January 17th 1880

For sale under a distress order for rent. For sale between Ridgewell and Cornish Hall End at Great Norden Farm, Ridgewell---The live and dead stock-5 horses-2 Suffolk cows-6 sow --17 store pigs and implements by Fitch and Sons of Haverhill.

January 17th 1880

Died in Melbourne hospital, South Australia, aged 56, John Galley a native of Suffolk who arrived in Australia in 1846 in the ship Stag. ( There are numerous notices of deaths from all the Colonies in cluding North America)..

January 17th 1880

Joseph Crisell and Henry Day were charged with stealing 3 chickens valued at 6s from their master Thomas Smith of Kiln farm, Melford. George Smith son of Thomas Smith said he lived at Kiln Farm and about 6 in the afternoon of November 17th his attention was drawn to the cart lodge by the noise of fowls cackling, he heard them talking then followed them a little way, he called out to them and stopped them, Crisell was carrying 3 fowls and one loose under his arm. 3 months hard labour and Day was dismissed as nothing was found on him.

January 17th 1880

Supt. Chapman informed the Bench at Melford Petty Sessions that Henry Wingfield who was charged with burglary at Liston Hall the residence of Col. Palmer had been convicted at Essex Quarter Sessions and sentenced to 6 months, he also stated that the warrant for his re-apprehension for a similar offence at the expiration of his term of imprisonment. Mr Ward, tailor of Melford had lost a coat and two pieces of cloth, the former was given up to the police and the latter was found in Mr Mills doorway three days after the robbery and it was a man named Hearn of Melford had given the coat up, it was decided to send for Hearn who said he paid 1s 6d for the coat to a stranger but had decided to give the coat back to Mr Mills.

January 17th 1880

Redgrave. George Foulger, 37 labourer and Eugene Bryant, miller aged 26 were charged with stealing one ewe valued at £8, the property of George Symonds of Rickinghall on November 20th at Redgrave. Foulger 5 years penal servitude and Bryant two years hard labour.

January 17th 1880

On Saturday morning, a lad, the son of Mr Hawkins of Bures was skating on the river Stour near the gas house when the ice broke, his cries brought several people to the spot but from the state of the ice no-one dare approach him, a rope was thrown which he grasped and a man was sent for a boat, some time elapsed before the boat was got out and he was rescued after a ¼ of an hour, he being much exhausted he was unconscious for most of the day.

January 24th 1880

Lawshall. On Monday morning last a lad named Charles Griggs, employed by Mr Mansfield was emptying sacks into a hopper, the sacks being lifted from below by means of a wheel and pulley, it is supposed Griggs slipped and fell and was dragged by the wheel into the machinery up to his waist, the machinery was stopped and the poor boy was told to remain quiet while a man ran for assistance when upon his return Griggs breathed once or twice then died, his mangled body was not extracted for some hours, he was 16 years old.

February 14th 1880

On Saturday morning a married woman named Purkiss disappeared from her home in Bradfield, it was found she had gone off with a man named Hunt who is the father of 6 children, her husband traced them to Bury from a box belonging to him at the stated address to London, he followed the guilty couple to Thetford where they had gone after staying at the Royal Oak in Bury as man and wife.

February 28th 1880

Small freehold estate for sale at Hundon and Kedington, comprising of 12 acres-dwelling house-windmill in round house-farm buildings, on instructions from the executors of the late George Savage.

February 28th 1880

, William Mills, a farmer of Melford was charged with assaulting William Smith and John Rutter, labourers in his employ, John Rutter was cross summoned for assaulting their master. The case was that the men went to Mr Mills on the evening of Saturday the 7th inst and asked to be paid 10s for work they had done, Mr Mills declined to pay them more than 2s 6d each which they refused, Mr Mills ordered them out of his house but they refused to go, he pushed Rutter out and struck Smith several times. Mr Mumford who appeared for Mr Mills, said defendant's were at work on a bank for which he agreed to pay them 6d a rod , he considered he had paid them too much for work already done and that before he turned them out Smith seized his scarf and Rutter got him down. The magistrates dismissed the case against Mr Mills and convicted the men who they fined 15s each. including costs.

February 28th 1880

William Maxim late of Glemsford now employed at Messrs Allsop's brewery at Burton on Trent was charged by Charlotte Evans of Glemsford of being the father of her child. To pay 1s 6d a week.

February 28th 1880

Sudbury. A new bank which has been in the course of erection during the last 12 months for the firm of Messrs Alexander, Birbeck, Buxton and Co was opened for business on Monday morning last, the new bank is situated between the Corn Exchange and the Literary Institute, it is a substantial imposing structure of red brick being styled in the fashion of Queen Anne.

March 6th 1880

The White Horse brewery at Cavendish to be sold by order of T.Murrels on March 23rd in consequence of being let to Messrs Greene and son, brewers of Bury. 7 coomb brewing plant-20 store casks-60 casks-3000 gallons of beer-4 pockets of hops-25 dozen wines and spirits-house-hold furniture-Oxford cart-2 trade carts-5 year old hackney horse-sow and pigs.

March 20th 1880

Sudbury. There was a great landslip last Friday at Ray Island where for some months a short distance from the river Stour the work of driving screws piles 40 ft long has been progressing for some distance of 250 yards of the loop line when suddenly a subsidence slipped towards the river and with it all the machinery for the construction, the damage amounted to many thousands of pounds and putting building behind for six months, luckily no lives were lost.

March 27th 1880

A fire of serious consequence occurred on Saturday morning at the extensive works which are well known as the Flax Mills which are lying immediately contiguous to the boundary of Melford and Liston, a quantity of flax, about 400 tons were ranged in a row close to the bank of the river on the Liston side, the employees were at work and all going well till about 10 o' clock when a fire was noticed on top of a stack. The engine belonging to the mill was brought into use but being a small one and the stacks being exceedingly high there was great difficulty in bringing enough force to the flames then the pipe burst and it was rendered useless, information was conveyed to Melford and Cavendish and their engines arrived on the spot with praiseworthy expedition although too late to save the extensive row of best flax which was just ready for working, the fire seized stack after stack and the heat was so intense as to scorch the grass on the other side furthest from the wind. At two, Sudbury Fire Brigade arrived but whole of the valuable stacks worth £3000 were destroyed, as there is a considerable reserve there will be sufficient work for the hands employed which number about 100. The insurance cover amounts to £1200.

April 24th 1880

Inquest at Melford on Frederick Whittle, labourer, aged 62 years, he had been to Sudbury to see his daughter and left about 11 arriving home about 12, going upstairs he fell and was rendered insensible, his son and another man picked him up and thinking him the worse for drink he gradually got worse. William Whittle said deceased was his grandfather and he lived with him and slept in the same bed, at about ¼ to 1 in the morning I heard him come home and come upstairs, I heard him fall, I went out of the room and saw him lying at the bottom of the stairs. Verdict, he died from falling downstairs.

March 8th 1880

On Monday evening a considerable number of agricultural labourers attended a meeting on Clare Market Hill to hear an address from Mr Balls, George Ince presided and proved a very efficient chairman with the meeting proceeding in an orderly manner and the speakers were roundly applauded. Circulars have been issued calling a meeting of farmers at the Half Moon on Monday next "to take into consideration the action of the Labourers Union and the best mode of meeting it" J.S. Gardiner of Borley has consented to take the chair.

March 29th 1880

Inquest at Melford on the body of a female child of Eliza, wife of Edward Totman, the evidence showed the child slept with the mother and it's sister, there was some blood on it's upper lip, it appears the mother had been to the fair on Friday morning and the child was addicted slight convulsions. Evidence from Mr Corder, surgeon, showed the child died from convulsions of the brain brought on by the unnatural state of it's mother's milk, the state being induced by excitement she underwent at the fair.

June 5th 1880

Situations Wanted. Engine driver wants situation for steam ploughing tackle or traction engine. Apply U.Stacey, Hundon, Haverhill, Suffolk.

June 5th 1880

Clare. On Monday a large number of labourers assembled on Clare Markey Hill, Mr Balls attended and ridiculed some of the rules of the farmer's association and he said it would be more manly on the part of them if they invited some of the labourers or their delegates to discuss the questions and endeavour to come to some understanding on the matter..

June 19th 1880

Robert Pryer, gentleman and farmer of Brent Eleigh was charged with committing perjury in the last court in the matter of the application for an order of bastardy, Ellen Hogger, 19, sought to affiliate a female illegitimate child to the defendant. Ellen Hogger said she was formerly in the employ of the defendant and he was the father of her child, he had given her money on three occasions as well a knife and a purse. Case dismissed.

July 24th 1880

On Tuesday afternoon the memorial stones of the new Primitive Methodist Chapel at Melford were laid by Mrs Dixon of London, the building is situated in the centre of the street is plain unpretentious building of red brick.

July 24th 1880

Cricket----T.Alston Eleven (Glemsford) v Hawstead. Glemsford -H.Ardley, 16 and 4-T.Ardley, 4-5-W.Bailey, 0-8---A.G.St.L.Mildmay, 0-18-F.Rogers, 18-5, H.Steel 2-2-J.Burlingham-8-0-F.Dunn-4-6-H.Leeks,22-3-E.Sore2-0-T.Alston-0-16-extras 14. Hawstead-H.Thompson, 5-8, A.Catchpole-7-2, S.Spriggs 9-10-H.Ashman 3-H.Stevens 9.

July 31st 1880

Died at Gt Bradley aged 100, James Disborrow a labourer.

July 31st 1880

There was a shocking fatality at Melford on Sunday afternoon, two boys named Parmenter and Piper aged 14 and 16 were drowned. At about 2-30 a number of lads assembled at the riverside near Mr Bolingbroke's house and chemical works for the purpose of bathing, Parmenter and Piper went into the water first followed by a companion named Mitchell who it seems was able to swim the others could not, they got out of their depth and cries for help were heard and Mitchell gallantly went to the rescue when a severe struggle took place but utter failure to save their lives ensued, both were drowned. Inspector Grimwood went to the spot and with assistance and a lapse of two hours, the bodies having floated downstream, they were brought ashore and were conveyed to a shed where identified by their parents.

July 31st 1880

James brown, Edgar game and George ward, boys of Glemsford were charged with stealing fruit valued at 2d from the garden of the rectory at Glemsford. Discharged with a caution on payment of 1s 10d each costs.

July 31st 1880

Inquest at the Perseverance Inn at Melford on Tuesday on the deaths of Edgar Piper and Robert Parmenter both aged 16 years. George Mitchell, mat maker, said we all three started from Melford at about 3 on Sunday afternoon intending to bathe at Liston at the spot where we were bathing a stream runs into the river Stour, there is a deep hole of about 8-9 feet deep, I told them of it, I could swim they could not, I got out and was partly dressed, I noticed Parmenter and Piper in the river apparently drowning, they called me to save them, I took off my clothes and swam round them till I felt the hands of one of them on my breast, I became frightened and got out, I am crippled in my left hand, I ran about the meadow calling for help, Frank Grice came up, I think the deceased's got into the hole from trying to swim with rushes round their arms, half an hour ensued before they recovered the bodies. Frank Grice and Robert Cooke, millers of Melford, gave corroborative evidence. Accidental.

August 14th 1880

For sale at Lt Yeldham, Northwood, Gestingthorpe and Castle Hedingham, Essex on Tuesday next, Messrs Balls and Newman will auction at the Bell Hotel, Castle Hedingham. Valuable freehold estate of the late Sarah Marsh, deceased, comprising The Hill or Bendyshe House farm, The North End farm, the beerhouse held by Mr Lawrence, numerous cottages, 180 acres. Lot 1-The Hill or Bendyshe House farm comprising modern well built dwelling house pleasantly situated on an elevated position by the roadside near the rectory of Lt Yeldham-North End farm comprising house, agricultural buildings, 111 acres situated in Lt Yeldham and Northwood. Lot 3-Four enclosures situated by the road between the Hyde farm and the Church, 35 acres. Lot 4-Beerhouse known as the Stone and Faggot situated in North end and occupied by Mr Lawrence. Lot 5-Accomodation land at the rear of the Stone and Faggot known as Browns farm and Home farm. Lot 6-Messuage in three tenements at North End occupied by Mrs Collar and others, etc, etc.

August 14tth 1880

Glemsford. On Saturday some females were cutting beans on a field belonging to Mr H. Allen when one of them named Piper was suddenly taken ill and died in two hours.

August 28th 1880

George Suttle, Charles Jackson, Charles Molton and Jacob Chatters mat makers of Glemsford were charged with assaulting Joseph Copsey landlord of Cock public house, they called at the house but tendered insufficient amout of payment whereupon a row broke out in which the landlord was knocked down and a door broken, Suttle appeared to be the ringleader was fined £2 with 3s 6d costs, Chatters £1 10s and Jackson and Molton £1 10s each, in two instances the fines were paid and in the heaviest imprisonment was preferred.

September 4th 1880

From the Times. It may be in the interest of your readers to know the result of thrashing a field of Scolley's square headed wheat which has just been completed, the crop was grown on flat alluvial soil bordering on Christchurch, Avon, the result in sacks from the machinery is 78 ½ of 7 acres or 44 bushels and acre.

September 4th 1880

For sale on September 10th. An old established Inn known as the White Horse situated in the populous parish of Wickhambrook, with meadow-two gardens-brewhouse-stables-piggeries-1 acre 1 rood and 30 poles, also a cottage adjoining.

September 10th 1880

Stanningfield. On Thursday a severe accident occurred to two men employed by Grimwood and Son of Sudbury who were restoring the roof of Stanningfield church when some of the rafters gave way and fell through into the church carrying with them John Finch and a man named Durrant, both were bruised and lacerated and were taken to Bury hospital, Durrant had his collar bone broken and Finch had a broken arm and a leg.

September 10th 1880

Two hay stacks situated in the old chalk pit a Ballingdon caught fire, Sudbury fire engine attended but it was impossible to save the stacks, it is supposed overheating was the cause.

September 10th 1880

For sale. At the Bull Inn at Sudbury an old established Inn known as The Bull, situated in Church Street, All Saints, it is at the Essex entrance to the important town of Sudbury with a frontage onto Cross Street and now and for many years past in occupation of Stephen Spurgeon, proprietor and formerly of his father and grandfather. Also the Spread Eagle beerhouse in Cross Street, the Railway Bell in Ballingdon, the Railway Tavern in Ballingdon and the Greyhound at Bulmer on the Halstead -Sudbury road.

September 10th 1880

For sale at Brundon Hall, Sudbury. The live and dead stock for 500 acres.

September 10th 1880

Cricket. England v Australia at Kensington Oval. England -Dr W. G. Grace-152---Dr E.M. Grace-36-Mr Lucas-55-Barnes-28-Lord Harris-52---Mr F.Fenn-22-Mr A.C. Steel-42-Hon..A. Lyttleton-not out 11-Mr G.F.Grace-0-Shaw-0--Morley run out-Byes 19-total 420. Australia-Mr W.L. Murdoch-0-79-A. Bannerman-32 and 2-Mr T. Groube-11-0-Mr P.S.McDonnell-27 - 43-Mr J.Slight-11-0-Mr T.M.Blackham-0-19-Mr G.J.Bonner-2-13-Mr G.E.Palmer 6-Mr Alexander6-Mr W.H.Moule 6-Extras 17-149 and 170.

September 10th 1880

Inquest at the Plough Inn, Glemsford, on the body of Charles Smith a farmer from Glemsford, it appears deceased was loading flax on the previous Wednesday afternoon, Susan, wife of Benjamin Boreham was assisting him, he told her he had nothing to eat since 5 in the morning but she and others could see he was the worse for drink, he got down from the cart twice and fell down, Mrs Boreham missed him again and heard some groaning on the ground. Dr Waring, surgeon, said he sustained fatal injuries to the spinal column. Accidental.

September 25th 1880

To be Sold. The live and dead stock at Essex Farm, Ridgewell, 14 horses-3 cows-10 steers-6 fat Dorset Down ewes-implements.

October 23rd 1880

George Beeton a married man from Poslingford was charged with not contributing towards the maintenance of his mother, Ellen Beeton, who is in Risbridge Union, defendant said he was only earning 11s a week. To pay 1s a week..

November 13th 1880

Inquest at the "Dorking Tye" Assington on Harry Albon Cardy aged 3 years, Julia Cardy, mother of the child said that a little boy named Harry Hume came to her house and told her that her little boy was in the pond, she went to the pond and Hume showed her the place he went in, saying he was stooping down after a piece of ice but she did not see her child until it was got out of the pond. Mr Dyer said he was in his barn when he heard cries for help, his men dragged the pond with rakes without success, he sent them for a dung hook and Henry Frost in a few minutes drew the body out. Accidental.

November 20th 1880

Extraordinary case at Sudbury. There was protracted inquiry at Sudbury on the death of a boy named William Bear, aged 10 years. The deceased had been accused of robbery and on Friday night was ordered to bed by his father, the following morning by way of punishment his father attached a rope round deceased and fastened it with a clothes peg 6 ft from the ground in which state the child was allowed to remain for 17 hours without food, about 3 in the afternoon the father went upstairs and to his great horror discovered the boy with the rope round his neck and unconscious, medical aid was immediately called but it was too late, death having taken place, Mr Lynch, surgeon said death was caused by pressure on the neck and faintness of the heart and that he died from strangulation not from suicide. The funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon amid considerable excitement, the father was conveyed to St Peter's church and to the cemetery in a cab, several of the rough elements of the crowd very demonstrated against the father, people hooted and the conveyed sundry hints to the father of what they would do to him, they proceeded to the grave and the Rev Cu Rieu appealed to them to keep order as feelings against the father were running high in Sudbury.

Decenber 13th 1880

At a special sitting on Tuesday, William Bear, described as a silk weaver residing in Globe Passage, New Street, Sudbury was charged with the manslaughter of his son William, aged 10. The deceased lad was very difficult to deal with and his father took him to the police station on the 12th of November with a rope round his neck, the father wanted the police to lock him up as he had been stealing money but they declined telling him to deal with him by himself as he was under 11 years. To appear at the next Assizes.

December 13th 1880

Advert. Land Drainers wanted, 100 labourers, Apply to the Foreman at Ousden Hall Estate.

December 13th 1880

On Sunday afternoon a sermon was preached at Glemsford by the Rev Packer, rector of Hartest cum Boxted in aid of a fund for building a mission room at Fenstead End, Glemsford, a collection was made amounting to £3 3s 3d.

December 25th 1880

Sudbury Fat Stock Sale. There was insufficient competition for steers and the judges said it did not warrant any prizes.

January 1st 1881

Sudbury Union-Officio Guardians-Sir William Hyde Parker-Maj Barnardiston-Henry Horn Almack-Capt Bence-William Bevan-George Coldham-Rev Hanberry-Francis Lombarde-J.W.Poley-Col Rowley-J.W.Poley-Sir Charles Rowley. W.H.Horne-Rev Henry Hill-Harvey Aston Oakes. Elected Guardians-W,Bye-(Glemsford)-George Coe-(Melford)-John Crooks-(Leavenheath-John Dickerson--(Hartest)-Benjamin Gardiner-(Newton)-Richard Hansett-(Stansfiedl)-Thomas Hawkins -(Bures-John Hills-(Gt Waldingfiedl)-George Leach-( Lt Waldingfield)-James Moore-(Lawshall)-Charles Taylor-(Lt Cornard)-George Whybrew-(St Bartholmews Sudbury)-Additional appointments-James Boldero-(Somerton)-Harry Cross-(Hawkedon)-Henry Cross -(Boxted)-Samuel Death-(Alpheton)-Henry Dyer-(Assington)-Thomas Dyer-(Stoke by Nayland)-Isaac Goldsmith-(Stoke by Nayland)-James Howard-(Chilton)-George Holton-(Wissington)-John Hustler-(Melford)-Julius Ceasar Norton-(Cavendish)-George Steward-(Shimpling)-Arthur Taylor-(Gt Cornard0.

January 1st 1881

Mr Newson, master of the Clare Board School was summoned by James Wordley for assaulting his son George aged 10 who stated that on the 14th a big boy went into the school yard and upset their play and he went with others and threw stones at the big boy to get him out, he picked up a stone to throw at a pupil teacher named Angelina Newson but did not do so. A teacher named John Gallafent put the boy out and the rest went into the school, the master told him to go to another room and threshed him so severely he broke the stick, he cried very much but remained in school when he went home he showed his mother his back, Mrs Wordley said her son came home complaining about his back. Mr Newson said he was forced to caution the boy several times as to his bad conduct, he gave his back 3 or 4 strokes of the stick. Case dismissed but the teacher was warned to be more careful in future.

January 1st 1881

James Hickford a gardener of Clare was charged with assaulting his sister Mrs Ellingham of Clare on the 8th inst, complainant said "my brother came into my house, I told him to get out, I would not hear what he said as I was frightened of him, I told him he was the cause of my mother's death, he struck me 3-4 times in the face, I went for my husband and told him, he met my husband and told him he could take two like him". William Ellingham said he worked at the Lion Inn when I was sent for and met my wife with blood over her face Hickford wanted to fight me. Hickford in his defence said he had to have too much expense of his mother's funeral and had thought he should have had a few things left him, his sister had sent another person to take two chairs off the cart he had loaded, he went into her house to tell her when she rushed at him. 5s with 7s 6d costs.

January 15th 1881

On Monday evening a meeting of the Agricultural Labourers took place in the Cock Inn at Clare, Mr Ince occupied the chair, he was followed by Mr Joseph Arch whose name drew a large assembly, the franchise he said was not far off and the labourers would form a power in the House of Commons, Mr Martin, the Poslingford district secretary, spoke a few words urging the men to be true to the Union. The meeting closed with hearty cheers for Mr Arch.

January 29th 1881

James Spalding Gardiner, farmer of Borley was charged at Castle Hedingham Petty sessions with neglecting to report that certain bullocks belonging to him were infected with foot and mouth disease and with moving 206 sheep without an order. Supt Elsey and Inspector Fox visited the premises and found foot and mouth disease had been existing there since the 2nd of January but not been reported to the police. Mr Gardiner pleaded guilty on the first charge but said the bullocks came to him from Wiston with a certificate from Mr Marking with a clean bill of health, he reported them to Mr Marking of Sudbury who attended the farm for foot and mouth disease and considered he had done his duty, Mr Marking was an Inspector in the Sudbury Union, he assured the Bench he had no intention of evading the law. The Bench retired for a short time and on their return the chairman, the Rev John Foster, said the penalty would be £20 and a fine of £5 and costs, the bench had considered the case carefully and did not think they would be doing their duty if they inflicted a lesser penalty of £25 making altogether £34 1s 6d.

January 29th 1881

Letter from an emigrant to America. Dear Sir, Will you insert this letter so my old friends will know I am still in the land of the living, I have been reported dead. I have been in this country for 8 years and regret I did not come sooner, I am thoroughly convinced almost every English working farmer would do well, they as a rule do better than the American farmer, it is a habit of English farmers to put nearly all his time in on the farm when the corn is gathered, he then hauls manure and makes improvements to his farm, the American farmer on the other hand does his work in snatches, almost when he is compelled, nearly half his time is lounging in the town chewing tobacco and boasting while the English farmer keeps steadily along, a few years ago I had a man to see me who arrived from England a short time before, he told me he had lost £5000 farming in England in the last 5 years and expressed himself well pleased with Kansas and with my farm in particular, I know a farm of 160 acres which can be bought for £2 -5s an acre, etc etc. I am sir yours, James Morley formerly of Mildenhall, Suffolk. P.S. Some may want to know if there are any more English in this part, there are several from England, two from Mildenhall named G. Thompson and George Hills also two young men named Davies who lived at Hundon in Suffolk and a Mr Trask from Devonshire, my neighbour is John Taylor who owns 7040 acres who is from England and Mr Gillet from Hertfordshire.

February 12th 1881

Manslaughter case in Sudbury. William Bear a silk weaver was charged with feloniously killing his son a lad of between 10 and 11 years at Sudbury on

November 13th 1880

The facts of the case were that the prisoner having a son who was addicted to pilfering and other offences and the father had adopted a means of punishment which resulted in the boy's death, he tied him up with a rope which kept him in a standing position and denied him supper and breakfast, he was overcome by faintness and fell forward in such a way that the rope strangled him, the prisoner was not charged with wilfully causing the death of his son, it was up to the jury to say if the punishment was excessive. Guilty with a recommendation for mercy.

February 19th 1881

Fashionable marriage at Melford. Although Tuesday last was not the day of beauty and sunshine the poor of Melford turned out en masse to witness the wedding of one of the daughters of Melford Hall. The Parker family is an old and honourable one of much repute in East Anglia, Sir Hugh who was the first Baronet was an Alderman of London, the 5th Baronet was Admiral Sir Hyde Parker was in command at St Lucia in 1780 and in the memorable action with the Dutch on Dogger Bank in 1781 and afterwards was honoured by the King at the Nore, other members of the family have been distinguished both in the army and navy. Miss Margaret Hyde Parker entered the church on the arm of her father Sir William Hyde Parker who we regret to say appeared to be suffering from an illness as he had a walking stick. The bridegroom was George Eden Hunt of Wadenhoe, Northhamptonshire, etc etc.

February 26th 1881

Walter Mason, Alfred Osborne, Benjamin and Edward Murkin, labourers of Hundon were charged with being drunk and disorderly at Hundon. Mason £1 7s the others 5s with 7s costs.

March 12th 1881

Death of two Sudbury men. Amongst those killed in the action at the Majaba Mountain on February 27th was A. A. Newman, one of the sailors from H.M.S.Dido which was with the naval brigade in the disastrous affair, he was the son of Charles Newman who is employed at the gas works, he was aged 19 years. While at sea on the 26th of February near Great Grimsby, Henry Constable aged 19 the 2nd son of Henry Constable, fishmonger of North Street, Sudbury, while engaged in work on board the smack Hawthorn he fell overboard and drowned, the vessel was sailing fast and he was never seen again.

March 12th 1881

Funeral of J. St George Burke of the Aubries, Bulmer, near Sudbury. A week after his unexpected decease from heart disease, his remains were interred in the churchyard at Bulmer, large numbers of people attended, the corpse was followed by his six sons and three daughters and by Mr Grubbe his brother in law and Major Barnardiston, others following the members of the family were servants and domestics, next succeeded the tenantry, the following gentlemen being present were Messrs Coote, G.Whorlow (Mayor of Sudbury) R. Allen, E.Turpin, R.Keeble, E.Baker, Burlingham, Turner, C.Boggis,Taylor, P. English, Coe, Knott, J.Coote, and several clergy and gentlemen from the neighbourhood, all the school children and many members of the poor.

March 19th 1881

Woolpit. The brickyard lately worked by Thomas Plowman are now worked by a London Company, a considerable amount of men are now employed in the construction of three large kilns, it is something new to see 50-60 men hurrying in the mornings to work and returning in the evening like a regiment of soldiers, we hear it is the intention of the company to erect several new dwelling houses on the property for if the work is to be carried on in such a scale more accommodation is needed than Woolpit can at present give.

April 2nd 1881

For sale at Glemsford. A freehold public house, fully licensed roadside Inn known as the Black Lion, well situated opposite the Board school in the centre of this flourishing manufacturing town together with a butcher's shop, slaughter house-stable and 3 acres.

April 2nd 1881

A Parliamentary Paper issued contains emigration statistics of Ireland for 1880 of emigrants who left Irish ports during the year was 95,357, an increase of 48,493 on 1879.. From the 1st of May 1851 till 1880, two million 637 left, mostly to the United States, emigration to Canada has increased while that to Australia and New Zealand diminished.

April 2nd 1881

Death at Milden of Robert Hawkins of Milden hall.

April 22nd 1881

Died on the 16th of February at Sydney, Australia of typhoid fever aged 52, Alfred Henry Gardener, the 3rd son of the late Thomas Gardener of Tye farm, Alpheton, Suffolk.

June 18th 1881

Emigration statistics from Germany show that during the year 1880 no fewer than 11, 454 young men left the fatherland for America, the exodus of last year was nothing beyond common, it seems likely the military service will be deprived of some 20,000 men who are the sinew and bone of the country, it seems that chief exodus is from Prussia and Bavaria.

June 18th 1881

The annual fair held at Cavendish on Saturday and Monday last, it seems the once celebrated cattle and horse fair has now completely disappeared and the pleasure fair is only a small part it originally was, nevertheless there was a fair gathering of people assembled to take part in cocoa nut throwing and pigeon shooting which is the principal features of both days amusements. Purchases collection of wax-works well worth a visit. The American high flyers did a roaring business, the police may be congratulated as there was no single occasion that called for their interference.

June 18th 1881

Mansion known as Monk's hall, Gt Maplestad with a "farmery" in the rear and 110 acres of land was for sale, bidding commenced at £3000 but was withdrawn at £5000. Lot 2 A small piece of land was bought by G. Hearn for £40. Hardy's farm at Steeple Bumstead of 27 acres was withdrawn at £950.

June 25th 1881

The calculations for the census appears near completion, the entire population over the United Kingdom will be shown to be over 35 million.

June 25th 1881

Mr Lewis Dearsley of Haverhill, late a brewer was charged with assault by his wife, complainant said on Friday my husband came home about 11, he has been away for a month, I met him in the street, he said to me "I understand you have had a sale" I said to him I was obliged to sell my clock for bread, I should not have done if you had kept up the payments, he called me a bad name and struck me in the breast and vowed he would kill me, I was helpless and obliged to be helped by three men, I sell a few sweets, he went to my house and threw out all my goods into the street. 1 month hard labour.

July 2nd 1881

Sudbury. John Newell an ex policeman was charged by his wife Jane Newell with assault, he was in the habit of ill treating his wife. 10s with 12s 6d costs. William Johnson a marine store dealer of Gregory Street was charged with being drunk and disorderly. I months hard labour. George Moulton was charged with attempting to rescue the last named defendant was fined £2.

July 22nd 1881

Lidgate. Inquest at Ashley on George Crisp, 56, who worked for Mr Mason, he was in charge of a wagon and horse on Saturday afternoon, going down Silvery Hill when the breeching broke and the horse started forward, Crisp tried to stop them and was knocked down near a heap of road scrapings, his head being crushed between the heap and a wheel, he was killed on the spot. Accidental.

July 16th 1881

On Wednesday the schools of Cavendish numbering about 200 pupils met at the residence of the Superintendent, Mr Green and headed by the Cavendish Band and marched to Blacklands Hall, the seat of Mr J.S. Garret who with Mrs and the Misses Garret received them and conducted them to the tables on the lawn which were well laden with good things, the lawns were decorated with flags, at the same time another gathering was taking place inside the Hall to celebrate Mr Garret's 68th birthday. After justice was done to the meal they proceeded to the cricket meadow where swings were erected and other amusements, Cavendish Band played selections at intervals and in the evening the band struck up God save the Queen and three hearty cheers were given, the company headed by the band made for home.

July 30th 1881

Higham. An elderly labourer named James Fuller of Higham died last week, he went to work as usual in the morning and in the course of the forenoon was found lying dead in the field with his hoe lying across his chest, there is no doubt he fell down dead while at work. Dr Dougall of Barrow did not think an inquest necessary.

August 13th 1881

George Mitchell, labourer of Alpheton was charged by John Twitchett, labourer with assaulting him, complainant said I am steward to Mr Branwhite of Melford who owns two small farms in Alpheton, on Tuesday evening I went to see the men who were working at setting up wheat sheaves, I said to defendant you ought to be ashamed of your work, he struck me in the face and as I was getting up he struck me again, I was bleeding very much, the wife of Twitchett also summoned defendant for assault, she said she heard a disturbance in the harvest field and on going to the spot was struck by defendant in the face. Harry Twitchett and Walter Stammers also cross summoned each other with assault arising out of the same offence. George Mitchell 10s and 9s costs, Walter Stammers 1s with 9s costs, George Mitchell for the second offence 2s 6d with 8s costs. John and Harry Twitchett were dismissed.

August 13th 1881

P.S. Ward of Glemsford was charged with assault by William Rising on the bank holiday, complainant said he and two other men named Goymer and Ambrose were sitting on the grass by the wayside when defendant went up to them and said don't lay about here like rotten sheep. Dismissed .

August 13th 1881

A carp of unusual size and weight was caught in a pond in Hundon, it was consigned to Mr Tuffin, fishmonger of Clare where it drew admiring spectators while exhibiting it in his window, it measured 2ft long and 1ft 4 inches round and weighed 7 ½ lbs, it was purchased by a gentleman from Clare who had it cooked and eaten, he described it as delicious.

September 17th 1881

Goldingham Hall, Bulmer. To be sold by auction by George Coote and Son and Henry Meekings jointly on Wednesday

September 28th 1881

The live and dead stock comprising 29 horses including a dun pony of 5 years, a roan hackney mare 2 of years, nag filly, 21 neat stock, 40 fat shearlings, 100 half bred lambs, 20 swine and all the capital implements from 500 acres.

September 24th 1881

Sudbury. The fountain and basin for cattle kindly presented to this town by the Misses Brown has been erected on the north east side of St Peter's churchyard just beyond the entrance to town hall

October 15th 1881

Whepstead. Mr R.W.Bevan has had a dog fox tied to a kennel for the last two years with a long chain, on Wednesday night a vixen paid the dog a visit, the dog got hold of the vixen and tore her head off then buried the head nearby, the vixen inflicted severe wounds to the dog and tore one eye out, cutting his ear, the dog is not expected to live, the vixen looked a powerful animal of about 2-3 years old.

October 19th 1881

Sudbury County Court. Allan Henry Mumford of Lt Cornard v Great Eastern Railway Company. This action was to recover the value of a colt killed on the railway line between Sudbury and Bures on June 7th last in consequence of a gate leading to a crossing over the line being unsafe whereby the colt got on the line and was killed, the colt was valued at £25, plaintiff said the colt was castrated and very weak, he gave orders to have it removed from the meadow to his farm a little while distant, he sent two lads for it, one named Micklefield led it with a halter the other was behind, the crossing gate was dilapidated, a new gate has since been put there a foot higher than the old one, the colt became unmanageable but witness said he was sure it could not jump the gate, Charles Micklefield, a lad, said he was leading the colt by it's halter when it was frightend by some children shouting and broke away from him, he ran after it but when he reached the gate at the crossing he found it had broke the gate and was gone. Verdict for the defendant.

October 22nd 1881

Inquest at the Crown Inn at Glemsford on Emma Copsey, daughter of Samuel Copsey, aged 5 years, it seems at present Copsey is in gaol and in order to maintain her family his wife has to go to work in the fields, in her absence it is supposed deceased got too close to the fire and her clothes were ignited by some live coals on the floor. Accidental.

November 5th 1881

Some time since the project of building a mission room at Finstead End, Glemsford was taken, a convenient site was offered by Mr A.J.C. Norton and Mr Cadge of Hartest was commissioned to build it, it was formerly opened last Tuesday, All Saints Day.

November 12th 1881

Ashley. On Saturday November the 5th, some evil disposed persons in the village took it into their heads to "number" with tar 20 or more cottagers doors and afterwards run a donkey and water cart into the village pond, we are informed that the mischief makers are well known but nobody will prosecute them.

November 19th 1881

James Suttle and Jacob Chattis, labourers of Glemsford were charged with being drunk and riotous at Cavendish on the 29th inst. 7s 6d each with 7s 6d cost each.

November 19th 1881

A large number of people assembled at the Crown Inn, Hartest, to hear an address by Joseph Arch, president of the Agricultural Labourers Union, he urged them to stand together for the benefit of themselves and families, there was a little interruption from the exciseman who made improper remarks to Mr Arch but was obliged to apologise, such a number of people have not been seen in the village for several years.

November 19th 1881

From the Daily News, New York. The number of emigrants arriving in November is 31,000, the new arrivals are divided as follows. Germans 16000-English 3202 Scottish, 800, Sweden, 2100, Russian, 1400, Swiss, 60, Austria 800, Norway 700, France, 500, Spain, 450, Italy, 1400, Holland, 150. The majority went west and south, unskilled workers to the lumber districts of Minnesota, Illinois and the Territorials, a short time ago such labourers were written for but demand is all supplied, wages are a dollar and a half a day for a man and 90 dollars? for a man with a horse, immigrants going south went mainly to work on the railroad in Texas and Florida, they receive 15 dollars a month and board and if they remain a year they are given five acres of land.

November 19th 1881

Cavendish. Fire at Houghton Hall. On Saturday evening fire broke out upon the roof of a large barn standing near several other buildings the property of Mr George Leech of Lt Waldingfield, it is also in the occupation of Mr Leech who has a bailiff named Pryke living nearby in a house situated in close proximity, about 9 o' clock Pryke went his rounds and finding everything there safe he turned in and went to bed, after being in bed a short while he was aroused by his son who discovered the roof of the barn to be on fire, a fearful gale was raging at the time accompanied by vivid lighting, it was with great difficulty the horses and cattle were got out, fortunately P.C.Claxton was in the neighbourhood and helped Pryke and his son get the horses and cattle out, they also released a valuable horse which was shut in the stable, it was with great difficulty this was accomplished just in time for as soon a the animal was got out the roof fell in, messages were sent to Cavendish and Clare engines and the Sudbury brigade arrived soon after and they did good service in saving stacks, a cowshed and a large barn, meanwhile the flames spread rapidly and in less time than when the alarm was given the principal part of the premises were enveloped in flames. The produce and farm buildings are insured by Suffolk Alliance, only 3 pigs and a few fowls were burnt.

December 17th 1881

County Court at Sudbury. Francis Medcalf of the Perseverance Hotel, Melford, v Joseph Green innkeeper and painter of the George Inn at Sudbury. Medcalf claimed for 9s 8d for beer supplied to defendant's men last May who were working on Borley Mill, they had three quarts of beer a day in the name of defendant, when plaintiff went with the bill he said he had never given orders to his men to receive beer. Verdict for the defendant.

December 24th 1881

Floods at Cavendish. The parishioners in this village suffered on Sunday a great inconvenience caused by the floods on the road and several cottages being inundated, the water in some places was 3ft or 4ft deep, several occupants had to escape by means of a scaffold while others could not get out and had to have provisions taken by a man on horseback, the Congregational Chapel suffered from the effects that the service had to be held at the Lecture Hall, Mr J.S.Garret was very considerate and kind to those who suffered from the flooding and sent them a quantity of coals while Mr and Mrs Green supplied soup to the suffering poor which was thankfully received. .