The 19th century in newspaper cuttings - Loyalist 1825

19th century Jersey
From the Jersey Loyalist: 1825

The front page of the first edition of the Jersey Loyalist on 5 September 1825

Our history of 19th century Jersey from newspaper cuttings has started with the Jersey Loyalist, an English-language newspaper published from 1825 to 1831.

This was a time of great growth and diversification in Jersey, fuelled by an influx of English immigrants which saw the population increase by 17 per cent between 1821 and 1826.

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
The 19th century in newspaper cuttings - Loyalist 1826
The 19th century in newspaper cuttings - Loyalist 1827
The 19th century in newspaper cuttings - Loyalist 1828
The 19th century in newspaper cuttings - Loyalist 1829
The 19th century in newspaper cuttings - Loyalist 1830
The 19th century in newspaper cuttings - Loyalist 1831

The Jersey Loyalist launched in 1825, seemingly as much as a political opponent of the British Press, which had launched three years earlier, as a truly commercial venture. This was denied in the introduction on page one of the first edition, but scarcely an edition was published in the next six years without the competitor's coverage of one event or another being roundly criticised.

The British Press, later to become the British Press and Jersey Times, had the last laugh, outliving the Loyalist by almost 80 years.

The Jersey Loyalist was typical of early island newspapers, in that it contained very little local news. The majority of its news columns was devoted to London news, copied apparently verbatim from national newspapers received in the island some days after publication, and focusing on parliamentary affairs, which would have had little or no meaning to island residents, save for the more affluent and better educated immigrant English families which had swelled the island's population in the first quarter of the century.

Local news was restricted largely to coverage of States sittings and the work of the Royal Court, although tragic accidents, both on land and at sea, were also included in the mix. The Loyalist was not highly political, but did allow its readers to voice their opinions in frequently very lengthy letters to the editor, more often than not involving the British Press and Jersey Times.

Our selection of news items which follows has been made in an attempt to paint a picture of as many aspects of island life as possible in 1825.

September

Support for schools

On 10 September the States discussed a letter from the Lieut-Governor, who was clearly involved in local politics, enclosing a report from the Dean and Clergy, asking for a grant to increase the salaries of the masters of St Mannelier and St Anastase Schools.

During the debate it was claimed that the schools were in a 'deplorable state' and the masters' salaries were so small that 'no well educated men would be found to accept of those institutions'.

The States, according to the Loyalist's report, seemed more inclined to consider whether they should be debating the subject at all, and the Bailiff withdrew the report.

Scrumping

The Royal Court hearing of 23 September included the case of Thomas Carter and Patrick McCarthy, accused of scrumping - stealing apples from the orchard of Philippe Le Boeuf, and caught red-handed with about a bushel in a bag. The ages of the offenders were not reported, but Carter, described as being of a 'tender age', was sentenced to 15 days solitary confinement with bread and water. His father was admonished 'to pay a stricter attention to his son's conduct in future'. His co-accused was sent to prison for a month.

An unusual column of local general news items, published in the first edition on 5 September 1825

Sentences which would appear remarkably severe two centuries later met with the approval of the Loyalist, which pontificated: 'In a country like this, which depends so much on the produce of its orchards, a kind of property so much exposed to depredations, that it is almost impossible to protect it, but by the strong arm of the law, we cannot but applaud the salutary example of this sentence of the Royal Court'.

Doctor's unpaid bill

Dr Struve took the widower of one of his patients to Court over an unpaid bill. He was claiming £11 - over £1,200 at 2024 values - for treatment of Mrs Grinsell, who had since died. Her husband maintained that a subsequent post mortem examination of his late wife's body had shown that the doctor had not treated her properly and he was not liable to settle the bill. The court heard arguments that it was not qualified to rule on medical matters and ordered Mr Grinsell to pay the £11 to the doctor.

October

Shipwreck

The schooner-brig Good Intent which arrived last Tuesday afternoon from Bristol, had remained at anchor in the small roads. During the heavy gale the following morning, she rode on her anchors and went on shore on the rocks near the Artillery Barracks.

The crew got into the small boat and landed safely at Havre des Pas. The greatest part of the cargo has since been saved.

The weighbridge and capstan lately ordered by the States were on board. Through the Constable's exertions, and those of Colonel Fyers, helped by his artillerymen, have since landed without having received any injury.

Mine explosion

Last Friday some of the labourers employed in a quarry behind Mr Dickson's house, upper Pier Road, had the imprudence to blow up a mine, without giving the usual notice. The explosion took place and had well night been productive of fatal consequences to three men who were at work in an adjoining quarry.

Though they were all three knocked down by the splinters of rock, there was only one who was seriously hurt. Dr Fixott attends him and hopes are entertained of his speedy recovery.

Parish welfare

The Chef de Police of St Ouen was taken before the Royal Court by the King's Procurator (Attorney-General) for withdrawing a 76-year-old parishioner's welfare payment because she refused to move to live in the Jersey Hospital when a pauper's place became available. Elizabeth Le Gresley had been receiving half-a-crown a week (12½p - £15 in 2024 values) and her husband had previously had his allowance withdrawn in similar circumstances.

It was argued on behalf of the parish that they it had 'the right to provide for the maintenance of the poor in the way likely to be the least burdensome on the parish' and that the court should not 'leave it to the discretion of paupers to choose their own place of residence and oblige parishes to maintain them there'.

The Procurator argued that St Ouen had private funds to provide for the maintenance of the poor, with an annual income of 2,049 livres and expenditure of only 1,800. As long as there was a surplus the poor had the right to receive their share of that income at home.

The Court agreed and ordered that weekly payments to Mr and Mrs Le Gresley should continue, with the parish make good the arrears and pay costs.

Ship launched

Last Thursday a beautiful three-masted vessel, of 200 tons, belonging to Aaron de Ste Croix, was launched from Havre des Pas. Notwithstanding the unfavourableness of the weather, the beach was lined by numerous spectators of all classes, supposed to amount to not less than 4 or 5 thousand.

It was just 10 minutes after seven in the morning when the Calista descended majestically into the water amidst the general acclamations of the spectators. She then sailed round into the harbour of St Helier, where her arrival was greeted again in the same enthusiastic manner.

We observed that her mosts, yards and bowsprit were decorated with garlands, where the roses predominated, the known emblems of those insular politics to which the Messrs de Ste Croix are firmly attached.

Ship wrecked

We are sorry to announce the loss of the brig Swift, Capt Le Rossignol, belonging to Messrs de Quetteville.

That vessel, which was the oldest belonging to this island, and had been employed for 46 years in the Newfoundland trade, was lost at Blancs Sablons on the coast of Labrador the 11th of last month.

It had taken its cargo on board and had about 60 passengers, who with the crew have been saved. The Swift was insured, but the crew and passengers will suffer severely by the loss of their goods and little adventures. The captain, crew and passengers of the Swift arrived in this island Wednesday last, on board the Duke of Wellington.

Accident

An old man named Simon, returning home Saturday evening, fell down the bank opposite the place called the Black Rocks, St Aubin's Road. This unfortunate man died the next day in consequence of the dreadful injury he received in the fall.

Election troubles

The public of the island had little say at this time in who governed them from within the States. Rectors were appointed by the Crown, Jurats elected for life by a limited number of citizens, and Constables were the only Members who were elected every three years. So these elections were usually strongly contested by candidates for each of the two political parties of the day - Laurel and Rose - all manner of tactics, mostly unfair, were employed, and results were not infrequently contested in the Royal Court, whose Jurats were, of course, members of one of the two parties.

In October 1825, John Nicolle, who had been elected Constable of St John, complained in a petition to the Court about the actions of Jurat George Bertram and Greffier Francis Godfray, claiming that they had allowed unqualified people to vote. Even though he won by 14 votes, he had not been summoned by the returning officers to be sworn in. He claimed £500 damages from each of them, as well as costs which might arise 'in consequence of their illegal, partial and arbitrary conduct'.

But Moses Gibaut, who lost the election, hit back with his own petition to the Court, claiming that the victor's friends 'had recourse to bribes, promises and threats to bias the electors'. He claimed that Jurat Philippe Nicolle, whose own election had become highly controversial, and his brother Edouard Nicolle, Constable of St Helier, had interfered in the election and that the latter had taken with him to St John 'a number of rope makers and others of the dregs of the people'.

Both petitions were admitted by the Court and Mr Nicolle's oath of office was suspended.

The Royal Court was overruled in a case involving the confiscation of a French fishing boat

A guide to 1825 prices - multiply by 120 to convert to 2024 values. Best cognac still good value at £42 a gallon!

November

Cattle exports

Sir Thomas Le Breton presented several Acts of Parliament, lately passed, which had been received to be registered by the Royal Court. Most of them were favourable to the trade of the island, but a clause in one of them would prohibit the export of cattle to England after 6 January 1826.

Sir Thomas thought that this clause had been inserted through some inadvertence or other, and that his Majesty's Government had no design to impair our prosperity. He had been contacted by the Bailiff of Guernsey over the same issue. The States resolved that the Bailiffs of the two islands should make a representation to the Secretary for the Home Department on the subject.

The approach was successful, because on 21 November J C Herries wrote from Treasury Chambers to the Commissioner of Customs to say that Parliament had not intended to impose the same restrictions on imports from the Channel Islands as from foreign countries and the prohibition should be ignored. This was confirmed to the States at their next sitting.

Melancholy shipwreck

We have to record this week one of the most melancholy shipwrecks which have happened in this neighbourhood for a long time. On Saturday 5th two vessels sailed from Granville for this island, one of which the Curieux, Capt Vidal, has not since been heard of. The other vessel, after having beaten about for 24 hours put back into Granville and arrived here yesterday afternoon.

We wish we could flatter ourselves that Vidal had sheltered himself somewhere on the opposite coast of France, but we are extremely sorry that there are scarcely any hopes of the kind.

Among the 17 passengers were the wife of Jurat Thomas Anley, Mr and Mrs Roussel, with their three daughters and a servant, Rachel Hall and Amice Le Grand, all from Jersey.

Capt Vidal had a wife and five infant children.

We are informed that there were 18 oxen and about two score sheep on board. We cannot too strongly reprobate the imprudence of loading those small French traders with such great numbers of cattle.

Harbour accident

It was not only while at sea that crewmen were at risk of loss of life. Returning to their vessels in St Helier Harbour, more often than not having consumed large quantities of alcoholic drinks during the evening onshore, they risked their lives trying to move from quayside to ships' decks:

"Saturday morning, about 1 o'clock, a sailor belonging to the Danish galliot Venue, lying at the north pier, returning to the vessel in a state of intoxication, and attempting to get on board, missed the ladder and was precipitated to the bottom at low water. The unfortunate man received a contusion on the eye with a fracture of the frontal sinus. Doctor Fixott immediately came to his assistance, but he died on the evening of the same day."

A seven-year-old child, whose accident was reported in the same edition of The Loyalist, was more fortunate:

"Saturday afternoon, a little boy, son of Capt Bedrord, accidentally fell off the New Quay into harbour, without receiving any other injury than a slight dislocation of one of the wrists, the reduction of which was easily effected., We are happy to say that the present state of the child is in every respect satisfactory, and the medical attendants entertain no apprehensions of any ill consequences from that alarming incident."

Accident

Last Friday as the cart of Mary Pallot, a poor woman from St Clement, was going down Back Street, it came in contact with another cart. She was thrown down and her horse, having also fallen, but getting up almost at the same time, before she could extricate herself from her perilous situation, the wheel of the cart went over and fractured her leg. The unfortunate sufferer is about 70 years of age and serious apprehensions are entertained for her recovery.

More election troubles

Further apparent evidence of malpractice during the recent election for Constable of St John was given in two petitions presented to the Royal Court by John David Le Boutillier, described as an infirm old man of 66 years of age.

He lodged a complaint against a group of men whom, he said, had attacked him on the evening of 15 November, dragged him along the road and thrown him into a cart. He was forced to lie down and beaten when he attempted to rise on a high speed gallop to the house of Philippe du Heaume, of St Ouen. He was held there under guard until the election was over the following day.

"The petitioner is in an ill state of health and mentions his fears that he will feel the effects of the barbarous treatment he then received, to the end of his life. He prays that the defendants may be adjudged to pay him £1,000 damages (nearly £120,000 at 2024 values)."

Dumaresq death

You had to be somewhat important for your death to be reported in the early 19th century newspapers. Thomas Dumaresq was.

"It is with infinite regret that we have this week to announce the death of Thomas Dumaresq, the youngest son of the late Sir John Dumaresq, who died after a short and painful illness, last Friday, in the 40th year of his age. Mr Dumaresq was a Deputy Commissary in his Majesty's service, and had been actively employed till within these few years; that he had retired to his native island.

"His mild and conciliating manners in private life had long been the delight of his numerous friends and acquaintances, who now most sincerely sympathise with his afflicted family, on the premature and irreparable loss they have sustained.

"It may be added as an instance of his public spirit and benevolent disposition towards his native island, that nearly the last acts of his life were employed in zealous efforts to promote the projected establishment of an Insular Society for the encouragement of agriculture."

Dr Fixott

It is not known how many qualified doctors were active in the island 200 years ago, but Dr Fixott was probably the most prominent, featuring regularly in Loyalist news coverage.

On 26 December it was reported that he had carried out surgery on the 12-year-old son of John Nicolle, of St Helier, to tie the iliac artery. The news report described this as one of the most difficult and dangerous operations and predicted that it would be three weeks before it would be known whether the child was out of danger.