January 22nd 1876
Died at Glemsford on the 6th inst at the school house aged 40 and her infant son, Mrs Arnold, wife of Mr Arnold, schoolmaster.
January 22nd 1876
Westhorpe. Since the inquest on the Rev Parham circumstances have come to light that leaves no doubt that his death was accelerated, it appears a few days before his death the deceased took up quarters at the Castle Hotel in Norwich to attend the poultry show there, he was accompanied by his small dog which he lost on his first day in Norwich, he went for hours all over Norwich and asked the police for assistance to find it, on Friday evening he went from the Norfolk Hotel to Yarmouth wandering along the road towards Lowestoft and from his bad eyesight walked into the river.
January 22nd 1876
Extension of time was granted to the Swan Inn at Melford on account of the archery club ball and one hour to the Hare Inn for the club dinner.
January 29th 1876
A beautiful specimen of the bittern was shot a day or so ago by William Gross, son of Mr Gross, solicitor at Bury.
February 5th 1876
Barrow. A sad accident happened last Saturday to a boy named Scott in the employ of Mr Johnson, the men were pulping roots for the stock by horse power, Scott had to carry off the pulp from the machine and to prevent himself getting wetted from the sap he had a long sack which hung down near to his feet, it appeared he had been warned not to cross the universal joint but he disregarded the warning, he was caught by the sack and drawn in and his arm was broken in two places, he was taken to hospital where he is doing well, it is only a few weeks ago another boy was hurt by the same machine and has not worked since, it is a pity that a half round box is not made for all such machines.
February 15th 1876
Arthur Hickford of Clare was charged with stealing one faggot from Mr Joseph Deeks of Church farm. 5s 6s 6d costs.
February 26th 1876
Died on the 16th inst at the Cock Inn, Bramford, Abraham Dale, for many years prize ploughman for Messrs Ransome Sims and Crosby.
February 26th 1876
Sudbury. Inquest on an old woman named Crosby who fell down in a ditch at Liston, the inquest was held at Place farm, evidence showed the deceased had for several years been not quite right in the head and that on Monday morning had visited a relation but had not gone home, the crier was sent round by her friends to report her missing, she was seen on the railway at Liston and again on the high road, that was the last time she was seen alive, her body was discovered in a ditch or brook in a meadow not far from the mill. Accidentally drowned and had probably fallen in the ditch in the dark.
March 14th 1876
William Joselyn, chimney sweep of Melford was charged with being drunk and riotous in Melford of the 14th inst, John Chickall, farmer of Foxearth, said on Saturday afternoon he driving past the Lion Inn at Melford where defendant stood on the steps of the Inn and shouted at me, I pulled up and told him to mind his own business, it was not the first time he had insulted me, I said I would have him locked up and he shouted abuse and made foul language, he was very drunk. 21 days.
March 11th 1876
Hartismere. Nathaniel Baskett, farmer of Wetheringsett, was charged with employing three boys, namely Sion Brewington, Thomas Stammers and George Turner, all under the age of 12 years contrary to the Agricultural Children's Act. £5 in each case and 7s 6d costs in each case.
March 18th 1876
John Herd, 18, of Sudbury was charged with desertion from the Royal Artilley, P.C.Herbert said he apprehended the prisoner in his father's house at ¼ to 4 in the morning, the prisoner told him he had deserted and sold his kit. To be conveyed to headquarters at Colchester and an awarding the police officer a sovereign for his arrest.
March 25th 1876
For sale at Cavendish George Inn, 3 thatched cottages at Wales End farm occupied by George and Samuel Brett and one empty, rental of £7 14s per annum. 5 cottages at Pentlow in tenure of Alfred Plumb, William Wells, yielding £12 14s 6d when all occupied, 5 cottages at Belchamp St Pauls in occupation of Howard, Evered, Weybrew, Gunn and Mason, yielding £12 12s per annum.
April 1st 1876
Isaac Wordley of Glemsford was charged with being drunk and disorderly at Glemsford on the 12th inst, defendant was turned out of the Crown Inn for bad conduct. 5s with 6s costs .
April 1st 1876
Golden wedding at Glemsford. On the 28th merry peals were rung on the occasion of the golden wedding of Daniel Gridley, farmer who was parish clerk for 30 years, the united ages of him and his wife amount to 155 years.
April 8th 1876
To be sold at Pentlow, Essex. At Charity farm by orders of the executors of the late Mr G. Davis, the live and dead stock including one valuable chestnut mare, 5 years and a chestnut horse, also implements.
April 15th 1876
Thomas Godday, landlord of the Plough Inn at Glemsford was charged with adulterating beer with sugar as a substitute for malt, samples had been sent Somerset House for analysis, he had been licensed to sell beer made with malt, 1 cwt of sugar equalled one coomb of malt. The Chairman said the penalty is £200 but that they would mitigate by one fourth the fine which would be £50. The court was crowded with brewers, innkeepers etc and a lively interest was taken in the proceedings.
April 22nd 1876
The county and borough police returns for England and Wales for 1875 on statistics of drunkenness have been issued, the report for the Northern district shows number of cases for drunkenness have increased to 123,236 which is 11000 more than the proceeding year, in Liverpool 20,534 were convicted, in the Southern Districts 21, 502 were convicted, it is believed the long strikes in the coal and other trades have had a considerable effect on the figures, the Metropolitan District has not been included in this volume of returns.
April 2nd 1876
The emigrant ship the Earl of Dalhousie which arrived in Sydney in February brought 221 emigrants and in less than a week almost all had obtained work.
April 2nd 1876
There was vast excitement in the village of Winterton on Tueday last by a report that a large immigrant ship had run on the beach about one mile from the village of Winterton, it proved to be the Humbold of 729 tons bound from Hamburgh to the Brazils with 348 emigrants aboard. The captain burnt flares for help and the Winterton beachmen with their yawls went quickly to the spot, three tugs steamed down from Yarmouth but were not needed a she was afloat, one remained behind to tow her to Yarmouth roads where she will remain until the beachmen are settled, then she will go into the nearest port to be surveyed. The captain was entirely out of reckoning, he considered himself to be off the coast of France, this error is accounted for by the statement that the compasses were defective and as the Humbold is an iron ship this is likely to be a fact.
April 29th 1876
Newmarket. We understand that a petition has been forwarded to Colonel Windsor Parker for presentation to the House of Commons from the parish of Exning in favour of Mr Plimsoll's measure which refers to the unseaworthy ships..
April 2nd 1876
Sarah Starnes a single woman of Melford was charged with being drunk and disorderly in Melford on the 8th inst. 5s with 6s costs.
May 6th 1876
A labourer died recently in Helions Bumstead at the advanced age of 83, leaving 9 children, 60 grandchildren and 60 great grandchildren, he worked for Mr Samuel Parker for 50 years and received 3 prizes for long servitude, he survived his wife by 18 months, she was 85. (The man was not named presumably only a labourer)
May 13th 1876
At Lt Cornard this week the whole of the farm labourers struck to advance their wages, lads as well as boys left their work so that not even the "backhouse" boys remains at his post, most men belong to the union and they are demanding a shilling a week in addition to their 12s a week they receive, the masters decline an advance, on Thursday afternoon they marched with blue ribbons in their hats through the town as a demonstration.
May 27th 1876
Glemsford. Abner Gridley and George Suttle were charged with assaulting Walter Brittals, the defendant said they were only larking about. 2s with 5s costs.
June 3rd 1876
Narrow escape at Clare, a few days ago a man was peeling osiers in a yard behind the Rose and Crown stables in Clare when a boy employed in the Inn yard thought he would take a look at the operations of osier peeling, he set a pig trough on end and mounted to the window to get a better view, he put his head through a broken lath in a small window, the trough slipped leaving him hanging by his neck, his cries were heard and brought assistance, it was at first thought he was severely injured but after a time he was much pleased to find himself little injured.
June 10th 1876
Mellis. On Wednesday night two lads named Frederick Stammers and Alfred Taylor aged about 12 were amusing themselves by firing at a brick with an old gun in a field in Mellis, on Tuesday morning they fetched another boy named Tufts to join in the sport and Taylor fetched the gun again from a back house in Stammer's garden, not knowing it was loaded he was kneeling with his head on the trigger when it went off and the shot struck him under the chin severing his windpipe. Accidental.
June 10th 1876
There was an accident in the parish of Gt Waldingfield on Saturday last as two men in the employ of Mr Root of Preston Hall who were sent with teams to Sudbury Mill with wheat, when returning in the afternoon James Poulson aged 43 was riding on one of the horses when he fell off, as his companion picked him up he said "I am dead" as one of the wheels had went over his back, he died in five minutes, the horses were quiet, the men, it transpired had called at no less than 6 public houses but they denied they were drunk, the horses at the time were trotting, the Coroner said when men lose time they hastened to make up what they have wasted in public houses. Accidental with the jury expressing opinion deceased had too much to drink, deceased leaves a widow and 5 children.
June 17th 1876
Mr John Burton, manager of the dyeing works connected with the silk and velvet manufacturers of Sudbury was charged with indecently exposing himself on the highway in Girling Street, Sudbury, to two married women named Murrels and Bareham, there were ten witnesses, six of them were examined at great length, the details are quite unfit for publication and the language being used was very filthy and indecent. Supt. Sach said that the defendant was convicted in 1870 in peculiar circumstances, the Mayor said they decided to take a merciful view of the case which was a gross one, defendant was found guilty and to pay a fine of £5 with £2 16s costs.
July 1st 1876
Mr Joseph Brown, wheelwright of Rodbridge, Melford will sell by auction all of his stock in trade upon the premises on July 7th at 3 o' clock.
July 8th 1876
Wickhanbrook Highway Board. The Rev J. White brought under the notice of the court the necessity of a bridge at Cavendish, a footbridge formerly in existence had been washed away and conveyances had to go 150 yards down the river before they came to the highway on the opposite side, if a bridge was built for carriage traffic it would be necessary to divert the river and a portion of the cost would have to be borne by Essex.
July 15th 1876
Charles Lefley, dealer on North Street, Sudbury was charged with assaulting Capt Adams of the 11th Suffolk Rifles on the evening of the 11th inst, it appears Capt Adams and Lieut Westoby and the company having returned from drilling were drawn up in front of the armoury in North Street when defendant, driving a horse and cart attempted to pass in front of where the men and officers stood, the ranks were broken and the Capt took hold of the reins of the horse and backed it and called on defendant to stop, he refused and got down and said ------the lot of them and held his whip over the Captain's head and threatened to strike him, there was plenty of room for him to pass behind them, there were several previous convictions for assault against defendant. Fined 20s with 10s costs.
July 15th 1876
On Thursday morning, Mr Edward Smith submitted for sale at the Rose and Crown, Sudbury, two compact estates at Bures, viz Fish House and Chapel Farms, the 1st was bought by George Coote for £4000 and the 2nd by W. Garrad for £2700.
July 15th 1876
Mr G. Brownlow the well known artist is lying very dangerously ill in the house of a friend in Sudbury, his paintings of cottage life and rural landscapes are very familiar to our many readers.
July 15th 1876
Melford. On Tuesday evening last a little girl of 18 months, daughter of a labourer named Hardy was sitting at tea with a knife in her hand when she fell from her chair and the knife entered her neck under her ear and was nearly out the other side, her father pulled it out immediately and carried her to Dr Jones whose assistance stopped the bleeding, the doctor gives little hope of recovery.
July 15th 1876
John Suttle of Glemsford , matmaker, was charged with not sending his daughter aged 9 to school, defendant said he was not aware that the child stayed away from school. 5s or 7 days.
July 15th 1876
Hannah Watkinson a married woman of Glemsford was charged with stealing three ducks eggs valued at 3d, the property of John Smith, farmer of Glemsford, the only evidence against the woman was that of her son, a boy of 11 years whose appearance in court indicated great neglect, his clothes were filthy rags and he required the wash tub, the child said he saw his mother take the eggs and she said to him "if you tell anyone I'll kill you", the prisoner said the boy took the eggs himself, the prosecution said that the boy was afraid to go home that night in consequence of threats. A man stepped forward looking the picture of misery and said the prisoner was his wife and he would like to know whether he could be parted from her, Capt Bence, chairman, told the husband that this is not a divorce court and he had best consult a solicitor.
July 29th 1876
Deaths. On the 23rd at Sudbury, George Washington Brownlow, artist of Fern Lodge, Walter Belchamp aged 41.
August 5th 1876
Building land on the Meford-- Sudbury road to be sold by auction on August 18th at the Rose and Crown Inn, Sudbury. 6 plots of valuable freehold and tithe free building land with southern elevation, being the only remaining lots of building land obtainable on this important entrance to the town.
August 25th 1876
Samuel Boreham, chimney sweep of Lavenham was charged with being drunk and incapable whilst in charge of a donkey and cart on the highway between Cockfield and Lavenham. 5s with 5s costs.
August 25th 1876
Coombs. Inquest at the Gardeners Arms, Coombs on the death of James Read, labourer aged 62, deceased was in the employ of Mr Spinks of Coombs, on Friday afternoon he and David Cooper were sent with a horse and cart to get malt for the harvestmen from Mr Green of Coombs, finding that Mr Green had already sent the malt to Mr Spink's, they went back to Mr Spink's and took the malt in a tumbril and distributed it at the houses of the harvestmen, they finished about 7 when they went to Battisford Punch Bowl and stayed there a short time, they started for home, deceased being the worse for drink, they got ¼ of mile up the road when the mare started to gallop, the board the men were sitting on at the back of the tumbril on which they rested gave way and deceased who was sitting on the board at the back fell out, Cooper stopped the horse and went back, deceased said he was not hurt much and after sitting on the bank for a short time they got back in the tumbril, they took the horse out of the tumbril and parted at Mr Spinks gate, they arranged to meet at 4 the next morning, at that hour Cooper found deceased sitting in his master's barn and finding him not right ran for assistance, on his return deceased was dead, it was proved deceased did not go home that night and that he was often drunk. Mr Harper, surgeon, examined the body, upon turning it over a quantity of beer ran from his nose, he was of the opinion death was caused by falling on his head while surfeited with beer. Accidental.
August 12th 1876
Inquest at the Maldon Grey at Gt Cornard on George White a silk weaver aged 26 and living in Ballingdon, evidence was given by a witness named Underwood, it appears that he and deceased were playing in a place called "The Pitts" on the Maldon Grey premises with others and were playing "drop handkerchief" when witness saw White fall to the ground, deceased never spoke again. It seems about 13 months ago he had been ill and had consulted Mr Hardwick of Bury who told him his heart was affected. Died of natural causes.
August 19th 1876
There was a serious accident at Belchamp St Pauls on Tuesday morning last to a lad named Alfred Scurry aged 16 years which leaves little doubt it will prove fatal, Scurry was employed by Mr Eagle of Belchamp St Pauls in carting corn with others, in the act of alighting from the wagon with a pitch fork in his hands, the prongs uppermost, when he fell to the ground with great force, one of the prongs entering his body piercing clean through to his back, the lad's father happened to be on the spot and with great difficulty managed to draw the fork out of the poor lad's back. Mr Waring was sent for and did all he could but we are sorry to hear there is little hope of recovery.
September 9th 1876
To Fitters----Two Agricultural Machinery Fitters can have work at Messrs Hunt and Tawel at Atlas Works, Earls Colne.
September 9th 1876
Foe sale at Boggis Farm, Lawshall, the live and dead stock for Mr C. Wing whose lease expires on the 29th. 11 horses-19 dairy stock, etc.
September 16th 1876
Married at Melford church. James Coldham of Otten Belchamp to Ellen, the youngest daughter of Mr Hardy of Melford High Street.
September 16th 1876
Bury Corn Market. Wheat to 44s 5 ¾ d-Barley to 31s-Oats to 22s.
September 16th 1876
Mary Ann Lorkng, beerhouse keeper of Shimpling was charged with keeping a ferocious dog to the danger of the public. The police Inspector informed the bench he would withdraw the charge if Mrs Lorking would give an undertaking to confine the animal, defendant readily agreed and paid 5s 6d costs.
September 23rd 1876
Died on the 20th inst at Finstead End, Glemsford after a few days illness aged 49, William Blake Debenham, landlord of the King's Head Inn, Glemsford.
September 30th 1876
John Sparkes and Edward Rallings of Wixoe were charged with being drunk on the highway, P.C. Baker said that on Sunday the 17th he found them "dead" drunk in an outhouse, the chairman said the defendant's were not on the highway and the act did not apply. Dismissed.
September 30th 1876
Harriet Newman of Cavendish summoned Simon Clarke, miller, now of Greenwich as putative father of her child born in 1875, proved with defendant having to pay 2s per week until the child reaches 13 years.
October 14th 1876
Henry Middleditch, an elderly man employed by Mr Goodchild at Glemsford was charged with stealing a quantity of apples valued at 4d. P.C.Ward said he met the prisoner coming home from work on Wednesday night, his pockets looked bulky, he asked him "what have you got in them" he said "nothing", witness said he felt in his pockets and they were filled with apples, he asked him where he had got them, he said he picked them from the road and was going to carry them home. Mr Goodchild said he was frequently robbed of fruit. The magistrate said had they been lying on the ground there was no great harm in picking them up but an old man like him must know it was a crime to steal them. 1s 6d with 4s 6d costs.
October 21st 1876
To be sold this day at Walter Belchamp by direction of Mr Martin upon the premises at the Beer House, Walter Belchamp. The household furniture-8 day clock-carpentry tools-bench---turning lathe- a white polled cow-spring cart-harness-brick, beams, pan tiles-old mortar-thatch-- scantlings and old building materials from the pulling down of four old cottages. October ? 1876. The fawn supper was held at the Red House Inn at Horringer on Thursday evening the 5th, upwards of 65 people sat down to an excellent spread.
October 19th 1876
Waterbeach. A serious accident occurred to a little boy named Frederick Hyder aged 7 years, during the last few weeks a steam plough has been working on the farm of Edward Mason and as it is a novelty here a large number of school children went to see it at work, the poor boy got one of his hands entangled in a pulley wheel thus crushing his hand and taking his little finger off to the first joint.
October 28th 1876
Cavendish.Bridge. At Suffolk Quarter Sessions. It has been stated that the old footbridge from Cavendish to Pentlow was washed down last winter but the county of Essex refused to share the expenses of restitution and as Capt Barnardiston remarked "if the people of Pentlow did not wish to come to Cavendish he was sure those of Cavendish did not wish to go to Pentlow". The proposal to reconstruct the bridge at the expense of this county was rejected.
November 11th 1876
Mr Burke of the Aubries at Bulmer with his son Captain Burke were driving home on Wednesday evening when in Sandy Lane, a very narrow thoroughfare, when the trap turned over and Mr Burke and his son with the groom were thrown out, Mr Burke dislocated his shoulder but on reaching home he was promptly attended by Mr Lynch, surgeon, no dangerous damage is likely to ensue.
November 11th 1876
On Monday afternoon a horse in the shafts of a cart at the Hermitage, Clare, ran away and came in collision with a cart in Bridewell Street, the horse in the latter became frightened and started off each taking a different direction, one dashed to the railway station the other down Northgare Street, it was feared it might attempt to jump the railway gate at the crossing but the animal stopped, afterwards smashing the railings at the bottom of the street, a man named Ince was wounded in the leg, soon after two vehicles came in collision in Cavendish lane, the turn round at the Bell Inn being very sharp, both occupants were driving quickly, it being market day it attracted the attention of many on the market hill, only a shaft was broken belonging to a gentleman from Sudbury.
December 2nd 1876
Situations Wanted. Wanted by a respectable man a situation as farm bailiff, no encumbrances, well acquainted with heavy and light soil, good references. Apply to Mr Simpson of Hill Farm, Gissingthorpe near Halstead.
December 30th 1876
East Essex Hounds met at Baythorne End Hall on Thursday week, the gallant master, Colonel Jelf Sharpe in command, they started a fox which was subsequently killed and found another which ran to earth close to the Compasses at Gestingthorpe, it was now getting late and it was thought it well to leave Master Reynard alone to run another day, some ardent spirits however were for digging him out and the master agreed on the understanding that when he was got out he was to be thrown to the hounds, those who dug the fox out, so the story goes, threw him the other side of the hedge, the hounds catching sight of him immediately made off and it being too dark to follow the hounds, where he was no-one knows but the master and his whips had to return home with only 8 ½ couple out of 11 ½ couple, the majority of the truants found their way to the kennels next day but as late as Wednesday 2-3 couples were still missing.
January 6th 1877
Burgate. A rare bird was seen on Christmas day in this village, it was thought to be an eagle and three or four parties tried to shoot it down but a labourer winged it and brought it to the ground, it proved to be a rough legged buzzard which are uncommon visitors to our island, a pair have been seen flying about in the neighbourhood of Lakenheath. A few days since a friend who was visiting at Mr Simpsons at the time took it home alive and has since sent it to the bird stuffer.
January 6th 1877
John Garwood, labourer of Stanstead was charged with trespassing and taking a hare on the 13th inst. 10s with 5s costs.
January 6th 1877
Henry Rose, Henry Nunn and Adam James , labourers of Lawshall, were charged with lighting a fire in Apple Tree Wood, George Crosby said he was working in the wood with the three defendants for Mr Moore when they set fire to some faggots and kept them burning all afternoon. 10s each and 12s 6d costs..
January 6th 1877
Henry Wright, mar maker of Melford was charged with cruelty by torturing a dog, it appears the poor animal was hung up by defendant and mercilessly beaten and cut open with a piece of glass, when it was cut down the poor dog crawled into the Bull yard where it was killed by a veterinary surgeon. 3 months.
January 6th 1877
A midnight service was held at Cavendish Congregational Chapel on New Years night, it was well attended, on New Years day Mr J.S.Garrett gave two bushels of coal to each of his workmen in addition to the present he made to each of his men and boys in his employ a shilling and a bottle of old ale. On Christmas day the men and boys employed by J.F.Smith at his Glemsford farms were presented with a splendid joint each, the men who attended the stock were entertained to breakfast the same morning and we may scarcely add they were very thankful.
January 13th 1877
The Bridge at Cavendish. At Suffolk Quarter Sessions the Rev J. White said he was withdrawing his motion as to the bridge at Cavendish as Essex magistrates were disinclined to appoint a committee whether or not it was a private bridge.
January 20th 1877
Clare. On Monday as a man named Pledger was proceeding from the railway station to Hundon with his horse and cart, he was riding on the shafts of the vehicle and by some means he fell off breaking his leg so severely it is stated amputation must be done.
January 20th 1877
Hesset. An accident occurred in this parish on last Saturday night to a poor fellow named William Bullet aged 40, being drowned in the following circumstances, at the inquest at the Bell Inn, Obadiah Bullett said I am brother of the deceased, last Saturday night we were in the beerhouse at Beyton called the Hole in the Wall, they turned out at 10 o' clock, we three and two others walked home together, I and Catchpole went to William's house because we were going to sit there and drink some beer which we had bought at the Hole in the Wall in a bottle, William was a little the worse for drink but walked home without assistance, I was walking up the path to William's door, William was following me and I heard nothing until I heard him fall into the well, I heard the water splash, the alarm was given, I ran after Sturgeon but not before we got a lamp and looked in to the well and could not see him, the next door neighbour (Nunn) brought a rake , it was tied to a pole and we got him out quite dead, this well is a very narrow, I have heard my father say deceased tumbled into the same well when he was a little child. Drowned accidentally by falling down a well.
January 20th 1877
Letters to the Editor. Passing along Westgate Street in Bury on the 16th inst, my attention was drawn by a tumbrel surrounded by a crowd of small boys, stopping to see the cause I found a poor man lying on some straw in a common dung cart with a woman and others trying to give him some brandy or other liquid which he was unable to swallow, he had just been discharged from hospital as incurable and looked on the point of death and yet he was trying in vain to find an easy place for his dying head on the straw, one shudders to think of his suffering, jolting for miles over rough roads in that horrible instrument of torture, a common dung cart, the poor pale face and restless head has haunted ever since. I am yours truly Pro Bono Publico.
January 27th 1877
Joseph Herbert, a butcher of North Street, Sudbury, was charged with using abusive language to Lucy Morton residing in Melford road, Sudbury, complainant said she was standing on her doorstep about 4 in the afternoon when defendant passed, he looked at her and called her a-------old sow, he had frequently called her a thief and her husband. 5s with 8s costs.
February 17th 1877
There was a serious accident at Botesdale on Saturday morning, a man named Rolfe of Brockford was feeding a chaff cutter on Mr James Edward's farm when his hand was drawn beneath the rollers and before the machine could be stopped the hand and part of his arm was chopped into small pieces. A similar accident happened at Wortham Hall a few weeks since when a poor fellow lost his arm.
February 17th 1877
James Starling was charged with stealing turnips at Boxted, John Mead said he was farm bailiff at Braggons farm at Boxted where there were 24 turnips lying in the barn, on the 27th I missed 10 of them in the afternoon 5 more were missing, the remaing I marked then found two more missing, I went with the policeman to prisoner's house, Starling was with us, he went in and brought out 2 turnips, the others he said he had given to his children, the value of the turnips was 1d, in answer to the bench the prisoner said he had worked for Mr Smith for years and had leave to take the turnips. 14 days.
February 24th 1877
On Friday morning there was a special sitting of Melford Bench when Henry Richold, a painter and malster of Melford was charged with committing bigamy on the 3rd of December last. The accusation is that the prisoner did on that day in question at St Simon's church at Upper Chelsea did marry a young woman named Josephine Carolina Frances Steinbach formerly a German Governess to Sir William Hyde Parker, Bart of Melford Hall, his wife being still alive. Inspector J.Grimwood said that on the 9th inst he apprehended the prisoner charging him with bigamy, prisoner replied "I am very sorry for it and have you any other charge against me", I told him "no" he replied " I am glad of that", he took the prisoner into custody, he produced a certificate dated
October 20th 1869
showing his marriage to Ann Crawley Steward, she was still alive and residing in Melford. Committed for trial.
March 3rd 1877
To be sold at the Bell Inn in Castle Hedingham on the 13th of March-2 brick built lath and plaster houses with thatch-brick bakehouses-large gardens, situated at Norht End, Lt Yeldham, near the road leading from Gestingthorpe to Yeldham in occupation of T.Reeve and H. Sandford at an annual rent of £10 and held by the manor of Lt Yeldham at a yearly rent of 5d, by Messrs Cardinall of Sudbury and Melford.
March 3rd 1877
Under a bill of sale. To be sold at Pentlow Hall, Essex, the absolute sale of the entire contents of the residence on March 19th, the household furniture-drawing room suite in walnut-seven octave pianoforte by Cramer-suites and dining room furniture etc, copies of Mr Sargent's famous pictures of the House of Lords and the House of Commons etc.
March 17th 1877
There was an inquest at Cavendish Fir Trees beerhouse on Charles Ballard who met his death by being struck by an arm of a falling tree. Walter Oakley said I live at Cavendish, I have known deceased for 40 years, at about 4 in the afternoon my son and Walter Gooday were working in a meadow behind Pentlow Street, we were trimming a tree which we had just felled, my son called out to us to get out of the way, the tree had fallen on a large arm and turned over, I ran and the deceased was struck a violent blow on the shoulder, he turned pale and groaned "the Lord have mercy on my soul", I ran for a man named William Braybrook to put a pony in a tumbrel. Thomas Walter Waring surgeon, said I reside in Cavendish, the two Oakley's brought deceased to my surgery, he was cold and had several broken ribs, in my opinion he would not live long, he lingered till Monday. Death by was by injuries caused by a falling tree.
March 24th 1877
Ann Seals of Cavendish was charged with stealing 80lbs of coal from Charles Mortlock, dealer of Cavendish, Sgt Ward said he saw defendant coming from the direction of the coal heap lying in the station yard with a bag in her possession, he apprehended her and she begged forgiveness. 14 days.
March 24th 1877
Henry Richold, a painter pleaded guilty to felonoiously marrying Josephine Caroline Frances Steinbach at Hammersmith on the 3rd of December 1876 his wife being still alive, his Lordship put the following questions to her, "You met the prisoner in a railway carriage" "yes I did, he lives at Melford with his wife, it was not known to me before", "when was it you lived together as man and wife", "in London", "how far was your employer's from you're his house in Melford", " short distance" , " how long did you live at your employer's house as governess", "about 9 months", are you a foreigner", "yes German". 18 months.
March 24th 1877
George Brown, 59, labourer,of Sudbury was charged with intent to kill his wife at Sudbury on March 19th. Eliza Brown said I am the wife of the prisoner and live in St Gregory's Street, Sudbury, on March 10th prisoner came home and said nothing but "put the kettle on", I said nothing but he put some coals on the fire, I said "you shan't put the fire out" and took some off, he used dreadful language, he took out a knife and was sharpening it, he then got up and said he would cut my throat, I felt some blood, I went to Mrs Tiffin's next door etc. 10 years penal servitude.
March 31st 1877
John and James Bowyer, brothers, lads of Clare, were charged with stealing 12 lbs of beans meal from George Leach of Houghton Hall, Cavendish. John 6s, George, 2s 6d , 5s costs each.
April 21st 1877
Stradbrooke. . Roberta Mutimer, a girl of 3 years, daughter of James Mutimer met with a horrible death last week while in charge of her sister, aged 9 years, during the temporary absence of her she drank some water from a kettle while on the stove,. Mr Read, surgeon, said he saw the child and said it could not live long, it died at 11 the next morning. Accidental.
April 21st 1877
On Saturday morning a detachment of troops of 150 strong of the Royal Irish Lancers entered the town of Sudbury on their way from Aldershot to Norwich, on Saturday afternoon the band entertained a large crowd on the market hill.
April 28th 1877
To be sold at Bulmer at the Blackbirds Inn.-three freehold cottages with wheelwrights and blacksmiths shop and traverse, occupied by Wilson and others.
April 5th 1877
A serious accident occurred at Clare Downs farm on Saturday in occupation of Mr Eagle of Belchamp St Pauls, in the afternoon, a mole plough (horse power) was at work and one of the men named Samuel Hammond was behind the pole to which the horses should be affixed, when by some means he forgot to place the pin in it's proper place, the consequences was that it commenced going round the contrary way and knocking down the unfortunate man and he came in contact with the pole several times and was much knocked about, the poor man was completely blinded and had several ribs broken and bruised but faint hopes are entertained of his recovery.
May 12th 1877
A few weeks since, about 40 fowls were stolen from Brockley Hall, early on Monday morning a cart was heard leaving the premises and it was discovered that 25 more had disappeared.
May 12th 1877
John and Robert Morley, labourers of Milden were fined 5s each with 5s cost for drunkedness.
May 19th 1877
At a special meeting of Ixworth Petty sessions on Monday, Captain Henry Fernside Speed, senior Captain of the West Suffolk Militia was summoned in response to summons taken out against him by Jane Sheppard, a single woman of Rickinghall Inferior, requiring him to show cause why he should not contribute to the support of her illegitimate child of which she alleges he is the father. Mr Walpole said this application was made by a poor orphan girl against Capt Speed who was a Clerk at the War Office, the allegation was made that while the plaintiff was employed as a domestic servant in waiting on the defendant at his lodgings in Abbeygate Street, Bury St Edmunds, during the Militia training last year he took advantage of his position to seduce her and subsequently asked her to go and live with him as his mistress in London which plaintiff declined to do. The plaintiff, a good looking young woman was then sworn, intelligently she said she was 19 years of age last August and on the 24th of January last she was delivered of a female child of which defendant was the father, last year when the militia were up for training she was in the service of Mr Prigg at whose house defendant occupied the drawing room and a bedroom on the first floor, it was her duty to wait on him and defendant often made rude remarks to her and on occasions he would kiss her, she often had to go to his bedroom but always knocking on the door, on one occasion when she knocked he said "come in" she went in and he asked her to take his boots off, while doing so he caught hold of her and threw her on the bed and seduced her, she left the room quickly and went to her room and cried on another occasion he asked her for some gruel to be sent up to his room, she knocked on the doodr, he said bring it in, he againtook advantage of her, when defendant left Bury he asked her several times if she had intercourse before which she said she had never. When the military officers came back to Bury for this years training she called at the Suffolk Hotel then to Cemetery road where she met defendant coming from the barracks, she said to him "Captain Speed do you know me, he replied "I think I do" she reminded him that she lived at Mr Prigg's last year when he was there, he asked her if there was anything he could do for her and she replied "yes there is my babe", he said "I think you are mad" and walked away, etc etc.. Case dismissed.
May 26th 1877
Letters to the Editor. Charge against a Militia Officer. A poor friendless servant girl of 18 years charged Capt H.F. Speed, Senior Captain of West Suffolk Militia with being the father of her illegitimate child, Captain Speed had lodged at a hotel in Bury where the girl was servant and it was part of her duty to wait upon him and according to her statement he took advantage of her by committing sundry acts upon her, the result of this is a child to support of which the poor girl vainly asked Capt Speed to contribute, Capt Speed swore he never took liberty's with the girl nor kissed her or whispered to her, on the other hand the girl swears the Capt only had ever had intimate relations with her and her mistress said she had never known her to have a sweetheart and the Colonel Marshall of defendants Regiment is allowed to sit on the bench to bolster up defendant's case. I am your's Fair Play.
May 26th 1877
Marriege at Bulmer of Miss Margaret Coote the eldest daughter of Mr George Coote of Smeetham Hall to Henry Stanton Oliver who is a member of the firm of Oliver and Son, brewers at Sudbury and Bury. In the evening the labourers on the estate were treated to a capital dinner at the Blackbird's Inn whilst 26 aged parishioners partook of a repast in a cottage occupied by a veteran pensioner named Pryke who is upwards of 80 years and had fought in the battle of Waterloo, meanwhile the workmen of Oliver's brewery were not forgotten and were supplied with a capital spread at Henny Swan. Mr G..J..Oliver the father of the bridegroom, entertained a large group of friends in the Four Swans, Sudbury to the choicest wines.
June 9th 1877
To be sold pursuant to an order of the Chancery Division of the High Court. Dashwood v Dashwood. ----The Gt Thurlow and Hundon Estates-properties in Gt and Lt Thurlow-Gt Wratting-Hundon and Poslingford, consisting of numerous farms, cottage and small holdings embracing an area of 4.000 acres producing rental of £5,500, independent of woods, also the advowson and the next presentation of the vicarage of Gt and Lt Thurlow.
June 9th 1877
To be sold at Yeldhan station on Tuesday next. 40,000 feet of foreign timber consisting of red deals, battens, boards, scantling-weather boards.
June 9th 1877
Joseph Maxim, Charles Bulmer, George Pawsey, George Chatters and Abraham Jackson of Glemsford were charged with obstructing a footpath in Gravel Pit field, Glemsford, on the 26th ult, Benjamin Deaves, farmer, proved the case stating defendants set a fire on a footpath. 20s each with costs of 2s each or 14 days.
June 9th 1877
Farm labourers, shepherds, brick layers wanted to go to New Zealand. Free Passage, Apply to James Crick, Northgate Street, Bury.
June 9th 1877
For sale at Ashdon Rectory, Saffron Walden, the household furniture-100 dozen of choice old wines etc by orders of the executors of the late Rev T.J.Walker.
June 23rd 1877
For sale at Winfarthing near Diss, a desirable freehold estate. Salter and Simpson are favoured with instructions to sell by auction at the Royal Hotel, Norwich, on Saturday June 30th, a freehold and partly tithe free estate situated in Winfarthing, comprising of a convenient farm house, excellent garden, orchard, agricultural buildings together with 301 acres of productive arable and old pasture land.
June 23rd 1877
Inquest at Gt Henny on John Newman aged 69, labourer, deceased was employed by William Nott, farmer of Gt Henny and was found dead in a field quite dead, Dr Mason, surgeon, said it was infection of the heart.
June 23rd 1877
An interesting ceremony took place at Poslingford on Tuesday, June 12th in the presence of a large crowd on the laying of the foundation stones of the new school.
June 23rd 1877
A fatal gun accident took place at Lawshall on Monday last when a young man named Hary sergeant 19 met his death, it appears he borrowed a gun from a man named Nice to get a shot at rooks, failing to get them he brought the gun back still loaded and was standing talking to two women and Nice with the butt of the gun on the ground when it went off, shooting him through the head. Accidental.
June 30th 1877
The Suffolk Show was held on Peoples Park at Sudbury. Prizes awarded by Sudbury Town included-for best mare or gelding of not less than14 hands or less than 15 ½ hands to be exhibited in harness. 1st to the Rev J.Foster of Foxearth.
August 4th 1877
Wanted directly after harvest, two good steady agricultural labourers with one or more boys each to work on a light land farm, good cottages and gardens, rent free, 13 a week, constant employment wet or dry, piece work when possible and good harvest. Apply to S.J.Webb of Gt Chesterford, Saffron Walden, Essex.
August 11th 1877
Henry Stanley has instructions to sell by auction at Hartest-14 Norwich cart horses and the furniture of Dr Mcreery who is leaving the district also stack of hay and a superb pony of 13.2 hands.
August 18th 1877
Farm Bailiff wanted at Michaelmas next, must be a married man to look after 400 acres and to keep bailiff's accounts and to let work as piece work, wife to look after poultry, state wages required and references from last employer indispensable. Apply George Ruffel at Melford.
August 18th 1877
A remarkable case of affiliation in which Capt Speed of the West Suffolk Militia, a clerk in the War Office was defendant was brought before Ixworth Bench magistrates with the Duke of Grafton as chairman, Mr E. Greene, M.P., Mr G.E.Payne and Mr R.E. Lofft. The court was not only filled with an eager audience but the villagers of Ixworth were deeply interested in the proceedings judging by the number of persons occupying the streets and the door of the police station where the Petty Sessions are held. Mr Sparke of Bury said he appeared by the requirement of Mr and Mrs Prigg of Bury whose servant was complainant at the time Capt Speed resided there. Mr Louis Lewis opened the case for the complainant, he said he was extremely pleased to have Captain Speed courted at a full inquiry, there was that a young lady named Hillyer who corroborated the statement that Capt Speed was the father of the child, she had seen the girl crying when she came out of the Captain's room which clearly proved the girl suffered from the conduct of Capt Speed, etc etc. Case dismissed. (this is an abbreviation of the proceedings as there is nearly a whole page).
August 18th 1877
James Snell, a groom of Melford was charged with throwing a stone at a barn door and of damaging it to the extend of 1d, P.C. Gobbet, said he saw defendant throw the stone at the door belonging to Henry Westropp of Melford but was sure it was in play and did not think there was any intent to damage it. 1s with 1d damages and 7s costs.
August 25th 1877
Advert, Wanted at the County Prison, Bury, assistant Matron, salary £40 with lodgings, washing, gas, coals and light, must be single or widowed without young children, must understand laundry work must belong to the Church of England.
August 25th 1877
The terrible tempest that passed over Bury did considerable damage to nearby villages, at Stowlangtoft Rectory, 12 sheep were killed belong to the Honourable and Rev W.B. Byron of Stowlangtoft.
September 1st 1877
Letters to the Editor. Lavenham Graveyard. Sir, it is indeed a disgrace not only to the County but to the inhabitants of Lavenham to see our noble graveyard in such neglected state, I have many relations lying there, it grieves me to see sheep feeding, children playing leap frog from one grave to another and pulling up hurdles and carrying away flowers. Signed, An old inhabitant.
September 1st 1877
Thurston. Last Sunday morning as the mid-day train from Haughley to Bury was passing through Thurston, a valuable in pig sow was killed, it belonged to Mr Frauk of the parish, it had strayed onto the line and was cut to pieces.
September 8th 1877
The Philadelphia Ledger states what has been so often said about the opening up of the U.S. to emigrants, there are intimations of a another tide of emigrants towards the shores of America and it calls on the press of Great Britain and Germany to make known to the intending emigrants what the state of the labour market is, those going with intentions of settling in the agricultural part of the country as tillers of the soil will find plenty of work for themselves, there is plenty of room for them in the middle or southern states in the new East or far West. The worst of this is the point upon which the Indians are sometimes found to be of contrary opinion and it is awkward to have a dispute with people who back up their opinion with tomahawks and scalping knives.
September 8th 1877
Bulmer. A lamentable accident occurred at Bulmer on Monday morning, a lad named Arthur Fulcher, aged 10 years, of Prospect Place, just beyond the boundary of Sudbury, he was left in charge of an infant at home when his mother went gleaning corn, there was another child which his mother took with her, it appears the lad got the baby to sleep and went into the road to play, a few doors away from where he lives is a well which supplies the whole of the houses with water, it is circular in shape and walled in and off great depth, probably of 50-60 feet, the diameter at the top is about 6 feet, water is drawn up by means of a bucket and windlass and the well is covered by a wooden covering, it can be opened by children wanting water but unfortunately the place is not enclosed, about ten o' clock a little girl went to draw some water and the lad Fulcher who was at play in the road and went and looked in the well when he overbalanced and fell in, assistance was obtained and efforts to save the lad was to no avail, a kind of basket was let down with some grappling hooks, he was called out to catch the basket but no response was heard to the call, he was subsequently taken up quite dead, it is expected the lad was killed before he reached the water as it was found he had struck the side of the well when falling and had almost completely smashed the side of his head and bones were broken in his neck and his legs also were broken, he was taken to his parent's house to await an inquest.
September 8th 1877
On Wednesday Mr Thornton sold at Millbeckstock, Windemere, 42 head of Canadian Shorthorn cattle which were bred and imported by the Honourable M.H.Cochrane of Hillhurst farm near Montreal and by Mr Simon Beattie of Canada Upper. 42 head realised £16,285 giving an average of 388 guineas.
September 22nd 1877
County Court. Jennings of Newmarket v G. Rutter. Rutter said he did not order Jennings to dress his stacks when he paid his last bill etc, Rawlinson, a labourer, said Jennings put the dressing on in 30-40 places and he believed the stuff drew mice instead of killing them, they have no mice now since the stacks were dressed by another man. For the defendant.
September 29th 1877
William Coldham, a small farmer of Cavendish was charged with being drunk in charge of a horse and cart at Cavendish, P.C.Bullet said he saw a crowd of people near the Chapel in the village, on going to the spot he found defendant with his horse and cart, he had driven against a bridge and knocked down a part of it, he saw defendant was incapable of taking charge of the horse and cart and sent a boy home with it, defendant was also using bad language. £1 with 8s costs.
October 6th 1877
We regret the death of Mrs George Coote, 54, of Smeetham Hall, Bulmer, Essex, she leaves large grown up family to mourn her
October 18th 1877
Married. At----church, Yorkville, Jeffery Ekins Cooke of London, Ontario, Canada West, 5th son of the late James Young Cooke, rector of Semer, Ipswich, Suffolk, to C. Emeline, 2nd daughter of W. H .Ashe of Yorkville Toronto, Canada West.
October 18th 1877
Poslingford. A sad accident occurred to Alfred Everett, butler at Poslingford House, deceased was formerly landlord of the Bull Inn, Melford for 5 years, he fell out of a cart and injured his head and was getting on nicely when lockjaw set in and he died on Friday last. At the inquest it was stated deceased was butler at Poslingford House, James Atkinson, innkeeper of Poslingford said he came to Clare station to pick up deceased who was butler to Mrs Severne of Poslingford House, in his cart which I went to fetch him, he asked me to drive him to a sale in Stansfield, we started and overtook Mr Gosling and asked him if he would like to get up, deceased offered him his the front seat, he was in the act of turning round when he slipped over the side of the cart, pitching on his head, he got up himself, I jumped out and saw he was much cut about the head and I drove him to Poslingford House, I met Dr Barnes almost immediately, he was a little fresh, John Barnes, surgeon of Clare said I saw deceased, he was severely cut on the top of his head, he went on well till last week when I was sent for and found lockjaw had set in. Accidental.
October 18th 1877
Bulmer. One of the most destructive fires in the neighbourhood took place at Goldingham Hall, Bulmer last Saturday, the farm is a large one in the occupation of Mrs Orbell, widow, who had just finished harvest and the stackyard was nearly full of all the produce of the farm in the stackyard adjoining the farm premises, these it appears occupied a central position, the dwelling house is occupied by Mrs Orbell being on one side of them, the stackyard on the other, the barn, fortunately is covered with tiles is adjacent to one side of the stackyard and on one end is a low stone wall separating it from the road or carriageway. In one corner of the yard is a small shed in which was kept a number of agricultural implements such as a seed drill, tumbrels etc while just outside the wall above mentioned were two wagons, one nearly new, laden with stover also a small stack of clover seed, near these on the opposite of the roadway was a small shed and a hen house, the stackyard it's self contained 11 large stacks of corn comprising of about 68 acres of wheat, 50 acres of barley, 25 acres of peas, 70 tons of clover stover and hay, 45 acres of barley, tare and oat straw, the whole were totally destroyed, as was the sheds and wagons and all the agricultural implements, even large wooden beams under different stacks were also consumed by the fire and the barn walls and doors were greatly scorched. The corn etc which was destroyed is estimated to be worth £2,000--£3,000 and the farm implements at about £200, fortunately all was insured by the Suffolk Alliance Office, it is supposed the fire was caused by children playing with matches.
October 27th 1877
The annual fawn supper was held on Thursday last, the 11th inst at Horringer Red House Inn, a pleasant evening was spent by a large company.
October 27th 1877
The Melford second annual sale of live and dead stock will be held on Melford Green on October 30th. 10 horses-40 cows, heifers, steers and weanels-6 fat bests-10 ewes-70 lambs-assortment of farm implements etc.
October 27th 1877
Married. Gardiner-Ewer on the 10th inst at Ovington. Thomas William Gardiner, the third son of J.S.Gardiner of Borley Lodge to Marian Jane Ewer of Ovington Hall, Essex.
November 3rd 1877
James Allen, aged 20, farm labourer, was charged with the rape of Mina Wilks at Toppesfield on the 9th of September, not guilty, the prisoner pleaded guilty to indecent assault. 18 months hard labour.
November 10th 1877
Henry Lehcuo Cocksedge of Rougham,William Byford of Glemsford, William Roper, manufacturer of Lavenham and Samuel Death of Alpheton were charged by C. Spilling, Warden of Melford Hospital with common trespass upon a certain enclosure called Aveley Wood in possession and in occupation of Melford Hospital in search of game. Sir William Hyde Parker said he and his magistrates were equally divided in opinion and the case must therefore fall through.
November 10th 1877
Died at a farm known as "Clare Downs" at Belchamp St Pauls, Mary Ann, widow of the late William Eagle aged 93.
November 10th 1877
Moulton. A painful accident occurred at Moulton on Saturday last, it appears a maid servant of Richard Taylor, farmer of the parish, took a baby of about 12 months into the farm yard where men were pulping mangolds with horse works and negligently allowed the little thing to put his hands among the machinery, the consequence was the it's hand was almost completely severed from it's arm, it only hanging on by a small piece of skin. Dr Wright attended and was obliged take the hand off.
December 29th 1877
Thomas Bruty of Clare was charged with being drunk on the highway at Clare, the chairman said this is another Clare man drunk. 3s with 6s 6d costs.