramroad from Stratford-on-Avon to
Moreton-in-Marsh, with a branch to Shipston-on-Stour; for repair of
Stourbridge roads; for repair of Bewdley roads; for repair of
Kidderminster roads; for repair of Bromyard roads.
1822.
THE year commenced with the same heavy complaints from the
agriculturists, and in most counties meetings were held to declare their
distress, and to call for retrenchment and reform. In some cases Mr.
Cobbett procured the addition of a rider to these agricultural petitions,
praying for a reduction of interest on the National Debt. Such a
reduction, indeed, was actually made, by the conversion of the Five per
Cents.; and this, with the retrenchments forced upon ministers by the
representatives of the counties constantly voting with Mr. Hume and other
economists, allowed of considerable relief in the shape of remission of
taxes. The Bank of England also reduced its rate of discount from five
to four per cent. on the 20th of June. A most important measure, too,
was that which extended permission to the banks to issue notes under the
value of £5 until 1833, which was likewise forced upon ministers by the
Parliamentary landlords; and it produced an immediate rise in prices, but
led also to a plethora of paper money most disastrous in its
consequences. Consols averaged 80; wheat averaged 44s. 7d.
FEBRUARY—Discovery of mineral waters at Evesham—a saline spring;
containing 23.06 of sulphate of soda in every 100 parts.
FEBRUARY 7—The WORCESTER DISPENSARY established.
MARCH 4—Colonel Davies moved reductions in the army estimates, and was
supported by a minority of 58.
APRIL 17—At a respectable meeting held in Worcester, presided over by
William Wall, Esq., a petition was agreed to, praying for a revision of
the criminal code.
MAY—Collections made in Worcester, and at the parishes adjoining, on
behalf of the starving peasantry in the west of Ireland. More than
£1,100 was collected in this district.
JUNE—A PENITENTIARY established in Worcester. It did much good for
years, and was then suffered to die for want of support.
JUNE 25—A road maker at Eckington, named Pickerill, only thirty-three
years of age, having obtained from his wife a confession of her
infidelity, mixed half an ounce of arsenic with as much sugar and ate it
before her face. Assistance was immediately obtained, but he died in a
few hours.
OCTOBER 10—An attempt was made to carry away a newly buried corpse from
Grimley churchyard. A reward of £50 was offered for the conviction of
the resurrectionists, who had evidently only desisted from carrying away
the body by finding it too much decomposed for their purpose.
OCTOBER—The penny loaf, as fixed by the magistrates at what was called
the assize of bread, varied from 4 oz. 14 dr. to 9 oz. 14 dr. between
October, 1821, and October, 1822.
LOCAL ACT—For repair of Evesham roads.
1823.
THE great abundance of monied capital produced its customary effects in
leading persons to engage in various works and undertakings, which
produced a demand for labour and renewed the feeling of confidence.
Consols averaged 81; wheat 53s. 4d.
MARCH 13—Consecration of St. Clement’s New Church by the Bishop of the
Diocese. Sermon preached by the rector, the Rev. John Davies; and a
collection, realising £95. 10s., afterwards made at the doors—and this,
with donations and collections the next Sabbath, was increased to £174.
10s. The church is built in the Saxon style, and contains 807 sittings,
407 of which are free. The old church was situated on this side the
river, on the North Quay. It was in a most dilapidated condition, and
often unapproachable in flood time.
APRIL 25—Messrs. Flight, Barr, and Barr completed a very handsome service
of Worcester porcelain, in Saxon green and gold, with heraldic devices,
for Lord Amherst, then going out as Governor General to India.
MAY 13—At the Newmarket meeting, Lord Foley challenged for the whip,
naming his horse Sultan, by Selim. No acceptance of the challenge being
made, he got the whip by default.
MAY 20—The weight of the penny loaf altered in one week from 6 oz. 9 dr.
to 10 oz. 11 dr.; the price of wheat having fallen from 8s. 9½d. to 5s.
2½d. per bushel.
MAY 23—The New Worcester Bridge Act received the royal assent. Reduced
tolls levied henceforth on the horses instead of the carriages.
MAY 31—The Worcester Paving and Lighting Act received the royal
assent—better known as the City Commissioners’ Act. Its provisions it is
now unnecessary to allude to, as the Commissioners themselves are now
numbered with the things that have been. It is curious to notice,
however, that it took power to pull down the houses in front of All
Saints’ Church; but, after a lapse of thirty years, this improvement was
effected not by act of Parliament or a public body, but by voluntary and
private efforts. At their first meeting, Mr. Welles was appointed clerk;
Mr. Edward Hooper, head surveyor; and Mr. Henry Rowe, surveyor of
buildings. Their first efforts were directed to the cleansing of the
streets, preventing waggons carrying over-weights through the city,
removing obstructions from the highways, &c.
OCTOBER 7—Great fight at Welland, between Jordan of Worcester and Wheeler
of Gloucester, which was attended by at least 1,500 persons. Jordan came
off an easy winner, and without any great punishment being inflicted on
either pugilist. The stakes were thirty guineas a side.
LOCAL ACTS.—For building bridges over the Severn at Haw Passage and Mythe
Hill; for repair of Tenbury roads; for altering and enlarging the powers
of the Worcester Bridge Trustees; the Worcester City Commissioners’ Act.
1824.
A CONTINUOUS advance in prices—the result, partly of the over issue of
small bank paper, and partly of the reduction in the rate of interest,
and ease in the money market—gave the appearance of the most unbounded
prosperity to every department of business and commerce. Everything that
men touched turned to gold under their hands, and the greatest wonder was
felt at the sudden disappearance of that distress which the agricultural
interest, especially, had, but a few months before, been complaining of
so bitterly. This year the Four per Cents. were converted into
Three-and-half Stock, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer was thereby
enabled still further to reduce the taxes—the principal one removed being
that on silk. Three per Cents. in November were done at 96½, and
averaged throughout the year 92. Wheat averaged 63s. 11d.
JANUARY 7—The great fight between Spring and Langan for the championship,
which is to be found commemorated by a print hanging up in almost every
inn and public-house in England, took place in Pitchcroft, the ring being
formed just opposite to the Grand Stand. Considerably more than 150
guineas were paid to the managers of the fight to ensure its taking place
at Worcester. The stakes were 300 guineas a side; and the betting two to
one on Spring, who was a native of Warwickshire; while Langan was an
Irishman. Not less than 40,000 people thronged Pitchcroft as spectators,
many being perched upon sheds and booths, erected temporarily, and let
out as standing places at considerable prices. During the second round
one of these erections gave way, and a number of persons were
precipitated to the ground, a distance of twenty feet, amidst the broken
timber, and trampling upon each other. At least thirty people were
carried to the Infirmary with serious fractures of the limbs or ribs, and
one unfortunate fellow died of a compound fracture of the leg. Spring
came on the ground at half-past twelve, but Langan could not be found for
some time. He was, in fact, making off, and his backers brought him back
with some difficulty. Lord Deerhurst and Sir James Musgrave kept time;
and Colonel Berkeley acted as umpire. Spring was exceedingly cautious,
and Langan impetuous, and the greater part of the rounds ended in
wrestling, in which Langan often succeeded in throwing his antagonist.
By the eighteenth round the ring was broken in by the crushing of the
mob, and not ten feet of space was left for the men to fight in. After
an hour and a half’s fighting the affair seemed as little near conclusion
as at its commencement. At the eightieth round, Langan planted a
tremendous blow on Spring’s head; but, at the eighty-fourth, Spring
knocked Langan down with such terrific hits, that he fell as weak as a
child. The cry then became general to take him away, but, although
covered in his gore, he refused to give in, and was at last only removed
by force. The battle lasted two hours and thirty-two minutes—a most
unheard of length of time. At the next assizes Mr. Justice Park, in his
charge to the grand jury, administered a severe rebuke to the county and
city magistracy for winking at, and permitting, this affair.
MARCH 6—James Jones and John Brown were publicly whipped in front of the
County Gaol (in addition to three months’ imprisonment with hard labour),
for stealing an old tea kettle.
MARCH—The proposition to admit the importation of French gloves, hitherto
altogether prohibited, created great consternation amongst the
manufacturers at Worcester. Mr. Huskisson, in replying to some questions
of Colonel Davies about the matter, in the House, said—“He trusted to the
eloquence of the gallant Colonel for satisfying his constituents of the
reasonableness of those views of open trade in which he had the honour to
agree with the gallant Colonel. As to the particular article of gloves,
there must be time to determine what proportion of duty they were to
bear. The prohibitions, however, must be done away, and a high
protecting duty substituted.” The duty was afterwards fixed at 4s. per
doz. on habits, 5s. on men’s, and 7s. on women’s gloves.
MARCH 17—Mrs. Fry attended the quarterly meeting of the Friends in
Worcester, and addressed the congregation who were assembled at their
Meeting House. She afterwards visited both City and County Prisons with
Samuel Gurney, and at the latter addressed the prisoners in plain and
forcible language.
MAY 24—The Worcestershire Yeomanry, under the command of Viscount
Eastnor, assembled for their annual six days’ training. They, this year,
mustered 180; and the helmet they had hitherto worn was exchanged for the
cap.
JUNE—The Cesarean operation performed by Mr. Waldron, surgeon, of
Malvern, on Mary Hunt, of Leigh, with complete success. The child was a
very fine healthy child.
OCTOBER 17—A man named Thomas Smith, who had been convicted at the City
Midsummer Sessions of a robbery, and sentenced to seven years’
transportation, made his escape from the City Prison (the new one was
then building) by working out the bricks in the wall of his cell,
unlocking a padlock, and filing through two large nails in the doorpost.
DECEMBER—Projects on foot for the removal of the Corn Market, and
erecting a suitable building for the accommodation of the farmers in
Sansome Street, Worcester, but the magistrates decided that matters must
remain as they were.
LOCAL ACTS—For repair of the road from Broadway to Stratford; for repair
of the road from Worcester to Bromsgrove; for paving, lighting, &c., the
town of Evesham, and improving the bridge over the Avon; for repair of
the road from Evesham to Bishop’s Cleeve.
1825.
NEVER in so short a period of time did a nation experience such a
transition from the confidence of commercial prosperity, to the despair
and panic of general bankruptcy, as did Britain in the twelve months of
1825. The year opened with a flow of trade and ease in making money
which had never been equalled, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer
declared that the prosperity of the country was fixed on a firm and
immutable basis—for which speech, Mr. Cobbett nicknamed him Mr.
Prosperity Robinson. Yet before the year closed all was in confusion: a
run upon all the banks throughout the kingdom took place—seventy three
country banks were totally insolvent—the Bank of England itself was only
saved from a complete drain of its gold, which was reduced to under
£1,300,000, by the fortunate discovery of a box of one pound
notes—bankruptcy and ruin spread amongst traders of every class—and the
country was within forty-eight hours of barter. To account for this
disastrous state of things is not difficult. The enhancement of prices,
and the recklessness of the country bankers in pushing their paper money,
had begot a spirit of speculation and gambling, not equalled since the
South Sea Bubble. Between 1822 and 1825, twenty-six foreign loans were
negociated, of which only ten are now paying dividends; and companies
were started for all imaginable purposes, the nominal capital of which
amounted in the whole to more than four hundred millions sterling. Soon
after midsummer, this year, the tables began to turn—foreign markets were
glutted with British fabrics, and a drain of gold took place to pay for
the imports, as foreigners would no longer take our goods. Besides this,
gold and silver coin chained down to a certain standard of value, while
all other things had enormously risen in price, was of course a
profitable speculation for the foreigners; and in 1822–3 and 4,
thirty-three millions and a half of ounces of silver were exported, and
the known export of gold exceeded 1,270,000 ounces. It will be seen
that, to the credit of this county, not a single bank here was actually
insolvent, and only one closed its doors even for a short period. Three
per Cents. averaged 89; wheat averaged 68s. 6d.
JANUARY 25—The lady of Sir Edward Mostyn, Bart., then residing at Spring
Bank, Red Hill, near Worcester, was returning home in her carriage, when
the horses took fright and set off at a gallop. She jumped out, and
received such severe contusions on the head that she died in two days
afterwards. Her remains were interred in the parish church of Llannas,
Flintshire, in which county Talacre, Sir Edward’s paternal seat, was
situated.
SEPTEMBER—The long brass French six-pounder and nine suits of black
armour which now adorn the walls of the lower hall, in the Guildhall,
Worcester, presented to the Corporation by Colonel Wall of Hallow Park.
They all belonged to Charles II, and were left by him after the fatal
battle of 1651.
OCTOBER 26—The Worcestershire Militia inspected upon Pitchcroft. At the
dinner of the officers in the evening, a handsome silver salver was
presented to Colonel Newport Charlett as a tribute of the respect and
esteem in which he was held by the regiment.
OCTOBER 11—The Worcestershire Fox Hounds, lately reorganised under Mr.
Parker, had their first run. The pack consisted of about thirty couples
of hounds.
DECEMBER 19—At a public meeting at the Guildhall, of tradesmen and
others, with the Mayor in the chair, a resolution of confidence in the
different banks of the city was passed, and afterwards published with
upwards of 500 signatures.
At a public meeting at Kidderminster, a similar vote of confidence was
passed as to Messrs. Wakeman and Turner’s bank. At Bewdley, the
inhabitants also met and expressed their reliance in the banking
establishment of Messrs. Pardoe, Nichols, and Baker. Bromsgrove—in the
house of Messrs. Rufford and Biggs. Stourbridge—Messrs. Hill, Bate, and
Robins, and Messrs. Rufford and Biggs. Dudley—in the houses of Messrs.
Dixon, Dalton, and Co., and Messrs. Hordern, Molineux, and Co. The bank
of Messrs. Hartland, having branches at Tewkesbury, Cheltenham, and
Evesham, was compelled to suspend payment; but this was the only concern,
connected with this county, unable to sustain the run which the terrible
panic of this year caused on every bank throughout the kingdom.
LOCAL ACTS—Stourbridge Commissioners Act; for making and maintaining a
road from Birmingham to Pershore; for repair of Upton roads; to amend the
Stratford and Moreton Tramroad Act; for enclosure of land at Stock and
Bradley.
1826.
To prevent the occurrence of such dire disasters as the previous year had
witnessed, a bill was brought in the moment Parliament met, to prohibit
the English banks from circulating notes under £5, after February,
1829—thus allowing them three years to recall their present issue. The
loss by the panic of the previous December is estimated at £40,000,000
sterling; but matters soon began to right themselves, and the elasticity
of British resources never was more signally displayed. At Midsummer a
dissolution took place, the Parliament having sat for nearly seven years.
The questions which principally agitated the public mind were the Corn
Laws and Catholic Emancipation. The Corn Law of 1815 had dissatisfied
all parties, and the populace generally entertained the greatest
hostility to it. In Ireland the priests now first openly interfered in
the elections to procure the return of members pledged to the Catholic
cause; while in England a strong counter feeling was evoked, and in many
places Whig candidates were rejected, in spite of family influence,
because of their leaning towards Catholic Emancipation. The harvest
being a failure, as regarded oats and rye, peas and beans, the Government
issued an Order in Council to admit these kinds of food at a duty of 2s.
a quarter; and Parliament was called together in November to pass an Act
of Indemnity. Three per Cents. averaged 79; wheat averaged 58s. 8d.
JANUARY 23—A silver salver, two waiters, and two decanter stands,
weighing in the whole 320 ounces, presented to J. Simpson, Esq., LL.D.,
who for many years kept school in Worcester, by his former pupils.
FEBRUARY—The glovemakers of Worcester made several ineffectual
remonstrances against the proposed alteration of the laws touching the
admission of foreign manufactured articles. They were told that gloves
would certainly be admitted in the ensuing July, though with the
protective duties already mentioned. These being considered
insufficient, the trade was brought to an entire stand-still. By the
exertions of Colonel Davies, however, the importation was limited to the
port of London only, and confidence was gradually restored to the
business.
FEBRUARY 21—Messrs. Hartland and Co. resumed payment.
JULY 1—A party of pleasure, consisting of the two sons and four daughters
of Mr. Joseph Hill, farmer, of Lintridge, near Dymock, and Miss Helen
Woodyatt, daughter of a Hereford confectioner, ascended Malvern Hills,
and being overtaken by a thunderstorm, took refuge in an alcove, on the
Worcestershire Beacon, which was roofed with iron. This attracted the
electric fluid, and in one discharge of lightning the whole party were
laid prostrate on the ground: three of the Misses Hill and Miss Woodyatt
were killed, and the others were seriously injured.
JULY—Captain Brace, R.N., presented to the Corporation of Worcester the
second brass gun which now stands in the Guildhall—one which was taken
from a French battery near Toulon, in 1813, by H.M. ship Berwick, of
which Captain Brace was then Commandant.
AUGUST 21—Lord Foley laid the foundation stone of Holt Fleet bridge.
AUGUST—The growing importance and populousness of the town of Dudley
induced the Lord Chancellor to order an additional coroner to be elected
for that part of the county. Mr. W. Robinson, solicitor, of Dudley, who
had been very instrumental in obtaining the order, was elected to the
office without opposition.
SEPTEMBER 26—Mr. Cobbett, the “lion” of the day, visited Worcester, and
spent a short time with some agriculturists in the neighbourhood,
afterwards staying with Sir Thomas Winnington, Bart., at Stanford Court,
for one night. Mr. Cobbett’s opinion of Worcester and Worcestershire
people may be found in the account which he gives of this trip in his
_Register_ for October 7 of this year.
LOCAL ACT—For building Holt Fleet bridge.
1827.