The 19th century in newspaper cuttings - Gazette 1804

19th century Jersey
From Gazette de l'Ile de Jersey: 1804

John Stead's Gazette de Jersey reappeared in 1803

Our history of 19th century Jersey from newspaper cuttings started with the Jersey Loyalist, an English-language newspaper published from 1825 to 1831. We have now moved back to the start of the century, with Gazette de l'Ile de Jersey, the first newspaper to be published in the island in the 1800s, and to appear intermittently in the following years published by different individuals

This was the dawn of an age of great growth and diversification in Jersey, fuelled by an influx of English immigrants over the following 25 years.

This page is part of a project launched by Jerripedia in 2024 to chronicle the history of Jersey through the 19th century using news cuttings from most of the newspapers published during those 100 years.
The 19th century in newspaper cuttings - Main index page

This page links to separate pages giving year by year coverage from 1800 onwards in the publications active at the time

The life of the Gazette de l'Ile de Jersey is difficult to follow. At one time, at least, there were two active publications of the same name. There are also periods when either the publication of the title was suspended, or it continued but editions are missing from the collection of La Société Jersiaise, which was digitised and placed in their website in 2024.

Gazette de l'Ile de Jersey was published from 5 July 1800 to the end of the year, printed by G Angot and Philippe Mourant. But it soon vanished. Quite what happened after 1800 is uncertain, but the Societe collection has no editions in 1801-1804, a single edition on 30 March 1805, numbered 28, then nothing until 1808, for which year it appears to have a full set of publications, starting on 2 January with No 1 and ending with No 53 on 31 December.

John Stead

For our history of the 19th century from the pages of its newspapers in 1804, we turn to John Stead's Gazette de Jersey and Weekly Advertiser, which reappeared in January 1803. The months from January to June in 1804 are included in the online collection of La Société Jersiaise

January

The year started where 1803 had ended, with next to no local news making the columns of the Gazette

Stolen boat

A reward of 5 Louis was offered for information leading to the conviction of whoever stole a boat attached to the brig Mars in St Helier Harbour between 6 and 7 o'clock in the morning.

Enemy convoys

On the 23rd an enemy convoy of four boats was spotted, and on the following day, ten sails. It is supposed that these vessels leave Granville and head for Cherbourg.

February

Town Hill

A meeting of the tenants of Vingtaine de La Ville was called for 8 February to consider the transactions entered into with the British Government for the sale of parts of Mont de La Ville. The procureurs of the vingtaine had also received a letter from Thomas Mallet concerning the arrest and detention by the military of men quarrying for him to the west of the hill.

Bonaparte arrest

The vessel Mary arrived from Plymouth bringing news that General Jerome Bonaparte, brother of the 'Premier Consul' has been arrested by an English vessel and taken to Plymouth, where he is being held in prison.

New school

Jersey had numerous small private schools at this time and Mrs Wilkinson announced the opening of another - 'for young ladies, for the English and French Languages, Writing and Drawing, Arithmetic, Geography, Music, Dancing, Plain and Fancy works of every denomination'.

Privateering

Jersey's privateer fleet had been busy since the declaration of war against France and the Gazette's advertising columns, which were rapidly growing and diminishing the content of news, both local and international, carried numerous adverts for the sale of captured goods and the vessels which were captured while carrying them.

Robbery

A reward has been offered in an attempt to identify and convict two men who attacked Thomas Emery near Gorey Village, robbing him of all his money and a packet of letters, which he was taking to the Post Office for several officers and others.

Market land

All the land which remained surrounding the new market in Halkett Place, divided into small plots, was offered for sale on the 15th by the States committee for the establishment of markets.

Lottery

Islanders were allowed to participate in the British State Lottery ... if they could afford it. Tickets cost £17 6s (About £2,600 at 2024 values), although a sixteenth of a ticket could be bought for £1 3s. There were two top prizes of £20,000 (£3 million now) and with two months to go to the draw, the value of prizes and price of tickets would increase.

Master of ceremonies

G P Dumaresq has resigned as master of ceremonies for the fortnightly assembly at Lys Hotel and the Gentlemen and Ladies Subscribers would have to find a replacement.

March

King's health

A ship which has arrived from England has brought happy news of the convalescence of 'our much-loved sovereign'. He is entirely out of danger and it is hoped that in a short time his health will be perfectly re-established.

George III had already been on the throne for 44 years and would live until 1820, suffering regular health scares. In 1811, having been declared mad, he would be replaced with his son acting as Regent.

Town Hill

The long-running saga of the sale of land on Maison de La Ville to the British Government to construct the fort which would eventually become Fort Regent continued with the calling of another meeting of tenants, this time to elect two new procureurs and two members to join them on the committee to negotiate with the Lieut-Governor. The sale of the land would eventually go through later in the year, with work starting on building the fort in 1806. The Government paid £11,280 (£1.7 million) for the land, creating a fund which is still administered by the procureurs of the Vingtaine.

April

Tower fall

On the 3rd an artificer employed to work on the top of La Rocque Tower had the misfortune to fall and was so badly injured that he died the following day.

On the rocks

On the 4th the brig HMS The Conquest was cruising along the French coast when it hit a rock on the Minquiers, and remained there for several hours in great danger. Several ships came to her assistance and helped her to reach St Aubin's Harbour. Part of the crew took refuge on a rock to avoid imminent danger. They were forced to remain there overnight, heavy seas preventing any immediate rescue.

Surgeon's death

On the 17th John Smith, 35 years a surgeon in the Royal Navy, and almost 15 a Jersey resident, died. His loss as a medical man is universally regretted by all who had the happiness of knowing him.

May

Theatre

The Lieut-Governor and Royal Court have given permission to Mr Shatford to open the Theatre this season.

Half-pay officers

Officers on half pay living in Jersey were required to register with the Secretary at War an account of their age, past service, rank and present place of abode. If they were, by age or infirmity, unfit for further service, they had to submit proof of their inability. Those who failed to register within a month would be considered as otherwise provided for, or dead, and would be struck off the half-pay list.

June

Shipwreck

A terrible accident has occurred in St Ouen's Bay. Captain Bailhache was heading for Guernsey with some 16 passengers on board, who had travelled to Jersey as a pleasure party, when their boat was thrown on the rocks by the sea. The boat sank with all on board within a minute. Eight of the passengers drowned, including Mr Raymond, of St Aubin; Mr Le Bas, of St Peter; Miss Allez and Mr Du Camp and his son, of Guernsey.

Town Hill fire

There was a detailed account in the edition of 9 June of the events on Mont de La Ville on the 4th, when during celebrations of the King's birthday, a fuse was found burning in a powder magazine, and disaster was averted through the bravery of three men who recovered it just in time.

Flag flown

On the 11th the Duke of Bouillon flew his flag as Commodore on board HMS Severn in the roads of the old castle. The vessel was wrecked by a violent storm in Grouville Bay in October

No editions of the Gazette for the second half of 1804 are available, so the review of the year's news, somewhat limited in nature, is now complete