The 19th century in newspaper cuttings 1815
19th century Jersey
From the newspapers in 1815
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 1815 - the year of Napoleon Bonaparte's escape from captivity and the Battle of Waterloo, are the Chronique de Jersey now into its second 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
Grant for children
The year started with lengthy, verbose letters to the editor appearing to be more popular than true local news, but the Gazette de l'Ile de Jersey did have news of a major donation at the end of 1814 to the Society for the Education of the Infant Poor of the island. Sir John Dumaresq and James Hemery made a donation of £750 each, to be invested with the interest to provide 'solely and entirely towards the clothing and maintenance in clothing of as many children, whether boys or girls, as the said income will supply'.
To qualify for a grant the children had to have attended the school for two years at least from the age of six upwards, and to have been of good behaviour. They would be entitled to continue to receive support until the age of 14.
Shipwreck
On the 7th at about 5.30 pm the Leicester, leaving St Helier Harbour was wrecked on the Jumelles, rocks close to Elizabeth Castle. The ship and its cargo were almost entirely lost but all passengers and crew were saved. The following day the masts were cut off and two days later the wreck was towed into the harbour.
Banknotes
It was announced that the Act of the States of the previous November ordering the return of all banknotes in circulation in the island by 1 February had been suspended and that the notes continued in circulation.
Bakery fire
On the 16th the bakery at Samares Manor caught fire, but prompt action ensured that it did not spread to other buildings and it is hoped that some of the bakery equipment can be saved.
Bottle on beach
A wine bottle has been found on the beach at Plemont 'covered in animals called barnacles'. It was found by Jean Vibert while collecting vraic. It contained the message: 'This bottle contained claret, which was drunk by the officers of the sloop HMS Mutine on 2 September 1813'. The bottle was thrown overboard 500 leagues from Jersey and must have travelled at almost a league (5.5 kM) a day for 561 days.
The States
The States met to discuss the Privy Council's decision to suspend their Act requiring banknotes to be withdrawn from circulation to give time for the representations of three bankers to be heard. The Chronique devoted a whole page to its report of the sitting.
There ensued a lively debate over the Dean's suggestion that the Act should be repealed because it had not been generally welcomed but had served its purpose in alerting the public to the potential problems of banknote issues. The Constable of St Helier said that, on the contrary, the Act had been most welcome, and would the Dean have proposed repealing it if the petitions to the Council had been signed by those not as rich as Mr Janvrin and Mr Amiraux?
When the Dean's proposal was put to the vote it was approved by 12 votes to 11 and a committee was named to reconsider the Act and report back to the States.
After another long discussion the States decided to abandon for a year their proposal to continue Impots duties at the same level as during time of war. A committee was appointed to prepare a response to the Privy Council on the petition to abandon duties on imported cider and beer.
The Chronique report of the sitting suggests that discussion on three or four major issues revolved around the opinions of the Dean, the Constable of St Helier and the Seigneur d'Avranches.
Lieut-Bailiff
The Royal Court received a letter from Lord Carteret, Bailiff of Jersey, written after representations from Lieut-Bailiff Sir John Dumaresq that the public service suffered during his absence from the island or illness and naming Jurat Thomas Pipon to carry out his functions in his absence,
Gallichan brothers
Edward de Louche, husband of Elizabeth, nee Meckham, brought a remonstrance to the Royal Court against brothers George and Francois Gallichan, who had been convicted in 1814 of breaking into her home and assaulting her, and claiming 400 livres damages for surgeon's fees, etc. The Court ruled that because they had been convicted and sentenced, this was entirely a civil matter. It also ruled that the two-month sentences imposed on the brothers were months of four weeks rather than calendar months and that because the time had elapsed, the men were freed.
February
Butcher's death
On the night of the 4-5th English butcher Benjamin Mitchell was found in a pool of his own blood at the door of his lodgings and having survived only a few days, he was buried on the 10th. The cause of this is unknown, some suggesting that it had been caused by a blow to his head, others by a fall.
Banknotes
Before the States proceeded with another debate on the subject of banknotes, the President asked Members to avoid all animosity in their discussion, to avoid the debate becoming overheated. It was his responsibility to maintain the dignity of the House but he could not do so without support. He urged Members not to lose site of the object of their debate.
The Rev Francois Ricard said that the previous Act of the States to ban the issue of banknotes without a licence had the effect of legalising paper money rather than abolishing it. It was pointed out that the recommendation of the committee named to examine the issue proposed the same as the Act. The discussion revolved around the degree to which bankers should be required to guarantee their notes.
In the course of a lengthy debate to which the Chronique devoted a full page, the Constable of St Helier proposed that the report of the committee be lodged au Greffe and a copy be provided to each Member. This proposal was carried.
The subject was discussed by the next St Helier assembly, along with other matters recently lodged, and it was decided that the Act already passed requiring licensing of banknote issuers was the best answer to problem of having too many in circulation. The Constable was charged to support the continuation of the Act and to report back to the assembly if any change was proposed.
On the 25th the States resumed debate on the issue and rejected a proposal by the Seigneur d'Avranches to repeal the existing act. However, the Procureur-General spoke of the difficulty of establishing the value of any guarantees given by the bankers and eventually it was decided to maintain the requirement for them to be licensed with the sole requirement being that they maintain an office in the town of St Helier on six days a week from 10 am to 3 pm.
Soldier's death
On the 22nd a drummer named William Specks, of the 2nd Battalion of the 57th Regiment was drawing water from the well at the harbour barracks when he lost his footing and fell into the well, and drowned.
March
Imports
The States agreed to maintain import duties on wines and spirits at the same level as during wartime and expressed the hope that this would be endorsed by the Privy Council by the 25th when the increase would be due on those wines and spirits already in the island and those still to arrive. The decision was duly endorsed by the desired date, but an extension of only a year was granted.
It was agreed to maintain the ban on the import of live cattle from France.
Troops invade town
On the evening of the 3rd a troop of soldiers armed with bayonets and sticks arrived at about 7pm at Mr Gallichan's shop seeking the release of officers detained by Centenier Chevalier for disturbing the peace. They illtreated all those they encountered in front of the shop and spread through the town, sowing terror and causing many inhabitants to close their shops.
The Constable called out the police and went to the Commander in Chief, who accompanied the Constable and the police to the harbour barracks. Those who had carried out the disturbance could not be identified.
The following evening a number of soldiers were in the town with bayonets and sticks. They passed through the town turning out lights and closing shops. The police were ready and armed and His Excellency came to see for himself what was happening and arrested the officer of the watch near the cemetery. He went again to the barracks and stones were thrown, one injuring a soldier.
New election
The contest for Constable of St John has reached an amicable conclusion. The Greffier has declared to the Court that there were an equal number of votes for Jean Nicolle and Pierre Dallain. The Court ordered a new election and Mr Nicolle has been sworn in as Constable, and Mr Poingdestre as Centenier.
Theft
On the night of the 13th the house occupied by Thomas Bisson below the old market was entered and a quantity of linen clothes and stockings worth 700 livres was stolen. Two soldiers were seized by the Constable of St Helier the following morning and taken to prison after some of the stolen items were discovered near them on the beach behind the barracks.
April
War
News reached the island in the middle of the month that the allies had all declared war on Bonaparte after his escape from Elba and return to France at the head of the army. All French foreigners who had arrived in the island since 1 April were required to attend Edouard Anley's office to declare where they were living in the island.
A dozen frigates and brigs have been appointed to the island station and the frigate Horatio and corvette Hazard have anchored in the roads after arriving from Portsmouth.
It has been announced, however, that there has been a declaration of peace with the United States of America.
Captain detained
Philippe Le Feuvre was walking near the entrance to the old market at 9pm on the 10th when he was approached by Captain W Wildey, of the 19th Regiment, who seized his collar without any provocation, tore his clothes and ordered soldiers to take him the guardroom. When he demanded an explanation of what was being done he was first released, and then taken again to the guardroom and held there.
He would probably have remained all night if Centenier Chevalier had not searched for him and released him. Captain Wildey was brought to the Court to answer for his behaviour with a claim against him of five hundred pounds sterling.
Centenier charged
Pierre Gruchy, one of the Centeniers of St John, was charged with selling liquor without a licence. But after several witnesses had testified that they never paid for nor seen liquor at his house, it transpired that he had let a part of it to Mrs Elizabeth Aubert, who had a licence to sell alcohol. Mr Gruchy was discharged.
Publishers sued
All was not well in the relationship between Jersey's newspaper publishers. Philippe Mourant, publisher of the Gazette de l'Ile de Jersey brought a remonstrance against the publishers of the Chronique and Gazette de Cesaree alleging that they had published a notice intending to ruin him in the eyes of the public, and claiming £2,000 sterling against each of them (£300,000 at 2024 values).
Chapel
The foundations of an Anglican chapel were laid in New Street before a gathering of many Jurats and very respectable people. It is hoped that the building will be complete within a year and will house 1,000 people.
May
Carriage accident
Mr and Mrs Coutanche, of St Mary were driving their carriage down Mont Felard, with Mr Coutanche on horseback when the carriage horse bolted. The carriage hit the wall and Mrs Coutanche was thrown out, her head squashed beteen the wall and carriage wheel, killing her in a few minutes.
The carriage passed over Mr Coutanche's body killing him as well. They were the parents of five children, one just six weeksold.
Drowning
On the 11th Philippe Blampied, Abraham Le Feuvre dit Filiatre and John Dupre were returning to their anchored boat at St Aubin, having landed their catch ashore, when their dinghy overturned, throwing them out and causing them to drown. The were aged about 36, all three fathers of young families, each leaving four infant children.
Explosion
Also on the 11th, Jean Huard and Charles de Ste Croix were quarrying stone on Huard's land near the Blue Barracks when a mine exploded, seriously injuring both of them. They both lost vision for several days but it is believed that they will both recover fully.
Prison
The cost of building the new prison was becoming a major issue, with insufficient funds available to the States to finance the interest payments and more money needed to complete the work. A St Helier parish assembly to decide how the Constable should vote heard that the island's prison, first at Mont Orgueil Castle and lately at the eastern entrance to the town, had been the responsibility of the Crown and there had been no consultation before the States decided to go ahead and build a new prison.
French residents
All French currently in the island are required to report every fortnight to Edouard Anley on the orders of the Commander in Chief, to declare where they and their families are living, or risk being deported. There is concern that French spies may attempt to enter the island or are already there.
Victory
The English victory over Bonaparte at Waterloo was announced in the Chronique of 24 June. In the following days there were arrivals of French officers on English Navy vessels, all gathering at Grouville barracks. There was speculation that the newcomers were by no means exclusively Royalist and that there were Bonaparte supporters among them.
July
Review
At a review of the young men attached to the Militia by the Lieut-Governor, Sir Hilgrove Turner, part of the annual review of Militia detachments, the following were awarded prizes:
- Infantry: Thomas Le Brun, St Peter; Jean Mourant, St Helier; Josue Le Gros, St Peter; James Le Gallais, St Helier; George Tourgis, St John; Edouard Hamon, St Lawrence.
- Artillery: George Ball, St Saviour; Philippe Helleur, St Brelade
Waterloo
Islanders were asked to participate in the subscription for the benefit of widows and children of soldiers killed in the victory of Waterloo.
Jurat's death
Edouard Le Maistre, Seigneur of St John, and the oldest Jurat of the Royal Court, died at the age of 91, having been appointed Jurat in 1764 and occupied the position for 51 years, two months and 24 days. He had not been involved in the business of the Court for some ten years. His funeral attracted a large cortege, not seen in the island for some considerable time.
Prison
Concern over the construction of the new prison and its costs has been raised by the Privy Council and the States have been asked to report on the process, from its outset several years ago.
Election for Jurat
The election for a Jurat to succeed the late Edouard Le Maistre took place on 30 July and Philippe d'Auvergne was elected with 556 votes, beating the 117 of Philippe Le Maistre, and a combined vote of 16 for the four other candidates. It was only in Trinity that the winner polled fewer votes than his main contestant.
August
Shipwreck
The brig Jane became the latest of many vessels to perish in the St Helier roads, having struck a rock while attempting to enter the harbour. The crew were all saved but the boat and cargo were badly damaged, although it is hoped to salvage them and the boat has been taken into the Harbour.
Court
Jane Davis was charged with disturbing the public peace with violent behaviour in the new market road on the 1st of the month. She was sent to prison to be banished from the island for a period of three years.
Michael Twhoy, a soldier in the 8th Battalion of Royal Veterans was accused of theft from the house of A de Ste Croix. He claimed that he was drunk when he committed the crime. He was sentenced to be whipped from the Royal Court to the cemetery gate and then to the prison, until he started bleeding.
Elizabeth Dougall, who had been in prison since 8 March accused of having stolen a chicken, was sentenced to eight days prison on bread and water.
Quarry death
On the 12th at Perruque Quarry in St John several people were quarrying and a mine with a strong charge detached an enormous block of stone, weighing some 30 tons, when it exploded. A nearby bank was undermined and was seen to be falling some minutes later. It engulfed Elie Josue Simon, who did not have the chance to save himself and only lived for another hour. Several other people were severely injured.
Customs boats
Following representations by makers of English silk, two customs boats are currently active in the bays of St Aubin and Grouville. Nobody is allowed to disembark from vessels in these bays before a thorough inspection by customs officers.
The Channel Island naval station has been abolished. The majority of naval vessels have already sailed for England and the remainder of the frigates will depart soon, with Admiral Sir Thomas Freemantle, commander in chief of the station.
September
Fort death
On the 7th Mrs Willis, wife of Ensign Willis, of the 8th Battalion of Veterans, was returning from taking tea on board a transport at St Aubin's Fort; 'because the night was so obscure' on walking along the jetty she lost her footing and fell below. She died on the spot.
School proposal
Having been asked by Sir Jean Dumaresq to start a school in St Peter using Dr Bell's system, the Constable, Jean Pipon, announced that steps were being taken to establish whether St Anastase School could adapt to this system on behalf of St Peter and the other four western parishes from which it accepts children. It was later reported that a St Ouen assembly had unanimously resolved to make no change to the system in use at St Anastase.
Coastal defence
A report calling on the States to undertake work to protect the coast of St Clement was lodged au Greffe after some discussion on whether individual owners should undertake the necessary work to protect their own properties.
High tide
The high tide on 4 October was forecast to reach 41 foot 4 inches, the highest known, and owners of facing properties were urged to make the necessary preparations to protect the coastline.
Hospital
On the 23rd the States unanimously approved the hospital committee's proposal that £10 should be payable annually to the treasurer of the Public School on the basis that the children at the hospital received free education at the school.
It was also agreed that a more humanitarian approach should be taken to the running of the hospital with a man and a woman appointed as administrators and food of the best quality and sufficient quantity should be provided for the inmates.
October
Gorey Harbour
A report to the States recommended the establishment of a port at Gorey at a cost of £2,000. Debate on the harbour committee's report descended into a procedural argument typical of recent States sittings and detailed discussion was brought to a halt at 2.30 with the House due to meet again in two days. The Chronique had adopted a policy of near verbatim reports of States sittings, in contrast to the Gazette, which tended to ignore them altogether.
Re-elections
Thomas Duhamel was unanimously re-elected Constable of St Helier with 314 votes. Philippe Du Heaume was unanimously re-elected Centenier in St Ouen.
St Anastase
A large petition raised in St Peter calling on St Anastase school to revert to its original footing, with instruction provided free of charge was presented to the States by the Rector, the Rev Francois Ricard. The Constables of St Ouen, St John, St Lawrence and St Mary, the other parishes making up the catchment area for the school, indicated that they would be bringing similar petitions to the House.
November
Arms delivery
A transport vessel arrived at St Aubin's Harbour carrying 5,000 rifles and 360,000 cartridges.
Headmaster quits
George Matthew resigned as headmaster of the Society for Educating the Infant Poor and was thanked for his service by the committee. He has been replaced by a Mr Powell.
Grosnez death
On the 6th Pierre Vibert was hunting near Grosnez Castle when he moved too close to the edge of the cliff and fell to his death on the rocks below. He was discovered with many broken bones and horribly mutilated. He leave a widow and two young children.
Privy Council petition
A petition to the Privy Council by the Constables of Trinity, St Brelade and St John to remove an Act of the States from October 1813 imposing a levy on the whole island of 25,000 livres, because the original proposition was not lodged au Greffe as required by the 1771 Code of Laws has been upheld.
School clothing
The first distribution of clothing for the pupils of the school for poor children following donations to permit this at the start of the year (see above) has taken place. The names of 23 girls and 26 boys were put forward by the head teachers.
Dinner for Constable
A 'sumptuous' dinner was held at Deal's Hotel on the 15th in honour of Thomas Duhamel, recently re-elected Constable of St Helier, to thank him for his service to the parish and the island in the previous three years.
Poultry theft
Frenchman Adrien Bouchard has been arrested by St Helier police and remanded to prison charged with the theft of a number of chickens from Major Lys and having sold them to other Frenchmen the following morning.
Forged notes
Louis Vanier, Francois Thomas and Jean Jacques Le Marchand, all French, appeared in the Royal Court charged with circulating counterfeit banknotes supposedly carrying the signature of A de Ste Croix. Vanier was found guilty of the offence and his two co-accused were cleared.
Strangers' market
A proposal has been put to the States to build a market for foreigners (etrangers). The Constable of St Helier explained that the intention was to allow them to do business there, rather than going from door to door selling their wares.
Accidents
On the 27th Jean Larbalestier was working on the new chapel building in New Street when he fell some 30 feet from the scaffold and died from his injuries. He leaves a large family, including two infants.
The following day a soldier of the 13 regiment garrisoned at the Harbour barracks was drawing water from the well when the wooden beam holding the cord fell and hit him on the head. Although he was quickly brought out of the water, the blow had killed him.
That afternoon a six-year-old child called Gallichan was accidentally kill by a rifle shot. He was at school and a Mr Gruchy, returning from hunting, left his rifle against a wall. It fell and discharged, killing the child.
December
Boat taken
The French boat L'Anguille which was under seizure at St Helier was taken away by persons unknown. The Commissioners of His Majesty's Customs have offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
Advocate dies
Charles Poingdestre, the senior advocate, has died at the age of 75, after a short illness. He has been involved in public affairs for about 50 years.
Fewer public houses
A St Helier assembly decided to recommend to the Royal Court a reduction in the number of licensed premises in the parish from 123 to 80.
