Norfolk Newspapers
Norfolk Chronicle

Extracts from March 23rd 1782

These are the main topics. Please scroll down the page to see all the extracts.

Page 1, columns 1 & 2
Oppressive taxation.
Page 1, column 2
New French and Spanish ships.
Page 1, column 3
Advert by Joseph Gunton.
Page 2, column 3
Election of Common Councilmen; Overseer of Yarmouth defences.
Page 2, columns 3 & 4
Norfolk Assizes.
Page 2, column 4
Thetford Assizes; Wreck of the Hopewell of Wells; Wager for men to pull a cart of barley; Marriage; Death.
Page 3, column 1
Adverts by T. Hirst, and Mr and Mrs Peterson.

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Norfolk Chronicle
Extracts from March 23rd 1782

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.

Page 1, columns 1 & 2

While abroad we are losing our possessions, at home we are losing our liberties and our wealth. A new budget of taxes has been opened, oppressive in their nature, difficult and dangerous in the collection. To raise a revenue for the support of the nation, a First Minister of State has descended to calculate the quantity of soap that a poor man's family consumes in a week, and to point out a substitute for washing the rags, to which former taxes had reduced the industrious artificer. Every tangible necessity of life is taxed -- even the light is taxed, from the morning dawn which ushers the labourer to his work, down to the wretched rush which conducts him to his bed -- nay, so far has the inventive genius of oppression pushed taxation, that it is proposed to tax the carriage of commodities in every medium of conveyance, whether by land or canals -- whether by rivers or by sea -- and even the security by which the honest part of mankind insure their property from the calamity of fire, for the benefit of their families and creditors, is to be made liable to an impost equal to three-fourths of the premium paid the insurers. Those men who have squandered millions upon millions of national wealth, have the boldness to step forward and say -- you shall pay Us for securing the little remainder, though We are not the insurers.

Page 1, column 2

The French have six new ships of the line to launch this year; three at Brest, three at Toulon, and one at St Maloes. The Spaniards have five, two at Cadiz, two at Ferrol, and one at Malaga. What fleet the Dutch may number is uncertain to say. It is impossible that our fleet should be so nearly equal to the force of the enemy another year as it even is at present, without unforeseen good luck on our side, or accidents on theirs, not to be expected.

Page 1, column 3

New Buckenham, March 16, 1782.

Joseph GUNTON, late Servant to Mr Samuel MOSS, of New Buckenham, having taken the Chandling Business formerly carried on by the said Samuel MOSS, solicits the Favours of the former Customers, assuring them, and all others that will please to make Trial, that he will serve them with the best made Candle, and upon the lowest Terms.

Page 2, column 3

On Monday came on the election of Common-council-men of this city for the year ensuing, for the ward of Conisford, when no other alteration took place than filling three vacancies, to which Mr Andrew STORER, Mr Mark OSBORNE, and Mr Samuel BLOGG, were appointed.
     Tuesday Mr William FORSTER, Mr Richard MATTHEWS, and Mr John BUCKLE, were elected nominees for the ward of Mancroft.
     Wednesday Mr Hewitt RAND, Mr John ALDRED, and Mr Thomas DAY, were elected nominees for the great ward of Wymer.
     And on Thursday Mr Thomas TROUGHTON, Mr William CUTTING, and Mr Edmund PARTRIDGE, were elected nominees for the ward beyond the water.

We hear Mr Thomas HARLEY is appointed Overseer of the new works and batteries erected for the defence of Yarmouth.

Page 2, columns 3 & 4

Assize News.

Monday last the assizes for this county, before Lord LOUGHBOROUGH, and Mr Baron EYRE, ended at Thetford. The following gentlemen composed the Grand Jury: Sir Edmund BACON, Bart., Brigg FOUNTAINE, Esq., Hugh HARE, Esq., John BARKER, Esq., William Henry WILSON, Esq., Ralph CAULDWELL, Esq., Roger KERRISON, Esq., John DAVEY, Esq., Robert FELLOWS, Esq., James NELTHORPE, Esq., William GRIGSON, Esq., John FENN, Esq., William BURCH, Esq., John Richard DASHWOOD, Esq., James SMYTH, Esq., Framing THURSTON, Esq., Henry Lee WARNER, Esq., High Sheriff.

At the above assizes Edward BENNET, for stealing six fat hogs, the property of Mr RUDDERHAM, of Scoulton, was sentenced to be kept to hard labour in the house of correction for the term of three years. John MITCHELL, for stealing thirty-six rabbets [sic] from the warren of James SMITH, of Beechamwell, received a like sentence; and John WATERS, and William FISHER, his accomplices, being also convicted, the former was fined one shilling, and delivered to the press-gang, the latter ordered to be kept to hard labour for one year. Edward AGGAS, for the receiving the above rabbets [sic], knowing them to be stolen, was also sentenced to hard labour in the house of correction for five years, George RICHES, for stealing three silver watches out of the shop of Mr Richard SWIFT, of Coltishall, was ordered to a like sentence for the term of three years [Note that when this was first reported on 9 Feb 1782, the name of the watches' owner was given as Richard "TWIST."] John BARNARD, for a grand larceny, was fined one shilling and delivered to the press-gang; and John FISK, charged with a misdemeanour, was acquitted, and John EWSTON was ordered to remain in custody until the next assizes.

Page 2, column 4

Saturday last a cause was tried at Thetford assizes, before Mr Baron EYRE and a Special Jury, wherein Thomas BETTS, of Gressenhall, in this county, was Plaintiff, and the Rev. Benjamin CROFTS, of the same place, Defendant, for recovering certain penalties to the amount of 830 pounds supposed to have been forfeited by the Defendant for taking lands to farm, and for the buying and selling of cattle, for lucre of gain and profit, contrary to the statute of 21 Hen. VIII ch. 13, when after a hearing of about two hours, and going into the merits of the cause, the Jury gave a verdict for the Defendant, to the entire satisfaction of the learned Judge. -- Counsel for the Plaintiff, Mr COLE and Mr LE BLANC; Attorney, Mr WRIGHT, of Swaffham. -- Counsel for the Defendant, Mr GRAHAM and Mr JODRELL; Attorney, Mr CRISP, of Dereham.

Wednesday morning last the Hopewell, of Wells, John BLOOM, Master, bound from Hull to the above port, and laden with wheat, iron, cheese, earthen ware etc was drove on Overstrand Beach, three miles from Cromer, in a hard gale of wind, The crew and part of the cargo were saved, but the vessel is entirely lost.

Thursday the wager, which was laid some time since, between two gentlemen in the neighbourhood of Norwich, that a waggon [sic], with a last of barley on it, should be drawn from Buxton to Coltishall, the distance about five miles and a half, by twenty men, in fifteen hours, and not to touch the wheels, nor fix any draft further back than the shafts, was performed in three hours and thirty-five minutes.

On Thursday was married at St Peter's Mancroft, Mr Nathaniel BOLINGBROKE, cutler, to Miss Mary YALLOP, daughter of Mr William YALLOP, hosier, in the Market-place.

Sunday the 10th inst. died, in the 73d year of his age, Mr Richard DURRANT, of Ditchingham, near Bungay, a considerable farmer and grazier; -- of whom it may be truly said, that he was a kind husband, tender father, good master, and sincere friend; and in all his dealings, justly esteemed for his integrity and honesty.

Page 3, column 1

T. HIRST begs Leave to inform his Friends, and the Public in general, that he is just returned from London with a variety of Linendrapery [sic] Goods; which he has opened for Sale at his New Linen Warehouse, the sign of the Golden Lion, No. 18, next Door to the shop of his late Uncles, Thomas and Lloyd HIRST.
The above Goods are all entirely new, and will be sold Wholesale and Retale [sic] upon such Terms as he flatters himself will give general Satisfaction. N.B. No connection with the next Shop.
Note. Genteel Apartments to lett [sic].

St George's Tombland, Norwich.

Mrs and Miss PETERSON present their respectful Compliments to Parents and Guardians. They find it proper to acquaint them of their Determination to continue their School Together, on the Plan they have hitherto observed. The favorable and flattering Notice Mrs. and Miss PETERSON have experienced, induces them to express their warmest Acknowledgments to their Friends, and to hope that their future Attention and Improvement of such Young Ladies as are entrusted to their Care, will meet with equal Regard and Encouragement.