The 19th century in newspaper cuttings 1816

19th century Jersey
From the newspapers in 1816

The Chronique de Jersey, one of our sources for this page

Our history of 19th century Jersey from newspaper cuttings has reached a period of great growth and diversification in Jersey, fuelled by an influx of English immigrants.

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

Our sources for Jersey news in 1816 - the year when the United Kingdom became used to a period of peace - are the Chronique de Jersey now into its third year, and the Gazette de l'Ile de Jersey published by Philippe Mourant.

The Chronique made a major contribution to newspaper publishing in Jersey. It would continue in publication until 1959, making it the longest-lasting publication to serve the community. The Evening Post (later Jersey Evening Post) is currently (2024) 134 years old, with another 11 to go to catch up with the Chronique, which quickly became established as the main source of local news.

January

Shipwreck

The Peggy commanded by Capt Perchard, sailing to Guernsey came across the debris of a ship in the area off Corbiere. The captain believed that it was a schooner of about 100 tons and that she must have perished on the Roches d'Ouvres. We have no idea about her identity.

Peace

The 18th has been chosen as a day of thanksgiving for the establishment of peace. Let's hope it lasts longer than it did in 1814.

Busy Jurat

Jurat Philippe Nicolle told the Royal Court that he did not feel obliged to take part in Court business outside of the terms, except for Admiralty matters or for his Majesty's troops. At the beginning of term there was almost nothing to do, but it all built up by the end. The Jurats were not obliged to attend out of term.

The Lieut-Bailiff, presiding, and Jurat George Philippe Benest, while accepting Jurat Nicolle's reasons, pointed out that the prison was full of prisoners, some of whom had been detained for some time, and their cases should be allowed to proceed for humanitarian reasons.

Jurat Nicolle replied that such cases should be completed out of term, not through obligation but for humanitarian reasons.

Thefts

Frenchman Adrien Bouchard was charged with having the previous November stolen six chickens, two ducks, a copper cane and a pillow bag from the home of Philippe Lys in St John. He was remanded to prison for more witnesses to be summoned.

Martin Greedy was accused of stealing coal from Madame Schreiber in George Street (Kensington Place) in August 1815. Several witnesses were heard before Greedy was remanded back to Prison.

Francois Godart and his wife Marie, nee Boulet, both French, were accused of breaking into Charles Chevalier's house at La Motte in December and stealing 18 dozen handkerchiefs and other items from a trunk. Mrs Godart was too ill to appear in Court and her husband was returned to prison.

Josue Falle was charged with stealing various laundry items from Jean Picot. He claimed that he was innocent and did not know how the items had been in his case without his knowledge or involvement. He was remanded to prison for witnesses to be called. At a subsequent hearing Jean Picot have evidence that it was his wife who had stolen the items and placed them in the accused's case. The Court released Falle.

Drowning

On the 25th at 11am a boat containing two men and a boy was heading for the packet in the Large Road when it hit the Cannon Rock a short distance from Elizabeth Castle and sank almost immediately. The packet launched its boat to rescue them but, although the two men were saved, the boy, Philippe du Heaume, was drowned.

Clergy in dispute

A remarkable dispute between the Constable and current Rector of St Ouen with the previous Rector was aired in detail in the columns of the Chronique.

It was first reported that a parish assembly had been held at the Rectory to examine the state of the premises. They found broken windows, a rotten floor in the parlour, a fireguard missing, and other damage. The churchwardens were instructed to have repairs carried out, except for a broken courtyard gate and broken window panes, which had been caused by the negligence of the Rev George Ballaine and should be repaired by him.

The assembly were also surprised to see fruit trees which had been uprooted. They had been planted by the Rev George du HeaumeThe Constable, churchwardens and procureurs were charged to write to Mr Ballaine calling on him to repair the damage he had caused.

This was followed by a letter from Mr Ballaine to his successor, the Rev Francis Ricard, enclosing an account for services which he had conducted on Mr Ricard's behalf during the period from February 1810 to January 1815. At £12 or £24 a service, the 18 listed came to a total of 276 livres, French currency.

Mr Ricard replied very bluntly that he did not expect to be charged when a fellow clergyman stood in for him during periods of indisposition. He wrote that Mr Ballaine was clearly irritated that after his departure from the Rectory the Parish Assembly had found the property in such a 'decrepit and ruinous state, as if a company of Cossacks had been garrisoned there for several months'.

He warned him that if he did not put right the wrongs he had committed within eight days, he would place his conduct in the public gaze.

Pay cut

Jacques Terriere, a ship's carpenter working at the harbour, wrote a letter to the Gazette complaining that whereas he was earning 4 livres 16 sous a day for himself and 3 livres for his son during the war, his pay had now been cut to 3 livres, with a threat to reduce it to 2 livres 8 sous, and nothing for his son.

He could not afford to feed his wife and seven children on half of what he had been earning the previous year. Prices were the same or higher than they were during the war, and with butter at 34-36 sous a pound, they had to eat their bread dry. If something was not done the families of poor artisans would soon be the responsibility of their parishes.

February

A soldier of the 13th Regiment who fell to the bottom of the bank bordering the harbour road was found dead the following morning a short distance from where he fell. His body was frozen when it was found.

Pilot boat

A pilot boat was lost on the 1st returning from assisting a Swedish brig. The sea was very high and it is assumed that a wave submerged the boat. A father and son called Stone were drowned.

Raft

On the 5th at about 4 pm the boats of J Roissier and W Battam of St Clement were putting out their next when they saw something very unusual in the distance. They discovered a raft about six feet wide with four men aboard, almost dead of cold and hunger.

They were taken to Mrs Hubert's inn at Havre des Pas where, by order of the authorities and at the island's expense, they were given all the care necessary to recover. They are now much better and out of danger.

They were able to report that the day before they were found they were on board the French brig Minerve, owned by Mr Gallien of Granville and commanded by Capt Renaudot, coming from Bordeaux with wines and spirits. The struck the Minquiers ten miles south of Jersey and five or six minutes later the vessel broke in pieces having been thrown violently on to the rocks.

There were 17 crew and one passenger on board. Several were drowned trying to launch the yawl, clinging to the ship's mast, or trying to launch the longboat. Those who remained constructed a raft with empty barrels. Six men, including the captain, were on board, but he returned to the wreck. There were seven mean remaining at the stern of the ship, four close to death and three in despair. One joined the raft but the rest refused to board, saying that they would prefer to perish there than drown on the raft.

Later two of those on the raft were lost, leaving the four rescued by Roissier and Battam.

George Ballaine

The Rev George Ballaine was brought before the Royal Court as the dispute over his tenancy of the St Ouen rector continued. (see above) His advocate spoke in his defence regarding the uprooting of trees and removal of the boundary fence, and said that he may have broken panes of glass, but not as many as claimed.

However, rather than become involved in a Court case, he undertook to replace all he had removed, to make the repairs demanded and to pay the costs. The parties agreed to let four members of the States decide whether the required work had been undertaken.

Horse race

A race between Mr Taylor's mare Coquette and Mr de Carteret's bay Blucher has been arranged for the beach at St Aubin on the 12th at noon. The jockeys were two 'military gentlemen' Mr Aubin's in black and Mr de Carteret's in red. Many wagers had already been placed.

House theft

Pierre Romeril, native of St Lawrence, arrested by Centenier Renouf of St Peter, was presented in Court accused of having stolen various items from Mrs Le Couteur's house.

The accused admitted the theft and said that he was staying at the house when he entered one of her rooms which was open and took the items in question. His advocate pleaded that if he was held in prison his wife and six children, with another on the way, would suffer and have no bread. The Court found no reason not to remand him in custody and asked the Constable of St Lawrence to take measures to provide for the family's needs.

Brook fall

On the 3rd the sister of Francois Ballaine was fetching water from the book behind her house when she slipped and hit her leg on a rock. She was in such pain that she fainted and was taken away by the current. A neighbour saw her coming but could not stop here before she passed. He raised the alarm and several neighbours hurried to the rescue. She was recovered, still unconscious near Philippe Durell's house and taken to her brother, who knew nothing about her accident. It was first thought that she was dead but she regained consciousness and is expected to make a full recovery.

Road repairs

The States discussed the payment to soldiers employed to repair the island's roads and the Constable of Trinity complained that they did no work and that if the sums paid were provided to the individual parishes, they could do a much better job to the advantage of the public.

It was agreed that the 12 Constables should meet the committee responsible to decide how to proceed.

Fire

On Monday morning the 12th at about 7 o'clock the cellar of Amice Dolbel's house caught fire which grew rapidly. It was feared that it may spread to the neighbouring new houses. But two pumps and an adequate supply of water, plus the efforts of neighbours ensured that the fire was quickly extinguished, although considerable damage was done to the cellar.

Lotteries

The States have banned the use of all lotteries, raffles etc, to dispose of any merchandise. In addition to fines, and penalties for every ticket sold, those contravening the regulations would risk having their merchandise confiscated .

March

Prayer meeting assault

The Chef de Police of St Mary has reported to the Royal Court that on 18 February that at a prayer meeting at the house of the Rev Francois Perrot, Philippe Esnouf interrupted and punched Francois Amy several times. The Court ordered that he be seized and brought to justice.

Rozel Harbour

Amid concern that the removal of pebbles and gravel from Rozel Harbour is causing damage to the harbour, the barracks and possibly to adjoining houses and land, the States have prohibited all such activities, imposing a fine of 200 livres for each offence, half towards repairs to the harbour and half to any informant.

Military sheds

The States heard from the Commander in Chief that the military shed at St Mary was in ruins and should be repaired. The Constable of St Martin advised that the shed in his parish was also in need of repairs, and he was surprised that it had not collapsed during the winter. It was also said that the sheds in several other parishes needed major work.

Gorey harbour

The Constable of St Martin asked the States when work on the planned harbour at Gorey would commence because it was important to start in the current year. The issue appeared to be who was going to pay, but the Lieut-Governor produced a letter indicating that his request for funds had been favourably received and was currently with the Lords of the Treasury.

French shipwreck

The French naval vessel La Balance carrying women and children from Le Havre to St Malo, from where they were to be taken by frigate to their home at St Pierre et Miquelon, was wrecked on the night of the 23rd on the Dirouilles reef north of Rozel. The vessel had a crew of 24, and the 84 passengers were mainly women and children.

Although a small party of men managed to reach Rozel, by the time boats could be sent out to the wreck 36 persons had already died, including a baby of two months. Neither the Gazette nor the Chronique reports make it clear exactly how many of those on board were saved.

The lucky one were taken into the Rozel barracks and houses in the bay and well looked after until they could be taken to Granville and St Malo. These numbered a total of 61.

April

Lieut-Governor

The States met on the 2nd to consider a proposal to petition the UK Government to allow Sir Hilgrove Turner to remain in office. But Major General Sir Hugh Gordon had already been officially nominated to succeed him and the House was asked what he would say if he learned that they had petitioned against that nomination.

After a lengthy and at times bitter debate the proposal was carried by a large majority. A petition was also raised by the St Helier Assembly, but it was all in vain because Sir Hilgrove left office in 1816, after only two years, and was replaced by Sir Hugh, who would serve a five-year term.

School clothing

A further 23 boys and ten girls at the school for the poor have been chosen to receive clothes paid for out of the school fund. The accounts of the fund showed that interest on the original investments produced £60 and two donations brought the total for the year to £71 3s 6d, leaving a balance in hand of £16 7s 4½d after purchases of clothes and materials.

Jurat

There was considerable speculation following the death of Jurat Jacques Hammond, seigneur of Samares Manor on the 8th as to who would be chosen to succeed him. The Chronique reported that as many as eight names were being put forward as possible candidates, before the election on 21 April.

Jurat Hammond was first elected in February 1786, but this was challenged by Philippe Dumaresq, who stood against him but was defeated by a margin of 21 votes. Jurat Hammond was sworn in by the Royal Court, but Mr Dumaresq took his appeal to the Privy Council, which censured the Court and ordered it to rescind the appointment of Jurat Hammond.

The case dragged on until eventually Mr Dumaresq withdrew his challenge and Jurat Hammond was again sworn in in 1795, nine years after his election.

The candidates who were supported to contest the new election were Thomas Anley and Philippe Le Maistre.

Mr Anley won by 728 votes, but on the advice of the Procureur-General the court declined to swear him in because the Privy Council had endorsed a previous ruling of the Court that he was inadmissable. The exact reason for this was not disclosed and the Court ruled that the swearing-in should be suspended until the wishes of the Council had been determined.

The Privy Council eventually approved the election of Mr Anley and he was sworn in to become a controversial but much admired member of the Court and States.

Auberge theft

On the 15th a major theft was committed at George Asplet's auberge at Gorey. Oyster merchants staying there forgot to lock their room door and found two of their trunks opened. £100 was stolen from one of them and £84 from the other (a total of over £25,000 at 2024 values). A 20 guinea reward was offered for information leading to the identification and conviction of the thieves.

May

French forgers

Frenchmen Louis Vanier, Jean Jacques Le Marchand and Francois Thomas, who first appeared in the Royal Court in 1815 charged with forging and circulating banknotes were found guilty and sentenced to be pilloried before banishment for ever from the island.

Promotion

George Hooper, Captain of the 4th Town Regiment of the Militia for the past ten years, has been promoted to Colonel in place of Col Patriarche.

New Lieut-Governor

Major-General Sir Hugh Gordon, the new Lieut-Governor, arrived at St Helier on the Scout on the 8th and was accompanied by a guard of honour to Deal's Hotel, where he is staying until Government House is ready to receive him. He was sworn in at the Royal Court at noon the following day

Chicken theft

Frenchman Adrien Bouchart, accused of stealing chickens from Mr Lys at St John asked to be allowed to leave the island. The Court agreed and banished him for a year.

June

Elections

Philippe Le Couteur beat Mr Le Brocq by 79 votes to 47 in the election for Constable of St Peter. This did not stop Mr Le Brocq challenging the result, claiming that Mr Le Couteur had used illegal means to gain votes. The two parties were told to put their cases to the Greffier. An advert in the Chronique edition of 29 July was signed by all 79 of those who voted for Mr Le Couteur, and stated that they had not been 'constrained or forced by promises, menaces or other illegal means' to vote for him

Mr Le Montays beat another Le Brocq by 94 votes to 28 in the St Peter election for Centenier.

Jean Langlois was elected without opposition as Constable of St Lawrence.

July

Military sheds

Opposition to the repair of the parish military sheds was growing. A St Helier parish assembly voted unanimously to instruct the Constable to use all legal means to prevent a decision to repair the sheds at the cost of the public. It was suggested that they were no longer needed and should be sold off, to provide funds to finance the new prison.

The next sitting of the States debated a proposal to repair the St Mary shed. The debate was covered in full detail in the Chronique and Gazette which, most unusually, devoted the whole of their front pages and most of page two to the subject. The proposition was defeated by 15 votes to 12, and followed by the Constable of St Helier lodging a proposal to demolish all the parish sheds. A St Helier Assembly later passed a vote of thanks to those Members who had voted against funding repairs to the St Mary shed, followed a week later by a St Ouen assembly.

August

Carriage law

The Constable of St Helier, Thomas Duhamel, reminded carriage men that it was illegal to ride on any part of their carriages and carts drawn by more than one horse in the town streets.

Night disturbances

The Constable of St Helier has offered a reward to anyone identifying persons who cry 'Fire! Help!' in the middle of the night, disturbing residents in many town streets.

Militia petitions

Growing animosity among the population to the Militia has now manifested itself in the raising of petitions in each of the 12 parishes against the establishment of salaried inspectors and sergeants.

New Constable

Jean Arthur beat Philippe Vibert by 114 votes to 3 in a St Ouen election for a Constable to replace the retiring Philippe Syvret.

Labrador

It was reported on the 24th that four local vessels had safely arrived at Labrador: Swift, Capt Clement Le Touet; Duke of Wellington, Captain Jean Le Rossignol; Peggy, Capt Jean Nicolle; and Young Peggy, Capt Philippe Dupont.

Militia pay

Before the petitions above have been presented the establishment of paid Militia inspectors and sergeants has been reduced by the UK Government. The pay of the Inspector of Militia has been reduced to 10 shillings a day and the number of assistant inspectors has been reduced to one for each regiment at three shillings a day, rather than four. The daily pay of drill sergeants has been discontinued.

The six assistant inspectors are Capt Bouton, Lieut de Carteret, Capt Godfray, Lieut Seward, Capt Marett and Capt Noel.

The petitions now contain more than 3,000 signatures

Sentries

Numerous complaints have been received of daily ill-treatment of people by the sentries placed in the road opposite Government Offices. It is understood that the Commander in Chief is in the process of remedying these inconveniences.

St Peter election

Mr Le Brocq has withdrawn his objections to the swearing-in of Philippe Le Couteur, who beat him in the election for Constable (see above) and he was sworn in on the 7th.

September

Colonelcy

Without explanation the Prince Regent has annulled the appointment of Colonel Hooper as commander of the 4th Regiment of Militia, to replace Col Patriarche, and Lieut-Col Mallet has been promoted instead. The Chronique of 21 September contained a series of eight letters between Col Mallet and the outgoing Lieut-Governor Sir Hilgrove Turner explaining the underlying circumstances.

It transpires that the promotion to Colonel was first offered to the then Major Mallet in early 1815, both the Colonel and Lieut-Colonel of the Regiment having retired.

The promotion was declined and Major Mallet was promoted to Lieut-Colonel on 20 March 1815. He was offered the command of the regiment again in August 1815 and decided to accept with the support of his brother officers. He was subsequently addressed as Colonel in correspondence with Lieut-General Turner, and performed all the duties of commanding officer of the regiment.

On 1 May 1816 Sir Hilgrove formally announced the promotion of Captain Hooper to Colonel, causing Lieut-Col Mallet to write asking what he had done wrong to have been removed from command.

A further exchange of letters made it clear that Sir Hilgrove disapproved of orders having been given to part of the Town Regiment to hold themselves ready to assemble under arms. Lieut-Col Mallet explained that the proposal to fire a salute on the landing of Sir Hilgrove's successor, Major-General Gordon, had not originated with him and he had given orders that there should be no assembly, all before the announcement of Capt Hooper's promotion on 1 May.

Following the intervention of the Prince Regent Lieut-Col Mallet promotion to Colonel was announced on 17 September, together with the promotion of Major Clement Hemery to Lieut-Colonel and Captain Peter Simonet to Major. No mention was made of Capt Hooper's situation.

School examination

The general committee of the school for the poor has examined the children and awarded prizes to the best. Thomas Dawson was awarded first prize; William Waldron, second and William Boon, third. The next in order were Thomas Boon, John Ferrin, George Watson, George Drew, Edward Stone, Daniel Screaton, Joseph Knight and Thomas Vautier.

Awards were also made to Thomas de Ste Croix, Thomas Often Lite, Samuel Fowler, John Wright, Charles Jeune, Joseph Veslet and James John de Ste Croix.

A later announcement was made of prizes awarded to the school's girls. Sarah Knight won first prize; Lucy Welcher, second; and Mary Serl, third. The following were also awarded prizes of shoes, stockings or testaments: Nancy Le Ray, Elizabeth Custer, Isabella Fowler, Fanny Fowler, Margaret Le Ray, Amelia Short, Susan Marselle, Mary Ann Peters, Ann Le Brun, Sarah Fowler, Jane Blampied, Jane Jones, Charlotte Belford, Betsey Marett, Elizabeth Belford, Sally Mangy, Fanny Wyatt, Jane Eraux and Elizabeth Gaudin.

Promotions

The retirement of Sir Jean Dumaresq as Lieut-Bailiff has been announced. He will be succeeded by Procureur-General Thomas Le Breton. Jean Dumaresq is appointed Procureur and F J Le Couteur, Advocate-General.

October

Petitions

The parish petitions against the establishment of salaried inspectors and sergeants in the Militia were presented to the States on the 19th, with a total of 3,384 signatures. Because the Lieut-Governor had indicated that he would not forward the petitions to the Secretary of State at the Home Office, the States voted by 19 to 8 that the Greffier should do so.

Flogging

Benjamin Abram, found guilty of stealing £32 sterling (£4,500 at 2024 values) in notes and coins from the home of Mr Meader was sentenced to be whipped from the Court to the cemetery gate, and then to the prison, until blood showed, and then to be banished from the island for seven years.

School clothing

The boys and girls of the school for the poor identified as qualifying for provision of clothing were named as follows:

John Hart, Philip Lottillier, John Shave, Philip Norman, William Croissard, Joseph Veslet, William Boon, Thomas Boon, George William Lewis, Edward Stone, James Short, John Knight, Patty Farley, Susan Philip, Nancy Le Ray, Mary Le Ray, Mary Larbalestier, Jane Le Dain, James Veslet, John Farley, William Mangerey, John Basset, Samuel Fowler, William Jones, Saveri Blassere, Nancy Payn, Eliza Manning, Sally Farley, Fanny Wyate, Charlotte Bedford and Ann Minchington.

Following a church service with a sermon in favour of the school, a collection was taken which raised sufficient for each of the boys and girls to be given a new pair of shoes.

November

St Helier Militia

The controversy over the appointment of the commander of the St Helier Regiment of the Militia (see above) rumbled on after Col Cooper refused to surrender the regimental banners and the matter was brought before the Royal Court. Both the Chronique and the Gazzette devoted several columns to the background the the latest discussions.

There was discussion about whether the Lieut-Governor had the right to remove Col Cooper from command and replace him with Col Mallet, but eventually it was resolved to accept the decision of the Prince Regent that Col Mallet should command the regiment, it having been stated that during the period while he was in charge, Col Hooper performed with total satisfaction and the decision should not be considered in any degree as derogatory to his character.

The Court made it clear that the Lieut-Governor had the right to promote Militia officers, but not to demote, and that Col Cooper retained the rank to which he had been promoted. Concern was expressed that the letter requiring the Lieut-Governor to change the regiment's commander was not an official order from the Privy Council and that the whole affair raised important constitutional issues.

After the Court decided to approach the Prince Regent directly on the subject, Col Hooper indicated that he was prepared to release the banners.

December

Women's protest

Several poor women have complained the Lieut-Governor that their husbands were without work because of the large number of French workmen currently in the island, and that the quantity of potatoes exported had caused the price in the island to rise. They also raised their complaint with the Constable of St Helier who assured them that he would take the first opportunity to represent their case.

A St Helier assembly on the 13th voted 8,000 francs for payments to the poor until May 1817, and agreed to purchase 1,500 cabots of potatoes to distribute to the poor. It was also decided to start visits to the poor to continue throughout the winter. It was subsequently revealed that despite the exports, 82,000 cabots remained above the amount ordinarily required through the winter and into the following year.

During December meat and cash were distributed to poor families. Beef was donated by Philippe Janvrin.

Letters

The Gazette and Chronique have started publishing lists of people who have letters awaiting collection at the Post Office.

Harbour land

Land bordering the new Harbour quays was sold in 31 lots and the money raised will cover the construction costs.

Prison

At the end of the year nobody was held in prison accused of crime.