Pages from Volume II,Chapter VII, Rows 106 -112 UNPDF

240

THE PERLUSTRATION OF

CHAPTER VII.

At the east end of Row No. 106, fronting Middlegate Street, and

occupying the space between this Row and Row No. 108, is a very

ancient building, which for centuries has been designated

the T OLHOUSE , because from a very early period the

bailiffs were accustomed to receive their tolls or dues in

the great chamber on the first floor. Some portions of the

original structure still remain. An external staircase leads

to a large early

English stone doorway, which has the tooth

ornament on the jambs, with good mouldings

and shafts. On the landing, fronting this

doorway and looking into the street is an

unglazed two-light early English window with

cinquefoil heads and shafts in the jambs. A

large oaken door opens into what was the great

hall, extending the whole length of the

building. It is now greatly obstructed by the

erection of a gallery, extending across it for the

accommodation of the grand jury; and a low

flat ceiling now takes the place of the former

open-timbered roof. On the west side of the

hall, a small but elegantly proportioned stone

doorway (of the same period as the great

doorway), leading from the hall to some inner

apartment now demolished, was accidentally

discovered in 1847, it having been previously

plastered over. It has the tooth ornament in the

arch mouldings, but not in the jambs. This

building was also called the Host House,

because in the great chamber the hosts to

whom foreign fishermen

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241

intrusted the sale of their herrings, were accustomed, to assemble and

pay their "heighning money," being the difference between the "tide

price" fixed by the corporation when the fish were first landed and the

actual selling price; which difference the corporation claimed as part of

the town revenue. Hence the above apartment was also called the

Heighning Chamber. Beneath the main building is an underground

room, twenty feet long, twelve wide, and sixteen high, called "the hold,"

originally used as a dungeon into which all prisoners were thrust without

distinction. It had a huge beam placed along the centre, with iron rings at

regular intervals, to which prisoners were chained; for, quoth Manship,

"it pleased King Henry III. to grant unto us (in 1261) a gaol for prisoners

and malefactors, according to the laws of this land to be imprisoned; and

which ever since has been continued, and is commonly called by the

name of the Tolhouse." Thus we find that the Borough Gaol has been in

the same spot for upwards of six hundred years;* during which long

period what scenes of misery must have passed within its walls! At the

Yarmouth sessions in 1295 John Chapman and William Reymer for

stealing a super tunic of the value of 2s., a pair of "paternosters"

(see.Vol. i., p.6), a razor, and other goods; Catherine Herre for stealing

cloth; Walter Helmes for stealing a chest from, a ship; John de

Waterbeche for stealing a pair of shoes and five other persons for similar

petty thefts, were all condemned to death and hanged. This is given

merely as an ordinary example of the severity of the penal laws as at that

time administered by the king's justices on circuit, who, until the reign of

Henry VII., were accustomed to come to Yarmouth when sent for "to

plead the pleas of the crown within the borough." f Thus we find that in

1331 Godfrey de Colney, clerk of the

* So late as 1808 there was but one court-yard for all descriptions of prisoners;

and in 1818 the grand jury reported that there was then no classification of prisoners.

A considerable enlargement soon afterwards took place.

f A larceny to the value of 12d. was punished with death; and the only way of

saving the criminal from capital punishment was by the jury declaring the value of

the goods stolen to be under that amount, or by the offender claiming what was

called "Benefit of Clergy." So great was the respect for learning in the middle ages,

and so powerful had the clergy become, that if a prisoner declared he was a cleric, the

proof being his ability to read, he escaped; the clergy claiming exemption from

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court, was sent on a hackney to Norwich to procure justices of gaol delivery;

and Sir Robert de Morley and Sir Anselm le Marshall attended for this purpose,

whose expenses in bread and wine amounted to 5s. 10d. The attendance of the

sheriff and coroner were also required to make inquisition of the death of Henry

atte Ker de Langley, who had been ''feloniously killed.'' At the same sessions

Henry Payn was condemned of felony, and the bailiffs received xx s of the

Serjeants for his clothes. In the following year Sir Robert de Morley again

attended, and John Toll was paid 7s. 2d. for the expenses of his breakfast, by

order of Thomas de Drayton. In 1342 Peter Cressy, one of the bailiffs,

accompanied by John Henry Talifer, clerk of the court, journeyed to Lynn, at

the expense of two marks, to procure the attendance of "Constantine de

Mortimer and his fellows, the Justices of our Lord the King," to make a sessions

at Yarmouth. In the same year John de Shardelowe and his fellows held a

sessions here. Similar applications were constantly made until 1493, when a

charter was obtained which enabled the Yarmouth Justices with their Steward or

Recorder to hold Sessions of Oyer and Terminer and Gaol Delivery with power

of life and death; and the same charter gave to the corporation the right of

electing two coroners. In 1381 the gaol was forced open by the insurgents under

John Litterster, who set at liberty all the prisoners except three; these they put to

death. They "spoiled" many private houses; but on the following day were

driven out of the town with loss.* In 1462 the bailiffs seized and lodged in gaol

John Fermor, a retainer of the Earl of Oxford then lately beheaded, whilst

endeavouring to escape by sea "without license;" and John Wykes, usher of the

king's chamber, wrote to John Paston, requesting him to intercede with the

bailiffs, in order that the prisoner

criminal process before secular judges; but to prevent imposition someone appointed

by the bishop was required to hear the prisoner read. In 1298 Walter de Ingham,

accused of theft, pleaded that be was a clerk; but no qualified person being present

to challenge him, he was remitted to gaol, where he remained till he died. Benefit

of Clergy was completely abolished in 1826 by " Peel's Act."

* To liberate the prisoners in a gaol is one of the first efforts of every civil

commotion. In Kett's rebellion the gaol was threatened. A serious attack was made

upon it during the bread riots in 1792; and again dining the sailors' riot in 1852.

See ante. p. 107.

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243

might be sent to the king's castle at Rising.* In 1507 Emma Barefoot, a prisoner

in gaol on a conviction for felony, "for defaute of good and sure kepying, out of

prison escaped and avoided," and the bailiffs had to obtain a discharge from the

king for their negligence. Henry VIII, in the first year of his reign, granted a

general pardon, from which one Pygeon of Yarmouth, Coke of Norfolk, and

Watts of Norwich were specially excepted, (State Papers.) At a sessions held in

1552 Richard Ramsey of Blakeney, mariner, was convicted of stealing "a peyr of

chenys of iron and an iron hoop," the goods of Thomas Betts, valued at 5s., and

being found guilty, and having "no goods nor chattels, lands nor tenements," he

was condemned to be hanged, and was hanged accordingly. On the accession of

Queen Mary, when religious differences were very strong, one Robert Steyers

was committed to prison for saying to the justices,—" By God's sowle, you rewle

here nowe as ye lyst—ye “knowe not howe long ye shall;" adding that "the

Duke of Northumberland was as good a man at his last coming as he was when

he came down at the commotion time against Kett," and telling Simon Moore,

one of the justices, in open court, that "if woman's staff had holden" he would

not then have been there to tell tales. In the following reign, John Story, Doctor

of the Canon Law, a man who had been notorious for his cruelties during the

Marian persecutions, and for the insolence with which he had defended them,

and who on the accession of Elizabeth had renounced his country and had

naturalized himself in Spain, but who had not abandoned his habits of

conspiracy, was brought to Yarmouth by a ship into which he had been enticed

by stratagem at Antwerp. Upon landing he was put into prison until the orders of

government were known. He wrote to Cecil, Secretary of State, that as he was

old and decrepit one iron on his sound leg would be sufficient

* The right of passage was one of the privileges granted by King John's charter; so

that no person could leave the town by sea without the permission of the bailiffs; but a

writ ran in the King's name directing the bailiffs to allow a person who had the king's

license to pass, and hence the "passport 1 ," which continued to be necessary down to a

very recent period. P. C., p. 8.

f " Sus. per coll : et suspens est" says the Court Book; in the margin of which against

each culprit's name the fatal abbreviation Sus per coll. constantly appears.

1 Palmer’s addenda: passports – persons desirous of “passing into foreign parts” were

compelled to give their names, residence, occupation, and reasons for going. The

inspection of these applications therefore affords curious information. Thus, in 1637,

George Seaburn of Great Yarmouth, tobacco pipe maker, was desirous to pass into

Holland with John Danes his servant, there to remain. Ellen Busky, seamstress, wanted to

go to Amsterdam, there to dwell as a servant. Ann Page, to pass into Holland, there to see

her friends. John Masters to pass into Holland, there to place one of his children, and

return; Stephen Masteres “to seeke worke”, and Mary Masteres “to be a servant there”.

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"to hold him," and "begged that he might be tolerably lodged, that "he

perished not before his time."*

The disputes which, occasionally arose among the frequenters of

the Free Fair augmented the number of inmates at the gaol during that

busy period of the year; and the commitments for assaults were very

frequent. The Cinque-Port Bailiffs, who visited the town in 1579, thus

describe an affray which then happened:—"This day in the afternoon

there arose a great mutiny between a Fleming and an Englishman that

were by the ears, insomuch that a multitude of people were gathered

together on both aides and parts taken, and great hurt was like to ensue.

We came in all the haste with our officers to pacify them; but the throng

was so great we could not get near them, insomuch that we were forced

to make proclamation in her majesty's name, every man to depart to his

business and to sever themselves; and so with much ado we pacified

them, and brought the two parties away by our officers to our lodging,

where, after we had examined them we sent them to prison ; and with

them "one Matthew Whatkinson of Brighthelmstone for that he drew

his dagger on the multitude but, as it chanced, no hurt was done by

him." f The next day the prisoners were discharged after they had

reconciled themselves together."

In 1597 Robert Smith of Yarmouth informed the Lord Treasurer

that he was just returned from Amsterdam, where he had discovered "a

most dangerous plot between the Cardinal and Lord Huntley to be

executed by the Jesuits who were coming over for the purpose ;" and he

proposed to apprehend those who might land at Yarmouth, and get hold

* He was sent to London and confined in the Beauchamp Tower, upon the walls of

which, he carved his name, which still remains,—"1570, John Store, Doctor." Lord

Cobham says "no common prison would suffice for him." He was afterwards, for a

treasonable plot to make away with the little King of Scots, condemned and

hanged ; being the first to suffer in this reign for a political offence, Elizabeth, until

pressed by perpetual conspiracies, having been very averse to the shedding of blood.

f The use of the knife was never excused. In 1604 two fishermen were brought

up for a "variance in an ale house," where one "broke the other's head with a

dagger;" and although it appeared he did it in self defence he had to pay "blood

money." See 33 Henry VIII., c. 6.

GREAT YARMOUTH

245

of their instructions. In the same year Christina, wife of Thomas

Church, baker, was pardoned for fines incurred by her for not coming to

church, as her husband was very poor with eight small children, and she

had been imprisoned five years for the offence. In 1625 a Franciscan

friar then in Yarmouth Gaol was ordered by the corporation to be "sent

over seas in the first ship that should sail from the town," the bailiffs

being saved harmless for such a violent proceeding; and three months

afterwards a letter was read at an assembly, from the Lords of the

Council, about passing away of the friar then in prison here, over the

seas. Those also who had wandered into other forms of belief were to be

brought back, or prevented by prison walls from spreading their

opinions. Cayne, the anabaptist, and his followers were committed to

gaol in 1624, as already mentioned (vol. 1., p. 209). In 1621 Edmund

Canna, a Franciscan, landing from a Dundee sloop, was detained, his

pass not being deemed, sufficient. He had been put on board by two

servants of the Archbishop of St. Andrew's, with orders to take him

abroad and a promise to pay all expenses. In 1623 Thomas Belson, on

the petition of the bailiffs and magistrates, was pardoned for horse

stealing, "he being a fit person, to serve the king in defence of the realm

or otherwise;'' and he was ordered to be employed in the Low Countries

under Sir William Heydon. Capt. Derickson, who was hanged for piracy

in 1633 (see vol. I, p. 115), complained to the Privy Council that he and

his men had been treated as malefactors; their money taken from them,

their hands bound, their feet tied, and in this state carried on horseback

to gaol, where they remained in " miserable captivity;" whilst the man

they had killed on shore was "only an Hollander." The bailiffs in their

reply state that when they sent their marshal to command the captain to

desist, "he answered with an unseemly gesture 1 ." At about eleven

o'clock one summer's night in 1632, four Frenchmen "did very

barbarously, and in a bloody manner, murder one Nicholas Harpley,"

for which they were sent to gaol, and afterwards tried and executed. In

the 16th and 17th centuries reputed witches were frequently lodged in

gaol; and in 1645, through the instrumentality of the notorious Hopkins,

numbers of these wretched women were sent there, many of whom were

condemned and executed.

1 Clearly the equivalent of a “V” sign, it would be of great historical

interest to know just what this offensive gesture actually was!

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(See ante. p. 145.) In 1636 Antonio della Valle, an Italian, who had escaped

from the gate-house in London, came to Yarmouth, accompanied by a

Frenchman; and not speaking English they applied to Mr. Brooks the minister,

who questioned them in Latin, and believing them to be persons of importance,

notwithstanding their dress, he informed the bailiffs, who lodged the men in

gaol and communicated with Secretary Coke. In 1643 this gaol was filled with

political prisoners sent in by the "sea captains" and the "standing committee;"

and it became necessary to occupy the towers along the walls as prisons. In the

above year all prisoners "delinquents to the Parliament, as well as clergymen

and others," who had been detained in prison by order of Lord Grey of Werk,

were, by direction of the Earl of Manchester, sent to London.

Henry Coke,* a royalist, who had been member for Dunwich in the Long

Parliament and one of the first expelled the house, was imprisoned here for

malignancy in not acknowledging the power of Parliament even by paying taxes

or petitioning for his release. The latter however was obtained by the

solicitations of his wife. In 1656, when there was a report of a royalist rising and

that Coke had secreted arms, a party of horsemen from Yarmouth searched his

house, took him into custody, and again lodged him in Yarmouth Gaol, where,

being then "old, very fat, and unwieldy," he was detained for two days, during

which "he would neither pay for any meat or drink, nor give the soldiers one

penny" for guarding him! The governor then released him; and without waiting

for his own coach and horses he hired a Yarmouth cart in which he drove to Sir

Nicholas Bacon's house at Gillingham. f One of his sons in gaol with him being

only nineteen years of age, and "raw and of little experience in martial or any

other affairs," confessed, after having "burning matches put between his

fingers," and was sent to London.

* Fifth son of Chief Justice Coke by Bridget his first wife, daughter and co-heir

of John Paston, Esq., of Huntingfield in Suffolk. He married Margaret, daughter

and sole heir of Richard Lovelace, Esq., of Kingsdown in Kent; and died in 1661, and

was buried at Thorington in Suffolk, where he had an estate. Page's Suffolk, p. 268.

t Nicholas Bacon of Gillingham, fourth son of Sir Butts Bacon of Mildenhall,

was created a baronet in 1616, and died in 1666, leaving two sons, Edward and

Richard, successive baronets; and on the decease of the latter in 1685, s.p., that title

became extinct . Sir Butts Bacon, who died in 1661, lies buried in Blundeston Church.

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Another royalist, long imprisoned in this gaol was J OHN C LEVELAND , a

satirical poet, of considerable ability, He was the social companion of Butler,

the author of Hudibras, and the intimate friend of Bishop Lake, who wrote his

life. Cleveland followed the fortunes of Charles I. until that monarch threw

himself into the arms of the Scots. He lampooned Cromwell by likening him to

an

" ------------- ass, veil'd in the lion's skin,

" An outward saint, lin'd with a devil within; ”

and closed his definition with—

" In fine, he's one we must protector call,

"From whom the King of kings protect us all.

He made the following anagram from the word protector— O Portet C.R.

Apparently by order of the protector himself, Cleveland was sent to

Yarmouth Gaol, where he remained in wretchedness until at last,

exhausted by the severity of his confinement, he addressed the

following pathetic letter to Cromwell, which melted the protector's

stern heart and obtained his liberty:—

" Petition from Yarmouth Prison to the Lord Protector. "

May it please your Highness.

Rulers within the circle of your government have a claim which was spoken of the

Deity, they have your centre everywhere and their circumference nowhere; it is in this

confidence that I address to your highness at such a distance, as knowing no place of the

nation is so remote as not to share in the ubiquity of your care, nor prison so close as to

shut me up from, partaking of your influence. My lord, it is my misfortime that (after ten

years' retirement from the publick differences of the state, having wound myself up in a

private recess and my comportment to the publick being so innocent that neither feares

nor jealousies have ever scrupled at any of my actions) being about two months since at

Norwich, I was fetch'd by a guard before the commissioners and sent prisoner to

Yarmouth. If it be not a new offence to make enquiry wherein I offended (for hitherto my

crime is kept as close as my person), I am induced to believe that, next to my adherence to

the Royall partie, the cause of my confinement is the narrowness of my fortune, for none

are committed whose estates bayle them. I only am a prisoner having no acres to be my

hostages. Now, if poverty be criminal, with reverence be it spoken, I must implead your

highness (whose victorious army hath reduced me to it) as accessory to my guilt. Let it

suffice, my lord, that the calamity of the war has made us poor. Doe not punish us for it.

Who ever did penance for being ravish'd? Is it not enough that we are stript so bare, but

it must be turn'd into a severer -----P must our bodies be engraven with new wounds; must

we be first made cripples and then beaten, with our crutches? Poverty is its own

punishment; who suffers for it most pays use upon use.

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I beseech, your highness put some bound to our overthrow, and do not pursue the

chase into another world. Can your thunders be levelled so low as our grovelling

condition ? Can your towring spirit that hath quarried upon kingdoms make a stoop at us,

who are but the rubbish? Methinks I bear your former achievements interceding with you,

not to sully their glory with trampling on the prostrate, nor clog the wheels of your chariot

with so degenerate a triumph. The most renowned heros have ever with such tenderness

cherished their captives, that their swords; did but cut out work for their courtesie; those

that fell by their prowness, sprung up by their favour, as if they had but struck them

downe only to make them rebound the higher. I hope your highness, as you are the rival of

their fame, will be no less of their virtues. The noblest trophy you can erect to your

honour, is to raise the aflicted; and since you have subdued all oppositions, it now remains

that you acquiesce, and let acts of mildness vanquish your victory. It is not long, my lord,

since you knock'd off the shackles from most of our party, and by a grand general release

did spread your clemencie as large as your territories. Let not now proscription interrupt

our jubilee, nor your lenity be slandered as the ambush of a further rigour. For the service

of his majesty, if it be objected, I am so far from excusing it, that I am ready to alleadg it

in my vindication. I cannot conceive that my fidelity to my prince should ever taint me in

your opinion. I might rather expect it should recommend me to your favour. Had we not

been faithful to our Kinge, we could not have given ourselves security to be so to your

highness. You had then trusted us gratis, whereas we have now our loyalty to vouch us.

You see, my lord, how much I presume on the greatness of your spirit, that dare present

my indictment with so frank a confession, specially in this I might so justly deny, that it is

almost arrogancy in one to own it, as the truth is, I was not qualified enough to serve him;

all I could doe was to hear a part in his suffering and give myself up to be ever crush'd

with his fall. Thus my charge is doubled; my obedience to my sovereign, and, which is the

result of that, my want of fortune. Now what reflections soever I have of the former, to be

sure I am a true penetent for the latter. My lord, you see my crime, and as to my defence

you beam it about you, for I shall plead nothing in my justification but your highness

clemency, which, as it is the constant inmate of a valiant breast, if you graciously please

to " extend to your supplyant, in taking me out of this withering durance, your highness

will finde that mercy will establish you more than power, though all the dayes of your life

were as pregnant with victorie as the twice auspicious third of September,

" Your Highness's humble and submissive Petitioner, J. C."

The prayer was granted, and Cleveland was released. He died at his

residence in Gray's Inn in 1658, and his funeral sermon was preached

by Dr. Percy, Bishop of Dromore.

In 1678 the corporation, expended £6 in conveying to London Peter

Shea, an Irish Papist, who had been confined in the Borough gaol. In

1681 Peter Rine, "branded at the last sessions for felony," had his

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chest and linen delivered up to him with “seven half Lewises” but after

paying fees and charges his " other money" was kept for the town's

use.* Six French prisoners confined here in 1690 were each allowed 5d.

per day by the corporation. In 1603 a man named Faucet was seized and

committed to prison, having some of "King James' proclamations"

about him. In the hot summer of 1719 the prisoners confined in this

gaol, crowded and unventilated as it then was, suffered much from

sickness; and Thomas Loveday, the gaoler, had £5 presented to him for

his care in nursing and relieving them. f " I was at the sessions," says

Ives, senr., in 1735, ''and saw Ben Middleton cleared for driving over a

girl." On the 1st of September, 1756, an engagement took place off

Winterton between HMS Hazard and the French privateer La Subtille,

carrying twelve guns and eighty-six men. After fighting for six hours

the Frenchman struck; and the next day (Sunday) the prisoners were

landed and lodged in gaol; but by under-

* The Corporation were however sometimes merciful, for in 1686 they subscribed £5

"towards the charge of procuring his majesty's pardon for Christopher Hast;" and in the

following year they allowed Matthew Fenn, "a prisoner in the dungeon," 2d. per day, and

every other prisoner 1d. per day to be distributed in bread.

J Formerly gaolers were remunerated solely by fees extorted from their prisoners.

Those fees were from time to time lessened; but the regulations thus made throw a

curious light upon the abuses which must have previously prevailed. Thus we find that in

1671 the fees to be taken in Yarmouth Gaol were reduced to—

4d. for every person whipped; (See vol. i., p. 79.)

12d. for every person branded;

6s. 8d. for every one hanged-

The gaoler was prohibited from taking more than the following fees from debtors—

"For every prisoner that will dyett with the gaoler, for every meal xiid."

'" For finding his own bed, id,"

" For using the gaoler's bed, ijd."

The fees differed whether the prisoner was a "freeman." or not, and also whether ho

lodged in the "common chamber" or the "private chamber," the fees for the latter

being double those for the former. Freemen, were entitled to lodge in the "free

chamber," paying vjd. per week. The gaoler was entitled to vjd. "for goeing abroad

with, a prisoner;" and to a fee for "key-turning,'' which, differed whether applied to

an inhabitant or stranger. Howard, the philantrophist, gave evidence before the

House of Commons that he had released a prisoner from Norwich City Gaol in 1774,

who had been detained there five weeks for the gaoler's fee of 13s. 4d. In 1792

Benjamin Ellis, then gaoler, had his salary advanced "in consideration of his being

deprived of the benefit of selling wine, beer, and spirituous liquors to the prisoners,"

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mining the wall fourteen got out, of whom only four were re-taken. A

few years later twenty-eight French prisoners made their escape in a

similar manner, but all were re-captured by the Norfolk Militia, except

three. In 1762 Edward Tyssen, carter, was condemned to be hanged for

breaking open a bureau belonging to Mr. John Barker, merchant; but

was reprieved and transported. In 1763 the French prisoners broke out

of the gaol, seized a boat on the beach and put out to sea; but were re-

taken by some Lowestoft fishermen and brought back to their former

quarters. In the following year, at a sessions held by the Hon. Robert

Walpole, recorder, John Blackwood was condemned to death for

burglary. In 1785 Sarah Carlton and her maid, Mary Bradley, were

committed to gaol on the oath of Robert Crow, for having, more than

two years previously, murdered a gentleman unknown, by drugging his

mulled wine; after which they stripped him, threw his body into a water

butt, and afterwards hired two soldiers to fling it into the river. Great

excitement was caused by the French revolution in 1793, and repressive

measures were resorted to. Wade, a shoemaker, was committed to gaol

for sedition. He was ultimately tried at Thetford, convicted and

sentenced to pay a fine and be imprisoned twelve months. In 1814 the

corporation passed a vote of thanks to the Rev. Richard Turner, "for his

voluntary attention at all times to the unfortunate prisoners confined in

the gaol, but more particularly for the humane and diligent discharge of

his clerical duties towards John Hannah, condemned and executed in

1813." Inseparably connected with Yarmouth Gaol is the name of Sarah

Martin, already mentioned. (See vol. i., p. 315.) She was born at

Caister in 1791, and having lost her parents by death when a child, was

brought up by her grandmother, a widow of very limited means but of a

kind and religious disposition, who died in 1826.* In 1856 a female

prisoner, named Hunnibell 1 , set fire to her cell, and the building would

have been destroyed but for a plentiful supply from the mains of the

water works, then for the

*Among the few poems written by Sarah Martin is one entitled "Recollections of

my beloved grandmother," which has been reprinted by Glyde in his Norfolk

Garland, p. 359. The Story of Sarah Martin is given by Smiles in his

Character, p. 154. See also the Edinburgh Review for April, 1847, and a

Memoir published by the Religious Tract Society. Also Chambers' Journal for

February, 1873.

1 There is a public house called the Hunnibell, at Hunworth by Holt. When I last

went there (1996) it was to be recommended for its food and “real” ales.

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first time used at a fire. The wretched woman was tried at Norwich, for

this offence and convicted. In December of the same year there was "a

maiden sessions," there being no cause, civil or criminal; and the

recorder was presented with a pair of white gloves. Among those who

have filled the responsible office of gaoler, may be mentioned Mr,

Richard Helsdon, who by intense application acquired no

inconsiderable share of knowledge. He was well acquainted with

mechanics; and was held in great esteem. He died in 1803, aged 44, and

was buried with honors by the Apollonian Lodge, of which society he

was a member. Cappadocia was formerly a cant term for a prison. " I'll

send you to Cappadocia," used frequently to be heard in Yarmouth.

Prisoners have always been tried in the great chamber or hall,

already mentioned ; at the upper end of which was a raised bench on

which sat the bailiffs beneath a piece of tapestry bearing the royal arms.

Many disputes arose between the Bailiffs of Yarmouth and those of the

Cinque Ports as to the right of the latter to participate in his honor

equally with the former during their annual visit to Yarmouth. It was

customary for the Bailiffs of Yarmouth to take their places in court, and

then to send for the Bailiffs of the Cinque Ports; but when the latter

arrived they found the former occupying so much room that only one of

the Cinque Port Bailiffs could squeeze himself under the royal arms, to

the great annoyance of those self-sufficient personages, but to the

intense delight of the audience, principally composed of Yarmouth

men.* Some reference has already been made to the fatal quarrels

which at an early period took place between the Bailiffs of Yarmouth

and those of the Cinque Ports . f The same intense

*The piece of tapestry which formed the "Cloth of Estate," and hung in the

Tolhouse Hall at Yarmouth in the reign of Edward VI, was preserved until 1835, when it

was presented to Sir Samuel Meyrick, and now adorns the grand staircase at Goodrich

Court. It hears the Royal Arms of England within the garter, supported by a lion and a

dragon, and surmounted by the ores; standing on a chapeau; and on the tapestry are

embroidered the letters E.R.

f See vol. i., p.p. 9-79. Cal. Rot. Orig., vol. I., p. 113. Mr. William Durrant Cooper

in his Further Notices of Winchelsea, printed in the Sussex Archaeological Society's

collections, quoting the Close rolls, temp. Henry III., mentions that in 1252 the Bailiffs of

Winchelsea were ordered to deliver up the men of Yarmouth then

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feeling of jealousy continued to exist for centuries, but in later times it

was displayed in a different manner. Bailiffs Lake and Lennard, who

were sent by the Cinque Ports to Yarmouth, in 1588, give an amusing

account of their squabbles. They say that on the 80th of September they

were sent for by the Yarmouth Bailiff to attend them at the Tolhouse

Hall. At our coming we went up to the seats where we found the two

Bailiffs of Yarmouth, sitting with the Queen's arms wholly between

them, leaving only a small place for Bailiff Lake on the "right hand

under the cloth of the Queen's arms where he could scarce sit, and no

room at all for Bailiff Lennard, of which they complained, having, as

they said, a joint authority; and feared the "common sort" would

perceive the affront put upon them. Bailiff Bennett told them they had

as much room as their predecessors; "and more you get not," saith he,

adding, "you, come here to wrangle, for yesterday you presumed to

thrust before me coming out of church which was more than you ought

to do and more than I will suffer hereafter." Bailiff Lake answered that

if his predecessors neglected to keep their places, it should be no

precedent for him; that he was commissioned by the ports to maintain

their rights, "and less," said he, "we will not have" and as to coming out

of church he denied the " thrusting," but maintained that he had right of

precedence at all times before Bailiff Bennett, who was junior bailiff.

This was denied; and a long argument ensued as to the words and

meaning of their charters and edicts, the Bailiffs of the Cinque Ports

insisting upon sitting under the Queen's arms "indifferently" between

the Yarmouth Bailiffs; and unless allowed to do so they declared they

would depart; to which the Yarmouth Bailiffs replied that they might do

so, "for more room they should not have."

in prison there, together with their ship; and not doing so, Bertram de Crioll was

sent to Winchelsea to free the men and take security from the townsmen to answer

for their contempt. The King was then in Gascony, but the council with the Regents,

Richard Earl of Cornwall and the Queen, were authorized to enquire into the matter

and give compensation to the Yarmouth men; and in the following year the barons

and bailiffs were directed to send twenty-four discreet men to appear before King's

Council at Oxford, to receive and do justice in the contention between the men of the

Cinque Ports and the men of Yarmouth, and the warden of the ports was to see that

they went, together with six men from each of the other ports. Nothing however,

says Mr. Cooper, was then done effectually to stop the quarrels.

GREAT YARMOUTH

253

As the Cinque Port Bailiffs prepared to go, Mr. Eacher, who was

counsel for the town, reminded them that by doing so they would

endanger their liberties; upon which, Bailiff Lake said "if our liberties

stood upon it, I would rather suffer stripes than give any occasion to

make any little breach in them," but of that he added there was no

danger ; and as for holding the Free Fair he would rather lose a privilege

from which no profit was derived, than enjoy it "with such disquiet and

disgrace." Then Mr. Drury, "sitting on the bench with his cap on his

head, said more words than were meet," but Bailiff Lake told him "to

hold his peace," as he, Lake, "was not in his place of justice;" and so the

Cinque Port Bailiffs departed from the Tolhouse in high dudgeon. The

same day in the afternoon, Mr. Eacher was sent to inform them that a

person had been taken upon suspicion of felony, but the Cinque Port

Bailiffs refused to deal with the matter, not having been admitted to

their proper places; and threatened to ride the next day to Lowestoft on

their way home." This, said they, "we devised on purpose to put them to

the uttermost plunge, and see if their stomachs were so great that they

would rather lose the benefit of the Free Fair, which they "could not

hold without us." The next morning they "booted and spurred," and

made great show of departure, upon which the Yarmouth Bailiffs,

somewhat alarmed, sent to know why they "so estranged themselves"

and of what they felt agrieved; to which the Cinque Port Bailiffs replied

that they required to have as much seat under the Queen's arms as the

Yarmouth Bailiffs. The church grievance again cropped up, for, said

Bailiff Lake, "on Sunday the younger bailiff coming out of church

seemed to pull me - back, going out after the elder bailiff," and lastly he

complained of having been called "a wrangler." The messengers asked

"Is that all?" and then informed the Cinque Port Bailiffs that the

Yarmouth Bailiffs would yield them more room, as they wished to

continue in amity and friendship; and thereupon the former promised if

the Yarmouth Bailiffs sent for them to attend them at the Tolhouse they

would do so "with all their hearts." After dinner a serjeant-at-arms was

sent to them to say that there were matters to be handled at the

Tolhouse, and the presence of the Cinque Port Bailiffs was required,

whereupon they immediately followed the

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messenger, but on their arrival at the Tolhouse found that the Yarmouth

Bailiffs were gone to the "Mount," leaving word that they were to be

sent for; but as they stayed away somewhat long, the Cinque Port

Bailiffs suspecting this was "done on purpose to mock them," went their

way. Presently the Yarmouth Bailiffs returned to their hall, and again

sent for the Cinque Port Bailiffs, who on going there again found the

former sitting as before, not offering such place as had been promised,

but suffering the latter to stand with their caps in their hands before

them. Bailiff Lake being wrath, urged their promises, and craved place

accordingly, moving much speech thereupon;" but the Yarmouth

Bailiffs answered nothing to any purpose, and desired the Cinque Port

Bailiffs to take their places on the bench and "not to strive for so small a

matter as a little piece of cloth." They replied it was not the cloth, but

the place; for if there were no cloth they should require to sit before the

bar in the face of the court "equivalent" with the Yarmouth Bailiffs; and

after much speech, again appealed to their charters, but could not

prevail. The Yarmouth Bailiffs offered their hands, which courtesy the

others accepted, and then departed, threatening to leave the town; and

this time they actually did "take horse and lay that night at Lowestoft."

The next day they remained there expecting to be entreated to return, bat

no message came; and in the afternoon of the following day, finding

their little ruse unsuccessful, they returned to Yarmouth much crest

fallen. On the next day (being a Friday) they sent their town clerk to the

senior bailiff to know when it would be his pleasure to meet them at the

Tolhouse, to which he answered that he must consult his partner;

whereupon the Cinque Port Bailiffs went to church, taking their places

in the chancel, and presently the Yarmouth Bailiffs came to church and

desired the former to take their places by them, but fearing a squabble

for precedence, the Cinque Port Bailiffs would not do so. Service

ended they went to the Tolhouse , where they remained for three quarters

of an hour, but the Yarmouth Bailiffs did not appear; so those of the

Cinque Ports sent their town clerk to require their attendance. They

replied that it was dinner time, and they "must have time to dine! but

would be there in the afternoon. This the Cinque Port Bailiffs

considered was done purposely to

GREAT YARMOUTH

255

vex them; so they determined to hold a court by themselves, and going

upon the bench, Bailiff Lake sat himself down with infinite

complacency "under the lions on the cloth," with Bailiff Lennard on his

right hand. Then they sent for the gaoler, and appointed a serjeant at

banner, two Serjeants at rod, and one to wind the brazen horn for

silence, of all which their town clerk made record and sent a copy to the

Yarmouth Bailiffs and then all went to dinner "in such order as had been

used.” Scarcely had they sat down when a serjeant came to say that the

Yarmouth Bailiffs were at the Tolhouse tarrying for them. It was now

their turn to say they "must dine," but that after dinner they would

present themselves, which they did, and there found the Yarmouth

Bailiffs with many of the aldermen. They went directly to the bench,

where they were made welcome and room was granted, but the

Yarmouth Bailiffs were wrath at what had happened in their absence,

saying "it ought not to have been done." Then ensued a war of words

which lasted a considerable time, until the day being far spent and no

business done, it was agreed to adjourn the Court to the following

Monday. The next day being Saturday, the irrepressible Cinque Port

Bailiffs went into the market and "took view of the baker's bread," and

meeting the gaoler, who was deputy clerk of the market, they discharged

him on the spot. The Yarmouth Bailiffs when they heard of this

summary proceeding, were very angry, and reproved the others for their

intermeddling, saying they were "too busy," but as the market was no

place to talk of such matters, it was agreed to meet at the Tol house after

dinner, where the controversy was renewed with increased warmth, the

Yarmouth Bailiffs contending that they were sole clerks of the market

and that the others had no authority there whatever. This Bailiff Lake

denied, but, said he, "as we are but two, with a small company, we can

but demand it; and if you deny it we dare not make any further

challenging of our right, lest we lose our heads!" —sarcastically

alluding to an affray which had occurred many years previously, in

which it is said one of the Cinque Port Bailiffs was killed by a

Yarmouth Bailiff; so they contented themselves with making a record of

what had passed, and departed for that time without any further matters

handled." The next day being Sunday, the Cinque

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Port Bailiffs went to church, and as they were making for the chancel

door they ware earnestly requested to take their accustomed places next

the Yarmouth Bailiffs, but they would not; for, said Bailiff Lake, "I am

loth that the discourtesy should be offered me again, in pulling me back

by the gown going out of church," so they took their places near the

pulpit. Sermon ended they went out of church, where they found their

officers on horseback with their instruments, ready in their accustomed

manner to make proclamation, and took their places. Anon came the

Yarmouth Bailiffs and intruded themselves between the officers and the

Cinque Port Bailiffs, and taking the upper hand. Then, said Bailiff Lake,

"my masters, we are the proclaimers, not you; it is for us to proclaim

and you to suffer it." Hearing these words the elder bailiff tried to place

himself between the Cinque Port Bailiffs, which Bailiff Lenard would

not permit, saying that they of the Cinque Ports had a joint commission

and ought not to be separated. Mr. Drury told the Yarmouth Bailiffs,

that they would discredit themselves if they did not keep their places,

whereupon those of the Cinque Ports "perceiving the obstinacy and hard

dealing" of their opponents, ordered their officers to put up their

instruments and depart, upon which Mr. Drury declared that the

Yarmouth Bailiffs would in that case themselves proclaim the Free Fair.

At last after much speech the Cinque Port Bailiffs, in order to show

some authority, desired their officers to stand a little more, to the left

hand, and so at last the brazen horn was sounded three times for silence,

the banner of the ports was displayed, the Serjeants held up their rods of

office, and the Free Fair was proclaimed,* On Monday the court at the

Tolhouse was opened without further contention, a jury was sworn, and

the prisoners viewed. Four Spaniards, sent from the Queen's ships in the

roads, were committed to prison. Thomas Fareborne was committed

"for breaking the peace upon Margaret Duvises in sermon time," and

the lady herself was likewise

* In Boy's History of Sandwich will he found the forms of commissions of the Bailiffs to

Yarmouth. Some of the instructions given to them are curious. They were enjoined " to keep

house and not to hoard;" they were to have three men apiece to travel with them, for decency's

sake; and were directed to put on their hats at the Tolhouse until their own names were

read; and they were always accompanied by the Town Clerk of one of the Cinque Ports.

GREAT YARMOUTH

257

committed "for her ill-behaviour." The bailiffs "gave passports to divers

poor people" who had come to the town seeking work "but could find

none, proving the great influx of people during the herring season, and

the surveillance kept over them. Roger Lusie of Ipswich, a damy

weaver, complained of the loss of his apprentice who had absconded to

Yarmouth; and had him restored, A sailor was committed for "speaking

lewd and unreverent words" against the Cinque Port Bailiffs,

whereupon the Yarmouth Bailiffs " would have put him into their house

of Small Base," but the former took pity on the poor fellow who

confessed that "he was not in very good temper at the time," and so was

released on giving bond to keep the peace. The other cases were chiefly

for assaults and affrays both on sea and land, which were very

numerous; and also for "abusing the watch." The grand jury then made

their presentment, which was principally against persons "for annoying

the Quay;" and so the sessions were brought to an end. Then the Cinque

Port Bailiffs assayed "to deliver up the jail," but were informed by Mr.

Eacher that they had nothing whatever to do with it, that they might

apprehend felons, but neither punish, nor discharge them without the

assent of the Yarmouth Bailiffs. "I will take no such answer from you,"

quoth irate Bailiff Lake; but he was compelled to content himself with,

having his grievance "recorded and set down." At last having received

their customary fee, the Cinque Port Bailiffs 1 departed to their own

homes.*

Notwithstanding these contentions, the customary hospitalities

were never omitted. After the "thrusting" and "pulling back" for

precedence at the church gate at their first coming, as above related,

Bailiff Bennett (who the night before had invited the Cinque Port.

Bailiffs) sent his sergeant for them, praying them to come to dinner; but

Bailiff Lake, "being grieved at the previous discourtesy," replied

These particulars may be found in the "Relation" or dispatch which, according

to custom, the Cinque Port Bailiffs to Yarmouth made to those who sent

them. These "Relations," written year by year, are preserved among the

muniments of the Corporations of Dover and other towns, members of the

Cinque Ports, and contain a fund of interesting information on ancient

manners and customs. Mr. Thomas Ross of Hastings some years since

published one of these Relations; and the late Mr. T.W. King, York Herald,

read another before the Society of Antiquaries,

1 Palmer’s Addenda: Cinque Ports Bailiffs – The customal, temp Henry VI, among the

archives of the corporation of New Romney, is says Mr. Riley, very different from the

from the volume of that title printed in Lym’s History of Dover Castle , and has a diary

of the bailiffs sent to the free fair of Great Yarmouth, and is full of quaint matter

deserving of publication. Report of historical M.S.S. commission.

VOL. II.

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that "they had given him such sharp sauce, he had no stomack to digest

their meat." Another messenger was sent with an urgent entreaty, and

the Cinque Port Bailiffs debated upon the matter, and lest they should

be thought obstinate, they craved pardon for their previous answer and

went to dinner; after which they attended afternoon service at church,

then "walked and talked familiarly" with the Yarmouth Bailiffs, and at

night supped with Bailiff Peers. It is duly recorded that subsequently

the Port Bailiffs entertained those of Yarmouth and the leading persons

of the town and neighbourhood.

In 1634 another dispute took place, and if we are to credit the

statement contained in a petition presented by the Cinque Port Bailiffs to

the Earl of Arundel, then Earl Marshal of England, it would appear that

Edward Owner, one of the Yarmouth. Bailiffs, "a man of a turbulent

spirit, minding to affront, disgrace, and provoke the Cinque Port Bailiffs,

did uncivilly keep them without the bar, setting his foot across the

entrance, and holding his hand on the end of the bar," and upon being

asked in a fair and friendly manner to be suffered to enjoy their rights

according to custom and agreement, he "with much heat and scornful

language" replied that such questions "had cost men their lives;" and

being again " persuaded," told them there was no way by which they

could come by their rights "but by the sword or the law," upon, which,

as they stepped down from the bench somewhat before Mr. Owner, that

irascible gentleman, "in a disgraceful manner, "told them that if some

men of spirit whom he had known had then "been bailiffs, they would

have caused them to be flung down stairs," and again said that " such

doings cost men's lives" upon which the Port Bailiffs, mildly

remonstrating, said that" who did such things paid dearly for it." "Yea,"

quoth Owner, "a last of herrings!" The Port Bailiffs reminded him that

"blood would require blood;" but he sneeringly answered that "a last and

a half of herrings" would be sufficient. They therefore prayed the earl to

grant a warrant for the apprehension of Mr. Owner to answer before his

lordship their just complaints. The earl did so; and after hearing both

sides ordered that "henceforth there should be no disputes for place or

precedency," but that the composition deliberately made in 1576 should

be observed; and

GREAT YARMOUTH

259

it being admitted that the Yarmouth. Bailiffs had given "courteous

reception and entertainment" to those of the Cinque Ports, his lordship

ordered that there should "for ever thereafter be courteous carriage and

friendly demeanour between the parties."*

Although, as we have seen, the Bailiffs of Yarmouth were

extremely jealous of any assumption of authority by those of the Cinque

Ports, and were not at all times courteous, but very much the reverse,

yet they never forgot the duties of hospitality. On the first coming of the

latter, after reading their commission, and "having taken a view of the

prisoners," they were usually entertained by the senior bailiff at dinner

and by the junior bailiff at supper; and so, says Manship, they were "in

most friendly manner, the whole day royally feasted and were very

merry together;" and after the court in the following" week, the junior

bailiff did as the senior had done before him, by keeping a solemn

dinner, whereunto "not only the Cinque Port Bailiffs and their whole

retinue" were invited, but also "sundry of the Aldermen of Yarmouth

with their wives, who did with, great cheer very friendly pass the time

together." These dinners, it appears, were sometimes extended to fifty

guests. Breakfasts and suppers were also of frequent occurrence. The

Cinque Port Bailiffs on their part seem to have kept open house during

their stay in. Yarmouth, entertaining not only the "gentlemen of

Yarmouth and the country adjoining," but also a great number of their

own countrymen, who during that season came to Yarmouth; and for

this purpose the Bailiffs of the Cinque Ports "did commonly bring with

them eighteen hogsheads of excellent beer," which would give a

consumption of nearly a hogshead per day! Presents were also

frequently exchanged, the Cinque Port Bailiffs sending their compeers

"wine" and the latter returning the compliment by "a fat swan," the

"head of a porpoise," or some such delicacy. A further disturbance

occurred in 1642 when Daniel Lucas, one of the Cinque Port Bailiffs,

having "a very uncivil and indiscrete carriage," did at the Tolhouse Hall

"violently and in a great rage" pull down and break in pieces a tablet

affixed against the wall over the bench where the Cinque Port

* This award splendidly written on vellum, with the seal in fine order, is still

preserved in the Record Room.

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THE PERLUSTRATION OF

Bailiffs were accustomed to sit, which no doubt contained some

statement which he considered derogatory to their authority, although

the Yarmouth Bailiffs affirmed that it had "remained there a long time

beyond the remembrance of any man living." In the following year Mr.

Richard Selwyn came alone from the Cinque Ports. The bailiffs

entertained him courteously, but would not permit him to exercise any

authority whatever; and at last the Cinque Ports found that these visits

were not only very expensive but wholly useless, as the western

fishermen for whose benefit they had originally been instituted, had

nearly ceased to attend the Free Fair ; and therefore, in 1662, they were

finally abandoned, after this singular instance of concurrent jurisdiction

had existed for near five centuries.

In 1622 "the great chamber at the Tolhouse" was ordered to be

"fitted and provided for assemblies;" those meetings of the corporation

having been previously held in the Old Guild Hall at the church gate,

and from that time to the present the governing body have always held

their deliberations in this chamber. In 1648 the Tolhouse was assigned

to the military commanders in which to hold councils of war.

From the time of King John the bailiffs had been accustomed to

hold a weekly court, "wherein," quoth Manship, "all pleas of land,

plaints of debt, detinue, trespass, covenant broken, and all other account

whatsoever they be, between party and party, according to "the orders

of the common law of this land," were heard and determined. This

B OROUGH C OURT , as it was termed, continued to be held at the

Tolhouse Hall weekly, and to be presided over by the bailiffs and

afterwards by the mayor, until the passing of the Municipal

Corporation Act in 1835, which threw open the court to all attornies

instead of confining the practice to four as theretofore, and it is now

held by the recorder at quarter sessions.* In the Tolhouse Hall were

also held sessions for

* Minutes of the proceedings of the Borough Court from a very early period

are preserved in the archives of the town council. The suitor who lost his cause

was said to be "slumped," an expressive local word figuratively applied. Forty

defines it “to sink suddenly and deep into mud or rotten ground.” "I cum in sich

a slump," quotes Moor in his Suffolk Words. "Slumped agin," was shouted

derisively to one who had been a second time unsuccessful. It is from the Danish

slumpe, to stumble. Mr. B. N. Bacon, in 1858, published from a M.S. purchased

GREAT YARMOUTH

261

the trial of criminal offences, the recorder, with the mayor and justices,

having the power of inflicting the penalty of death.* Here also the

bailiffs held a weekly court called the P ORT C OURT , for the trial of

maritime causes.

From a very early period the town claimed exemption from all

admiralty jurisdiction, and strenuously resisted any interference by the

Lord High Admiral. Being however occasionally put to much trouble

and expense in resisting the process of the High Court of Admiralty, the

corporation in 1553 empowered Mr. Eyre, then one of the burgesses in

Parliament, "to ride to London and make suit for the obtaining the

admiralty," and agreed that he should have 6s. 8d. a day for his

expenses, and if he obtained the object desired £20; if not, £10 besides

his cost. It does not appear that he succeeded on that occasion; but the

town, still claimed the right to all wreck of the sea, and in 1555 when

some persons were arrested by the Lord Admiral's officer "for certain

things found upon, the sea and presented to the town," it was agreed

that they should be defended by the corporation. At the commencement

of Queen Elisabeth's reign the matter was again agitated; and Mr.

Harbrown was requested "to ride to Norwich and retain Dr. Spencer as

counsel for the town." In 1574 the bailiffs undertook to defend Robert

Twemlowe in a suit commenced against him. in. the High Court of

Admiralty, and they appointed Dr. Brisley to keep the Admiralty Court

within the borough, with a clerk to write the records thereof. Mr.

Calthorpe was to remain steward, and Dr. Brisley was to have 6s. 8d.

every time he came to the court, with his charges, &c, besides his

yearly fee; so anxious were the bailiffs to have the best legal advice in

maintaining their privileges. In 1576 twenty-three inhabitants having

been summoned to appear on a jury before the Justices of

at the sale of the effects of the Rev. W. T. Spurdens, by whom it was compiled, a

supplementary volume to Forby's Vocabulary of East Anglia .

* The prisoners in the Gaol were legally in the personal custody of the mayor,

and until the passing of the Municipal Corporation Act, 1835, could only be

transferred or "turned over" to his successor by a deed prepared by the town

clerk, which usually formed the first item of his annual bill of costs. The sessions

were always "proclaimed" at the Market Cross, following the custom which had

prevailed when advertisements and handbills were unknown.

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the Admiralty at, Norwich, it was ordered in assembly that "the same

men do not appear but shall he defended by the town;" and in 1578 it

was ordered that “no bailiff shall suffer any admiralty process within the

borough except for piracy, but shall imprison all who shall serve any.”*

In 1578 the bailiffs reported to Sir Francis Walsingham that they had

apprehended Thomas Hitchcock, a pirate, and he was examined upon

interrogatories sent from London "as to his spoiling two Scottish ships."

The outrages frequently perpetrated were very serious. In 1584 the

bailiffs complained to the Privy Council of the depredations committed

by French and Scottish pirates, and instanced the "lamentable case of

Austen Perse spoiled by a French ship." At length Queen Elizabeth

granted to the town an exclusive admiralty jurisdiction from Winterton

Ness to Easton Ness; and James I. gave the bailiffs the much coveted

power of trying and punishing pirates capitally, of which they were not

slow to avail themselves. In 1613 five men who, unfortunately for them,

landed at Yarmouth, were apprehended and tried for piracy. They were

all condemned; but, says Manship, "the magistrates, minding at this their

first entrance for trial of pirates, to temper justice with mercy did

execute only three of them." In 1615 Thomas Richardson, a sailor, was

hanged for piracy; and in 1617 four more were condemned, "but one of

them died before the time of execution. The Mayor, Recorder, and

Steward of Norwich were always joined in these commissions. In 1772 a

boat was seen approaching the jetty. Nine men landed and walked into

the town, where they spent a large sum of money, making purchases,

with which they went off in various directions. Suspicion having been

excited and enquiries made, it turned out that they had plundered and

sunk a ship. The last Admiralty Session for the trial of pirates was held

in the Tolhouse Hall in 1823, and was attended by the Mayor and

Steward of Norwich. Two seamen, accused of piracy in robbing a ship

on the high seas, were convicted, but justice and mercy had become

better acquainted, and they escaped the gallows. f During its existence

the corporation main-

* See an account of the Admiralty Court in the Notes to Manship, p. 257.

f The prisoners were defended by Mr. George Pryme, then, a member of the Norfolk

circuit, who usually attended the Yarmouth Sessions. He was a

GREAT YARMOUTH

263

tained their maritime authority with a high hand. In 1726 Samuel Wright, an inhabitant,

picked up seven "pieces" of brandy off Scilly, and brought them to Yarmouth in his

vessel, the Hanover, and the same were taken possession of by the corporation in virtue

of their admiralty jurisdiction, and held against a claim made on the same by the High

Court of Admiralty. Early in the 18th century differences arose between the corporation

and the Duke of Grafton, Vice-Admiral for Suffolk, touching their admiralty jurisdiction;

and by the verdict of a jury the position of Easton Ness to which such jurisdiction

extended to the south was determined; and by an action of trover tried at Norwich against

one Fielden for appropriating a large lump of beeswax, it was decided that the Lord of a

Manor had no right to wrecked goods unless cast on shore above low water mark. In 1790

legal proceedings were taken against Mr. Engle Knights for not delivering up to the

Yarmouth Admiralty Court derelict anchors and other goods of which he had possessed

himself, which actions were settled by the defendant admitting his error, delivering up the

goods, and paying £50 towards the expenses. At the same time, Mark Watson, for not

delivering up derelict goods, was fined £50, and in default committed to gaol. At last by

the Municipal Corporation Act, 1835, the Yarmouth Admiralty Court was wholly

abolished.*

Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge; Professor of Political Economy in that University;

and one of the Members for the Borough of Cambridge in three Parliaments. He was

descended from Charles de la Pryme, a Huguenot who, escaping from French. Flanders

circa 1628, settled at Hatfield in Yorkshire. Friem is the Flemish, word for a large dagger

or poignard, and the family still bear for their arms a poignard and cross quarterly, and for

a crest, a cross. He married Jane, daughter of Thomas Thackeray, Esq., of Cambridge, by

Lydia his wife, sister of Martin Wish, Esq., Chairman of the Commissioners of Excise,

grandson of Dr. Thackeray, Master of Harrow and Archdeacon of Surrey. Mrs. Pryme

was an aunt of the Rev. Joseph Thackeray, Rector of Coltishall, Norfolk. Professor Pryme

died in I868, aged 87, leaving an only son, Charles, de la Pryme, Esq., who had become

connected with this part of the country by marriage. See Autobiographic Collection,

edited in 1870 by Mrs. Bayne, the only daughter of the Professor. Thackeray bears, under

a grant of arms made to Dr. Thackeray of Harrow in 1755, vert., two garbs or., in base an

arrow arg., on a chief purpure a cherub's head ppr ., betw. two etoiles arg.; and for a crest,

an eagle with wings elevated ppr., a cherub's head on the breast, and holding in the beak

an arrow arg.

* A very full record of the proceedings of this court are among the archives of the

Town Council.

264

THE PERLUSTRATION OF

It was customary early in the 18th century to hold auctions in the

"Town Chamber" Ives, sen., frequently mentions them in his Diary. * In

1784 an order was made by the corporation for the sale of some old

dismantled cannon, the proceeds to be applied in purchasing Buzaglia

for the Tolhouse Hall, f at a cost not exceeding- £20.

Externally the Tolhouse Hall has undergone little alteration during

the last century, except that, in 1827, a large buttress which projected

upon the footway was removed; and an arched unglazed window, level

with the pavement, which lighted the debtors' room below, was blocked

up; so that passers by no longer heard the cry of " Remember the poor

debtors," with which they had previously been assailed; a man having

been always during daylight placed behind the grating to receive

contributions. On the leaden platform over the entrance it was

customary for many years, annually on Michaelmas day, to place two

stuffed figures, seated beneath a bower, with a table between them, the

man smoking a pipe and the female holding a nosegay, popularly

known as John and Betty Joblett. They were supposed to represent a

man and woman who when living in the early part of the 18th century,

were accustomed to precede the newly-elected mayor from church,

strewing flowers in his path. John and Betty Joblett thus exhibited were

accompanied by stuffed boys and girls corresponding in number with

the " olive branches" of Mr. New Elect; and there were often a goodly

number. Crowds of people from all parts of the town flocked to see this

quaint exhibition year after year, and seemed never to tire of it; and the

charity children who were treated with the sight received each a bun

* 15th Dec. 1735. “Mr. John Wade's house was put up at the Town Chamber

and was bought by Mr. Wm. Colby.” John Wade was a member of the corporation,

as was Samuel Wade.

f This entry having lately attracted attention, a controversy arose among

antiquarians as to what a Buzaglia was. A writer in Notes and Queries affirmed that it

was a piece of ordnance, which in ancient times was called a Falcon or Falconet, and

that the name was derived from an Italianized form of the French word Busaigle.

It proved, however, to be a stove, the invention of Abraham Buzagle of Dean Street,

Soho, who died in 1788. Probably it did not answer its intended purpose, for it long

ago disappeared. There is a Buzaglia still remaining in the Great Hall at Knowle,

Sylas Neville mentions having examined one in 1769. It was, he says, intended to

diffuse an equal amount of heat in all parts of a room.

GREAT YARMOUTH

265

and a penny. This curious custom ceased on the passing of the

Municipal Corporation Act in 1835.*

Over the east end of Row No. 106 a chamber was built early in the

17th century, annexed to the Tollhouse Hall, and called the Audit

Room; for therein, said Manship (p. 62), "all the town accounts" were,

by two aldermen and two common councilmen thereunto yearly chosen

by the inquest, "cast up, and "by them allowed or disallowed at their

will and pleasure, and afterwards their whole proceedings, being by the

four auditors into one book contracted, were presented to the common

council and recorded in the book of their assemblies." Here in 1625,

Miles Corbet, the regicide, took the oaths as recorder," and forthwith

went with the bailiffs and took his place as recorder in the hall, and held

a court of trials." In 1680 a committee sat in this room "to take an

account of the names of what Yarmouth men were then in slavery," and

in the following year the corporation appropriated a portion of their

revenues "for the redemption of captives." f "We have seen (vol. i., p.

191) that in 1729 the corporation subscribed £50 towards a fund for the

relief of English captives, at Merguinez, or more properly Mequinez,

which stands about twelve leagues westward of Fez, and was at that

time the residence of the Emperor of Morocco. Jacob Tonson, the

celebrated bookseller in the Strand, published in 1725 an amusing

narrative of Commodore the Hon. Charles Stewart's embassy thither, in

which a deplorable account 1 is given of the treatment to which

Christians were subjected by the fanatical Moors. When the ambassador

reached Mequinez he found three hundred English slaves, among

whom, were twenty-five captains of British ships, whose names are

given

* Mr. Simon Cobb, when mayor in 1838, obtained the frame-work of these

figures from the gaoler. They afterwards came into the possession, of Mr. Dawson

Turner, and at the auction of his effects in 1852 were bought by a broker who

exposed them for sale in the Market Place, where they were purchased by Mr.

Hezekiah Martin. By the parish register it appears that in 1665 John Joblett was

married to Mary Hall.

f Their number was considerable; and the ransoms demanded were high. In

1683 a gentleman, whose name did not transpire, gave £25 a piece towards the

redemption of eight captives then at Algiers. A " Captive Stock" had been formed,

which in 1615 amounted to more than £500; when it was paid over to the

Chamberlains. The Moors and the Barbary pirates were the most feared.

1 Presumably the treatment was deplorable, rather than the account; but I also

suggest that the treatment of the Moors by so called “Christians” was at least equally

deplorable, as when Edward I was on “crusade” which appears to have been just an

excuse to slaughter thousands of Moslems. This is similar to the undoubted fact that

the allies didn’t make any significant attempt to expose or try those many soldiers

and very senior officers guilty of very serious war crimes. Likewise, “OK” to try

and execute Saddam Hussein, but what of those who have perpetrated a clearly

illegal war and brought about untold misery, destruction and death? By definition,

Christ did not and would not, ever have caused war or death in his name, or any

other.

Vol. II.

256

THE PERLUSTRATION OF

(p. 196), and says the editor, "when, they went in procession to St.

Paul's to return thanks to Almighty God for their happy deliverance, it

was a spectacle of less pomp indeed, but of more solid and lasting glory

than a Roman triumph." After this period the demands on the Captive

Stock greatly diminished, and the fund increased to a considerable sum,

and was ultimately applied to other purposes. The final blow to the

piratical Moors was given in 1816 by Lord Exmouth, afterwards High

Steward of Yarmouth. The above-mentioned apartment is now called

the Grand Jury Chamber, because here at Quarter Sessions the grand

jury assemble to consider the bill sent up to them. The gaolor's parlour

to the south of the entrance to the Gaol, is the only apartment to which

the recorder and magistrates can retire for consultation, and to receive

and consider the reports of the gaoler, surgeon, and chaplain. The

Sessions of Oyer and Terminer and Gaol Delivery were held but once a

year, until the commence went of the present century, after which they

were held twice a year ; and they are now held quarterly, In 1758 a

Court of requests, commonly called the Court of Conscience (the

forerunner of the County Courts) was established, and the

commissioners met in the Tolhouse Hall.* The Judge of the County

Court and the Revising Barristers also hold their courts here. f The first

County Court was held in 1847.

Row No. 107, from Middlegate Street to King Street, called St.

George's Row South, formerly Post House Row and Old Post Row ,

because here in the 17th century there was a post office at a house on

the north side (No. 5) since rebuilt, and lately occupied by Mr. John

Trueman Huston, who died here in 1869, aged 90. J The business of

the post office was removed to Row No. 63. (See vol. ii., p. 338.)

Clerks—J OHN S PURGEON , Esq., who died in 1799, aged 94.

T HOMAS C LOWES , Esq., who died in 1857, aged. 84.

The Judges of the County Court have been

1847. J ACOB T HOMAS B IRCH , Esq .

1866. J OHN W ORLLEDGE , Esq.

The Clerks of the Court have been

1847. E DMUND R EEVE P ALMER

1863. C HARLES H ENRY C HAMBERLIN

1873. H ENRY J OHN W ALKER .

j He was not the only nonagenarian in this row, as in 1816 Nathaniel Jourdan, died

here, aged 91.

Palmer’s addenda: County Court Registrars – Add 1875, Edward J Kendall, vice

Walker, appointed to Southampton, and in the same year Edward William Worlledge was

made joint registrar.

Foster family – a splendid work on the genealogy of the Foster and Forster families

of the north of England was published in 1871 (author not stated).

GREAT YARMOUTH

267

At an old house* at the north-west, corner, now modernized and

partly occupied as a shop, there lived in the early part of the present

century Mr. John Brown, corn merchant. His youngest brother, Crisp

Brown, Esq., filled the office of Mayor of Norwich in 1817; and of him a

full-length portrait by Glover hangs in St. Andrew's Hall. He will be

remembered for his great exertions in obtaining an Act of Parliament

for the construction of a harbour at Lowestoft, and the making a

navigation thence to Norwich. f A house at the south-west corner, the

flint walls of which had belonged to an older edifice, was the residence

of Captain Thomas Jay, who commanded the Hunter revenue cutter,

which was lost on Hasborough Sand with all her crew in a dreadful gale

on the 18th of February, 1807. Capt. Jay was then in his 48th year. J

* In the kitchen is a stone arch, the remains of some ancient building.

f There is in the possession of his turn, Frederick Brown, Esq., of Bracondale (who has

filled the office of Sheriff of Norwich, the original grant of armorial hearings to

Christopher Brown, a landowner of Leicestershire, written on vellum, richly illuminated,

and dated in 1480. The arms displayed are— on a field damasked party per bend or, and

sa ., three mascules or lozenges voided, counterchanged; and for a coat, a swan's head with

twisted neck between extended wings, holding by the beak a scroll with the motto, A

prendre amourir.

t This storm was very destructive, find, it is related that 144 dead bodies were cast on

shore in the immediate vicinity of Yarmouth. Capt. Jay 1 married Sarah, eldest daughter of

W. D. Palmer, Esq. Their only son, Palmer Jay, settled at Hull. In 1791 Capt, Jay. with the

crew of the Hunter assisted by a detachment of the 15th light Dragoons, captured on

Scratby Beach 23 half ankers of Geneva, and on Hemsby Beach 123 ankers of spirits and

two bags of tobacco, all of which he lodged in the Custom House; to such an extent was

smuggling carried in those clays. The Hunter struck on a shoal of sand in the offing, and

finally drifted into a shallow near the shore, about a mile to the north of the old east gap at

Hasborough, her stern towards the cliff, and in a short time the shallow was filled up by

an accumulation of sand and shingle, and in two or three years more than one hundred

yards could he paced from her bows at low water, and a large mound of sand was formed

between her stern and the cliff. After a lapse of twenty years heavy gales wore away the

cliffs to the north, and then the sea obtruded behind this mound and swept the whole

away. There are head-stones in Yarmouth Churchyard to the memory of some of the

crew. One to that of John Ostler, sailing master, aged 30, had this inscription: —

" High o'er their heads the rolling billows sweep,

" And down they sink, in everlasting sleep

" A tender wife and children, left to mourn

" For him, alas ! who never can return,

" Not him alone—for with him thirty-two

" Were doom'd beyond relief, to perish too"

Richard Ostler is described as a " well-disposed burgess" in 1491.

1 Palmer’s addenda: Jay – Sarah, the widow of Capt. Thomas Jay, died in

1815, aged 54, and was buried at Bradwell

THE PERLUSTRATION OF

268

The succeeding occupant of the above-mentioned house was Mr.

W ILLIAM B ARBER , merchant and shipowner, son of Robert Barber

of Kessingland, whose ancester came, it is believed, from

Worlingham near Beccles.* At an early age he entered into the

royal navy with promise of success, but relinquished the service

in favor of the mercantile marine. When, so employed he was

twice made a prisoner of war, and as such, was confined both in

France and Russia. After many buffettings he settled in

Yarmouth, where, having married, he brought up a numerous

family. He became an Alderman of the Borough and also a

Haven Commissioner; and died in 1840 aged 65, and was buried

at Gorleston. f

At the north-east corner of Row No. 107 is an old house,

which in 1668 was in the possession of Robert Harward, son of

Titus Harward, who earlier in that century had taken a leading

part in the affairs of the town. It afterwards passed to a family

named Carsey, and in the latter half of the last century it

became a lodging-house, and was resorted to by many of the

county families who were at that time accustomed to make

Yarmouth a place of annual resort, before railways and

steamers afforded facilities for going elsewhere. Among the

most distinguished visitors at that time was George, Earl of

Oxford. "Never was there a handsomer, a more popular, or

more engaging being. When he appeared at the head of the

Norfolk Regiment of Militia, of which he was colonel, oven the

great Lord Chatham broke out into enthusiasm: — “ Nothing,” he

wrote, “could make a better appearance than the two Norfolk

Battalions; Lord Orford, with the front of Mars himself (and really the

greatest figure

* Some notice of families of this name as already been given. (See ante. p. 58.) In

1522 Hugh Barber was one of the eighteen jurors on the inquisition of liberties, among

whom was Richard Sandringham, exemplifying the fact that almost every parish in

Norfolk has, at one time or another, given a name to a Yarmouth family, and proving that

the inhabitants came from all parts of the county. Edmond Barber, "chirurgin," as his

epitaph styles him (evidently a barber -surgeon) and John, his son, both died in 1650 .

f Thomas Barber, his grandfather, died in 1755, aged 80, and was buried in

Kessingland Churchyard; Robert Barber, his son above named, died in 1793, aged 79, so

that the three generations bridged over 185 years. Annexed is a portrait of Mr. William

Barber, taken from, a miniature in the possession of his son, Henry Barber, Esq , of Pen

yr allt, Bangor.

GREAT YARMOUTH

269

under arms I ever saw), was the theme of every tongue. "His person and

all," said Horace Walpole, "had a noble wildness in them; crowds

followed the battalions when the king reviewed them in Hyde Park ;

"and among the gay young officers in the scarlet uniforms, faced with

black, in their buff waistcoats and gold buttons, none was so

conspicuous for martial bearing as Lord Orford." But the uncle was not

blind to the faults of the nephew. It is impossible not to love him when

one sees him," says Horace Walpole, "yet impossible to esteem, him"

when one thinks of him. One lingers with regret over the character and

"the destiny of this fine young nobleman, whose existence was rendered

"miserable by frequent attacks, at intervals, of insanity."* He died

unmarried in 1791. f He it was who sold the splendid collection of

pictures at Houghton (made by his grandfather, Sir Robert Walpole), to

the Empress of Russia.

In the early part of the present century Armstrong’s Lodgings were

occupied by Mrs. Margaret Tryon, usually called "Lady Tryon." She

was the widow of Lieut.-General Tryon, who died in 1788, and was a

daughter of Governor Wake. She died in Yarmouth, but was buried in

the family vault at Twickenham beside her husband. By her will she left

numerous legacies to the families of Batchelor of Horstead, Ficklin, and

Elwin. General Tryon served with great distinction in North America,

and was Governor of the province of New York, and commander-in-

chief of the forces there. In 1781 he was appointed to the command of

the fortifications at Yarmouth, Lowestoft, and the adjacent coast; and

also of the camp on Hopton Common 1 , holding his headquarters at

Somerleyton Hall. In this capacity he, in that year, accompanied Lord

Amherst, the commander-in-chief, when he inspected the coast

defences. J In every house there is a skeleton; and it was so

* One of his eccentricities was driving four red deer (stags) in a phaeton instead of

horses, until unluckily falling in one day with a pack of hounds, they were fairly

chased into the yard of the Ram Inn at Newmarket.

f From a fall from, his pony when galloping after his favorite greyhound,

Czarina, then engaged in a match; in order to see which his lordship had adroitly

escaped from his attendants.

t There is a pedigree of Tryon in Manning and Bray's Surrey, vol. ii., p. 651.

General Tryon was not the first; of that name who had been connected with the

1 This now the site of the Gorleston Golf Club, Warren Road.

270

THE PERLUSTRATION OF

with this successful general. He had an only child, a small and delicate but pretty girl, if

we may judge by her portrait in the possession of the Rev. T. J. Batchelder, which long

hung in his house in King Street. This young lady, who was one of the maids of honor to

Queen Caroline, was expected by her proud parents to make some distinguished marriage;

but she fell in love with an officer in the Life Guards, and determined to have him in spite

of all opposition. She agreed to elope from her father's town residence; and for this

purpose got out of her chamber window to descend to her lover who stood below, but by

some mismanagement missed her footing on the rope ladder, and falling on the iron

pallisadoes was impaled; and received such severe injuries that death ensued.

The last occupant of the above-mentioned house was Mr. John Thomas Cufaude

Clerk of the Peace and Clerk to the Board of Guardians, who died here in 1872, aged 61 f

borough ; for Sir Samuel Tryon, who was

knighted by King James at Newmarket in 1615, and created a

baronet in 1620, gave a contribution for the repairs of the piers, and

desired that his arms might be displayed in the Parish Church, This

was done and the wooden tablet which bore them long hung in the

chancel, and having escaped the destructive hands of church

restorers, may now be seen in the vestry; the arms being az ., a fesse

embattled betw. six estoiles or.; and for a crest, a bear's head sa.,

powdered with estoiles or, with the distich—

" Sir Samuel Tryon's arms are placed here,

" a kind well wisher to our Yarmouth Peere.

" in memoriam benefactoris munifici."

Sir Samuel was the son of Peter Tryon, a Flemish, refugee; bringing over with him a large

fortune. Sir Samuel his son, married Susan, daughter of John Harvey, Esq., of Newton, in

Suffolk. The title expired with the fourth baronet, who died in 1724, s.p.m., but leaving

two daughters, the elder of whom, Mary, became the wife of Thomas Day of Shipdham in

Norfolk.

* A portrait of the general's widow is also in Mr. Batcheler's possession, and was

among the family pictures in his King Street house.

f A family of this name were seated near Basingstoke at a very early period, and

nourished there for many generations. They bore barry of ten, arg, and gu., a canton of

the last. They had a vault in the Chapel of the Holy Ghost at Basingstoke now in ruins,

but some of the epitaphs still remain. Simeon Cufaude of Cufaude (1621) married

Frances, daughter of "that learned and famous lawyer " Richard Godfrey of Hindringham

in Norfolk, who bore three bulls' heads caboshed, and from this match

GREAT YARMOUTH

271

All the houses at the south, end of this row and extending to Row

No. 109, and including an ancient messuage and other buildings

fronting King Street, were at the commencement of the last century the

property of P ETER LE N EVE , Esq., of Great Witchingham, Norroy King

of Arms, "a gentleman eminent for his skill and judgment in all matters

of history and antiquity, and particularly of heraldry, a collector of

ancient M.S.S. and records, and of indefatigable pains and industry,"

who died in 1729, s.p., and devised the property to Edward Holden,

Citizen and Butler of London, and Thomas Martin of Palgrave “Honest

Tom. Martin,” who afterwards married his widow), in trust for his

niece, Henrietta, the wife of Edward, le Neve, Water Bailiff of the City

of London, one of the three daughters and co-heirs of his younger

brother, Oliver le Neve, then late of Great Witchingham, who died in

1711.* In 1784 the Yarmouth property 1 was settled upon Henrietta

Anne Elizabeth le Neve on her marriage with Aldous Arnold, Esq;., of

Lowestoft, she being the daughter and heir of Peter le Neve of Norwich,

who was the eldest son and heir of the above-named Edward le Neve

and Henrietta his wife ; and in 1792 it was sold to divers persons. John

Neve, or Le Neve, was Bailiff of Yarmouth in 1347. In the murager's

account for 1336, they purchased of him two small boat loads of stone

the Cufaudes of Norfolk and Suffolk are probably descended. The

mansion called "Cufaudes" stood near Basingstoke, and was the seat

of the family for several centuries. It is now taken down, and a farm

house erected on the site. An illuminated pedigree of the family was

discovered by accident some years since, being then used to stop a

hole in a broken casement of a cottage at Basingstoke. The estate of

the Cufaudes now belongs to the family of Chute of the Vine so

called because there, it is supposed, the first vine was planted in

England, and by them the above-mentioned pedigree is preserved.

Matthew Cufaude of Yarmouth voted at the county election in 1768 for Wodehouse and De

Grey, and died in 1796, aged 55, and was buried in the Parish Church, where there is a mural

monument to his memory, upon which is a shield bearing the arms above mentioned. John

Cufaude of Halesworth, the father of Mr. J. L. Cufaude, died in 1837, aged 72.

* This Henrietta Le Neve, who married her cousin, came of age in 1777, and the

event was celebrated at Witchingham with great splendour, as Peter le Neve informs us,

in a M.S. journal now in the possession of G. A. Carthew, Esq., adding that the company

"drank out one hogshead of nog;'' which entry is however erased by the pen.

1 See the deeds of 133 King Street, in RRH

272

THE PERLUSTRUATION OF

for 2s., and a boat of rock stones called " calion" for 6d., with 1d. for porterage.

In the following year he was one of the collectors and wardens of the murage,

and in that capacity purchased materials for repairing the town wall. In 1342 he

was, with many others, amerced "for "sundry trespasses and other misdeeds

upon the sea coast enormously "perpetrated" against the men of the Cinque

Porte. In 1620 Jeffery Neve served the office of bailiff; and in 1626 he excited a

great commotion in the corporation by proposing to change the custom of

electing two bailiffs to that of choosing a mayor. For this he was dismissed; but

he obtained a letter from King Charles I. ordering his restitution, with which

order the corporation refused to comply; and after a long controversy the Privy

Council determined that the corporation were to ''be no more troubled in the

business." After this decision Neve retired to the Low Countries, where he

obtained a degree as doctor of physic; but turning his restless mind to

astronomy he crossed over to London, where he became acquainted with Lilly,

and openly practised the art of "reading the stars." He died at Tower Hill in

1670, and his papers passed into the hands of Elias Ashmole, the antiquary.*

Peter le Neve, as we have seen, died s.p. He was one of the heirs of entail,

under the will of Oliver le Neve of Great Witchingham; the ultimate heir being

one John Neve, a blacksmith in London, whose chance of coming to the estates

was extremely remote. His right was purchased for £80 by Mr. Norris, Recorder

of Norwich, who had been the professional adviser of Oliver le Neve, and had

prepared the settlement.

*Lilly's History of His Life and Times; and see P. C., p. 304.

f Norris placed a monument in Witchingham Church to the memory of Oliver le Neve,

who died in 1678, aged 77, which affords a good specimen, of what may be termed a rhetorical

epitaph, It states him to have “been a faithful subject; of the King— an obedient son of the

church—a stout patron of justice, and a true lover of his country—no friend to popery or

presbitery, but a zealous assertor of the Church of England as the nearest to primitive

Christianity, and the very sanctuary of the English interest, liberty, and property”. He was

for his intellectuals of a most sound, solid, deep, and piercing judgment—for his morals of a

most prudent, sober, grave, just, generous, and every way obliging—of virtuous

conversation, wherein he eminently excelled and was therein constant to his death. May

his posterity immortalize his name by imitation of his virtues. Vir bonus est hic qui ut

Leges Patriae, sic sacrum Religionem firmiter excoluit. Reader, pause a little in this

degene-

GREAT YARMOUTH

273

In the lapse of fifty years the heirs of Oliver le Neve had so died off that

the estates would have devolved on the blacksmith or his descendants

but for the sale of the reversion. The property was thereupon, claimed

by the grandson of Mr. Norris. His right was disputed by the Le Neve

family; but after a long litigation the claim of Mr. Norris of Witton was

established by a decision of the House of Lords in 1744; and he thus

obtained estates of the value of some thousands per annum. Mr Norris

had three sons, Thomas, the eldest, dyed of melancholy; John, the

second, broke his neck from his horse about noontime, rideing home

from North Walsham where he had taken a cup; and the youngest

brother was murdered. He had one daughter, eventually his sole heir,

who married John, second Lord Wodehouse, and these estates are now

enjoyed by his grandson, the Earl of Kimberley. The arms of Le Neve

are arg., on a cross sa., five fleur de lis of the first. There was an

original portrait of Peter le Neve in his Herald's coat and collar in

Boulter's collection* (and also one at the College of Arms).

There is, about midway, on the south side of this row, a house,

which fronts towards the west upon a large garden. In the latter part of

the 17th century this property was in the possession of William

Woodroffe, who devised it to his niece, the wife of William Salter of

Norwich, by whom in 1699 it was conveyed to Robert Baispoole, who

died in 1709, aged 62, leaving it to his son, the Rev. Robert Baispoole, f

who was Minister of St. George's Chapel from 1731 to 1733, and

"rate age, and then condole with, me, the world's infelicity, in the invaluable loss of "this

brave man." Mr. Norris of Witchingham, in 1770, printed a small volume In memoriam of

Elizabeth his wife, daughter of John Playters, Esq., of Yelverton (of an ancient and very

honorable family principally seated at Sotterly in Suffolk), to whom he was married in

1758, and who died in 1769, aged 28. On the first page are the arms of Norris—quarterly

or. and sa., in the second and third a, fret arg., over all a fess gu. imp. Playters, six

bendlets wavy arg. and az. with the motto Fides et opera. Mr. R. N. Bacon of Norwich

has a copy.

* See vol. i., p. 233. By his will he directed some escutcheons on silk for his pall, of

the arms of his office impaling those of his family, quartering Cory of Norfolk, to which

latter coat he was entitled, his grandmother's brothers having died s.p.

f The Rev. John Bayspoole, Rector of Toft Monks, died in 1624, and was buried

within the altar rails as had been others of his family. He bore three bends overall a fess

charged with three roundlets.

VOL. II.

274

THE PERLUSTRATION OF

died in 1734, aged 31. He devised this property to his kinswoman,

Elizabeth, the wife of Thomas Sutherland, who left it to her son,

Thomas Sutherland of St. John's Wapping, who, by his will made in

1753, being, as he says, then at Lowestoft, "sick and weak in body but

of sound mind and memory, praised be God," devised it to his sister,

Dorcas, the wife of Aldous Arnold of Lowestoft, merchant. They had

one child, Elizabeth, who married Hugh Thomas Christian, Esq., of

Tivetshall in Norfolk, by whom in 1786 the house and garden were sold

to Mr. Thomas Watson, for thirty-three years pier master, who resided

here until his death in 1826, aged 81.*

Row No. 108 , from South Quay to Middlegate Street. At the

south-west corner is an old house, No. 25, having a back door opening

into the above-mentioned row, upon the carved architrave of which is

the date 1644. A stone inserted on the east side of the house bears the

letters B. E. : , standing for B ENJAMIN E NGLAND , Esq., who was for many

years the owner and occupier. He was the third son of Sir George

England, Knt., and became a leading man at Yarmouth in all municipal

affairs. In 1676 he was chosen to fill the office of bailiff. Dr. Sparrow,

who was born in Depden in Suffolk, having been then recently

translated from Exeter to the See of Norwich, f was invited by Bailiff

England to his house, and in the name of the corporation presented with

"half a tun of claret," according to ancient custom. He also during his

year of office entertained Judge Baxter when on circuit; and Dean

Davies in his Diary

* He left one son, the Rev. T. Watson, D.D., and four daughters, the eldest of whom,

Mary, married Thomas Burton, Esq.; and Jacoba, the second, married J. Tipple Gooch,

Esq., of Woodbridge, and died In 1871, aged 87 years, having had an only child, Watson

Gooch, Esq., who died in 1866, leaving an only child by his wife, the widow of G.

Maxwell Lyte, Esq. Dr. Watson who, in the early part of his life, had commanded a

merchant vessel but subsequently took holy orders, was for some time Curate of Acle,

and afterwards Vicar of Dunford in Northamptonshire, and died in 1851. In 1763 died Mr.

Thomas Watson, "many years a captain of a packship in the Dutch trade, in which station

he acted with the strictest honor and integrity, and died greatly lamented." Norfolk

Chronicle.

* Dr. Sparrow had been translated on the 19th of August, 1676; and died in 1685,

aged 74. He bore erm., three white roses seeded or,

f Besides the wine, which, upon their consecration they were accustomed to receive

from the corporation of Yarmouth, the Bishops of Norwich were privileged

GREAT YARMOUTH

275

mentions supping with the judge at Bailiff England's house, and on the

following day shewing him over the church, England was again elected

bailiff in 1688, and before quitting office had the satisfaction of

proclaiming a general peace "in the usual places;" the corporation

attending " in their formalities;" after which, he gave an entertainment

in. the above-mentioned house, and the day concluded with

" illuminations and bonfires." In 1697 he was once more bailiff; and in

1701 he invited Lord Townshend, then Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk, to

pay him a visit. On the day appointed, England met the noble viscount at

Caister at eleven o'clock and escorted him into town, taking him to his

own house, where his lordship was waited upon by the bailiffs, the

justices, the aldermen, and principal inhabitants. The Lord Lieutenant

and his suite were "nobly entertained," and after their departure the

corporation paid the expenses amounting to £63. 17s. 8d., and presented

Madam England with ten guineas as an acknowledgment of the great

trouble which she had had on that occasion. On the accession of Queen

Anne, Benjamin England was returned to Parliament as one of the

representatives for the borough, with John Nicholson f and in 1703 he

was elected mayor, being the second who held that title under the charter

then recently granted. In 1705, and again in 1707, he continued to be

returned to Parliament for the borough, and died in 1711 greatly

lamented; for, says his epitaph, his just and generous temper was known

to most, and exceeded by few." He married, in 1668, Priscilla (or as she

was called Prisca) Ballowe, who died in 1703; and leaving no issue the

bulk of his large fortune was willed to

to import yearly "four tuns of French or Gascoigne wine" for the use of

their households duty-free. For this purpose they were accustomed to

supply to the Lord Treasurer, who thereupon, sent down "a Bill" to the

Collector of Customs, desiring him to "forbear taking or demanding any

impost for the same". There were however some fees to be paid at the

Treasury.

*Sir Horatio Townshend, created Baron Townshend of Lynn in 1661, and Viscount

Townshend of Raynham in l682, died in 1687, and was succeeded by his son, the above-

named Charles, second Viscount Townshend, K.G., who in 1717 filled the office of Lord

Lieutenant of Ireland, and died in 1738.

f Thomas Nicholson was bailiff in 1558; a year rendered memorable by the loss, near

Yarmouth, of fifty vessels in one day. John Nicholson had been returned to Parliament for

the borough in 1701; and was re-elected in 1705 and 1707.

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THE PERLUSTRATION OF

his nephew, George England, who, as has been seen, did not attend to

the injunction given by his uncle, not to "squander" the family

property.* That this worthy justice had "a fair round belly, with good

capon lined," may be inferred from the following anecdote related by

Dean Davies. "Notwithstanding that Mr. England was very lame with

the gout,'' they had agreed to ride together to Hoveton; and the Dean

having "borrowed a pair of boots," they set out "about eight o'clock in

the morning, the country all covered with snow," for it was on the 21st

of January, 1690. Having passed over Bastwick bridge and being then

on Heigham dam, the boy's horse being restive and running back,

shoved Mr. England's horse over the bank into the dyke, which is very

deep; but, God be praised, the ice bore him, for he fell on his belly,

whereby he came off without any hurt." At Hoveton they were

"entertained very splendidly" by Capt. Negus; but the good living did

not improve Mr. England's state of health; for on one occasion the Dean

having gone out with the other guests, found on his return that Mr.

England was in bed ill with the gout; “however” says the Dean, "after

supper we went up to his chamber and played cards on the bed with him

till midnight."

The above-mentioned house was afterwards in the occupation of

John Love; next of Robert Matchell and afterwards of "His Majesty's

Officers of the Customs," having been purchased in 1736 of Mr.

Nathaniel Symonds. In 1780 it became the property and residence of

A NTHONY T AYLOR , Esq., who filled the office of mayor in 1771; and to

him (and the corporation) Swinden dedicated his history, f Taylor sold

the house in 1786 to J OHN F ISHER , Esq., only son of John Fisher, who

died in 1775, aged 56, eldest son of John Fisher, who died in 1769,

already mentioned. He filled the office of mayor in 1802 and 1811; and

* Benjamin England bequeathed numerous legacies to his relatives and con-

nections, members of the families of Scottow, Negus, Fowle, Fuller, Burleigh, Hosts,

Ferrier, Clarke, Lovell, Ballowe, Bernard, and Wright. He also left to each man in

the Fisherman's Hospital a gown of 20s.

f For an account of the Taylor family see ante, p.80. Anthony Taylor died in

1795, aged 72, and was buried in Gorleston Church; as was also Esther his wife, who

predeceased him in 1786, aged 59. Over their grave is a slab bearing the arms of

Taylor, impaling bendy of six, a spur in a canton.

GREAT YARMOUTH

277

Goate, Esq., of Sherringham in Norfolk,* and their

eldest son, John Goate Fisher, Esq., succeeded to the

possession, and occupancy of the above-mentioned

house. He married Charlotte, daughter of the Rev.

Richard Turner, Minister of the Parish, who died in

1860, aged 69. Mr. J. G. Fisher filled the office of

mayor in 1820, and died in 1861, aged 83. They were

both buried at Ormesby St. Michael. They had issue

three sons f who all settled elsewhere, and this line of the Fisher family

became extinct in Yarmouth, t

William Fisher, the second son of John and Martha Fisher, entered

the royal navy in 1795, and was appointed to the Squirrel, 20, then

attached to the North-sea fleet. He then went to the Mediterranean, in

the Dragon, commanded by Capt. Campbell, who on "being made an

admiral returned to England bringing Mr. Fisher with him. Earl St.

Vincent having been informed by one of his Yarmouth correspondents

that Mr. John Fisher had a son on board the Dragon, he, being then First

Lord of the Admiralty, wrote to Capt. Campbell, requesting him to

cause Mr. Fisher to be examined for a lieutenancy as soon as his time

was completed; and upon that being done, immediately directed a

commission to be made out for him. Earl St. Vincent, in a letter to the

Marquis Townshend, dated 31st Dec, 1801, says "I felt a pride in

* The last male representative of a family of this name, who held lands at Brent-

Illeigh in Suffolk, was Capt. William Goate, R.N., who died at Bury St. Edmund's in

1845, aged 76. He was at the taking of Malacca in 1795 and when in the Musquito, was

employed in the Elbe and Weser in 1809. In 1781 Colonel Goate commanded two

companies of the East Suffolk Militia quartered at Lowestoft.

f In 1871 they placed a painted window in the North Chancel Aisle of the Parish

Church of Great Yarmouth to the memory of their parents.

t See vol. i., p. 334. Sir Robert Fisher, Knt., of Packington in Warwickshire, was

created a baronet in 1622, which title became extinct in 1759. Thomas, his second son,

married Dorothy, daughter of James Lacon of West Copies in Shropshire. See vol. I., p.

258. They had, with other children, Mary, who married Edward Bedingfeld, Esq., brother

of Sir Henry Bedingfeld, Bart., of Oxburgh in Norfolk.

after having been a member of the corporation for half a

century he resigned his aldermanic gown in 1824, and

died in 1835, aged 83. He married Martha, daughter of

John

278

THE PERLUSTRATION OF

serving a member of a worthy family, whose borough politics had been

adverse to me. It is evident the Fisher family did not give me credit for

so much liberality, by ascribing to Admiral Campbell that "which I

know he disclaims." In 1806 he was made a commander, and appointed

to the Merlin, 16 guns. He next had the Racehorse, 18 guns, with which

he captured L'Admiral Ganteaume, privateer, and he was engaged with

the batteries at Cherbourg. In 1806 he was employed in exploring the

Mozambique, and when in command of the Bann captured the slaver El

Temerario, of 16 guns and 80 men, by laying his vessel alongside and

boarding after a running fight. Whilst in command of the Cherub he

captured a large heavily-armed privateer after a desperate resistance. At

his suggestion the admiralty adopted and brought into practice an

excellent plan for watering ships. In 1836, having then attained his post

rank, Capt. Fisher was appointed to the Asia, 84, and in 1840 he

commanded a squadron of five line-of-battle ships and some smaller

vessels employed in blockading Alexandria. At this time he kept his

ships always prepared for action, not knowing at what moment he might

be attacked by the French fleet under Admiral Le Rey. After the British

flag had been hauled down and the authorities withdrawn Capt. Fisher,

in pursuance of orders from the British Ambassador at Constantinople,

performed the hazardous duty of landing alone, and of personally

conveying to Mehomet Ali the hostile determination of the allies. He

took upon himself the responsibility of keeping open the route to India

through Egypt, and of suspending the mercantile part of the blockade.

These important and delicate services were performed with great tact

and judgment, and obtained for him the approbation of his commander-

in-chief. The Turkish gold medal, a sword, and a diamond decoration

were bestowed upon him; and he obtained a good service pension.

Having attained the rank of rear-admiral, he was not again employed.

Tall and handsome in his youth, he suffered greatly from the effects of

the African climate, especially in his eyes, and latterly his sight became

much impaired. He devoted the latter years of his life to literary

pursuits, and wrote two naval novels. The Petrel and The Albatross. He

died in 1852, aged 72. In 1810 Admiral Fisher married Elizabeth, sister

of Sir James Rivett Carnac,

GREAT YARMOUTH

279

Bart., Chairman of the East India Company and some time Governor of

Bombay 1 : by whom he had an only son, William Fisher, Esq., who was

for some years British Resident at the Court of the Rajah of

Travancore.*

Charles John Fisher, Rector of Ovington-cum-Tilbury, third son of

John, and Martha Fisher, married Frances Brise, daughter of Thomas

Rugglies, Esq., of Spain's Hall, Essex. f Louisa, only daughter of John

and Martha Fisher, married the Rev. William Lucas . J

Row No. 108 was called Walking Row, because it was the first

that was paved with flagstones. At the south-east corner was a very old

house with a cut-flint front towards Middlegate Street. Early in the last

century it was the property of Hannah Brooker, widow, who kept a

confectioner's shop which was celebrated for its ginger-bread. She

devised it to her daughter, Hannah, the wife of Robert Boult Durrant,

from whom it descended to her son, Isaac Spilman, by her first

marriage with James Spilman, who changed the orthography of his

name to Spelman, and died in 1797.§ Isaac Spelman had issue Isaac

Spelman, who farmed an estate at Alburgh in Norfolk; William

Spelman, auctioneer, father of the present Messrs. Spelman of Norwich

and

* See Denison's Varieties of Vice-Regal, Life, vol. ii., p. 207.

f The family of Ruggles was originally of Sudbury and Lavenham in Suffolk, and

afterwards of Bocking in Essex. Inheriting the Spain's Hall Estate in that county and the

Estate in Suffolk on the death of Samuel Brise, Esq., in 1827, aged 95, they took the name

and arms of Brise. Buggies bore arg,, a chev, betw. three roses, gu . , and Brise—lozengy

gu., and arg. within a bordure sa,, fleury of eight quartrefoils, a cross of the second.

X See vol. i., p. 335, where the name was erroneously printed " Charlotte."

§ Margaret, his widow, intermarried with Robert Brooker Durrant, who was lost in

the brig Friendship in the Baltic. Some notice of the family of Spilman has already been

given (ante p. 113). Spilman indicated a maker of spindles or laths. Spelman in Swedish

and Speilman in German means a wandering musician. The name was rendered illustrious

by "that great antiquary and most learned knight, Sir Henry Spelman," who was "a great

promoter of the laudable study of the "general antiquities of the kingdom and the

particular ones of his native County of Norfolk." He traced his descent from William

Spileman, who, in the reign of Henry III., held the Manor of Brockenhurst in Hampshire

by the service of finding litter for the king's bed and hay for his palfreys whenever the

king was there. From him descended Henry Spelman, who married Ela, daughter and co-

heir of William de Narborough, whereby he acquired the Narborough estate, which

continued to be

1 “Bombay” has now renamed itself “Mumbai”, presumably to throw off

the last vestiges of the British Raj. Many of British companies, such as in

insurance and banking, have their telephone call centers there to save money

on wages. Norwich Union has though in 2007, decided to bring the service

back to UK because customers complained so much concerning the Indian

accent and consequent difficulties in understanding. One young man that I

spoke to in Mumbai last week, on behalf of “Talk-Talk”, an internet service

provider, after trying unsuccessfully for half an hour to assist me, gave me his

mobile phone number, and an invitation to show me around Mumbai!

280

THE PERLUSTRATION OF

Yarmouth; Sarah, who married Nathaniel Palmer (see ante. p. 191);

Mary Corneby Spelman, who resided at Denton in Norfolk; Hannah,

who married Richard Culley of Norwich; Jane, who married William

Norton of Melton and George Spelman of Diss. In 1823 the above-

mentioned property was purchased by John Latter, fishmerchant, who

pulled down the old house with the quaint shop lined with Dutch tiles,

and erected the present dwelling-house and shop on the site.

On the south side of Row No. 108, a M ASONIC H ALL was erected

upon a site part; of which had previously been occupied by a Jewish

Synagogue.* F REEMASONS originated at a very remote period, when,

having possessed themselves of a knowledge of the principles of

architecture, they sought to preserve the same as an impenetrable secret,

and thus to perpetuate a monopoly in building; seeking to prevent the

employment of all who were not members of their society. To prevent

this, an Act of Parliament was passed in 1424 making such

combinations penal; but it did not prohibit the meeting of freemasons in

their Lodges; and it is said that Henry VI. was admitted to the society,

composed as it then was of ingenious men in every branch of science,

who assembled to improve themselves in the liberal arts, and especially

those which related to building; which latter they were instrumental in

bringing to a surprising degree of perfection, for Freemasons were

consulted in the building of churches and cathedrals, and it is they who

invented the word traite, from which we have the term tracery , used for

all sorts of gothic ornaments, and being the method of tracing one curve

from another. The zeal for building churches began to decline in the

reign of Henry VIII., and was extinguished at the Reformation, from

which period it may be generally taken that the fraternity ceased to be

practical masons, although great architects were frequently members of

it. Thenceforth the society became composed of nominal masons only,

retaining however a few allegorical ceremonies, and using the tools of

the Norfolk seat of the family until they became extinct . They intermarried with the

Clippesbys, Jenneys, Mannings, Cobbs, and other Norfolk families. Spelman of

Narborough bore, platée betw. two flanches arg.

* This hall has occasionally been used for public purposes. In 1839 a deputation

from the "Chartists' National Convention" held a meeting in it, the mayor having refused

them the use of the Town Hall.

GREAT YARMOUTH

281

real masons as emblems to distinguish, the several degrees in the society.*

Freemasons divide themselves into what are called Lodges, which are

numbered and formed under the authority of a warrant from the grand

master. There are several such lodges in Yarmouth held at taverns. That

of "United Friends," No. 564, dates from 1797, and assembles at the

Crown and Anchor. f Another Lodge is held at the Star.

Some fish houses on the south side of Row No. 108 were in the 18th

century the property of William Peele, merchant, and were sold in 1793

by the Rev. John Peele, his only brother and heir-at-law. J There was

also an old public house called the Bird in Hand, but

* See M.S., 6760 B.M., in which will be found the questions and answers put and

given when a man is made a freemason, with the oath to he taken; and the questions and

answers when a man is admitted to a different lodge from that of which he had been a

member. Also the answers by which he may be known when questioned by another

freemason. A jovial song 1 printed in 1775, and to be found, in the British. Museum, No.

1346 m 1.4.2 ) probably accurately describes the present purposes of the brotherhood in this

country. Abroad they have a political significance.

f " Masons' marks" are to be found on the stones of ancient buildings in all parts of

the world from a very remote period. Attention was directed to this subject by Mr. George

Godwin in a paper read at the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1869; and to him the

editor is indebted for the following engraving of certain marks discovered on the stones of

two pinnacles at the west end of the Parish Church, when the same were taken down for

the purpose of being rebuilt. It has been

suggested by the Rev. R. M. Musgrave that the use of outlines of limbs and other objects

of that kind may be referable to a lower class of laborers 1 not entitled to employ the more

strictly masonic characters. The outline of a leg was used as a mark in the spire tower of

Strasburg Cathedral,

In 1814 William Goodrick of Yarmouth published a translation from the French of

an Essay on Illuminism and Freemasonry , supposed to have been written by Baron

Bielfield, formerly Secretary of Legation in London from Frederic II., in which the evil

effects of these societies on the continent is attempted to be shewn. To this work

Goodrick wrote a preface. He died at Yarmouth, May 20, 1831, aged 77.

J The latter was presented to the Vicarage of Tilney in Norfolk in 1749 by

Pembroke College. Cambridge, and held it till his death in 1805. He was one of the first

Auditors of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital from 1771 to 1773. There is an engraved

portrait of him by Facius from a painting by Opie.

1 More Victorian spelling.

VOL. II.

282

THE PERLUSTRATION OF

afterwards the Tuns Inn,* where in 1735 a foul murder was committed.

A number of Dutchmen had been drinking together in this public house.

All left but one, and as he did not follow his comrades, his brother, who

had been one of the party, returned to bring him away. He found the

house closed, and not being able to gain admittance, he made a great

disturbance, whereupon the people within threatened to shoot him if he

did not desist. This having no effect, they fired a pistol at him loaded

with powder only. The Dutchman still continued his attempt to get at

his brother, whereupon a loaded pistol was discharged, and the poor

fellow being shot in the arm then went away. During the next two days

the house remained closed. Meanwhile the dead body of a Dutchman

was found in the river, exhibiting marks of violence, both ears being cut

off for the sake, it is supposed, of the gold rings with which the

Hollanders were accustomed to adorn themselves. The corpse was

identified as being that of the Dutchman who had remained in the

public house; and a coroner's inquest having returned a verdict of wilful

murder against some person or persons unknown, Elizabeth Thompson

the landlady, her daughter, and eight other women were apprehended

and committed to Gaol. They were, however, all discharged except

Thompson who was sent to trial, and upon evidence which could have

amounted to no more than a strong suspicion, she was found guilty of

being an ''accessory" and condemned to be hanged. She was offered a

free pardon if she would disclose the name of the actual murderer, but

with a fidelity worthy of a better cause she resolutely refused to do so;

and she was executed. Many years afterwards a man on his death-bed

confessed that he had been guilty of the crime.

Row No. 109 from Middlegate Street to King Street. At the south-

west corner is a public house called the Red Lion, a favorite badge of

the Lancastrians, which was rebuilt in 1746. It adjoins a half-timbered

house; one of the few so constructed remaining in the town. They

* This is a very old sign, a tun being considered the “brewer's emblem”. In 1659

General Monk lodged at the Three Tuns tavern by Guildhall Gate, London. The house

above mentioned was sold in 1820 to the Yarmouth corporation, who pulled down the

buildings and added the sign to the Gaol. The sign of the Bird in Hand is supposed to

intimate that the landlord gave no trust.

GREAT YARMOUTH

283

were both, the property of William Salter,* and subsequently of Jacob

Arnold, and were attached to Mallett's brewery.

The house at the north-east corner, No. 141, King Street, was long

the property and residence of G ILES B ORRETT , Esq., an eminent

surgeon. He traced his descent from Giles Borrett of Stradbroke in

Suffolk, whose son, John Borrett, settled at Laxfield in the same county,

where he died in 1673. He was, as an entry in the parish register

records, "a good Christian and an honest man, well respected by his

neighbours." Mary his wife died in 1665; "a very godly, charitable, and

virtuous matron," according to the same authority. Thomas Borrett,

their son, an apothecary at Halesworth, died in 1691, leaving by Anne

Rous his wife, a son, Thomas Borrett, who died in 1694, and was buried

at Stradbroke. The son, grandson, and great-grandson of the latter, were

all christened Giles. The last inherited an estate at Wilby in Suffolk on

the decease of his uncle, John Borrett, Esq., f a Master in Chancery, and

dying in 1783 was buried at Stradbroke. He was the father of Giles

Borrett of Great Yarmouth, who was born at Worlingworth Rectory in

1772; and having when very young lost his father, was at the age of

fifteen apprenticed to Mr. Francis Turner, surgeon, already mentioned,

with whom he remained until he went to London to complete his

professional education. The sad occurrence which ultimately deprived

Mr. Turner of life, recalled Mr. Borrett to Yarmouth, where he soon

acquired an extensive and lucrative practise; after enjoying which for

many years he had the misfortune, in 1844, to be thrown out of a chaise

on his

* The Rev. Samuel Salter, D.D., during his incumbency, published Moral and

Religious Aphorisms, collected from the M.S.S. of Dr. Whichcote, together with eight

letters which had passed between Dr. Whichcote, Provost of King's, and Dr. Tuckney,

Master of Emmanuel College, Cambridge. See vol. i, p. 167.

t He died in 1724, and was buried in the Parish Church of Stradbroke, where there

are many memorials to members of this family. He married Mary, daughter of Thomas

Green of Wilby, where the ancestors of the latter had been seated for many generations,

but the moated house in which they resided has long been demolished. Thomas Green

was the ancestor of the Greens of Ipswich; of whom was Thomas Green, the author of

"Extracts from the Diary of a Lover of Literature" and other publications. There is a

portrait of him. He and most of his family were buried at Wilby, This family of Green

bore party per pale az. and g u., a chev. betw. three bucks trippant or. See vol. i. p. 199.

284

THE PERLUSTRATION OF

return from visiting a patient; and from the injuries

then received he died at the age of 70. There is a

mural monument to his memory in the south aisle of

the Parish Church. He married, in 1794, Eliza,

daughter of Thomas Dacle, Esq.,* who died in 1844,

aged 70. The arms of Borrett are erm., three boars'

heads erect and erased or. f There had previously been

a family of this name in Yarmouth. Reginald Borrett attended an

assembly of the corporation in 1687, and freely gave to their use a sum

of £50 due to him from William Salter of Norwich; and in 1694 he

presented the corporation with £10. Henry Borrett died in 1711 while

filling the office of mayor. t

* Mention has already been made of the family of Dade. In the first line of the note at p.

176, "Gurneys" is misprinted for " Garneys," an old family with which the Dades had

intermarried. Garneys bore arg., a chev. engrailed az ., betw. three escallop shells sa.; and

were originally seated at Boyland Hall, Morningthorpe, in Norfolk, and at Heveningham

and Kenton in Suffolk. Charles Garneys of Kenton married

Elizabeth, sister of Sir Thomas Wentworth of Somerleyton, and

had a son, John Garneys, who inherited that estate and went to

reside there. Thomas, his son, sold the Somerleyton Estate to the

Allins, of whom, we shall have occasion to speak, and removed to

Borland Hall, where he had a son, Wentworth. Garneys, who

married Mary, daughter of Sir Thomas Abdy of Felix Hall,

Kelveden in Essex, but leaving no issue that estate passed to his

sister, Martha, who married Robert Raworth, a London Merchant,

who bore on a feass dansetté betw. six cross, crosslets fitché three

anchors. Garneys used the alliterated motto, "God's Grace Guides

Garneys." The ancient family of Abdy bore or., two chev. betw.

three trefoils slipped sa.; and for a crest, an eagle's head erased

ppr ., beaked or.

f They had a numerous family. Of the sons, Joseph Borrett, the eldest, died in

London in 1817, in his twentieth year 1 , while pursuing his medical studies with every

prospect of success. Francis Borrett, another son, a wine merchant in London, died

unmarried. William Penrice Borrett, and has son, exchanged the medical profession for

holy orders, and became Rector of Sisten in Gloucestershire, where he died in 1817 aged

44, unmarried. Charles William Borrett, the youngest son, was of Magdalen College,

Oxford, where he took the degree of D.C.L. in 1843, and became one of the Lay Fellows,

He was called to the bar in 1837, and practised as an equity: draftsman and conveyancer,

and died unmarried in 1867, aged 58.

t Susan his wife died at the Rectory House of the Rev. Mr. Reeve at Blofield,

Norfolk, in 1706, aged 53. Reeve died in 1727.

1 It must have been easy enough to catch an infection then from a patient. Even when

I started at medical school, I felt much relieved to have suffered all of the common

childhood infections in my early years, and indeed have been fortunate to only during my

entire career to have had a period off work from glandular fever, as a house surgeon in

1972, until the stress of malignant administration finally did for me in 2002 (see RRH). A

school friend of mine, Timothy Radcliffe, third son of Dr Douglas Radcliffe of Dover,

was not so fortunate. In his second year at medical school in London, he pricked his

finger with a used needle, and died of hepatitis B, for which then, in 1969, there was no

immunisation.

Palmer’s Addenda: Earl of Mar – in Feb. 1875, the House of Lords decided that Mr.

Goodeve Erskine was not entitled to the Earldom of Mar, he being unable to prove that

when this dignity was revived by Queen Mary in 1565, it was “with all the incidents”,

and therefore descendable to heirs general in which case the title would have devolved

upon him, but the presumption being that the title was limited to heirs male, the title was

decided in favour of the Earl of Kellie.

Borrett - Thomas Borrett, the last surviving child of Giles Borrett, died at his

residence, 15 Bryanston Square, on 3 rd February 1875, aged 74. He married first the only

daughter of Sir George Tuthill M.D., by whom he left three sons, Mr.George Tuthill

Borrett of Chancery Bar, Mr.Thomas Percy Borrett, a partner in the firm of White,

Borrett and co., Whitehall Place, Solicitors, and Capt Herbert Borrett of the 20 th

Regiment of Foot, with which he served in the Abyssinian Campaign, (origin of

Abyssinia Road?) and was present at the capture of Magdala. Mr Borrett married

secondly, Catharine, daughter of Major Alexander Orme of Bryanston Square.

GREAT YARMOUTH

285

The most distinguished pupil of Mr. Giles Borrett was Dr. R OBERT

G OOCH , who was born at Yarmouth in 1784. His father was, early in

life, a Master in the Royal Navy, but afterwards commanded a vessel in

the merchant service. He had the misfortune to be taken prisoner, and

the detention of the bread-winner reduced the family means. Young

Gooch became a day scholar at the school of Mr. Nichols (ante. p. 177),

and when, about fifteen, years of age was apprenticed to Mr. Borrett. "

During my apprenticeship," he says, " when I had nothing else to do "

—no pills to roll—nor mixture to compose, I used, by the advice of my

master, to go up into my bedroom and there, with Cheselden before me,

learn the anatomy of the bones by the aid of some loose ones, together

with a whole articulated skeleton 1 , which hung within a box at the foot

of my bed. It was some time before I overcame the awe with which I

used to approach, this formidable personage. At first, even by daylight,

I liked to have some one in the room during my interviews with him;

and at night when I laid down on my bed, and beheld the painted door

which enclosed him, I was often obliged to make an effort to think of

something else. One summer's night, at my usual hour of retiring to rest,

I went up to my bedroom, which was in the attic story and overlooked

the sea, not a quarter of a mile off. It was a bright moonlight night, the

air was sultry; and after undressing I stood for some time at my window

looking out on the moonlit sea, and watching a white sail which now

and then passed. I shall never have such another bedroom, so high up,

so airy, and commanding such a prospect; or, probably, even if I had, it

would never again look so beautiful, for then was the spring-time of life

when the gloss of novelty was fresh on all the objects which surrounded

me, and I looked with unmingled hope on the distant world. I went to

bed; the moonlight which fell bright into my room showed me distinctly

the panelled door behind which hung my silent acquaintance. I could

not help thinking of him—I tried in vain to think of something else. I

shut my eyes and began, to forget myself, when, whether I was awake

or asleep, or between both I cannot tell—but suddenly I felt two bony

hands grasp my ankles and pull me down the bed; had it been real it

could not have been more distinct. For

1 In 1967, when I bought my skeleton, it was far too expensive to

have a whole one. Instead I purchased a “half” skeleton, for the sum of

£40. This comprised of the separate bones of one arm and one leg, hand

and foot; a complete spine and pelvis; one side of ribs, a complete

sternum, and a complete skull with rather good teeth. Where these

bones came from I have no idea, but they were fresh and clean and

quite beautiful. They were kept in a cardboard box under my bed. Even

£40 was a great deal of money then, being equivalent to the cost of full

board and lodging for one complete term of residence in the student

hall. Inevitably the bones had to be sold on to another student after I

passed my anatomy exams at the second attempt. I suspect that the

bones were obtained from the Far East, as they were of a mature adult

male skeleton in prime condition, but not especially large, in no way

diseased. As with Gooch, what a tale they may have told!

286

THE PERLUSTRATION OF

some time, I cannot tell how long, I almost fainted with terror, but when

I came to myself I began to observe how I was placed; if what I had felt

had been a reality, I must have been pulled half way out of bed, but I

found myself lying with my head on my pillow and my body in the same

place and attitude as when I shut my eyes to go to sleep. Young Gooch

made the acquaintance of Mr. Harley (vol. i. , p. 225) with the most

beneficial result, for the conversation of this acute logician called into

action those faculties of mind in which Gooch was by nature most

gifted; and by this means, at a comparatively early age, he became

accustomed to reason on abstract subjects, and to take nothing for

granted. In his after career Gooch always expressed himself as very

grateful to Mr. Harley, and when in 1824 he revisited Yarmouth, Gooch,

on the evening of his arrival, although it was late, set out to call upon his

old friend, exclaiming that he could find the house blindfold and he

groped his way down the dark and narrow rows, until he recognised with

delight the old brass knocker which remained unchanged.* Gooch also

became known to William Taylor of Norwich (vol. i., p. 361, and ante.

p. 136), who was always ready to assist young men in whom he thought

he could discover promise of future excellence. During his

apprenticeship the battle of Copenhagen was fought, and Gooch being

acquainted with Mr. Tupper 1 (then a naval surgeon but afterwards an

eminent practitioner in London, and father of Martin Farquhar Tupper),

was allowed to attend upon the wounded. In 1804 he embarked in a

Leith smack, then the usual conveyance to Scotland by sea, and

proceeded to Edinburgh, where the only person he knew was Henry

Southey, who had been his playfellow at Yarmouth (ante. p. 136).

There he joined the Medical and Speculative Societies, and acquired the

power of expressing himself with accuracy and facility, and became a

formidable debater. On his return from Edinburgh he studied German

with William Taylor, and became acquainted with Miss Emily

Bolingbroke, whom he afterwards married. Again visiting Edinburgh he

obtained the friendship of Sir William Knighton, to whose patronage

Gooch was afterwards greatly indebted. Whilst at Yarmouth in

* By his will Gooch left Mr. Harley £100. Crabb Robinson, writing in 1798, says " I

stayed four weeks at Yarmouth; my main inducement was to read with Harley."

1 Palmer’s addenda: Tupper – the genealogy of the Tuppers will be found in Burke’s

Landed Gentry , and the grant of arms to the Guernsey branch of this family is given, with

an engraving, in the Miscellanea Genealogica et Heraldica vol ii, p.2, (see also vol.iii,

p.78).

GREAT YARMOUTH

287

1806 the French frigate, La Guerriere, captured by H. M. S. Clyde, was

brought into the Roads; and the wounded from both vessels were sent

on shore. Gooch was asked to assist, which he did; and in after life was

accustomed to relate many interesting particulars of cases which then

came under his observation. Robert Southey kept up a correspondence

with him, and in a letter written in 1814 reminds him of a story of a

sailor in Yarmouth Hospital. In the following year he took his doctor's

degree at Edinburgh; and then returned to Yarmouth. He next became a

pupil of Sir Astley Cooper, and soon after commenced practice, in

which his success was very rapid. Among other appointments which he

obtained, was that of Lecturer at St. Bartholomew's; and in a few years

he became one of the best lecturers in London. His wife having died

after a short union, Gooch in 1814 married again; his second wife being

a sister of Mr. Travers, the eminent surgeon. In 1826, through the

influence of Sir William Knighton, he was appointed Librarian to

George IV. Gooch had attained the first rank in his profession when his

health, always delicate, began to give way. In the summer of 1824

Gooch paid his last visit to Yarmouth. He died in 1830 at the early age

of 46. Southey, speaking of his death, says "I have lost in Dr. Gooch

one of the men in the world for whom I had the greatest regard. He

saved this country from having the plague imported, by a paper upon

the subject in the Quarterly Review. Never was a man more desirous of

doing all in his power towards diminishing "the sum of human misery."

He was a frequent contributor to the medical periodicals, and his

writings were held in high esteem. In personal appearance Gooch was

rather below the average height, and his person thin. His dark eyes were

remarkably full and fine; the habitual expression of his face was that of

sagacity tinctured with melancholy, occasionally exhibiting traces of

humour. His manners were natural, quiet, and impressive; and his

kindness of heart led him to sympathize readily with the feelings of

others, and his patients speedily became attached to him. He was buried

at Croydon. There is an engraved portrait of him.

The above-mentioned house was for some time in the occupation of the

late Arthur Steward, Esq. (youngest son of Timothy Steward, Esq.,

288

THE PERLUSTRATION OF

( ante p. 152), who died here in 1869, aged 68. In that year Mr. Daniel

Meadows, surgeon, became the tenant. He is descended from the same

family as Sir Thorn, as Medowe, already mentioned vol. I., p. 153.

Daniel Medowe of Witnesham who died in 1675, next brother of

Thomas Medowe who settled in Yarmouth, married Amy, daughter of

John Brame of Campsey Ash; and their great-grandson, Daniel Medowe

or Meadows, who died in 1771, aged 90 years (only son of John

Meadows, who died at Botesdale in 1763), left by Frances his wife,

daughter of Humphrey Brewster, Esq., of Wrentham Hall, an only

surviving son, Philip Meadows, who resided at Botesdale in Suffolk

until 1801, when he removed to Witnesham, and on the death of his

mother erected the present mansion called Burgersh House. He married

Catherine, daughter of Robert Rust of Wortham, and died in 1824,

leaving two sons—(I): Philip Meadows, in holy orders, who died in

1837, leaving descendants who now represent the eldest surviving

branch of this family; and (2) Daniel Rust Meadows,

who, by Emma Catt his wife, had issue the Rev. John

Brewster Meadows, Esq., also the above-named

Daniel Meadows, and seven other children.* The

arms borne by this family of Meadows are gu., a chev.

erm. "betw. three pelicans, vulned; and on a canton, a

lion sejeant and in chief a label of three points ; crest,

a pelican vulned ppr. ; and for a motto, Meados virtus.

* Daniel Medowe of Chatisham (1577—1651), brother of William Medowe already

mentioned (vol. i., p. 153), had numerous descendants, one of whom, John Medowe of

Needham, assumed the name and arms of Theobald in 1776 by royal sign manual, and his

son, John Medowe Theobald of Claydon was High Sheriff of Suffolk, in 1737. Theobald

bore sa., afesse embattled betw. three owls arg. Lucy, only daughter of Daniel Meadows

(1681—1771), great-grandson of Daniel Medowe and Amy Brame married William Kirby

of Witnesham, by whom she was the mother of the Rev. William Kirby, the entomologist,

born in 1759. The Kirbys came from Westmoreland. John Kirby, an officer in the royalist

army, married and settled at Halesworth after the death of Charles I. John Kirby, born in

1690, was a country, surveyor and also a miller. He settled at Wickham Market, and in

1735 published his "Suffolk Traveller." His son, John Joshua Kirby, was grandfather of the

well-known Mrs. Trimmer. The descendants of John Meadows and Frances Brewster

quartered the arms of Brewster— sa ., a chev. erm. betw. three estoiles arg. The Brewsters

had been seated at Wrentham from the time of Edward VI, Robert

GREAT YARMOUTH

289

Row No. 109 is called Lion and Lamb Row,* from the sign of a

public house at the south-east corner, which in 1661 Thomas Allen, the

then possessor, devised to Elizabeth his daughter, the wife of Roger

Burdett, and from her it came to Samuel Burdett, who in 1729 conveyed

the property to Richard Harley, and by him it was in 1759 devised to

John Wright, cooper. The adjoining house to the west was also the

property of the Burdett family. George Burdett played a conspicuous

part in the local religious controversies of the 17th century. In order to

heal the dissensions between the minister and the lecturer which had

been carried to such extraordinary lengths (see vol. I, p. 36), the Privy

Council were induced in 1633 to accept the nomination of the Rev.

George Burdett by the corporation, to fill the lectureship vacant by the

removal of Brinsley. Bishop Corbet admitted him with much

reluctance; and when he informed the Privy Council of having done so,

could not refrain from expressing a hope that the new lecturer would

not "scatter poison."

Brewster of Wrentham Hall, a noted roundhead, sat in the Long Parliament for Dunwich

in the room of Henry Coke, a royalist, who was kept prisoner in Yarmouth Gaol, as

already mentioned (p. 246). On the death of Humphrey Brewster, s.p. in 1797, the

descendants of Anne Wilkinson and Frances Meadows became his heirs general, and they

sold the Wrentham estate to Sir Thomas Gooch, who pulled down the old hall and

disparked the land. Some of the rich armorial glass in the great window of the hall was

taken to Holton near Halesworth. See Gent. Mag. for 1812, part i., p. 313; and Page's

Suffolk, p.283. Philip Meadows, grandson of the above-named Daniel Medowe of

Chatisham, was Mayor of Norwich in 1734, and Margaret, his daughter, became the wife

of Richard Taylor of Norwich, whereby these surnames have frequently been combined

by their descendants. Lombe Taylor 1 , Esq., of Starston, has one of the largest and most

valuable conchological collections in the kingdom. Sarah, another daughter of Philip

Meadows, married David Martineau of Norwich; and other female descendants married

into the Suffolk families of Dyson, White, Coldham, and Prost. Sir Philip Meadows,

youngest son of Daniel Medowe of Chatisham, was Ambassador to the Courts of

Denmark and Sweden, and died in 1718, leaving a son, Sir Philip Meadows (1670—

1757), Knight-Marshal of the Palace, who, by Dorothy his wife, sister of Viscount

Falmouth, had a son, Philip, who married the Lady Frances, daughter of the Earl of

Kingston, eldest son of the Marquis of Dorchester (afterwards created Duke of Kingston),

and by her had a son who, in 1806, was created Earl Manvers, and died in 1816.

*The emblem of universal peace, "when the lion shall lie down with the lamb;"

not being inside as has been irreverently suggested as most probable. The painted

sign was removed in 1872 when the front was altered to that of a liquor shop,

1 Palmer’s addenda: Lombe Taylor died in 1873.

VOL. II.

290 THE PERLUSTRATION OF

"Christ," says the bishop, "sent forth, the shepherds, but the people

‘hanker’ after hirelings; so that the keepers as well as the flock have to

be looked after." Rules were drawn up to prevent, if possible, the

recurrence of unseemly disputes; and it was enjoined that each preacher

should read the prayers before his own sermon to avoid the scandal of

one beginning before the other had finished, as had been the case. It was

also provided that Brooks or his assistant, the Rev. Thomas Cheshire,

should preach in the morning, and Burdett in the afternoon. All these

precautions were unavailing; dissensions again broke out, and Burdett

was cited to appear before the chancellor at Norwich for "not bowing at

the name of Jesus"* and was suspended. When allowed to resume his

ministerial functions, Burdett was more determined than ever; and the

congregation were edified by the Minister of the Parish and the lecturer

preaching opposite doctrines; and abusing each other from the same

pulpit. Cheshire having spoken in the morning sermon of the duty of

ministers, "not to be dumb dogs, but to bark and bite when there was an

intrusion of heretical doctrine;" Burdett retaliated in the afternoon by

remarking "on the curs snarling at the saints;" compared Brooks to

Cerberus; and added that for himself "like the dog of Nilus, he would

lap and away, lest the crocodile should catch him." Proceedings were

taken against Burdett in the High Commission Court, which were met

by a cross suit against Brooks and Cheshire. Burdett was suspended and

condemned in costs; whereupon he put his threat into execution, and

fled to New England. For two years he officiated as minister at Salem;

and thence removed to Dover in Connecticut, from

* Bowing; at the name of J ESUS , which had been a practice from the earliest times of

the Christian Church, was then considered a test of orthodoxy; being objected to by the

puritans and non-conformists. The Long Parliament, in its omnipotence, commanded that

"all corporal bowing at the name of J ESUS should be thenceforth forborne." Sir Edward

Bearing, a Member of the House, objected to these " dogmatical resolutions in divinity,"

He concluded an energetic speech by saying, while addressing the speaker, "I shall never

obey your order, Sir, so long as I have a hand or an eye to lift up to heaven, for those are

corporal bowings, and my Saviour shall have them." Turning and bowing the head to the

east, when repeating the belief, is one of the oldest practices in the Christian Church,

people are buried with their feet to the east, that at the resurrection they may face the Son

of Righteousness who will appear from that quarter.

GREAT YARMOUTH

291

which place he went to New York, and soon afterwards returned to this

country, where, it is to be hoped, he rejoined his wife and children, who

during his absence had been supported by a small allowance made to

them by the corporation.* In 1625 the Rev. Thomas Reeve was

appointed preacher, but soon got into trouble respecting a sermon

delivered by him. Reeve offered to send a copy to the Privy Council for

publication: or if the king would signify his pleasure to Jeffery Neve, " a

quarter waiter," Reeve would go up and preach it "before the Parliament

men". His offers were rejected, and instead thereof he was held to bail

in £200 to appear before the Privy Council, his sureties being John

Power and Edmund Denny. When the presbyterians had fully

established their power they proceeded to abolish the festival of

Christmas, which had been a "red-letter day" at Yarmouth, the

corporation always going in state to church. In 1647 all shops were

ordered to be opened on that day, and all churches to be closed. f

William Hook, surgeon, who died in 1758, aged 57, had a house in

Row No. 109 . J

Adjoining to the Lion and Lamb is a house, No. 139, King Street,

which for some years was inhabited by Lieut.-Colonel Sir George

Hoste, C.B. This distinguished officer was attached to the Prince of

* The dispute as to the appointment of "Lecturer" was settled by Parliament in 1641,

by an enactment which declared it to be lawful for parishioners to appoint and maintain

them. Thus, says Nalson (vol. ii., p. 478), was set up a "spiritual militia" who, "so far

from advancing the Gospel of Peace, sounded the trumpet of War."

f This innovation was stoutly opposed. Those who seldom went to church before,

insisted upon going on this day. The decoration of churches, public buildings, and private

houses with holly and misletoe, usually accompanied by the lifting of tankards, was

suppressed with great difficulty. Serious riots ensued in many cities and provincial towns;

and at Ipswich there was some loss of life. At Canterbury, says Dr. Doran, "the mayor got

pummelled till he was as senseless as a pocket of hops. The mob mauled him terribly; and

broke his windows as well as his bones." The governing power was ridiculed, as allowing

liberty of conscience to all but conscientious men; and the people declared that if they

could not have Christmas Day, they would have the king on his throne again.

j James Hook, an eminent musician and composer, was born at Norwich in 1746,

There is an engraved portrait of him. He was the father of Theodore Hooke and of the

Dean of Worcester, and grandfather of the present Dean of Chichester.

292

THE PERLUSTRATION OF

Orange's corps as commanding engineer at the Battle of Waterloo. His

younger brother, the Rev. James Hoste, who was presented to the

Rectory of Ingoldisthorpe in Norfolk in 1831 by the Rev. T. Lovick

Cooper, and who was- Perpetual Curate of Longham from 1824 to

1839, died in 1842, aged 51, having married Theophila Elizabeth,

youngest daughter of the Rev. Richard Turner (ante. p. 25.) She died in

1826, aged 38. Their son, Lieut.-Colonel William Dashwood Hoste of

the 6th Regiment of Punjaub N. I., died in India in 1872.*

At No. 143, King Street, then a private house, resided for many

years T HOMAS P AINE , Esq., a purser in the royal navy, who died in

1854, aged 84. f Charlotte, his widow, died in 1859, aged 77. They are

both buried at Highgate Cemetery, but there is a mural tablet to

* The name was originally Hoost, and the ancestor of this family was Jacques Hoost,

Governor of Bruges, whose son fled from Flanders in 1569 to escape persecution by the

Duke of Alva, and settled in Norfolk, where he acquired an estate. Seventh in descent

from the Governor of Bruges was the Rev. Dixon Hoste, Rector of Titleshale with

Godwick in Norfolk from 1784 to 1826. Sir George Hoste was the third son. The eldest

was Captain Sir William Hoste, Bart., K.C.B., "an officer," says Brenton, "brought up by

Nelson, whose example in all that was good and great he steadily kept in view." In 1825,

being then in command of the Royal Yacht, he sailed with her to Antwerp, from which

city he brought to England the Duke and Duchess of Clarence, afterwards King William

IV. and Queen Adelaide. Meeting with a heavy gale, the vessel was obliged to put into

Yarmouth Roads, where the illustrious passengers landed. The Royal Duke, himself a

sailor, had thus an opportunity of observing the admirable seamanship of Sir Wm. Hoste;

and while expressing his obligations the duke addressed Sir William as the " favorite elève

of his early and lamented friend, Lord Nelson." In 1828 Sir Wm. Hoste was presented

with the freedom of the Borough of Great Yarmouth. He married Lady Harriett Walpole,

daughter of the Earl of Orford, and died at the house of the latter in 1839, aged 48. A song

written in praise of the festivities at Houghton in the time of Sir Robert Walpole, the jovial

Prime Minister, and of a favorite liquor called " hogen," has these verses:—

" Old ballads wrote Homer delighted in nectar, "

And made a great fuss with that tall boy call'd Hector

But had fortune bestow'd him on Norfolk's fair coast,

He’d have only praised Hogen , and sung Colonel Hoste."

f He was the son of a ship owner of the same name, who married a Theobald of

Norwich. He was lost at sea in 1771 when on board his own vessel, as were the captain

and all the crew. His widow died in the following year, and is buried in Yarmouth

Churchyard. The name of Paine or Payne prevails in Flegg Hundred, and families so

called, flourished at Norwich in the seventeenth century.

GREAT YARMOUTH

293

their memory erected in the South Transept of St. Nicholas' Church,

Great Yarmouth, by Thomas Paine, Esq., of London, their only child,

on which is a shield of arms—per bend or. and az. t three roundlets

counterchanged two and one. The inscription concludes with Parentum

delectorum memoriam prodere—filius eoram unious — maerens hoc

poni curavit."

At the commencement of the last century Richard Engle, merchant,

had property in this row, the subject of a settlement of which Francis

Turner and Robert Ward were the trustees.*

Some cabalistic signs over the door of a house in this row,

distinguished the residence of John Fletcher Cooper, an astrologer, f

* Benjamin Engle voted in 1714 for Astley and De Grey. Elizabeth hits wife died in

1741, aged 76. Some account of the family of Engle has already been mentioned. (see vol.

i, p. 249.) They bore two bars gemelles, a canton or. Engle Knights, Esq., a magistrate for

Norfolk, had a considerable estate at Somerton, and dying in 1800, aged 77, devised the

same with a house in the Castle Row, Yarmouth, and other property to John Barker

Huntington, Esq. The Rev. John Huntington, who was an only son, and of a Cheshire

family, died Rector of Irstead in Norfolk in 1755. He married Mrs, Smith, a widow,

whose daughter, by her first husband, married the above-named Engle Knights 1 . The Rev.

John Huntington had a son who married Miss Barker, and they had, with other children,

the above-named J. B. Huntington 2 , who for some years resided at Somerton Hall. He left

two daughters arid co-heirs, one of whom married Robert Copeman, Esq. of Hemsby; and

the other, Jane Amelia, resided for many years in France, where she died in 1871, aged

55.

f He was born in Norwich in 1779; and in 1810 took up his residence in Yarmouth,

where he was employed successively in the offices of Mr. James Sayers, Mr. Robert Cory,

and Mr. Nathaniel Palmer, solicitors. He also carried on a school; but later in life devoted

himself to the study of “Planetary” influence over human affairs," and gained a living by

fortune telling. In 1830 he began to transcribe, with most persevering industry the

inscriptions on the tombs and head-stones in St. Nicholas' Churchyard, and the result of

his labours is contained in three folio volumes now in the Public Library. Another singular

character of the name of Cooper died in 1831. Although possessed of considerable

property he was uniformly clad in the poorest habiliments. Possessed of a commodious

house, he made a present of it to a friend, and resided in lodgings. He was extremely

abstinent, his fare being of the simplest kind. Although penurious, he was benevolent. He

would frequently enter the abodes of wretchedness, leave a donation and quit the house in

silence. A sailor pitying his apparent poverty offered him sixpence, which the old

gentleman took, and in return presented him with a piece of paper which, proved to be a

£5 note. In the 16th century Robert Smith, a Yarmouth man, fancied that he had

discovered the philosopher's stone. He in 1594 informed the Privy Council that he had

delivered into the hands of Sir Thomas Wilkes, clerk of the council, a letter for the queen

from

1 Palmer’s addenda: Engle Knights – He was appointed a lieutenant in the East

Norfolk regiment of militia in 1759. Vol. i., p. 2, see also, vol. iii., pp. 97, 263.

2 Huntington – Isobel, youngest daughter of General Heathersett of Shropham Hall,

and widow of John Barker Huntington, died 13 th December 1874, in her 89 th year.

294

THE PERLUSTRATION OF

Row No. 110 , from Middlegate Street to King Street, called Prison

Row, because daring the last long war with France some old buildings on

the south side of it, and extending to the next row, were fitted up as a

French prison. Every aperture towards this row was bricked up, except a

door with an iron grating, through which the unhappy prisoners were

supplied with bones, by carving of which into ornaments they

endeavoured to while away the tedious hours of captivity.* This door

remains; but the grating is removed and the aperture boarded over, A

sentinel was placed at each end of the row, and after dusk no one could

pass without the watch word. Notwithstanding these precautions the

prisoners frequently escaped. Previous to these premises being so

occupied, French prisoners were lodged in Gaol, or wherever

accommodation could he procured for them. In 1794 H.M.S. Scourge

took away eighty French prisoners to Portsmouth. In the following year

an agent of the French Convention arrived in Yarmouth to arrange an

exchange of prisoners. He wore a tricorned

Roloff Peterson of Lubeck, offering to present three glasses or bodies in alchemy, one of

Sol, one of Luna, and the other of Mercury, as the gift of Oulfield an alchemist; and

undertook, "at the peril of his head," to bring 40,000 dollars into her majesty's coffers for

these glasses or bodies, without one penny of expense if it pleased her majesty not to

meddle with them. Doubts having been moved as to how her majesty "might consider the

virtues of these glasses or bodies, as being without error or deceit," and whether she would

accept them or the money, Smith offered "on his allegiance and life," to bring Peterson, if

he lived, and the glasses or bodies before her majesty to be examined ; after which, if she

should refuse them, he agreed to he bound as before, to procure the money at his own

charge. Instructions were then sent to Smith at Yarmouth to repair to Lubeck and deliver

to Peterson a letter from the queen, and to receive the three glass bodies and bring them to

her majesty. He was to ascertain whether the materials had been brought to perfection, and

if anything were lacking to say what it was, to recover all books and papers of Oulfield

relating to Alchemy, and also a secret menstruum, without which the materials would

hardly it was thought be brought to perfection. When all things were laid before her

majesty their value would be ascertained, and she would either detain or return them.

What further was done does not appear; but Smith did not, it is presumed, make a fortune.

In 1608 Nicholas Smith of Yarmouth petitioned the Earl of Salisbury for relief, “in

consideration of thirty-seven years' service done by himself and his late father to the then

late queen”. State Papers.

* In 1799 the Consular Government of France refused to provide for the prisoners,

and they were handed over to the Transport Board; there being then fifty men in the

above prison.

GREAT YARMOUTH

295

cockade, which was considered an insult by the sailors who quickly

possessed themselves of it, and a tumult ensued.

The house at the north-west corner of Row No. 110, upon which

the prison abutted, was at that time the residence of Ives Hurry, Esq.,*

who subsequently removed to London, where he died in 1830. f

Margaret his wife, a daughter of John Mitchell, by Margaret his wife,

daughter of Nathaniel Palmer, took a most compassionate interest in

these poor men, contributed largely to their comfort, and even went so

far as to connive at their attempts to escape. On one occasion, as the

nursery maid was putting one of the children to bed in an upper back

room, she caught sight of a man's hand thrust through an aperture in the

wall. She ran down terrified, and informed her mistress; but Mrs. Hurry

concluding that a Frenchman was endeavouring to make his way out of

prison, and not wishing to molest him, ordered the child to be taken to

another room, and in the morning it became known that a prisoner had

escaped.§ The buildings used as the prison had

* During the revolutionary war with France he was taken prisoner and lodged at

Verdun. He escaped, and made his way through France to the shores of the Mediterranean

disguised as a waggoner; : a feat which was the more remarkable as he was a man upwards

of six feet in height and large in proportion. His companion in misfortune was Stephen

Wilson of Streatham and Bexhill, who also made his escape, and became a magistrate for

the County of Sussex and "silver stick" to George IV., William IV., and Queen Victoria.

His brother, Colonel Wilson, was Lord Mayor of London in 1838; and his first cousin,

Daniel Wilson, became Bishop of Calcutta. He was uncle to the Rev. Thomas Allnutt 1 of

Gorleston. Wilson bore quarterly, 1st and 4th, sa., a wolf salient or., on a chief az ., a

fleur-de-lis of the second betw. two bezants; 2nd and 3rd, gu. a chev. betw. three boars

heads erased or., in the centre point of the shield a martlet for difference.

f Mrs. Opie mentions having seen him there in 1794. After describing a visit to

Godwin, the novelist, she says " we went to Ives Hurry's in the city, where we left our

chaise and horses, and proceeded in a coach to call on Mrs. Siddons." On another

occasion she writes, "Ives Hurry, as soon as we arrive at his house, always treats us with

as much ice 1 and biscuits as we can eat."

j He died in 1786, aged 42, leaving five surviving daughters (see vol, i., p. 318), and

one son, John Mitchell, who went to reside at Chester.

§ Mrs. Ives Hurry, before her marriage, published a volume of poems, printed by

Downes in 1796. One called "Hope" : is addressed to Mrs. Cooper, the wife of Dr. Cooper

(ante, p, 199.)

" Oh, Cooper ! born to soothe, to charm, to bless

How many hearts will join my fervent prayer,

And beg kind heaven to shed its smiles on thee."

1 Ice was certainly a luxury when there was no refrigeration, but was this just ice alone,

iced water, flavoured, or what? Fruit and cream was whipped up to make ice cream,

frozen in a freezing pot according to Mrs Beeton’s “Everyday Cookery” . One pint of

cream with every pint of fruit; average cost = 1shilling a pint. Other recipes included,

ice, lemon water, again, frozen in the freezing pot, then put into ice glasses or plates.

Iced puddings were made, in various shapes and flavours, as nougat, meringue,

chocolate ice cake, and so on. These were for “at home” teas, and for serving at dances.

1 Palmer’s addenda: Thomas Allnutt – was in 1875 instituted to the Rectory of Stibbard

in Norfolk.

296 THE PERLUSTRATION OF

previously been storehouses, granaries or corn chambers, belonging to

Mallett's brewery, and were sold in 1803 to government, and conveyed

to Sir Rupert George, Bart., Ambrose Serle, Esq., and Thomas

Hamilton, Esq., then three of the "Commissioners for the Transport

Service and for the care and custody of prisoners of war." At the

conclusion of peace, these premises being no longer required by

government were sold by auction to Robert Pickis of Norwich, oatmeal

maker; but the property having been conveyed in trust for the king, it

was found that no title could be made without the authority of an Act of

Parliament, and consequently a Special Act was passed in 1818, under

which the property was conveyed.

At the north-east corner of Row No. 110 there stood a dove, house,

which early in the 18th century was taken down and a messuage erected

which was occupied by Capt. Gabriel Milleson, R.N., who commanded

the royal yacht, Katherine, for Queen Anne, and died in 1709 aged 68.

He, with Capt. James Dawson and Capt. Samuel Fuller, presented the

corporation in 1699 with a silver punch bowl weighing 93 oz. (ounces),

which is still used on festive occasions. Capt. James Milleson, his son,

voted for Astley and De Grey in 1714, and died in 1726, aged 59. Upon

their sepulchral slabs in the Parish Church are their arms—a chev. betw.

three oak leaves; and for a crest, a fox holding a branch of oak. The

above-mentioned house next passed into the possession of Robert

Gallant, Esq., M.D., an eminent physician, who died in 1746, aged 54.*

In 1751 it was rebuilt, and was then occupied by Ralph Schomberg,

Esq., M.D., t who had married the daughter of Joseph Crowcher of

London, the then owner. After practising for some years in Yarmouth,

Dr. Schomberg removed to Bath and finally to Reading, where he died

in 1792. He was the author of several medical and other works. The

Rev. Alexander Crowcher Schomberg, his son, who was born in the

Another poem is addressed to the memory of her sister, Temperance Mitchell, who died

in 1794, aged 19 years, unmarried Mary, the eldest sister of Mrs. Ives Harry, married

Wm. Bracey Taylor, R.N., and died in 1834.

* He married Helen, daughter of Richard Ferrier, Esq., who died in 1756, aged 62

s.p. There is a laudatory epitaph in Latin to the memory of Dr. and Mrs Gallant, in the

Parish Church.

f He was brother to Dr. Isaac Schomberg. There is an engraved portrait of him.

GREAT YARMOUTH

297

above-mentioned house, was an author of considerable repute,

especially on subjects of political economy, and connected with trade

and commerce. * He is mentioned by Lord Chedworth in his letters to

Crompton (p. 72). He died in 1792, aged 36. Dr. Schomberg had one

other son, Isaac Schomberg, Esq., a Captain in the Royal Navy, who in

1807 conveyed the above-mentioned property to Samuel Rouse,

grocer. f

Of Yarmouth physicians, not elsewhere noticed in these pages, we

may here mention Dr. Farmington, who resided at the end of Row No.

33, which in consequence (prior to 1760) was called Farmington’s

Row; and Grantham Killingworth, Esq., who published various

theological pamphlets between 1737 and 1766. He left £2,400 to the

General Baptist Meeting House, White Friars' Road, Norwich. About

the year 1770, Dr. William Beeston Coyte was a leading physician in

Yarmouth. He removed to Ipswich, where he published a list of plants

cultivated in his garden, under the title of Hortus Botanicus

Gippovicencis.j Dr. Clark Abel also commenced his professional

education at Yarmouth.§

The adjoining house to the north was at one time occupied by

Commander M. R. Lucas, R.N., who died in 1834, aged 54.

Row N O . 111, from South Quay to Middlegate Street. At the

north-west corner stands a large house, which in the 17th century was

in

* He was a Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford. It was he who first noticed the musical

talents of Crotch, and extended to him a munificent patronage.

f The Rev. John Bathurst Schomberg was Rector of Belton, Suffolk, from 1830 to

1837.

j He died at Ipswich in 1310, aged 58. He was the grandson of the Rev. William Coyte,

Rector of Brantham with East Bergholt in Suffolk, by his wife, the daughter of the Rev. Edmund

Beeston, Rector of Sproughton in Suffolk, Brother to the doctor was the Rev. James Coyte,

Rector of Cantley in Norfolk from 1779 to 1812, in which year he died at Ipswich, aged 62,

He was presented to the living of Cantley by Harbord Harbord, Esq. The arms of Beeston

are— arg., a bend sa. betw. six bees volant sa.

§ He was born at Bungay in Suffolk, was living at Halesworth when Archbishop

Whately was Rector of that Parish, and delivered there a course of lectures on

chemistry, which have been published. He went to India and died at Cawnpore at

the early age of 37 years. He published his travels in India and China, and also some

papers on comparative anatomy. There is an engraved portrait of him.

VOL. II

298

THE PERLUSTRATION OF

the possession of the England family. On the marriage of George

England, Esq., with Alice, daughter of John Jenny, Esq., of Bayfield,

this house was brought into settlement, the trustees being Sir Edmund

Bacon of Garboldisham, Bart., and John Jermy, Esq., of the Inner

Temple, the bride's brother.* In 1720 this house passed from the

Englands to Nathaniel Symonds, woollen draper f who resided here

until his death in 1766, when Elizabeth his widow and the Rev. John

Peele, the executors, conveyed it to the Rev. Richard Gay Lucas, in the

possession of whose descendants it has ever since remained. J Lucas

died in 1771, leaving by Mary his wife, daughter of Capt. John Black of

Norwich, an only son, Gibson Lucas, Esq., who purchased the Filby

estate, and died in 1790, aged 58. Charles Lucas 1 , his oldest son, was

Lieut.-Colonel of the East Norfolk Militia, High Sheriff of Norfolk in

1811, and died at Filby House in 1831, aged 66, unmarried. He was

succeeded by his next brother, the Rev. Gibson Lucas, Rector of Filby

and Stokesby, who married Mary Anne, daughter of the Rev. B. W.

Salmon already mentioned, and died in 1846, aged 80, § when the Filby

estate came to the Rev. Charles Lucas 2 , the present possessor.

* The lady had a fortune of £2,500; no inconsiderable sum in those days. On the

seals attached to this settlement (penes George Lucas, Esq.) are the arms of England,

Bacon, and Jenny in good preservation.

t The Rev. Nathaniel Symonds was presented to the Vicarage of Ormesby in 1718 ;

the great tithes of which parish had in the reign of Edward VI. been granted by the Dean

and Chapter of Norwich to Sir John Clere; and they have ever, since remained in lay

hands. A former statement in this work that there had been no Vicarage House previous to

the one lately erected, is erroneous; as there was a house within a short distance west of

the church, which was assigned to the vicar. It was not, however, resided in by any Vicar

of Ormesby for more than sixty years previous to its sale on the erection of the present

Vicarage House. Besides the Church, of St. Michael (in Little Ormesby), there were two

other churches in this parish before the Reformation, of which there are now no remains.

Within a century after the above grant, the ancient and wealthy family of Clere became

extinct ; and their numerous sepulchral slabs and monuments have disappeared from the

Parish Church, as have also the hatchments of the Symonds family. See vol. i., pp. 11,

332.

J Francis Gay Lucas died Rector of Mautby in 1717, and was succeeded by Richard

Gay Lucas, who was presented by the Earl of Yarmouth.

§ A younger brother was the Rev. Richard Lucas, Fellow of Caius College,

Cambridge, Rector of Oxburgh, Norfolk, who died in 1848, aged 78, unmarried,

1 This Charles Lucas added the white brick front to Filby House, and in 1829,

converted the east end of a cart shed into a gothic chapel, now known as “The Orangery”.

2 This next Charles Lucas installed a splendid stained glass window at Filby Church,

a brass lecturn, and other memorials to the Lucas family, also donated a large bible and

common prayer book, both of which, passed to me by Graham Steele, the current vicar,

2007, are on a table in the hall of the “Orangery”.

GREAT YARMOUTH

299

This family of L UCAS trace their descent from Edmund Lucas, temp.

Edward III., who married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Thomas Morieux.

Fourth in descent from him was Thomas Lucas, Secretary to Jasper

Tudor, Duke of Bedford, who purchased an estate at Little Saxham in

Suffolk, where he erected a stately mansion (which stood till 1773), and

died there in 1531. By his will, among other pious and charitable

bequests, he made provision for poor scholars in the University of

Cambridge. Fourth in descent from him was William Lucas of

Horsecroft in Suffolk, who died in 1640. He married Christian, daughter

of Robert Gibson, Alderman of Norwich, whereby that surname came

into and was ever after occasionally used by the family. Gibson Lucas,

D.D., their son, also of Horsecroft, married Elizabeth, daughter of

Richard Gipps of Great Whelnetham in Suffolk, and aunt

of Sir Richard Gipps, Knt., author of the Antiquitates

Suffolciences, and died at Horningsheath in Suffolk in

1698, aged 83, leaving a son, John Lucas, merchant, who

settled in Norwich, where he married Anne, sister of Mr.

Richard Gay, and died there in 1696, aged 44, leaving a son, the above-

named Rev. Richard Gay Lucas.* The Yarmouth family of Lucas

mentioned at vol. i., p. 379 probably descended from the same stock, as

they all bore the same arms— arg., a fesse betw. six

annulets gu.; and for a crest, a dragon's head gu.

* John Gay was Mayor of Norwich. There is a portrait of him

in. St. Andrew's Hall, painted in 1756 by Bardwell. John Lucas,

third son of Thomas Lucas of Saxham Parva, already mentioned, was Town Clerk of

Colchester, and Master of the Requests to Edward VI. Being a great gamester, he won

with dice the Wardship of Roydon from the Earl of Oxford. He died in 1556, leaving a

son, Sir Thomas Lucas, Knt., Recorder of Colchester, High Sheriff of Essex in 1548, who

died in 1611, aged 80, leaving by his wife, Mary, daughter of Sir John Fermor, a son,

Thomas Lucas, High Sheriff of Essex in 1617, who was the father of John, Lord Lucas of

Shenfield, so created by Charles I., and of Sir Charles Lucas, the gallant defender of

Colchester in 1648. Lord Lucas left an only daughter, his sole heir, who was created

Baroness Lucas in 1663, and married Anthony de Grey, Duke of Kent, K.G., Lord

Chamberlain to Queen Anne. St. John's Abbey in Colchester and divers manors, the

property of the Lucas family were declared by Parliament to be forfeited, and were

bestowed upon the Earl of Essex, the successful general, who had also the Manors of

300

THE PERLUSTRATION OF

The above-mentioned house is now divided into two occupations;

one of which (No. 26) has long been tenanted by Thomas Fowler

Steward, Esq.;* and the other was sold to Mr. William Nash, who died

there in 1871, aged 81.

In a house in Row No. 111, early in the present century, lived a

family named Carroll, who had a painted coat of their armorial

bearings, hanging over the mantelpiece— erm., a cross crosslet sa.

Bildeston, Drinkstone, Shelly, Icklingham, Aspell; and Glemham in Suffolk (some of

which, had belonged to Arthur Lord Capel and Sir Thomas Glemham, "delinquents") and

Gooderstone with Oxburgh and Little Fransham in Norfolk. A very complete pedigree of

Lucas has been compiled by the Rev. William Grigson, Rector of Whimburg, Norfolk.

* Mrs. Isabella Steward, his wife, died here in 1867. She was the daughter of Robert

Travers, Esq., of Cork, and a niece of Rear-Admiral Sir Eaton Stannard Travers, K.H.

Endowed with a vigorous intellect and fertile powers of imagination. Mrs. Steward not

only greatly endeared herself by her kindness of heart and ready sympathy to all upon

whom she bestowed her much-valued friendship, but also secured for herself an eminent

position in the literary world. Her first avowed publication was “ Prediction ,” a work that

entitled her at once to take high rank as a novelist. It was published in 1834, and wag

followed in 1837 by " The Mascarenhas ," a legend of the Portuguese in India, Her next

novel was " The Interdict, " published in I840, followed eleven years afterwards by

" Catharine Erloff, " and her last was called " Marguerite's Legacy, " published in 1857. Mrs.

Steward was a frequent contributor to the periodical literature of the day; but, although

often solicited to do so, declined to attach, herself to any particular publication. Her

numerous poetical compositions are distinguished alike for paint and pathos! An excellent

linguist, with a thorough acquaintance with the construction of language, she had a

peculiar facility of imparting knowledge, which made her willing to instruct; and in this

respect many of her young relatives and dependants had much reason to be thankful to her.

Although during the latter years of her life Mrs. Steward suffered under the effects of a

disease of the heart, yet she retained her mental faculties unclouded to the last; in proof of

which it may be stated that shortly before her death she composed the followed epitaph, to

be inscribed on her own tomb in the Churchyard of Gunton, Suffolk:—

" Go to her grave — wail over her — weep!

" Sighs cannot break that motionless sleep.

" No breath, is upheaved, no dream doth beguile

" That fixed, frigid face, of tear or of smile

"But the loud trump, on the gathering day,

"Shall wake to new life the slumbering clay /"

A welcome guest at this house was Miss Agnes Strickland 1 , "a lady," says Sir Archibald

Alison, " who stands at the head of her whole sex and in all ages in historical literature."

She was the third daughter of Thomas Strickland, Esq., a gentleman of good descent, who

resided at Reydon Hall, near Southwold in Suffolk.

1 In fact though Agnes Strictland was the public face of the authorship of The Queens of

England , and was presented to Queen Victoria, it seems that Elizabeth, her shy and retiring

sister, actually undertook most of the work of research and writing (see British National

Biography).

Palmer’s addenda: Agnes Strictland died in 1874. “Having been born in the first year of

the present century”. (1800)

GREAT YARMOUTH

301

Occupying the entire space between Row No. 111 and Row No. 112 there

stands a large house which is depicted in Corbridge's Map, as being then in the

occupation of W ILLIAM L USON , Esq. In front, next the Quay, was an open space,

which at a subsequent period the owner had leave to enclose; and behind was a

garden extending nearly as far as Middlegate Street. Luson, a man of family

and property,* married Elizabeth, daughter of Benjamin Hewling, an eminent

Turkey merchant residing in London, by Hannah his wife, a daughter of

William Kiffen, the celebrated baptist, f who died in 1701, aged 84. Hannah,

her eldest sister, had married Major Henry Cromwell of Spinney Abbey, son of

the "Lord Henry Cromwell," as he was called, second son of the Lord Protector,

some time High Steward of Yarmouth. The Luson family had been great

adherents of Cromwell, and upon the death of the Protector in 1658, Captain

Luson was one of three gentlemen sent from Yarmouth to present an address to

his proclaimed successor, "the Lord Richard," by the bailiffs, in which they

lamented that "so good, so great a captain of the Lord's host had fallen in

Israel," but consoled themselves with the reflection that it had pleased God to

bind up these wounds and to heal the breach by his highness's peaceful

succession after so many cursed plots by the sons of Belial and the children of

darkness. Mrs. Luson’s two brothers, Benjamin and William Hewling, were

both publicly executed in 1685 for high treason, in having joined the rash

enterprise of the Duke of Monmouth. Much commiseration was excited on their

behalf in consequence of their youth and amiable qualities; and Hannah, their

sister, personally presented a petition, to James II. for a commutation of the

sentence; but that monarch was inexorable. t William Luson

* In the important collection of M.S.S. in the possession of Lord Calthorpe is

(vol. 30, fo. 256) a list of presents sent to the Grand Seignor by Harborne. They

were forwarded by the Luson of London, and cost £1913. 19s. 1d. See vol. I., p. 113.

f Another of Kiffen's daughters was married to Joseph Hayes, a London hanker,

who was tried for his life in 1684 for sending money to Sir Thomas Armstrong

an outlaw.

t Those who supported the Duke of Monmouth considered they were fighting

for the protestant religion and English liberty against popery and slavery, as will be

seen by the following verses:—

302

THE PERLUSTRATION OF

had an estate at Gunton near Lowestoft, which afterwards came to the

Fowlers. In 1714 he purchased the Blundeston estate, and also lands at

South Elmham in Suffolk; and in that year he voted at the Norfolk

election for Astley and De Grey. He died in 1733, and three days after

his decease, says Ives, he was "buried at night"* in St. Nicholas’

Church "with great pomp and splendour," the bearers, of whom, Ives

the father of the diarist; was one, receiving scarfs, hatbands, gloves,

escutcheons, and rings. Robert Luson, the eldest son, inherited the

house on Yarmouth Quay and also the Blundeston estate. When a

young man he was much noticed by Bridget Bendish, the daughter of

General Ireton and granddaughter of the Lord Protector, she being, as

we have seen, connected with the Luson family. By his first marriage

with Hephzibah, only surviving daughter of Samuel Rix of Denton in

Norfolk, who died at Yarmouth in 1739, aged 29, Luson had several

children who all died young, except Samuel, who died without issue in

1766, aged 33; f and as there was no issue male by the second

" Brave youth ! could vows have charm'd fate's partial dart,

"Death had miss'd thine, and reach'd the tyrant's heart;

" Thou worthier far to live, whose blooming youth,

" By honor guarded and scoured by truth,

" Gave early hopes, when hast'ning years came on,

" To find in thee, a perfect, gallant man.

" No more we'll thy untimely loss regret,

" Just was thy cause; and glorious was thy fate!

" Thus, curtius what no other means were found,

" To make Rome safe, leap'd bravely underground;

" Scorning his country's ruin to survive,

" Chose to be buried in the breach alive."

* Midnight funerals appear at this time to have been very usual. Shadwell, writing in

1667, condemns them. "When I think to ease myself at night to sleep, about eleven, or

twelve o'clock, at a solemn funeral, the bells set out. That men should be such owls as to

keep people awake, with ringing a peal to him that does not hear it!" Dean Davies says,

"July 25, 1689, I was invited to a funeral, where we were entertained with cakes and

burnt wine, and I was obliged to take two cakes to carry home, which I gave to my

landlord."

f He was buried in Blundeston Church, where in the chancel there is a mural monument

to his memory. Upon a marble slab which is said to have been the top of a drinking table,

and has the appearance of having been so used, are these verses:—

" Hark ! from the tomb a doleful sound .'

" My ears attend the cry ;

" Ye living men come view the ground "

Where you must shortly lie.

GREAT YARMOUTH

303

marriage about to be mentioned, the Yarmouth family in the male line

became extinct. Robert Luson marred secondly, at the private chapel at

old Somerset House, in 1751, Jane Vaughan, a lady who attained to the

extraordinary age of 116 years. She was born in 1700 in Essex Street,

Strand; her parents being persons of some distinction. The name of her

paternal grandfather was Halford, who at Lound Abbey, Leicestershire,

had twice entertained King Charles II. On one of these occasions one

hundred sheep were killed to provide for the entertainment of his

majesty's numerous retinue. By her marriage with Mr. Luson this lady

became possessed of a number of curious dresses, presented by Mrs.

Bridget Bendish, already alluded to as the granddaughter of Oliver

Cromwell, to the Luson family, and which were highly appreciated on

account of their antiquity, some of them having been worn at the court

of the Lord Protector. In her youth, Mrs. Luson ranked among the most

celebrated beauties of the day, and was distinguished at court for the

gracefulness of her figure and the piquancy of her wit. Left a widow in

affluent circumstances, she was not without suitors for her hand, all of

whom she rejected ; and after a few years a fondness for retirement

began to evince itself. She quitted the scenes in which

" Princes — this clay must he your bed,

" In spite of all your tow’rs ;

" The tall, the wise, the rev'rend head,

"Must lie as low as ours,

" Great God ! is this our certain doom ?

'' And are we still secure,

" Still walking downward to our tomb,

"And yet prepared no more !

" Grant us the power of quick'ning grace

" To fit our souls to fly

" Then when we drop this dying flesh,

" We'll rise above the sky.''

" For my own epitaph —

"I had many virtues but they were chiefly drowned in one vice."

He is supposed to have alluded to a habit of drinking which

brought him to an early grave. Above the slab is his shield of arms

carved in marble. Quarterly 1st and 4th az., three sinister hands

displayed arg. for Luson; and 2nd and 3rd erm., three roses per

pale or, and gu. for Hewling, surmounted by the crest of a man's

arm cased in armour, holding in his hand a battle axe.

304

THE PERLUSTRATION OF

she had been so bright an ornament, and took up her abode in Cold-Bath

Square, London, where she resided for fifty years, admitting the visits of only a

few friends . She was very abstemious, and seldom drank anything at meals

except a little table beer. She had however a great variety of liquors of her own

composition, which she bestowed upon her friends when they occasionally

called upon her, but she never tasted them herself. Much of her time was spent

in taking care of her costly dresses, which were deposited in large mahogany

chests, and frequently taken out, aired, and repacked in thick flannel. She

appeared to take much pleasure in viewing these evidences of the gaieties in

which she had once indulged, as well as those relics of a former age, which she

so carefully preserved. She never played at cards or joined in any game of

chance. She had a most retentive memory, enjoyed excellent health, and was a

most amusing and agreeable companion. She retained her faculties unimpaired

to an extreme age, never having had an hour's serious illness during her long

life. She could read without spectacles to the last, never had the toothache, and

cut new teeth at the age of 87. She expired on the 26 th of May, 1816, being then

in her 117th year, and was buried in Bunhill Fields, having been, like her

husband, a nonconformist. A great many of her dresses were exhibited in a

collection of court costumes at the Somerset Gallery, 151, Strand, in 1834.*

Robert Luson left three daughters. Maria, the eldest, married George

Nicholls, Esq., of Connington in Cambridgeshire and Maltby in Yorkshire. f

Hephzibah, the second daughter, married Nathaniel

* There is a portrait of M RS . Luson, engraved by R. Cooper—a full length in

antiquated garb, holding a tall walking staff—with the title, " Jane Lewson,

remarkable for her age and peculiarities."

f He resided at Blundeston House, Suffolk, which was afterwards for many

years occupied by the Rev. Norton Nicholls, who, when a student at Trinity College,

Cambridge, made the acquaintance of Gray the poet. In one of his letters to

Nicholls, the poet condoles with his friend on the death of the latter's uncle, General

Floyer. It was after this event that Nicholls took orders, and obtained the Rectories

of Lound and Bradwell. See vol. i., p. 170 and Mason's Life of Gray, Matthias

was often a guest at this "sylvan delight," where he composed an Italian ode in

praise of it, which is published in Nichols' Illustrations of Literary Men, vol. v., p. 79.

Norton Nicholls died in 1809, aged 68.

GREAT YARMOUTH

305

Rix, Esq., of Blundeston Hall;* and Elizabeth, the third daughter,

married Cammant Money, Esq., of Somerleyton. f

Hewling Luson, the second son of William Luson and Elizabeth

his wife, succeeded to the Gunton estate, which he afterwards sold to

Sir Charles Saunders, and resided principally at the Old Hall. J In 1738,

having married Mary, daughter of Benjamin Holden, he "brought home

his wife from London, and was met at Mutford Bridge by near four

hundred horsemen and forty coaches and chaises:" and three days

afterwards "he invited his friends to drink a glass of wine with him at

the Town Hall." (Ives, sen., M.S. Journal)

Having discovered upon his Gunton estate some remarkably fine

clay, Mr. Luson conceived the idea of establishing a porcelain manu-

factory; and in 1750 he erected a kiln with all the necessary apparatus,

and having procured the services of skilled workmen, succeeded in

producing a ware similar to what is known as Delft;§ but according to

Gillingwater (p. 112) he experienced so many difficulties and was so

much annoyed by other manufacturers (who tampered with his

workmen) as to induce him, after seven years trial, to abandon the

* He was an eminent agriculturist, and afterwards resided at Inworth, and

subsequently at Chiselden Grange near Kelvedon in Essex, where he died in 1820, aged

69, having married, secondly, Elizabeth Dowson, and, thirdly, Mary Melbourne, leaving

issue by both, but none by his first marriage. See Add. M.S.S., 9140, and Suckling's

Suffolk, vol. ii., p. 454.

f She died in 1785, aged 30 years, leaving her husband who survived her for 38

years, and died in 1828, aged 80, and one child, Anna Maria, who after her fathers death

resided in Yarmouth, and died unmarried in 1837, aged 57. There had been an only son,

Charles, who in 1796, when a midshipman on board H.M.S. Daedalus, died in the West

Indies, aged 15. Cammant Money was the son of Timothy Money of Yarmouth, who died

in 1772, aged 60, and was the proprietor of that charmingly secluded piece of water,

luxuriously fringed with shrubs and drooping trees, called Wicker Well 1 , which afterwards

became attached, as it is now, to the Somerleyton estate. In 1651 a Mr. Money of

Norwich lent £1,000 at 6 per cent, " to supply the exigences of the town of Yarmouth "

occasioned by great damage done to the piors and losses at sea.

J The last occupant was Major-General Wingfield, R.A., who died there in 1872,

aged 72.

§ One of the earliest existing specimens (composed of coarse paste with a blue border)

bears the date 1752 and the name "Benjamin Quinton of Yarmouth." Another

of improved manufacture is inscribed " Robert and Anne Parish of Norwich, 1756."

1 Wicker Well in 1990 comprised a charming pair (one building), of semi-detached

cottages, just 500 yards down the track to the south-west of Home Farm, Somerleyton,

which had only a well for water, and no mains electricity (see RRH). The water described

is actually part of the formal water garden constructed more than a century earlier, by Sir

John Wentworth.

VOL. II.

306

THE PERLUSTRATION OF

undertaking. It was however resumed by Messrs. Aldred, Browne,

Rickman, and Walker, who formed a small private company, and

established their works at Lowestoft; and hence their productions are

known as "Lowestoft china." Browne died in 1771, when the principal

management fell to his son, Robert Browne, an excellent chemist, who

brought the manufactory to great perfection, making a ware scarcely to

be distinguished from "Oriental,"* and rivalling the far-famed works of

Chelsea. Very skilful artists were employed f and among others,

Thomas Curtis of the Yarmouth family of that name (see vol. i., p. 218),

who had, when in a merchant's counting-house at Dresden, cultivated

his natural taste for painting on china. Returning to England he became

a partner in the Lowestoft business, and occasionally painted some

beautiful specimens. J The great characteristic of the later or more

advanced porcelain made at Lowestoft, is the minuteness and intricacy

of the patterns with great beauty of finish, The rose is to be found in

abundance on all the finer specimens; and is said to have been

introduced in allusion to his own name, by a French refugee, a very

clever porcelain painter who found his way to Lowestoft; and to him is,

attributed, the French style of ornamentation which greatly prevails.

Many of the families in the neighbourhood had sets of porcelain made

expressly for them, upon which their armorial bearings and monograms

were introduced in a very superior manner.§ When

* Having no distinguishing mark, "Lowestoft china" has been frequently been

classed or described as " foreign."

f Sylas Neville in his journal says that in his time the painting was mostly done by

women.

J There is still preserved a mug painted by him, which bears the names of his

parents, "James and Mary Curtis, 1771." He died in 1813, aged 54 leaving two sons,

James, who died in 1856 unmarried, and Charles, who married and has issue. Thomas

Curtis, the porcelain painter, was son of James Curtis of Yarmouth, merchant, who

removed to Lowestoft; where he died in 1797, aged 80.

§ A set was made for the Rev. Robert Potter, Prebendary of Norwich and Vicar of

Lowestoft and Kessingland, one of the most distinguished classical scholars of his time,

chiefly known by his translation of Aeschylus . Each cup bears his arms or., a chev. sa,,

bctwecm three mullets, gu. The vicar had two daughters, Catharine who married

Alexander Henry Paine of Shipdam, Norfolk, and died in 1829, aged 70; and Theophila

who died unmarried. Silhouettes of the father and daughters are in the possession of Mr.

Charles Curtis of Lowestoft. (See vol. i., p. 218.) Potter was found dead in his bed on the

morning of the 9th of August, 1804, aged 82.

Palmers’s Addenda: Lowestoft China – a full account of Lowestoft pottery and

porcelain will be found in Chaffer’s Marks and Monograms , 3 rd edition, p. 612.

GREAT YARMOUTH

307

Napoleon invaded Holland, among other British property destroyed at

Rotterdam was a quantity of Lowestoft china. This loss, coupled with

the failure of their London agent, and the difficulty of competing with

other manufactories under the disadvantage of having to import coals,

led to the final abandonment of the Lowestoft works in 1804, but not

until the "Lowestoft china" had secured an enduring name in the annals

of ceramic art in this country.*

In 1741 Mr. Hewling joined Mr, Richard Fuller in the attempt to

wrest the representation of the borough from the Townshend and

Walpole families, but was unsuccessful. He owned the advowson of

Fishley in Norfolk; and in 1753 presented the Rev. Edward Holden to

that rectory. He died in 1777, leaving an only son, Hewling Luson, who

was also heir-at-law of Samuel Luson, grandson and devisee of Samuel

Rix.; and as such he sold an estate at South Elmham in Norfolk". In

1786 he published a book entitled Inferior Polities, upon certain defects

in the poor laws, with the means for their redress; also a plan for

reducing the national debt; in 1797 a pamphlet on the war, entitled

Conciliation; and in 1803 Hewling Luson's Case and Vindication. f

After the death of Mr. Robert Luson, the house on the Quay was

purchased by J OHN S PURGEON , Esq., who filled the office of town clerk

from 1753 to 1799. John Spurgeon, his grandfather, was Bailiff of

* It is said that the clay used at Lowestoft was brought up and removed bodily to

distant manufactories. The collection of the late Mr. John Owles, mentioned in vol. i., p,

290, was sold by auction in 1872 and realized £4,738. It contained numerous specimens of

Lowestoft china, which fetched high prices; and comprised also a few specimens of

Yarmouth pottery. A teapot of Lowestoft china sold for £17. 6s. 6d, and a cup and saucer

for £26. 5s.; the set realizing £86. 12s. 6d. A Worcester transfer jug sold at this auction for

19 guineas, afterwards went up to £35. Mr. Owles died in 1873, aged 68. Mr. Win Davie

of Yarmouth has a piece of Lowestoft china on which are depicted Lowestoft high and

low lights. The small collection of porcelain made by the late Mr. E. H. L. Preston,

comprising a few specimens of Lowestoft china, was sold by auction in 1872 in 273 lots,

and realized about £ 1,500. A pair of Worcester vases, 8 inches in height, brought 102

guineas. Further prices obtained at these sales are given in the Eastern Counties'

Collectanea, vol. i., pp. 142, 150. The largest collection of Lowestoft china recently sold,

was that of Mr. W. E. Seago of Lowestoft, which realized £976. Two cups and saucers

and one coffee cup and saucer (owl) sold in three lots for £73.

f Ensign Hewling Luson, of the 5th West India regiment, died on his passage from

Jamaica to Honduras in 1802. Hewling Luson and John Luson voted for Lacon and

Loftus in 1812, after which the name of Luson disappears from the poll book.

30 8

THE PERLUSTRATION OF

Yarmouth in 1698 and mayor in 1712. He voted in 1714 for Astley and

De Grey, and died in 1738, having attained the age of 90. He married

Mary Bendlowes,* by whom he had a son, Richard Spurgeon, who died

in 1756, aged 73. The latter married Elizabeth, daughter of the Rev.

Christopher Grove, Rector of Flempton in Suffolk, to which living he

was presented in 1719; and died in 1769, aged 84. f She died in 1735,

aged 48 . John Spurgeon, their son, the above-named town clerk, died in

1810, aged 94; having resigned all his employments in 1799, when the

thanks of the corporation were voted to him for the "very able, faithful,

and honorable discharge of his various duties; and particularly in

recovering and establishing the just rights and privileges of the

corporation and inhabitants at large." Exactly a century ago the

merchants of Yarmouth presented Mr. Spurgeon with a handsome silver

urn, "as a small acknowledgment for his assistance in obtaining an Act

of Parliament" to permit the exportation of malt. He married Sarah,

sister of the Rev. Richard Baker, D.D., Fellow of Pembroke College,

Cambridge, and Rector of Cawston in Norfolk from 1772 to 1818, when

he was succeeded by the Rev. Augustine Bulwer, D.D.; t She died in

1812, aged 85. The eldest son of this marriage was the Rev. John Grove

Spurgeon, who was born in Yarmouth and graduated with honors at

Pembroke College, Cambridge, in 1769. He was presented in 1774 to

the Rectory of Oulton by the Rev. George Anguish, and in 1783 to that

of Clopton by his father. He died at Lowestoft in 1829, aged 82.§ He

possessed a valuable library and a large collection of engravings. The

Rev. J. G . Spurgeon

* She died in 1735, aged 84, and is buried with her husband in the Parish Church.

f He was buried in the Church of Clopton, Suffolk, where there is a puzzling

Latin inscription to his memory, in which it is stated that he had been Principibus

octo subjectus; and allusion is made to the ludicrous tenure by which the Manor of

Honington was held of the crown, per saltum, sufflatum, et bumbulum. See Kirby's

Suffolk, p. 205 ; Page's Suffolk, p. 599; and the Gent. Mag. for 1832, part ii., p. 414.

t Dr. Baker was a friend and cotemporary of Gray the poet, and was a witness

to his will printed in the early editions of his poems. He bore or., a castle between

three keys, sa. See ante. p. 187.

§ The Yarmouth family of Spurgeon affords a remarkable instance of longevity;

the four generations bridging over 339 years. On the death of the town clerk,

the name became extinct in Yarmouth,

GRE AT YARM OUTH

309

married Mary, daughter of William Fairer, Esq., of Cold Brayfield in

Buckinghamshire, and by her had an only son, Farrer Grove Spurgeon,

born in 1783, who on the death of his maternal grandfather in 1799

assumed the name of F ARRER , Their son married Mary, daughter of the

Hon. David Anstruther of Huntsmore Park, in Buckinghamshire, third

son of Alexander Lord Newark, and widow of Capt. Mitford, R.N., and

had issue three sons and two daughters.* The Rev. Christopher

Spurgeon, second son of the town clerk, was Rector of Harpley and

Bircham St. Mary in Norfolk from 1786 to 1829, on the presentation of

his father. He married, first, Mary Anne, daughter of the Rev. Dr.

Cooper, who died in 1789, aged 22, sp.; and, secondly (in 1799),

Eleanor, daughter of William Palgrave, Esq., and had issue five sons

and two daughters. f The Rev. Richard Spurgeon, the town clerk's third

son, was Rector of Mulbarton in Norfolk from 1812 to 1842. He

married Mary Cannon, and they have no male representative, but of two

daughters one married Mr. Green of Wroxham, and the other is un-

married. The arms of Spurgeon are or., a chev. eng,

betw. three escallops sa.

Sarah, eldest daughter of the town clerk, married

John Grenside, Esq., of Mark Lane, who died in

1827, leaving issue the Rev. Christopher Grenside,

who in 1816 was presented to the Rectory of

Massingham Magna St. Mary with All Saints in

Norfolk, by the Marquis of Cholmondeley, which he

held for the long period of fifty-five years, dying there in 1871, aged

81, and leaving two sons, the Rev. William Bent Grenside, Vicar of

Melling near Lancaster, and the Rev. Christopher Grenside, Rector of

Thorpe Bassett in Yorkshire.

* Frances, the only daughter of the Rev. J.G. Spurgeon, married Edward

Acton, Esq., of Gataker Park, Salop, and had issue a son, Edward Farrer Acton,

born in 1805. There is a portrait of her by Sir William Beechey which has been

engraved. The arms of Acton are, gu ., two lions pass, arg., between eight cross

crosslets fitché or ., three, two and three.

f John Spurgeon, their eldest, son, married Frances, daughter of the Rev. George

Norris of Wood Norton in Norfolk, and died in 1860, leaving a son, the Rev. John Norris

Spurgeon, Rector of Twyford, Norfolk, who has in his possession the piece of plate

already mentioned, and portraits of the town clerk and his wife, who are represented as a

very handsome couple.

310

THE PERLUSTRATION OF

The arms borne by this family are arg., a bend

gu., charged with five lozenges or., which coat

impaling that of Spurgeon appears on the plate

presented on the occasion of the above marriage,

as in the annexed engraving.

Hannah, second daughter of

the town clerk, married the

Rev. James Symonds of

Ormesby (see vol i., p. 334) ;

and, Elizabeth, the third and

youngest

daughter*, married Charles Whaley, Esq., a Captain in

the Essex Militia.*

From the Spurgeons, the above-mentioned house passed by

purchase to W ILLIAM S TEWARD , Esq., who modernized the front, but

retained the original rich oak panelling in some of the rooms, all of

which has since disappeared. He was the eldest son of Timothy

Steward, already mentioned (vol. i., p. 248, and ante. p. 153), and

married a daughter of Mr. James Brown of Halvergate, whose widow

died in 1791. For some years he practised as a solicitor in conjunction

with Mr. Nathaniel Palmer, under the style of Steward and Palmer, but

becoming possessed of an ample fortune, he quitted the profession of

the law, and devoted much of his time and abilities to promote whatever

tended to advance the interests of his native town. He was for many

years a leading member of “The Paving Commission” before that body

was superceded by the Local Board of Health. He greatly assisted in

promoting the establishment of the Town Hospital, and was for several

years chairman of the committee of management. He was also the first

Chairman of the Victoria Building Company. He was a Magistrate for

the County of Norfolk, and was generally respected for his upright and

consistent conduct and great benevolence. He died at the above-

mentioned house in 1841, aged 80. f

* Whaley bore arg. three wolves' heads erased gu.

f There is a portrait of him by Lane; and two likenesses in lithography

(privately printed). There is a mural monument to his memory in the Parish Church

and a hatchment. James, his eldest surviving son, who resided at Lewisham in

GREAT YARMOUTH

311

On the death of Mr. Steward, the above-mentioned house became

the property of Rear-Admiral Sir Eaton Stannard Travers, K.H., who

had married Anne Palmer, the eldest daughter of Mr. Steward; and he

resided in it till his death in 1858, aged 76. He was a son of John

Travers, Esq., of Hettyfield, County Cork, by Mehetabel his wife, a

daughter of John Colthurst, Esq, of Dripsey Castle, and niece of Sir

Nicholas Colthurst, Bart., of Ardrum. Some genealogists derive the

name of T RAVERS from Terra Vasta. Sir Philip de Terra Vasta of

Walsingham in Norfolk gave the Church of All Saints there, with certain

lands, to the Church of St. Mary of Walsingham. The seal of the deed

conveying the same is oval, and represents the knight in complete

armour on horseback, and in full career. Mr. S. Smith Travers, in his

Collection of Pedigrees of the Family of Travers, derives the name from

Trevieres, a town in the department of Calvados, between Dives and

Valogues in Prance, where it may still be found. Certain, it is that this

name was borne by one of the followers of William the Conqueror, from

whom descended Ralph Travers, who, temp. Richard I., married

Petronilla, the inheritrix from her maternal grandfather, Walter de

Valognes, of half the Lordship of Berney in Norfolk. Sir Eaton Travers

traced his descent from Laurentius Travers, who was seated at Nateby in

the County Palatine of Lancaster in the reign of Edward I. Eleventh in

descent from him was Brion Travers, who went to Ireland with the Earl

of Leicester, when the latter was appointed governor or lord lieutenant

by Queen Elizabeth, on which, occasion Brion Travers mortgaged the

Nateby estate to Mr. Strickland, by whose descendants it is still

possessed, but the arms of Travers remain over the gateway. Brion

Travers settled in Ireland, and left a son, John Travers of Ballinomona,

Registrar of the United Sees of Cork, Cloyne, and Ross, who married

Sarah, sister of Edmund Spencer the poet.*

Kent, married Sarah, only surviving daughter of Daniel Sewell of Thetford Abbey. She died

deeply lamented in 1823, in her 25th year. (See Gent. Mag., vol. 134, p. 474 ) * Spencer went to

Ireland in 1580 as secretary to Lord Grey de Wilton, then appointed lord lieutenant, to

whom he was recommended by Sir Philip Sidney; and in 1586 obtained a grant of 3,000

acres of land, part of the forfeited estates of the Earl of Desmond, and fixed his residence

at Kilcolman, County Cork, where he married; but upon the breaking out of the rebellion

under Lord Tyrone he fled to England, and dying in 1598, was buried in Westminster

Abbey.

Palmer’s Addenda: Colthurst – this family, originally from England, settled in Ireland in

1641. John Colthurst married the heiress of Conway of Kerry, and their son, Sir John

Conway Colthurst, was created a baronet in 1743. Colthurst bore, arg ., a fesse between

sa. , three colts couran t, as many trefoils, slipped, or .

312

THE PERLUSTRATION OF

John Travers had issue Sir Robert Travers, Vicar-General of Cork, and

Zachary Travers, who was Diocesan Registrar for Cork and the first to

place the records in order. Sir Robert married Elizabeth, daughter of

Richard Boyle, Archbishop of Tuam, and sister of Michael Boyle,

Archbishop of Armagh and Chancellor of Ireland, con sin of the great

Earl of Cork. Sir Robert was also Judge Advocate General in Ireland,

and in 1647 commanded a division of the king's army in a battle near

Youghall, where he was killed,*

It is impossible to follow the pedigree further without occupying

more space than this work can afford. Sir Eaton Travers was born in

1782, and evinced his predilection for the naval service by entering it as

a volunteer at a very early age and unknown to his family; but he soon

obtained a commission, and had many opportunities of greatly

distinguishing himself. He was at the capture of the Cape of Good

Hope, which has ever since remained one of England's most important

possessions. Subsequently he was engaged in actual conflict with the

enemy more than one hundred times. He commanded at the destruction

of eight batteries, and was present at the capture of eighteen armed

vessels. His name was mentioned in nine several dispatches published

in the London Gazette. He served as first lieutenant to three daring

officers, Capt. Tremlett, f Lord Cochrane, and Sir Charles Napier. He

was much noticed by William IV., who gave him the Guelph, an order

then recently established, and conferred on him the honor of knight-

hood. He also made him an honorary member of the royal household.

* His widow married Rowland Davies, and their son, the Very Reverend Rowland

Davies, successively Dean of Ross and Cork, wrote, during his residence in Yarmouth,

the amusing diary which has been so frequently quoted in these pages.

f On one occasion, when serving with Capt. Tremlett, his ship had approached too

near the enemies' battery, of which Lieut. Travers was reminded by a round shot which

came in at the captain's cabin window, whilst they wore sitting together after dark, and

lodged in a beam. Tremlett immediately opened the cabin door and shouted an order to

"Douse the glims," i.e. put out the lights, as they served to mark the position of the ship.

The ball was cut out of the wood, and under the name of "Douse the glims" was preserved

by Tremlett until shortly before his death, when he presented it to Sir Eaton Travers.

Tremlett commenced his career under Lord St. Vincent, and having shewn great attention

to some of the Hurry family when his ship was in Yarmouth Roads, had the benefit of

their influence with the earl.

GREAT YARMOUTH

313

(See O'Byrnes' Naval Biography.) He was a Deputy Lieutenant for

Norfolk, He left a numerous family. Of the three sons who entered the

army, William, the youngest, obtained an ensigncy in the Rifle Brigade

and was immediately sent to India. On landing at Calcutta he was

hurried to the front, where General Windham was engaged with the

rebels at Cawnpore. While assisting the sailors to seeing in their twenty-

four pounders, Ensign Travers received a severe wound on the shoulder

which compelled him to return to England, where he died after a

lingering illness.* Sir Eaton Travers bore for his arms— m., a chev.

arg. betw. in chief two escallops, and in base a boar's

head of the second. Crest—a wolf pass ant. Motto— -

Nec temere nec timide. There is a portrait of him by

Davis. f

When, in 1847, Lieut.-Colonel Lord Arthur Lennox j became

a candidate for the representation of the borough, in conjunction

with Octavius E.

* Capt Robert Travers, oldest son of Major-General Sir Robert Travers, eldest

brother of Sir Eaton Travers, fell at Chillianwallah while gallantly heading the Grenadier

Company of H. M. 24th Regiment; and Capt. Eaton Joseph Travers of the Panjab Infantry

(Coke's), another son of the Major-General (who had shortly before been on a visit to his

uncle the admiral at Yarmouth), was killed before Delhi in 1857. The death of this brave

and excellent officer is thus described :—" The native " troops in Delhi had promised the

king that they would drive back the British forces on the night of the Eed, and that the

king should say his prayers next day in the '' English camp. They sallied out at 6 p. m. in

four columns, and attacked the English right with some vigour, keeping up the contest

until noon the following day, being aided by fresh bodies of men from the city.

Eventually the mutineers were compelled to retire after sustaining a heavy loss. In this

engagement Capt. Travers was "killed by a ball in the forehead." He had been married

only a few months previously. Major-General Joseph Oates Travers, C.B., another brother

of Sir Eaton Travers, was a gallant officer of marines, his active services extending over

forty years in all parts of the world. He was engaged at the capture of the Toku forts, and

shared in the occupation of Pekin 1 . Latterly he was Inspector-General of Marines, and

died in 1860).

f Another branch of this family settled at, Chester, and bore sa., a chev. betw. three

boars' heads couped az . on a chief a mullet for difference; and another branch which

settled in London, bore the same arms without the mullet. The Horton branch, descended

also from the Nateby family, had granted them for a crest in 1642 (by Ulster)—on a

coronet an arm armed, the hand holding a sword gu.

j Seventh son of Charles, fourth Duke of Richmond. He died in 1864, aged 58.

1 Now Beijing.

VOL. II.

314

THE PERLUSTRATION OF

Coope, Esq., he took up his residence in the house above-mentioned as the

guest of Sir Eaton Travel's. Both candidates were returned to Parliament by

considerable majorities, but were unseated on petition. Vice-Admiral Sir

Charles Napier, K.O.B., was also a guest at this house when occupied by Sir

Eaton Travers. In 1852 Sir Charles presented himself to the electors with Mr.

Wm. Torrens McCullagh, but they were unsuccessful; Sir E. H. K. Lacon, Bart.,

and Mr. Rumbold being returned, the former by a large majority. On this

occasion Sir Charles took up his quarters at the Star, which was decorated with

flags taken in action, the admiral himself, on the day of nomination, wearing all

his orders.* Among other guests may also be mentioned Capt. Sir Henry

Duncan, youngest son of the first Lord Duncan, who died in 1836, aged 49.

Mary, second daughter of Mr. Steward, married Major James Conway

Travers, a brother of Sir Eaton Travers, and second son of John Travers, Esq.,

of Hettyfield. He served for upwards of twenty years in the Rifle Brigade, and

was present with that corps in Germany under Lord Cathcart in 1805, and at the

battle of Kioge and siege of Copenhagen in 1807. He was at the battle of

Corunna in 1809, and served throughout the campaigns in the Peninsula where

he was repeatedly wounded. Subsequently he commanded a wing of the Rifle

Brigade in the attack on New Orleans in 1815, and received a severe wound

whilst leading his men to the assault—a wound which eventually caused his

death, for the ball could never be extracted. He had the Order of K.H., and died

in 1841 ; his widow in 1871.

The Rev. Ambrose Steward, eldest son of A. H. Steward, Esq., already

mentioned (ante. p. 102), died at Grundesburgh, Suffolk, in 1872, aged 75.

He was Rector of Belstead, Suffolk, in 1829.

Row No. 112, from South Quay to Middlegate Street, formerly called

Holmes’ South Row. This Row and Rows No. 113 and 114

* "Charlie Napier," the son of a retired post-captain residing at Edinburgh, entered the

navy in 1799 much against the wishes of his father; an instance of the limited scope of human

foresight, He served in the Martin sloop of war, and on her arrival in Yarmouth Roads received

a letter ordering him to join a ship in the Mediterranean, which he did, and thereby escaped a

sad fate, for the Martin soon afterwards sailed on a cruise in the North Sea and was never

afterwards heard of. Reminiscences of a Scottish Gentleman, p. 109.

GREAT YARMOUTH 315

divided the 2 nd South Ward from the 1 st Middle Ward, and now divide

St. George's Ward from Nelson Ward.* The division is carried from

Row No. 112 to the river; and from Row No, 114 along Deneside Road

to St. Peter's Road, and thence to the sea north of the Jetty.

A large house, now divided into three occupations, standing on the

west side of Middlegate Street, between Rows No. 111 and 112, was

early in the 17 th century the property and residence of Leonard

Holmes 1 , who filled the office of bailiff in 1623. Anne, his only

daughter and heir, married Robert Gooch, Esq., of Earsham, Norfolk, to

whom the above house was conveyed by his father-in-law. Leonard

Gooch, son and heir of Robert Gooch, sold this property in 1657 to

Robert Robins, f 2

Row No. 113, from Middlegate Street to King Street, anciently

called Tilson's South Row . f At the south-east corner there is a dwelling-

house which for many years was occupied by George Errington, who

was extensively engaged in the herring fishery, and compiled

voluminous statistics relating to the same, which are now in the Public

Library.§

* The alderman and constable of each ward were required to take a general

supervision over it. Under the pain of a fine they had once a fortnight to search for new

comers, and take note of all poor persons; as also of such wenches and maids as lived out,

of service," and to suppress disorders in inns and alehouses.

t In 1602 Thomas Mortimer and George Turner reported to the queen that they were

unable to execute a commission entrusted to them, as none of the commissioners

appointed in defendant's behalf came to the Angel where they were to meet. They say

they went to John Wheeler's house, but he pleaded want of leisure. Rob. Robins

confessed that he had warning of the day, but did not attend. (State Papers.)

f Thomas Tilson was a member of the corporation in 1626, voting against the

proposed change of local government, and supporting Brinsley.

j The Erringtons bore arg., two bars, in chief three escallops az. Some consider this

name a corruption of Herring-town, but, as Talbot says in his English Etymologiess,

" whoever follows philological researches must not expect an universal assent to the

conclusions he may arrive at". Benjamin Errington voted in 1714 for Hare and Earle, and

died in 1748, aged 62, leaving Elizabeth his widow, who died in 1766, aged 79. They

were both buried in the Parish Church. Samuel Errington (son of Benjamin Errington)

married Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph Baker, Esq., and received a considerable accession

of fishing property from, his father-in-law, who died in 1732. (See ante. p. 152.) They had

three sons, the above-named George Errington, Samuel Errington, and Joseph Errington.

The family is now extinct.

1 Palmer’s addenda: Leonard Holmes , in 1631, pleaded to be discharged of the honor

of knighthood at the coronation, as did also, John Stevenson, of Great Yarmouth.

2 Robert Robins of 52 King Street, also having property on South Quay.