January 7th 1829

Early Wednesday morning last, as MrThomas Martin of Clare was on his way from Clare to Bury market he was stopped by three footpads near Poslingford, they knocked him down and beat him severely robbing him of 15L and 6d all his property he had about him, they tied his hands and left him in the road in a piteous state and decamped across the fields with their booty, Mr Martin, as soon as he recovered made his way to some cottages and gave the alarm. The villians are not yet discovered.

January 7th 1829

We rejoice the collection for Italian and Spanish refugees amounted to 18L which was collected at Stowmarket.

January 21st 1829

On Friday evening a fire which was no doubt wilfully occasioned broke out at Brook Farm at Gt Waldingfield, the property the Rev Lewis Way, it consumed a stack of wheat and one of barley, the barn close by was saved, there is a reward of 20L.

January 28th 1829

Died at Spa Place, Witham, Mrs Newman the third daughter of Waldegrave Brewster of Bevington Hall Otten Belchamp.
Henry Gridley was committed to Bury gaol charged with breaking into a certain mill at Glemsford occupied by Joseph Sparkes and stealing a quantity of flour.

January 28th 1829

At Suffolk Sessions, Robert Theobald for stealing from the dwelling house of John Ranson. 7 years transportation, John Oakley for stealing from Mr Hall at Glemsford. 6 months.

February 11th 1829

Such a prodigious quantity of of wild fowl took their flight thither during the late severe weather that Mr Clarke the butcher and poulterer of Bury that he had in his house upwards of 1000 duck all of which he recieved from the Nacton Decoy near Ipswich.

February 18th 1829

The subject of a canal between Lavenham and Mistley has again been agitated and by the calculations of some leading men in the neighbourhood of Lavenham it is the only thing left to be done to save Lavenham from pauperism and ruin.

February 18th 1829

It will scarcely be believed that in this present day that there should be persons so ignorant that they believe in witchcraft, yet an instant took place in Ballingdon this week, a labouring man named Ruggles having been afflicted since harvest and still remained so, three of his neighbours took it into their heads that he was bewitched or as they termed it " in bad handling". To rescue him they pared his finger and toe nails and cut off some of his hair and put the whole into a glass bottle and placed it on the fire using some incantations and expecting to see some evil spirit depart from the victim, the bottle burst, it so frightened these ignorant neeromancers that two of them have scarce recovered, two are tradesmen's wives another a bricklayers wife.

February 18th 1829

Robert Theobald was removed from Bury gaol to the Leviathan hulk at Portsmouth for transportation.

February 25th 1829

The village of Polstead is in a state of excitement by reports that an apprentice to a shoemaker named Godden has died in consequence of ill treatment by his master and mistress. The boy aged about 13 years named Philip Double went to see his father about six weeks ago at Holton and said he was not living well and after Christmas he was taking out some swill to the swill collector and having nothing to drink drank some, Godden said the boy had dirtied himself. Visitation by God.

February 25th 1829

TThe skeleton of William Corder is deposited in a case at the County Hospital in Bury where he will remain a monument to his crime, it will also serve as an anatomical illustration, it is open for inspection for a small sum.

February 25th 1829

TA short time ago we appealled to our readers on behalf of distressed foriegners who have taken refuge in our country, we will forward any contributions to the London Committee.

February 25th 1829

TA public meeting will be held in Melford for the purpose of petitioning Parliament to adopt measures to relieve Roman Catholics of civil disabilities on account of religious opinions, there will also be a petiton from Sudbury.

March 11th 1829

Our Glemsford correspondent says that several places in the neighbourhood, Chapels for Baptists and Independents have occassioned a schism and a Meeting House was erected in opposition to the old Meeting House, the erectors of the Meeting House refuse to continue in fellowship. The officiating preacher announced himself a Baptist. Here is the begining of heresy, the Sunday previous to the commencement of service the place was taken into possession of the Independents and the doors were locked and entrance refused but the place was besieged by the Baptists who broke open the doors and took possession, I think you will agree such spirit does not savour of Christianity.

March 11th 1829

There was a large supply of stock at Lavenham Fair but not much business was done as prices were too high although a stallion was sold by Mr John Fenton for 95 guineas.

March 18th 1829

Henry Gridley of Glemsford to prison for six months for breaking into the mill of Josiah Sparkes.

March 25th 1829

Charles Ellingham of Cavendish committed to Bury gaol charged with stealing two coombs of oats from Joseph Firmin.

March 25th 1829

We confess we acted unwisely in publishing the dispute at Glemsford among dissenters, we cannot make our paper a vehicle between rival parties.

April 15th 1829

The wretched criminal Partridge paid his earthly penalty on Monday morning last without the walls of Bury Gaol. He was visited on Saturday by the Rev Smyth and confessed he was guilty of the crime for which he was to suffer but also to the murder of Jonas Ansell aged 7 years the brother of his last victim whose body was found at Milden in an ozier ground, this confession is retained by the Rev Smyth as it affects people still at large. Partridge was one of 18 children, 15 of whom are still alive, his father had heard a report of the confession and said to him " why George, Ted Partridge (the man aquitted on the charge of driving over a woman at Waldingfield), you killed little Jonas", he replied " yes I killed both boys", his father said " good God George how come", the prisoner replied" my ruin was being acquainted with them girls next door", he stated he had repeatedly been connected with the three girls particulary with Bet who whithin a few days of her confinement she was married, it is understood that Jonas Ansell had seen more than they approved and they urged him to kill the boy and he promised he would do so, he found him near the ozier bed and stabbed him with a knife she had given him, etc etc. George Partridge was actually a spectator of the execution of Corder and was of very low intellect.
(This report may seem a little garbled but the copy was unreadable at times)(G.H.).

May 4th 1829

To be sold--a Capital Mansion called Red House in Sudbury with gardens, orchard, coach house, stables, in the parish of St Gregory, Sudbury, situated near the river Stour near a principal street, suitable for a family residence or carrying on a business concerning navigation on the river Stour.

May 20th 1829

There was an inquest at the King's Bench prison on John Pytches aged 55 years, a prisoner, formerly M.P. for Sudbury, he entered prison in 1813. Visitation of God. Deceased's election expenses and law suits was stated to be the cause of his insolvemcy, Mr Pyches directed in his will that his remains be buried in St Pater's church in Sudbury, the funeral took place in that place on Sunday evening last.

June 3rd 1829

Inquisition at Newton on John Tiffin aged 77 who death was occasioned by falling in a ditch on his way home.

June 17th 1829

Lately found at Glemsford by workmen raisng gravel at about 10ft deep, a tooth belonging to a large animal, it weighed upwards of 208 ounces, it is now in the possession of Mr George Strutt where it can be seen, it appears to have been a grinding tooth. June 17th 1829.Paper Mill at Melford to be sold. This valuable property has recently undergone extensive repairs to machinery, floodgates, etc, it is situated on a powerful stream.

June 24th 1829

The delightful rain we have had in the last few days will be of the greatest of service but on the hot light land inevitably there will be light crops.

June 24th 1829

On Wednesday morning last, a poor woman at Sudbury by the name of Knopp had the whole of her wash stolen in her yard, she had been up all night washing and had hung it out to dry and went to bed at about 3-30 in the morning, at 5 all was gone.

July 1st 1829

On Saturday se'nnight--Death at Gestingthorpe of Mary, daughter of the late Joseph Hale of Somerton.

July 1st 1829

As a party of John Fenton's men were mowing clover ar Welnetham they noticed a shirtless shoeless vagabond from the Sister Island lurking about in the field, he took the opportunity to carry off all of the victuals and outer clothes of the men, he has so far eluded the police.

July 8th 1829

The father of Maria Marten last week took the opportunity of visiting the hospital at Bury for the purpose of indulging his curiousity with the sight of Corder's skeleton, he deposited in the box 1s, the fatal pistol with which Maria was murdered has been presented to the hospital by Hart Logan, the High Sheriff at the time of the trial and is to be exhibited in it's case.

July 22nd 1829

There was a shocking occurence at Clare on Wednesday morning according to our intelligence. A young man named George Green, a shopman to Mr Bridge, a draper of Clare, had been discovered in his bedroom (where he slept with another apprentice named Viall in different beds) covered with blood with his throat cut, the maid was dispatched for a surgeon who arrived and stitched the wound which started at his right ear and extended round the neck to the left ear, Viall cheerfully assisted the surgeon. There was an inquiry of who inflicted the wound, Viall asserting that Green must have done it himself or that it was the work of a journeyman recently dismissed for dishonesty, Mr Bridge accused Viall of the crime which he denied but afterwards admitted. The investigation was by Col.Mathew of Pentlow Hall and a warrant was made out for the arrest of Viall and he was removed to Bury gaol. He has since made a statement that he had no malice towards Green but meant to destroy himself and fearing that Green would prevent it he resolved to kill him, a paper was found in a box with a sketch of a man hanging and a account of the Trial Of W.Viall.
July 29th 1829. The youth Green, so dreadfully mutilated by the fellow apprentice Viall at Clare that there are fears that he will be a cripple in one arm.
August 12th 1829. William Viall ageed 16 years was charged with cutting and wounding George Green with intent to kill or wound him. The jury returned a verdict of guilty, the learned Judge placed the fatal emblem on his head and told the prisoner " you will be executed in a few days when you leave this place, during your confinement you have been visited daily by a clergyman who has done everything in his power to bring your mind into a proper state, his Lordship then passed the sentence of death.
August 19th 1829. William Viall convicted at the late Assizes still remains under the sentence of death which will be carried out on Wednesday unless a reprieve shall arrive.
On Thursday last a respite for Viall has been received during his Majesty's pleasure by the Governor of Bury gaol.
October 21st 1829. An order has been received at Bury gaol for transportation of William Viall who was convicted at the last Assizes for cutting the throat of George Green at Clare with the intent to murder.
November 18th 1829. Removed to the hulks at Portsmouth, William Viall to be transported for life.

July 29th 1829

Mr Hart Logan of Kentwell Hall, Melford, has reduced his rents unsolicited and the same requested that his farms be kept in good order and gave assurances that he will always be ready to meet the occasion.
Two valuable mares the property of Mr George Gent of Moyns Park Essex were poisoned by eating cuttings of yew hedge which had been thrown with other rubbish into the field where they were. One of the mares by the name of " Jewess" has won three successive cups at Clare races.

August 5th 1829

Essex near the border of Suffolk for sale at the Auction Mart, Bartholomews Lane, London, by Mr Christie, a valuable desirable Estate chiefly Freehold (only small part being copyhold of inheritance) called Brook Hall Manor Estate, situated in Foxearth, one mile from Long Melford tollgate where coaches pass daily, three miles from Sudbury convenient for Lavenham and Hadleigh markets, 58 miles from London, roads good, farm abounding with game and having rights of fishing in the river Stour, desirable as an investment and as a shooting farm.
Consisting of farmhouse and buildings in good repair, 278 acres of excellent arable (producing abundant crops) pasture and woods, in occupation of Mr John Coe, a most respectable tenant until next Michaelmas at 400L per annum. Clear of land tax.

September 23rd 1829

For Sale, the live and dead stock of John Coe at Foxearth in Essex on October 6th. Dairy and Brewing equipment-7 horses-a milch cow well timed in calf-road waggons and harvest ditto-4 tunbrils- rolls-harrows-quantity of swine and other effects.etc. Catalogues at the White Horse in Sudbury and at the auctioneers at Giffords Hall, Shimpling.

November 12th 1829

Married yesterday se'nnight, Mr John Orbell of Brook Hall, Foxearth, to Sarah, the only daughter of John Firmin of Goldingham Hall, Bulmer in Essex. Also on the same day at Lewes, Sussex, the Rev John Bull rector of Tattingstone and Pentlow, to Elizabeth the only child of Thomas Hogson.

August 5th 1829

Suffolk Assizes. The death sentence was recorded against Thomas Wright and Benjamin Whymark for stealing a silver watch the property of James Friend of Edwardstone. Henry Perry for breaking into the dwelling house of Edward Brockwell at Cavendish and stealing a snuff box containing two half crowns and a box containing two shillings, a purse containing one half cxrown. Transported for life. William Gleed, Thomas and W.Pryke for entering the shop of James Friend at Edwardstone, a shoemaker, and stealing a pair of boots, three high heeled shoe legs. Transported for 7 years. George Smith for entering the property of Samuel Cole at Elmsett and stealing divers articles. James Scofield and Haggai Hines for stealing six hogs from John Vincent of Elmsett. 7 years transportation.

August 26th 1829

Committed to Bury gaol, W.Golding for cutting and stealing a quantity of wheat ears consisting upwards of 20 bushels in a field at Sudbury belonging to John Nice.

September 2nd 1829

Foxearth, Essex--- A windmill and dwelling house to be let for a number of years. A capital windmill with a round house- comfortable dwelling house adjoining, late in occupation of Robert King, miller. The mill carries two pairs of French stones, the whole in perfect repair, immediate possession may be had. Apply Messrs Frost and Stedman, Sudbury.

September 2nd 1829

Inquisition at Sudbury on Edward Outing who on the preceding evening was run over by Abblitt's Flying Van and killed on the spot. Accidental with the driver being reprimanded for driving too fast through the town.

September 16th 1829

Bower Hall at Pentlow for sale--capital cart and riding horses-milch cows-dairy and brewing equipment-genteel furniture, the effects of Mr Groom.
The work during the last week has been very trying to farmers, very little corn has been carted and a quantity of barley on the ground is very large, still we don't hear of it being grown to much extent but in the woodlands there is a great deal of bearded wheat, the meadows round Bury are flooded.

September 23rd 1829

Inquisition at Hopton on John Clarke aged 9 years who hanged himself in a saw pit, it may be remembered that about three months ago a boy named Wheeler hung himself in the same parish, since that time three or four boys have attempted to destroy themselves in a similar way, no motive has been discovered except that his master had threatened to tell his parents of his negligence and laziness. The Jury returned a verdict of felo de so and expressed hopes that it would tend to check the growing practice in Hopton. The Coroner issued a warrant for a private burial between 9 and 12 on Saturday night without the rites of a Christian burial.

October ? 1829

Live and dead stock for sale at Newton Lays farm, Newton, the property of John Taylor. Mr Taylor's attention to breeding and rearing is well known in the neighbourhood.
Married on Monday se'nnight, Mr Oliver Brand of Melford to Anna Maria Hart of Newton.

October 7th 1829

Six male prisoners were put aboard a hulk at Portsmouth from Bury gaol. William Pryke, Thomas Wright, Benjamin Whymark, Henry Perry, Thomas Sparkes, William Pool, all transported for life.
Elisabeth Parmenter ans Sarah Heard of Melford were charged with uttering several base half crowns.

October 15th 1829

At Ballingdon Fair on Tuesday last there was a large shew of Scotch cattle but little business was done, the buyers requiring a decline in prices.

October 28th 1829

Death on Sunday last, Henry Albon, blacksmith of Hartest, he ate a hearty dinner and was drinking a cup of tea as usual and was a corpse in a few minutes, to the sorrow of his family.

October 2nd 1829

It is generally unknown that a day labourer, common soldier or sailor who uses profanr swearing is liable to a fine of 1s for every oath, tradesmen pay 2s and a gentleman 5s, for the second offence the fine is doubled.

December 2nd 1829

The principal inhabitants of Newton near Sudbury have established during the winter months, a night patrol, their names are entered in couplette to constitute a watch, each with a different arrangement. On Friday night last they found a post boy lying insensible beside a chaise which had overturned, two surgeons were immediately sent for and they stitched his forehead. The boy said he was returning to Bury from Colchester and was so benumbed by cold that he lost the power to hold the reins.

December 2nd 1829

Some body snatchers managed to visit the Chelmsford neighbourhood last Wednesday night and succeeded in obtaining from Widford churchyard the remains of Robert Coote the shoemaker interred the same evening.

December 9th 1829

On Sunday last, during Divine Service, a labouring man in the parish of Clare, without the knowledge of his master, took a gun into the fields, when crossing a turnip field he used the gun as a staff, it went off and lodged the whole of the charge into the upper part of his body.

December 23rd 1829

A beautiful specimen of the less spotted woodpecker of pennant so rarely seen in this country, was shot last week in a garden in Ipswich.