January 6th 1857

Isaac Sidey, labourer of Henny near Sudbury and William Butcher from Bulmer Tye were charged with being drunk and assaulting the police on Sunday morning last in Ballingdon.
It appears that, after the public houses closed, about 40 persons assembled at the end of Ballingdon street. Supt Whitcombe, seeing Butcher committing an indecent act, remonstrated with him on which Butcher struck him in the face and ran away. When this was taking place, several of the party surrounded the police with stones and mud and formed ambushes in the road.
When the police returned into the street they began a sham fight. Supt Whitcombe, who was standing in a doorway, apprehended the party and the others immediately attacked him with bludgeons, one with an iron bar.
He drew his cutlass and, in parrying the blows, his cutlass broke and they gave him some hearty blows. PC. Taylor, on hearing the noise, proceeded to the spot and Sidey was secured. The Supt is much bruised in the body.

January 13th 1857

At Suffolk Quarter Sessions. Samuel Levett, Stephen Petch and Frederick and Robert Levett, all of Lackford were charged with stealing one hogget sheep from Robert Raynbird of Hengrave.
Committed

January 13th 1857

Job Mumford for assaulting Joseph Smith at Liston.
I month.

January 13th 1857

On Friday night a shocking accident happened to a four year old child named Hibble at Sudbury. It appears the mother left the child and a two year old to go out for a short time locking the door behind her. By some means the child's dress caught fire and she is dreadfully burned and her life is despaired of.

January 13th 1857

James Elliston of Sudbury was sent to prison for three months for assaulting his wife by cutting her throat.

January 13th 1857

There was an inquest at Melford on Benjamin Mitchell, a deaf man aged 46 years. He was found lying in the road leading from Shimpling to Bridge Street much hurt, near the spot there was some blood. He was removed to his own house where he died. Deceased was working for Mr Howe at Alpheton Hall and was returning from work.
Harry Deeks aged 16 said he left his brother's farm at five in the evening to return to the Bull Hotel, Melford, on horse back where he lives with his father. On returning on the road before he got to Bridge Street he heard a bottle rattle, he pulled up and went back and saw a man lying in the road, he returned to Shimpling and raised the alarm. Verdict-Died from injuries received with no legal evidence to show how.

February 3rd 1857

On Monday last, Edward and George Newman, Edward and William Mears and Alfred Clayden were brought before the Rev Foster, an Essex magistrate, charged with stealing a quantity of barley the property of William Hurrel of Middleton near Sudbury.
Clayden is a publican at Melford to whom Mr Hurrell sold pigs but not corn. James Shorten, farm bailiff to the Rev Raymond, said he saw a horse and cart standing against Mr Hurrel's stackyard, Clayden was in the cart and Edward Newman and another man were putting a sack which they brought from the barn in into the cart.
Committed .

February 10th 1857

Died much respected aged 79 years-Joseph Hale of Boxted in Suffolk.

February 10th 1857

On Monday the 2nd, Mr Churchyard an innkeeper at Cavendish left his watch on the table on the landing before going to bed, next afternoon he found it missing. Suspicion rests with a soldier who slept in the house on Monday evening.

February 10th 1857

There is in the workhouse at Bury a woman of 80 or over who has spent all of her life in the workhouse, she was deposited there as an infant at the door, all efforts to find her parents failed.
She received the name Betsy Bird and remained in the workhouse all her life, under the old management she was engaged in spinning and then as a servant in the house.

February 10th 1857

Committed to Bury Gaol-Lucy Mays who was charged with setting fire to a barley stack at Cockfield.

February 10th 1857

On Thursday last a fox which was pursued by the Suffolk Hunt, sought shelter in the yard of Mr P. Potter at Ixworth when several psuedo fox hunters rode through the flower gardens doing immense injury to them, an act which Sam the huntsman and Will the whip properly distained to do setting an example for the "gentlemen" would do well to follow.

February 10th 1857

Louisa Jarman, aged 12 pleaded guilty to stealing a piece of pork from William Harrington, butcher of Flempton, the prisoner's father said he had 12 children. 3 days hard labour.

February 24th 1857

Inquest at Stoke by Clare on Emma Taylor aged 16 who was found drowned in the river Stour, she lived in Haverhill and was of weak intellect, she occasionally did a little work as a slop maker.
On the 13th of January she left home and diligent inquiries were made, Mr Fisher, solicitor of Clare was fishing near Stoke College when he saw a body in the water. Found drowned.

February 24th 1857

List of tenders received for the new Sudbury Grammar School. Mathews of London 3188L-Davey of Sudbury 2596L-Grinwood of Sudbury 2800L-Luff of Ipswich 2787L-Simpson Ipswich 2781L-Seagrave of London 2540L-Bordham of Melford 2493L which was accepted.

March 3rd 1857

At Essex Sessions, Edward Newman 24 was charged with stealing a coomb of barley from William Hurrell at Middleton, Sudbury and Alfred Clayden, landlord of the White Hart at Melford was charged with receiving. Newman 4 months and Clayden 6 months both with hard labour.

March 3rd 1857

At Essex Assizes.
James Cooper, Egmont and Alfred Hoof, three fashionable young men, and who it was stated possessed considerable property, were charged with assaulting John George.
They committed a dreadful act upon his person at Brentwood. Deceased let a stable to the Hoofs and on the 21st of August they invited him to a drink of wine. More was brought and deceased was plied until he became helpless.
When in this condition they applied red ochre to his body and made a mark as though he had cut his throat, they then put him in a wheelbarrow and wheeled him along Brentwood High Street. He was unconscious and died from congestion of the lungs.
The Coroner's jury returned a verdict of natural death but the magistrates of the district took up the case, the jury now found them guilty of manslaughter.
The Hoofs are 18 and 19, Cooper is also a young man and they deeply regretted the consequences. Justice Cresswell sent them to one month in the common jail. They evidently did not expect imprisonment and appeared astounded.

March 10th 1857

On Tuesday evening a fire broke out on a farm at Gestingthorpe in occupation of Mr George Whybrew. Mr Whybrew on going in to tea at about 6 o'clock perceived a light glimmer in the corner of the stackyard and discovered a straw stack on fire. The flames spread rapidly and great exertions were made to get the livestock out, engines arrived from Castle Hedingham, Sudbury and Halstead but the stacks and buildings were enveloped. Property burned consisted of 2 barns, granary, stables, cartlodge, 100 coombs of wheat, 100 coombs of barley, 15 coombs of oats, 30 of peas, stack of wheat, stack of hay and a large quantity of straw. 10 tons of hay was saved and one stable and the dwelling.
A young man of under 20 years named Corder and residing in the village confessed and surrendered to the police saying he could hardly be worse off being without work or food.

March 24th 1857

John Fenn, labourer was found guilty of stealing six quarts of beer the property of Z.Jones and T. Easles at the "Four Ashes" at Walshham Le Willows. 6 months hard labour.

March 24th 1857

Robert Smye was charged with obtaining money by game of chance at Lavenham. Acquitted.

April 7th 1857

The foundations of the new grammar school at Sudbury have commenced and from the number of men working there will soon make their appearance above the ground, the frontage is near 130 ft.

April 21st 1857

On Friday, four ploughs lying in Chapel Field, Balham, belonging to Mr William Golding were wantonly broken so as to be useless when the men arrived to work in the morning.

April 21st 1857

At Bury Petty Sessions. Arthur Gooch, 9,Robert Webb,10 and Frederick Cook, 13, were charged with gathering clover in field belong to Mr Frederick Nunn of Bury. He said he had reason to suppose the children were employed by men to gather clover and he wished to put a stop to it, the Bench took a lenient view and ordered them to pay 10s costs, Mr Nunn kindly paid half.
The boys to be detained in the station house till the rest is defrayed.

April 21st 1857

At Essex Quarter Sessions it was unanimously agreed to increase the salary of Capt McHardy, the Chief Constable thus raising his salary and special allowances to £610 per annum.

April 21st 1857

The following is furnished by a magistrate from Norfolk who vouches for it's authenticity.
November 17th 1856
J---B---farms about 40 acres in the parish of Hockham makes applicant to Mr----- a magistrate as follows
J.B.------ to your Worship, 'I come to ask your advise concerning my wife'.--- -
Mr ---- 'What is the matter?'-----
J.B.-----'Your Worship she is harassed night and day by continual worrying like wind teasing her stomach like a sow with all her young pigs a-pulling her to pieces.'
Mr -'I don't see what I can do, why don't you send for a doctor?'
J.B.---'Doctor Sir? We have been to all the doctors about, We have spent shillings to get a remedy, all my family knows, poor dears.'
Mr B-----'I still don't know what I can do.'---
J.B. 'Well sir it is thought by many in the parish she is bewitched and that has been put upon us by an evil disposed person through envy, there is a family near L----- who got turned out and we put in, we think it is through them they set old Mrs C----- to do it.'
Mr ---'Who is Mrs C---?'.
J. B.-'She lives near the Lion and she have a character of being a witch and I thought I would step down and ask you your Worship whether you would give me a grant to prove it.'
Mr .----'How is she to be proved?'.
J.B.---'Why sir, I thought you could have her swum!
I have heard that if they be a witch and if you take a line (not to do them harm) but just to swim 'em, then if they be a witch they won't sink
I have heard that there was a gentleman at-----who had one swum in the river, I don't know how it finished but she did not live long after that, he had it done in public, her name was Pointer, they tied her clothes about her legs and used her decent, she had a line round her waist and one on each side to keep her from sinking if she was an upright woman but if she is a witch she can't sink he no-how, when her head was up her heels were down when her heels were up her head was down.
They do say your Worship that sich folk are increasing about in this world., and if you have so many in your parish they do a sight of harm, also everyone who sees my wife says they never seed such a complaint and call out she is certainly bewitched, she fare haunted night and day, she fare dried up like a crisp.
She say, "Will, I can't lay still, I might as well try to sink a bladder in water".
I do hope your Worship will grant the police to take old Mrs C-all of a sudden like-by surprise and take her to a pit and swim her (not to hurt her) if she is an upright woman she will sink, if she not sink it will prove her guilty.
Well, your Worship, at least I hope you will take her to a room and have her stripped and see if she has any bad about her'.
Mr -'What is she likely to have about her?'.
 J-B-'Why sir, they do say they have imps about them!'
 Mr -'What is an imp?
 J---B---'I don't know sir, some bad spirit or other or the power of old Satan'.
Mr -'How come you fix upon this poor old woman Mrs C--.'
J.B.----'Last Friday, near about one month ago, my wife, after she has something to drink or a little magnesia, she looked out the window and there she saw the woman standing before the window in the moonlight, in an agony of some sort.
Mr ---'Well! I can't listen to any more nonsense!'
J.B.---'Ask the squire's gamekeeper and ask Tom T----. Steady men, let the squire call these men before him and the clergyman, we wished to come to you first your worship'
Mr .-'I have written down what you said, you must not trouble the squire with such rubbish.'
J.B.---'Sir, if our squire knew there were such bad things like witchcraft in the parish he would have it altered.'
Mr C---'I cannot listen to you any longer.'
J. B.----'What sir? Aren't you going to have it proved? Can't you at any rate have her hitched to the Union House; That might be of benefit.'

Exit applicant protesting against anything short of full proof (by swimming her).
The district policeman has informed me that on a certain night J. B--- asked me to come and watch under the pretence of his ducks being stolen but he discovered afterwards they wanted him to see if the witch appeared, he saw no-one, the old woman Mrs C--- is harmless and respectable and is so infirm she cannot possibly been as far as J. B's .---house.
The writer gives several instances to show belief in witchcraft is general among the poor and not uncommon in the class above them.

April 28th 1857

A labouring man named Bitton aged 30 years was found drowned this morning near the Croft Bridge, Sudbury.
He had spent the evening drinking in the Waggon and Horses in Church Walk where it is supposed he took too much and left it to return to his home in North Street but mistook the path and instead of going up Short road to North Street he took the one leading to the bridge where it is supposed he fell in the river.
At the inquest on Bitton, a builders labourer working for Mr Grimwood of the Waggon and Horses, Thomas King, a weaver, said he was taking a walk over the common lands when he saw a hat and coat in the river and with assistance they drew the body out.
Deceased had been dead for some hours and witness said if the lamp had been lit near the bridge the accident would not have happened as he thought deceased had walked into the river instead of making a sharp turn to the right across the meadow as he usually did.
Open verdict.

May 5th 1857

On Friday last two men named William Frost and John Cobbold were employed in cutting down trees in Drinkstone Park, they felled a tree which hung up in the branches of another tree, Cobbold got up the tree in order to cut to liberate it, a man named Bugg, having cut off the branch of another tree and pulled down the tree on which Cobbold was on, he fell 40 ft and died on Saturday.

May 5th 1857

Mr Charles Underwood has made arrangements with Messrs Blunden and Squire to sell by auction at Acton Hall, Sudbury.---Choice dairy of Suffolk and Shorthorn dairy cows and a splendid Shorthorn bull-27 heifers and steers-20 calves-71 sheep half bred Norfolk and Down ewes-78 lambs by a Cotswold tup.

May 12th 1857

Sudbury Turnpike Trust. Meeting of the trustees was held at Alpheton Lion Inn on Tuesday last to discuss charging higher tolls on the road from Sudbury to Bury, after much discussion it was resolved the present low rate be continued.

June 2nd 1857

James Harding, stonemason of Ballingdon near Sudbury and assistant overseer of that hamlet has absconded being a defaulter to the amount of £81, Inspector Whitcombe has gone in pursuit.

June 16th 1857

At Melford Petty Sessions, Stribling was charged by his father for ill treating him. Fined 10s 6d and 2s 6d costs.

June 16th 1857

George Holmes of Norwich was charged with robbing a young man by playing a trick on him with nuts at Melford fair whereby the young man lost 2s.
14 days hard labour.

June 16th 1857

John and Elizabeth Marlow and Elizabeth Joselyne were charged with an outrage and robbing Mr Pettit, a dealer from London at Melford.
Pettit said he was going down the road from Melford Green when he was accosted by two women, he had told them he did not want their company, at the same time the male prisoner came from behind him and knocked him down and stealing three £ 5 notes, one £ 10 note and two sovereigns before making off towards Sudbury. Joselyne and her husband keep a lodging house in Sudbury.
Remanded.

July 9th 1857

Inquest at the Five Bells, Hesset, on Charles Bland aged 3 years the illegitimate child of Sarah, the wife of William Cocksedge, it appears a little girl named Ellen Green had taken deceased out with another child in a little cart then left them to amuse herself swinging in a tree for half an hour, when she went back she found the child had got out of the cart and was nowhere to be seen.
Mrs Bird living nearby ran onto the bridge and saw him floating in the water, quite dead.

July 9th 1857

William Griggs of Milden for assault at Milden.
6 months

July 9th 1857

James Cocksedge, Isaac Nunn, George Bullet, William Bullet, Amos Green, William Groom, labourers were charged with riotously and disorderly assembly on May 23rd in the yard of Hesset Bells.
James Tiffin, farmer of Hesset, said he heard a great noise in the yard, they were found making a great noise, the landlord endeavoured to get them to keep quiet, he then sent for John Burrows the parish constable.
They left when Burrows appeared, whilst they were dispersing the Rev Blake came into the yard and complained.
Dismissed.

July 9th 1857

Afred Knopp, William Maxim, Aboslom Maxwell and Joseph Smith pleaded guilty to obstructing the road at Brockley near Bury on Sunday night the 24th inst by assembling opposite Brockley Bells.
Bound over.
 There is said to be rivalry or grudge between Hartest men and Brockley men whenever they come into collision they appear desirious of avenging by fisticuffs and one of these arrangements was terminated as above.

July 7th 1857

A match of cricket was played between Thurlow and Wratting on Thursday last. The match was played at Thurlow and was decided on the 1st innings, the numbers were Wratting 62 and Thurlow 23.

July 14th 1857

Armsey Farm, two miles from Sudbury to be let, 370-380 acres of capital land with neat residence close to the turnpike road to Sudbury, good buildings and labourers cottages. Tenders to be sent to Mr P. Distorgis the bailiff at the Aubries.

July 23rd 1857

Two Irishmen were brought before the Bench at Melford for drunkedness at Waldingfield Swan and also for obtaining money by false pretences. Remanded.

July 23rd 1857

To be sold by auction at Lidgate upon the premises next to the Royal Oak Inn---Small compact brewing plant.

July 23rd 1857

The wheat cutting has commenced in the parishes around Bury at Fornham,Ingham,Culford and Eldo, the crop generally is abundant but on the light land average.

July 28th 1857

John Cocksedge, labourer of Bradfield Combust was charged with committing an indecent act against Lois Greenwood of the same place on the 19th inst.
On the night in question, the complainant went with her father and mother to hear Mrs Shum preach in the neighbourhood. After the service they called at the Bradfield Manger on their way home. A neighbour, Mrs Arbon, and complainant's brother with the prisoner were there. Her father and mother left at 10-30 and the girl remained with Mrs Arbon and her brother and the prisoner till 11-30 when the prisoner began to make a disturbance and the landlady asked the complainant to take the prisoner home.
They left the house with her going one way and her brother and his sweetheart going the other. They walked to a lane leading to complainants house where Mrs Arbon left them alone.
The prisoner then commenced a series of assaults, the details of which are unfit for publication. He threw her down four times, the girl who is 22 years old struggled violently and he failed to effect his purpose. She called out loudly for help and the prisoner thought her cries would be heard and he desisted from his attacks.
 6 months hard labour.

August 4th 1857

For hunting sheep belonging to Edward Greene in a field in Bury, three boys-Blake-Hill and Clark were charged at Bury, only Hill appeared, Blake's father said he had absconded that morning, Clark's father said his son also absconded that morning.
To pay 12s 6d with 1d damages.

August 11th 1857

On Wednesday the 5th the annual Hop Meeting was held at the Bell Inn at Castle Hedingham. Twenty gentlemen, hop growers and others sat down to an excellent dinner. Opinions on the amount of hop duty paid varied. Several half tons of the coming crop were disposed of at about 6L 4s per cwt.
The hop grounds in the neighbourhood are coming well into hops and are of a much improved appearance since the showers.

August 18th 1857

Annie Mc, Mannis, an Irish women was convicted of being drunk and disorderly in Sudbury on Friday night.
14 days in prison.

Sophia York a prostitute, for being drunk and disorderly in Sudbury on the 4th last.
2 months hard labour.

September 1st 1857

There was A fete in Boxted Park on Saturday last with cottagers proving anxious to exhibit their productions numbering nearly 200, when the liberal prize money was exhausted, Mrs Poley informed the judges she still had money in hand.
More than 100 prizes were distributed besides a number of spades and forks etc and a fine bee-hive, gifts from the Misses Halifax and Mrs Poley,160 dishes of potatoes were exhibited but it was painful to see the symptoms of the incipient disease.
Mrs Poley gave a handsome ink stand for the best potatoes which was won by Mr Atkin, her gardener. Prize for longest servitude was carried off by Abraham James of Stanstead Hall who has been 50 years in one place, two others were awarded to Wiliam Walliker of Boxted and Richard Pettit of Hartest with 42 years each in the same situation.
School children ran races and a band from Clare enlivened all.

September 1st 1857

Henry Cornish, innkeeper of Rougham was charged with unlawfully killing one pigeon the property of John Olley, innkeeper of the same place valued at 1s. Fines 9s with 11s costs.

September 1st 1857

On Tuesday last, the children belonging to the Friars Street Chapel school in Sudbury, numbering about 30-50 had their annual treat at Henny, they were conveyed there in a barge belonging to Mr Allen of Ballingdon.

September 15th 1857

Inquest at The White Horse in Mildenhall on George Mason aged 4, Sarah Morley stated deceased was her nephew and was playing in the stackyard on Saturday afternoon when he pulled a plough onto himself. She released him when she saw the plough lying across his stomach but he died ¾ of an hour later.

September 15th 1857

Assa Twynn of Glemsford and Isaac Reynolds of Whepstead were charged with obstructing police Inspector Utting who said they were causing great disturbance in the White Lion Inn yard in Bury.
Bound over to keep the peace or 14 days in prison.

Twynn was recognised by Inspector Utting as having been transported for 10 years in 1846 and he was asked how he came to be at large without his certificate of discharge, he said he had one at home but had a free pardon for saving the lives of some persons in a diving bell. The magistrates directed the Superintendent to ascertain if it is correct if not to be detained.

September 15th 1957

On Tuesday last, the last fetes took place at Cornard Parva, Foxearth and Gestingthorpe. At Cornard Parva, all the men assembled at the church in the morning and heard a sermon by the Rev Sidney after which they dined in Mr Sidney's large and commodious barn whilst their employers kindly attended them, after which various rural games were engaged in and witnessed by the gentry of the parish.
At Gestingthorpe the men met at the church where they were addressed by the Rev Elwes, after the service about 110 men walked in procession to a booth erected on the lawn of Mr Boulnois at the Hall where dinner was provided and later in the day a good tea was taken in the schoolroom which was tastefully decorated with evergreens and flowers.

September 15th 1857

Harriet and Jemima Hale, mother and daughter were charged with stealing a quantity of wheat valued at 6d, the property of Mr Mathew Witt of Thurston. Amelia, wife of Charles Cram of Pakenham said they went with the women and other gleaners. They met in a wheat field at Thurston, both defendants were in the field and the harvestmen were raking wheat after a tumbril.
She saw defendants bring some wheat from behind a tumbril and place them on a heap in the field like a "gleaning heap", she told them not to but they carried away the rakings.
Dismissed with a warning.

September 4th 1857

Joseph Ling and George Orris, labourers of Hundon were fined 14s each for failing to have infants vaccinated.
(Note: Vaccination was made compulsory for all infants within four months of their birth in 1853, but this was not universally enforced. H.F.M.C.)

September 8th 1857

Her Majesty the Queen has been pleased to contribute 25L towards the erection of new school rooms at Clare.

September 15th 1857

By order of Mr Charles Green, Messrs Blunden and Squire will sell at Acton Hall the household furniture and 1000 ozs of plate, silver and jewellery, the plate comprising-silver teapots-gravy boats-table and dessert teaspoons-wine strainer-salt cellars-ladles-fish knives and forks-fork in Morroco case. Butter knives-sugar stand-punch ladle etc.
Live and dead stock including 26 mares and geldings-4 colts 1 nag-handsome chestnut hunter 6 years old-bay cob-red and white milch cow and calf-
8 h.p.steam  threshing machine-6 waggons-8 tumbrils-10 ploughs-4 gang harrows-3 rolls-Bentalls braodshare plough- hay shakers-scarifiers etc-implements for 500 acres-brewing and dairy equipment casks etc-dog cart.

October 20th 1857

Subury Agricultural Association had their meeting at Wood Hall in occupation of Mr Potter. 53 ploughs took part. 1st prize of £ 2 went to J.Theobald for Mr Garrod. 2nd to W.Mingay for Mr Dyer £ 1 10s.
3rd to George Carter for Mr E.Upson £ 1. Plough boys. James and William King equal 1st, £ 1 each.

October 20th 1857

There was some great excitement in Acton near Melford last week..
The gamekeeper employed by the tenants of Earl Howe's Acton estate, resides in the old house in a portion of Acton Place. It appears that during his absence a man called and asked the wife for Mrs Nelson who formerly resided there.
He was told she was now living in Bury, upon this he remarked on opening an inner door that he would like to see the old home and walked down a passage into another part of the house and locked the door and shutting the woman out.
Upon the return of the gamekeeper, his wife told him a stranger was in the house, upon his going into the part of the house he found three other men, thus so matters continued until Friday evening when a fourth man appeared.
Meanwhile, Earl Howe's agent had been communicated with and on Saturday morning, in his presence and a few of the principal tenants of the estate the intruders were quietly removed by the gamekeeper.
Our readers are aware of the statements made regarding the Jennens family, we never wish to interfere with the legal rights of anyone but the oldest inhabitant will shew Earl Howe has been possessor of the estate for upwards of 50 years and that Jennens died before the close of the last century.

October 27th 1857

Inquest at Little Waldingfield Swan on Isaac Newman aged 57.
Isaac Newton, son of the deceased said his father was employed by Mr Whitear of the parish and on the previous night his father left the beerhouse before him. On reaching home he was surprised his father had not returned.
In the morning a search was made and deceased was found lying under a walnut tree in Mr Whitear's orchard and only just about to speak, he died on Sunday night.
Deceased told witness he fell out of the walnut tree onto his shoulder, his master (he said) had set him to watch for a fox and he fell while getting up the tree about 2 in the morning and had lain there all night. Mr Whitear said he never gave deceased the order to watch for a fox. He had a conversation with him the day before about a fox which he fancied visited witness premises but could not say if he went on his own accord to watch for the fox.
Accidental.

October 27th 1857

John Banks of Lt Saxham, George Richardson of Horringer, James Clarke of Bury and William Tuffin of Horringer were charged with assaulting Inspector Utting of Hawstead and p.c.'s Chaplin and Sheldrake. Chaplin and Banks-4 months hard labour, Clarke and Tuffin, 6 weeks hard labour.

October 27th 1857

The total cost of each prisoner in Bury gaol inclusive of repairs for the last year was £19 15s 5d or 1s 1d a day, daily cost of diet for each prisoner per day, 4d.

November 3rd 1857

Letters to the Editor.

About ½ a mile south east of Hornsey rail station at 5-30 in the evening, I observed the descent of a brilliant meteor, it's descent was perpendicular and appeared like a very large orange but of blue colour changing to red leaving behind a stream of sparks.

J.D. of Stoke Newington.

Nov. 1st. Editors Note
As the meteor was falling in the direction of Suffolk, it would be quite interesting and might solve the question as to the distance of these bodies, to know where the it was observed in this county.

November 10th 1857

A correspondent informs us that his daughter, aged 14 , saw "the ball of fire" at Glemsford Town End and it appeared to fall among some trees at Foxearth water mill, she went home and said how frightened she was.

November 10th 1857

A receptacle for stolen goods was discovered at Great Cornard in a chalk pit where the chalk has been entirely taken out so that to supply the kilns, burrows have been made under the adjoining fields to a considerable distance.
In one of the burrows where the chalk had been taken out to a distance of 70 yards, a young man named Boreham, of indifferent character, commenced a business as a rag and bone merchant. Not having a barrow he stole two wheels from a nearby brickyard some wood, paint, a saw and other tools, he then got some food, beer and candles.
Somone having suspicions, entered the cavern and found the barrow hid in one of the branches and the tools which were returned to their owners.

November 10th 1857

Murder at Colne Engaine.
At the inquest at Colne Engaine on Tuesday, Henry Hubbard, labourer of White Colne, said he met deceased about 30 rods from the scene of the murder. Close behind him followed a strange man, two rods further on he met three persons.
Thomas Taylor, farmer, of Earls Colne said he was walking with deceased to a ¼ of a mile of the fatal spot and left him in good spirits and perfectly sober. Thomas Butcher, under gardener to Robert Hills of Colne Park, Mr Mayhew and Thomas Butcher, brother of the deceased detailed an account of finding the murdered man. The jury returned a verdict of wilful murder by a person unknown. £100 has been offered by the Government in addition to the £20 from local associations for information leading to an arrest.

November 24th 1857

At Sudbury Quarter Sessions on the 14th inst. Ann Wells and Ellen Leeks were charged with stealing 7 half crowns from a young man a short time since. Wells was found guilty and sentenced to 3 years penal servitude being an old offender and Leeks was acquitted.

November 24th 1857

A letter from Sydney says.

I am sorry to see so many deluded people coming out here to settle on land, it is not to be got, this country will not prosper till all have got good land. We have the finest land in the world, some if not all have runs larger than England .

November 24th 1857

Inquest at Thorpe Morieux on John Green aged 73.
Ebenezer Snell, said between 12 and 1 the previous morning whilst littering some bullocks down on Mr Hustler's farm, the deceased came in to the shed and spoke to him about the beasts and suddenly fell dead. He called another man named Jones who was working in a field nearby. Natural death.

November 24th 1857

We stated last week the conviction of a woman named Susan Wells at Sudbury Sessions and her sentence of 3 years penal servitude for robbing George Plum of Lawshall who, in a state of drunkedness, had fallen in with her company. We also reported the inquest on Elizabeth, wife of James Wells, who was burnt to death the same day at Cavendish by falling on the fire in a fit.
We now learn that the family of the prisoner were so confident of her acquittal they were preparing a frolic for her return home, the deceased was her sister in law, and was so shocked by her conviction that it produced a fit, her aunt in endeavouring to save her was much burnt and a child was much injured..

December 1st 1857

Letter to the editor

The accident at Cavendish in the Post this week

There was a paragraph headed "Consequence Of Vice" relating to the case at Cavendish.
It is true Sarah Wells was convicted at the Sudbury Sessions and received a sentence of 3 years, just reward for her infamous manner of life. It is true James Wells, brother to Sarah, that his wife was burnt to death the same day but as to any frolic by the family I can only say that the man was at work on my farm that day until he was sent for home to his wife who was then dead, and neither of them knew of the conviction of the sister at that time, in fact she was not sentenced till 2 o' clock and the woman was burnt at 1 o' clock.
The only other witness was the aunt to the deceased who was also dangerously burnt, she could not be influenced by the trial which had not taken place. Both women, I am informed, were subject to epileptic fits.
Persons who write to papers should be more careful with the facts.

C. Franklin.
Houghton Hall.
 Cavendish.

December 8th 1857

William Hicks a railway porter at Bures, was charged with stealing peck of beans from a railway truck the property of Mr H.W.Westrop. William Woods, an officer of the Essex Constabulary, was charged with receiving stolen property.
Wicks two months in prison and Woods six months hard labour.

December 29th 1857

Prices of game at Christmas markets have been---hares from 2s 6d to 3s-partridges from 2s 6d to 3s a brace---pheasants at 6s to 7s a brace-rabbits from 1s 6d to 2s a couple---turkeys from 10d a pound to 1s 6d a pound-geese 6s to 8s each-ducks at 1s 6d to 3s -fowls at 3s to 6s a pair.