Miss Susan Gay's Falmouth chronology

A chronology of the town of Falmouth was described by Miss Susan E. Gay in Old Falmouth (1903), pages 230–238.

Before the eighteenth century

 * 9th century. Pendennis supposed to have been fortified by the Danes.
 * 1120 The naming of Gyllyngvase.
 * 1403 Manor of Arwenack acquired by the Killigrew family, temp. Richard II; Landing of the Duchess Dowager of Bretagne at Falmouth Haven, on her way to wed Henry IV.
 * 1538 Old Fort erected on Pendennis Point; oldest (existing) fortification of Pendennis built.
 * 1542 St. Mawes Castle built.
 * 1542–44 Pendennis Castle built, temp. Henry VIII. Sir John Killigrew first Governor, which office he retained until 1567.
 * 1544 Supposed date of Henry VIII's visit to the two castles.
 * 1552 Date of Sir Walter Raleigh's visit.
 * 1567 Arwenack manor house built by John Killigrew.
 * 1600 Ale-house called "Penny-come-quick," near Greenbank quay, established by Mr. Pendarves' servant."
 * 1600 Arwenack House, and a few fishermen's huts, all that were built (1550 has also been mentioned as the date, possibly of the erection of the house).
 * 1613 Date of the rise of Falmouth; Sir John Killigrew's plan.
 * 1613 Petitions of Truro, Penryn and Helston to James I against its progress.
 * 1619 Sir John established a lighthouse at the Lizard.
 * 1620 Visitation of the Heralds.
 * 1642 Prince Charles (Charles II) at Pendennis Castle, protected by the Governor, John Arundel.
 * 1644-5 Duke of Hamilton confined in Pendennis Castle.
 * 1644 Queen Henrietta Maria at Pendennis Castle on her way to France.
 * 1646 Pendennis Castle besieged by Cromwell's forces under Sir Thomas Fairfax, in March, and Arwenack House partly destroyed by fire. Surrendered in August 1646.


 * 1650 The Custom-house removed from Penryn to Falmouth, near the Market Strand.
 * 1652 Markets established by Sir Peter Killigrew.
 * 1655 George Fox (the founder of the Quakers) visited Falmouth.
 * 1660 The names of Smithike and Penny-come-quick changed to Falmouth by Charles II's proclamation, 20 August.
 * 1660 William Killigrew created a baronet.
 * 1660 A prison built.
 * 1661 October 5. Charter of the Incorporation of Falmouth granted by Charles II.
 * 1661 A quay authorised.
 * 1662 Parish church built; opened 1663; consecrated 1664.
 * 1662 An Independent Congregation formed by Thomas Tregosse.
 * 1663 Register of baptisms at Falmouth Church commences.
 * 1664 Registers of marriages and burials commence.
 * 1664 Falmouth Parish separated from Budock and Gluvias by Act of Parliament.
 * 1664 Falmouth Parish Church consecrated by Dr. Seth Ward, Bishop of Exeter.
 * 1664 Two hundred houses in Falmouth.
 * 1664 (or 61) Earldom of Falmouth created by Charles II.
 * 1670 Society of Friends (Quakers) first established.
 * 1670 Sir Peter Killigrew built a new quay near Arwenack.
 * 1670 Baptist Society established.
 * 1684 Chancel built at east end of Parish Church, by Walter Quarme, rector.
 * 1686 Gallery built at west end of Parish Church by Sir Peter Killigrew and Mr. Bryan Rogers.
 * 1688 Falmouth became a Packet station.
 * 1696 Constitution of Falmouth drawn up and adopted.
 * 1699 Gallery on north side of Parish Church, built by contributions.
 * Close of 17th century, 350 houses in Falmouth

Eighteenth century

 * 1703 Gallery on south side of Parish church built, and also organ at west end.
 * 1704 Sir Peter Killigrew (second) d. at Ludlow, Shropshire, 8 January. Interred in Falmouth Church.
 * 1705 Five Packets sailed between Falmouth and the West Indies.
 * 1709. The Mayor and Corporation of Falmouth established their claim against Truro to the jurisdiction of Falmouth harbour. (1703/4 also given)
 * 1713–15 Independent Chapel erected in Prince Street.
 * 1715 Congregational Chapel built; enlarged 1789.
 * 1717 Pendennis Castle struck by lightning and seriously damaged.
 * 1723 Independent Chapel in High Street.
 * 1725 Town Hall in High Street given by Mr. M. L. Killigrew, a brick building, previously a chapel.
 * 1737-8 Granite pyramid built by Mr. M. L. Killigrew, near Arwenack.
 * 1740 Large church bell provided by Mr. M. L. Killigrew.
 * 1745 John Wesley at Falmouth.
 * 1748 Fairs at Falmouth; July and October.
 * 1749 Alterations made at the Parish Church, probably to the tower, etc.
 * 1750 Seamen's Hospital established.
 * 1750 Church enlarged at West End.
 * 1750 Between 500 and 600 houses in Falmouth.


 * 1751 Freemasons Lodge (of Love and Honour) established (the "Mother Lodge" of the Province).
 * 1753 New Independent Chapel built in High Street.
 * 1754 Methodists first established in Falmouth by John Wesley.
 * 1757 Benjamin Franklin landed at Falmouth on his way to America.
 * 1766 First Jews' Synagogue, near Mount Sion.
 * 1769 Baptist Chapel in Well Lane.
 * 1779 Death of Joan Davis, aged 101.
 * 1780 Mrs. Ann Davell's Charity of £9 per annum to poor widows or their sons.
 * 1781 Falmouth Bank established; Joseph Banfield and Co., afterwards Came, Lake and Co.
 * 1781 October 25. A fire, which caused distress to twenty-five families.
 * 1785 New Custom House built near Arwenack.
 * 1788 August 16. A great fire in Church Street, extending up Well Lane, and as far as the present Public Rooms.
 * 1789 Grove Hill House begun.
 * 1790 New Independent Chapel in High Street; Mr. Wildbore, minister.
 * 1791 Methodist (or Wesleyan) Chapel in Killigrew Street, enlarged in 1814, organ in 1859; great thunderstorm; Trescobeas and ships in harbour struck.
 * 1792 August 21. Great fire which destroyed forty-two houses and the theatre.
 * 1792 Market-house re-built owing to insecurity of the old foundation.
 * 1792 Sunday Schools founded from 1792 to 1810.
 * 1793 Death of Catherine Freeman, aged 117.
 * 1794 A brew-house built, disclosing a bed of beach sand under the ground.
 * 1795 Crab Quay and Half Moon batteries built below the Castle.
 * 1795 The Crown purchased the land on which the Castle stands (about sixty acres), from Sir John Wodehouse.
 * 1797 Pendennis Volunteer Artillery commissioned.
 * 1798 Organ placed in the gallery of the Parish Church.
 * 1799 Baptist Chapel built.
 * 1800 The Church tower raised for the clock.

1801–1810

 * 1801 Falmouth population: 4,849. 1801–11: 719 houses.
 * 1801 Illuminations on peace being proclaimed.
 * 1801 Cornwall Gazette and Falmouth Packet started.
 * 1802 Richard Pidgeley bequeathed £5 per annum for distribution of bread to the poor, from the estate of Mulberry Square, for 1,000 years.
 * 1802 Church Charity School founded for girls, and in 1804 for boys.
 * 1803-5 Friends' Meeting-house built in Quay Street.
 * 1803 Roman Catholic Mission founded.
 * 1804 Baptist Chapel built in Webber Street; enlarged in 1807 and re-built in 1814; and enlarged by a gallery, 1834.
 * 1805 Methodist Sunday School.
 * 1806 Cornish Naval Bank (afterwards Cornish Bank), opened in Church Street.
 * 1806 Second Jews' Synagogue built on Forhan Hill.


 * 1807 April 3. Public Dispensary opened.
 * 1807 Misericordia Society founded by Lieut.-Governor Melvill.
 * 1808 October 9. Expedition under Sir David Baird of 150 transports carrying between 12,000 and 13,000 men, convoyed by H.M.S. Louis, Amelia and Champion. On 13th entered Corunna Harbour.
 * 1809 Celebration of fifty years reign of George III.
 * 1809 Church Sunday School founded by the Rev. R. H. Hitchins and Captain Melvill.
 * 1809 The harbour pilots regulated by the Trinity Board.
 * 1809 A Basking shark 31 ft long caught at Penryn.
 * 1809 Second Freemasons' Lodge founded, "Love and Unity." Other orders.
 * 1809 National Schools on Wodehouse Terrace.
 * 1810 Charitable Society founded.
 * 1810 Widows' Retreat founded by Lord Wodehouse and Mr. Samuel Tregelles.
 * 1810 Mutiny of the Packets-men.
 * 1810 Baptist Sunday School.

1811–1820

 * 1811 Howellian Girls' Free School; Boys' ditto; organised by Miss Howell.
 * 1811 Bible society established.
 * 1812 Lord Clinton, bearer of the news of the victory of Salamanca, on 21 July.
 * 1812 Death of John Zouster, aged 105.
 * 1812 Unitarian Society founded.
 * 1812 Parish Church lengthened one-third at east end, at a cost of £1,643.
 * 1812 250 sail sheltered from a storm in Falmouth Harbour, convoyed by several of H.M's. ships.
 * 1812 Lancastrian Boys' School established.
 * 1812 Accident at the Parish Church, causing loss of several lives, 29 November.
 * 1812 Removal of the Market.
 * 1813 Market-house built by Lord Wodehouse.
 * 1813 British Girls' School founded at Smithick Hill.
 * 1813 Humane Society founded.


 * 1814 Proclamation of peace and rejoicings in Falmouth, 2 November..
 * 1814 The Queen transport wrecked at Trefusis Point on her way home from Lisbon to Plymouth, and 195 persons drowned.
 * 1814 Adult School founded.
 * 1814 Infant School founded.
 * 1815 Between thirty and forty Packets sailing to and from Falmouth.
 * 1815 Napoleon brought into Falmouth Harbour on board HMS Northumberland.
 * 1817 Provident Institution for the relief of poor in winter founded.
 * 1817 Falmouth Savings Bank founded.
 * 1818 Unitarian Chapel built in the Moor.
 * 1819 Cornish Naval Bank carried on by Messrs. Praed, Rogers, Tweedy, and Williams.
 * 1819 First Gas-Works established by Mr. Wynne.
 * 1820 Roman Catholic Chapel built on Green Bank (formerly in Well Lane).

1821–1830

 * 1821 850 houses, and 7,000 population.
 * 1824 Classical and Mathematical School built, Headmaster, Rev. T. Sheepshanks. Endowed 1892 by a bequest from Miss Curgenven, aunt of H. M. Jeffery, F.R.S.
 * 1825 Loss of the E.I.C. ship Kent by fire in the Bay of Biscay, on 24 February: 547 persons rescued and brought in the Cambria to Falmouth.
 * 1826 Public Reading and News Rooms built and opened in Church Street.
 * 1826 Swanpool tunnel made.
 * 1827 National School on Mount Sion opened, including Church Charity School, through the exertions of the Rev. L.Mathias and Mr. B. B. Falck, jun.
 * 1827 Fire at Quay Street, and another at Tregedna.
 * 1827 900 houses, and over 8,000 inhabitants.


 * 1827 Visit of H.R.H. the Duke of Clarence, Lord High Admiral, in the Royal Sovereign yacht, and inspection of the Packets.
 * 1827-8 Penwerris Church built.
 * 1828 Donna Maria da Gloria, second Queen of Portugal, landed at Falmouth, 27 September.
 * 1828-9 Losses of the Redpole, Hearty, Arid, and Myrtle Packets.
 * 1828 Disaster at a Falmouth ball.
 * 1829 Falmouth Packet and Cornish Herald started (discontinued in 1848).
 * 1829 Wesleyan Chapel in Porhan Street built.
 * 1830 Bible Christian Chapel built on Smithick Hill.

1831–1840

 * 1831 The ex-Emperor and Empress of Brazil visited Falmouth (on board the Volage).
 * 1832 United Borough of Penryn and Falmouth incorporated, returning two MPs. In 1885 Flushing added, and the representation reduced to one. St. Mawes disfranchised.
 * 1832 Steam Packet to Lisbon twice a month.
 * 1832 Primitive Methodist Chapel built in Chapel Terrace; enlarged by gallery in 1836.
 * 1833 Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society founded and Public Library.
 * 1833 Cholera at Falmouth.
 * 1834 Polytechnic Hall built.
 * 1834 Act creating Unions passed; meetings of Guardians shortly after.
 * 1834 St. Anthony's lighthouse begun.
 * 1835 The cone and iron standard on the Black Rock built by the Trinity House.


 * 1835 Municipal Corporations Act 1835 passed.
 * 1835 Lieut.-Governorship of Pendennis Castle abolished.
 * 1836 Meridian Stone placed in field near Beacon.
 * 1836 The Killigrew obelisk removed to the top of the old ropewalk.
 * 1837 The office of Governor of Pendennis Castle abolished.
 * 1837 Some forty Packets sailing to and from Falmouth.
 * 1838 Rev. William J. Coope, Rector of Falmouth.
 * 1840 Gyllyngdune House built by the Coope family.

1841–1850

 * 1842 Governorship of St. Mawes Castle abolished.
 * 1843 Queen Victoria and Prince Albert visited Falmouth, 1 September, Mr. Joseph Fox, Mayor.
 * 1845 Oddfellows' Lodge opened.
 * 1845 Destructive fire at the Market Strand in January.
 * 1846 Second visit of Queen Victoria and the Prince Consort on 14 September, in steam yacht Victoria and Albert. Mr. R. R. Broad, Mayor.


 * 1846 County Court founded: held in Old Town Hall (now Oddfellows' Hall).
 * 1847-8 Falmouth Water-works established.
 * 1848 Western Provident Association founded.
 * 1848 Atheneum Library and Museum founded.
 * 1848 Penwerris made a District Church.
 * 1849 British and Foreign Sailors' Society founded-Seamen's Bethel and Institute.
 * 1849 Vestry added on north side of Parish Church.
 * 1850 Falmouth ceased to be a Packet Station.

1851–1860

 * 1851 H.M.S. Astrea left Falmouth Harbour.
 * 1851 Union Workhouse founded.
 * 1852 Royal Cornwall Sailors' Home founded.
 * 1852 Art Union formed in connection with the Roryal Cornwall Polytechnic Society.
 * 1852 Swanpool Mine first worked, 16 March.
 * 1853 Congregational Chapel built in High Street.
 * 1853 July 23. 149 vessels for orders in Falmouth under 21 different flags.
 * 1853 Town Mission established.


 * 1855 Young Men's Christian Association.
 * 1855 Lake's Falmouth Packet started.
 * 1857 Falmouth Cemetery laid out; consecrated (church ground) in 1857.
 * 1857 Electric Telegraph Company opened a station in Arwenack Street.
 * 1858 H.M.S. Russell, training-ship, at Falmouth.
 * 1859 Cornwall Railway opened to Truro.
 * 1860 The Docks begun.
 * 1860 Mail S.S. Hungarian lost with all hands, including G. P. Nash, of Falmouth, mail master.
 * 1860 Greenwich Time generally adopted at Falmouth.
 * 1860 Falmouth Archery Club.

1861–1870

 * 1861 Parish Church provided with three bells.
 * 1861 Repairs at Parish Church, Sir Peter Killigrew's vault seen, 24 April.
 * 1861 Foresters' Court opened.
 * 1861 The Duke and Duchess de Montpensier arrived in a Spanish Man-of-War, 5 July.
 * 1861 Missions to Seamen commenced.
 * 1861 Maria Camilla Training School for girls founded.
 * 1862 Testimonial to Mr. T. H. Tilly, for his work in behalf of the Docks.
 * 1862 Penny Savings Bank opened.
 * 1862 Falmouth Debating Society.
 * 1862 H.R.H. Prince Arthur visited Falmouth.
 * 1862 April 12. Great fire in High Street, destroying thirty houses. A smaller fire same year in Church Street.
 * 1863 Falmouth adopted the Local Government Act.
 * 1863 Gyllyngdune sold by Rev. W. J. Coope to Mr. Sampson Waters for £10,000.
 * 1863 Old Rectory premises sold for £720.
 * 1863 August 21. Railway opened to Falmouth; town decorated and illuminated; and great whale 75 ft long, and 25 ft round, towed in from Cadgwith.
 * 1863 Catholic and Apostolic (Irvingite) Church closed.
 * 1864 New Town Hall begun.
 * 1864 April 7. General Garibaldi in Duke of Sutherland's yacht, at Falmouth.
 * 1864 May 10. H.M.S. St. George (training) at Falmouth.


 * 1865 Falmouth Hotel opened.
 * 1865 Drive made round Pendennis Castle.
 * 1865 July 10. H.R.H. the Duke of Cornwall and Grand Duke Alexis visited Falmouth, 1866.
 * 1865 March. Hoard of 960 Roman Brass Coins, A.D. 306, found at Pennance Head.
 * 1865 Fire at Masonic Lodge, destroying valuable paintings, etc.
 * 1866 February 10. Church of Saint Laud, Mabe injured by lightning.
 * 1866 Working Men's Club and Institute at Bell's Court opened.
 * 1866 Wesleyan Chapel built at Pike's Hill.
 * 1866 Chamber of Commerce founded.
 * 1866 New Gas Works opened.
 * 1867 Falmouth Observatory established by the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society; (first Meteorological) maintained by grant from the Meteorological Council.
 * 1867 Life-boat established; launched 29 August.
 * 1867 Bible Christian Chapel built.
 * 1867 Wesleyan Chapel built at Pike's Hill.
 * 1867 Three wrecks at Gyllyngvase, and damage to shipping.
 * 1867 Royal Cornwall Home for Destitute Girls built.
 * 1868 March 14. Bank House burnt down.
 * 1868 June 1. Exhibition of Bath and West of England Agricultural Society.
 * 1868 St. Mawes Steamboats established.
 * 1869 Roman Catholic Church built in Killigrew Street.
 * 1869 Earle's Retreat built for aged persons, by Mr. George Earle, of Philadelphia, D.S.A., and Falmouth.
 * 1870 June 5. Great Fire at Market Street.
 * 1870 Harbour Board.

1871–1880

 * 1871 New landing places at Fish Strand and Market Strand built. At the latter a sub-marine forest discovered. Foundation stones laid by Lord Kimberley.
 * 1871 Penwerris Day Schools opened.
 * 1871 The Killigrew Obelisk removed to green in front of Arwenack.
 * 1872 Royal Cornwall Yacht Club opened (1874 also given).
 * 1873 Direct Spanish Telegraph established.
 * 1873 Friends' New Meeting-house built.
 * 1873 H.M.S. Russell removed.
 * 1873 Volunteer Drill hall built.


 * 1874 May 13. H.M.S. Ganges arrived.
 * 1874 Wesleyan Chapel rebuilt in the Moor.
 * 1875 Baptist Chapel built in Market Street.
 * 1875 School Board formed.
 * 1876 Mission Church or Chapel-of-Ease established in Lower Killigrew Street.
 * 1877 Kimberley Park presented by the Earl of Kimberley
 * 1877-8 Trevethan Girls' and Infants' Board Schools built.
 * 1878 August 14. Portrait of Mr. R. R. Broad, Senr., presented by Lord Northbrook at banquet at the Royal Hotel.

1881–1890

 * 1881 Congregational Sunday School erected in Prince Street.
 * 1881 Climatological Station established at Observatory.
 * 1882 Young Women's Christian Association founded.
 * 1882 Girls' British School (Clare Terrace) opened in May.
 * 1882 Jubilee Exhibition of the Polytechnic Society.
 * 1882 The Rev. Brian Christopherson became Rector.
 * 1883 Cottage Hospital and Nursing Home founded by Mrs. FitzGerald.
 * 1883 Church Institute founded.
 * 1883 Cornwall Volunteer Artillery established.


 * 1884 August 12. Foundation stone of second Meteorological Observatory laid by Earl of Mount Edgcumbe.
 * 1885 New Masonic Hall built, opened in 1886.
 * 1885 Falmouth lost one Member of Parliament by the Redistribution of Seats Act.
 * 1886 Self-recording magnetographs placed in new Observatory.
 * 1887 High School for Girls built.
 * 1887 Recreation Ground opened.
 * 1887 Jubilee of Queen Victoria's reign celebrated.
 * 1887 Visit of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, who laid the foundation stone of All Saints' Church.
 * 1888 Good Templars' Lodge founded.
 * 1889 Consecration of All Saints' Church.
 * 1890 All Saints' Church opened.

1891–1900

 * 1891 March 9 and l0th. Great Snow Blizzard. Trains snowed up in Cornwall.
 * 1891 Census, 2,400 houses, and over 10,000 inhabitants (excluding ships).
 * 1891 Association for befriending Young Servants founded.
 * 1892 Order of Rechabites founded.
 * 1892 Maria Camilla School closed.
 * 1892 May 20. Broad gauge altered to narrow on G.W.R., from Exeter, in 50 hours.
 * 1892 Extension and consolidation of the Borough.
 * 1892 Bequest of nearly £2,000 from Mr. Octavius Ferris for a Free Library.
 * 1893 Mission Church in Killigrew Street repaired and opened.
 * 1893 May 3. Foundation stone of Falmouth Hospital laid by Mr. Passmore Edwards.
 * 1893 July. Pendennis Hotel opened.
 * 1893 The Mayor's gold chain purchased for £125.
 * 1894 Municipal Building and Free Library built by Passmore Edwards.
 * 1894 Falmouth Sailing Club founded.
 * 1894 R.C. Agricultural Show held at Falmouth.
 * 1894 Art Gallery built.
 * 1894 Golf Club and Links at Higher Argal; removed to Higher Kergillick in 1898.
 * 1895 Buffaloes Lodge founded.

, and loss of 106 lives.
 * 1896 Presentation of his portrait and some plate to Mr. Thos. Webber, "eight times Mayor of Falmouth."
 * 1896 March 9, Science and Art Rooms opened in Municipal Buildings.
 * 1897 Board School for boys built at Wellington Terrace.
 * 1897 Smithick (Infants') Board School purchased from Trustees of British School.
 * 1897 January 16, the Falmouth Rector's rate abolished as such by special Act of Parliament.
 * 1897 Diamond Jubilee (60 years) of the reign of Queen Victoria celebrated. Bonfires on all heights.
 * 1897 Time-ball fixed at Pendennis Castle.
 * 1898 Restoration of Parish Church completed. The tower struck by lightning without damage.
 * 1898 March 26. Fire at Ellerslie, Melville Road.
 * 1898 Packet Memorial erected in the Moor, and unveiled Moor.
 * 1898 Wreck of the SS Mohegan on The Manacles.
 * 1899 H.M.S. Ganges left Falmouth, 28 August.
 * 1899 Stranding of the SS Paris near the Manacles.
 * 1899 May 26. Devon and Cornwall Regiment, marching through Cornwall, received at Falmouth.
 * 1899 Gallery, etc., added to Drill Hall.
 * 1899 October 6. First Conversazione of Polytechnic Society held (alternately with Exhibition).
 * 1900 Rifle Club formed.

Twentieth century

 * 1901 January 26. King Edward VII proclaimed.
 * 1901 August 19. Art School commenced in Manor Avenue, in memoriam Anna Maria Fox; stone laid by Lord St. Levan.
 * 1901 Church House in memoriam E. D. ALDERTON opened in Arwenack Street.


 * 1901 New Police Station built in the Moor.
 * 1901 Census taken; Falmouth population, 11,173.
 * 1901 Old King's Arms Inn pulled down at Market Strand.