Mr. SAMUEL HARMER, SPEAKER.
Conisford Ward, 12.
When first When first
elected elected
1769 Mr. Tho. 1754 Mr. John Marks
Emerson }
72 James Chase } 79 Robert Houghton
Nominees
74 James Page } 81 Daniel Bloom
75 William Herring 82 Andrew Storey
75 Thomas Dove 82 Samuel Blogg
75 James Postons 82 Mark Osborn
Mancroft Ward 16.
1775 Mr. Samuel 1775 Mr. James
Harmer, Hudson
_Speaker_.
82 Wm. Foster } 77 John Harper
82 John Buckle } 78 John Crouse
_Nominees_.
82 Rich. Matthews 79 John Marks,
} Jun.
54 Charles 82 Martin Booth
Reynolds
65 Gilbert 82 Robert Ward
Brownsmith
69 Stephen Weavers 82 Samuel Colkett
74 Thomas Back (One vacant.)
Great Wymer Ward 20.
1745 Mr. Hewett Rand 1773 Mr. Robert
} _Nominees_ Priest
61 John Aldred } 73 John Loder
51 Charles Fearman 74 Richard
Hutchinson
52 James Hardy 78 John Wright
52 James Smyth 79 Edward Leeds
52 John Hilyard 79 William
Wilcocks
56 John Bringloe 80 Elisha De
Hague, Jun.
64 James Dersley 81 Edward Crane
70 John White 82 John Watson
70 Thomas Marks 82 Samuel Stone
N.B. In this Ward there is one vacany in the Nominees, Mr. Thomas
Day being elected one of the Sheriffs for this year.
Ward beyond the Water 12.
1775 Mr. Tho. 1769 Mr. Edward
Througton } Marsh
65 William Cutting 70 James Beevor
} _Nominees_.
77 Edm. Partridge 76 Samuel
} Fremoult, Jun.
62 John Castell 77 Samuel Cubit
66 William Powell 78 Thomas Scott
67 Thomas Basely 81 Thomas Watson
The city sends two citizens to parliament: the right of election being in
the freeholders, and such freemen only, as are entered upon the books,
and do not receive alms, March 12, 1701.
Norwich first sent representatives in 1295, 23d Edw. I. and the number of
voters are about 3300.
The following are the number of votes polled by the freemen and
freeholders in the several wards and hamlets belonging to the city and
county of Norwich, in London and the country, at the contested election,
March 18, 1768, for representatives in parliament.
Candidates Harbord Harbord, Esq; of Gunton
Edward Bacon, Esq; of Earlham
Thomas Beevor, Esq; of Hethel
Harb. Bac. Beevor.
Conisford ward 250 228 195
Mancroft ward 288 212 213
Wymer ward 435 387 241
Ward beyond the water 375 334 309
Hamlets 60 54 42
Precinct of the Close 31 35 6
Country 268 244 125
London 105 102 5
Total 1812 1596 1136
Sir Harbord Harbord, Bart. and Edward Bacon, Esq; are the two present
Representatives for this city. 1783.
By a general account of the Poor-Rate taken in 1776, it appears, that the
city and county of Norwich pays £12,403 15s. 2d.
It is not unworthy of remark, that there are sixteen public clocks in
this City, the dial-plates of which are said to front the Cardinal
points, four each way.
CORRECT LIST of the PARISHES in NORWICH.
With the present Incumbents and Patrons.
PARISH. INCUMBENT. PATRON.
St. Andrew C. Jacob Mountain, 1782 The Inhabitants
in litigation
St. Benedict R. or P. C. Richard Tapps 1737 Ditto
St. Clement at the R. Charles Carver 1766 Gonville and
Bridge Caius Coll.
Cambridge
St. Augustine R. John Brooke, 1733 Dean and
D.D. Chapter of
Norwich
St. Giles R. or P. C. John Smyth, 1781 Ditto
D.D.
St. Edmund R. Thomas Beckwith 1781 Rev. Thomas
Beckwith
St. Etheldred C. John Brooke, 1746 Mayor and
D.D. Aldermen of
Norwich
St. George Colegate C. Richard Tapps 1752 Dean and
Chapter of
Norwich
St. George Tombland C. John Green 1756 Bishop of Ely
St. Gregory C. Michael Brown 1781 Dean and
Chapter of
Norwich
St. Helen, in C. Thomas Wigg 1775 Mayor and
Holm-street Hancock Aldermen of
Norwich
St. John R. Henry Bathurst, 1775 New College,
Maddermarket D.D. Oxford
St. John Sepulchre C. Ephraim Megoe 1738 Dean and
Chapter of
Norwich
St. John Timberhill C. John Walker 1781 Ditto
St. James C. James William 1776 Ditto
Newton
All Saints, with R. Stephen Buckle, 1768 Charles Buckle,
St. Julian and St. jun. Esq;
Edward
St. Lawrence R. Robert Parr 1775 The Crown
St. Mary in Coslany C. Stephen Buckle 1761 Lord Viscount
Townshend
St. Margaret R. John Blackburn 1739 Bishop of
Westwick Norwich
St. Martin at the C. Ephraim Megoe 1733 Dean and
Oak Chapter of
Norwich
St. Martin by the C. Thomas Beckwith 1781 Ditto
Palace
St. Michael Coslany R. Samuel Story 1774 Gonville and
Caius Coll.
Cambridge
St. Michael at R. Thomas Wigg 1775 Sir Lambert
Pleas Hancock Blackwell,
Bart.
St. Michael at P. C. Daniel 1762 Earl of
Thorn Fromanteel Buckinghamshire
St. Paul C. James William 1776 Dean and
Newton Chapter of
Norwich
St. Peter per C. John Walker 1781 Ditto
Mountergate
St. Peter of C. John Peele, 1767 Feoffees and
Mancroft upper Minster Inhabitants
1781
Hen. Harington,
under Min.
St. Peter of C. Thomas Pryce, 1774 Bishop of
Hungate Cur. and Seq. Norwich
St. Peter of C. John Brooke, 1738 Ditto
Southgate D.D.
St. Saviour C. Richard Tapps 1752 Dean and
Chapter of
Norwich
St. Simon and Jude R. John Burcham 1736 Bishop of
Norwich
St. Stephen V. Henry 1773 Dean and
Carrington Chapter of
Norwich
St. Swithin C. John Blackburn 1738 Bishop of
Norwich
St. Mary in the C. James Willins 1771 Dean and
Marsh Chapter of
Norwich
Hamlets within the Liberties of the City and County.
Earlham V. John Offley 1758 Edward Bacon,
Esq;
Eaton V. Michael Brown 1781 Dean and
Chapter of
Norwich
Heigham R. Robert Parr 1781 Bishop of
Norwich
Lakenham V. Charles Millard 1772 Dean and
Chapter of
Norwich
Part of the Parishes of Hellesden, Catton, Sprowston, Thorpe, and Trowse,
belong to the county of the city of Norwich, viz. Trowse-Millgate,
Carrowe, Bracondale, &c.
Norwich, 43 miles north of Ipswich, 42 east of Lynn-Regis, and 108 miles
from London, near the conflux of the Yare, and another river called the
Wensom; 30 miles from the sea by water, and 18 by land; is a famous
ancient city, which had a castle so long ago as the 7th century. It was
even in Cambden’s time reckoned among the most considerable cities in
Britain, for the industry of its citizens, their loyalty to their prince,
and civility to foreigners; as well as for its wealth, number of people,
and the neatness of their buildings.
It stands on the side of a hill, one mile and a half from north to south,
but little more than half as broad. It was first destroyed, by Sweno the
Dane, but recovered so soon, that, in the reign of Edward the Confessor,
it had 1320 burghers; but in the reign of William the Conqueror, it being
the seat of a civil war raised against him by the earl of the
East-Angles, it was so impaired at to be reduced to 560 at most.
The Cathedral was founded here in 1096, by Herbert Lozinga, on the
translation of the bishop’s see hither from Thetford.
This place was built anew and first made a corporation by king Stephen,
who granted it to his son for an appendage; but Henry II. took it from
him, though Henry his son, then aspiring to the crown, had fully promised
it to Hugh Bigot, earl of Norfolk, who miserably harrassed the city, and
is thought to have rebuilt the castle on the hill, which is encompassed
with a very deep trench, over which there is a strong bridge, of one very
large arch; but Lewis of France, under whom the barons confederated
against king John, besieged and took it.
This city having been all along governed by bailiffs, Henry IV. made it a
county of itself, and gave the inhabitants leave to chuse a mayor and two
sheriffs; and they built a beautiful town-house near the market-place.
In 1348, near 58,000 people died here of a pestilence; and in 1505, it
was almost entirely consumed by fire. Though, as it has been said, it is
a populous city, yet there is void enough in it for another colony; and
from the intermixture of its houses with trees, it is called “a city in
an orchard.”
It adds much to the trade of Yarmouth by the vast cargoes of coal, wine,
fish, oil, and all other heavy goods, which come to it from thence by the
river Yare. Its manufactures are generally sent to London, though
considerable quantities are exported from Yarmouth to Holland, Germany,
Sweden, Norway, Spain, &c. It had a flint-stone wall, now much decayed,
three miles in compass, which was finished in 1309, and had 40 towers.
The city is now reckoned six miles in compass: it has twelve gates, and
six bridges over the Yare; above 7500 houses, and 45,000 inhabitants. It
had 58 parochial churches and chapels formerly, besides monasteries, and
now has 34 churches, besides the cathedral, chapels, and four dissenting
meeting-houses. The roof of the cathedral (whose steeple is 509 feet
high) is adorned with historical passages of the Bible, expressed in
little images. St. Peter’s of Mancroft is esteemed one of the handsomest
parish churches in England. There are two churches for the Dutch and
French-Flemings, who have singular privileges, which are strictly
preserved. Most of the churches are crusted with flints curiously cut.
The castle is the common goal for the county. Its Guildhall was formerly
a monastery, and afterwards the toll-booth. In 1413, the present fabric
was finished, and the city records deposited therein. It is an irregular
but commodious building, having many suitable apartments, and some good
pictures.
The Bridewell, which is a very large and curious building, is of square
flint and stone; and in 1736, the lofty market-cross, of free-stone, was
taken down.—Here is that called the King’s School, founded by Edward VI.
for teaching grammar learning to boys that are nominated by the mayor and
aldermen.
Here are four hospitals; one of them, St. Giles’s, founded originally for
the entertainment of strangers, was, by Henry VIII. appropriated to the
poor of the city; and here are maintained 80 poor men and women, who are
all cloathed in grey, and must be sixty years old. There is another for
16 poor men and eight women, whose livery is purple. The boys and girls
hospital contain 30 of each, and the boys are from hence put out
apprentices. Here are besides 12 charity schools, where 300 boys and 150
girls are taught, cloathed and supplied with books.
It is governed by a mayor, recorder, steward, two sheriffs, 24 aldermen,
and 60 common council-men; with a town-clerk, sword-bearer, &c. The
mayor, who is always chosen by the freemen on May-day, out of two
aldermen, whom they then return to the court, is sworn into his office
with great pomp, on the Tuesday before Midsummer eve. He is, during his
year, a justice of the peace, and of the quorum, (as are also the
recorder and steward) within the city and its liberties; and after his
mayoralty, he is justice of the peace for life. Two silver maces are
always borne before the mayor, gilt and finely chased.
The sheriffs are also annually elected, one by the aldermen, the other by
the freemen, on the last Tuesday in August, and sworn September 29. The
common council are chosen in Mid-lent. The sheriffs are obliged by their
charter to present the king with twelve herring pies yearly, on the 23d
of October, this city being possessed of the manor of Carlton, whose lord
holds it by that tenure.
The worsted manufacture, for which this city has long been famous, and in
which even children earn their bread, was first brought over by the
Flemings, in the reign of Edward III. and afterwards very much improved
by the Dutch, who fled from the duke of Alva’s persecution, and being
settled here by queen Elizabeth, taught the inhabitants to make says,
baize, serges, shalloons, &c. in which they carry on a vast trade, both
at home and abroad, and weave camblets, druggets, crapes, and other
stuffs, of which it is said this city vends to the value of 200,000l. a
year.
The weavers here employ spinners all the country round; and also use many
thousand packs of yarn spun in other counties. By a late calculation,
from the number of looms at work in this city only, it appeared that
there were no less than one hundred thousand people employed in their
manufactures of wool, silk, &c. in and about the town, including those
employed in spinning the yarn used for such goods as are made in the
city.
The inhabitants are generally so employed in their manufactures within
doors, that this appears a melancholy place, except on Sundays and public
days, when the streets swarm with them.
By an act in 1726, certain duties are laid on goods brought into this
city, for the repair of its bridges, walls, gates, the staiths, wharfs
and roads.—Markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and a market for horses
and cattle every Saturday on the Castle Ditches; also the following
fairs, viz. Maundy Thursday, and Saturday before Whitsuntide, on
Tombland; Easter and Whitsun Monday and Tuesday, without Bishopsgate; St.
Faith’s, the Tuesday after St. Michael, and Maudlin, or St. Mary
Magdalen.
The Yare, which runs through the city, is navigable so far without the
help of locks.
The Shire house of the county, that stood on the hill near the castle,
having been burnt down by accident, an act of parliament passed in
1746/7, for holding the summer assizes and general quarter sessions in
the city, till a new Shire-house was rebuilt; and for raising money to
defray the charge of it.—On a hill on the other side of the river, are
the remains of the castle of Kett, the tanner, of Wymondham, by whose
rebellion, in the reign of Edward VI. this city was reduced to a ruinous
state.
In the suburbs were formerly three parochial churches, besides three
chapels, a nunnery with its church, a priory and church, an hospital and
chapel, and five leper houses at the gates, with their chapels; and the
Jews had once a synagogue here.
Besides the cathedral, castle, guild-hall, bridewell, churches, and other
public buildings already mentioned, the bishop hath a palace on the north
side of the cathedral, to which belong gardens elegantly laid out. The
Free Grammar-school near this, is a neat spacious gothic building,
formerly used as the charnel-house. The Deanry, and its offices, are
situated in the Close; but neither these, or the Prebendaries, have any
pretensions to uniformity.
The New Hall in St. Andrew’s, in which the Mayor’s guild-feasts are held,
is a very handsome building, fifty yards long and thirty wide. It was
founded about the year 1428, and was the place where the company of St.
George used to hold their meetings of business and pleasure. It is now
the common hall of the city, and is decorated with portraits of many
eminent persons.
The Norfolk and Norwich Hospital was built by voluntary subscription in
1772. It is a very neat edifice, well supported, and properly
conducted.—Bethel is an hospital for lunatics, founded in 1713, under
good regulation.—What is called the Duke’s Palace, and now converted into
a workhouse for the poor, was formerly the residence of the dukes of
Norfolk.
Cooke’s Hospital, in the Rose-lane, maintains ten poor women; and
Doughty’s, which was founded in 1687, supports 24 poor men and eight
women.
The city prison is opposite the Guild-hall: It is a close building, where
debtors and the felons are kept.
The quarter-sessions of Norfolk is held at the Castle in January, April,
July, and October; and also for the city of Norwich. The Lent assize of
the county is held at Thetford and the summer assize at Norwich; at
which, also, the city prisoners are tried.
The Theatre-Royal was erected upon patent in 1768, and is a handsome
house. The Assembly-Rooms next it are spacious and brilliant; and the
Concert-Room, in Redwell-street, is well attended weekly:—supported by a
subscription of its members.
The public gardens are Bunn’s, or the Pantheon, formerly Spring Gardens;
and Quantrell’s, or the Rural Gardens. These, particularly in the assize
week, are much frequented, and concerts of vocal and instrumental music
given.
Mr. Arthur Young, in his Tour through the East of England, (1771) says,
“The city of Norwich is one of the most considerable in England after
London; it stands on more ground than any other, but in number of
inhabitants, some others assert an equality. By an accurate account
taken a few years ago, the number reckoned by the houses amounted to
forty thousand; but by the bills of mortality only to thirty-six
thousand; the average therefore of these (thirty-eight thousand) may be
taken as more probable than either.”
In July, 1752, a parochial list was taken of the number of houses and
inhabitants within the city of Norwich, precincts of the Close, and the
hamlets or suburbs belonging to the said city, as followeth: By comparing
of which with the account of the inhabitants taken in 1693, inserted in
the 3d column, we shall see how greatly the number of the people has been
increased in the course of sixty years, owing to the prodigious extension
of its trade during that period.
No. of Houses. No. of Souls. No. Souls in
1693.
St. Peter of 72 425 470
Southgate
St. Etheldred 57 247 243
St. Julian 126 595 563
St. Peter per 327 1408 1376
Mountergate
St. John 158 1004 781
Sepulchre
St. Michael at 273 1127 865
Thorn
St. John 200 890 668
Timberhill
All Saints 106 578 425
St. Stephen 402 2314 1769
St. Peter of 420 2288 1953
Mancroft
St. Giles 195 961 910
St. Benedict 127 715 652
St. Swithin 141 751 496
St. Margaret 223 856 664
St. Lawrence 176 952 668
St. Gregory 248 1002 772
St. John 135 1107 657
Maddermarket
St. Andrew 236 1334 935
St. Michael at 113 482 479
Pleas
St. Peter 90 341 267
Hungate
St. Simon and 84 420 362
Jude
St. George 161 737 722
Tombland
St. Martin at 167 1083 819
Palace
St. Helen 80 386 338
St. Michael 244 1046 1026
Coslany
St. Mary 236 1178 949
St. Martin at 351 1698 1243
the Oak
St. Augustine 266 1226 850
St. George 259 1295 1151
Colegate
St. Clement 123 816 593
St. Edmund 108 520 370
St. Saviour 162 810 710
St. Paul 292 1461 983
St. James 166 696 416
Pockthorpe 137 1116 732
Heigham 164 653 544
Lakenham 35 165 221
Eaton 39 226 153
Earlham 9 68 50
Hellesdon 12 70 65
Thorpe in the 5 36 69
liberty of
Norwich
Trowse, 85 386 258
Carrowe, and
Bracondale
Precinct of the 129 700 650
Close
Total 7139 36169 28882
Seven or eight hundred souls are supported in the two work-houses at
about 10,000l. a year, in all expences; and near 3000l. yearly is paid in
weekly allowances to poor out of the houses.
By a late regulation, the children of St. John’s workhouse are employed
in rooms fitted up for them in Colegate-street; in street also, the
children of St. Andrew’s workhouse are employed in spinning yarn. About
250 poor children are hereby enabled to contribute towards their own
maintenance,—their health and morals improved, and the public much
benefited!
In the present century the manufacture is increased as from four to
twelve.
During the last war, Norwich supplied the army and navy with four
thousand recruits; but her manufactures did not suffer in the least; for
they carried on more trade than ever. The truly industrious do not
inlist; and as to the idle, the greatest favour to be done to any place
is to sweep them all away.
They are in this city curious in building with flint: they cut it in
regular squares, and form as neat joints as with the best bricks. The
Bridewell is thus built, and so well executed, that it is worth a
traveller’s notice.
The husbandry near Norwich is generally good. About Earlham farms rise
from 50l. to 200l. a year: the soil a loamy sand, with both marle and
chalk under it; lets from 14s. to 20s. an acre; average 16s.
CORPORATION COMMITTEES in the CITY of NORWICH,
Elected May 3, 1782.
_Chamberlain’s Council_. Mr. Mayor, Nath. Roe, Roger
Kerrison, Benj. Day, Esqrs.
Messrs. John Hilyard, Wm.
Cutting, John White and John
Bringloe.
_Hospital Committee_. John Addey, James Crowe, Richard
Peete, Elias Norgate, Esqrs.
Messrs. Samuel Harmer, James
Hardy, Thomas Day, and James
Beevor.
_City Committee_. Jeremiah Ives, Jeremiah Ives,
jun. Robert Harvey, Nath. Roe,
Esqrs. Messrs. John Aldred,
Thomas Marks, John Loder, and
Thomas Troughton.
_Market Committee_. Rich. Peete, Robert Harvey, jun.
Elias Norgate and John Patteson,
Esqrs. Messrs. Wm. Powell, John
Marks, jun. Edward Leeds and M.
Booth.
_Clavers_. Mr. Alderman Patteson, Mr.
Alderman Weston, jun. Mess. James
Dersley and John Buckle.
_Auditors_. John Gay, Jeremiah Ives, John
Addey, Francis Colombine, Esqrs.
Messrs. Edward Marsh, Robert
Priest, and Thomas Troughton.
_Tonnage Committee_. Mr. Mayor, Robert Harvey, Richard
Peete, Roger Kerrison, Esqrs.
Messrs. Charles Fearman, Hewet
Rand, Tho. Marks, and Thomas
Watson.
_River and Street Committee_. John Morse, Jeremiah Ives jun.
Robert Harvey, Nath. Roe, Esqrs.
Messrs. James Chase, Thomas
Basely, John Wright and Thomas
Dove.
_Committee to inspect the Cha. Weston, sen. Jere. Ives.
Assembly Bonds_. Harvey, John Patteson, Cha.
Weston, jun. Esqrs. Messrs.
James Smyth, John Castell, Sam.
Fremoult and Ja. Hudson
_Coal Committee_. Mr. Mayor, John Morse, Jeremiah
Ives, jun. Jeremiah Ives Harvey,
Esq; Messrs. James Hudson,
Richard Matthews, Samuel Blogg
and Robert Ward.
CORPORATION of GUARDIANS of the POOR in NORWICH, 1782.
JOHN GAY, Esq; Governor.
JOHN BEEVOR, M.D. Deputy Governor.
ROGER KERRISON, Esq; Treasurer.
The MAYOR, RECORDER, STEWARD, SHERIFFS and ALDERMEN, for the Time being.
For the Great Ward of Conisford, Ber-street and Trowse.
Elected 1781. Elected 1782.
William Slater, Gent. William Weatherell, Gent.
James Chase, Liquor-Merch. Thomas Emerson, Gent.
Francis Sillis, Farmer James Page, Grocer
Wm. Herring, for one year. Robert Oldman, Seedsman
For the Great Ward of Mancroft.
John Beevor, M. D. Wm. Booth, Linen Draper
Simon Wilkin, Grocer Wm. Sexton, Ironmonger
Samuel Harmer, Gent. Richard Matthews, Gent.
Thomas Back, Grocer (_one vacant_)
For the Great Ward of Wymer.
John Rodwell, Dyer John Gay, Gent.
John Wells, Merchant Hewett Rand, Woolcomber
John Aldred, Merchant Thomas Marks, Plumber
Charles Fearman, Grocer (_one vacant_.)
For the Ward beyond the Water.
John Boycatt, Dyer J. G. Baseley, Merchant
John Castell, Apothecary J. Hardingham, Dyer
Tho. Troughton, Woolcomber William Cutting, Merchant
John Herring, Woolcomber William Powell, Woolcomber
SAMUEL FREMOULT, jun. Gent. Clerk.
Mr. JOHN COOK, sen. Beadle.
N.B. _General Courts of the Guardians are held on the first_ Tuesday _in
entry Month_, _at three o’ Clock in the Afternoon_, _at the Hall in St.
Andrew’s_; _and weekly Committees at St. Andrew’s Workhouse every_ Friday
_in the Afternoon_, _and at St. John’s Workhouse every_ Monday _in the
Afternoon_.
GOVERNORS of BETHEL.
JOHN VERE, Esq; PRESIDENT.
Jehosaphat Postle, sen. Gent. John Chamber, Esq;
Jeremiah Ives, jun. Esq; Mr. Charles Marsh
Mr. John Boycatt John Slaney, Esq;
Treasurer, Mr. Charles Marsh
Physicians, Dr. Beevor and Dr. Manning
Surgeon and Apothecary, Mr. James Keymer
John Barnby, Clerk—Thomas Nelson, Steward—Robert Waller,
Master
N.B. _The Committee Day is the first_ Monday _in every
Month_.
TREASURERS of the several HOSPITALS.
_Great Hospital_ Roger Kerrison, Esq;
_Doughty’s Hospital_ Jeremiah Ives, Esq;
_Boy’s Hospital_ Charles Weston, Esq;
_Girl’s Hospital_ Jeremiah Ives, Jun. Esq;
_Court Bonds_ Roger Kerrison, Esq;
_Assembly Bonds_ Charles Weston, Esq;
_Tonnage_ John Morse, Esq;