Newspaper Transcripts
Local Newpaper Extracts
Some Selected Reports from the Devizes and Wiltshire Gazette
Thursday, April 4th, 1833
Marshfield Roads.
Turnpike Tolls to be Let by Auction
Notice is hereby given, that the Tolls as they are now ordered to be taken by the Trustees arising on the Marshfield Turnpike Road, leading from Chippenham Bridge, in the county of Wilts, to the top of Toghill, in the county of Gloucester, at the several Gates called the Folly Gate, Ford Gate, and the Marshfield East and West Gates, and Side Bars, will be Let by Auction, to the best bidder, at the house of Henry Allen, being the Catherine Wheel Inn, Marshfield, on Tuesday the 23d day of July next, between the hours of 11 o'clock in the forenoon, and 3 o'clock in the afternoon, for the term of One Year, in the manner directed by the several acts of parliament for regulating turnpike roads; which tolls produced the last year the sum of �739 4s 4d above the expenses of collecting them, and will be put up at that sum; whoever happens to be the best bidder must at the same time pay one month in advance (if required) of the rent at which such Tolls may be let, and give security with different sureties to the satisfaction of the trustees of the said turnpike road for payment of the rent agreed for, at such times as they shall direct.
Audley Harvey, Clerk to the Trustees of the said Marshfield Road
Office, Broad-street, Bath, 20th June, 1833.
Hungerford, Berks.
The Misses Lidderdale, beg to inform their friends and the public in general that it is their intention to Open a Ladies Boarding and Day School, after the present Midsummer vacation; and hope by unremitted attention to the welfare and improvement of their pupils, they shall secure the satisfaction of those parents who may entrust them with the care of their children.
The School will open on Wednesday the 17th July.
To be Let, and entered on at Michaelmas next, the Dwelling House, and Premises now in the occupation of Mrs.Jones, situate in the parish of Stratton, Wilts, between Highworth and Swindon, consisting of a Dwelling House containing Sitting Room, Parlour, four Bed-rooms, 2 Attics, Pantry, Brewhouse, Dairy, and Woodhouse, Malt-house, Barn and Stable. Flower and Kitchen Gardens, young Orchard, and about 3 Acres of Good Land.
For particulars, apply at the House.
West of England
Fire and Life Insurance Company
Chief Office, Exeter.
Office in London, 20, Bridge-street, Blackfriars.
Persons insured against Fire to the extent of �300, and upwards, will be entitled to a Share of Half the Profits, derived from Fire Insurances, every Fifth year :-
Life Insurances are also effected on the approved plan of giving to those Insured for �100 and upwards, a Share in the Profits, which may be added to the sum insured and payable therewith, or applied in reductions of the Annual Premiums.
Rates and Conditions may be had of the Agents,
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| C.F.Sartain | Devizes |
| Geo.Sutton, Solicitor | Andover |
| West Awdry, Solicitor | Chippenham |
| John Cochrane | Melksham |
| G.Diblee, Solicitor | Newbury |
| Thos.Harrison, Jun. | Hindon |
Birth
June 24, at Westbury, Wilts, the wife of Mr.Shorland, surgeon, a daughter.
Married
This morning at Market Lavington, by the Rev.George Rogers, vicar, the Rev.Edw.Ludlow, of Norton St.Philip's, Somerset, to Bridget Anne Legge, eldest daughter of Thos.Fowle, esq., of the former place.
June 25, at Binfield, Berks, Francis Pigott, esq., eldest son of Payton Piggott, esq., of Archer lodge, in the county of Southampton, to Frances Phillips, 2d daughter of the late Lieut.General Sir Francis Wilder, of the Manor House, Binfield, Berks.
On Thursday last, at Salisbury, James Francis Prescott, esq., of Foley street, Portland-place, London, to Eliza, only daughter of Thomas Titterton, esq. R.N., of Salisbury.
Lately, at Trowbridge, Mr.John Diplock, to Miss Celia Vine, 2d daughter of Mr.Wm.Vine, of that place.
June 19, at Baverstock, Wilts, W.H.B.Earle, esq., of Holton, to Anne, daughter of the late Rev.N.Earle, of Swerford, Oxon.
Died
On Monday last, in the 80th year of his age, Mr.B.White, sen., formerly an eminent architect of this town.
The Rev.Archdeacon Macdonald concluded his visitation on Friday last; and the Rev.Archdeacon Clarke will conclude his visitation tomorrow - The charge of the venerable and pious men to their respective clergy, did honor to themselves, and to the church to which they belong.
On Tuesday last, Mr.Wm.Macdonald, son of the Rev.Archdeacon Macdonald, was admitted a scholar of New College, Oxford.
We this week insert another letter from one of the Westbury labourers, who emigrated to Canada; which, (like those we have previously inserted) tends to shew, that in that country, every one who is inclined, may get work, and live in comfort. Emigration is now looked to as the principal remedy of the poor law evils. The allotment system continues to be promoted; but those who ought to be best acquainted with it, assure us that it is of very little service, otherwise than in Aid of employ. In order to keep to work the labourers last winter at Westbury, the farmers came to a resolution of employing the full number of men - that is, one man to every 30 acres of arable, one to 50 acres of pasture, and one to every 300 acres of down land; but after having done this, it was found, that there was no less than Two Hundred Heads of Families Out of Employment, and subsisting on the Parish funds. Those were set to work by a labour-rate, giving them no more than parish allowance. Three hundred men, women, and children, who were in the greatest state of poverty and misery, emigrated to Canada, where All of them have employment, and are living in affluence. Two hundred acres of land are rented by the poor in small portions, at low rentals; but notwithstanding this, the poor rates in the above parish amount to the enormous sum of Eight Thousand Pounds Per Annum ! !, and little better, we regret to observe, can be said of any parish between Warminster and Chippenham. An important table will be found in another column, shewing the vast differences between the agricultural population of the North and South of England; and consequently , if they have sufficient labourers for agricultural purposes in the former, how greatly the latter is overburdened, and more particularly the county of Wilts, when the quantity of Down land is taken into consideration.
We continue to be favoured with a weekly visit from one of the ranters. During the whole of the time he was "holding forth" last night, some one, who had placed himself directly opposite to him, played various notes on the bugle. The Ranter, however, was not to be beaten in this way : he pitched his highest key, and fairly overwhelmed the notes of his musical opponent.
A few days since, a most excellent and exemplary clergyman in this neighbourhood, was performing the last sad duties over a body of a poor man; when , at the moment the coffin was about to be lowered it was discovered that the grave was neither wide or long enough for its admission. The sexton set about the necessary work; but being rather feeble, and very clumsy, the clergyman, with a kindness of heart which greatly soothed the feelings of the mourners, walked into the church, and having divested himself of his surplice, returned, took the spade from the sexton, and within a very few minutes (which otherwise would not have been done in half an hour) sufficiently enlarged the grave for its required purpose. The Rev.gent then again, put on the surplice, and finished the mournful obsequies in the most impressive manner.
The annual meeting of the Wilts Agricultural Society, will now not this year take place until the 23d and 24th days of July, in consequence of the Wilts assizes being fixed for the 3d week of this month - See Advertisement.
Four boys, the oldest not being more than 14 years of age, were apprehended in Devizes of Saturday evening last, on a charge of robbing a man named Jackson, an earthenware dealer, of Trowbridge, of 200 sovereigns. They were asking the driver of the mail, if he had room for them on the coach, just at the moment that the partner of Jackson, who had traced them from Trowbridge, came up, and immediately secured them - One of the boys was Jackson's son, and on being searched the sum of �1 15s was taken from his person, which he acknowledged he had stolen from his father, but positively denied that his father had been robbed of any thing else; and he also exculpated the other boys from participating in this theft. The father, however, who came shortly afterwards, solemnly declared that he had been robbed of 200 sovereigns, and that five or six locks had been broken open to get at them. The boys were committed to the Old Bridewell until Monday morning, when they were removed to Trowbridge; but as there was no evidence against either of them, with the exception of young Jackson; and as the father was not desirous of prosecuting his own son, they were all discharged. During the time our worthy Mayor was writing out their commitment to the Old Bridewell, some one had the hardihood to steal a jar of blacking from his worship's premises.
A lad named White, of Salisbury, terminated his existence on Saturday last by hanging himself. The deceased was in the employ of Mr.Parry of Minster-street; but his parents, who were in very distressed circumstances, being compelled on the above day to go to the work-house, the boy took it so much to heart, and dreading that one day he should be obliged to follow them put a period to his years in the way we have stated.
A farmer, of Melksham, who has retired from business for some years, after being absent from his home last Friday for a few hours, went to examine the cash which he kept in a cupboard in his house, and which he had not looked over for the last three months; when he missed about �200 in sovereigns; whilst nearly �150 in guineas and half-guineas, which were carefully put away with the sovereigns, were left !! Suspicion fell upon a niece, a girl of about 17 year of age; who has confessed to the fact of the theft, but has told many improbable stories of the way in which she disposed of her treasure.
Mr.Justice Alderson, who will come the Western Circuit as a senior Judge, graduated at Cambridge in 1809, where he obtained the high distinction of Senior Wrangler, and first Smith's Prizeman.
The General Quarter Sessions of the Peace for this county commenced at Warminster on Tuesday last, before Walter Long, esq. (in the chair) and numerous other Magistrates : among whom were Mr.C.L.Phipps, Mr.W.H.Ludlow, Mr.Ravenhill, Mr.Temple, Mr.H.Biggs, Mr.W.Fowle, jun., Mr.J.L.Phillips, Mr.Haynes, Mr.J.Everett, Lord Thynne, Dr.Seagram, the Rev.E.Duke, &c. - On the above day, the Rev.W.Fulford qualified as a county Magistrate. On Wednesday, Mr.T.B.Phipps (who was unable to attend on the preceding day) presided in the first Court, and Mr.Walter Long in the second. The following prisoners have been tried :-
Wm.Haines, for stealing a hammer, the property of the overseers of Calne - 7 years transportation; and also to be transported for a further 7 years, for stealing a spade, the property of Mr.John Giddings, at Calne.
Chas.Tuff, aged 17, John Tuff, aged 19, and Esther Tuff, aged 57, for stealing two prongs and other articles, the property of James Humphries of Purton - 6 months hard labour each.
John Beames, for stealing a chine of bacon at Collingbourne - 6 months.
John Lane, for stealing two silver forks, from the dwelling-house of Geo.Lawrence, esq., of Cowesfield - 7 years trans.
Thos.White, for stealing a waistcoat-piece, the property of Wm.Butcher of Warminster - 12 months hard labour.
Christopher Mattock, aged 21, and Robert Mattock, aged 67, the former for stealing two bank notes and four sovereigns, and a half-sovereign, the property of Geo.Colman, at West Coulstone:- Christopher to be transported for 7 years, and Robert to be imprisoned 6 months to hard labour.
Davis Box, for embezzling 15s, the property of Joseph Tomkins, at Christian Malford - 6 months.
Maria Carter, for stealing ribbon at Malmesbury - 3 months.
Isaac and John Wilcox, for stealing mown grass from Monkton Deverell; and John Barrett, for stealing a saw at Stratton St.Margaret - 3 months hard labour each.
At our Borough Sessions on Monday last, before T.Biggs, esq. (the Mayor) W.H.Ludlow, esq. (the Recorder) and T.H.Estcourt, esq. (the Justice) - Ann Farr, charged with stealing some calico from the shop of Mr.Smallbones, and Ann Cuthry, charged with stealing some calico from the shop of Mr.Fox, severally pleaded guilty : and were sentenced to three months hard labour each : the Court remarking, that the offence was a very serious one, and but for the good character they had previously borne, the punishment would have been much more severe. - At the same Sessions, Hester Raymond and Ann Wheeler, were found guilty of assaulting Mrs.Lane, the wife of the supervisor of Excise, and sentenced to two months imprisonment in the county gaol - to pay a fine of 1s. - and to find securities to keep the peace for a year themselves in �20 and a surety in �10.
Between eleven and twelve o'clock on Tuesday night last, some wretch set fire to a hay-rick and a peas-rick, the property of Mr.Alexander of Uphaven. Prompt assistance, and the fortunate circumstance of there being but little wind at the time, prevented the flames from extending to the premises, and to the other ricks in the yard; otherwise the mischief would have been considerable.
Archery
On Tuesday last the Hill District of the Society of West Berkshire United Archers, held their first target day for the season, at Benham Park. There was a good attendance of members and their friends, amounting to 130, among whom we noticed many members of several old established societies. The day was very fine, and particularly adapted to the enjoyment of the noble and elegant science of archery. A Deputation from the Toxopholite Society, consisting of Sir Alexander Malet, bart., Captain Norton, and Mr.Barnard, came down from London, expressly for the purpose of presenting the freedom of their association to the West Berks Archers, a most flattering mark of distinction conferred by the oldest and most renowned Society of Archers upon one of such recent formation - and honor not before bestowed by the Toxopholites upon any other Archery Society within the last 50 years. In return, the freedom of the West Berks Archery Society was voted to the Toxopholites by acclamation.
Supposed Child Murder
Early on Monday morning the body of a fine full grown female infant, apparently born within a few hours previously, was found in a garden adjoining the turnpike road at Melksham. It appeared to have been thrown over the hedge, and was wrapped in three aprons. The body was removed to the workhouse, to await the Coroner's inquest. Suspicion attaches to a strange young woman, who called at a farm house near where the body was found, about 9 o'clock on Sunday night, soliciting charity, and who, from her perculier situation, was generously relieved with food, and money with which to procure a lodging. She was afterwards seen in the company of a man and another woman, but on inquiry it does not appear that the parties lodged in the place. The parish authorities are on the alert, and have searched the road from Melksham to Bath and to Marlborough; but without effect. The body of the infant bears the marks of violence, as if it had been strangled; there is also a wound on the head.
Committed to the House of Correction, Devizes.
Jeremiah Harris, James Rudman, Thomas Webb, James Webb, James Sheppard, and Wm.Sheppard, for one month each, for assaulting and beating John Hiscocks and another, in the parish of Bradford. - Thomas Harding, for three months, for leaving his family chargeable to the parish of Hindon. - Edward Box, for one month, for maliciously damaging a cart, the property of Alexander Wilkins, of Bradford.- John Humphries, for three months, for leaving his family chargeable to the parish of Bradford.
The following Table shews the number of acres in the several counties of England to every able bodied agricultural labourer; and if in the Northern counties there exists a sufficiency of labourers, it proves how greatly the Southern counties are over peopled; and in this county, where there is so large a proportion of Down land, together with so dense a manufacturing population, the pressure becomes infinitely greater.
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| Counties | Acres to every able bodied agricultural labourer. | Counties | Acres to every able bodied agricultural labourer. |
| Bedford | 23 | Lincoln | 41 |
| Berks | 27 | Middlesex | 18 |
| Bucks | 25 | Monmouth | 40 |
| Cambridge | 30 | Norfolk | 32 |
| Chester | 29 | Northampton | 30 |
| Cornwall | 29 | Northumberland | 93 |
| Cumberland | 70 | Nottingham | 33 |
| Derby | 36 | Oxford | 25 |
| Devon | 38 | Rutland | 33 |
| Dorset | 38 | Salop | 37 |
| Durham | 66 | Somerset | 26 |
| Essex | 24 | Stafford | 32 |
| Gloucester | 31 | Suffolk | 26 |
| Hampshire | 35 | Surrey | 30 |
| Hertford | 20 | Sussex | 31 |
| Hereford | 31 | Warwick | 30 |
| Huntingdon | 31 | Westmoreland | 78 |
| Kent | 26 | Wilts | 31 |
| Lancaster | 40 | Worcester | 27 |
| Leicester | 33 | York | 49 |
| North and South Wales | 49 | | |
Emigration. (From one of the Westbury Emigrants.)
The subjoined letter (inserted at the request of a Magistrate of the county) shows how easily the miserable and starving situation of our peasantry may be exchanged for one of plenty and comparative affluence.
Upper Canada, April 4th, 1832.
Dear Mother, Brothers, and Sister - I now sit down to write to you, hoping that these lines will find you in good health, as it leaves me at present. I am at a long distance from you, but I hope that the Lord Almighty does provide for you as he does for me. I am happy, and I hope that no one does grieve for me for I am provided for, so that I never sit down to a table, but I have plenty of meat, and every thing I want. I could wish to give what I have to spare to my poor fellow sufferers, who used to stand with me in Mr.Cousen's tables. I have never known the want of a good belly full, dear brothers. Benjamin Blake is living at the tavern now, and so is my son Thomas. I have been to see them this winter, and they do get on very well; I got them a place of service before I left them. I live at a place about 100 miles from them, and have 18 shillings a week, and all my board and lodging, and washing found for me. I mean to keep myself single, on account of having such a bad partner as I had; but I hope, dear brothers, that will never be your lot as it was mine. I should wish for you to let me know all the news in your next letter, for I hear that it is very bad at home. I hope you will let me know how my old neighbours do get on; as for me, and Blake, and young Tom, you would not know us now, we are got so stout, and I live so well. My master likes me, and he is not above his servants, nor the servants above their master. I should like to take a bottle of rum with you , dear brothers; I have got one or two in my room. Come when you will, we can give you every thing the country can afford. If you want a tree or two. I can give you a hundred for fire wood, for cutting them down. Tell Highbone, [a man named Holloway at Westbury,] that he ought to be here with me, for pork is very plenty. Give my love to James Newman, and Barker, and their father, and Thomas Cox, and Richard and Philip Suddery, and tell Lord Frog [another man at Westbury] that if he was here I could give him a good tuck of it. My love to Mr.Cousans [Lopez Arms] I return him thanks for letting me stop in his tap room, and likewise to old Moses, his ostler, Sam, and tell all the others that I am well. I had fine fun on the passage with all of them. I hope my sister Anne is well, I could help her if she was here; I hope she don't grieve for me, for I can live any where. Every man that will work can live here - you have no occasion to work in the winter, if you don't like it. I have not wanted for a day's work since I have been in the country; they do pay a man according as he do work, so I don't tell no lies. A shoemaker does well here, and so do a tailor. James and Samuel, dear brothers, I have an offer made to me by two women to marry, and each of them have a fortune and 200 acres of land; so my boys I have a fine time now, as well as that harlot of mine in Bath; I hope she will come to want before she departs this life, for serving me so bad as she did. I hope it will be a warning to you both, and so I now conclude, your ever loving brother.
Thomas Foster
P.S. - My love to my mother, tell her I am very happy, and hope she is the same.
To be Let, and entered on immediately, "Prospect House," delightfully situated on the Brow of the Hill, at the entrance to Devizes from Bath, possessing beauties rarely to be equalled. May be seen by permission of the occupier; and for terms, apply, if by letter, post-paid, to Mr.Bannister, Warminster; or Mr.Henry Knight, Auctioneer, Devizes.
Dwelling House
To be Let, and entered upon at Michaelmas next, a small comfortable House, situate at Allcannings, near Devizes; containing two Parlours, Kitchen and Brewhouse, Cellar, &c., with four good sized Bed-rooms, excellent Garden, and Meadow of more than an Acre; Coach-house and Stable. - Rent twenty pounds a year. Particulars may be had of Mr.Clift, Woodborough, if by letter post paid; and for a sight of the Premises, apply to Mr.Tugwell, of Allcannings.
Melksham, Wilts.
To be Sold by Auction, by Mr.Giller, at the Bear Inn, Melksham, on Monday the 8th day of July, 1833, at 4 o'clock in the afternoon, unless previously disposed of by Private Contract, of which notice will be given (subject to such conditions, as will be then and there produced) all the Close, Piece, or Parcel of Land, and Premises, containing by estimation half an acre (more or less) situate in the Tything of Woodrew, in the parish of Melksham aforesaid, and now in the occupation of Edward Spencer. The above Close and Premises are held by lease under Walter Long, esq., for term of 99 years, determinable on the decease of 2 healthy lives, at an annual quit rent, and are excellently situated for Building, being adjoined to the High-road.
To view the above property, apply to the Tenant, and for further particulars, and to treat for purchase, at the offices of Mr.Slade, Solicitor, Devizes, (if by letter post paid).
Melksham, July 2nd, 1833.
Whereas I have falsely and maliciously accused Mr.George Joyner of having participated in a Felony committed by me : I do hereby declare that he never counselled, aided, or abetted me therein; that I am very sorry for having so accused him, and hereby humbly beg his pardon.
Mary Butler.
Witness, W.Fox.
Wiltshire Society
For the Encouragement of Agriculture, &c.
The Committee for the Superintendence will hold their next Meeting on Tuesday the 23d day of July, at the Bear Inn, Devizes, at twelve o'clock at noon, for the purpose of arranging the Business of the Annual General Meeting, which will be holden at the Bear Inn, Devizes, on the next day (Wednesday July 24th,) at eleven o'clock in the forenoon, when the Exhibition of Stock will take place.
Claims for Premiums for Stock must be made in writing to the Secretary on the day before the Annual Meeting; and Claims for Bounties or Premiums for Servants before two o'clock in the afternoon of that day.
Certificates respecting Stock must be delivered to the Secretary on the day before the Annual Meeting, and every Candidate for a Premium for Stock must, on or before the morning of the Annual Meeting, deliver an account, in writing, to the Secretary (sealed up) of the nature, age, and pedigree of his Stock, and (in case of fat cattle) of the sort of food on which it has been fed, and which accounts must be marked with a mark corresponding to one of the Stock exhibited.
All Stock intended to be shown, must be brought into the Show Field before ten o'clock in the morning, and must remain there till four o'clock in the afternoon, and (with the exception of fat cattle) must have been the property of the Exhibitor for at least one year before the day of exhibition. All Premiums and Bounties will be paid or delivered at the Annual Meeting, and the Members are, therefore, respectfully requested to pay their Subscriptions before that day.
Printed Lists of the Premiums offered, may be had of Mr.John Harrison, Devizes; or of the Secretary, at Barford.
Charles Nicholson, Secretary.
Barford, July 4th, 1833
Westbury Turnpike
Notice is hereby given, that the Tolls arising at the following Gates, upon the said Turnpike Road, will be Let to Farm, to the best bidder, at the Lopez Arms Inn, in Westbury, on Monday the fifth day of August next, in the forenoon, under conditions to be then and there produced, and in the manner directed by the Act passed in the third year of the reign of his late Majesty King George the Fourth, "For regulating Turnpike Roads," which Tolls produced the last year the several sums under-mentioned, and will be put up at the said respective sums. - Whoever happens to be the best bidder, must at the same time pay one month in advance of the rent at which such Tolls may be let, and give security with sufficient sureties to the satisfaction of the Trustees of the said Turnpike Roads, for payment of the rest of the money monthly.
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| Yarnbrook Gates | 288 |
| Bratton Pound Gates, with the Side-gates at Bratton | 101 |
| Warminster Lane Gates, with Side-gate at Holme's Lane | 182 |
| Leigh Gates, with the Side-gate at Penleigh Lane | 173 |
| Clivey Gate, with the Side-gates at Dilton Marsh | 43 |
Stephen Brown
Clerk to the Trustees, of the said Turnpike Roads.
Leigh, July 1, 1833.