Colchester.uk.comThe History of Colchester 1801-1850 
Year Events
1801
1802
1803 Town population warned to leave due to threat of French invasion
1804  
1805  
1806  
1807  
1808  
1809  
1810  
1811 Prince Regent passes through Colchester on tour of coastal defences
1812  
1813  
1814  
1815
1816  
1817 Barrack Street barracks demolished
1818 South Gate demolished (1817)
(circa) gas lighting introduced
1819  
1820 Colchester's port challenges Dover for the packet boat route to Ostend, but the introduction of paddle steamers negates its prevailing wind advantage
September 14: The Essex and Colchester Hospital opens in Lexden Road and one week later the first patients are admitted
1821 March 17: The Colchester Sphinx discovered in the hospital grounds
St. Leonard's church, Lexden, entirely rebuilt 1820-1821
Body of Queen Caroline left overnight in St. Peter's church and the inscribed coffin plate referring to her as the "wronged" Queen of England is removed
1822 The Ipswich Coach is robbed of £31,000 in the High Street
1823 High Street becomes gas lit
North Gate demolished
1824  
1825
1826 Silk Mill built by Middle Mill
1827  
1828 William Corder, murderer of Maria Martin at Polstead, is held overnight at the George Hotel
William Macready performs at the Theatre Royal
1829
1830
1831  
1832  
1833
1834  
1835 Colchester castle closed as a gaol
Charles Dickens in Colchester as a young newspaper reporter
1836  
1837 New St. Botolph's church, designed by William Mason of Ipswich is consecrated (built 1836-1838)
1838 French complaints about Colchester boats collecting oysters near Dieppe
1839
1840  
1841  
1842  
1843 Railway between London and Colchester opened
North Bridge rebuilt
Norman Moot Hall pulled down (1844)
1844 New Town Hall built on the site of the Moot Hall
1845  
1846  
1847  
1848
1849 The Chappel viaduct built by the Colchester, Stour Valley, Sudbury & Halstead Railway 1847-1849. It has 32 arches and is 325m long
1850  
The History of Colchester : 1701-1750 : 1751-1800 :: 1851-1900 : 1901-1950