1824 Bury and Norwich Post FDLHS newspaper archive

John Hicks, James Butcher and Elijah Kidby were committed to Sudbury gaol for stealing a box from the wain of Joseph Shead containing books and wearing apparel.

40 pairs of blankets and 20 quilts were distributed to upwards of 50 poor families in Melford, it is the seasonable gift of Sir William Parker, Bart, of Melford Hall, the poor of that populous parish are indebted to the worthy Baronet for generally improving conditions.

At Sudbury Quarter Sessions, Mary Mann was sent to prison for 7 days for stealing a piece of cheese and a brush, valued at 7d. Thomas Bocking charged with stealing cheese valued at 8d from a shop in Sudbury.

At Bury Quarter Sessions, George Filby was indicted for receiving 4 pigs at Hepworth from one Middleditch from Norfolk known them to be stolen. 14 years transportation.

In Sir William Cordell's hospital at Melford, founded to support 12 decayed tradesmen of Melford, the united ages of the inmates is 936 years.

Last week William Head was convicted at Colchester for having at Berechurch, Essex, with using a ferret to take a rabbit, he was adjudged to pay 10s which he could not, he was then committed to 6 months gaol.

Inquis--at Rougham on Philip Bennet, a servant who was found dead in bed. Visitation of God. Since the verdict it has been ascertained that the poor young man had carried a pan of charcoal into his bedroom by which it is presumed he choked to death, it was not mentioned by the maid servant, who took the charcoal out until afterwards.

Valuable Estate called Motts situated near Cavendish church, comprising messuage, barn, cowhouse, stables, 36 acres.

Died at Cavendish Hall--Georgiana Lucy Mackworth aged 20, daughter of Sir Digby Mackworth Bart.

We understand that the Bury brewers have advanced the price of beer and porter by 6s a barrel or by © p a quart.

A petition now in circulation in Sudbury for the gradual emancipation of slaves in the West Indies has been signed by 350 persons and will be sent to Parliament.

Simon Pryke of Bury has been dismissed from his post as watchman in Bury for interrupting three young men on their way home through the churchyard and threatening them with the watchhouse and next morning extorting money from them under pretext of shielding them from the Justices.

Inquis--at Sudbury on George French, a 13 year old lad who hung himself.
Thomas Finch was convicted of trespassing on land belonging to Mr Ambrose of Cavendish and destroying wood. 2 months hard labour.

To be sold at Newton, a capital tower windmill situated near the green. Mill drives, two french stones, erected in the last 7 years, dwelling house, stables cart lodge, piggeries.

At the Suffolk Assizes. Robert Bradnum, William Cranfield and Thomas Wright were charged with the burglary of the house of George Hickford at Glemsford on December 1st 1822. The prosecutor, an old man,, said he was very deaf and went to bed at about 9pm after fastening all the doors and windows, between one and two in the morning three men came into his bedroom, two having very black faces the other not so black, they had large sticks with them, one of them asked for money, witness said he had no money and they might knock him on the head if they liked. They went to his hutch and took his coat which witness then took from them and threw it to his wife, they took 3s 6d from a pint mug in a cupboard, the tallest man carried away a cask of elder wine, as they were going away Bradnum came back for a dog which they had brought with them and witness was struck violently on the hand when trying to prevent them re-entering, the hand has been useless ever since.

William Russel said suspicion fell on Wright for stealing a pig on the day of the anniversary of the burglary, they went to see him at his house and found a cask which smelt strongly of elder wine, when he went back the next day the cask was gone, John Cranfield, brother of the prisoner said that in December 1822 he breakfasted with the prisoner at his father's house on the day of the robbery, he heard him say he had blacked his face and Bradnum also was present, he went in first, his brother following, his brother gave him a glass of elder wine and he saw Wright's wife burn a cask after the constable left, James Mansfield another accomplice then called and deposed that he and others agreed to go poaching but they got nothing, Bradnum said he knew where he could get some money, they blacked their faces and went to Mr Hickford's and committed burglary. It appears witness was 37 years old, Bradnum and Wright 26 years and Cranfield even now was only 16. Cranfield on account of his age was recommended mercy but the death sentence was recorded against him, James Downs and the three prisoners mentioned above were also indicted for stealing a pig from Mr Hickford on 10th December 1822, Bradnum and Wright sentenced to death but Cranfield to 7 years transportation. John Cheney was also sentenced to death for breaking into houses at Bulmer near the Plough Inn and one four miles beyond South Halstead and one at Rayleigh. Benjamin Howlett breaking into a house at Kentford and at houses in Newmarket also had the death sentence.

On Friday se'nnight as the condemned prisoners were entering Bury Gaol, one of their number named Bradnum who was convicted of burgarly at Glemsford was accosted by his mother who said " what are you to be done to" he replied " hanged mother"," well" rejoined the mother," be a good boy and don't be hung in your best clothes but let me have them, I had better take your red waistcoat now".

The the four wretched men who were condemned at our Assizes--Robert Bradnamm, John Wright and Benjamin Howlett for burglary and John Cheney for horse stealing will be executed today at noon.

We are sorry that we reported the conversation between a prisoner and his mother was attributed to the wrong persons, the parties were Thomas Wright and his mother, the mother of Bradnum is of very good character.

On Wednesday last, the four men left for execution at our Assizes, Robert Bradnum aged 26, Benjamin Howlett 21, Thomas Wright 26 and John Chenery 22 paid the forfeit of their life on the scaffold, almost from the break of day the road was thronged with people approaching to see this dreadful spectacle, we wished we could say they were impressed by the awfulness of the scene about to be witnessed but far from the case as they passed the street leading to the fatal spot they exhibited a disgusting levity of conduct. When the hour of execution arrived an immense crowd of people estimated at between ten to fifteen thousand people assembled in the neighbourhood of the gaol and the number of females we are sorry to say exceeded that of the men.

As the clock struck twelve the culprits left the prison in irons and walked to the field adjoining the gaol where the scaffold was erected. Each of the prisoners ascended with a firm step and the executioner immediately fastened the ropes round their necks. The Chaplain, the Rev W.Stocking, then prayed with the men for about a quarter of an hour, the caps were then drawn over their faces, they all joined hands and the drop fell as they ejaculated" Lord have Mercy on us" their sufferings appeared to last but a very short time afterwards but the sufferings of such an end are not the greatest moment which takes away the breath.

Wright had addressed the spectators, cautioning all the young men to take notice of his fate and not engage in poaching. Howlett cautioned all to avoid bad company. Wright and Howlett were fine young men nearly 6ft tall, the former contrary to his mother's wishes was hung in his red waistcoat but afterwards she obtained it and riding home on her son's coffin to Belchamp, she gave proof of her utter want of feeling and stopped with other friends at various public houses on the road to drink and at one place we are informed she actually exposed the corpse to view.

The bodies of Bradnum and Howlett were taken away by their relatives, Cheney was interred here in the churchyard at about four in the afternoon. To shew the state of Wright's mind, we insert the following letter addressed by him to one of his former confederates in crime, residing in Walter Belchamp.

Bury Gaol.

To you------I Thomas Wright do send these few Lines as your friend and beg you to leave off all your wicked ways before it is too late. Look what the hand of justis has brought me to, though no more than I deserve with me in my wickedness, therefore for God's sake and your wife's and children and your own soul take warning of my shameful death, leave off while the door of mercy remains open as life is so unsartin and death is sure and perhaps may come upon you when you not expect it and recollect if you escape the sentence of man you will not the judgement of God, so pray take my advice, not only you but many other have assisted us in unlawful and shameful things that we ought not to have done. If you can do my unhappy family any good pray for my sake, for that will be good in the eyes of the God as they are left to to the mercy of this world through my misconduct, I ought to have brought them up by honesty, but far from that to my shame you know all that.

I hope that you will show this in the ----- and hope that others will lave bad company as it is that that has brought me to a short end. Lord pray be merciful to us all.
From Thomas Wright, Bury Gaol----Death.

Cheney's family were once in respectable circumstances, his father carrying on a business at Beccles as a fellmonger, a brother and sister survive him. A few days before his death he wrote to a man in Beccles, a receiver of stolen goods, who first, he said had seduced him into crime.

All these men were so deeply sunk in crime as to render execution necessary as will be seen in the following catalogue of crime.

Robert Bradnum and Thomas Wright confessed that they had robbed Mr Thomas Mortlock, Mr A.Golding at the Cock Inn, Mr William Bigg at the Greyhound and Mr George Hickford, twice, at Glemsford.Mr R.Aldham at Foxearth Hall, Mr Thomas Parmenter at the Lodge Farm at Foxearth, Mr Thomas Halls of Stuttels farm at Belchamp and also helped to rob his barn and stole a pig, they helped to steal Mr William Snell's garden tools, Mr Liptrap's sheep at Guessingthorpe, Mr Perouse's pease and a sheep from Mr Joseph Orbell of Belchamp, they also took the springs from Mr Walker's old carriage and broke into his backhouse, Wright further confessed that he broke into Mr.B.Granger's and Mr T.Halls houses, Mr Ashley's at Upper Yeldham and one near the Cock and Blackbirds at Bulmer, that he stole a sheep from Mr Snell, a pig from Mr Liptrap of Guessingthorpe, two from Mr Edward Downs, one from the Rev Mr Raymond and one from Mr Samuel Raymond, one from Mr Paske of Upper Yeldham, one from Mr David King at Wickham also a lamb and robbed the garden of the last, stole some malt from Mr Fisher of Walter Belchamp, some cloth from Mr Stubbins, some fowls from Mr Wrights, from Mr Spalding of Belchamp and ---Sims, some bees from Mr James Dale at Guessingthorpe, took some meat from Mr Pettit at the Black Boy, Sudbury and robbed Mr Kent at North End.

John Cheney made a confession of the following offences, breaking into a house at Bulmer near the Plough Inn and others mentioned.

On Monday last 4 convicts were removed from Bury gaol to be put aboard the hulks at Portsmouth, among them was George Filby of Stanton who is to be transported for 14 years.

A valuable estate on the Essex-Suffolk border for sale.
Fine meadow, turnip and wheat land-203 acres-good residence or sporting box with every desirable accomodation for a family-lawns-flower house- coach house-stables-bailiff's cottage-excellently situated in Gestingthorpe in an elevated desirable part of Essex-in the vicinity of fox hounds-harriers-surrounded by preserves of game. To be sold at the Mart in London.

Married--Josiah Stammers, late of Foxearth Mill to Charlotte Ladyman the second daughter of Mr H.Ladyman of Lewisham.

On Saturday last as a poor man was watching workers pull down a a cottage at ?, he was told not to stand too near but he took no notice of the advice and a large portion of the house fell on his head, he died in a few minutes

Owing to incessant rain lasting two days the Stour at Ballingdon was so swollen it overflowed to such a degree that the inhabitants had to leave their homes.

On Tuesday evening as Mr Viall a farmer from Bulmer Tye was returning home he was passed by a man riding full speed and shortly he fell, the rider did not seem hurt but was observed by Mr Viall to go into his farmyard where he left his horse and mounted one of Mr Viall's, he immediately sent a man in pursuit but without success. At Notley near Braintree the horse was found after it had been exchanged with a fine horse belonging to the Rev Walker.

Died from inflamation of the bowel at the age of 15 years the son of Charles Snell of Walter Belchamp.

The Melford fair on Thursday was well supplied with horses which sold briskly at good prices but on account of high prices some could not find a purchaser, some selling as high as 25L.

On Thursday se'nnight, Mr Duff, the proprietor of the recently erected silk mills at Glemsford gave an elegant entertainment to the principal inhabitants of Glemsford and from Sudbury to commemorate the establishment of silk manufactury at Glemsford. A booth was set up behind the Greyhound Inn and the company numbered about 40 people, Mr Stedman proposed the health of Mr Duff and spoke about improvements in the machinery manufacture of silk and the benefits derived by the inhabitants of Sudbury during his 10 years there and the employment given to Sudbury and how happy he was to hear that Glemsford was fast improving from the same cause. Three barrels of beer was given to the populace who were much gratified

Rebecca Bowles and Hannah Border were convicted of misbehaviour in Melford poor house. 7 days.

On Thursday last, Henry Strutt of Lt.Waldingfield.late a member of the Babergh Troop of the Suffolk Yeomanry Cavalry was convicted on a penalty of 10L for neglecting to deliver the whole of his appointment.

Yesterday as two men were talking named Bonsey and Fordham the first is a retired pensioner and the second a retired tailor in a garden in Sudbury as the first was bending down to look at some radishes, Bonsey stabbed him in the back with a shut knife between the ribs to a depth of 4" without provocation, Bonsey walked into the street till he was taken with blood still on his knife.
April 11th. Joseph Bonsey was acquitted of intentional murder of John Fordham as he is insane. To be kept in strict custody. He had been a short time liberated from Bury gaol for threatening the life of the landlord of the Bull Inn at Sudbury.

Samuel Salter committed to Bury gaol charged with stealing a male ass from Philip Golding of Glemsford.
Thomas Spring alias Briggs was indicted at Essex Assizes for returning from transportation before his sentence expired. This man who was travelling with the heads of two Sable Chiefs which he exhibited at Owhee and in New Zealand. Sentenced to death.

At Melford Court of Guardians it was resolved not to allow relief to anyone who kept a dog.

Death in her 55th year Elizabeth wife of William Blyth of Sneeting Hall in Essex.

On Monday evening, Thomas Jones was convicted in the penalty of 10s for being an insufferable nuisance so frequently committed by idle men and boys by standing on the street corners in Bury and insulting passengers whom they thought not to be as disreputable as themselves.

There is great fear to reason many horses stolen from Essex have been taken to the waters edge and sold to go aboard vessels on the point of sailing for foreign ports. The result of vigilant searching by the Rev Searle of Kelvedon Hatch gives the suggestion that two horses stolen from him he traced to the waters edge on the Essex coast opposite Woolwich, Mr Searle said they discovered they were sold to go aboard a merchantman bound for Jamaica which sailed two days before.

At Sheep Coat Farm in Henney. All the live and dead stock of Mrs Constable who is leaving the farm. 5 horses-road waggon-2 harvest waggons-tumbrils etc.

Died on the 4th inst--Mary Ann, wife of William Harrington of Aldgate in London, the second daughter of Josiah Stammers lately of Foxearth Mill.

On Sunday night a lad named Hanton entered a grove near Northfield Wood at Stowmarket for the purpose of getting a few nuts, by treading on a trip wire of a spring gun he was dradfully wounded. The grove belongs to R.Pettiward of Finborough, this is the 4th accident to happen on this gentleman's estate, the sufferer lies in a precarious state. How long will the law be such as to imagine this practice neccessary.

Inquis--at Cavendish on George Brewster aged 5 years who walked into the river Stour and drowned.

On Saturday night as a carpenter named Coote was going home from Sudbury to Bulmer, he was attacked by six footpads in a secluded part of the road and they robbed him of shop goods which he had purchased to the amount of 50s and 10s in silver, he made bold resistance and threw one of them to the ground, another robber came up and pulled Coote from the man, the good turn was ill paid for the man had mistaken his companion for Coote who escaped and he heard a man say " you are after the wrong man". We understand Coote is able to identify nearly the whole party, warrants are out for their apprehension.

There was a meeting at the Angel Inn at Bury to consider building a hospital at Bury.

William Humphrey was charged with breaking into a malting at Polstead belonging to John Corder and stealing four hams.

As John Everitt, a cow leach of Bury was driving a load of furniture down the hill from West Mill, he jumped off and the wheels went over him, it is hoped he will recover.

A finer shew of beef exhibited in Bury on Wednesday was perhaps equal to the finest in the kingdom, the price of prime quality was 7d-8d a pound, the shew of turkies was very large and was taken freely from 10d to 1s a pound, prime geese 6-7s each.

During a severe gale on Monday se'nnight the windmill belonging to Mr Osborne of Sible Hedingham was blown down, the miller had a providential escape, he was in the upper floor observing the danger at the instant the mill blew down, he slid down the sack rope into the roundhouse, the mill crashing around him.