January 18th 1881

There was a meeting of the Suffolk Foxhounds at Alpheton Red Lion last week, they proceeded to draw Kentwell Hall wood but soon after entering the Great Wood, Reynard appeared on the Downs where he crossed to Pond plantation, thence to the back of the Hall into Great Wood across the park and into 50 acres then to Rectory plantation crossing the road near Westgate House to Bulneys then across the river at Liston Mill passed the Common and out at Liston Farm into Liston Park thence to Brook Hall and to Belchamp where he went to ground in his old quarters.

February 15th 1881

The marriage of Miss Margaret Hyde Parker to Mr George Ward-Hunt of Wadenhoe House, Northamptonshire, took place at Melford church. Mr Ward-Hunt is the son of the Right Honourable George Ward-Hunt the Finacial Secretary to the Treasury. There was a large wedding breakfast at Melford Hall, the scene was a unwented one in the fine old mansion for it is over a century since a marriage was celebrated from Melford Hall.

February 15th 1881

William Bear a silk worker of Sudbury was charged with the manslaughter of his 10 year old son, William Bear. The boy had been accused of stealing some money, the father put a rope round his neck and he was accidentally killed. 9 months hard labour as he has already served two months.

March 1st 1881

The death of Mr J.St George Burke of the Aubries, Bulmer, has been reported. He was taken ill at Liverpool Street station and conveyed to St Thomas hospital where he was found to be dead from heart disease, he was 77 years old. Lieut.Hubert Burke of the Royal Hussars, now in India, succeeds to the estate. Mr Burke was a Q.C. and a parliamentary barrister of considerable note having been engaged in as leading counsel in the promotion of some principal railway lines, he was a intimitate aquaintance of Brunnel the engineer and other distinquished men connected with the railways, he was chairman of London Gas Company.
Since his residence at the Aubries, which he purchased some twenty years ago, he has interested himself in matters connected with social reform and taking great interest in the school and cottages, a number of which he had erected to improved plans. He was a Whig in politics.

March 8th 1881

There was much excitement in Melford last week caused by the disappearance of a young woman named Mills, she is the daughter of Ward Mills the tailor. She was engaged to a young man named Smith to whom she posted a letter saying she was going to destroy herself, she went down a lane leading to the " new river". She did not return so a search was made, her jacket and hat were found on the river bank. The body was discovered near " Jules hole". Suicide.

March 8th 1881

The licence of the Thorn Inn at Shimpling was transferred from the exors of Samuel Clayton to Eliza Clayton.

March 29th 1881

There was a shocking tragedy at Great Waldingfield when Susannah aged 38 years and the wife of Joseph Bowers, horseman for Walter Hills and living at Upshire Green in one of a row of four houses cut the throat of her three children and her own, one little girl is expected to survive. Temporary insanity.

April 12th 1881

On Thursday at about noon a fire broke out in cottages at Belchamp St Pauls green. Clare fire engine attended and the cottages adjoining were saved, three cottages were destroyed.

April 26th 1881

The Black Lion Inn at Glemsford to be sold. Tap room- bar-parlour-large club room-kitchen-scullery-wash and bake house-cellar- 5 bedrooms-out buildings comprising butchers shop and slaughter house- stables-cowshed and 3 acres suitable for building or market garden- frontage of 400ft-fully licenced. For sale at the Rose and Crown, Sudbury on April 28th at 3 o'clock. Sold to Mr Wells of Glemsford for £ 700.

May 3rd 1881

George Chinery from Foxearth was charged with stealing a pair of gloves from Edward Mortlock at the Bull Inn, Cavendish. Walter Chambers " said I live at Pentlow and saw defendant come into the Bull, he pulled a pair of gloves off and laid them on the table, I saw him leave and called him back and said you have left your gloves". Dismissed.

May 10th 1881

As a severe thunderstorm passed over Clare dense smoke could be seen and it was expected a message would soon be received for the fire brigade at Clare and the horses were prepared but no message came. Two empty cottages at Ovington had burnt down and for some unexplained reason two cottages adjoining which were occupied were also burnt down at 7-30 next morning.

May 17th 1881

As an engine was being drawn by three horses belonging to Messrs Ward and Silver the iron founders from their farm at Bridge Street, Melford, when by some means the horses were started near the Hare Inn,, they dashed down the hill and near Claypit pond they took to the green, upsetting the engine which turned over on to a horse, the horse was killed immediately.

May 24th 1881

At Bury corn market-white wheat 44-55s a quarter-red wheat 35-40s. Beans, 35-41s. Peas-36-40s. Pigs, 7s 6d a stone. Supply of fat beasts small.

May 31st 1881

On Sunday 100s of people assembled on Clare market hill to hear Joseph Arch the President of the Labourers Union preach.

June 14th 1881

At Sudbury County Court, Charles Butcher a brewer of Ballingdon brought an action against Joseph Sillitoe of the beerhouse Borely Green for £ 6-9s-8d. Defendant said he could not pay as he was put into the house by his son, he had got a horse and cart but they did not belong to him. He had only got a small outdoor licence and sold very little beer as Borley was a small and poor parish, altogether he owed £ 80-£ 90. To pay 4s a month.

July 19th 1881

For Sale-Church Farm, Clare. In occupation of Joseph Deeks at a rental of £ 405 per annum. 282 acres 3 rods 30 perches with six cottages. Withdrawn at £ 5000.

July 19th 1881

Joseph Gooch landlord of the Oak Inn, Sudbury, was charged with keeping his house open on Sunday afternoon after permitted hours and attempting to bribe P.C.Alfred Sharpe. P.C.Sharpe said he went to the defendants house through the back gate in to defendants house and saw 11 men in the taproom drinking, he drew Gooch's attention to this and asked him to account for it, defendant said they were drovers, the witness then gave the names of the people there saying they came from Gt Waldingfield, Bulmer, Newton and Gt Cornard, Gooch asked him if he would like a glass of ale which he accepted in good faith. Gooch said that a cattle train was leaving Sudbury that afternoon at four o' clock for London, the drovers were hot and dusty. William Carter a shepherd from Gt Cornard and Job Chaplin of Gt Waldingfield were charged with drinking after hours. Charges withdrawn.

August 9th 1881

When men went to fetch a horse out of a meadow in Edwardstone on a farm occupied by Mr James Lord, they found a horse gored to death by a bull, the horse together with other horses which had been grazing with the cattle. The horse was lying near the gate with its body ripped open and its entrails protruding, no-one saw the bull kill the horse but there was no doubt he was the culprit as there was blood on his horns. The bull was killed.

August 16th 1881

At a trial of sheaf binding machinery near Derby it was found that when it is at work with two men attending it and four horses to pull it, its work compared to 12 men with scythes and 8 men tying up the sheaves. In 1879 a wire tying machine made by King and Bomford cut and tied 30 acres on a Gloucestershire farm. The Wood string binder from America was introduced the same year. The Gold medal went to M'Cormick Harvester with a string binder.

August 23rd 1881

We regret the death of Mrs Walter Poley in the south of France. She was the daughter of the Rev J.S.Hallifax rector of Groton. Her grandfather was a member of the London banking house of Glynn, Hallifax and Mills and at one time lived at Cavendish afterwards purchasing Chadacre Hall. Mrs Poley was connected to the Poley's of Boxted Hall.

September 6th 1881

The artificial manure works situated near the railway station at Melford for sale. Bought by Mr F.Cameron.

September 6th 1881

Thomas Brown, Jacob Chatters and Abner Gridley of Glemsford were summoned for braking a fence in a field near Scotchford wood. Defendants came there to stone rabbits and game when they came out of the wood. James Oakley and Charles Howard of Glemsford were charged with same offence. 7s 6d with 3s 11d costs.

September 6th 1881

a labouring man named Hickford and living in Common street at Clare was robbed of £ 40 on Friday evening. He has never done any regular work and was at one time on parish relief.

September 20th 1881

To be sold by auction at Red House Farm, Little Yeldham, on instructions from Mr William Goodchild who's lease has expired. 16 valuable horses including three promising fillies by Mr Goodchild's noted " Young farmers's glory". 150 half bred ewes-30 swine- 11 guinea fowl-40 Michaelmas geese-250 poultry-grinding machine which will grind 50 coombs a day-mole plough-horse works-chaff cutter-Boby's barley screen-2 road waggons-harvest waggons-horse rake-horse hoe-3 tumbrils-5 sets of harness-4 sets of thiller gear-carriages etc.
September 27th. The sale will not now take place as the incoming tenant has taken all on valuation.

October 11th 1881

Funeral of Lieut.Col.Plunket Burke of 8th Hussars and the Aubries, Bulmer, took place in front of 3000 persons in Bulmer churchyard. Followers included the male and domestic staff of the household and the numerous body of labourers from the estate.

October 11th 1881

There was an inquest at Glemsford on the body of Emma Copsey the five year old daughter of Samuel Copsey who is at present in gaol. In order to maintain her family, Mrs Copsey has to go to work in the fields, she has eight children. She asked a neighbour to keep an eye on the children and left for work as usual after telling the children to keep a small fire going, at 11 she returned and found the child badly burnt, she died in the afternoon at 2-30. Accidental death.

January 17th 1882

The will of Lieut.Col.Burke has been proved by his brothers Walter St George Burke and Francis Burke. He bequeathed his personal estate of £ 20000, all the plate and pictures, furniture, carriages, horses and cattle, farming stock and crops to his brother Walter St Geo.Burke.

January 24th 1882

There was an inquest on William Bullock aged 59 of Cavendish who cut his throat with a razor. He was found in the water closet on his knees by Charles Mortlock. Suicide.

January 31st 1882

On Saturday next an important sale of live and dead stock at Burnt House Farm, Hartest. 12 powerful horses, mares and geldings-2 road waggons-2 harvest waggons-Hornsby reaper-threshing machine with horse works etc.

February 7th 1882

William Baldry a portable engine driver employed by Mr Lord of Acton was brought up in custody charged with stealing two rabbits the property of James Lumley who said I live at Newman's Green, Acton, I missed the rabbits, the two skins produced by Inspector Farthing are off my rabbits. 3 months hard labour.
February 21st 1882, Samuel Wright of Melford was charged with causing malicious damage. Henry Golding Deeks said " I farm at Cuckoo Tye, Acton, I heard a report of a gun in the back of my cart lodge, afterwards my man brought me a dead hen valued at 2s 6d, two men ran to the fence and jumped over and ran away". Charles Pleasance said he was stockman to Mr Deeks and recognised defendant. 1 month.

March 7th 1882

The Fox and Goose, East Street, Sudbury, has been bought by Mr A.Spring for £ 150.

March 7th 1882

There was an inquest on James Sharman aged 42 and was butler to General Darvell of Acton Place. He was driving a pony and cart in Melford when the bit gave way and the animal bolted down Fitch Lane.
Deceased jumped from the cart and landed on his head, he died that evening. The pony and cart were found overturned in the Hall Mill stream. Accidental death.

March 7th 1882

On Monday afternoon a porter at Melford station named Baker was shunting trucks when he slipped down as the passenger train to Bury was passing and the wheels passed over him. He leaves a wife and one child.

March 7th 1882

At a meeting in the church school room at Wickhambrook under the presidency of the Rev Harrison, the wish was expressed that a cricket club be formed. Officers of the club-captain and secretary, Rev Harrison-treasurer, V.Dennis-committee- Chickall, Jillings, Woolard, Carter, Frost, Ringer, and W.Savage. With such a staff of officers we forecast a pleasnt and enjoyable season for the club and we hope to record many victories.

March 21st 1882

The first annual general meeting of Sudbury Cricket Club was held at the Four Swans with a capital attendance of members.
President Mr A.White-Mr H.Baker treasurer-J.E.Hills captain.

March 21st 1882

The death of the American poet Henry Longfellow in New York is reported. He was attacked by diarrhoea and left with inflamation.

April 4th 1882

A young man named James Salmon aged 24 who was employed by Mr L.H.Graham of Elmswell as a shepherd's page met his death on Saturday morning. At about 11-30 on Friday night William Wilby the shepherd locked the hut and left the key as usual where deceased could find it, the lambing being over Wilby did not return to the hut but went to assist another shepherd, in the meantime Salmon who used to sleep in the hut occasionally, returned there from the " Crown" where he had been spending the evening drinking, he had been accompanied by a man named Farrow who was the last to see him alive. At about 2-30 in the morning the hut was seen to be on fire, some men went to the spot and found the hut almost entirely consumed. The body of the deceased was pulled away from the remains of the hut terribly burned and disfigured and quite dead. The dog had been tied up in it's kennel under the hut. Accidental death with no evidence of criminal neglect.

April 25th 1882

On Tuesday last men employed by Mr Turner of Basset's Farm at Acton were chaff cutting with steam power when the driver, a man named Lambert from Lavenham got his hand in the machinery and was lacerated and fearfully mangled. He was taken to St Leonards's Hospital.

April 25th 1882

On Saturday afternoon a young lady staying with the Rev Fisher of Lyston rectory had a sad mishap. It appears that Mr Ward of Foxearth had ridden in to the rectory yard on horseback and was in the rectory doing business with Mr Fisher. The young lady with Mr Fisher's children untied the horse and got on it, the horse went on to the road with the young lady on it's back and she fell off with one foot still in the stirrup and was dragged along the road for 20 yards when she was fortunately released with cuts and bruises.

May 9th 1882

As Mr J.Crisp of Belchamp St Pauls, accompanied by Mr Chinery and Mr Bowman left the Swan Inn at Clare, they were driving rather quickly and on turning the sharp corner leading to Nethergate street the vehicle was upset and the occupants thrown out. Messrs Bowman and Chinery were severely injured but are now recovering.

June 13th 1882

An inquest was held at the Red Lion, Leavenheath, on the body of a female child which was found in a pond. Mr J.Bloomfield a farmer said on Thursday morning I was going across Kingsel Lane when passing a pond I saw something in the pond, I got a hoe and found it was an female infant with a gash across its throat. Murder by persons unknown. July 4th 1882. Elizabeth Murrels a domestic servant in the employ of the Rev Acland the headmaster of the Royal Grammar school in Colchester was charged with the murder of an infant.

July 25th 1882

On Friday morning men employed in the scutching shed at the flax mills at Melford were alarmed by an outbreak of fire in the shed. They quickly got out a hand fire engine and were successful in stopping the spread of the flames. The floss from the flax hangs thick and loose in the shed and it is supposed sparks from the machinery was the cause. Damage of £ 50 was caused but was quickly made good so that hands will not loose to many days.

July 25th 1882

At the Guildhall magistrates court in London, John Cockerton a gamekeeper form Cavendish, employed by Mr J.S.Garret, and John Richardson a dealer and butcher from Clare were charged with sending bad meat to London. It appears that there was a great storm on the 19th of April and a shed was knocked down killing a bullock, it was allowed to lie there for several days not having been bled, Richardson had purchased the carcase and Cockerton had sent it to London in a hamper. Cockerton dismissed and Richardson fined £ 10 with 3 guineas costs.

August 1st 1882

The beerhouse known as Hundon Red House for sale with 11 acres of arable land with a bakers and grocers shop attached. Knocked down to Mr Webb from Stradishall for £ 600.

August 8th 1882

The Rev John Nicholl, a coloured clergyman preached a service on missionary work in Sierra Leone in All Saints church at Sudbury.

August 15th 1882

As Mrs Grimwood of the White Horse was crossing the market hill in Sudbury when she was attacked by a bullock and knocked down. One of the bullock's horns went through her glove, the bullock belonged to Mr Arthur Spring a butcher.

August 29th 1882

A fire broke out at Kitchen Farm, Bulmer, when two haystacks of about 30 tons were destroyed. Sudbury Fire Engine prevented injury to other sheds. Mr Richard Keeble is the occupier and the fire is thought to be from overheating.

August 29th 1882

The " Goose" Croft bread was given away at Clare church on Thursday morning. The gift arises from the rental of a field known as Goose Croft and is distributed amongst the poorest people.

September 5th 1882

Brush Electrical Company installed five electric lamps in Sudbury, one was placed on the centre of the Market Hill, one opposite Station Road, one in Sepulchre Street, one near the fountain at St Peter's church and one near ?. The dynamo machine was worked by a steam engine, the streets were thronged with people on Saturday and Sunday night, many from nearby parishes, the experiment was very sucessful except for flickering from one lamp.

October 10th 1882

Fitch and Son have been instructed by the executors of the late Mr William Carter to sell by auction the live and dead stock upon Wakes Hall and Hole farm, Belchamp St Pauls, that on Wood Barn farm is not included as the executors have decided to carry on the same.
13 horses well adapted for London work-chestnut pony-donkey-80 swine- carriage-implements-2 road waggons-4 harvest waggons-10 tumbrils-2 reaping machines-mower-2 Smith drills-10 ploughs-9 sets cart trace-14 plough trace-6 thil horse gear etc.

October 10th 1882

On Monday evening some persons entered the premises of Mrs Ruse, the butcher at Melford with presumably the intention of stealing fowls. Mr Ruse said on hearing a noise he got out of bed and went with a lad into the yard and saw two men running away, he called to them to stop or he would shoot, he then shot in the air and soon overtook one of the men who he took to the police station. The other man escaped but is known.

October 17th 1882

James Salter who is known as " Spider" a labourer of Melford was brought up in custody charged with entering the premises of Charles Ruse a butcher of Hall Street, Melford, for unlawful purposes.
The prosecutor said he was going upstairs to bed at about 11-30 when he heard a noise in the yard, he opened the window and heard whispering, he took a loaded gun and rushed out, he fired the gun but did not touch the visitors, he chased two men across his meadow and Mr Ward's meadow but captured only one of the men who he escorted to the police station. He had five fowls on the premises. 21 days as he had already been in detention for one week.

October 31st 1882

Alber Whittle a tailor of Melford was charged with being suspected with another who has already been convicted of being on the premises of Mr Ruse at Melford. Mr Mumford said his went voluntary to the police. £ 10 bail.

October 31st 1882

Extention of time for the cricket club dinner was allowed at Cavendish White Horse.

October 31st 1882

Inquest at the Five Bells, Great Cornard on a young man named Robert Rewse who died the previous day from falling off a waggon. Robert Bryant said the previous day deceased and himself went to Melford for some malt coombs, they stopped at the blacksmith's to ask about some irons, when they went on he called to deceased and the blacksmith's boy called " he is under the waggon", deceased did not speak and died in a few minutes. In reply to the Coroner, witness said they only had three pints of beer each and neither of them was " fresh". Mr Prigg the employer said that he was a good lad and never took too much.
Accidental death.

November 14th 1882

Albert Whittle a tailor of Melford appeared on bail on charge of attempting to steal fowls, the prisoner walked very lame.
Henry Ruse said, I live with my mother, on October 2nd I was in bed when I heard fowls cackle, I called to my apprentice, I took my gun and went outside, I saw two men running away, I called to them to stop or I would shoot, I fired, I did not put my gun to my shoulder, it was loaded with No 5 shot. In answer to Mr Mumford defending, I did not aim, I fired to make them stop, I cannot say if the trousers now produced are the same as the man had on, there are shot holes in them and blood. The bench said there was no doubt about the case. 2 months hard labour.

December 5th 1882

For sale by auction at Great Cornard Hill Farm, five minutes from Sudbury station. The small herd of pure bred Jersey and Guernsey cows by the directions of Mr John Brickwell who is leaving the area upon the premises of Alderney Dairy Company.

December 26th 1882

There was an excellent supply of meat at Melford for Christmas. Mr Segers had a prize ox from Bury St Edmunds weighing 112 stones and three shorthorns from the same place, with two others fattened by himself at 70 stone each and several fat sheep. Mr Ruse had three splendidly fed beasts from Old Buckenham sale and one from Ipswich sale with a Southdown sheep from his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales weighing 20 stone and several others. Mr Allen had four good beasts and a bountiful supply of mutton and a fat hog from Mr Ardley, several jointers and a large supply of poultry.