January 11th 1862

At Melford Petty Sessions Thomas and Cornelious Branwhite, lads of Melford, were charged with shooting three tame pigeons valued at 1s 6d the property of Charles Westrop of Melford Place, defendants pleaded guilty and they were dismissed with a caution and 6s costs.

January 11th 1862

Inquest at the Cherry Tree Inn in Drinkstone on William Bigsby aged 51 years who died suddenly in the following circumstances.
Ambrose Bugg said "last Sunday afternoon I was in Drinkstone church sitting beside the deceased, after standing up to sing he sat down and his head dropped onto his knees, I stooped down and looked at his face and saw he was very ill, 
We took him out of the church but before we could so he died before we got him out".
He went for Mr Whiting. 
Mr Leech, surgeon, said " I have not attended deceased, he is a very strong muscular man, I made a post mortem on his body, his heart was free from disease, perhaps a little too fat, his stomach was gorged with pork and cabbage, his liver was enormously large and congested and his bowels likewise, he had one kidney which was three times as large as it should be, he appeared to be an intemperate man, death was caused by his stomach being too much gorged and stopped the action the heart."
Verdict visitation of God.

January 11th 1862

Robert Smith, labourer of Glemsford was charged with assaulting James Reeder Bailey, police officer of Glemsford. Hard labour for 4 months.

January 25th 1862

On the 10th inst it was discovered by officers at the Union Workhouse at Sudbury that seven men in number 4 ward had completely smashed 68 panes of glass in a window, pulled out a fire grate in the room, torn up some flagstones, several of which they used as missiles hurling them through the broken windows where one man was lying ill in the neighbouring sick ward and a lot of stones were thrown into the apartment which hit the iron bed on which the man was lying. 
Warrants have been issued for the arrest of the delinquents (they having left the workhouse) they reside in Belchamp and Shimpling, it is hoped they will soon be taken and punished.

February 1st 1862

The foundering of the ship "William" from Singapore to London on the 22nd ult when off Cape Morgan has resulted in the death of the son of Mrs Mortlock of the Ladies Seminary of Clare, he was one of the unfortunate crew of 24 of whom all perished except two boys.

February 1st 1862

On Saturday night at about 12, Mr Simpson, tile maker of Kirtling, with three friends were driving a horse and cart from the White Horse in Wickhambrook towards the Crown Inn, on going through the water called "the wash", it is supposed with more rapidity than discretion when both shafts snapped off and away went the horse at full speed towards the Crown and being unable to turn the corner ran violently into the ditch.
Some persons got it out but there was blood on the road so it might be injured. One of the occupants of the cart, a young man named John Mason of Wickhambrook, had both knees injured, the others escaped uninjured.

February 14th 1862

Clare. The Great Eastern new railway line from Sudbury through Clare to Shalford has been started in a field where there is a cutting next to Stoke by Clare Green, about 2 ½ miles fro Clare
Aa party of navvies are also busily engaged in a meadow to the north of the town in making necessary preparations for brick making.

February 21st 1862

Charles Middleditch of Hawkedon was charged with assaulting Robert Brown of Stansfield on the 26th of September last, causing a fracture of the leg, complainant has not worked since.
It appears complainant with others went to the Queen Inn to get change to receive their harvest wages when was a scuffle ensued. 
To pay £1 with 10s 6d costs or 14 days.

March 28th 1862

On Sunday last, several boys were walking in a meadow at Clare, about ½ a mile from the town when one of them climbed an old tree close to a ditch when to his surprise he saw a fox inside, he and his companions by poking with sticks and pelting mud a it made it emerge but it would only go to the other side of the ditch.
The boys afterwards found a nest of eight young ones, they took them out and inspected them then put then safely back again, information was given to the owner of the meadow who has since had them carefully watched.

March 28th 1862

A pike weighing 19 ½ lbs was taken a short distance from Mr Ray's at Clare Mill, it was found in a small pool surrounded by shallow water which was left from the floods.

March 28th 1862

Ignorance and superstition in the 19th century. 
On Wednesaday last a somewhat aged man named Choat fron Ridgewell in Essex came on a singular errand to the workhouse at Kedington, having been asked by the porter what he wanted he replied 
"I am come to see an old man, an inmate of this house by the name of 'Whistler' Brown,
On being asked why he wanted to see him he replied "well sir my daughter is very bad and the people at Ridgewell say she is bewitched and they think that old 'Whistler' Brown can tell who bewitched her for no doctor can cure her"
Of course he was told he had better make his way back to Ridgewell as no witchcraft was permitted at Kedington.

May 2nd 1862

John Walker of Stansfield charged with damaging with committing damage on Northy Wood The property of Earl Howe, to pay 1d damages.

June 27th 1862

Died at Melford Hospital. James Deeks one of the survivors of the battle of Trafalgar.

July 4th 1862

On Sunday evening last the Rev Elrick, Minister of the Congregational Church at Clare held an open air service on the Common which was well attended by the labouring classes for which it was specially designed.

July 11th 1862

On Saturday last, the village of Cavendish was aroused from it's usual quietness by the turning of the first sod of the new railway line from Clare to Sudbury on the Cavendish Hall estate.
The Clare band was engaged and at 3 o' clock workmen belonging to Mr Garrett formed a procession carrying flags and banners and headed by the band marched through the village to the ground where a great number of the leading families of the neighbourhood was assembled.
The ceremony was performed by Miss Yellowly, nearly 100 persons sat down to luncheon provided by Mr Bear of the Rose and Crown Inn at Clare, the band played selected numbers of popular music, the chairman, Mr Hinchcliffe proposed the health of the Queen and the band played the National Anthem followed by Rule Britannia.

July 11th 1862

Inquest at the White Horse, Edwardstone, on Joseph Smith aged 6 years who died in the following circumstances. 
James Tricker, aged 17, said last Friday night he was playing poker at the White Horse with a number of others, 
"We had been "raising a frolic" on having got the roof on Mr Wyatt's house, deceased was on the tenpin ground
As soon as he came in I asked him if he would like a drink, he said yes and emptied a half glass of ale, after a little while I asked him if he would like another and he said yes.
I went up the road with him and another boy and saw deceased stumble and fall down, I picked him up and led him home, he seemed tipsy, I told his mother that I had asked him to have a drink or two, she took hold of him and shook him, when I bought him the beer I never thought of making him drunk."
 Mr Mann, surgeon, said he made a post mortem and found he had congestion of the brain. 
George Hills said when at the White Horse he told Tricker not to give him beer, he said it would not hurt him but do him good. 
Thomas Lister, 15 years, said "I asked deceased to drink last Friday evening and he drank half a glass of ale." 
Verdict, died from drinking beer causing congestion of the brain.

July 11th 1862

Inquest at Brockley on Sarah, wife of Samuel Pawsey aged 36
It is said that about 6 on Tuesday morning a man named Smith was collecting tares when he saw her run from her house with her clothes on fire. He put some tares over her to try and put the fire out but did not succeed, he got her into a ditch of water close by and ran and fetched his wife who helped her home.
She was badly burnt and died the next morning. Deceased has had fits on previous occasions and had her clothes alight before while falling on the fire. 
Accidental.

August 2nd 1862

Death at Melford hospital of Peter Atkins in his 84th year, for more than 30 years faithful servant of Mr John Campbell of Ayston Hall (perhaps Lyston Hall) and about 15 years with Sir William Hyde Parker of Melford Hall.

August 2nd 1862

On Monday afternoon fire broke out at Gages Farm, Belchamp St Pauls, in occupation of Mr J. Carter.
Clare fire engine was sent for and the Norwich Union engine arrived some time before the Town engine, the flames spread so rapidly that their service was of little avail except to save the dwelling house.
A new asphalt floor had just been completed and when the apparatus were being removed through the yard it is thought that a cinder falling from the furnace set fire to some colewort straw which had been spread over the yard and the extensive buildings were speedily reduced to ashes. 
The same afternoon between 5 and 6, Mr David Deaves of Belchamp St Pauls was driving down Nethergate street at Clare when his cart rolled over in an unusual manner as a wheel had come off, Mr Deaves was hurled to the ground and narrowly missed the wheel of a passing wagon, he did not receive any injuries.

August 16th 1862

On Saturday afternoon a game of cricket was played on the Stoke College ground between the Rev Foster's eleven of Foxearth and an eleven chosen by E.F.Fisher of Clare, the game was well contested and ended in favour of Mr Fisher's eleven who scored 115 runs to their opponents 97.

August 23rd 1862

Court of Bankruptcy re Robert Rogers of Fair Green, Glemsford, chemist and druggist who had been adjudged bankrupt by his own petition on the 22nd of June, applicant appeared to pass his last examination and applied for discharge.
The cause of his insolvency was the falling off of his business.

August 23rd 1862

On Sunday morning at Clare several people were puzzled to know the reason why a party of harvest men were walking through the street as if they had been to work.
It turned out the farmer, living out of town had actually set his men turning barley, some think the farmer's faculties must be deranged or he would never have openly violated the 4th commandment especially as it was very wet on Saturday and raining on the following morning, according to competent judges grain took more harm than if left alone. 
Mr James Brown of Church Farm, Clare has advertised that he is not the person alluded to.

September 13th 1862

Live and dead stock to be sold at Swan's Hall, Hawkedon for Mr S. Moore. 6 horses-3 Suffolk cows-waggons-tumbrils etc and other implements for 200 acres.

September 20th 1862

A small estate at Whepstead called "The Gardens" for sale, 13 acres 2 rods and 18 perches.

October 11th 1862

Advert. Ploughing Match Triumph. The 20 guinea championship prize cup has been won by Ransome and Sims of Ipswich at Leighton Buzzard on October 3rd with £5 for the ploughman who ploughed ½ an acre in four hours in the best and cheapest manner. There is a large assortment of ploughs always available at 10 the Meat Market, Bury St Edmunds. W. Clarke, Agent.

October 18th 1862

There was a serious gun accident on Monday last to a young man named Mothersole aged 17 who is assistant gamekeeper to Mr N. Barnardiston of Acton Place. 
The young man is the son of the headkeeper at Acton Place was out rabbit shooting in Acton Park, he must have been holding his gun pointing towards his leg when it suddenly went off, the charge entered his calf shattering both bones in his leg.
The poor fellow lay there a considerable time until found by a herd boy who was keeping stock in the neighbourhood. Mr Jones, surgeon of Melford was sent for and he decided to amputate above the knee.

October 25th 1862

A rather curious circumstance occurred at Clare at Miss Holmes Bake Office.
A hedgehog is kept for the purpose of destroying beetles. It was discovered she had brought forth two young ones in a sack, as this sack was wanted for another reason, a comfortable nest was provided but the new abode did not suit her ladyship, she ate the young ones, a small piece of skin was found.

November 8th 1862

Wickhambrook. On Sunday last a little boy named Ashwell took his brother's dinner to a field where he was keeping bullocks for Mr Norman at Rolfe's farm when one of the bullocks standing in his path knocked the poor little fellow down piercing his cheek with it's horn and was in the act of kneeling on him when he was rescued by his brother, he was taken to Mr Stutter's surgery and is now recovering.

November 15th 1862

Mrs Medcalfe living at Hermitage farm, Clare, was delivered of three boys all born alive but all have since died

November 22nd 1862

Servant's Advert's one shilling each. Wet Nurse, a young person at Woolpit for situation. Apply Woolpit Post Office.

November 22nd 1862

Sudbury Market-----Trade is very dull in consequence of the large amount of animals in Liverpool and London. Wheat to 48s 11d-Barley to 35s 10 ½ d----Oats to 22s 4d.

November 22nd 1862

The beautiful church at Melford has been greatly improved by the reglazing of the two west windows, the work has been executed under the superintendence of Richard Almack F.A.S., the glazing was done by William Coates of this parish and does him great credit.

December 6th 1862

Married at Melford, Theophilus Field, gamekeeper, to Elizabeth the only daughter of George Ford of Melford.

December 6th 1862

Inquest at the Shoulder of Mutton in Assington upon Hariett Clarke aged 22 and daughter of Elizabeth Clarke a single woman
Deceased had been an idiot since birth but was quite harmless and her mother often left her alone, on Friday her mother and a neighbouring woman went 1 ½ miles to do some shopping and left her with Mrs Simpson's little child aged two years.
On returning they found the child screaming in a corner of a room filled with smoke and the body of the deceased lying on the table dreadfully burnt, she was subject to fainting and was unable to do anything to extinguish the flames. 
Accidental.

December 13th 1862

For sometime past certain charges of a grossly immoral character against an official of Sudbury Work House have been under private investigation and have been reported to the Board in London. 
Sir John Walsham of the Poor Law Inspector for the districts has received instructions to visit Sudbury to make a public inquiry, the party in question has tendered an absolute resignation expressing his intention to leave at once on forfeiting one month's salary. 
To this course the law cannot prevent the party leaving.

December 20th 1862

Married-Fisher-Yellowly. On the 10th inst at Cavendish, Edward Fisher, 3rd son of the late Rev Charles Fisher, rector of Ovington cum Tilbury in Essex to Mary Ellis, widow of Samuel Tysson Yellowly of Cavendish Hall.

December 27th 1862

Married -Meeking-Orbell on the 16th inst at Foxearth, Essex by the Rev J. Foster-Henry Meeking, 2nd son of the late H. Meeking of Chilton Hall, Sudbury to Lydia, 3rd daughter of John Orbell of Brook Hall, Foxearth.
No cards please.

December 27th 1862

Investigations at the Union House, Sudbury. 
On Tuesday Sir J. Walsham of the Poor Law Inspection Institute inquired a the Board Room into certain charges against the porter and the laundress of an immoral nature in the house, the inquiry was to have extended to the School master but on learning of the inquiry that he was to be prosecuted he resigned and left the town a few days before the inquiry. 
The porter was charged with illicit intercourse with a pauper named Hale who is now enceinte and being the reported father and also an attempt to familiarities with another pauper inmate. 
The laundress was charged with being at improper on the men's side of the house and with improprieties in connection with the late schoolmaster.
The evidence is not fit for the public and if it can be relied on it shows a sad state of morals and laxity in the discipline of the house. At the conclusion of inquiry, Sir John addressed the porter and laundress saying he would make a full report to the Poor Law Board.

January 10th 1863

Inquest at the White Hart at Stanstead on John Whiterod aged 19 who drowned himself in a pond near his father's house the previous Saturday. 
It appears the young man formed an acquaintance with a young woman with whom he hoped to spend Christmas with, a letter was found on him telling him she would shut the door on him if he called and had burnt all his letters to her, he appeared to be warmly attached to the girl, a portrait of the young woman was found in his effects and a paper enclosed with it contained the words "Dear Girl, I dye for you." 
Destroyed himself.

January 17th 1863

At Clare Independent Chapel on Sunday last the sum of £5 12s was collected for the Lancashire Distressed Operatives and 30s from the previous week making £7 2s contributed to this laudable cause.

January 24th 1863

Died on the 16th inst at Bradfields Farm, Pentlow, Essex, much respected, George Chickall aged 70 years.

January 24th 1863

On Saturday last at Hill farm, Clare, a lad named William Bruty was at work on top of a load of straw inside a barn when the horse fell down on it's knees and the unfortunate boy was precipitated on to the floor, he was taken home insensible in a tumbril but has made little progress towards recovery.

January 24th 1863

Alfred Cadge, Samuel Howard and Francis Andrews, lads of Melford were charged with throwing stones at James Baldwin of Alpheton while riding in his cart in the High street at Melford. 
5s each with 6s 6d costs.

January 31st 1862

A house in the centre of Clare was infested with rats and hardly anything escaped their ravages, a hamper containing turnips was gnawed through by them, the son thinking to make sure of his game set a trap inside the hamper and covered it with bran, his mother went to the hamper to get some turnips for dinner put her hand in and was caught by the fingers. 
The wound is not very serious.

January 31st 1863

At a meeting of the Suffolk Agricultural Association, Sir E. Kerrison said one rule ought to be altered, it was passed last year and stood in the form of a note to the cattle class as follows "a Suffolk cow or heifer shown for a prize must be "proved to have been got by a Suffolk bull out of a Suffolk polled cow born in Suffolk", The consequence of the rule was there were to have no blood out of Suffolk, the year before last a cow of Mr Wolton's won a prize, he had purchased the cow and at the last show she was disqualified by this rule.
Mr Dorito said there was a great deal of talk about this matter and members are afraid of improving the Suffolk cow too much by crossing it with Shorthorns, the shorthorns were thought to be too good, (laughter).

February 28th 1863

In consequence of the extension of the railway line to Melford-Cavendish-Clare and Bury it has been decided to build a new railway station at Sudbury about 200 yards from the present one.

April 18th 1863

On Sunday evening, the Rev J. Elrick, pastor of the Independent Chapel at Stoke by Clare, preached a sermon in the Chapel on "sudden death" for the purpose of improving the occasion of the late melancholy accident at the railway cutting in this place.

May 16th 1863

At Lavenham Farmers Club Quarterly meeting last Friday the usual shearing match took place at the Cock Inn. The champion was George Everett of Milden who won £1---Class 2-William Bird of Thorpe with £1-2nd, Opha Head of Milden with 10s-3rd was W. Brinkley of Thorpe with 10s---Boys, William Pyeman of Cockfield with 10s.

July 4th 1863

On Tuesday there was great excitement at Poslingford on account of the death of Henry Suttle aged 55, labourer
He was mowing grass in a meadow belonging to Mr Boreham when about 7 he fell down and expired immediately. Deceased who lodged with another labourer could not be taken at his lodgings as the other labourer which he lived with his wife was very ill, an application was made to remove the body to the chapel but it was refused, neither was it allowed to be moved to an empty house used by the Methodists, the body of the poor man was taken to his sister's house which is situated a considerable distance from the street of the village. 
Visitation of God.

July 11th 1863

On Sunday afternoon a number of children were walking along a plank placed over the river Stour near the new railway bridge at Clare, a girl of about 12 who was crossing felt giddy and fell into the stream, luckily the water was low in consequence of the bridge building so she managed to escape with nothing but a good drenching, 
She is said to belong to the Independent Chapel Sunday school and had her books with her at the time, she no doubt afterwards wished herself in her proper place instead of wandering about for her own gratification.

July 11th 1863

On Tuesday the new cricket club at Clare tried their strength with an eleven from Cavendish and suffered a severe defeat but took it in good part. Cavendish-86 and 91----Clare 50 and 43.

July 11th 1863

Abraham Savage, marine store dealer of Cavendish was charged with stealing a coomb of peas and a sack, the property of Ambrose Smith of Cavendish. Hard labour for 4 months.

July 11th 1863

William Brown aged 22 years, labourer of Glemsford was charged with having carnal knowledge of a girl aged 11 years at Glemsford, the second count laid the offence as an indecent assault, the third count a common assault.
Details of the case are unfit for the public. 
Found guilty on the first account and sentenced to 18 months hard labour.

July 11th 1863

Maria Thurlow Rice aged 17 was charged with breaking open the dwelling house of John Rampling of Rickinghall Inferior and stealing a parasol and a cotton dress. 
3 months.

July 11th 1863

Ipswich----At Suffolk Agricultural Association Show. Best stallion-Mr Badham of Bulmer, £15-best stallion having served not less than 20 mares in the county-G.D.Badham----Exhibitor of the prize animal if breeder, G. Badham. Best thoroughbred stallion bred for hunting purposes and served no less than 10 mares in the county, Henry Westropp of Long Melford.

July 18th 1863

Sudden death at Hitcham. 
Inquest at the White Horse Inn on Robert Syer aged 10 years, deceased had been unwell the previous day (cow keeping) but remained there until about noon.
About 6 on the following morning the child expired. Mr Growse, surgeon, carried out a post mortem and said he died from congestion of the brain as well as congestion of the lungs.

August 15th 1863

A shocking accident happened occurred on Friday evening to a child aged 3 years named Nathan Chinery son of a coal heaver residing in Oliver's yard, North Street, Sudbury.
Deceased was playing in Short Road near the Croft with older children and ran to catch hold of a wagon heavily laden with coal, he was knocked down by a front wheel and the back wheel passed over his head fracturing his skull and crushing out his brains.
Tthe driver was walking slowly on the other side of his horses and did not know of the accident until someone called him.

August 15th 1863

A boy named Mann was riding a horse on a straw stack at Earls Hall, Cockfield, when his thigh was broken by the horse falling off the stack and rolling on him.

August 22nd 1863

A pair of swans property of Mr C. Ray of Clare Mill hatched their young brood and they were admired by townspeople for sometime in their walks near the river, the fine forms of the elegant creatures will no longer grace the stream for four cygnets were killed on Sunday last, it is hoped the perpetrators of this contemptible act will not escape punishment.

September 5th 1863

New Licences at Melford Petty Sessions. New licences were granted to William Borley of the Six Bells, Cockfield and to John Mayhew at the White Horse, Gt Waldingfield.

September 19th 1863

Live and Dead stock to be sold at Slough Farm, Lt Waldingfield by directions of the executors of the late Joseph Spraggons---18 horses-2 cows-9 heifers-60 sheep-36 lambs-80 swine and implements for 300 acres.

September 19th 1863

Belchamp Walter. To be sold by auction on September 30th by direction of the Rev J.M.St Clere Raymond who has left the Munt farm and adjoining farms. 17 horses-herd of 13 Suffolk cows-16 heifers-120 ewes-100 head of half bred lambs-20 swine-2 stacks of hay and all the usual implements-champion reaping machine.

October 3rd 1863

On Tuesday last, Michaelmas day, two services were held in Foxearth church to commemorate the restoration of Foxearth church and the opening of the new organ, the new organ has been added at a cost of £300 is by Willis of London.

October 3rd 1863

Dragon Hill Farm at Eye in Suffolk. Live and dead stock of Mr Walter Craske who is leaving the farm. 9 horses-5 cows-19 young stock-54 crones-21 swine-31 turkeys-70 hens.

October 3rd 1863

At Rolfes Farm, Wickhambrook. Live and dead stock, the effects of Mr D. Norman, deceased. 6 horses-2 cows-6 heifers-9 buds-one fat calf-23 lambs-13 swine-ducks poultry etc.

October 3rd 1863

For sale at Waterfurrows Farm, Milden. The live and dead stock of Samuel Parker who is quitting the farm. --3 horses--Suffolk cow-3 heifers-suckerel filly.

October 3rd 1863

Shocking death at Lt Thurlow. 
There was an inquest at the Cock Inn at Lt Thurlow on Richard Bedford aged 64 who met his death under the following circumstances 
On the previous Tuesday, S. Reeve said "I manage the threshing machine for Mr William Chapman of Ketton Leys, on Tuesday we were threshing barley at Mr Bailey's at Lt Thurlow, deceased got up on the scaffold to help clear the corn up on the scaffold on which the corn is laid before it goes into the machine, we were sweeping down the machine, I turned my head and found deceased in the machine, I heard a noise and the strap flew off, I jumped down to unscrew the machine to get him out, he was dead, no doubt he fell into the machine" 
Accidental.

October 17th 1863

Thomas Wells aged 16 years was charged with setting a snare on land in occupation of Pratt Viall at Cavendish. 5s with a month allowed to pay, 
defendant received a good character from his employer.

October 31st 1863

A charge of ill treating a child at Sudbury. Mrs Macroy, a sister of the Emerald Isle, a clean tidy woman of great volubility of tongue was charged with ill treating her child, 
A woman named Stammers and another named Plum said "on Saturday night last the child was screaming from 8 till 9 at night and on Friday from 1 till 2 in the morning and that last August she beat the child (a girl of about 12)". The mother said she was a bad child. 
Bound over.

October 31st 1863

William Goodall, 23, miller, was charged with stealing wheat meal from Charles Ray at Clare and Charles Farnwell, a dealer, was charged with receiving. Each to receive 6 months hard labour.

November 7th 1863

We learn from Polstead that on Sunday week some thieves broke into a barn belonging to Mrs Humphreys (whose husband is undergoing a sentence of penal servitude for life) and stole 3 bushels of wheat from a heap on the floor, the police have not yet discovered the thieves.

November 21st 1863

A man named James Wood, a native of Hartest, a private in the 59th foot now lying at Aldershot gave himself up into custody a few days since alleging he was guilty of arson at Hartest in March 1843 having set fire to property in occupation of James Harvey late of Hartest but now of Tuddenham where by the whole of the premises were destroyed with the farmhouse and two cottages. 
The prisoner was remanded and taken before the Rev Coldham at Glemsford and was remanded at Clare station, the prisoner has been in the army for 20 years having enlisted 2 or 3 weeks after the fire.

November 28th 1863

Death on the 20th inst aged 13 years after a short affliction, Elizabeth Mary, 2nd daughter of Mr Ruse, corn merchant of the Market Hill, Sudbury.

November 28th 1863

James Wood, private in the 59th regiment was brought before Melford Petty Sessions, Superintendent Death handed a letter to the bench which he had received from the commanding officer at Aldershot requiring the prisoner be delivered to Aldershot as he is under court martial there though the Superintendent said Mr Harvey could not prosecute and the bench discharged the defendant to be handed over to the camp authorities,

November 28th 1863

New waterworks for Halstead. 
The works to supply this town are in full operation and every house in the town can have clean water from a well 140 feet down in the clear with the water being obtained from being bored 300 feet through plastic clay to the chalk where the water is clear and abundant. It passes into a cistern as a reservoir constructed to hold 24,000 gallons, it is placed upon a tower at a cost of £3000.

December 12th 1863

Deaths--
Ruse on the 8th inst at his residence on the Market Hill, Sudbury after a short affliction, 
Thomas Ruse, corn merchant and miller in his 50th year, deceased was formerly proprietor of Belchamp Walter Mill and was well known and highly esteemed.

December 19th 1863

Died on the 15th inst at Clare, aged 21 years, Mr Wells of Cavendish who was accidentally killed on Monday evening,
Two men, one named Wells from Cavendish the other a labourer from Belcham were at work in a cutting in Mill Field on the Clare-Sudbury line when the chalk gave way suddenly from having a sand galt in it, both men were buried.
When the men were dug out and Wells was found to be dead and the other man was injured. John Atkin, foreman of the gang said Wells was a good worker. 
Inquest on the same day at Cavendish on David Newman, aged 58, who met his death in the same cutting, John Argent said he was in Mill Field cutting at Clare working beside deceased when about 2 or 3 barrow loads caved out of the cutting and fell onto Newman, the middle of his body was driven onto a wagon, 
Mr Ray lent them his cart and deceased was taken to Cavendish where he died, John Cooper who was engaged in filling the same wagon said they were not undermining. 
Accidental.

December 19th 1863

A few days since at Wickhambrook, Mr Brown, the relieving officer, had a present of a fine turkey which he intended to send to friends in London as a Christmas present, on going into the fowl house on Sunday morning the turkey and a pair of fine fowls were gone, the door was standing open, it led him to believe they were stolen by burglars, however on Monday he met Mr Chickall of Stradishall who had found the head and feet of a turkey in a plantation which left no doubt that Mr Brown had been visited by Reynard.

December 19th 1863

Elmswell. Inquest on the body of Charles Mulley aged 1 year 9 months, son of John Mulley, bricklayer. 
At about ½ past 8 on Sunday morning, deceased's mother dressed him and sat him down while she went to the pantry, she got back directly but before she got back the little fellow had put his mouth to the spout of the kettle which was nearly full, he cried and laid his head on a chair. 
His mother found his mouth was blistered and his throat, he was taken to Doctor Wood at Woolpit but medical aid was of no avail, after lingering for 24 hours he died. 
Accidental.

January 2nd 1864

Inquest at Suffolk General Hospital on James Reach a grocers assistance in the employ of Mr Pattle Traverse of Bury. 
James Seeley of Hartest said he saw deceased driving a little pony and cart near his house
"He asked me where he was, I said Hartest, he said how far is it to Bury, I said about 9 ½ miles, he asked me if there was a public house was nearby, I told him Hartest Crown was about ½ a mile down in the village, after I got down there he asked me where Mr Ruffel lived, I told him about ¾ of mile off in the common, we shook hands and he bade me goodbye, he said 'I will see you in the morning', he then drove fast down the hill, he seemed intoxicated, I told him to 'mind how you drive down there as it is a bad hill', he seemed alright when I left home. 
I cannot tell whether it is the body of the man who drove off, it seemed to be but I had never seen him before so I can't tell."
John Garwood of Hartest said "On Thursday evening I saw deceased lying outside his horse and cart, three women came down the hill, they helped me put him in the cart and I drove him to Ruffel's (a little beer house), I was told to drive him to the policeman, I then drove him to Mr Nunn at Clockhouse farm at Brockley, what for I do not know.
Hhe said drive him into the yard and lay him on some straw in the shed thinking if he lay there an hour or so he would be alright, we wrapped him up warm, I told him I would take him home, he said he lived in Cemetery Road, Bury, Alfred Nunn and myself brought him to hospital"
. Mr S. Newman, surgeon, said "I saw deceased yesterday morning, he had a wound on his left temple and was much bruised, I made a post mortem and found his neck was dislocated which was the cause of death, the nature of his wounds were consistent of falling out of a cart"
. The Coroner said he was satisfied he fell out of a cart and not by anyone striking him. 
Accidental.

January 9th 1864

On Friday afternoon a fire occurred at Brockley on the farm of Mrs Cooper.
Mrs Cooper's son was threshing with horse power when the alarm was given that one of the stacks was on fire, the fire was not extinguished until a cow house-stables-barn-piggeries-horse and cart sheds were destroyed, nothing but the dwelling house was saved, two sows and some fowls were burnt. 
Hartest Fire engine arrived and rendered some good service and prevented the flames reaching some more stacks, Mrs Cooper's son had a narrow escape while engaged on top of the stack he slipped into the centre of the fire burning his face.
The fire was caused by a lad named Pawsey whose father worked on the farm, the boy said he had found an empty lucifer box on the road and was rubbing the rough patch with a stone, it burst into flames and fearing his fingers would be burnt he threw it out of his pocket and set fire to some straw.

January 9th 1864

At a meeting of the Waywardens of the Lavenham district, the surveyor applied to have his salary increased from £300 per annum to £500, adjourned till the 12th inst.

January 9th 1864

Wickhambrook Highway Board Meeting. Contracts for 6 ½ miles at Cavendish-labour £12-stones at 6s per load, a tender by Mr Smith was accepted. Clare 7 ½ miles-labour at £32 10s, stones at 5s 6d per load, to Mr Deeks.

January 16th 1864

On Tuesday evening the 12th inst, Mr Fairweather, pork butcher of Stowmarket was returning home through Rattlesden at about 6-30 pm when he drove over a little boy named Joseph Suttle aged 5 years who was playing with other boys near the church, happily no bones were broken.

January 30th 1864

Died on the 20th inst aged 24 years after a short illness of two days, Mrs Alston beloved wife of Mr Alston, cabinet maker of Borehamgate Street, Sudbury, only daughter of the late Mr Hammond, formerly postmaster at Clare, leaving an infant son.

February 6th 1864

Mary Deeks a married woman of Melford was charged with assaulting and attempting to rob Lydia Anderson, a widow, who said
"I am 78 years old and was walking from Melford Green to my house when against the great gates of the new school I met a woman who rushed against me, I fell down, she thrust her hands at my muffs, I found my gold watch was gone, the watch was hanging by a ribbon guard, she ran away, I called thief, two men came, one ran after her and brought her back,
She abused me shamefully.
She came to my house that evening and begged my pardon."
Joseph Poulson said he was returning from work and near the school saw a woman running towards the church, "I heard stop the thief"
The prisoner said she was sorry. 
Fined 1s with 11s costs.

February 13th 1864

Married at Foxearth on the 4th inst by the Rev J. Foster assisted by the Rev W.J. Irvine---Mr W. S. Goodchild of Glemsford, the 2nd son of John Goodchild of Gt Wratting to Laura the youngest daughter of the late Thomas Chickall of Claret Hall, Ashen.

February 20th 1864

Sarah Debenham aged 13 years of Hartest was charged with stealing a skien of weaving silk valued at 3s the property of Andrew Peacock, silk manufacturer of Glemsford.
 Barbara Brewster said "Last Tuesday evening at about 6 when people were leaving the factory the prisoner passed me, when she got about three yards passed I saw her drop the silk now produced, I picked it up and said 'you dropped this silk', she said 'did I ?' I took it and gave it to my husband who gave it to Mr Peacock.
 The prisoner said she put it under her petticoat and forgot it, "I would have returned it next morning". 
Mr Peacock said "I have lost a lot of silk this way, it is valued at 4s 9d."
 5s with 7s costs.

March 19th 1864

On Tuesday afternoon a boy named Martin aged 11 years, employed at Poslingford Hall was passing through the gateway in the farmyard when he was savaged by a bull which knocked him on to the gate post then kneeled down and gored the little fellow dreadfully about the chest and body, 
He died next morning. 
Accidental.

April 9th 1864

There was a meeting at the Bear and Crown at Clare on Wednesday the 30th last for the purpose of reorganising Clare Cricket Club, a ground has already been hired and a committee have already commenced operations towards getting ready for May.

April 9th 1864

Wickhambrook Highway Board have agreed that the surveyor should be paid for 6 months instead of 4 months and to have an increase of £25 per annum. The Clerk has also to have a bonus of £10 taking his salary to £30 and £10 for a horse.

April 16th 1864

James Mitchell was charged by Frederick Branwhite, malster of Melford with absenting himself from work as horsekeeper on the 4th inst, defendant pleaded guilty and was sent to prison for 7 days with hard labour.

April 16th 1864

On Saturday night last, the people of Common Street, Clare, were startled by a loud crash.
It turned out that a cottage which was uninhabited and lately used as a cowhouse had fallen in and was now completely ruined, fortunately there were only two cows in at the time and they escaped into the street and received no injury.

April 30th 1864

Cowlinge Windmill and Farm for rent. Sail windmill with two pairs of 4ft 4inch French stones with patent sails-two granaries-stables-barn-dwelling house with two sitting rooms-walled garden-five bedrooms-25 acres meadow and arable, in occupation of John Gooch. 
Apply to Samuel Pond of Cowlinge.

April 30th 1864

Inquest at Cockfield on Marianne Clarke aged 9 years,
 Ann wife of John Clarke said deceased was her child and had been an idiot since her birth. On the previous morning she was at her neighbour's and heard crying, she ran upstairs and found deceased's room full of smoke and the sheets and blankets on fire, her neighbour took the child out of bed, she was much burnt, she had reached over to the table and got a box of matches, she died the following morning. 
Accidental.

May 7th 1864

On Saturday last a man was found dead at the bottom of a well at Garboldisham, the well belonged to a cottage in occupation of William Rivet, 
Rivet going to the well in the morning was much alarmed as there was a body at the bottom, when the body was taken out it was identified as a man named Reynolds and as the cottage stands on a hill and not on it's own, neighbours are at a loss to conceive what induced him to go to that cottage. 
He left the Fox Inn at 10 o' clock and was considered capable of going home, probably he sat down on the kerb of the well and had fallen in, his body was much hurt and bruised, it is reported in the parish that he frequently said he would drown in a well.

May 7th 1864

Samuel Fisher of Groton was summoned by P.C. Suttle for riding on a tumbril drawn by three horses at Groton without reins. Dismissed.

May 14th 1864

On Thursday afternoon, two boys were attending a cow feeding by the roadside at Botesdale, the animal had a rope attached to her. 
The younger of the boys foolishly tied it to his own neck, suddenly the cow became frightened and ran off halfa mile, dragging the boy behind before she could be stopped, when it was found the poor boy was dead. 
The body awaits an inquest.

May 14th 1864

George Pursey aged 15 of Acton was charged with stealing on egg from a pheasant's nest on certain land called Balston Hall Grove on the Melford Hall estate on the 30th of April, Thomas Smith, aged 12 years of Lavenham was charged with like offence. 1s for each of 3 eggs.

May 14th 1864

Henry Brown of Glemsford, a mole catcher, was charged by the gamekeeper on the Kentwell Hall Estate with stealing 6 pheasant eggs in Melford. 1s for each egg and 7s 6d costs.

May 14th 1864

Alfred Cawston of Cavendish was charged with misconduct while in the service of Mr Andrews, a farmer of Cavendish
On the 22nd inst, he and another man named Sheppard were employed in carting manure from Cavendish street having a tumbril and three horses each, defendant stayed in the street and got the worse for beer and the other man was sent home with the horses. 21 days hard labour.

June 11th 1864

On Sunday afternoon several people were amusing themselves by walking across a plank placed over the new railway bridge at Clare when a girl of about 11 years attempted to display her fearlessness with dancing on the plank, she fell in and would have drowned had not a strong lad who was a spectator of her full hardiness rescued her.

June 25th 1864

On Monday last, a special service was held at the little Chapel in the parish of Belchamp Walter, there was a public tea in the evening, there was a well attended satisfactory meeting, the collection was larger than usual, the sermon was preached by the Rev J. Steer of Friars Street Chapel at Sudbury, the minister of the Chapel is Mr F. Scott of Sudbury whose administrations are much appreciated by his congregation.

July 2nd 1864

On Friday last, Mrs Turner, wife of Mr Martin Turner of the Kings Head at Ridgewell, died within a half an hour of bursting a blood vessel in her leg.
Mr Turner, surgeon was sent for but within half an hour she was a corpse, deceased was 47 years of age, she was brought from Ridgewell to Clare for interment on Wednesday afternoon.

July 9th 1864

Thomas Mills, aged 37, labourer of Rattlesden was charged with stealing 7 lbs of wood the property of Major Parker M.P. his master. 3 months hard labour.

July 9th 1864

Moss Orbell of Brook Hall, Foxearth was charged with drunkedness and riotous behaviour in Melford street. £2.

July 23rd 1864

On Thursday morning a labourer named Williss was working on the cutting on the new railway between Melford and Lavenham when a portion of earth gave way which fell on him and hurtling him down the embankment, when he was picked up his thigh was broken in two places and a knee cap was fractured, he is going on favourably.

July 23rd 1864

Alfreds Game of Sudbury employed on the new railway works at Melford, was charged with assaulting Harriet the wife of William Purr, keeper of the "tap" at the Bull Inn at Melford, defendant on the previous Tuesday night called for a pint of beer which complainant refused, he struck her in the face, he had previously been turned away. 
16s and 6s costs.

August 6th 1864

George Hurrel aged 12 of Melford was charged with damage to a drain pipe valued at 2s 6d the property of Messrs Brassey and Co. the contractors for the new line. To receive 6 strokes of the birch rod.

August 13th 1864

Died at Liston-George Beaufoy of South Lambeth.

August 13th 1864

There was an accident on the new railway line at Melford, George Blakman, brother of a sub contractor on the line was in the act of checking the speed of loaded waggons with a piece of wood used for that purpose when by some means he slipped and fell with his right arm upon the metals, a loaded waggon came up at the moment and passed over his arm and hand crushing them dreadfully.
He was removed home and attended by Messrs Jones and Simpson and Mr Waring of Cavendish, it was decided to amputate near the shoulder but gradually sank downwards after and died.

August 13th 1864

Needham Market. Robert Sear aged 17 years , a most repulsive looking lad was charged with rape upon his own sister. 
Mr Parker for the prosecution said he could not see any grounds for supposing the charge could be brought against the prisoner but the Grand Jury thought different although told of the difficulties by his Lordship that it was a shocking offence and one was very sorry the prisoner could not be punished as at least one other person was to blame than the prisoner
They had no doubt the jury had heard something of the offence and he did not want to shock them with particulars. 
The prisoner could not read or write only make his mark and although his father had two rooms in his house the prisoner and the other child slept in the same room in the same bed in absolute nakedness, someone was more to blame than the wretched boy. 
The father must be utterly insensitive to his duty, what was the use of going into the disgusting details that they had better say not guilty. 
Discharged.

August 20th 1864

Valuable Inn and small brewery to be lett in Sudbury called the Bear Inn and brewery situated in the best possible position for trade in Sudbury being in the neighbourhood of the railway line and large wharves and maltings.

August 27th 1864

Charles Maxim of Foxearth, a higgler, was charged at Clare with offering a hare for sale, not being duly licensed to deal in game, Thomas French, a tailor of Clare, said he offered it to him for 2s 9d, he said he did not kill it himself but took from them who did. £1 6s 4d with 19s 6d costs.

September 3rd 1864

More Vulpecidism In Suffolk 
Under this heading the following letter appeared in Bells Life of Saturday last. 

Mr Editor:- 

"A few weeks since you told the world how Mr Cocksedge and his keepers destroyed foxes in Mr Josselyn's hunt. 
I will now tell you how they are destroying foxes on Mr White's country. 
At Assington lives a Mr Tomkins, a large tenant farmer and a strict preserver of foxes. Adjoining his land is a covert called "Argoe Fenn", a favourite home to which vixens will come any distance to lay down their cubs in the spring. Two litters were bred there this year which have been watched night and day by the good Tomkins, who believing in a report that a cub had been found dead in a trap, he made a search on Wednesday evening last through the covert and on a spot rolled down by the cubs he saw five immense traps fastened to each other, and set in circle in the centre of which was a pig's paunch hanging from a tree near the ground.
 Mr Tomkins spent the whole night in ambush waiting for the man whom he had long suspected. At daybreak, Sir Charles Rowley's second keeper, Smith, walks straight up to the traps and proceeds to remove them for the day. 
At this moment Mr Tomkins appears and exclaims, "Hallo my man, I thought I should catch you, I have made no mistake, it was bound to be you or the other keeper. You had them all last year", Smith uttered some oaths then walked off. 
Now Mr Editor, Sir Charles Rowley professes to uphold fox-hunting, talks about it to his tenants at his rent audit, expresses a wish that his tenants will hunt and preserve foxes, but year roll on, the same keepers remain in his service and annually destroy many brace of foxes, though these velveteens are most liberally treated by the hunt, only a few weeks since the keepers throughout the country were feasted to their hearts content. 
But all this is of no avail, they well know their master's wishes, they know he cannot care about the fox hounds because he never complains when he hears the many times Mr White has drawn his coverts blank in the season. 
I need hardly tell you that fox-hunting must soon die out in this county and only because a few landowners do not say to their keepers, "No foxes, no keepers". Simply from those words not being carried out must we forgoe that noble sport in out native county. 

With apologies for trespassing on your space---
Yours etc

"An Old Foxhunter" .June 8th 1864

September 3rd 1864

To be sold at Stanstead White Hart on the 23rd of September-a highly desirable private residence of handsome elevation with chaise house-stables-offices-garden-paddock, charmingly situated near the church and rectory with beautiful views over the surrounding countryside also five cottages with very large gardens.

September 3rd 1864

Middleton Hall near Sudbury. Live and dead stock by direction of the executors of the late Samuel Viall---21 horses-4 colts-hackney mare-bay cob-well known herd of 16 Suffolk cows-200 half bred lambs-40 shotes-implements etc.

September 3rd 1864

On Monday last, Mr Leather of Diss threshed 3 acres of wheat at his farm in Pulham and it was found to yield the almost unexampled quantity of 67 coombs and two and a half bushels.

September 10th 1864

Clare. On Saturday this town was visited by numerous harvestmen and their female friends according to custom to gather their largesse and enjoy their usual holiday after their toil in gathering a plentiful harvest, the question this year was "when did you finish" not "when will you finish", there were more visitors in the town than ever known, it is pleasant to state that there was comparatively little quarrelling and bad language than at such gatherings.

September 17th 1864

Wickhambrook. On Saturday night last an aged man known as "Drilly" Pask was found lying on the highway on his way home from the Fox Inn at Ousden, on lifting him up it was found his leg was broken in two places, he was attended by Mr Stutter. It appears the old man had been drinking rather freely and this was the sole cause of his accident, not being able to manage his legs properly they threw him down.

September 17th 1864

Chadacre. Harvest home was celebrated at Chadacre Hall at the Misses Hallifax's, they provided provisions for her humble servants and friends on Tuesday
The dinner was substantial, roast and boiled beef ad libitum and immense plum puddings of 5 and 6 lbs cut into 4, every labourer with his wife and two children were invited with 120 people sitting down, all the guests were provided with tea and supper, beer and tobacco were enjoyed in abundance. 
Games were played in the park till 10 when three hearty cheers were given for Miss Hallifax and members of her family.

October 8th 1864

Sudbury Market. Wheat to 40s-malting barley to 30s-oats to 29s.

November 12th 1864

Last Wednesday as Mr Peacock, steward at Hull's farm,. Stoke by Clare, was seeing to the horses, he was kicked in the body by a colt which caused his death, he was 52 years old.

November 12th 1864

William Haylock, labourer of Shimpling was charged by p. c. Pickness with being drunk and incapable on the highway at Hartest. 5s with 7s 6d costs.

December 10th 1864

Clare. Caution to people who hide money. 
In an adjoining village lived two people, elderly farming brothers, one was single the other a widower with a family, they indulged in the habit of hiding money by placing it in an outbuilding on the farm.
Some months since it is said a son of about 14 years was playing with another boy at hide and seek, one hid himself on a beam in the barn and to his astonishment he found a sum of money, the boys made no announcement of their find but supplied themselves with sweets, pocket knives and even liquor.
The depositor finding his treasure wasted, after careful watching caught the delinquents as they were about to carry off more treasure, it is said they proceeded without stopping until £15 had been spent.