One guinea bounty offered to every able seaman at Yarmouth who would join the fleet to suppress the war with Spain. 1771. “Clappermen” appointed to watch the vessels in the Harbour, and prevent any fire or light being used on board. 1772. Jan. 11th. Henry Swinden, a diligent antiquary, who for twenty years collected and digested a large mass of information respecting his native town, author of “History of Great Yarmouth,” died, the same year his work was published, and while the last sheet was in the press, aged 55 years. (See 1776.) 1774. Charles Townshend, Esq., and the Hon. Richard Walpole returned to Parliament. Votes—T., 310; W., 310; W. Beckford, 218; Sir Charles Saunders, K.B., 216. In 1777, Charles Townshend, Esq., vacated his seat, but was returned with W. Beckford, Esq. Votes—T., 502; B., 199. The overseers’ account for the past year, ending at Easter, was—Money received, £2,694 16s.; money paid (including everything, and a new building at £201 10s.) left a balance in hand of £61 15s. 7d. 1775. The “Nine houses” at Southtown built by John Eggoty, on the site of public tea-gardens and cream house. 1776. “The History and Antiquities of Yarmouth,” by the Rev. Charles Parkin, M.A., Rector of Oxburgh, published. John Ives, F.R.S., F.S.A., died. He was born at Yarmouth in 1730, and became eminent for his skill in antiquarian science. He published “Manship’s History,” wrote the preface, and erected a marble monument in St. Nicholas’ Church to Manship’s memory. 1778. Dec. 4th. Theatre erected, and opened with the comedy of the _English Merchant_. Building cost £1,500. Renovated in 1828. 1779. Jan. 1st. A tremendous storm and flood, and much damage done to shipping. First Map of Yarmouth published by Mr. M. J. Armstrong. It was prepared by Swinden in 1722. 1780. March 6th. A Monthly Book Club established by the Rev. R. Turner, B.D. Armed Associations formed at Yarmouth. 1781. William Penn, a pirate, hanged in London, and afterwards put on a gibbet on the North Denes. Two batteries on the North Denes erected. 1782. A fort erected on Gorleston heights, armed with six 24-pounders and a battery of nine 18-pounders, for the defence of St. Nicholas’ Gat. An invasion expected. The Fisheries protected by an armed force. Parliamentary Reform agitated; and the town was filled with troops, much to the annoyance of the inhabitants. An Act passed for the better securing the duties payable on the importation of coal and cinders. The Norfolk Rangers first established. 1783. The celebrated John Wesley preached in Yarmouth, and on Oct. the 22nd opened a chapel. He paid the town several visits, the last in 1790, not five months before his death in 1791. Aged 87. Right Hon. C. Townshend re-elected to Parliament. 1784. First Census taken. Population 12,608. Two vessels fitted out for the Greenland whale fishery.