January 12th 1841

Inqu-- at Gt Cornard on Joseph Collins aged about 26 years in the employ of Mr Siggars of Lt Cornard who met his death when employed loading his master's waggon with chalk in the chalk pits owned by Mr Thomas Ginn.

January 19th 1841

In consequence of the rapid thaw and rain we have had yesterday we experienced the highest floods we can remember at Sudbury, owing to the strength of the current bringing down large pieces of ice, fears were entertained for the safety of the bridges etc, which although struck with great violence no serious damage was done, the water rose so high opposite All Saints Church and in Cross Street and Ballingdon that foot passengers were subject to a wetting and the roaring of the waters as it passed between the piles of Ballingdon bridge was so great it could be heard at a considerable distance, the 1st floors of several houses in Ballingdon were flooded.

January 19th 1841

On the 8th a sparrow of a bright fawn colour was shot by Mr Norton at Cavendish, many persons have been to see it at Mr Bardwick's premises, the bird presever at Sudbury.

January 19th 1841

There is in possesion of Mr Bigg of Hereford, a hog weighing 90 stone 8 lbs at 14 lbs to the stone, the length from the snout to the tail is 8ft 7" with a girth of 6ft 11", he is 3 years 10 months old.

February 2nd 1841

On Monday the 25th, William Allen of Melford was taken into custody on suspicion of stealing ducks which he had brought to Sudbury to sell and were sold by him in the Christopher Inn tap room, on being examined by the magistrates, no proof and he was discharged.
Information was given to Mr Green at Acton who had lost a quantity of ducks, he attended with two servants who proved them stolen by some private marks upon them, a warrant was granted and Allen was arrested at Melford and committed for trial.

February 9th 1841

Committed to Bury gaol, William Pearman and Joseph Clark for further examination on a charge of stealing 3 pigs from John Quy Viall.

February 16th 1841

Died at Wickham St Pauls, aged 83 years--Samuel Downes and at Gestingthorpe, George Downes, nephew of the former.

February 16th 1841

On Saturday morning, a servant of Mr Broome's of Acton Crown observed some soot from the chimney on the floor and found a leg of pork had been stolen therefrom. Suspicion fell on a man who had been lodging there for some nights while in the employ of William Brand who had sent him with his threshing machine to use at Mr Bear's farm at Acton, Mr Broome hastened to the man and found the stolen property concealed in a muck heap where he was working. Committed.

March 2nd 1841

A melancholy instance of death happened to David Hunt, servant to Mr Whybrew of the Compasses Inn at Gestingthorpe. He had been with his master to Hedingham in the cart with a quantity of malt, he laid down and complained of drowsiness and stooped down in the cart, on arrival at his master's, he was considered asleep and left for a short time but on someone sent to wake him he was found to be dead.

March 16th 1841

At Esssex Assizes which commenced on Tuesday, the case which excited most interest was the trial of Thomas Griggs, aged 48, a small farmer at Pentlow, occupying 16-17 acres called Gooches, for receiving stolen corn and seeds. He was first indicted with James Turp a labourer for receiving two coombs of barley and one bushel of trefoil, stolen in the year 1835 from Mr Garnham Groom of that parish.
The long delay of the prosecution was attributed to the facts having lately trnaspired on the return of a man named Hasell from Australia. It appeared that the barn was broken into on the night of April 2nd 1835 and the property was traced to within 30 rods of Griggs' house. Thomas Clary admitted on evidence that at the time he was 15 years old and Turp a little older and that they were out of employment, Griggs told them that he would never starve while there was anything on earth and if they got anything he would receive it. He gave them the key of his swill house and they put the corn and the seed into a tub there. The next day Griggs told them it was of no use to him and he had thrown away the barley and should bury the trefoil. On his commitment Griggs said he refused to take the barley and told Clary to take it away, which he did, he admitted he buried the trefoil himself in the yard. Several farmers and tradesmen from Cavendish and Glemsford (but none from Pentlow) gave Griggs a good character. Lord Denman thought the unsupported evidence of the accomplice was hardly worth belief but the jury found both prisoners guilty. They were indicted again in 1839 for stealing and receiving some barley from Mr John Chickall of Pentlow, the principal evidence in this case was that of William Suttle and John Plum who were accomplices and were at that time in the employ of Mr Chickall and made a similar statement to that in the former case of Griggs offering to receive anything they would bring. Lord Denman said that the evidence was wholly unsupported and although they agreed minutely not much respect was paid to the corresponding evidence of the two thieves.
The jury however found both guilty and his Lordship told Griggs that clearly he had clearly convicted of inveigling young men into the wicked practice of robbing their employers and as there was no hope of his doing better in this country he was sentenced to 14 years transportation. Turp to receive one years' hard labour.
(In the 1839 Tithe Map, Garnham Groom farmed Skillets farm in Pentlow and William Griggs farmed a small farm on the right hand side going towards the Pinkuah Arms, now built over. John Chickall farmed Ropers, there was Hasell living in a house now pulled down at a right angle to Leslie Plumb's house and another widow Hasell lived in the small cottage just past Skillets.)

March 16th 1841

Construction of Chimneys---as the building season has started we remind all builders that they are liable to a penalty of £ 10- £ 50 for every chimney not being built according to directions--withs and partitions to be of the brick or stone at least © a brick thick, every breast and back and with or partition to be of sound material, joints to be well filled with good mortar or cement and rendered or stuccoed within, every chimney or flue to be not less than 14"-19" inside, the angle to be 120 degrees, not sharper.

March 24th 1841

There have been numerous robberies in Melford, on Thuesday night the 10th, some villians stole two sheep from the yard of Edward Chinery which they killed and threw the skins in the river.

March 24th 1841

William Allen for stealing ducks from John Green at Acton. 7 years transportation.

March 24th 1841

Josiah Beer and Thomas Pearman for stealing three pigs from John Quy Viall. 7 years transportation, Pearman was also sentenced to another 7 years for a second offence.

March 24th 1841

John Smith for stealing a ham from T.Broom of Acton. 12 months.

March 24th 1841

On Friday night last, a woman named Smith from Gregory Street in Sudbury, was out for the purpose of stealing turnips when she mistaking the path in the dark, fell into a ditch, breaking her leg and her thigh, her cries attracted some men who were watching the turnips and they conveyed her to the Union House.

April 12th 1841

Inqu--at Chilton, Clare, on John Inch aged 13 who on the previous Monday was riding a horse, sitting on a sack, when Messrs Baldry, father and son, came up in a gig on their way to Clare market, the road being narrow, the boy in trying to get out of the way, backed his horse into the gig, the horse ran away and the lad fell off and received concussion of the brain and died the next morning.
April 12th 1841.10 male convicts were removed from Bury gaol to the hulk Warrior lying at Woolwich, among them were Josiah Beer and William Pearman, Pearman to serve a second sentence when his first expires.

April 12th 1841

Essex and Suffolk estate to be sold at the Rose and Crown in Sudbury. All the valuable estates are situated in Belchamp Otten-Belchamp St Pauls-Belchamp Walter-Gestingthorpe-Pentlow-Shimpling and Stanstead. The Otten Hall estate-capital farm house with out buildings-164 acres. Mill farm and Skippers, comprising newly erected cottage and barn, double tenement, 55 acres. New Hall estate, comfortable messuage with out buildings with two cottages in four tenements, containing 8 acres. Mountain farm in Shimpling, 49 acres.
Castle Moor farm in Stanstead, farmhouse and outbuildings.
By the executors of the late William Halls.

April 12th 1841

On the 23rd, a ewe sheep was stolen from the flock of Robert Spooner at Smeaton Hall, Bulmer. A reward of £ 100 for information is offered.

May 11th 1841

TO SHEPHERDS---Wanted three young men, single or having a wife and not more than one child, must be of good character and acquainted with the management of a flock of breeding ewes. Also a middle aged shepherd who can read and write to take charge of the whole, the wife to be in charge of the dairy. Free passage provided to the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa with an engagement of four years, it is required they shall be religiously disposed and if of the Wesleyans the more desirable. Further particulars from the Rev Cowell of West Row, Mildenhall.

May 11th 1841

There was a trial of ploughs at Hintlesham near Ipswich, up to 30 ploughs taking part, the amount of draught as found by the dynanometer-swing ploughs, 1st deep draught furrows at 9"-7" deep, an S.R. by Ransome with draught of 20 stone. Spring ploughs for shallow work made by - Woods and a draught of 23 stone.

June 8th 1841

Died at Pentlow on Wednesday last in his 60th year, John Ewer of Pentlow.

June 8th 1841

On Monday night or Tuesday morning on the 1st, a sheep belonging to William Jennings of Rodbridge farm was slaughtered and carried away from Liston Park.

June 8th 1841

Grimwood Webb aged 16 years for stealing shoes from William Golding at Glemsford. 7 years transportation but to be recommended to the Penetentiary.

June 8th 1841

William Curry was charged with the rescue of his wife from the constable of Cavendish. Discharged

August 17th 1841

On Wenesday night last, the maltings of the Ram Inn at Melford were forcibly entered and a quantity of working implements were stolen which belonged to the carpenters and bricklayers who were repairing the premises.

August 24th 1841

On Saturday morning last as Elliot the Sudbury carrier was returning from Bury with several passengers in his cart, in passing a waggon near Melford green, his cart came in contact with the hind wheel of the waggon and by the sudden concussion two females were thrown out of the cart, one of them was seriously injured.

September 14th 1841

Died at Glemsford Rectory, Mary Coldham aged 34, wife of the Rev George Coldham and eldest daighter of Sir C.M.Clarke.

November 14th 1841

Paper Mill at Melford for sale---superior dwelling house with extensive buildings adjoining comprising drying house-cow house-3 stall stable-7 acres. The mill is recently built, it is 62ft by 42ft-contains two large water wheels-in the the home pasture there is a barn with a good threshing floor-the property has a good head of water equal if not superior to any on the river having the advantage of the tributary from Glemsford mill and in the event of extension of navigation from Sudbury to Clare being carried into effect (which has long been in contemplation) it will wonderfully increase the value.

September 28th 1841

On Thursday last, a man in the employ of Mr Edwards of Barnham was sent to Colchester for a horse, his master furnished him with 30s and he had money of his own. On his return he stopped at the Rushbrooke Arms, Sicklesmere, for a drink and drank there till he was intoxicated, some travelling " hat revivers" undertook to polish his beaver for 9d to which he consented, on leaving the house and coming to the turnpike gate he found all his money gone, whilst stopped at the gate, one of the itinerants came up and claimed the horse saying he had given a sovereign for it. The silly fellow resigned the horse and proceeded to Bury on foot and took the carriers cart to Barnham, on reaching home he called on his master and told him and the following morning he went to Rushbrooke where he found the landlord had suspicions that not all was right and sent for the constable who detained the horse but suffered the sharpers to escape.

September 28th 1841

Inquest at Stradishall on John Pearson aged about 50 who fell victim to the commonly called and encouraged practice of terminating the harvest by a disgusting debauch under the name collecting largesse. On the Friday night he was at a horkey at Mr Frost's of Boyton End and went home sober, the next morning they had breakfast at together at their master's house and set out to collect largesse at different farms, in the afternoon they called at James Pryke's, the deceased was drunk and the others " fresh", Mr Pryke gave them two glasses of gin each and promised some more at another time as they seemed to have had enough that day. They left Mr Pryke's at about 5-30 and about 7-15 both he and his son were found lying by the roadside, shaking and very drunk, deceased was unable to speak and was put in a wheel barrow and wheeled to Mr Pryke's barn where he was left to get sober, about half an hour later he was found in a dying state and before medical assistance was obtained he expired. Mr Dunthoren, surgeon, was satisfied on examination of his stomach that the cause was excessive drinking.

September 28th 1841

At West Suffolk Agricultural Association. Robert Snare of Rushbrooke aged 83 for bringing up 9 children on only 22s 6d relief and that was for the purchase of a coffin for his fourth wife, he is still now earning his living.

October 12th 1841

Last week the carpenter's shop at the timber yard belonging to Sir William Hyde Parker at Melford was broken into and a quantity of tools stolen. A few days previous the Black Lion at Melford was broken into, the family were disturbed and the robbers decamped.

October 12th 1841

A fat pig was stolen from Thomas Branwhite at Lavenham and killed on the premises.

October 26th 1841

Inquest at the Plough Inn at Bulmer on Joseph Felton, aged 70 years. Deceased on the previous Tuesday was returning from Sudbury where he had been sent on a message, when nearing home he touched the heads of some horses which were drawing a van and immediately sprang forward for safety but at the same time the van was struck by a gig when he was driving the other side of the van, he received some injury as to die a few days later. No blame attached to the driver of the van or gig but to the unfortunate deceased who being both blind and deaf could not see the horses. Accidental.
The deceased had been employed by the parishioners to fetch and carry parcels to and from Sudbury which he visited daily and could find his way to any house required, although deprived of his sight and hearing his feeling was acute, he was employed by labourers in the field to purchase razors or knives which once he handled and being put in his hands many years after could tell to whom they belonged. He regulary attended the parish church where on the stairs of the pulpit he was to be seen as often as a service was performed with his horn to his ear, when there was no service at Bulmer he attended churches in Sudbury, he was a remarkably clean person and was respected by all classes.

October 26th 1841

Inquest at Clare on Daniel Ellingham aged 35 who when riding on the shafts of a waggon, fell off, and the wheels passed over him rupturing his bladder.

November 2nd 1841

Last week one of those cheating itinerants called gyseys deluded a young girl of 19 at Clare under the pretence of fortune telling, after listening to her for some time the simple girl gave her about 50 shillings and a dress, the gipsey promised to call on her the next day. After they parted the girl felt uneasy and told her brother who with the constable went in search of the parties and found them at Cranmore Green at Melford, the gipsey gave up the money and the dress and was taken before the magistrate and said she was going to return to the girl the next day. Case dismissed on payment of £ 2 which the swarthy tribe readily consented to.

November 2nd 1841

Inqu--at Hadleigh on Elizabeth Piggot a travelling knife grinder's wife who died in her tent her one dwelling place for 40 years.

November 2nd 1841

On Wednesday the 27th as Mr Fenner, a veterinary surgeon of Clare was returning from Bury where he had been serving on the jury and accompanied by Mr Gittus, landlord of the Half Moon in Clare, when their horse became restless as they were passing through a stream (which was swollen owing to heavy rains) and started plunging violently as to upset the gig which falling on Mr Fenner and fractured his leg, two persons in a gig came along and helped them to Whepstead White Horse, being the nearest public house, they were refused admittance it being eleven o' clock. Mr Fenner was taken home half dead with cold and a broken limb, there is a lot of feeling of indignation at the inhumanity shown him at Whepstead, we hear he is going on nicely.

November 16th 1841

In reply to the charge of cruel negligence at Whepstead, Mr Curry writes, late at night after I had retired, my servant aroused me stating that several men were at the door and that one of the party had met with an accident. I correctly assumed that they were intoxicated and had I let them in I would of had difficulty getting rid of them which is frequently the case when I let intoxicated men in, if I had known the case I would have got up. Mr Gittus, the driver was very much intoxicated and the accident was caused by one of them trying to get before the other when going through the water their vehicles came in contact. I am very sorry the accident occurred.

November 16th 1841

At the South Suffolk Show at Clare, the best stallion belonged to Garnham Groom of Pentlow-best 2 year old gelding, Mr Baker of Belchamp Otten-2nd best bull, Mr S.Viall of Lower Hall, Foxearth.
November 16th 1841.Inqu-- at Wickhambrook on Harriet Nunn age 1© years who was drowned of suffocated by falling in the " Bumby" in her father's garden close by the cottage door.

December 1st 1841

Committed to Bury gaol-Isiah Farrance charged with stealing a bag containg horse victuals, the property of Joseph Stammers Garret of Cavendish and his sister has since been was committed to Chelmsford gaol on a charge of stealimng turkeys.

December 30th 1841

Inqu-- at Ballingdon King's Head on James Frost aged about 20 who on the 19th took arsenic, all attempts to remove it from his stomach failed and he died. It appears he was attached to a young woman of Sudbury named Smith to whom he was strongly attracted but her inconstancy and connextion with a young man named Stow excited strong jealously towards Stow resulting in many fierce battles between the two rivals, it preyed so much on his mind that he committed suicide. He was interred in All Saints Churchyard the same evening between 9 and 10 without the usual funeral ceremonies.