January 5th 1860
At Essex Crown Court, Benjamin Anthony Wright a youth was charged with stealing a 4 lb loaf the property of his master Henry Bridgeman at Waltham Abbey Holy Cross, the jury acquitted the boy amidst applause of people in the court.
January 12th 1860
Samuel Chinnery a labourer of Foxearth was charged with riding without reins in the same parish, the case was proved by John Boyton, coachman for N. Barnardiston of Pentlow. 10s and 11s 6d costs or one month, paid.
January 12th 1860
William Yeldham labourer and James Rippingale a pork butcher, both were charged with assaulting Nathaniel Pilgrim at Walter Belchamp.
February 2nd 1860
Cavendish. On Wednesday last a boy employed by Mr F.Fisher in the brickyard was raising earth when a quantity slipped burying the boy, he was quickly got out and removed to his home, it is thought his leg was broken.
March 15th 1860
Married at St Peter's church, Melbourne, Australia, Frederick Nichols, the eldest son of Mr Peter Nichol's of Sudbury to Jane Milton Rowse of Adelaide.
March 22nd 1860
At Castle Hedingham Petty Sessions the only hearing was against Walter Wadley, a lad of Foxearth for assaulting Eliza Honeywood of the same place, he did not appear and warrant was made for his apprehension.
April 3rd 1860
On Sunday afternoon the three Sunday schools at Sudbury assembled at Friars Street Chapel to hear an address on American slavery from the Rev Mathews.
April 12th 1860
Married on February 20th at Cawnpore, India, T.E.Fox, Sgt Instructor of the Musketry 2nd Batt Rifle Brigade, the eldest son of Mr John Fox, Inspector of Police of Woolpit, to Sussanah Isabella, the only daughter of the late Mrs Munley of Tuddenham, Mildenhall.
April 19th 1860
Married on January 10th at Invercarcill, New Zealand, James Stuck of Stapleford Lodge, New River, late of Alphampstone to Hannah Maria the eldest daughter of John Paulin of Eastbourne Hotel, River Town, Jacob's River.
April 12th 1860
Married at Prabara Church, Australia, James Haward Hazell, widower, late of Ballingdon to Louisa a widow of Prabara.
May 3rd 1860
For upwards of 20 years the children of Melford Church of England school have assembled for instruction in what may be described as part of the old parish church namely the Lady Chapel, a stone building standing on the east end of the church, on Friday Lady Hyde Parker laid the first stone of the new school.
May 3rd 1860
Rebecca Messent a milk woman employed by Mr George Coote of Smeetham Hall farm at Bulmer and from whom she embezzled various sums of money was handed over to the Essex constabulary.
June 28th 1860
It will have been observed that by an advertisement that the situation of organist is vacant at Cavendish church, as there are likely to be several competitors for the situation a correspondent complains that the instrument has been anything but improved by the removal of the trumpet stop during recent repairs
July 26th 1860
Clare. On Monday last as two young men in the employ of Mr Jones named Candler and Gridley were working together when Chandler struck Gridley on the head with a bill hook, it is not known if the blow will prove fatal or not, Candler is in custody.
August 23rd 1860
Advert. New Plough. John Downs Jun. ironfounder of Gestingthorpe, Halsted, Essex, begs to present his grateful thanks to farmers and the public for the liberal support he has received in the last 15 years of this old establishment which was carried on by his father and is soliciting the continuance of their patronage. J.D. begs to invite attention to the recent improvements in his Essex plough.
September 4th 1860
Sale at Gestingthorpe on the 29th at the George Hotel, Halsted. A small estate in this parish known as Edye's Farm, with growing crops.
September 20th 1860
Pentlow.. Notice to millers, merchants, contractors and others. A sale by auction by Mr F.C.Fitch upon the premises of Pentlow Mill by order of Mr J.S.Garrett who's lease expires at Michaelmas next. Comprising 6 horses-millers van-several hundred sacks-180,000 well burnt bricks-oak timber trees of large dimensions-assorted seasoned poplars-large quantity of building stuff.
October 11th 1860
Belchamp St Pauls. For sale on Friday-Timber and thatched cottages on St Pauls Green In occupation of William Staines-Robert Cutmore-John Deal.
October 18th 1860
Died on July 7th on his first voyage on board the Alnwick Castle bound for Madras and Calcutta near the Cape, Edward Thorald, midshipman, the son of the Rev Alexander Paton, vicar of Tuddenham near Ipswich.
October 18th 1860
Melford Schools. On Tuesday last these schools which have just been completed were opened with due ceremony, the buildings which comprise a handsome pile have been substantially and neatly built by the contractor Mr Fordham under the supervision of W. Parkyn, architects of London.
We believe this village would probably have remained isolated in this age of education had it not been for the generosity of the Misses Wing, one of whom is now the wife of the Rev W.S.Baker, curate of this parish whose liberal gift of £500 was responded to by the other Ladies and Gentlemen, Sir William Hyde Parker giving the ground, the Board of Education giving £800, although £200 more is needed, the entire cost being approaching £2000, this sum is nearly made up.
October 25th 1860
Died at Cavendish aged 71, Elizabeth, widow of the late Robert Everett, Esq of Melbourne Australia.
October 25th 1860
Hinckford Conservative Agricultural Association celebrated their 28th anniversary on Friday last, meeting at Castle Hedingham where a ploughing match took place on a field belonging to Mr Thomas Rayner of the "Grays" Sible Hedingham. There were 22 ploughmen including three boys in the competition.
Judges were Mr William Plummer of Castle Hedingham, Mr Willaim Elsden of Belchamp Walter and Mr John Ince of Gt Yeldham, the stacking competion was judged by Mr A.T. Underwod of Bulmer. Prizes - 1st prize of £2 went to Liffy? Eady sen of Sible Hedingham for Ashurst Majendie of Castle Hedingham, 2nd prize of £1 15s went John Salmon for Mr Henry Myhill of Gt Maplestead.
October 25th 1860
Cardinalls Farm Foxearth. To be sold by auction on the premises by order of the proprietor Mr Halls who is changing his residence-all his household furniture-nearly new furniture comprising mahogany 4 poster bed with Arabian and French bedsteads with moreen hangings-matresses-6 feather beds-4 mahogany chest of drawers-dressing tables-2 lounge chairs-2 couches-100 volumes of books-15 pairs of linen sheets-6 pairs of blankets etc.
November 22nd 1860
A child aged three named Bullard was accidentally burnt to death last Saturday, the child was playing by the fire it's mother being upstairs, before the mother could come down to it's aid most of it's clothes were burnt of it, it died shortly after afterwards.
December 20th 1860
John Smoothy of Clare, assessor of taxes, was charged with assaulting David Ince, a boy in the employ of Mr John Issacson of Clare. 1s with 9s costs.
December 20th 1860
Ursula Jolly of Hundon aged about 15 years was convicted embezzling 10d the property of John Spencer Ruse a miller from Hundon. 1 month hard labour.
December 27th 1860
At Essex Winter Assizes Allen Richardson aged 60 was convicted of breaking into the dwelling house of John Keeble at Wickham St Pauls and stealing a silver table spoon 4 silver teaspoons and other articles was sentenced to penal servitude for life.
January 10th 1861
Inquest at Belchamp Walter on Mary Braddy aged 23, Elizabeth the wife of George Free said deceased was single and was living as servant to Mrs Hutton of Belchamp, on the 27th ult I was sent for by Mrs Hutton to come and see deceased, I saw her in bed, she complained of a headache, I asked her why, she did not tell me, the following morning I went to see her again, she told me she was bad, she told me she was in the family way, I told her mistress, at half past ten that morning she was delivered of a stillborn child by Dr Waring who said she told him she had taken rat poison, she left a letter. Dear Friend, I have poisoned myself, I hope you won't pull me about for it, I am in great trouble and have been even before I left Mr s Ruse I was ruined there and had not told anyone, I have wished many times that I had never left Mrs Gooch. Verdict taken poison.
January 10th 1861
Inquest at Belchamp Walter on the son of a labourer named Finch who died from convultions.
On the same day an inquest on the body of a lad aged 13 named William Ginn at Belchamp Otten who the previous day was fatally injured while working with a threshing machine on Mr Edward's farm. The Coroner made severe remarks upon the practice of persons wearing loose clothing whilst employed at such work, deceased was drawn in by a spindle catching his smock and his head was fractured, he lived for two hours.
A man named Charles Chatters of Belchamp Otten was engaged in felling trees, he was severely injured when a tree fell on him, we have not heard exactly the injuries he sustained.
January 10th 1861
James Cook, Walter Horrex and Thomas Mitchell, labourers of Bridge Street, Melford were charged with stealing 7 dead hares and 12 dead rabbits the property of Lord Alfred Paget, No true bill.
January 10th 1861
Sudbury. During the last severe frost, two ladies of Lord Paget's family drove through Sudbury in a well appointed sleigh drawn by two handsome bays.
The supply of gas has been affected by the frost as most of the meters were frozen.
January 31st 1861
Glemsford. The ford way through which the water passes to the Foxearth Mill, which obtained celebrity a few years ago by the loss of two good horses and since then by sundry narrow escapes to different individuals, there was a further narrow escape by Mr Downs. It seems he was riding through there on Monday last when he lost his seat from the horse getting his foot in a hole in the road washed by the floods, when in a moment there was nothing but floods around him till some friendly trees dipping their arms into the stream and willing help from a casual passer-by completed the rescue. How long shall state of things continue, Mr Ambrose kindly provided a bridge and charged a toll, but after many dry seasons the ford was easily passed, we fear not enough money was taken to erect a new one, thus two of the most fruitful hills in the counties of Suffolk and Essex renders neighbours who live in sight of each other remain unknown to each other and when a Suffolk man a little bolder than others tries to communicate with his Essex friends, he thinks he is lucky to get home.
February 14th 1861
James Gibbons, a marine store dealer of Belchamp St Pauls was charged with being the father of the child of Caroline Chinery of the same place. To pay 1s 6d weekly.
February 21st 1861
Advert. The Water Mill at Belchamp. All descriptions of corn dried at a charge of 1s per coomb.
March 7th 1861
Belchamp Otten. The Rev Samuel Crowther who has administered to this parish for the last 18 months is leaving, his liberality and charity have alleviated the suffering as shown in his establishing a soup kitchen, the villagers were unwilling to let him depart without showing their gratitude which they did by contributing to a handsome bound book called Bagster's Polyglot Bible, the presentation took place at the Rectory House.
April 4th 1861
Advert. Messrs Blunden and Squire have received in instructions from the executors of the late Shepard Ewer to sell by auction -2 prime stacks of upland hay containing nearly 60 tons, a greater part was secured in the best possible condition, to be sold in lots of 2 to 5 tons.
April 25th 1861
Glemsford. The effects of drunkenness. On Friday morning there was an inquest at the Crown Inn at Hartest on the body of a shoemaker named Jesse Andrews 45 who had committed suicide the previous week, John Andrews, brother of the deceased said he found him hanging from a beam when he went get some kindling in, he had been drinking a lot.
On Monday morning the same coroner held an inquest at the Lion Inn, Glemsford, on James Hartley a wheelwright aged 73. George Nunn started he went to deceased's shop to borrow a tool when he found him hanging from a beam, at times deceased's chief part of the day was spent in a public house for a week or two then perhaps he would keep away for months, he had been boozing for the last fortnight.
May 16th 1861
Married at Foxearth by the Rev J.Foster assisted by the Rev Irvine-Henry the only son of Henry Harrison Baker of Otten Hall to Charlotte Eliza the eldest daughter of the late Thomas Chickall of Claret Hall and Mrs Ewer of West-end Farm, Foxearth.
June 6th 1861
Sudden death at Gt Waldingfield. The inquest was held on the body of Timothy Sargeant aged 43 who was found dead at his brother's side on Tuesday morning, deceased who was deficient in intelligence was in the habit of doing jobs at the White Horse public house had not been well for several months. Natural death.
June 27th 1861
Fire was discovered at Kentish farm Sible Hedingham occupied by John Eley, a cart shed and a straw stack were destroyed which were valued at about £100, two lads named Ridgewell and Clark aged 7 and 10 were the cause of the fire by smoking "a la cigar" when they set fire to the stack, both are in custody.
Another accident happened in this town last Thursday morning at "Moor's Hole" a pleasant well, known to Halsted bathers, he was swimming and attempted to find the bottom but failing to do so, but for assistance of a soldier who seized him by the hair and rescued him.
July 11th 1861
Advert. Belchamp Walter. Growing crops to be sold at Crows farm under a distress warrant. 11 ½ acres of wheat-13 ½ acres of Barley-Tartarian Oats 4 acres-Red clover seed of 4 acres-2 acres of after feed.
July 25th 1861
Clare. On receiving intelligence of the decision of the Committee of the House of Lords in favour of the Eastern Counties Railway Bill on Saturday night, the town was in quite a commotion, the band was mustered in ten minutes and the streets resounded to "see the conquering heroes come" the bells also pealed to welcome the joyous news.
August 1st 1861. Married at Shimpling, Samuel the eldest son of Mr Samuel Butcher of Shimpling Mill to Mary Ann the fourth daughter of Capt Ruffell R.N. of the same place.
August 1st 1861
Died on July 25th in her confinement, Mary Ann Eliza the beloved wife of James Spalding Gardiner of Borley, Essex.
August 8th 1861
To be sold at Gestingthorpe Compasses under a deed of assignment for the benefit of the creditors. All the household furniture-a compact good 21 bushel brewing plant including a nearly new copper Coolers-mash tun-pump etc-light spring cart-sweet beer casks from 11 to 4 hhds each.
August 22nd 1861
Died. On May 23rd on Mount Korong Goldfield Wedelburus ? Victoria, Australia, Alfred Windred aged 43, formerly of the Queen's Head Hawkedon.
August 29th 1861
Gt Maplestead. A fire broke out on Sunday afternoon at Chelmsoe House, Gt Maplestead in occupation of Mr Thomas Jackson, two oat stacks and one clover stack newly erected were destroyed.
September 5th 1861
Castle Hedingham. Died on Monday the 2nd, a poor man named Meers aged 60 of Stoke by Clare, he was so badly injured while working on the new railway line at Baythorn End that he died while being taken home.
September 12th 1861
Gt Yeldham.. On Sunday last the religiously disposed portion of the inhabitants of this village were shocked on seeing a navvie who was placed conspicuously on a high bank digging the same as an ordinary day , Mr J. Way of Spains Hall went to see the man instead of dealing harshly with him in a kind tone induced him to postpone his task.
September 19th 1861
Died on the 6th of February in a hurricane off Mauritius supposed lost with the rest of the crew of the Queensland, Alfred aged 16, the third son of Frederick and Rosella Stanford of the Rookery Yoxford.
October 10th 1861
Sudbury. The potato crop has turned out better than expected in Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex, it is thought the great heats which prevailed in August prevented the disease extending to the tubers which were stunted the growth but the tubers are of excellent quality.
October 24th 1861
John Cranfield was charged with trespassing on the land of Mr White a farmer of Lt Yeldham, Thomas Angell said he saw the defendant in one of his master's fields and standing in the ditch was John White with a ferret, he saw a rabbit come out and it ran away but the dog caught it. Defendant said he had got no work and he must get a living. 5s with 7s 6d costs. White has absconded.
November 7th 1861
Advert. The Essex and Suffolk Free Press have a circulation of around 6,500 copies per week.
November 14th 1861
During the last week 2 or 3 sheep have been stolen from Mr Harding of Gt Henny, and Mr Gardiner of Borley, a fat sheep belonging to Mr Coote of Smeetham Hall was slain with the heads and entrails left in the next field.
December 5th 1861
Alphampstone. On Friday last an accident befell a lad named George Parminter who is in the employ of Mr Cressel a carrier of Halsted, the poor boy had been sent to Bures with a donkey and cart, when near Mr Stock's farm the donkey ran up the bank on the side of the road and upset the cart with the boy falling under it, help was at hand immediately but it was found the boy was dead, his neck was broken.
December 12th 1861
Cavendish. On Friday last a little boy named John Underwood aged 11 was cutting turnips for Mr Orbell of Pentlow when he got his hand in the machine breaking his little finger and severely injuring his 3rd finger which was amputated.
December 12th 1861
Borley. The rectory of this place has become vacant by the death of the Rev Herrington M.A., the benefice is worth £300 yearly it is in the gift of the Earl Waldegrave.
December 26th 1861
Melford. Most all the shops in this village were closed on Monday during the time of the Prince Consort's funeral.