January 17th 1865

Maurice Whittle of Melford was charged with stealing a faggot of wood the property of Messrs Brassey the railway contractors.
James Beaument said I am in the employ of the contractors who have a brick yard 200 yards of the boundary in Essex where there is a quantity of faggots, the faggots produced were some of it. P.C.Skipper said I was on duty near the Liston bridge, I saw defendant in the brickyard.
3 months hard labour.

January 24th 1865

Since the commencement of the railway line from this town, the Sudbury to Clare line, there has been a record of accidents on the line in a deep cut near Brundon, accidents have occurred on several occasions, several fatal. It is said that the navvies are careless at the times of the accidents which have happened in this deep cut by men excavating near the foot of the embankment and letting the soil fall by its own weight and sometimes falling before the men could get out of the way. Last Thursday afternoon a fall, not caused by any fault of the men occurred, a small mass weighing not more than 20lbs knocked down two men, one of them died within two minutes.His name was Alfred Finch, he left a wife and two children. It appears the men have to load a certain amount of trucks per day and they fulfill this task more easily when they undermine.

February 14th 1865

On the right of the road from Ballingdon to Middleton is a large chalk pit, the property of Mr Allen. It appears a young man named John Harrington in the employ of Mr John Todd of Alphamstone accompanied by a man named Whiting had been sent to the pit for some chalk. Harrington and Whiting commenced filling their tumbril when a large mass of about 50 tons of earth fell on them, Whiting was barely covered and got out, the other poor fellow, Harrington, could not be seen and it required the labour of 20 men from 8 till 12 before his corpse was recovered. Suffocated by a fall of chalk.

April 1865

The Stag beerhouse in Westgate Street, Melford, for sale at the Black Lion Hotel, with bakehouse attached which is doing a capital trade doing upwards of 300 sacks per annum. Cottages adjoining now occupied by Mrs Charlotte Bixby and Isaac Biggs.

May 2nd 1865

On Tuesday a splendid yacht built for Lord Paget was launched in Melford in gallant style. It was built by Messrs Harvey, ship builders.

May 9th 1865

Neat stock will be taken at Melford park from May 29th at 4s a head for stock over 2 years, 3s per week for yearlings. Money to be paid when taken out.

June 6th 1865

Nathan Chinery of Acton was summoned by Inspector Ginn for selling beer during prohibited hours. P.C.Backley said he went to Chinery's beerhouse at Acton on Sunday morning and asked him for a pint of beer, he brought it to me and I paid him 6d, he gave me 4d change, there were two other men there, I was in plain clothes. Defendant pleaded that the men were strangers and therefore travellers. Fined 2L and 8s 6d costs.
Samuel Oakley of Melford was charged with the same offence. P.C.Backley said he went to defendant's house at Rodbridge Street at Melford. 1L with 8s 6d costs.
Alfred Wrigley of Melford, same offence. P.C.Backley said he went to defendants house at half past seven on Sunday morning at Cock's Green, Melford and asked for a pint of beer, he did not ask if I was a stranger. 2L and 2s 6d costs.

June 6th 1865

George Chinery a dealer from Belchamp was summoned fro allowing his servant, a boy named Wadley, to use a horse which was lame in Sudbury. 5L.

July 25th 1865

Joseph Maxim of Cavendish was charged with stealing a linen bag containg mutton belonging to James Jay of Belchamp St Pauls.
Jay said he was in the Bear Inn at Clare in company of defendant, I had a bag containg mutton on the table, shortly afterwards I missed it. John Martin a labourer of Clare said he saw the prisoner take the mutton.
P.C.Picknes said he overtook the prisoner on the way to Cavendish, he dropped the meat behind him. 14 days hard labour.

August 1st 1865

Reuben Humphrey aged 13 was summoned by his employer, Mr A.Eagle, for throwing a stone at a ewe thereby breaking it's leg and damaging it to the extent of 2L. 5L and 5s 6d costs.

August 1st 1865

Walter and William Boreham, brothers of Glemsford were summoned by P.C.Wood for fighting in Broom Street, Glemsford. To find sureties of 10L each for 6 months.

August 8th 1865

Alfred Goody was charged with creating a disturbance on Mill Common, Sudbury. P.C.Scott said he was on duty at a cricket match when he saw defendant stripped to the waist and fighting with another person, the offence took place in the refreshment tent which was erected for the convenience of the cricket players, the prisoner was tipsy.
2 months hard labour.

August 15th 1865

On Sunday as the Parliamentry train was coming from Bury, as it was crossing the Marsh near Ballingdon bridge the driver saw several horse on the slope of the embankment, he shut off the steam but a pony was frightened and tried to cross the line and was struck by the buffers. One of the railway sub contractors was accustomed to turning the horses on to the line on Sundays to feed not knowing a train was due, the pony which was feeding with them belonged to Mr Amey of the Spread Eagle Inn.

August 15th 1865

John Leffley a fish hawker of Sudbury was charged with beating his wife. To keep the peace for six months.

August 15th 1865

On Wednesday last, Mr Foster the son of the Rev Foster of Foxearth left a lady in his chaise while he went into the residence of th Rev Faulkner in Westgate Lane, Melford, during his absence the horse started off at a rapid pace, the lady was thrown out but not hurt, the chaise was upset on Melford Green.

August 15th 1865

Abraham Chinery, a butcher from Cavendish was charged with assaulting a six year old boy named Frank Underwood at Cavendish by throwing him into the village pond. Defendant admitted the charge and said the boy was throwing stones at his geese on the pond. The bench said it was a foolish cowardly thing to do. 20s and 9s costs.

September 5th 1865

Mr J.Carter Jonas will sell by auction at West End farm, Foxearth on the 10th of September by the direction of the executors of the late Shepherd Ewer, the valuable live and dead stock. 13 useful mares and geldings-5 colts-8 Suffolk milch cows-12 two year old heifers- 10 1 year old steers-90 half bred Leicester ewes-quantity of swine and agricultural machinery.

September 12th 1865

At Buntings Farm, Pentlow, the live and dead stock composed of 4 mares and geldings-1 colt-2 cows- poultry-Westons 4 hp threshing machinery with chaff cutter by Ransome and Sims-road waggon.

September 12th 1865

At Brook Hall farm by the directions of the executors of the late Sarah Orbell, to be sold by auction the live and dead stock. 21 powerful mares and geldings-3 hackneys-120 blackfaced shearling ewes-6 fat Hereford oxen-70 swine. Excellent furniture- handsome mahogany dining and drawing room chairs and sofas-mahogany secretaire and book case-telescopic dining table-mahogany and rosewood loo and card tables-pianoforte-Brussels and Kidderminster carpets- chimney and other glasses-all the valuable and appropriate furniture to fit four bedrooms and dressing rooms-excellent linen-china and glass and other effects.

September 19th 1865

A well known old house on Cavendish green traditionaly known in the neighbourhood as the original residence of the now Ducal house of Devonshire has recently been purchased by Mr Hardy who on pulling down the large chimney in the hall, discovered hidden behind the mantleshelf, a massive stone carved with the arms of the Cavendish family and gilt. It is inexcellent state of preservation although at least 300 years old. The stone has been inspected by Mr Almack, an experienced antiquarian, who at once communicated with the Duke of Devonshire, his Grace expressed a wish to have it. Mr Almack accordingly sent it to Holker near Windemere, one of the Duke's mansions and his Grace very handsomely forwarded a cheque for 10 guineas to Mr Hardy.

September 26th 1865

The live and dead stock at Woodhall Farm for sale by directions of Mr Culling Hunter who is quitting the farm. 12 mares and geldings-2 cows-handsome riding bay pony-2 poll cows-100 splendid Leicester ewes-50 swine-machinery for 300 acres.

September 26th 1865

The cattle in the parish of Melford are still suffering from the destructive disease (Murian), Mr H.Westropp of Place Farm has lost 17 cows from his dairy also Mr James Beaumont and Mr Joseph Byford have each lost several as has Mr Butcher. The cattle in Melford park are going on favourably.

October 3rd 1865

This week the cattle disease has carried off the remainder of the fine dairy herd 30 in number and one bull belonging to Mr H.Westropp of Place Farm, Melford. Mr Joseph Byford of Rowhedge and Mr James Beaumont of Cranmore Farm have lost several.

November 7th 1865

The 18th annual meeting of the Sudbury Agricultural Society took place at Wood Hall on Tuesday. Ploughing prizes-Edward Springett for A.Segars, 1st,£ 2. Boy class-James Pegg for Walter Lord,£ 1- 15s.

November 14th 1865

Elizabeth Amos of Belchamp pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly at Clare. 5s and 6s 6d costs.

November 14th 1865

As workmen were digging in the Castle Bailey at Clare near the entry to the railway station they turned up one of the most interesting relics yet found in the district, it was a gold cross and a chain which was about two foot in length.

November 14th 1865

A man named Smith was charged with allowing his donkey and cart to stand from 10 in the morning till 3 in the afternoon in Cross Street, Sudbury, opposite the Weavers Arms. £ 1 and 13s costs.

December 26th 1865

A chaste and handsome pavement of Mintons encaustic tiles have just been laid in Stanstead church as an appropriate Christmas present from a member of the Rector's family. It was designed by James Fowler, architect of Louth in Lincolnshire and has been executed under his personal superintendance, it is supposed to show much good taste and judgement. A visit will repay those who take interest in such matters.