Norfolk Newspapers
Norfolk Chronicle

Extracts from February 1781

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February 3rd
Norwich Quarter Sessions; Privateers off Yarmouth.
February 10th
Threat to burn Lynn; Marriage; Deaths; Payment of debts to George Boorne and Thomas Neve, and sale of their stock; Families of missing men chargeable to Mitford and Launditch Union.
February 17th
This issue is missing from the microfilm.
February 24th
Death of John Money; Defence of Yarmouth; French privateer; Wreck of the Trinity victualler; Smugglers; Deaths.

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Norfolk Chronicle
Extracts from February 1781

Transcription and notes copyright © Janelle Penney.
These transcriptions have been made from microfilm supplied by the British Library Newspaper Library, which holds the copyright of the images. If you cite from, or download any part of, these transcriptions you must include this paragraph to acknowledge the British Library Newspaper Library as the source of the material.

Note: the Norfolk Chronicle was published in Norwich. When no place is referred to exactly, or the term "this city" is used, Norwich is the place referred to. Similarly, mentions of "the Castle", the City Gaol" etc refer to institutions in Norwich.

3 February 1781

3 February 1781. Page 2, column 4

On Wednesday last the General Quarter Sessions of the Peace for this city were held by adjournment when Elizabeth, the wife of Robert LIVOCK, charged by William WOOLVERTON, and upon her own confession, was convicted of stealing thirteen long skains [sic] of Irish woollen yarn, and ordered to be privately whipped on Wednesday next, and then discharged. - John DUNT, charged with stealing from the hay-chamber of James CROWE, Esq., an engine for cutting straw, the property of Nathaniel THURSTON, to remain till the assizes. - Ann CRANE, charged with stealing from out of a ready-furnished lodging in St Laurence, an ironing box, heater, and linen sheet, the property of George HILTON, acquitted. - John DUNT, and William DUNT, charged with stealing a linen bag, three twill sacks, a pail, and hand saw, the property of Francis SILLIS; also a glass bottle, and two razors, belonging to John MATTHEWS; and a spelling book, the property of Mary PLUMMER, to remain till the assizes. - Mary, the wife of William WILSEA, charged with stealing a cask of butter from Robert KITTON, to remain till the assizes.

On Monday last Thomas GAMBLE and John ALLISON, two farmers at Halvergate, were convicted before William TAYLOR, Esq., one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the County of Norfolk, of the offence of evading the toll at Filby gate, and paid the penalty of five pounds, according to the statute.

Yarmouth, Feb 1.

On Thursday, about twelve o'clock, the Dreadnought, Privateer, Captain Timothy STEWARD, Commander, of 14 carriage guns, and 50 men, went to sea, and after being at sea about an hour, she saw a large brigantine from Shields, laden with coals, bound to London, who mounted four carriage guns, which was taken this morning about six o'clock, after an engagement of two hours, off Cromer, and ransomed for four hundred guineas; the master was wounded, the mate killed, and all the remainder of the crew wounded, except two little boys. Within half an hour after another large vessel, laden with coals, passed our roads, which was also taken this morning, soon after the above, and ransomed for five hundred guineas. The Captains of the above vessels say, they were taken by that notorious villain FALL, who had on board his ship at that time thirteen Ransomers; they supposed that FALL has taken near thirty sail of ships from the North. It is surprizing [sic] that this villain had not one Frenchman on board. Captain STEWARD, his Officers and friends, who were on board, directly sailed down to a Scotch privateer in the Roads, and would have had the Captain gone in quest with him directly after this audacious pirate, but the Captain refused; he then directly sailed down to the RANGER privateer, but the crew refused, as their Captain was not on board, and the ship not in proper order for action. Captain STEWARD had 20 Gentlemen on board, friends, who sailed out of the port with him, and who offered as volunteers to go in pursuit of FALL immediately, if any of the ships in view would join the chase; but all refused. The FLY sloop of war was in the roads, but had fifteen ships under her convoy for Portsmouth.

This week sailed the following privateers on a cruize [sic]: -- Ranger, Magnus BRIGHTMAN, late the Lady Washington; Dreadnought, Timothy STEWARD; and Spy [commanded by ] SMITH.

10 February 1781

10 February 1781. Page 2, column 3

On Saturday last a note was put into the Lynn post-office, in the following words:-- "Mr BOTTOM, I beg of you, by all means, to tell the gentlemen of this town to take great care, for thare [sic] is a hellish plot going forrad, [sic] which trettans [sic] destruction to this town by fire in four different parts, some night this winter. I don't know how soon, but fore warn'd, fore arm'd and guard against it. If I am blown, I shall be cut and mangled to pieces, but I will go before it comes to a head."

We hear the Mayor and the rest of his Majesty's Justices of the peace for the said Borough have promised a reward of two hundred pounds, to such person or persons, as shall give information and evidence against any offenders guilty of a conspiracy to set any part of the aforesaid town on fire, to be paid on conviction of such offenders.

10 February 1781. Page 2, columns 3 & 4

On Saturday last was married in London, Mr Noah WYATT, of this city, to Miss BONE, an agreeable young lady with a genteel fortune.

On Saturday last died Mr ROSS, of the Theatre-royal, in this city.

On Monday last died Mr BELL, at the Star Inn, in the Hay-market, in this city.

Last Week died at Yarmouth, Mr NIGHTINGALE, Grocer.

10 February 1781. Page 3, column 2

Notice of Payment of Debts

All Persons who stand indebted to the Estate and effects of George BOORNE and Thomas NEVE, of Coltishall, in the County of Norfolk, Timber Merchants, and late Partners in Trade, are required forthwith to settle their Accounts, and to pay the several Balances due from them respectively to Mr Alderman GAY, at Norwich, or to William HARDY, at Coltishall; and Notice is hereby given, that unless such Debts are paid on or before the first Day of March next, the Defaulters will be sued for the same. N.B. The late Partnership between the said George BOORNE, and Thomas NEVE, was dissolved about Christmas 1779.

To be Sold by Auction, by Robert ANSELL,

on Tuesday the 20th Day of this Instant, February, and the Three following Days, All the Stock in Trade, lying in Coltishall, of Messrs BOORNE and NEVE, Timber Merchants, and late Partners; consisting of 130 Gangs of Fellers of various Kinds, 103 Gangs of Spokes, 12 Dozen of Oak Gate Hurdles, a large Quantity of Harrow Baulks, Plough Heads, and every other sort of Wheelwright Stuff; several Thousand feet of Oak, and other Boards, a large Quantity of Oak Hobs of different Sizes, a large quantity of Oak, Ash, and Elm Planks, from two to six Inches thick, a large Timber Gill and Chaise, a small Cart, Four Timber Jacks, Two one-horse Chaises, and Two Geldings. N.B. The whole will be divided into small Lots, as will be expressed in Catalogues, which may be had in a few Days, at the Maid's Head, at Norwich; the Lion, at Beccles; the Tuns, at Bungay; the Black Swan, at Yarmouth; the Queen's Head, at Acle; the Falgate, at Potter Heigham; the White Lion, at North Walsham; the Dog, at Aylsham; the King's Arms, at Reepham; and the Auctioneer, at Coltishall.

10 February 1781. Page 3, column 3

Ran Away,

and left their Families chargeable to the Guardians of the Poor within the Hundreds of Mitford and Launditch, in this County.

Philip ROOM, from the Parish of Mattishall, ever since July, 1777, by Trade a Weaver, about 30 Years of age, fair Complexion, about 5 Feet 4 Inches high, light coloured Hair, bald Head, round Shoulders, walks stooping, supposed to be in or near Wisbeach.
Also James COOK, from the said Parish of Mattishall, ever since April, 1778, by Trade a Weaver, lately supposed to work in Husbandry, about 25 Years of Age, about 5 Feet 5 Inches high, Fair Complexion, full Face, short brown Hair, supposed to be in or near Wisbeach.
Also John ROBERTSON, from the Parish of Scarning, ever since June 1776, sometimes works as a Husbandman, and sometimes as a Carpenter, about 40 Years of Age, about 5 Feet 6 Inches high, fair Complexion, very light lank Hair; he was ill at the Green Man, at Welney, in the Month of September last, and is supposed now to be somewhere in that Part of the Country.
Also Riches GENT, from the Parish of East Dereham, ever since October 1779, by Trade a Woolcomber, a remarkable Drunkard, about 44 Years of Age, about 5 Feet 6 Inches high, light Brown curled Hair, has been a soldier, and generally gets his Living like the Swallows.
Also Richard SMITH, from the Parish of North Elmham, ever since July 1779, by Trade a Taylor, aged about 34 Years, about 5 Feet 7 Inches high, thin made, ruddy Complexion, dark Brown, lanky Hair, has lately worked in the City of Norwich.
Also Stephen SHILLING, from the Parish of Little Fransham, a Husbandman, aged about 27 Years, about 5 Feet 7 Inches high, light Brown lank Hair, supposed to be a deserter, is well known to be a great Poacher, and supposed to be lurking somewhere in the Neighbourhood of the Braddenhams.
Also William KEMP, from the Parish of Gressenhall, ever since September 1780, by Trade a Brick Striker, about 27 Years of Age, about 5 Feet 11 Inches high, light brown lank Hair, lately served as a Substitute in the Western Battalion of the Norfolk Militia, his Friends live in or near the Parish of Thursford in this County.
Also Edward BUSCALL, from the Parish of Shipdham, ever since January last, a Husbandman, but sometimes works as a Gardener, aged about 53 Years, about 5 Feet 5 Inches high, short Brown curled Hair, his right Hand very lame, he worked last Summer at one Mr CADE's, at Lynn, afterwards in the Marshland, was lately removed to Shipdham, from Terrington St Laurence, in Marshland, where he had then lately worked as a Gardener, in which Part of the Country he is now supposed to be.
Also William NOLLORTH, from the Parish of Morton, being there under Certificate from East Dereham, left the Place about Michaelmas last, a Husbandman, about 33 Years of Age, about 5 Feet 4 Inches high, brown Complexion, wears his own Hair, has a large Mark on his right Thumb, a Dimple on his Chin, is supposed to live in the Neighbour hood of Wymondham.
Also John HOWSHAM, from the Parish of East Dereham, a Husbandman, about 35 Years of Age, about 5 Feet 7 Inches high, dark Hair, fair Complexion, his little Finger on one Hand very short, supposed to be gone towards Lynn.

Any Person that shall convey the first Intelligence to Mr John CRISP, of East Dereham, where the said Runaways, or any one of them may be apprehended, such Person shall receive One Guinea Reward for each Intelligence, upon the apprehending each such Runaway.

17 February 1781

[Please note that the issue of 17 Feb 1781 is missing from the microfilm]

24 February 1781

24 February 1781. Page 2, column 4

Lieutenant John MONEY, Aid de Camp to Lord CORNWALLIS, who died of the wounds he received in the late action in Carolina, as mentioned in the Gazette, was son of the Rev. Mr MONEY, late of St Giles's Parish, and Rector of St Michael at the Pleas, in this city....

A correspondent at Yarmouth informs us that that town will soon be put into a state of defence; sixteen heavy cannon are to be planted on the Deans, so as to command the Roads; some cannon will also be planted at Gorleston, to command the entrance of St Nicholas Gat-way.

The Sans Pear [sic], a French privateer, Capt. FALLS, is arrived at Helvoetfluys, with 100 English prisoners, and 14 ransomers, valued at 5,400 guineas. The same privateer has also taken the Ranger privateer, Captain Magnus BRIGHTWELL, of Wells, (formerly the Lady Washington) of 12 guns and 45 men; and on the third inst. she fell in with the Eagle privateer of 16 guns and 160 men, which she sunk, after an obstinate engagement, that lasted with great fury on both sides for three hours and an half.

Among the many damages that happened in the late winds, the loss of the Trinity victualler is very striking, She was cast away two miles from Cromer, on the sands extending from S. S. E. to N. N. W. which are full of breakers, and about two miles from the Land. She struck about eleven on Tuesday night; the crew were upon the wreck until Wednesday morning about eight, when some fisherman were determined to risk their lives to save the others, and as they were preparing their boat, a very heavy squall came on which occasioned the ship's shifting, and she was in a moment dashed to pieces, and every person drowned.

On Wednesday last were brought to this city by Capt. BRACEY, and his party, and committed to the Castle by Roger KERRISON, Esq., for further examination, eleven men, apprehended at Runton, near Cromer, on a violent suspicion of their being pirates. --- They landed on Sunday evening from out of a lug-sail boat, all armed with loaded musquets [sic] and cutlasses, and carried Dutch colours; they call themselves smugglers, and say they belong to a sloop with thirty men, and came out of Flushing about a month since.

Another account says, Monday last, 11 fellows, armed with pistols etc landed out of a large boat at Runton, near Cromer, and greatly terrified the inhabitants; but assistance being called from Cromer, they were all secured. The account they give of themselves is, that they belong to a large smuggling vessel, which they were obliged to quit in order to save their lives; but it is supposed they belong to the noted Daniel FALL, two of them being lately wounded, one of whom is shot through the knee, and the boat they landed from being thirty feet long, is thought they either came to plunder, or surprize [sic] some unarmed vessel. William WINDHAM, Esq., of Felbrigg, sent for Captain BRACEY, on the impress service in this city, who accompanied by his gang, safely conducted them to town, when they were examined before Roger KERRISON, Esq., who committed them to Norwich Castle. They all prove to be Englishmen.

On Wednesday last died, at the house of Mr PYE, in St George's, Mrs CRANE, in the 75th year of her age; her life was an ornament to her sex, her memory an honour to society - to say more, would be unnecessary; less, ungenerous.

Yesterday died Henry GOODHALL, D.D., Senior Prebendary of this cathedral, and Archdeacon of Suffolk. He was also Rector of Bixley in Norfolk.