Old Catton :: Robert Rogers, Catton Place, The Firs

Nine years later in 1756 ‘Robert Rogers Citizen and Alderman of the City of Norwich bought his second piece of Copyhold land at Catton, adjacent to St Margaret’s Well. Two more adjacent pieces were bought in 1758 and 1767, and this is where Catton place was built.

In 1758 he was unanimously elected Mayor. Two years earlier, there was an election for mayor, Robert Rogers and Robert Harvey received the fewest votes and both called for a recount, which meant the Mayor did not get elected on the right day. Mayors were elected on the Feast of St Simon and St Jude – May 1^st – even when this fell on a Sunday, and the Mayor was installed on 21^st June, which was Charter Day. Robert Harvey and Robert Rogers were to become neighbours later at Catton.

NORWICH MERCURY 24^th JUNE 1758

‘On Tuesday last Robert Rogers Esq., a Gentleman universally Esteemed by his fellow Citizens was sworn Mayor of this City for the Year ensuing in the room of John Goodman Esq., late Mayor; . . . who received the thanks of the Corporation at their Assembly on Monday.’

The following day was the Anniversary of the Coronation of George II and traditionally one of the celebrations were parties given by Mayor and Sheriff. The same rituals happened every year but the best description of this day was the previous year so I have quoted that:

‘…being the Anniversary of His Majesty’s Inauguration, the Day was ushered in with the Ringing of Bells, Firing of Guns etc. The Mayor and Corporation went in the Fornoon to the Cathedral and heard a Sermon suitable for the Occasion: At Noon the Scots Greys were drawn up in the Market Place and fired Three Vollies in Honour of the Day. A Splendid Entertainment was given by the Mayor . . . and the Day concluded with every Demonstration of Joy’.

The following year:

‘. . . Robert Rogers Esq. and Thomas Churchman Esq., Sheriff(1), has each an Elegant Entertainment for their Friends . . . The same day Robert Rogers Esq. gave a Pound of Meat, a three-penny Loaf and a Quart of Beer to each Prisoner in the City Gaol.’

It is hard to know from the use of language in the Mercuries whether anything is meant by Goodman’s ‘splendid’ entertainment and Robert’s and Thomas Churchman’s ‘elegant’ ones. In view of the houses they both built one can well believe the word could have been descriptive. The following year Nockold Thompson is Mayor and the Mercury adds the words ‘in his own house’ for the party.

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1	Thomas Churchman was not Sheriff the year Robert Rogers was Mayor, but Thomas Churchman was Sheriff the previous year. Newspapers!

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