January 4th 1870

On Christmas day several hundreds of dinners were given away to the poor of Sudbury on payment of 1d by holders of tickets. These tickets were bought by philanthropic friends for 5d each and given to poor persons.

January 11th 1870

The licence of the Rose and Crown at Clare was transferred from James Boreham to Charles Willis. The application to transfer the licence of the Miller's Arms or Cricketers Inn from Thomas Boughten to William Garrod was refused.

February 1st 1870

The house of an old carpenter named Nicholson at Newton was broken into at midnight last Thursday by three men wearing masks. The house is behind the Saracen's Head Inn, they broke through the window. Nicholson was attacked and savagely beaten. The thieves took 24L and a silver watch.

March 1st 1870

On Saturday last a fire was discovered to have broken out on the premises of Cardinall's Farm, Foxearth, in occupation of Mr Walter Chickall. The alarm was given between 11 and 12 by an old man in the Street who saw the fire. Mr Chickall was in bed and was aroused by other inmates of the house, he ran into the farmyard and released all the stock. Several villagers quickly assembled and removed implements etc.
The fire engine arrived from Sudbury at 2 o'clock and played on the ruins. Property consumed-1 wheat stack the produce of 18 acres-1 oat stack from 6 acres-1 pea stack from 18 acres-2 straw stacks-4 coombs of wheat-4 coombs of barley-barn totally destroyed-cow shed and stables partly burnt. The buildings were substantialy of brick and tile. Mr Chickall is insured by the Suffolk Alliance. The farm belongs to the Rev Foster. The next day large numbers of people visited the ruins.

March 29th 1860

An inquest was held at the White Horse, Ballingdon on the body of George Downs, aged 31 years, who was thrown from a cart.
James Felton a drayman for Mrs Mauldon of Ballingdon brewery said that on 2nd at 7 in the evening he took some porter and beer to Mr Podd at Lamarsh in a two wheeled cart and one horse. Deceased who worked at the brewery asked if he could accompany witnees to Lamarsh. They had three pints at Podd's and got in the cart to go home. Deceased had the reins and after a short distance whipped the horse which plunged forward throwing deceased out and the wheels passed over him. Deceased was not sober when they set out. Accidental death.

April 19th 1870

On Sunday morning, three cottages sitting on the green near Stanstead church, caught fire, being thatched they were quickly levelled to the ground. The poor occupants had many things burnt. The cottages belonged to a hard working man named John Garrad who is insured for £ 100. It appears a neighbour put some live embers out.

May 3rd 1870

The parish of Alphampstone was the scene of much excitement on Tuesday week. It appears that Samuel Nott the inkeeper had recently bought 10 acres in the parish and as the ground adjoins a portion of his purchase he considered he was entitled to enclose it and through George Buttle, the way-warden, notice was given to the Highway Board of his intention. It was soon made manifest however that if the notice was carried out the most strenuous opposition would be made by the copyholders and parishioners. Mr Nott however commenced operations and a meeting was called by the Rev H.Hodges and two copyholders (H.C.Start and C.Tokely) at the school room to decide steps to be taken deemed expedient. The meeting was attended by a large assemblage and the following acclamation was made. That the intention of Mr Nott to enclose the green for his own personal benefit is unwarrantable infringement of public rights. A large body of labourers assembled fully prepared with implements to demolish work already done by Mr Nott, the chairman impressed on the men the necessity of refraining from any act that would bring them under law. The following day the copyholders put to work six of their own labourers to fill in the trenches that had been dug. Mr Nott wrote to the Rev Hodges saying there had been drunkenness and fighting and obstruction of the Highway and to bear in mind that you have taken on your side 9ft of highway you are not entitled to and you must pay me 1L 6s damages. You seem to like opposition rather than peace, you may be on the look out for a new place of worship as near your gate as the road will allow.

May 3rd 1870

George Parker, a labourer of Clare, for being drunk and incapable while in charge of three horse and a waggon on the highway at Melford. 5s and 5s 6d costs.

May 24th 1870

There was an inquest at Edwardstone White Horse on the body of an infant, John Smith, age 14 months the son of Joshua Smith a labourer of Edwardstone. It appears that when Smith came home from work he nursed the infant for a few minutes then put it down whence it crawled into the garden, Mr Smith missed it and found it had fallen into the well through a hole in the lid covering the well which was 38 ft deep. The Rev G.Studdert was sent for and in the meantime Smith tried to reach the child by letting down the bucket. On the arrival of Mr Studdert and a gardener named Rice, the deceased was got out by means of a creaper, but it was dead. Rice said the chain was not strong enough to bear a man. Accidental drowning.

May 31st 1870

At Sturmer Hall-350 large fine quality oak timbers, taken down in Hall wood.

June 14th 1870

For sale by order of the proprietor on June 27th at Cavendish White Horse-freehold malting of 25 coomb steep, near Tye Green, Glemsford, adjoining the Black Lion.

June 14th 1870

The annual fair at Melford was held on Thursday. There was a fair amount of stock but few sales, the quality of the horses was fair. There was a large number of stalls, shows, etc. Everything passed off quietly until the fracas occurred.

June 14th 1870

Thomas Howe, Joseph Parmenter, George Pettit, Albert Ambrose and James Boggis of Melford and Joseph Woolard of Glemsford appeared in front of a special sitting at Melford Court charged with committing a severe assault at Melford fair the previous night. William Francis said " I am a travelling showman, after I had done ny work I went to the Lion to spend the evening with other showmen, we left at 1 when the pub closed. There were a good many men there who did not belong to us and they interfered, I said if they want a fight I can fight, the police came and dispersed everyone. I went to bed, when I heard the cry " murder", I got up and went to the Lion corner and saw about 14 men armed with cudgels, Pettit slew a large stone at me but I stooped and it hit another stall keeper, I received a blow on the head, the men then ran away into the fields. We met the police and told them what had happened. In the lane near the street I saw Howe who ran into a house, we forced the door and found him upstairs with a stick, a little further on we found Parmenter lying in the road. There were other men in the row but they are not here, when I was taken into custody this morning my van was surrounded by great number of men who threatened to overturn it, I would have been murdered if it was not for Inspector Keeble". The charges against Pettit were dismissed. P.C.Simpson said he saw about 40 men on the green and saw Ambrose throw a large stone which hit a man on the chest. Pettit said one man fired a pistol at him, Boggis and Parmenter were discharged.
Joseph Turner the " Fire King" was charged with assaulting Inspector Keeble. Inspector Keeble said when he went to arrest Turner for assaulting Bevis he took a pistol out of his van and placed it close to my body, I caught hold of it and called assistance, William Stanhope corroborated police evidence. Turner was fined £ 5 with 11s costs.
George Salter aged 14 and John Heard aged 12 of Melford were charged at the same court with stealing a case which contained 8 shut knives from Mrs Summer's stall at the Fair, the boys were set free with a caution as Mrs Summer abandoned the charge.

June 14th 1870

On Wednesday evening a brick burner from Ballingdon named George Ruggles employed at Messrs Allen's brickworks went down to Friars meadow at Sudbury for the purpose of " eel goring", he over balanced and fell in the river and drowned. He was 39 years old and a widower, he leaves four children orphaned, the eldest is 11. Death by drowning.

June 21st 1870

Sudbury Crown Court was told that a chiropdist styling himself " Professor Lewis" claimed £ 18 from Mr Pratt Viall of Colts Hall, Cavendish, for removing 18 corns and bunions from Mrs Pratt Viall's feet. Mr White opened the case saying Professor Lewis is a skilful chiropodist well patronised in the district while the defendant was a large and wealthy farmer much respected in the neighbourhood. Mrs Viall said the charge was 1 guinea for all the corns not 1 guinea for each corn. Verdict for the defendant.

June 21st 1870

At a meeting of Suffolk Agricultural Association Committee at Sudbury, names were put foward for awards at the forthcoming Suffolk show at Belle Vue, Sudbury. For labourers with the greatest number of children brought up with little or no parish relief-James Smith with 19 children recommended by Mr T.Cracknell, 2 guineas. Francis Mask recommended by Mr J.Walker with 10 children.2s 6d with two stones of flour.

June 21st 1870

George Deaves, a farmer at Glemsford was charged with assaulting a little boy named William Brown at Glemsford. Several boys were on a style near defendant's fields, defendant said to his dog " loo" the dog then ran after the boy and bit him. 10s with 11s costs.

July 19th 1870

The bridge on the Cavendish road at Clare is progressing satisfactorily. Mr Rivett is the contractor.

August 23rd 1870

James Everett summoned Nathan Agar for assault in the Railway Arms at Cavendish. Defendant admitted the charge saying complainant had accused his sister of immoral conduct and after a few words complainant had dared him to strike him, he then did so. 1s with 8s 6d costs.

August 30th 1870

For sale at Houghton Hall, Cavendish-600 oak trees-200 loads of top wood at Bully Hall and Houghton Hall, Cavendish.

August 30th 1870

For sale at the Brick Kiln, Cavendish-12000 red bricks- 15000 pan tiles-5000 ridge tiles-12000 2" 3" 4" and 6" pipes-2000 salmon bricks-2000 white lumps-pipe machinery making equipment on October 4th.

October 4th 1870

The Right Honourable Lord Howe met the tenantry of his Suffolk and Essex estates at Sudbury and dined with them at the Rose and Crown Hotel. There were 35 people in the party.
October 11th 1870. An accident happened to a young man named Bareham in the employ of Mr Stephen Webb of Victoria Lime Works, Chilton Lane, Sudbury. It appears Bareham was working with other men undermining a portion of the pit when the earth slipped knocking him down a distance of 20ft and dislocating his ankle. He is going on well in St Leonards Hospital.

October 18th 1870

At Sudbury County Court. Edward Lee Baker v William Hartley. This action was taken to recover damages sustained when defendant had drawn water from a mill stream. The plaintiff, Mr Baker, occupies Liston Mill on the river Stour and the defendant occupies a mill a little way upstream which is a disused paper-mill on the same river,(probably where Bush Boake Allen are now) evidence went to show that the water was dammed up for several days then sent down suddenly, running over the banks of the river, in consequence plaintiff's mill was stopped for several days and he was obliged to get his corn from elsewhere. Mr Baker said he had made a complaint and defendant had promised to send some water down properly. A short time since there had been some unpleasantness about a non payment of an account and the water was dammed up and sent down violently. The custom among millers was to let each other know when they were about to open the gates. Mr Merrington of Glemsford Mill, said he had had conversation with defendant and he told him that Baker was bringing action against him for 5L and said he might have laid the damage at 50L, defendant had said " I will let Baker have it rather sharp, I have got a basinful for the purpose, he shall have it tonight and that it would wash that --- out". Mr Jones defending said that there was no case to answer as it had not been shown that defendant had opened the gates. His Honour said that was so and there must be a non-suit. At a retrial on January 24th 1871 plaintiff was granted full damages and costs.

October 25th 1870

A inquest was held at Cemetery Lodge at Sudbury on the body of Ellen Sparrow aged 5, daughter of the Superintendent of the Cemetery. It appears that five of the eight children in the family had been playing in the cemetery, the elder sister Jane, said three of her sisters were playing with red berries which they plucked from a shrub on a grave, the berries were from a Guelder Rose which was poisonous, all the children were taken ill and Ellen died the same evening. Adjourned for a week. A year or two ago the family lost their eldest child through drowning. Adjourned for a week.

November 1st 1870

On Wedesday week Inspector Keeble from Melford received at Melford in a private manner a silver English lever watch with gold chain and a purse of money as a result of subscription by the inhabitants in recognition of his bravery and vigilance in the village.
The award was made with the approval of the Chief Constable.

November 8th 1870

Extract from the Church Times.- We have much pleasure in noticing the completion of the restoration in the Church of St Mary the Virgin in Cavendish. Formerly it presented anything but a church appearance and the church tone was anything but what was deserved.
However better times were in store for the parish church, after years of quiet working by the Rev R.G.Peters and two church wardens restoration has been completed. The pulpit was given by the Bishop of Zululand the Rev Dr Kinson who was ordained in this curacy and the fine brass eagle once hidden has resumed its proper place.

November 15th 1870

Joseph Underwood a labourer of Cavendish was charged with wilful malicious damage in a disgusting way to a beer mug the property of John Martin Deeks, the landlord of the Bull Inn, Cavendish.

December 27th 1870

There was an inquest at the George Inn, Cavendish, on the body of Charles Wells aged 51 a labourer of Cavendish. Deceased had been at the George Inn on Saturday night and left about 12, after a short distance he sat down on a bank, one of his sons on coming up found his brother standing near deceased trying to get him up, the former advised his brother to leave him as he always knew from experience he got on better if left alone, accordingly they left him. Deceased's wife and two daughters on hearing he had been left went to look for him and found him lying in a ditch of water on the opposite side of the road. His head was lying on the ice but his body was in the water, he could not speak and died soon after. Accidental Death.

January 10th 1871

Daniel Hall, Stephen Hickford and Henry Plum of Clare were charged with stealing a sheep the property of William Ewer of Clare. Committed for trial.

February 7th 1871

Eliza Felton a married woman from St Gregory's Street, Sudbury, was charged with assaulting Alfred King a weaver of Melford road. Complainant said he went into the Half Moon, Sudbury, in company of Walter Griggs and saw defendant in the tap room, he asked the defendant what she had got there in her lap, she replied a child and it may be yours, Griggs took it to the window and said it looked like Hollie, meaning his (Grigg's) brother. Defendant flew at him and struck him several times and knocked him down, he had to have leeches put on an eye. defendant admitted striking complainant but he had no right to insinuate that anyone but her husband was the father of her child. 2s 6d with 14s costs.

February 21st 1871

John Turpin a dealer from Belchamp St Pauls sued William Carter from the same parish for damages for attempting to shoot him on December 10th. Defendant had lost some ferrets and a relative of complainant was suspected of stealing them. Plaintiff was vexed and went in search of the defendant who was standing in a crowd near the Plough Inn at Belchamp St Pauls, defendant had a gun and aimed it at him saying " I am going to shoot you," he then pulled the trigger and it went off but fortunately missed him. Stay of proceedings until after the magistrate's court.

February 28th 1871

Bury Corn Market-Wheat-54s 1© d per quarter(36 stones) Barley-37s 2d pr quarter(32 stone) Oats 21s a quarter(24 stone)

February 28th 1871

At a meeting of Sudbury Paving and Lighting Committee a letter was read from the Rev J.Foster of Foxearth complaining of obstruction on the highway caused by persons setting out goods on the pavement in North Street, Sudbury, which was a dangerous practice as he had narrowly escaped an accident while driving down North Street, after this notice he would not hesitate in prosecution if the law was infringed. Mr Green said that shopkeepers might set out goods on market days where the road was wide enough but should not be exposed in North Street where the road was narrow.

March 7th 1871

There is a belief encouraged by works of natural history that it is impossible to poison a hedgehog. On Tuesday a large party, including veterinary surgeons, chemists etc.met at the Black Boy, Sudbury, for the purpose of witnessing an experiment. A very fine hedgehog was put on the table, its mouth was forced open and a small portion of strychnine was administered, in less than a minute it was dead. Mr Weeton, the landlord entertained the company with a good supply of cheer.

March 14th 1871

Mr Julian Jefferys, F.R.S.in a report on employment of women and children in agriculture said that the average dietary of the labouring population in rural areas in Southern England may be described as following-beef and mutton was rarely tasted so that they do not form part of their diet, bacon is not partaken off more than once or twice a week. Bread and cheese forms the main part of the diet for adults, the poor mans cow being a blessing of the past as milk does not or rarely forms much part of the diet in village children, even in infancy. The farmer's skimmed milk which has been skimmed twice and is " sky blue" is fed to the pigs. Weaned infants have to draw nourishment from pap and water. The bread is made from flour from which the miller has extracted the best from the wheat, water is obtained from impure sources, a small pond or ditch supplied by surface drainings from the manure heap placed there by the farmer. Mr Jefferys said it is not an exaggeration, I know a large parish in Suffolk mainly dependant on ditch water in certain seasons the administations of vermifuge would expel from the bowels of perhaps half the children, worms many inches long. Within a few days of these observations I visited a village nor far off on similar soil, the proprietors of which had admirably housed his hereditary charges, the toilers of the soil and their families. The contrast between the healthy countenances of these children and the puttied faces of the former village is evidence of the happier lot of the children of Culford.

March 14th 1871

The rite of baptism was publicly performed on Sunday in the river Stour at Sudbury at the Croft Bridge. The candidate was a female. The Rev Debenham a minister of the Particular Baptist Chapel of Chelmsford officiated. A large crowd assembled to witness the ceremony but good order was maintained.

March 28th 1871

The contract for the sinking of the well for the Sudbury Water Works has been taken by Messrs Tillet and Son of London.
The buildings contract for the pumping station-engine house-boiler house-coal store and a cottage was taken by George Grimwood of Sudbury for 703L. A tender for covered reservoir of 742L by James Hayward of Croydon was accepted.

April 11th 1871

The enumerators for the parish of Melford have completed their labours, the population is found to be 3045, an increase of 175 in ten years.

April 11th 1871

On Saturday a fatal accident befell a young man named George Chatteris from Melford. Chatteris who is employed by Ward and Silver of Melford and Samuel Lott were engaged in carting timber and were returning from Castle Camps with a load of timber, when arriving at a hill near Mr Byford's farm at Glemsford, Lott left Chatteris to go round the load to keep one of the horses up to his work, after going about 200 yards he returned to the near side and missed deceased, he did not stop, thinking Chatteris had stopped on the way. Near Mr Ruffel's farm he stopped and retraced his steps and found deceased lying in the road bleeding. It appears that the horse being urged forward had knocked him down but had not run over him. Mr Jones, surgeon, said death was from concussion of the brain caused by being struck on the head by timber when the horse moved forward suddenly. Deceased was 24 years old and a steady unmarried young man. Accidental Death.

May 2nd 1871

There was a sad occasion at Walter Belchamp when Mr Henry Archer a wealthy farmer lost his life while partaking of a meal with his family, a piece of meat became lodged in his windpipe and he could not dislodge it, he was 62 years old. Accidental Death. (Fred Chatters b 1906 says he had heard of this, he did not know the name but he knew he farmed at St Mary Hall and that the man had sat down to the meal in a temper.)

May 9th 1871

A Freehold Inn known as the Maldon Grey for sale. Situated in Chilton and Great Cornard in " Chilton Dell"-by order of the trustees of the late Robert Harris-delightfully situated and well frequented Rural Inn-maltings of 25 coomb steep-lime and chalk works-barn and stables-10acres of orchard land in which are a lot of ornamental timber, walnut, cherries, apple, pear and other fruit trees-4 well built cottages producing £ 107 per annum.

May 30th 1871

On Tuesday night two horses belonging to Mr Welham, a grocer of King's Street and to Mr Dent of the Horn Inn, Sudbury, were turned out on the Common at Sudbury where they were depastured. They were missed on Wednesday morning. Information was dispatched by telegram by the police and during the day a message was received from the Romford police that the horses and the thieves had been captured in that town.

June 6th 1871

The generous Lady of the manor of Shimplingthorne,(Miss Hallifax) has presented one of Bevington's handsome chancel organs to the parish church. The same lady has erected a new boys school attached to the girls school in the Hamlet of Shimpling Street instead of the old room near the church which was used for the purpose. The room when completed will be surmounted by a clock in a open turret, both of which will be a great boon to the inhabitants.

July 4th 1871

On Monday week, a little boy aged 14 months and son of Robert Lefley a sheep dresser of Cross Street, Sudbury, was playing with a donkey when the animal seized him and bit or kicked off his ear which was left only adhering with a piece of skin. The boy had a narrow escape from death.

July 11th 1871

There was an inquest at the Queens Head Hotel at Bures on the body of William Eary aged 63 years, a groom employed by Mr James Dalton a merchant and malster of Bures St Mary. On Saturday evening deceased was feeding a mare belonging to his master when it kicked him in the body. The animal was vicious and deceased was the man best able to manage it. Accidental Death.

July 25th 1871

The surveyor reported at Sudbury Town Coucil meeting that a board had been fixed on the Ballingdon side of the Ballingdon bridge saying that the structure was unsafe for locomotive or traction engines. The chairman said that one of the large girders had broken in two and a new bridge would cost 1500L.

July 25th 1871

John Slater a labourer of Glemsford was charged with being drunk and riotous at Gelmsford. The bench said there was doubt- dismissed.

August 1st 1871

For several years past Mr J.St.George Burke has invited the inmates of Sudbury Union House to his mansion and beautiful grounds at the Aubries, Bulmer, he sends conveyances for the children and old persons. His family have always exerted themselves to make their humble visitors happy and on Thursday afternoon they made another excursion with a plentiful tea provided and cakes and fruit for the children, with beer and baccy for the old men. A number of games were exteporized and passed off well.

August 8th 1871

Hannah Starnes of Melford aged 9 years was charged with stealing a piece of cheese valued at 2d the property of Mr Wickham a grocer of Melford. Charles Spilling said I am Mr Wickham's shopman and watched defendant press her hand on a cheese which was outside and break a piece off it. I told Mr Wickham who sent for the police, damage to the cheese was 1s. To gaol for 21 days.

September 5th 1871

At the annual licensing day at Sudbury all the licences were renewed but Mr Boulter the surveyor for Hedingham Highways complained that the landlord of the Railway Bell at Ballingdon and others were allowing waggons to stand outside their premises and were obstructing traffic.

September 19th 1871

Contracts for Sudbury Union--Bread 14s per cwt- Flour 2s 1d a stone to C.Kidby-G.Coates-H.Coley of Melford-G.Coates senior. Beef-8s 2d a stone-mutton 9s 11d a stone to W.Brock. Beer, Stout and Spirits to Mrs Gross. New milk-10d a gallon and new butter-1s 3d a pound to Mr Whitbread of Walter Belchamp. Coal 17s 3d and 18s 3d a ton to Mr Allen.
Groceries to Abrey-Halls-Murrells-Welham. Drapery to A.Boggis, R.Joy.
Shaving and Haircut-4L a quarter to G.H.Rice. Ironmongery-to C.Wright.
Coffins to W.Hitchcock, Pettit of Glemsford and Balaam of Boxford.

September 19th 1871

A splendid new substantial clock has been put in the church tower at Cavendish by a respectable munificent lady. The old clock which had only one dial was nearly worn out and could not be relied upon as a true indicator of the time and required winding every day. The new clock has two dials, one facing south the other east and it is placed 8 ft higher up in the tower and goes 8 days without winding.
Those who have heard the beautiful chimes of St Mary's Church, Cambridge, will be able to form an idea of the pleasant way in which the villagers of Cavendish will in the future be reminded of the progress of the ever rolling tide of time is making. Messrs Downs of Melford have shewn great skill in its construction. Its total value is upwards of 160 guineas. It is most gratifying that two years ago the husband of the donor presented to the church at his sole expense a new bell weighing 12© cwt to replace the sixth and lowest peal which had cracked. On one of the small regulating dials of the clock there is engraved " This clock was given to the people of Cavendish by the pious bounty of Matilda, wife of Ambrose Smith, yeoman, of Nether Hall in the samr parish".

October 3rd 1871

The Harvest Festival was celebrated at Foxearth in the usual way on Wednesday. The unfavourable weather caused interruptions of the sport. There was a choral service at the church and prayers were intoned by the Rev R.Green, the curate of Foxearth. The Honourable R.Strutt of Terling presided at the organ. At half past three the ladies and gentlemen numbering about 50 and two to three hundred labourers from Foxearth and the surrounding parishes sat down to substantail fare in a marquee erected in the meadow adjoining the vicarage.

October 24th 1871

One night last week a sheep belonging to Mr Sparrow of Peacock Hall, Little Cornard, was slaughtered in a field near the Pot Kilns which is in occupation of Mr Robert Taylor. After the animal had been flayed the carcase was carried off with the exception of a shoulder which was left in the field with the entrails etc.

November 28th 1871

Contracts for the purchase of sugar beet. Mr Duncan of Lavenham beet sugar factory is prepared to contract 80 acres for the ensuing season--20s a ton for roots properly trimmed and free from earth, delivered to Lavenham. 18s a ton for beet delivered to a railway station a distance not exceeding 18 miles from the factory. Sugar Beet pulp to be returned to the grower at 12s a ton. Compressed pulp is equivalent to 2 tons of mangel wurzels in feed value and if not required for immediate use will keep for 2-3 years if buried in the earth.