Some Selected Reports from the Salisbury & Winchester Journal
Monday, March 15, 1773.
Salisbury, March 15.
On Thursday last John Tanner, Esq; was re-elected into the office of mayor of this city, by virtue of a Writ Mandamus from the Court of King's Bench, his former election being contrary to the charter.
The assize for this county ended here on Wednesday afternoon, when the eight following prisoners received sentence of death, viz. William Amor, for the wilful murder of Mr. John Dyke, of Manningford Bruce, Robert Long, George Ridgley, John White, Simon Draper, and Joseph Cook, for house-breaking, Thomas Jordan, for sheep-stealing; and Wm. Moss Pitt, for stealing a mare. Four were ordered to be transported for seven years; one burnt on the hand; one to be imprisoned one month; and 15 acquitted.
All the above were reprieved before the Judges left the city, except Amor, Long, and Ridgley; the former of whom will be executed tomorrow, on Pewsey-down, about a mile from the place where the murder was committed, and afterwards hanged in chains. The execution of Long and Ridgley is appointed for Tuesday the 23d instant. It appeared on the trial of these two, that their real names are Bartlett, and that they are father and son. - Amor has confessed every particular of the murder, and is perfectly resigned to his sentence; but the others are hardened beyond conception.