Some Selected Reports from the Salisbury and Winchester Journal
Monday, March 21st, 1757
Salisbury, March 14.
At our Assizes for the County of Wilts, which ended Wednesday Evening, the four following Criminals were capitally convicted and received Sentence of Death, viz. Barnardo Varda an Italian, by Trade a Plaisterer, and John Philips, a Welchman[?] and Carpenter, for robbing the Rev.Mr. Samuel Collins, on the 15th of September last on the Plain, as he was going hence to Shaftesbury, of his Money, Horse and Portmanteau, to which they have both pleaded guilty. Daniel Swanborrow for feloniously entering the Dwelling House of Jane Rivers at Beeching-stoke, and stealing a Pair of Stays, an Apron and Shift. And, Edward Matthews, for stealing a Weather Sheep, the Property of William Matthews, which he confessed. Richard Hawkins, Ann his Wife, and Abraham Long, for murdering Jane Butcher of Dursly in Gloucestershire, were all acquitted; as were likewise John Taylor, for a Misdemeanour, George Martin, for Suspicion of stealing a Lamb, and Thomas Stallard for House-breaking. Henry Silly, for Suspicion of stealing a Pair of Silver Shoe Buckles and other things out of a Box and Chest of Drawers at the Lamb Inn in Warminster, was ordered to be Whipt. Matthews for Sheepstealing, the Judge was pleased to Reprieve for Transportation, and the other Three he has left for Execution.
William Plank from the Devizes Bridewell, a young Fellow about 24 Years of Age, for stealing a Gelding, with Bridle and Saddle, out of the Stable of W. Parker at Maiden Head, is to be carried to Reading to take his Tryal at the next Assizes, but his Life being in Danger, through a Mortification in both his Legs occasioned by some great Barbarities he underwent in Bridewell [...........] of, and employed Mr.John Tatum, Surgeon, as all other means were ineffectual, to take off both his Legs, which he readily consenting to, the Operation was performed on one of them Friday last, and when he is properly recovered, is to undergo the same on the other, which, together with the Cruelties he suffered in Bridewell, 'tis hoped, if he Lives to be tried; will be considered as Punishment very sufficient to atone for his Crime.
At this Assizes came to be Tried before Mr. Serjeant Hayward, who sat as Judge in the Nisi Prius Court, a remarkable Cause against the Post Master of Devizes, on Account of his Letter Carrier demanding and taking by his Order, over and above the Postage, a Penny of every Person each Time Letter were delivered without a Frank'd one[?]. When the Jury by Direction of the Court, found a Verdict for the Plaintiff, but left the Case Special in order that the Right of taking such Pence and Halfpence, may be determined by the Court of Kings Bench.
At Dorchester Assizes, which ended Saturday, Mary Cawdley, convicted of Felony, and Wm. Day of Petty Larceny, are ordered to be transported for 7 Years, Ann Welman for Petty Larceny to be Whipt, 6 for Sodimitical Practices, to remain for the Sessions, and 6 acquitted.
I Joshua Harward, Minister of Shrewton, in this County of Wilts, was afflicted with a Dropsy and Asthma for several Months, and had the Advice of several Physicians and Apothecaries, but found no Relief, and was given over by every Body as past all hopes of Recovery; but hearing of a Wonderful Cure performed by Mr. William Randoll, Apothecary of Sarum, on Mr.Hooper, who then kept the Three Lions; I applied to him, who in less than a Fortnight gave me such Relief, that I was able to do Duty at both my Churches, blessed be God, and am now in a very good state of Health.
Witness my Hand, Joshua Harward, Rector of Rolston, and Vicar of Shrewton.