Jamuary 2nd 1839

We are required to state that all the coal merchants of Bury are now selling best duck coals at 31s a ton.

Jamuary 2nd 1839

On Monday night fire broke out in an old barn at the Bull Inn in Melford in the adjoining stable, the building was destroyed with some oats belonging to the tenant, the Inn was saved with little damage.

Jamuary 2nd 1839

At Polstead, Edward Larter of the Lamb Inn was killed by driving into a claypit where he and his donkey were found at about 9 at night in a state of imtoxication, they were found by a waggoner.

Jamuary 2nd 1839

Benjamin Shepherd and James Cooke were charged with assaultimg and beating Henry Robinson in his execution of his office as constable of Glemsford. 4 months hard labour.

January 9th 1839

On Christmas day, the poor of Cavendish received their annual gift of bread from their worthy Rector, the Rev Castley.

January 9th 1839

The 1st annual ball at the Bull Inn at Melford was most numerous with dancing being kept up till the early hours.

January 16th 1839

Married. On Thursday last at the Friends Meeting Place at Ipswich, Stafford Allen of London to Hannah the eldest daughter of James Ransome of Reed Cottage at Rushmere.

January 16th 1839

John Steward aged 22 was charged with setting fire to some barley stacks at Lavenham the property of Alfred Ablett. Transported for life.

January 16th 1839

John Prentice pleaded guilty to entering the house of Daniel Lingley at Melford and stealing 8 five pound notes and 6 silver spoons. Transported for 10 years.

January 16th 1839

John Sargeant, 7 years transportation for stealing a fat pig from Mr Greene at Newton in 1835

January 16th 1839

John Gridley for stealing from the person of James Wales at Glemsford, 6© pence and an empty purse and a clasp knife. Transported for 15 years.
William Theobald of Glemsford, a beer seller, for stealing a quantity of chaff. 6 months.

January 16th 1839

Caroline Cooke for stealing several articles of clothing from her mistress, Margaret Mears, of Gt Waldingfield. 6 months.

January 16th 1839

On Thursday evening, two mail carts running between Sudbury and Bury were robbed owing to the drivers leaving them unguarded to go into public houses, the cart at Bradfield Manger was robbed of a coat and the one coming from Colchester was robbed of three mail bags at Alpheton Lion, fortunately no property of any value except perhaps 4s 4d, the value of the bags. The following day the bags were found near the Lion at Alpheton in a field with letters strewn about, by exertions of the constable two men, John Day and William Scott were apprehended, the former by the driver of the Colchester coach who was returning to Melford to report his loss when he took up Day and set him down at his house where the great coat was found, the latter had only just been discharged at the last Sessions of being concerned in a robbery at Mr Lingley's house at Melford.

March 13th 1839

John Day 23 and William Scott 23 for stealing three letter bags from the mail carriers to be transported for life.

January 30th 1839

Such is the demand for straw plaiters that the the earnings of females in the parishes of Braintree and Halstead in Essex that the wages are greater than weaving in the silk mills, the latter experiencing a deficiency of hands that applicants have been made to other parts of the country for girls to work at the mills.

January 30th 1839

Several letters have been received from families of labourers who were sent out to Adelaide in South Australia, stating the happiness of their change for the better and able bodied farm servants can earn 36s a week and all his children over 10 or females can earn more than grown men in England, the writers of the letters implore their relations to come out to them.

January 30th 1839

Inquest at Hartest on Thomas Kimmis. Thomas Jackson said at 6-45 he was riding from Boxted to Stanstead when his pony shied at a man lying in the road, he could not get off his pony but told two men at Mr Watt's house about what he saw, they went down the Boxted road towards Stanstead near Clobb's farm and found deceased lying on his face, he was the letter carrier of the place. George King, surgeon from Hartest said it was an attack of apoplexy as he had been treating him for it.

January 30th 1839

Stanstead Workhouse to be sold at the White Hart Inn on the 5th of February. A dwelling house divided into three tenements.

February 6th 1839

Melford Workhouse to be sold. 7 tenements with yards and gardens, situated near the church adjoining the churchyard on the north part.

February 6th 1839

A man named Clark, a gardener of Groton ran a mile last week in a state of nakedness for a wager, partaking of brandy on the way, it is hoped that the public stocks or whipping post will be his next place of exhibition.

February 13th 1839

A liberal subscription has been entered to in Clare to supply the poor with coal at 6d a bushel all through the winter.

February 20th 1839

Inquest at Horringer on Simon Last who while putting a bush into a lift fell down dead. Mr Image a surgeon said he had an enlarged heart.

March 27th 1839

Committed to Bury gaol, Charles Boreham, Abraham Brewster and Robert Allen charged with violently assaulting and wounding William Rowe of Glemsford so that his life is in danger.

April 3rd 1839

William Mason aged 13 was charged with stealing 5 silver spoons from Mrs Amelia Bird.

April 3rd 1839

Yesterday se'nnight on Tuesday, the 1st division of the 4th Irish Dragoon Guards, commanded by Capt Heigham left Ipswich for Sudbury on their way to Birmingham.

April 17th 1839

Death at Glemsford of Abraham Golding of the Crown Inn aged 50, deceased was greatly respected by a large number of freinds and has left an orphan family of 9 children to lament their loss

April 17th 1839

George Ostler was charged with on the night of 24th of March of breaking in to the mill at Stanstead and stealing 60 stone of flour, the property of William Sparke.
George Ostler 51 was sentenced to transportation for 7 years.

June 5th 1839

On Sunday night, John Green of Bury, a well known driver of cattle to London, fell of Mr Syke's stage waggon near Maplestead, Essex, the wheel passed over him and he was killed immediately, it is supposed he was asleep.

June 5th 1839

Committed to Bury gaol, Elizabeth and Walter Thompson charged with stealing a quantity of malt from the malting house of Josiah Sparke at Glemsford.

July 3rd 1839

Joseph Beeton junior was charged with stealing six bushels of wheat from Mrs Adams of Foxearth.(probably Western End).

July 31st 1839

At Ipswich Sessions, Henry Rushford aged 17, for picking the pocket of Thomas Leavold of a silk handkerchief. Transported for 7 years as he had been in trouble before.

August 7th 1839

At Cowlinge Fair on Wednesday last, a brutal outrage was committed on Sergeant Johnson of the 94th Foot, he has been for several years stationed in Bury on recruiting service, his party enlisted five recruits at the Fair, two of them fell fighting and Johnson intervened to stop them when about 20-30 desperate characters set upon him with sticks and beat him in a savage manner, such was the force that the whalebone support of his hat and the brass on the peak broke, but for the protection these afforded him his life would have been sacrificed, the ruffians attempted to draw his sword but Johnson with exemplary coolness drew the blade and declared he would use it against his countrymen, he was rescued by Mr Bryant from Newmarket by riding his horse into the crowd. The mob afterwards demolished several stalls and threw ginger beer bottles about and staved in a cask of beer and we believe broke woman's arm, 10 were apprehended of whom four were committed to Bury gaol for rioting, they were Samuel Outlaw, Edward Reeve, John Race and George Stigwood for violent assault on John Coe and his wife at Cowlinge Fair.

August 28th 1839

Samuel Outlaw and John Stigwood were charged with uttering false bank notes at Cowlinge Fair and Stigwood was also charged with stealing a hat the property of John Bradford.

August 28th 1839

Inquest at St Gregory's, Sudbury, on Rueben Sturgeon aged 14. John Frankham said he was weighing coals at Mr Musgroves's yard in Sudbury when he heard someone shout " stop that horse", he ran to the gate and saw deceased holding on to the shafts of the cart, he fell off and a wheel went over his head. Accidental.

August 28st 1839

For maliciously trespassing at Melford, Sophia Border.1 month.

September 4th 1839

Inquest on John Marsh who while mowing wheat at Kedington fell down and expired immediately.

September 4th 1839

At Stanstead, Frederick Howe and Samuel Wright for absenting themselves from work. 14 days.

September 4th 1839

To be sold at the Rose and Crown at Sudbury. A piece of building land surrounded by a brick wall, situated at the entrance to North Street at Sudbury on the right hand side of the road leading to Melford upon now stands the remains of a windmill.

September 25th 1839

The first anniversity of the opening of the new organ at Cavendish church was commemorated on the 14th when selections of Handel's Oratorios were performed at the afternoon service. 100 children of the parish dined at the Rector's expence on beef and plum pudding.

October 1st 1839

At the Parsonage Farm, Melford. Live and dead stock of Mr Holden who is quitting the farm.

October 30th 1839

Maria Jacobs, 27, a widow of Sudbury, was found guilty of stealing a purse containing 2L 6s from Moses Code at Lamarsh. 7 years transportation.
Willam Shepherd for stealing a waistcoat and 2 half crowns and a knife from James Savage at Glemsford. Acquitted.

October 30th 1839

A ploughing match took place Melford Hall by the wishes of Sir Hyde Parker, 18 prizes were contended for. 1st-J.Rising for G.Coe of Alpheton, 1L 10s. 2nd J.Newman servant of Mr Blunden, Melford, 1L. J.Went for Mr Death, 15s-Charles Scoffield for J.Coe, a new slop,(a loose fitting outer garment), William Chattis for J.Green of Acton, a new hat-James Ford for W, Ruffel, new hat-G, Chattis for Mr Green of Acton, hat.
Under 18's- John Ranson for Mr Cooper of Melford, 1L 5s, this young man's ploughing was much admired-Samuel Pleasants for O.Brand of Acton, 17s 6d.
G.Harrington for Mr Westropp of Melford, 12 6d-G.Whittle for J.Coe, Melford, new slop-R.Went for G.Death, slop-J.Moss for Mr Westropp, new hat-Charles Stearns for J.Underwood, Acton, hat-Boys-Henry Chattis for J.Green, 15s-Robert Howard for W.Ruffel, 5s.
After the ploughing was finished the farmers, joined by a few respectable traders, sat down to a good dinner at the Hare Inn and afterwards a splendid dessert was supplied by the worthy Baronet from his own gardens and some rum which was over 80 years old from his cellars. The ploughmen after taking their horses home were supplied with a good old English dinner by Sir Hyde Parker's expence, their dinner being over they were called into the farmer's room to receive their prizes, they then retired to their own room where they spent the evening in great hilarity.

November 6th 1839

There was a daring robbery at Glemsford on Sunday last at the home of Mr Eldred a farmer, the premises were broken into while the family was at church and on their return found they were robbed of several articles. Mr Eldred had his suspicions of two desperate boys and they were apprehended and part of the stolen property was found on them, one had only just been released form Bury gaol three weeks ago. Charles Brewster and William Shepherd were charged with entering the house of Mr Sidney Eldred at Glemsford and stealing 9 sovereigns and some silver, a marked shilling, a silver watch etc.

November 11th 1839

Inqu- at Groton on Thomas Rice a brewer aged 36 who descended into a beer vat at the White Horse Inn in Groton in search of a candlestick, it is supposed he was suffocated by the foul air.

November 11th 1839

Inq--at Melford on John Algar, it appears that the deceased and another lad (Edward Blyth) were firing a cannon on the Green, they discharged it once and then charged it again with 2© pipes of powder, deceased fired it off and the cannon burst, a piece striking him on the leg, he immediately mounted his donkey and rode home where the surgeon was sent for but he died on Saturday.

November 20th 1839

South Suffolk Show at Stradishall. Best stallion- J.Pryke of Stradishall-Best mare, Thomas Parmenter of Lamarsh-Best cow of any breed, Mr S.Viall of Foxearth,(Lower Hall). At 4 o'clock 180 gentlemen sat down to dinner at the Half Moon in Clare.
Best ploughman, John Griggs of Cornard, 2L 10s-best foot ploughman, G.Ward of Foxearth, 1L 15s (afterwards brewer at Foxearth).

December 4th 1839

At Sepulchre Street, Sudbury, on Tuesday last an elegant Chapel erected by the congregation was opened for Divine Worship by the Rev Verdon.

January 1st 1840

Death at Sible Hedingham of the Rev Charles Fisher, late of Ovington cum Tilbury Rectory aged 81 years.

January 1st 1840

On Christmas day, 40 of the aged poor in Glemsford whose united ages amounted to 3134 years had a good dinner of roast beef and plum pudding provided for them at the Crown Inn by order of Mr Eldred who with his wife and family partook of the repast. After dinner some good old songs were sung and some jocund tales told, so much good humour prevailed that it was proposed that those who liked could stop for a cup of tea which was accepted by about 20 people, the violin played some lively airs and was used as accompaniment to merry songs by one of the ancient party, at 7 they retired to their homes.

January 1st 1840

Committed to Bury gaol for 2 months--William Brewster and William Oakley for trespassing in search of game at Gelmsford.
Henry Gridley and George Brewster for trespassing in pursuit of game at Glemsford. 14 days.

January 15th 1840

On Thursday the 2nd, a man named Ford was ploughing a field near the church for Mr Finbow at Bacton when he turned up a brass candlestick, a silver watch, silver spoons, a punch ladle and sugar tongs, they have been identified as having been stolen from Yaxley Bull in 1827, the robbery was committed by three men, Pechey, Alexander and Leabon who it is supposed buried the property to avoid detection, they were apprehended and sentenced to transportation for life for robbing Mr Hicks at Wetherden.

February 12th 1840

13 convicts were removed from Bury gaol to be transported for 10 years, among them Charles Brewster and William Shepherd of Glemsford.

February 12th 1840

On Monday afternoon 200 gentlemen partook of a dinner in the Globe Hotel at Bury to celebrate the nuptials of her Majesty.

February 12th 1840

Inquest at Sudbury on Thomas Firmin formerly a malster and miller at Borley in Essex, a small quantity of laudinum was pumped out of his stomach by the surgeon (6ozs), he was constantly in a state of inebriation. Temporary derangement.

March 25th 1840

To be imprisoned for 6 weeks, Frederick Turpin, for stealing a peck of wheat from William Goodchild at Kedington.

March 25th 1840

James Clark of Glemsford for stealing a plank of elm board from James Heckford at Glemsford. 12 months.

March 25th 1840

A period has just arrived where the great experiment of replacing more moderate penalties than former times, the Anti Capital Punishment Society has congratulated the public from the system of indiscriminat rigour to comparitive mercy. In 1821 there were 114 executions in England and Wales, 50 in 1836 to 6 in 1838.

April 1st 1840

William and Joseph Double pleaded guilty to stealing a sheep the property of John Dawson of Higham, the latter prisoner was arraigned on a second indictment of having stolen a pig form John Cook at Holton, the pig was found at the prisoner's home at the time he was gaol, the Judge said there was no evidence and he was acquitted. Both to be transported for ten years for stealing a sheep.

April 8th 1840

Melford and the vicinity has for a long time been troubled by nightly depredators particulary of mutton and flour, again on Saturday night some daring villians slew and stole a fine sheep the property of Mr Patrick Ostler, butcher of Melford, from a pasture at Liston in Essex.

April 8th 1840

Inquest at Stoke next Clare on Henry Dow, it appears that deceased and two other men were working in a chalk pit belonging to John Payne Elwes when a mass of chalk fell on him, Accidental.

April 29th 1840

Inquest at Melford on Sophia Ambrose aged 20 years who was found hanging from a linen post by her mother at 3-30 in the morning, it appears she kept company with a young man named Mills for two years and never complained of him. Mr Cream, surgeon, said he had no reason to believe she was in the family way. William Mills, carpenter, said he was engaged to the deceased for 18 months and when they parted the previous evening she seemed as usual in a friendly way. Temporary derangement.

April 29th 1840

Committed to Bury gaol, James Downey for stealing a watch from John Smith at Liston.

May 6th 1940

A cruel robbery was committed at Melford on Sunday night last when some villians stole a fat pig weighing 4 score from Richard Rolfe, an industrious worker, it was taken from a stye of an adjoining cottage which was uninhabited and driven into an adjoining pasture where it was killed whithin a 100 yards of where it was taken, in the course of the day the pig was found in a sack under an archway in a field near Liston Bridge.

May 6th 1940

At about 8 as Mr Syke's waggon from Bury was passing through Gt.Leighs on it's way to London, the guard, Robert Boughton, who was riding in the front, fell asleep and fell off, the wheels passing over his head he was killed immediately. He was of excellent character and leaves a wife and six children in Bury.

May 27th 1840

Wanted at Sudbury Union House--Schoolmaster and Laundress. Salary for schoolmaster £ 35 per annum, Laundress,£ 12 per annum.

May 27th 1840

To be sold at the Green Man at Cowlinge--Cowlinge Hall Estate complete with family residence, buildings and 294 acres.

May 27th 1840

For sale at Cavendish--a piece of freehold land known as " The Croft" comprising 3 acres more or less situated behind the Bull Inn.

May 27th 1840

For sale at Walter Belchamp--a range of cottages situated by the roadside leading from Walter Belchamp to Gestingthorpe in occupation of Thomas Amos, James Turner and Edward Byford.

June 13th 1840

Died at Acton Hall, John Underwood aged 54 years. The deceased was a man of extraordinary strength of body and enjoyed an uncommon degree of health all his lifetime, he was a good master and a kind parent, his loss is much regretted.

June 13th 1840

On Friday at Belchamp Otten, the first © years rent was paid to the Rev Thomas Maude at the Rectory House where a handsome cold collation was set out with plenty of wine, this system of payment was much approved off by the parishioners.

June 13th 1840

Inquest at Santon Downham on Arthur Philips aged 5 years who was caught by the neck in a rabbit place into which he had made a habit of climbing.

June 10th 1840

Died at Liston aged 55 years, Maria, wife of Thomas Ardley, miller and malster, by her death her husband has been dereft of a good partner and a family of 11 children to mourn her loss.

June 17th 1840

At Cavendish grammar school prizes were awarded to Westhrop for Latin-Leach and King for English.
June 17th 1840.Inqu- at Bures St Mary on Thomas Blyth, grocer of Nayland aged 40.
William Good, a farmer said he was driving home to Bures by the Nayland road when nearly home he found a horse and gig lying in the road, deceased was lying in the middle of the road dead and cold, it appears the gig had gone up the bank and turned over. John Snow a hairdresser of Bures said deceased left the Horseshoes bfore 10, he was very fresh and the landlord tried to persuade him to take someone with him and Death's man, Aldwell, offered to go with him. Accidental.

June 23rd 1840

To be sold by auction--50 lots of oak timber and 100 oak saplings, they are situated beside the road from Gestingthorpe to Sudbury.

July 7th 1840

On Saturday night or Sunday morning, some villians entered a farm at Melford belonging to Mr Oliver Brand and stole a ewe sheep and a fat lamb belonging to Mr Ostler, a butcher, the skins and entrails were found an old sack in a archway near Liston Bridge, being the same place where a stolen fat pig was found a few weeks ago, this trade has been carried on for a great length of time in the neighbourhood.
July 7th 1840. There was an inquest at Wickhambrook on the body of Robert Turner, a sawyer aged 50 who was drowned while bathing with a mate called Abraham Brewster in a place called the long ditch.

July 28th 1840

Benjamin Briggs for breaking the lock on the pound in Kersey and releasing two men therein. 2 months.

August 4th 1840

A Lincolnshire paper says,----21 years ago a man named Sharp was transported for 7 years, he soon secured the esteem of his proprietors, married well, acquired property and returned with his wife and family to Legbourne, the bells of the church were ringing merrily, he sought out a child (now a man) by a former wife and deposited in a bank at Louth, 20, 000 pounds, we hear he is in treaty for one of the spacious Halls in the neighbourhood as a suitable mansion. As a pendant to this we may mention that the son of a woman who many years ago was tried for riding away one of her master's horses. (the late John Cobbold of Ipswich) arrived in England last year with 7, 000 pounds a year and was in treaty to purchase a mansion and estate in Suffolk, such instances cannot now occur under the present system of transportation.

August 11th 1840

Died at Bulmer after a few days illness--the two daughters aged 7 and 9 of Mr John Firmin.

August 18th 1840

It has been discovered that a quantity of stores at Sudbury Workhouse had been abstracted and suspicion fell on Mr Fitzroy Fisher, the governor, he was living beyond his means far exceeding his salary and had an establishment in London kept by a woman who he occasionaly visited and it was alleged there was sent to town a short time since a quantity of goods the property of the Guardians, a local constable was sent to apprehend him on Friday but Fisher observed the approach of the officer and made a retreat, getting into a boat moored on the river by the side of the garden and affected his escape, he fled to Ipswich where he took the mail coach to London but owing to the promptitude of Mr Durrell,(the clerk to the magistrates) the rural police were staioned on the line of the road to the metropolis and on reaching Brentwood Superindentent Davis overhauled the passengers and selected the gentleman who was took into custody and conveyed back to Sudbury. A number of the poor populace of Sudbury on finding his arrival, he was greeted by yells and execrations that it led to officers to fear that summary punishment would be inflicted by the mob, Davis ascertained the female alluded to was named Olley and was living in Plummer Street, City Road, where Fisher hired lodgings for her, they found a quantity of goods supposed to belong to the Union. Fisher was taken to Bury gaol where he made an attempt at suicide. Alfred Moulton, 12, an inmate, said he was in the habit of taking parcels by direction of Fisher to the home of Elizabeth Olley in Lion Walk, Mr Fisher told him not to tell anyone. Committed to Assizes.

August 26th 1840

To be sold by auction--a valuable estate known as Glemsford Lodge Estate, comprising 180 acres, a genteel residence of ample dimensions, approached by a carriage drive with a lawn and fishpond in front and a newly built cottage. In occupation of Mr John Harris Esq an opulent respectable tenant who has offered to take the lease for 8 years at £ 315 per annum.

August 26th 1840

Sudbury Union House--Wanted Master and Matron, salary £ 110 per annum,£ 80 for the master and £ 20 for matron also schoolmistress to instruct the girls, salary £ 20 per annum also laundress at £ 12 per annum.

August 26th 1840

Bury Market---Some samples of new wheat at 76s per quarter, new barley at 36s, new peas at 42s. At the cattle market--Scotch stores at 3s 6d to 4s per stone, fat beasts at 8s, fat sheep at 7s 6d a stone.

September 2nd 1840

Sir Thomas and Lady Cullum returned home to their estate at Hardwick near Bury on Friday last after an absence of two years on the Continent. On Saturday evening the workmen employed in the extensive improvements to the Mansion and grounds were liberally entertained with their families at the Three Tuns in Bury on the return of the worthy proprietor.

September 2nd 1840

The Judges have repeatedly decided that the bar and tap room windows in public houses are liable to duty with exemption granted to warehouse windows.

September 2nd 1840

Inquest at Alpheton on Richard Went, a litle boy who was keeping pigs when he fell into a pond and drowned.

September 8th 1840

On Friday last, a youth about 11 years, the son of Thomas Leeks of Melford was climbing up behind a waggon passing through Melford, his foot slipped and he got entangled in the wheel whereby he received a shocking fracture of the leg with the bone protruding through the skin, no blame was attached to the driver of the waggon.

September 8th 1840

To be sold at the Bull Inn at Melford on the 18th of September by order of the executors of the late James Scott.--The Blooms Hall Estate situated in Stanstead and Melford.

September 8th 1840

To be sold at Mill Hill farm, Glemsford, all the live and dead stock of the late Sidney Eldred.

September 16th 1840

During a cricket match at Windsor, Lord Charles Fitzroy met with a sorry a accident, his Lordship was standing at " point" on the " look out" when a ball flew from the bat and struck him violently in the face, he placed himself under the care of Mr Brown, surgeon to Prince Albert.

September 16th 1840

Glemsford Bridge Farm, to be sold the live and dead stock of Robert Death.

September 16th 1840

At the maltings in Borley, late in occupation of Thomas Firmin, to be sold all the live and dead stock, household furniture, 3 horses-2 colts-11 shoats-sow and pigs-well made malt cart.

September 22nd 1840

On Thursday last, William Harvey was elected governor of Sudbury Union Workhouse in the room of Fitzroy Fisher who is awaiting tial in Bury gaol, Miss Burbridge was elected schoolmistress.

September 22nd 1840

Live and dead stock for sale at Balston Hall in Lavenham and Melford of Sir Hyde Parker who is relinquishing his farm occupancy.

October 6th 1840

For sale at Glemsford, the household furniture and brewing plant, 100 gallons of beer under deed assignment of Henry Hartly, beershop keeper.

October 21st 1840

Robert Sands was committed to Bury gaol charged with breaking into the house of William Game at Boxted and stealing one beverdeen jacket, three waistcoats, two pairs of trousers etc.

October 27th 1840

The Hall Mill in occupation of Mr Barker at Melford was forcibly entered on Thursday night last and a sack of flour and about 8s was stolen. Entry was made by cutting through the brickwork and leaving by the door, the sack of flour was divided into two as two sacks are missing.

October 27th 1840

On Thurday morning last, some persons entered a field belong to Mr Oliver Brand at Acton and stole two lambs, they were killed in the field and the carcases taken away, later the skins and offal were found.

November 3rd 1840

A few days since a youth respectably connected with parents residing not far from Gestingthorpe, when passing Leys Wood on his way to school at Cstle Hedingham wantonly set fire to an oat stack belonging to Mr J.Downes of Gestingthorpe, fortunately he was spotted by a man working near the spot and he put the fire out, he pursued the boy and overtaking him asked his name " Clarke" he replied, which was not correct, his real name was discovered and luckily for him Mr Downes declined to proceed against him.

November 3rd 1840

At Suffolk Sessions of the Bury Division, William Fitzroy Fisher was sent to gaol for two years for defrauding the Sudbury Union House, the chairman said he could have been transported for 16 years but as he had a good character he was treated leniently.

November 3rd 1840

Inqu--at Ixworth on George Brown aged 33 years and George Durrant aged 12 years who while digging in a clay pit when the earth fell in on them, they were dug out in half an hour but both were dead.

November 10th 1840

At South Suffolk Show at Sudbury, Charles Newman 73 of Foxearth for bringing up 8 children without parish relief,£ 1 and for serving on the same farm for 63 years,£ 2.

December 1st 1840

On Saturday last, a poor lad, a chimney sweep named Strand in the employ of Mr Taylor, being unable to enter a flue at Mrs Clarkes in College Street, Bury, was lowered down from the top where he stuck fast and remained so for nearly two hours shrieking in a most distressing manner until at length he was drawn up by a rope in an exhausted state. This is one instance proving the necessity for abolishing the present system of apprenticeship to chimney sweeps.

December 1st 1840

On Saturday night last, as John Feakes a carrier from Melford was leaving London with his waggon, the fog being extra thick, two policemen in Whitechapel observed a cart following the waggon very close and suspected something, soon the men got into the hind part of the waggon and began to remove a large truss of goods, the police gave notice to the driver and the villians were taken, the police know them to be bad characters.

December 9th 1840

To the creditors of Henry Hartley of Glemsford, shopkeeper and beer seller. He has signed over all his real estate and personal estate to Ambrose Shepherd, farmer of Glemsford and to Daniel Alston of Stanstead Hall.

December 9th 1840

Late on Tuesday night as John Brewster, the constable of Wickhambrook, was returning from Bury, his cart was stopped near Wickhambrook by two men, one of whom struck him violently with a cudgel on the head, he was deprived of his senses for a few minutes and when he revived he found his watch and 15s had been stolen, the same night the shop of Mrs Cooper at Shimpling was broken into and several articles were stolen.

December 9th 1840

Abraham Oakley of Glemsford was sentenced to two months imprisonment for offences against the game laws.
William Finch for being an idle and disorderly person in leaving his wife and children chargeable to the parish of Lt Waldingfield. 1 month.

December 9th 1840

Robert Neave as a rogue and vagabond being found in an outhouse at Cavendish for unlawful purposes. 1 month

December 22nd 1840

Within the last 6 days, Messrs Sykes waggon from Bury to London have taken upwards of 70 tons of meat and poultry to London, this includes 2000 turkeys and geese and 3 tons of pork.
At the poultry on Saturday at Bury, there were some good sales with hen turkeys to 13d a pound and cocks at 12s, geese at 7d a lb.

December 22nd 1840

During the late inclement weather, a great many rooks have been found frozen to death in John Fenton's rookery at Welnetham.

December 22nd 1840

On Wednesday night last, a sheep belonging to George Coe of Melford was stolen from a farm at Liston, the same night, a fat wether was stolen from the farm of William Jennings of Rodbridge farm at Melford. Both of these are good farmers and masters and whose acts of kindness know no bounds.
William Oakley of Glemsford, for damaging a fence at Glemsford. 14 days.