A Chronological Outline of the History of Bristol and the Strangers Guide through its streets and neighbourhood ---- by John Evans, Printer. 1824
257
GEORGE THE FIRST.
A.D.
l7l4 special commission to try the rioters in custody: three of the judges and four counsellors arrived Nov. 25, and the proceedings lasted nearly a week. About ten persons, indicted as rioters, were each fined twenty nobles and imprisoned three months, to give security for nine months more; one, indicted for felony, was ordered to be whipped; the rest were acquitted. The Draw-Bridge, with two arches of stone, completed, at an expense to the City-Chamber of £1066. 6s. 1d. Previously, the only communication between the centre of the city and the Cathedral was through Christmas-street and Host alias Horse-street.
1715 Jan. The first newspaper published in Bristol, now appeared; the same which was known, till 1809, as 'Sarah Farley’s Bristol Journal.'
April 22, an eclipse of the Sun. It commenced a little after eight o’clock, and continued for two hours. The total darkness lasted about two minutes; during which the stars became visible, and the birds and other animals seemed to be in great consternation.
Mr. Stephens, at the assize in September, before Judge Powis, sued four of the persons who had been convicted of rioting at his house, and recovered sixty pounds. Mark Goddard also sued James Harris and John Cox, for damages sustained by rioting at the election in 1713, and recovered £187. 16s.
On the day of swearing the new Mayor, arrived the Earl of Berkeley, Lord Lieutenant of the counties of Gloucester and Bristol; and, at the same time, Brigadier Stanwix’s regiment of foot was quartered here, for the prevention of insurrections.
Sunday, Oct. 2, discovery was made of a design to seize this city for the Pretender; whereupon the militia were mustered, the gates shut, and cannon placed at several of them, and divers of the citizens (including William Hart, esq.*) were apprehended and committed to the Marshalsea, on suspicion of being in the interest of the Pretender, or not well affected towards His Majesty’s person and government.
St. James’s Square (commenced in 1707) was completed this year.
A severe frost, from the latter end of November till the 8th of February. Much distress among the poor. Relieved by collections in the parishes. The Corporation contributed £100.
*Sir Richard Hart was mayor in 1680. Arthur Hart, at the same time one of the sheriffs, was mayor in 1689.
© 2001 Roger Vaughan - History Page