January 4th 1854

On Tuesday last two boys, John Game and John Fares lost their lives at Little Waldingfield from sliding on a pond, the ice giving way. Game was quite dead when taken from the water but Fares lingered till Thursday then died.
An inquest returned the verdict of accidental death.

January 11th 1854

Letter from Emigrant. Samuel Webb who was shepherd to Sir Henry Bunbury, writes from Clarence River in New South Wales.

"We are all up in the bush but we don't like it here, we live in a house alone with mountains all round us, all we see is blacks, sometimes we have 10 in the house at a time, they go naked and lay down and sleep but are very strong men, snakes are not as bad as I thought, I killed one which was 8-9 feet long, the blacks eat them, they have a spear stick to fight with, they also fight for women and they that win have the most, they have a song and dance, they don't worship anything.
Tempests are very bad in the summer and the flies, we are 5 miles from the nearest house, 50 miles from a doctor and church.
I do not like sheep keeping here as all the sheep we lose we have to pay for, there are so many mountains we lost 200 in one night but got them back all but 17, we lay poison to kill wild dogs.
My master's estate is 50 miles long and 17 miles wide, he pays £200 a year to the Government, he has 20,000 sheep, 5000 oxen and 400 horses, we are 17 miles from him and 50 to 60 miles from a beer house, beer is 1s a pint, in Sydney it is 3d a pint.
You would think this is a rum place, we have no chairs, only bark tables, bark bedsteads and blocks to sit on. I am building a yard for a cow but have no nails or hammer or saw.

January 11th 1854.

Robert Dye for stealing from J. Maxim at Hartest, a box containing £15 2s 3d and books belonging to the Friendly Society. I months hard labour.

February 1st 1854

The water corn mill at Glemsford was entered on the 27th inst, the entrance was affected by the removal of a large square of glass, the mill desk was broken open and what money there was taken, amounting to 11d, no damage was done and the alert being given the party departed.

February 8th 1854.

Married on the 3rd inst -John Dakin Bear, miller and malster of Alpheton Hall to Mary Ann only daughter of Mr How, farmer of Alpheton.

February 8th 1854.

Inquest at the White Horse, Beyton on the body of Edward Burrows, aged 5 years.
Edward Spooner said

"I am master of the national school at Hesset, the school is about a mile away from here, Edward Burrows is a pupil of mine, he is about 5 years old, he came to the school on the 27th of January.
I found him crying about 11, he complained of pain in his back.

Mary Burrows said

"I am the wife of Ambrose Burrows and mother of the deceased, he was well when he went to school, he came back about one o'clock and told me he was ill, I sent for Mr Cooper the surgeon, I do not think he had anything but bread and butter, perhaps a bit of cheese before he went to school, I sent Elizabeth Green a girl of about 18 for Mr Cooper because he is the parish doctor, he came about 11 that night, he has been sick often since we came to Beyton, his bowels are discorded."

Henry Cooper, surgeon, of Ixworth, said

"I received a message in the middle of the day on Saturday last, I asked the messenger if she had a note, she said no, until we receive a note from a guardian,overseer or relieving officer our attendance is quite gratutitous, these messages frequently are, I visited although there was no note as the child seemed ill. Mrs Burrows said Thomas Burrows had brought home some arsenic for mice which were in the house. Ambrose Burrows said he laid a piece of bread and butter with arsenic, there was a little piece left over , he could not say what he had done with it. "

The jury said the child had died from arsenic poisoning but there was no evidence to show how. The parents were reprimanded for extreme carelessness in allowing children near the arsenic.

February 15th 1854

A handsome gold watch with chain and seals also a purse of five sovereigns was presented to Mr P.R.Cross the chief constable of Sudbury as a token of the esteem for his service as an acting intelligent officer. The testimonial originated from Mr Samuel Vial of Foxearth and other gentlemen who frequent our market at Sudbury and desired to evince the sense of his courage when he apprehended the parties who robbed Mr John Firman of Goldingham Hall in December 1852 as he was returning from the Sudbury market.

February 15th 1854.

Married at Parham on the 1st inst- William Hearn, eldest son of William Hearn of Park farm, Guestingthorpe, E.ssex, to Harriet Rebecca, eldest daughter of Charles Revett of Parham.

February 15th 1854.

We regret to state that the good conduct at Sudbury Union House for the last 2-3 years has been succeeded by acts of misbehaviour which has placed severe inconfidence, for some time past, prayers have been said by the chaplain, the Rev Henley,curate.
And the male and female inmates were brought together and instances of impropriety of behaviour have been observed by the Governor during Divine Service.
About a fortnight ago he directed one female pauper to be removed from the chapel for improper conduct, this was resisted by her companions but the girl was removed and subjected to punishment.
On Monday last information was conveyed to the Governor that some of the male paupers planned to let themselves down from their sleeping rooms by tying bed clothes together into a rope by which they would be drawn up by the female paupers into their sleeping apartments.
The Government procured assistance of the police officers and with members of the staff lay in wait for the intruders.
About 11 the windows of one of the mens ward was seen to open and half a dozen of the paupers slid safely to the ground one after the other, they proceeded to throw small shingle at the women's window, the officers then took the whole into custody, the female paupers were mortified by the discovery of the plot and manifested symptoms of insubordination, next morning, after prayers, they broke into acts of violence and used abusive language and breaking 40 squares of glass.
The female paupers were, Mary Payne, Emma Randall, Jane Lott and Ellen Deeks who were committed to three weeks hard labour. Thomas King of Sudbury, George Sansom of Melford, Samuel Golding of Wickham, James Scott of Lamarsh and Henry Sansom of Melford. 42 days imprisonment.

March 8th 1854.

On Sunday night some persons entered the stables of Mr Robert Allen at Ballingdon and cut off manes and tails from some of the horses.

March 8th 1854.

Inquest at the King's Head, Ballingdon on the body of Nicholas Cross a silk weaver, who was found hanging in a shed belonging Robert Allen. Hung himself, no evidence to show his state of mind.

March 29th1 1854.

John Beeton was charged with sacriligiously entering the parish church at Stanningfield and stealing therefrom one box and 4 register books the property of the church wardens.
Charlotte Cornish 13, said she was passing through the churchyard with a little girl named Ann Wilding when she saw the prisoner up at the church window on a buttress, he dropped down into the churchyard and ran round towards the porch where he twice climbed up to the window and broke the window the last time.
A man named Vernon found the box about a mile from the church broken open and some books. 7 years transportation and to be kept in penal servitude for five years.

April 2nd 1854

James Wells of Glemsford was found guilty of ravishing Eliza Bean his step daughter. The jury found him guilty of attempted rape. 2 years hard labour.

April 5th 1854

The church at Pentlow with its round tower and the apse chancel is considered one of the most interesting and ancient in the county of Essex. Here one of the first Sunday schools in the county was formed and the carefully trained village choir has existed for fifty years.
An old and imperfect organ was last week removed from the church and a new one installed built by Mr Robson of the Pollonicon rooms in London, it contains nine stops and a general swell an octave and a half of German pedals and an octave of Bourdon pedal pipes extending to CCC.
The instrument was used for the first time on Friday week and was beautifully played by Mr William Ambrose the Professor of Music from Sudbury. A considerable body of neighbouring clergy attended and the prayers were read by the Rev.Charles Badham of All Saints, Sudbury, when the sweet and powerful tones of the organ seemed most congenial.
The sermon was preached by the Rev.Sidney of Great Cornard. A collection amounted to 14L 18s 1d.

April 12th 1854

After a few days severely ill, Harriet the second daughter of Mr F..W.Bethell of Foxearth has died. She was the wife of Mr A.Hall of New York.
Note:-(In the 1851 census there was a Frederick Bethell living at what is now Mole End, Foxearth. He was a straw plait factor.
G.H.).

April 12th 1854

A few days since, the body of a young woman of about twenty years was seen floating in the river Stour at Ballingdon.
Decompostion was of considerable extent and it was thought she must have been in the water for several weeks, her linen was marked S.M. and among the crowd who were attracted to the spot no-one could identify her, an inquest in the absence of evidence could only return the verdict of found drowned.
The interment took place next day in All Saints churchyard, after the ceremony was completed and while the sexton was filling in the grave, a stranger arrived in considerable agitation and stated that he had a missing daughter for several weeks and had travelled many miles in search of her when he had heard that the body of a young female had been found in the river at Sudbury he had come over to see if it was that of his lost child.
The grave was at once opened and the body was identified as that of his daughter.
It appeared that her name was Sophia Moore daughter of Mr Robert Moore a jobber of Bury St Edmunds.
She had been in service at the Rev Robinson's of Rattlesden but owing to a difference of opinion with her mistress she left her place about six weeks ago. On the 12th of March and being without employment she came over to the " March Fair" at Sudbury which is a pleasure fair.
Young and friendless she became the prey of a seducer, shame and remorse prevented her returning home, after the 15th she was never seen again, affording more proof of the baneful influence of what are called " pleasure fairs", they are the usual resort of the idle and dissolute which has led to the ruin of many thousands.

April 19th 1854.

On Saturday last as a poor woman named Ashman was attempting to step over the spindle of a threshing machine at Aldersfield Hall, Wickhambrook, her garments became entangled and in attempting to save herself, her right thumb was drawn in by the wheels in front of the machine and so much injured as to render amputation necessary.

April 19th 1854

Birth ---on the 11th inst. to the wife of Capt. Edward Starkie Bence of Kentwell Hall, a daughter.

April 19th 1854

At Blacklands Hall, Cavendish. For sale, valuable furniture the property of a lady who changing her residend---Post bed-tent bed-french bedstead-dining tables etc.

April 26th 1854

Lucifer Matches again---- On Saturday last a haulm rick the produce of 5 acres adjoining a newly erected barn at Wickhambrook, the property of Jeremiah Pryke was accidentally fired by a child with lucifer matches, the barn was speedily consumed.

April 26th 1854

Inquest at Bury Hospital on Thomas Clarke of Rougham who put his foot on a ladder to ascend a hay loft when he slipped, he was picked up by Robert Hunt and conveyed to Bury Hospital.
Died from fractured lungs.

April 26th 1854

At Blacklands, Cavendish. Messrs Isaacson and Tattersall will sell by auction the valuable furniture the property of a lady who is changing her residence. Post bed and tent-french bedsteads and feather beds-wool and other mattresses-set of mahogany dining tables- Pembroke and dressing tables-whatnot-chest of drawers- Brussels and drugget carpets-chimney and dressing glasses-iron balance garden roll- cloth and figured damask recreen curtains and kitchen requisites.

May 3rd 1854

War has now begun in earnest by the bombardment of that great trading port of Odessa.

May 3rd 1854

A shocking incident of riding on the shafts occurred near Bury on Thursday last, when two waggons laden with drain pipes coming into Bury from the Northgate, the driver was standing on the shafts, the foremost on reaching the declivity from Looms Lane the horses were impelled into a trot and the man jumped down and lost his footing and the wheel passed over his head, he was carried to into a neighbouring house but expired immediately.
The man's name was Isaac Argent in the employ of Mr Sargent of Stanningfield, he leaves a widow and children. This practice is persisted in by farm servants and it would be a great humanity if every person seeing a man riding on the shafts would lodge information against him.

May 24th 1854

For sale at Shimpling---A Sponge and two enclosures of arable land containing 6 acres on the west side of the turnpike road. Occupied by lately by Mr Morley.

May 24th 1854

Bury County Court. Plume v Ford-action was brought to recover 7 ½ d for toll levied on threshing machine belonging to Mr J. Fenton.
Money to be repaid.

May 31st 1854

On Monday week, several gentlemen of the Corporation of Sudbury and boys from various schools proceeded from the town hall to perambulate the boundaries of the parishes of St Peter's and St Gregory's in Sudbury and in going the bounds many were at different points bumped in person or pocket to make a lasting impression on them.

June 7th 1854

First rate oak timber to be sold in Acton Park-150 oak trees at Acton-Cavendish and Bulmer. At Bulmer there is a splendid tree in Mr Bird's field near the Blackbirds Inn, measuring upwards of three loads and one other. About 20 trees are lying near the highway between Sudbury and Halstead and at Cavendish there are 12 trees in Northy - Easty -Round and Ash grove woods. Property of the Earl Howe.

June 7th 1854

On Friday morning as p.c. Boutell of West Suffolk police was on duty in the parish of Hardwick he met a man named Abraham Sargeant with his donkey and cart containing a sack, Boutell proceeded to search Sargeant who resisted and Boutell called for assistance from the inmates of nearby cottages,
Sargeant called out to them not to see him taken, Boutell charged them in the name of the Queen to render assistance but they answered in oaths and threats for which no doubt they will be called on to answer another day.
After a severe struggle Boutell being obliged to use his staff freely, his prisoner was handcuffed and on searching the sack he found in it a fat lamb, fresh killed, which proved to have been stolen from the executors of Mr Finch of Southwood Park.
Committed for trial.

June 14th 1854

At the Suffolk Sessions, Abraham Sargeant for stealing a lamb at Southwood Park, the property of Mr A. Hall.
14 years transportation

June 7th 1854

Essex news. A few days since, Mr Cramp, butcher of High Street, Aldgate, died in the slaughterhouse of apoplexy. He had made a will in favour of his illegitimate son of £20,000, to his housekeeper, the interest on £3000
And to his head slaughterman he left a large quantity of marshland supposed to be worth £20,000 and handsomely provided for the other servants.
He had one cousin who it is supposed employed himself in sowing wild oats and is now reaping them in the Union House, the cousin attended the funeral and taking a lawyer with him followed the party home and demanded to see the will, this was produced and read, it was signed but unfortunately for the parties concerned it was unattested.
The cousin under advice took the keys and now remains in possession of a fine property as heir in law. The property in the aggregate will amounted to £150,000.

June 7th 1854.

Wheat at Sudbury market-81s 4d. per quarter.(36 stones)

June 7th 1854

Henry Smith in the employ of William Hart a horse dealer of Bechamp Walter was convicted on the evidence of Mrs Alsop of Braintree and others of the cruel use of a horse, using it to pull loads with extensive wounds on it's body. Fined 2L and costs.

June 14th 1854.

Married at Gestingthorpe---Joseph Mason of Sudbury to Ellen Newman Sims of Springfield Lodge, Sudbury the only child of Capt. Wentworth Sims of the 10th foot.

June 14th 1854

At Suffolk Sessions-Henry Ramsbottom aged 14 was charged for taking 2 verbena plants from the Rev H.B.Blake of Hesset. Mr Blake said he continually missed things and the father of the prisoner had been dismissed on suspicion, the boy was warned but it had no effect.
One week's hard labour.

June 14th 1854

James Long , labourer of Gt Barton was charged with ill treating his wife, a dispute arose on the Sunday about them going out to tea, he at last consented to her going on condition she would return at 6 o' clock, the poor woman endeavoured to do so and was on her way home before the stipulated time when the man met her and proceeded to drive her home, abusing, pushing, beating and kicking her as they went, the poor creature being of delicate appearance fainted from fright and injury.
Mr Scott, agent for Sir Henry Bunbury, having been brought by friends of the woman found what he at first was feared to be in a dying state and so weak he procured her before her husband who had been keeping his club feast but was not intoxicated but most excited, the poor woman who has five children said her husband was in the habit of being in drink but he had never beaten her before, it was said however he was in the habit of cruelly neglecting his family leaving them without money or food though he was in constant work.
3 months hard labour.

June 14th 1854

Henry Baldwin of Bradfield St George was convicted of setting a snare in Oxley Wood. 50s or 6 months.

June 14th 1854

According to custom Melford Fair commenced on Whit Tuesday, it was marked by an unfortunate accident on Wednesday night when fire broke out in the bazaar belonging to a man named Howe, it extended to two adjacent stalls, loss was estimated at several hundred pounds, the unfortunate proprietor is suffering from rheumatic affection and was seriously burnt, he was removed to the Black Lion Inn where he lies in great pain.

June 14th 1854

Inquest at Lawshall on George Death aged 10 years who being sent by Harriet Ransom (while working at the horse hair factory) to get a pail of water from the pond at the back door, being gone some time she went to see after him, she found Edward Allen, a boy of about 6 standing there saying George had fallen in the pond, when got out he was quite dead.
Accidental.

July 12th 1854

It is to be considered the propriety of providing a lock-up at Hadleigh as the nearest one is at Boxford.

July 12th 1854

George Bean and Henry Oakley of Glemsford were convicted of stealing a duck the property of J.Smith.
4 years penal servitude.

July 12th 1854

Aaron Sharpe, 14, was convicted of stealing a box containing a farthing at Thurston, the property of C.Wright.
1 month and to be twice whipped.

July 12th 1854

The wardens of Melford hospital have determined upon dividing up the Shimpling Hall estate. It will be let as under Shimpling Hall farm, a fine occupation of 310 acres of arable and pasture. The remaining portion of the estate will comprise of 200 acres. There will be complete homesteads provided for each occupation.

July 12th 1854

William Oakley of Glemsford was sent to prison for six months for stealing some horse beans the property of Mr Sadler.
George Oakley and George Bean of Glemsford for stealing 1 duck from Mr J.F.Smith. 4 years penal servitude each. James Gibbons of Glemsford aged 18 years for stealing a donkey collar from Mr G.Chatters.
3 months.

July 19th 1854

A small estate at Whepstead containing 20 acres was sold by James Payne for the sum of £810.

July 26th 1854

Great excitement was occasioned in Sudbury on Sunday morning by the intelligence that the highly respected occupier of Brundon Hall, Mr Wiliam Baker, near Sudbury, was found drowned in the river running behind his house. At the inquest which was held on Monday morning, four witnesses deposed on finding the body undressed in the water, deceased clothes were found lying nearby and a towel was found in a pocket, the whole of the evidence established the fact that he drowned while bathing.

July 26th 1854

On this Monday morning another melancholy instance of sudden death was occasioned at Borley near Sudbury to a young man named Finch who was found dead in bed.
It is said he left Sudbury on Sunday night in a state of intoxication.

July 26th 1854

At Essex Assizes-Charles Sandford, labourer, was found guilty of burglaring the shop of Joseph Carden and stealing a quantity of pickled pork, cheese, tobacco and copper money at Walter Belchamp. 11 years since it was proved that there was a former conviction against him.
18 months hard labour.

July 26th 1854

Thomas Chinery for setting fire to the property of his master, William Wright of Walter Belchamp,
to be transported for 15 years.

August 9th 1854

On Thursday week the White Horse Estate at Otten Belchamp occupied by Mr Carter was knocked down to Mr G.W.Andrew at £3,940.

August 9th 1854

Messrs Coote submitted for sale by auction at the Rose and Crown, Sudbury, the " White Horse Estate" at Otten Belchamp in occupation by Mr Carter. The estate after spirited bidding was knocked down to Mr G.W.Andrews for 3.240L. ( Fred Chatters says there is no White Horse Estate in Otten and he thinks it should read White House Estate. G.H.).

August 9th 1854

It will be seen from our advertising columns that Messrs Ransome and Sims will exhibit one of their portable steam engines and threshing machinery which carried off prizes at the Royal Agricultural Societies of England and Ireland.

August 9th 1854.

Inquest at the Suffolk Hospital at Bury on Robert Elsden, labourer of Horringer. Walter Avey deposed that he kept the Horringer Red House Inn and two men came in who were Germans named Henry Dickel and Henry Leisher about 9 or 10 on Tuesday morning,
Robert Elsden, the deceased came in soon after and asked them to play a tune on their accordion which they did and he gave them some halfpence and a pint or two for doing so, they began talking in their own language, at about 2 Elsden leant across the table to speak to them when one of them got up and went to hit the other, instead of hitting the other German as intended he hit Elsden on the head.
A quarrel then arose between Elsden and Dickel, witness said he would have no fighting on his premises and they went toward the door and got at it again, witness said go outside into the road if you will fight.
Dickel went into the road and called Elsden , Elsden was unwilling to go but Dickel pulled him out where there was a scuffle in the road.
James Hardy of Whepstead picked up Elsden and set him on the steps and asked for vinegar to bathe his face and said he thought he was dying, after a few minutes Elsden became sensible and asked Dickel to drink with him.
Elsden then said he would go home, he saw him go past the window on the way to Horringer, he saw no more of him until just before 9 when he was brought to the front door by Mr Bidwell's donkey and cart with blood on his face.
Mr Smith, surgeon was called and ordered him to hospital, he was quite insensible, the Germans left the house between 7 and 8 at night, they went back and forward past his house several times and dared people to come out and fight, they afterwards he struck Elsden, he asked them why and the German said he meant to hit Leisher, the Germans were much younger than Elsden.
James Hardy of Whepstead said that the three of them were "freshy".
Mr J. Kilner, surgeon, said Elsden was suffering from apoplexy when admitted to the hospital and he died at 9-30 on Tuesday evening. Apopexy was the cause of death.
The Coroner said the whole case was down to whether death was caused by apoplexy or by the fall which was occasioned by the German.
Verdict manslaughter and Henry Dickel was committed for trial for manslaughter of Robert Elsden of Horringer.

September 13th 1854

Inquest at Holywell Road at Mildenhall on James Burret, a travelling tinman aged 36 years, it appears deceased had drawn up his cart by the side of the road when a policeman kindly asked him to move it, deceased went for his horse but immediately was taken ill and exclaimed "I cannot get my breath" and expired immediately.

September 13th 1854

Inquest at Hundon on the 9th inst on Deborah Knock aged 15 who was seized with sickness and died the next day. Mr Barnes, surgeon of Clare, said deceased died from inflammation of the bowels.

September 20th 1854.

The celebrated flock of Southdown sheep, the property of Mr Thomas Hawkins of Assington, was sold. The following prices were realised----Ewe sheep averaged £2 13s-2 year old shearlings -£2 19s-3 year old shearlings-£2 18s -stock 3 year old shearlings £3. 0. 6d-Crones £2-ewe lambs £1 15s- 2 year old shearling lambs--£4 4s-Rams £6 12s -lamb tups £5 10s.

September 20th 1854

To be sold by auction in three lots on the 26th, the valuable estate situated in the centre of Glemsford known as the " Glemsford Garden Farm".
Capital farm and homestead-double barn-stables- cart lodge-bullock lodge-piggeries-orchard. Entrance near Fair Green, now in occupation of Josiah Sparkes-it is bounded by the lands of - Eaton esq.
The house and buildings have been erected within a few years in the best possible manner and are within the easy reach of the factories. The division of the property is arranged to offer advantages to parties wanting to build in this thriving and populous village.
The live and dead stock of Place Farm Glemsford to be sold, in occupation of Mr John Walter Bigg whos retiring.

September 27th 1854

On Friday last, 15 more emigrants to Australia left Great Thurlow at 3 in the morning. The principal person is a mechanic who has large family connections there. About 100 persons attended the departure with music and songs.

October 4th 1854.

Inquest at Cotton near Stowmarket on Josiah Finbow of Cotton who with Mr J. Cooper of Bacton was shooting in the latter parish, Mr Cooper shot a hare and put it in his pocket when the 2nd barrel went off, the contents of which lodged in Mr Finbow's hip, he expired on Thursday, he leaves a widow and was 32 years of age.

October 4th 1854

Inquest at Beyton on Robert Barrel aged 52 , horsekeeper to Mr Joseph Sturgeon of Beyton. He was driving a load of corn in a wagon with 4 horses, when turning the corner near the Bear Inn, his master walking beside the waggon when he tripped against a stone as many were lying about and fell under the wheel of the wagon, the wheel going over his chest he was killed immediately.

October 11th 1854

A labouring man named Scott living with his blind father on Acton Green, Sudbury, cut his own throat in a fit of jealousy, a young woman in Great Cornard to whom he was engaged had deserted him, we understand the wounds are not mortal.

October 11th 1854

The oldest men and women of Great Cornard partook of a good dinner and tea at the Five Bells Inn. It was provided for them by the more opulent parishioners. The 27 people who partook had an average age of 77½ years.

October 18th 1854

A tragedy occurred at Little Waldingfield when William Game a labourer cut his wife's throat then his own. The wife died but Game is still alive, he is 50 and the wife was 37.

October 18th 1854.

Died-Thomas Ardley, senior, miller and malster of Melford and formerly of Lyston.

October 25th 1854

The Bacton murder. Mr Anstruther wishes it to be known that the reward offered by the Government has been disposed off.

November 8th 1854

On Saturday night a most brutal murder deliberate murder was committed at Halstead in Essex, the unfortunate victim is the wife of Lazarus Hempsted a silk weaver of Parsonage Lane
It appears her husband had lived unhappily for some time from the jealous temper of the murderer whose suspicions were aroused by a visit the poor woman had made about 4 years ago to Stowmarket where it is stated a man resides who formerly lived with deceased and her family in a gentleman's house in Bulmer in Essex and at which time both he and Hemstead were suitors for her hand but the latter was the successful lover and they married,
They had frequently quarrelled and he made threats to kill her and told her he would hammer in her temples, the menace was carried out on Saturday, she being found by her daughter in bed with her skull being beaten in.
After killing his wife with whom he had slept all night, Hemsted walked down the stairs and in doing so awoke his daughter who worked in the silk mills
She asked the time, he said it was near 6 and desired her to get up, this she did by moonlight, but going downstairs she discovered it was 5 o' clock, she went to her mother's room but received no reply, she became alarmed and her worst fears were realized when her little sister who followed her, climbed into her bed into a pool of blood.
Their screams speedily called the neighbours who gave information to the police but the murderer had absconded and reached Cornard where he breakfasted, he then called on the constable and delivered himself saying it was premeditated murder, he was taken to Halstead police station not expressing the least contrition. Six children are left motherless. The prisoner is a native of Bulmer in Essex.

November 8th 1854

On Monday morning , an itinerant vendor of herrings called at a cottage in Groton of a poor woman named Gibson aged 80 and was horrified at finding her body lying a charred mass upon the flames, there is no doubt the poor creature met her death on Sunday morning while preparing her breakfast. Her neighbours not having seen her during the day but one perceived a disagreeable smell on going to her pantry.

November 8th 1854

Fire at Gt Wrattting , it appears from investigation that the boy named Barrett is crippled in hands and limbs and his mental powers are very limited, he was seen by a woman running from the barn after smoke was seen emitting, the woman called out "there is some smoke" and the boy replied "some one has lit a fire, don't tell anyone it was me". Damage amounted to £600.

November 15th 1854

The wretched man named Lazarus Hempsted was taken before Halstead magistrates at Halstead police station on Tuesday last and the following additional evidence was adduced.
Elizabeth Spurgeon said she lived next door to the deceased and she said she knew they did not live a comfortable life for the last four years and about three years ago she heard the prisoner say to the deceased
"if you don't own to the truth to me tonight, this knife will go into you up to the handle", she saw a knife in the prisoner's hand.
She frequently heard them quarrelling and about a month ago deceased came into her house and asked her to go into the house as her husband seemed distressed in his mind.
On witness going into the house the prisoner said he was very sorry he had spent the Sabbath as he had and was in great distress of the mind from keeping from a place of worship and he referred to a habit of reading a newspaper on Sunday and felt some-one would draw it from his hand and saying "lay the bible down and take up the newspaper".
The prisoner was remanded from the police station where crowds had assembled to see him, one voice said " hanging is too good for you", to which the prisoner replied "I shall know that".
Committed for trial.

November 15th 1854

Some men in the employ of Mr Green were excavating soil for a cellar at Mr Henry Goldsmith's in Burkitts Lane, Subury, when at a depth of 4 ft they found 9 skeletons and another 4 nearby next day they found 4 more and they were buried in St Gregory's churchyard. There is no account or tradition of a burial place on the site.

December 13th 1854.

On Monday evening about 7 o'clock, seven stacks belonging to Mr Smith of Ashfield, Glemsford, were consumed by fire.

November 22nd 1854

In the returns of those killed and wounded between 27th October to November 1st are the names of Thomas Dudley of Bury St Edmunds of the 17th Lancers and WilliamTooley of Sicklesmere, of the Coldstream Guards, both were severely wounded at Balaclava in the Crimea.

November 22nd 1854

Bury Cattle Market.
Fat Beasts to 8s 6d per stone-fat sheep to 8s 6d per stone-fat hogs to 7s 6d-fat calves to 8s 6d per stone. Wheat to 74s per quarter-Red new Wheat to 78s-malting barley to 37s-grinding barley to 34s-oats to 34s-beans to 54s-peas tp 48s.

November 29th 1854

The parish of Ampton near Bury wish to return thanks to Mr Henry Browning for his annual supply of winter clothing and also to the Rev Stuart for his many acts of charity he has bestowed on them.

November 29th 1854

Miss Nightingale whose benevolent labours on behalf of wounded in hospital in Scutari are our correspondent assures us most successfully to represent to the public that lint and old linen rags are urgently required and no contributions will be most thankfully received by our wounded countrymen.

November 29th 1854

On Friday afternoon, John Austin was returning from Bury to Bradfield St George with a load of corn, when about a mile from Bury he was thrown from the shafts of the wagon on which he was riding and both wheels passed over him, he was conveyed to Bury hospital and found to be under the influence of drink and was so severely injured he expired on Tuesday morning at 6-30. He leaves a widow and six children the youngest of which is one month old.

November 29th 1854

There was a fire at about 6 in the evening at the premises of Mr John Peacock at Ashfield Green, Wichambrook, which consumed a barn-2 stacks-cow house-granary-piggeries-the thatched part of a dwelling house-quantity of unthreshed barley and beans. The police have taken a suspected person into custody.

November 29th 1854

The parish of Belchamp St Pauls have sent £4 18s 6d to the Patriotic Fund.

December 6th 1854

The Patriotic Fund of Bury exceeds £350, the parish of Edwardstone contributed £34-Wissington £15-Cornard Parva £14, large quanties of linen have been collected by Mrs Baker of Brundon Hall, Sudbury. The parish of Pentlow, through Mr Chickall , collected £10 13s.

December 6th 1854

A bundle of rags have been collected by the humble people of Ampton and Livermere and have been forwarded to London for the hospital in Scutari.

December 6th 1854

Scutari---(November 16th)
Miss Nightingale and her party were gladly welcomed and before evening were lodged and comfortable and provided for, they will be invaluable in severe cases of illness, our surgeons said last night that one and all that they would be of greatest use in attending 600 wounded who came in in the afternoon.

December 13th 1854

Married at Pentlow
-George Bear of the Market Hill in Sudbury to Catherine, daughter of Mr Orbell of Pentlow.

December 13th 1854

Extracts from Letters after the battle of Inkerman by a soldier of the 2nd Rifle Brigade to his friends at Bungay.

Dear brothers and sisters, It has pleased the Almighty to spare my life so far and trust that he will be my guide in the siege of Sebastopol,
I am in good health but have lost a great number of mates since leaving Old England, the enemy also lost a great number, the other day they came out to fight us and we buried 765 of them but there is lots of fight in them yet, please God if I survive I will tell you a good deal.
I have not had my clothes off since Lord knows when as day or night you may be called to arms.
The men all put great faith in Lord Raglan, thjs army is the pick of two nations and I firmly believe a Frenchman would lose his life provided he saved ours.
As for the Turks, they are good soldiers.
I remain your affectionate brother.

Samuel Hambling.

December 13th 1854

On Monday evening, several stacks of corn standing in Ashfield in the occupation of Thomas Smith, Glemsford were consumed by fire.

December 13th 1854

Died on the 13th of October last of cholera at Balaklava aged 18 years, Private Henry Tolladay of the 3rd company of the Royal Sappers, he is the son of Mr Dollar Tolladay of Bury.

December 13th 1854

The Partriotic Fund at Sudbury amounts to £502 with £24 from Gt Cornard--£28 from Gestingthorpe-Liston £9 5s-Alpheton and Stanstead £14.

December 13th 1854

Letter from a Sergeant of the Coldstream Guards. Poor King of Horringer has been killed in the last battle, he was shot through the breast with canister shot.

December 13th 1854

Inquest at Glemsford on Kitty, wife of Thomas Argent, who being 80 years old, accidently set fire to her clothes, she died a few days after.

December 13th 1854.

Inquest at Hawkeon on a male infant, 24 hours old who died in the opinion of Mr King, surgeon from neglect of the mid-wife who gave food but no medicine to the child when a dose of castor oil would probably have saved it's life.

December 13th 1854

Inquest on the body of Alice, wife of Jeremiah Goody of Glemsford, smith and farrier, who was found lying insensible on the floor. Death from apoplexy.

December 20th 1854

The burial board of Sudbury met to receive reports on various grounds offered as a cemetery. The committee recomended twelve pieces of land off Newton road and belonging to Mr Jones which was offered at 210L an acre. A field in Ballingdon was offered at 1200L but as it borders on low lying ground it was thought unfit for a cemetry. The piece of land at Newton road called " Moons Hall" was adopted as the most elegible site.