January 15th 1774
Notice----Whereas I, John Ambrose, late servant of Stephen Dalton at the sign of the Bull Inn at Long Melford, being sent by the same Stephen Dalton to bring home an empty chaise from the sign of the Waggon at Sicklesmere and did being much disguised in liquor, abused the horse and broke the chaise. I hereby humbly apologise and ask the pardon of him and promise never to be guilty of like again. Witnessed by me-Timothy Constable.
January 22nd 1774
Benjamin Salmon for stealing a leg of mutton from Brazillia Hare of Woolverstone, Suffolk. To be transported for 7 years.
January 29th 1774
Compact farm to be sold at Belchamp St Pauls, Essex, pleasantly situated in sporting country-farmhouse-stable-barn-outbuildings-100 acres of arable and pasture-in occupation of Widow Hall at a rent of �85 per annum-to be sold at the Rose and Crown, Sudbury, on March 12th next.
February 12th 1774
Last Saturday, six persons were found guilty of the late riot in Sudbury, Suffolk, were brought to the Kings Bench bar to receive sentence and were ordered by the court to suffer six months in prison and whipped, and an inhabitant of the town was ordered to pay �100.
February 19th 1774
At Colchester, James Harvey was committed to Chelmsford gaol charged with stealing five dung hill fowls the property of Mr Parmenter.
February 26th 1774
Cambridge-It is reported that an old man who died recently near Newmarket who just before his death confessed that he set fire to a barn at Burwell, Cambridgeshire on the 8th of September 1727 when no less than 80 persons lost their lives and that having an antipathy to the puppet showman was the cause of him committing the action.
March 12th 1774
Thomas Pepper was capitally convicted for stealing hops at Halsted, Essex. John Kendall was capitally convicted for burglary but before the judge left Chelmsford he was pleased to respite him but to be branded, whipped and discharged.
March 26th 1774
At Bury Assizes-Isaac Fincham-Robert Woods and James Fyson for stealing rabbits out of a warren to be transported for 7 years.
April 16th 1774
On Wednesday afternoon at Stratford by Dedham a very severe battle was fought between Luke Williams a nail maker of Mistley and Joseph Clarke a butcher from Hadleigh, for 18 guineas they fought for 1 hour 16 minutes, it was doubtful for the greater part of the time who would gain victory but it ended in favour of Williams, there was upwards of 2,000 spectators.
April 16th 1774
At Chelmsford Assizes-James Boreham, a notorious poacher for feloniously attempting to shoot the gamekeeper belonging to John Strutt of Terling, Essex, to receive a sentence of two years imprisonment or to enter as a soldier in the East India Company and to serve for five years.
April 16th 1774
Cattle will be taken at Lt Thurlow Park---Bullocks at 1s 6d each per week-Horses at 2s.
April 23rd 1774
On Wednesday last, Humfry Scott was executed at Bury gaol for housebreaking. He acknowledged the justice of his offence.
April 23rd 1774
Chelmsford-A few days since the gamekeeper to Mr Wilkes of Woodhall, Essex, cut his throat, his bad behaviour incurred his master's displeasure and was that day discharged from his service. He left behind a wife with seven small children now living, why he is most remembered he has 19 children by 19 women and another woman is with child by him and is near her time.
April 30th 1774
A main of cocks will be fought at William Cranes at Rivenhall End cockpit between Suffolk and Essex for considerable sums on May 16th. Feeders are from London.
May 7th 1774
Inquest at Stonham Earl on Roger Taylor who while assisting another servant in brewing beer accidentally fell in the copper of boiling wort, he died next day in great agony.
May 14th 1774
Melford Fair---Edmund Thompson at the Black Lyon on the green begs leave to inform his friends and the customers that he proposes to provide an ordinary event during the three days of the fair at two o' clock.
May 14th 1774
To be sold all the household goods of Jeremiah Heard, miller at Melford. On the next day will be sold an excellent good windmill-pair of French stones and a flour mill-to be sold at the Swan Inn at Clare on the 30th of May.
May 14th 1774
The farm and lands of John Aldham, deceased, to be sold-agreeably situated in Foxearth, Essex, in fine sporting country-4 miles from Clare and Sudbury and two miles from the pleasant villages of Cavendish and Melford-consisting of good farmhouse-three barns-two stables-convenient outhouses with yard and orchard-90 acres of arable and pasture-light fertile soil with right of commonage-also a messuage in occupation of James Coulson and a cottage in occupation of Thomas Deal and all the buildings -- 56 acres of land Are copyhold of the manor of Foxearth and subjected to �3 7s quit rent. This estate had been in the hands of the owners from time immemorial.
June 4th 1774
On Tuesday last, Joseph Dixey, one of the drivers of the Sudbury stage waggon was convicted before the Rev Mr Kendall of Bulmer for wilful misbehaviour in obstructing the carriage of Richard Moore of Kentwell Hall, Melford, on the Kings highway in the parish of Lt Maplestead.
June 4th 1774
Wanted-Man and Wife as governor and governess of Cavendish workhouse. Apply to officers of the parish.
June 11th 1774
To be lett at Michaelmas---Reed Hall, Suffolk-about four miles from Bury-now in occupation of Thomas Jacobs-about 300 acres of arable and pasture-11 acres of wood-barn and stables contiguous to the house.
June 18th 1774
Stolen from the lands of Thomas Mayes of Lt Cornard, Suffolk,by John Tillet, a linen weaver--a grey gelding. 2 guineas reward for information-apply to Thomas Mayes or Isaac Mayes of Glemsford.
June 25th 1774
Mark Lane-Wheat to 49s-Fine Essex wheat to 50s-Kentish to 54s-Oats to 21s-Barley to 29s.
July 2nd 1774
Strayed or stolen from the lands of Benjamin King of Melford, Suffolk-a brown bay gelding. Information to David Steed, glazier, Melford.
July 9th 1774
Last week was tried three smuggling cases at Ipswich. Joseph Savery, a Kentish man who was fined �120-John Levitt of Tunstall, Suffolk, �202 10s-Robert Baker of Wangford, Suffolk, �200.
July 9th 1774
On Wednesday last a presentation passed the seal to the Rev George Mariot of the rectory of Alphampstone, Essex, on presentation of the Lord Chancellor.
July 30th 1774
On Monday last was married at Chelsworth in Suffolk-Lieut. Col. Ainslie of General Elliots Reg Of the Light Dragoons to Miss Ann Sharpe of Bath.
September 3rd 1774
Boston-July 18th. Guards are placed at the gates of Boston to prevent desertions of soldiers, notwithstanding every precaution, scarcely a day passes without some men being missed, this is now the 48th day of the siege of Boston. Extracts from letters received---The Indians seem determined to go to war, many white people consisting of whole families have been scalped, thousands have left their habitations.
September 3rd 1774
Yesterday afternoon, one Lilly who says he comes from Canterbury stopped at the sign of the Gun at Dedham with three horses, he offered one for sale, it is conjectured that the horses are not his own and he was committed to Colchester castle for further examination.
September 10th 1774
Boston-New England---Some soldiers have deserted His Majesty's service belonging to a regiment lately arrived from Gt Britain and Ireland-this is to give notice that all soldiers who deserted previous to the 10th day of July shall receive pardons, failing to do so they will receive no mercy.
September 10th 1774
Benjamin Smith of Sturmer, Essex, was committed to Chelmsford gaol by John Purkis on suspicion of stealing two sheep out of his flock at Sturmer.
October 29th 1774
On Tuesday last-committed to Bury gaol, William French a weaver for assaulting by striking William Humphrey, Mayor of Sudbury in the publick execution of his duty in making a public proclamation for election in the Borough.
November 5th 1774
The present unfortunate distressed situation of the widow of the late Rev Thomas Kendall of Bulmer in Essex will be it is hoped be a sufficient apology for a addressing her position in publick on her behalf. About eight weeks since she has lost her husband who died of putrid fever, leaving her with seven daughters in circumstances but little removed from absolute want, the fever unhappily communicated to six of her children, the two eldest have since died, the third lies dangerously ill that her life is despaired off, the other three it is hoped to recover. We the undersigned humbly solicit charitable contributions and donations which will be acknowledged by Dr Chapman and Mr Deeks of Sudbury.
November 26th 1774
Nov 21st 1774 - The wife of the late Rev Kendall takes this opportunity to sincerely thanks her friends and publick for the timely assistance which she has received and has enabled her to struggle thro' that load of misfortune which had her and her family in ruin had they not been supported by their kind benefactions. N. B. To the publick, they may be assured that no part of the money has or will be appropriated but to her immediate use and benefit.
November 26th 1774
On Tuesday, a large seizure of 25 � ankers of Geneva was made at Thorington in Suffolk by Mr Bell the supervisor and Mr Walker the excise officer which they were conveying in a cart to Wangford when a party of smugglers fell upon them with bludgeons in a barbarous manner, they rescued the said goods and carried them away which was 12 lbs of green tea-4 gallons of Geneva which the officers had seized at Blythburgh, Suffolk the same day.
November 26th 1774
Last week there died the Rev Heckford, for 50 years the rector of Chilton and Gt Cornard.
November 26th 1774
Inquest at Sapiston, Suffolk on Stephen Sherring, a nurseryman to the Duke of Grafton at Euston in Suffolk. He went out on Saturday evening to watch a grove where he suspected timber being stolen and was not heard of until Monday morning following a search his horse was found near a pit in which he drowned.
November 26th 1774
Committed to Ipswich gaol-Tristram Harper of Aylsham in Norfolk charged by a Scots drover of picking his pocket of 4 golden guineas and 4s 6d in silver.
December 31st 1774
On Tuesday last, Edward Wallace was committed to Bury gaol for breaking open the cellar of the White Swan at Melford and stealing a quantity of liquor.
December 31st 1774
The farmyard of Sir Charles Davers of Rushbrooke near Bury was robbed of 11 fat turkeys by a gang of villains, they have pilfered from most of the farmers thereabouts.