The 19th century in newspaper cuttings 1820

19th century Jersey
From the newspapers in 1820

The Le Constitutionnel appeared for the first time on 1 January 1820

Our history of 19th century Jersey from newspaper cuttings continues through 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 1819 are the Chronique de Jersey, the Gazette de l'Ile de Jersey published by Philippe Mourant, and 'a newcomer, Le Constitutionnel. The Gazette de Cesaree, whose articles have previously featured in our history, ceased publishing in 1819.

January

Murder charge

Thomas Thompson, a corporal in the 19th Regiment, has been charged with the murder of Daniel Patterson, a fellow soldier, in December. An inquest found that Patterson died after being struck on the head by one of more blows by the corporal, who was remanded in custody charged with murder.

Fire

A fire in the attic of Capt Le Grand's house on Pier Road was extinguished before it could cause much damage. The fire started when a ten-year-old boy caused his bed clothes to catch fire when going to bed. It was put out with the help of neighbours and garrison soldiers.

Dead in meadow

Guernesyman Pierre Tostivin, a carrier, was found frozen to death in a meadow belonging to Doctor Lerrier on the 6th. It was said that he had fallen in the meadow while drunk, fallen asleep and died because of the severe cold.

Hunter's fall

Charles Blampied, a Trinity landowner, was following a rabbit on the Bouley Bay coast on the 11th when he fell on the rough ground and broke a leg. Attempting to get up and move away from the edge he clutched a plant which gave way causing him to fall a second time, breaking the same leg again and fracturing his skull. People nearby were alerted by the barking of his dog and took him home taking all precautions. The future of this unfortunate hunter is not without apprehensions.

Town flooding

A thaw on the 17th and 18th, accompanied by heavy rain, caused flooding in parts of the town. On the morning of the 20th almost all the houses on the north of the new market were covered in water and their occupants were forced to abandon the ground floors and move upstairs. Parts of Don Street, New Street, Hue Street and Les Hemies were under water. From the La Motte fields to the Parade, everything was under water. In Seale Street the Faux Bie burst its banks with water flowing into several houses.

Banknote proposition

A parish assembly was held in St Saviour to consider the proposal before the States to regulate the issue of banknotes. The Constable was unanimously recommended to support the proposal and to do everything possible to protect the public from losses in the future.

February

Election result contested

Philippe Bailhache beat Jean Salmon by 11 votes in the contested election for Centenier of St Ouen, but the loser challenged the result, claiming illegal practices. He alleged that a large number of those voting for Mr Bailhache were not inscribed in the parish rate list.

Licences

The number of taverner's licences issued for the year is 223, divided as follows between the parishes: St Helier, 80; St John, 12; St Lawrence, 12; St Saviour, 13; Trinity, 16; St Brelade, 12; St Martin, 19; Grouville, 28; St Clement, 12; St Mary, 7; St Peter, 12

Proclamation

Following the arrival of notification of the death of George III, his son, George IV, was proclaimed King on the 5th in a ceremony in the Royal Square, by the Viscount.

On the day of the late King's funeral, all the island's shops remained closed and funeral services were held in all 12 parish churches.

Governor

Lieut-General William Carr Beresford has been appointed Governor of Jersey, in place of the John Pitt, Earl of Chatham, who has been appointed Governor of Gibraltar, following the death of the Duke of Kent. Lord Beresford would be the island's final Governor, serving until 1854, when the position was abolished in favour of only appointing a Lieut-Governor.

March

Cider imports

The States' decision to ban cider imports has been partially upheld by the Privy Council following an intervention by the Parish of St Helier. Imports from France remain banned but those of cider, apples and pears from Great Britain are allowed.

Shipwrecks

The schooner Rose, Captain Clement, having taken refuge off St Helier during a storm while on passage from St Malo to Guernsey, was wrecked on rocks behind the old jetty on the 2nd. All those on board were saved but the majority of the cargo was lost and the vessel badly damaged.

During the same storm the cutter Victoire, arriving from Guernsey with a cargo of beef was drifting towards the Mangeures rocks in the small roads, where it would undoubtedly have perished but for the assistance of the pilot boat of Philippe Renouf. She passed the night at anchor and entered the harbour in the morning.

April

English Harbour

Nobody has been found to take on the work of constructing a pier to create the proposed English Harbour at an acceptable price.

States letters

There was very little news in early April in the three weekly papers which provide this history, the States having been preoccupied with sending letters of condolence and thanks to various individuals. Replies were received from King George IV, thanking the States for expressing their condolence on the death of his father, King George III, and from the Duchess of Kent, on the death of her husband.

A lengthy letter of thanks was sent to the outgoing Governor, the Earl of Chatham (not Viscount or Count) as shown in some reports. He was praised for his role in ensuring the prosperity of the island during his term of office and congratulated on his promotion to be Governor of Gibraltar.

Finally a proposal was agreed to send a letter of thanks to the commanding officer of the 79th Regiment, whose time as the island's garrison regiment had ended. It was noted how well behaved the men of the regiment had been, with no complaints from the parishes of St Helier and St Peter, in which they had been garrisoned.

Gorey harbour

After a lengthy and at times heated debate on a proposal to complete work on an extension to the pier at Gorey, to provide for the needs of the growing oyster fishing fleet, the States agreed that the work should go ahead. The main point of contention was whether the work should be funded from the revenues of that port, or from all the island's harbours. It was eventually decided to proceed with the work and decide late how it should be financed.

Although Le Constitutionnel managed to include full coverage of the debate in its edition of 8 April, the other two newspapers spread it over two editions with near verbatim reports. The coverage of the Chronique de Jersey of the main debate, and a further discussion on the role of the committee appointed to oversee the work, occupied more than two full pages of its 15 April edition.

New road

The States were informed that in order to reduce the cost of the new road from St Helier to St John, material needed to be transported for its construction was being moved by soldiers with wheelbarrows rather than horses and carts.

Rozel rocks

A petition was presented to the States by the Constable of St Martin on behalf of several residents of his parish and Trinity, notifying that a subscription of 54 pounds sterling had been raised to quarry rocks in the harbour at Rozel to make it more suitable for oyster boats, but the work could not be completed and the States were asked to provide further funds.

Madame Vidamour

The notorious Madame Vidamour, who was banished from the island for three years a few months ago, for keeping an unregulated and scandalous house, has returned to the island. She is staying in a little presbytery house where she is carrying on her business.

After staying there a fortnight and refusing to leave, Mr Dupre, annoyed, through her furniture in the road when she was out. Vidamour's screams on her return caused a large gathering. The police arrested her and took her to court, which sent her to prison for a month on bread and water and then out of the island until her ban expires, on pain of corporal punishment.

Bankers

The following bankers have been authorised by the Royal Court to issue bank notes of one pound sterling:

• Janvrin, de Veulle, Simonet and Janvrin; guaranteed by Charles Durell and Pierre Simonet
• Amiraux and Company; guaranteed by Charles Chevalier and J Mathews
• Guillaume Patriarche; guaranteed by the Rev George du Heaume and Francois Payn
• Mathieu Alexandre; guaranteed by J Le Brocq and Francois Alexandre
• Philippe Godfray and Jean Ereaut; guaranteed by J Alexandre and Jean Orange