Newspaper Transcripts
Local Newpaper Extracts
Some Selected Reports from the Salisbury and Winchester Journal
Monday, December 13th, 1813
Mr.Medhurst returns his most grateful thanks to his numerous friends for their repeated enquires during his illness; and begs leave to inform them, he is able to resume the Duties of his Profession
Hurstbourne, Dec.8, 1813.
To Bakers and Others.
Wanted.- A number of active, Young Men, to learn the art of Biscuit Baking, to whom liberal encouragement will be given. Boys capable of performing Idleman's work will find constant and advantageous employ. - For particulars apply, personally (or if by letter, post-paid) to Joseph Hyde, Portsmouth.
Winchester, Dec.10, 1813.
The Creditors of Mr.John Cocks, late of the Wheat Sheaf Public House, are requested to send their respective accounts to J.Allen, at the Barley Mow Inn, on or before the 20th inst. in order that a dividend may be made of his effects for the benefit of his creditors.
Notice To Creditors.
All Persons having any Demands on Mr.George Richard Tiller, late of Damerham, but now of Quidhampton, Wilts, are desired to send the particulars thereof immediately to Mr.Oakford, solicitor, Salisbury, in order to their being examined and placed in a state of arrangement.
Silver Street, Dec.10, 1813.
Education
Endless-Street, Salisbury
Misses Masters and Blandy respectfully inform their Friends and the Public, that on the 17th of January next they purpose opening a Boarding-School for the instruction of Young Ladies; and hope that, by unremitting attention, they may secure the approbation of those parents who feel sufficient confidence to entrust them with the care of their children.
Dec 11. 1813.
Winchester,
Saturday, December 11.
On Saturday last the following persons were chosen constables of this city for the ensuing year : Mr.H.Dollor, Mr.J.Smith, Mr.Stubbington, and Mr.Earle.
At a general meeting of the Trustees of the Turnpike Roads, leading from this city to Southampton, Bishop's Waltham, and Stockbridge, held at the Sun Inn, on Tuesday last, Mr.Wm.Gradage was unanimously chosen Surveyor.
Saturday the 4th inst. died, at Andover, after a long confinement, Mrs.Ann Rout, aged 64.
Committed to the county gaol :- Hugh Flanagan, charged with assaulting Matthew Spranklin, on the King's highway, in the borough of Newport, and stealing from his person a silver watch; and Edward Vine, charged with stealing in the daytime, in the dwelling house of James Cobnut, at Brading, in the Isle of Wight, wearing apparel and other property.
Southampton, Dec.10.
The inhabitants of this place begin to feel the happy effects of the late abundant harvest : bread is reduced to 16d per gallon, the beer in several parts of the town is sold out of doors at 5d per quart; and we sincerely hope, for the sake of the poor, that before the inclement season sets in the several other articles of provision will sustain a proportionate fall.
Mr.Lloyd has contributed much to the amusement of the public since the departure of the company at the theatre, by the admirable arrangement of his Course of Astronomical Lectures, which closed on Wednesday last.
Salisbury.
Monday, December 13, 1813.
Mahon's Concert on Thursday was very numerously attended. Except at our triennial musical festivals we do not recollect ever to have seen so full a room. The efforts of the different performers, both vocal and instrumental, to gratify their audience, were eminently successful. Mr.and Mrs.Harrington were deservedly admired in the beautiful duet of "Dear Maid." But the most unbounded plaudits were bestowed on Mrs.Salmon. It is difficult to say in which of her performances she most excelled; the attention of the audience was riveted to her in all; but if we may be allowed to pronounce an opinion, we should say, that the execution, taste, and just conception of the composer's meaning, which she displayed in the song of "From mighty Kings," and in the beautiful air of "Softly sweet in Lydian measure" have never been surpassed by any female singer in the kingdom.
The Officers of the 3d Wilts Local Militia have unanimously offered to extend their services beyond the county, and to undertake, for a time to be limited, that duty hitherto performed by the regular militia.
The Rev.Henry John Richman, L.L.B. was last week instituted by the Bishop of Bristol to the Rectory of the Holy Trinity in Dorchester, with the Rectory and free Chapel of Frome Whitfield annexed, on the presentation of the Feoffees and Guardians of the Free School and Almshouse in Dorchester.
On the 2d inst. the University of Glasgow conferred the Degree of Doctor of Divinity on the Rev.Robert Hunter, Rector of Okeford Fitzpain, in the county of Dorset.
Mr.William Richards, late of the Medusa frigate, and son of the Rev.William Richards, of Little Cheverell, in this county, is promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in the Queen.
Earl Fitzwilliam, in his speech to the Peterborough, &c. troops of yeomanry last week congratulated them on the probability of things being shortly restored to their old order, in consequence of the brilliant successes of the Allies on the Continent; and his Lordship particularly alluded to the declension in the price of corn. - adding, that he should regulate his rents accordingly.
Tuesday the 30 ult. was married, Mr.Edwards, aged 76, to Miss Ann Jefferies, aged 18 ! both of Wanborough, in this county.
Monday last was married, Mr.William Wheeler, jun. of Road, to Mary Ann Fricker, youngest daughter of the late Mr.William Fricker, of Knock Farm.
Same day was married, at Gillingham , in the county of Dorset, Mr.T.Hedditch, of Silton, to Miss C.Burt, of the former place.
On Sunday morning the 5th inst.died, at Boreham, in this county, after a painful and lingering illness, Anne, the wife of Francis Dugdale Astley, of Everley House, Esq.
Monday last died, at her house in Warminster, in the 88th year of her age, Mrs.Webb, relict of Michael Webb, Esq. of the same place, and formerly of Baycliff House, near Maiden Bradley.
Monday last died, aged 17, Mary Ann Heywood, eldest daughter of Mr.Heywood, of this city. Her death was occasioned by a severe attack of typhus fever, which baffled the best medical aid, and in 48 hours carried off its amiable victim; the memory of whose virtues will be long cherished, and her loss deplored by her numerous acquaintance and inconsolable parents.
Wednesday last died, suddenly, in London, Mrs.Critchell, widow of the late Mr.Robert Critchell, of Dorchester.
Sham Parson and Finished Swindler
Tuesday, Thomas White, alias Richard Williamson, alias Richard Thomas, alias Wm.Whitfield, alias Wm.Whitmore, was committed to Glo[u]cester gaol, by J.M.Stephens, Esq. charged on the oaths of Job Thatcher, Thomas Tovey, and John James, gentlemen of Newnham, with forging the acceptance of Wm.Jennings, of No.3, Great Longford-street, Dublin, to a bill of exchange for �30 drawn upon him by the prisoner, in the name of "Thos.White," bearing date "Newnham, April 2, 1812," and made payable to the drawer. This bill, which was discounted by Mr.Thatcher, was refused payment; and inquires having been made respecting it, circumstances arose, out of which the present charge originated.- The prisoner is the person who, at the period of the bill being drawn, was officiating as curate at Newnham, under a feigned pretence of being possessed of the clerical function, but after continuing there some few weeks, he was suspected to be an impostor, and, on being pressed for his credentials, absconded, having, under his assumed character, (in which he gained great favour among the parishioners by a correct discharge of his duties) defrauded several of them of various sums of money, goods, &c. It would be difficult to trace this extraordinary character through the various disguises under which he has for several years been preying upon the public. After leaving Newnham, he went into Cornwall, and by similar pretences introduced himself into the curacy of the parish of Talland, near Looe, where he found his way into the first company, became very popular, and gained such especial favour in female society, that he married a young lady of respectable connexions; and having obtained possession of part of her property, he in a few days afterwards set off for London on very urgent business. Before the time fixed for his return had expired, the friends of the lady were surprised by finding the death of Mr.Williamson announced in one of the Cornwall papers. At first they concluded the printer had been imposed upon; but on further investigation , they discovered that the letter sent to the printer was in the hand-writing of Williamson himself ! His clerical habit, we presume, being "thread bare," he has latterly appeared genteelly dressed in coloured clothes, and has really a most prepossessing appearance and very engaging manners. Of late, he has been dashing about Bristol and Bath in a smart barouche and four, and th[r]ee servants in livery; and on
Saturday se'nnight he had the temerity to drive up to the King's Head, in Gloucester with his carriage, horses, and servants profusely decorated with orange ribbands, and reported, from Bristol, the news of an important victory obtained by Wellington over Soult, which turned out to be entirely devoid of truth. His carriage and horses have been claimed, and restored, to a person of Bristol, of whom they were hired. The prisoner was taken into custody on Monday the 29th ult. at Worcester, (through the spirited perseverance of Messrs.Tovey and James, solicitors, of Newnham), after having been pretty closely followed up for the last two months; in which period these gentlemen have prevented his marrying two unsuspecting females, one of whom, resident at Bristol, has been involved in the most poignant distress, the consequence of the delusion practised upon her. At first he denied any knowledge of the parties by whom he was apprehended : but their conviction of his identity rendered all denial vain, and he has since admitted that he is the person known at Newnham under the title of the Rev.Thos.White. He now asserts, that his real name is Richard Williamson, and that he is a native of Ashley, in this county. When his person was searched, about �150 in Bank of England �20 and �10 notes, was found upon him. Since his commitment, he has discharged some small debts contracted whilst at Newnham, with a liberality and profusion which either implies a dread of his fate or the extent of his means. Indeed, he says he is possessed of funded property to the amount of many thousands, and numbers of certificates of stock were actually found among his papers. The account of his imprisonment has brought many persons to see him, but he positively refuses an interview with any of them.
Swathling Society
For the Protection of Property and Prosecution of
Offenders.
Whereas, in the night of the 19th or 20th of November, some Person or Persons entered and feloniously Stole from a Cutter, belonging to Thomas Lewin, Esq. lying in the River Itchen, Six Bed-Sackings; and the same or some other person or persons, in one or other of the same nights, broke open the Boat-house of David Lance, Esq. lying by the side of the said River, and therefrom feloniously stole one Main-sail, one Fore-sail, and striped Cotton Sail; and whereas, of late, the Fences of certain Inclosed Lands, belonging to James Dott, Esq. of Bitterne Grove, have been maliciously much broken down and destroyed, - Now I do hereby give Notice that over and above the Rewards allowed by this Society, a Reward of Ten Guineas will be paid to any person, who shall give such information as will lead to the apprehension and conviction of the person or persons who committed either of the two offences first stated, and a Reward of Five Guineas upon the apprehension and conviction of the party guilty of the last mentioned offence.
John Barney, Solicitor.
E.Barrett, Watch and Clock Maker, Silversmith, &c.
respectfully informs his Friends and the Public of his having quitted his late Residence and opened a Shop in the High Street, near the Market Place. He has added considerably to his Stock of Plated and Japanned Goods, which he trusts on inspection will be found to be of superior quality.
E.B. avails himself of this opportunity to thank his Friends for the very liberal support he has experienced since he commenced his business, and hopes, by his assiduity to give satisfaction, he will ensure a continuance of their favours and recommendation.
Christchurch, Dec.11, 1813.