The 19th century in newspaper cuttings - Gazette 1806

19th century Jersey
From Gazette de l'Ile de Jersey: 1806

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.

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 1806, 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. Only April is missing from the 1806 editions, but some months have only one or two issues digitised.

January

The only edition published this month which has been digitised is that of 25 January. It was the first for some time to contain a section dedicated to local news.

Major dies

On the 10th Charles William Le Geyt, Major in the 45th Regiment, and younger son of Charles William Le Geyt, died at Deal in England. He had been ill for only five days.

Grouville attack

On the 18th Andrew Powers and John Hayes were presented at the Royal Court accused of having attacked M Nichol on the Grouville road and stolen his watch and money, which were found in the possession of the accused. They were remanded in prison and appeared in Court again a week later, before being returned to prison to await a verdict the following week. They were found guilty but remanded again to appear before the Grande Enquete. They were eventually sentenced to death (see below).

Shipwreck

On the 20th the brig Adventure, Capt Watson, anchored in St Ouen's Bay in the greatest distress. It let off several cannon shots calling for help but the sea was too rough for any boat to approach. During the night the crew cut the cables, which were found in the morning on the shore. During the day every assistance possible was provided and the majority of its cargo was put ashore, but unfortunately the ship broke up the following night.

The greatest thanks are due to the Lieut-Governor, General Gordon, who organised for the sailors to be rescued. The ship was en route from Malta to London.

On the 23rd many residents were curious to go to see the cargo of this vessel, but because she had not been quarantined, a cordon was created and sentries posted. Those who reached the cargo are obliged to remain there until quarantine has expired.

Froments sale

The 22nd having been chosen for the sale of the froments in St Helier, many respectable inhabitants of St Helier assembled at Mrs Le Tubelin's. The price was fixed at 6 livres 5 sous per cabot.

This was followed by a dinner at which many loyal toasts were drunk. J Hemery and Elie Durell proposed J Mathews as the best person to replace the Constable this year, a proposition which was unanimously accepted. As he has already served the parish for 22 years, he will doubtless be approved by the whole parish.

February

Garden theft

Alex Sutherland and Will Sommers were arrested while robbing the Lieut-Governor's garden. They were presented in Court and remanded to prison to await judgment.

Ship's cargo

Different goods coming from the boat which recently sank in St Ouen's Bay have been lost, probably stolen. The police are using all possible means to identify the thieves. It is said that two bales of silk worth £500 are missing.

The remaining contents are offered for sale, together with debris from the wreck, on the beach of the 7th.

On the 1st Francis Bagg, Kon O'Neil, John Wall, Philip Flod and Patrick Dargle were brought before the Royal Court by the Constable of St Peter accused of stealing part of the cargo on the night of 29-30 January. They were remanded to prison.

Town mill

The town mill has been offered to let by Francois Janvrin for a period of nine years.

Execution

On the 22nd Andrew Power and John Hayes were executed, having been sentenced to death for the attack on M Nichol (see above).

They were escorted from the prison at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, accompanied by the Rev l'Abbe Cabry and an evangelist minister who gave all the spiritual assistance appropriate to their situation.

They wore long white robes which had been given to them by charitable persons, with their initials embroidered in black on the left side, and a white cotton bonnet with black ribbon.

Several days before they had asked to see the person they had cruelly maltreated and sought his pardon, and recognised the justice of their sentence.

Regiment departs

On the 25th the 69th Regiment departed on four transports in the convoy of the Meteor, commanded by Capt Collins. Their good conduct and strong discipline will be sadly missed.

March

Sword

The States have voted for a sword to the value of 100 guineas to be given to the Commandant en Chef (Lieut-Governor General Gordon) as recognition of the important service he has given to the island. A grand ceremony to present the sword was accompanied by a lengthy exchange of greetings.

General Gordon presented a considerable sum of money towards the purchase of an organ for the Town Church.

Wreck theft

Francis Bagg, accused of having stolen part of the cargo of the wrecked ship Adventure was found guilty by the Grande Enquete and sent to prison for three months.

Drownings

William Filmore' John Darnes and another boarded a boat to return to a Swedish ship in the Small Roads, but the boat overturned, and the two named were drowned despite every attempt to save them.

May

No Gazette editions are available for April 1806 and coverage of the year resumes with the edition of 10 May. This was the only news item in the three editions for the month which have been digitised

New Lieut-Governor

The appointment of General George Don to replace the late General Gordon has been announced. He is well known in the island, having spent 13 years here as commander of the 59th Regiment.

June

The two available editions from this month contained no local news section.

July

There is just one item of local news in the two July issues which are available.

Ceremony

On the 1st of the month the new Lieut-Governor, General George Don, who would prove to have a greater influence on the island than any of his predecessors by creating a network of public roads, was sworn in at the Royal Court, followed by a ball and supper in his honour. It was a colourful day, with regimental banners decorating the courthouse and the ladies all dressed in their finery.

From a different source

Military roads

On the 23rd work started on General Don's network of military roads

August

Just one local news item appears in the three editions available to the month

Death

William Charles Lempriere, Seigneur of Rosel and former Lieut-Bailiff, died at the age of 92 after a short illness.

September

All four editions for the month are available, but between them they contain but a single local news item.

Militia review

On the 13th General Don reviewed all the islands forces, garrison regiments and the Militia, the cannons of Elizabeth Castle and St Aubin's Fort and all the coastal batteries, commanding the manoeuvres himself. There was a large crowd of spectators and the review was judged to be one of the best ever seen in the island.

October

Child killed

There was a terrible accident when an officer went into a house full of children near the third tower (Beaumont) with a loaded rifle. The gun fired and a little girl, aged 9, was hit. She died almost immediately.

Death

On the 4th W Haylock, who guarded the canteen of the St Ouen barracks fell dead as he was returning home.

Packet

A third packet boat is to be established leaving Weymouth towards the middle of each week to Jersey and Guernsey.

From a different source;

Honorary Police batons

The States decided on the 18th that Constables and members of the Honorary Police should have batons of office bearing the Royal arms and those of Jersey

November

Only a single edition, with no local news, is available for the month

From a different source;

Fort Regent

Foundation stone laid by General Don

December

No local news is found in the two editions for this month which have been digitised.

From a different source;

Don Road

A grand ceremony was held on the 23rd for the opening of Don Road.

Prisoners

Privateering was certainly a hazardous occupation. No fewer that 258 inhabitants of Jersey were detained in French prisons having been taken from captured ships.