Hertfordshire Genealogy

Guide to Old Hertfordshire

 

Hertford Assizes

from Jackson's Oxford Journal

March 8th, 1800

 

Places

Old News

At Hertford Assizes on Tuesday last Wm. Criswell and James Burgess received sentence of death for a burglary in the dwelling house of Nathaniel Camp. It appeared on the trial, that the prosecutor, Camp, an old man, with his wife, resided in a cottage, near half a mile from Stansted; that it was generally understood about the country that he had acquired money, which he kept in his house, which is supposed to be the reason that induced the prisoners to select him to make their prey of; and accordingly on the night of the 19th of December last, when the prosecutor and his wife were in bed, they broke into the house, knocked him down with a large ashen stick, and cut him with a knife in the neck and across the calves of his legs; they also cut his wife through her stays and shift to the skin, and in the neck, threatening, with horrid imprecations, to finish them by cutting their throats, if they did not discover where the money was; and after searching the whole house without finding any money, took some spoons and other things, and set the old man in a chair, telling him he might sit and bleed to death. - They were ordered to be executed near the spot where the offence was committed.

Richard Waters, alias Munt, and Thomas Hill were convicted of a robbery at North Mims, on Mr. England, Steward to the Duke of Leeds, and taking from him £162 in Bank Notes.

Wm. Mathews, Wm. Embly, and Joseph England, were convicted of sheep stealing; and Samuel Freeman for stealing £60 in the dwelling house of Mr. Bigg of Kempton Mill.

Thomas Hill, Wm. Embley, Wm. Matthews, and Samuel Hill, were reprieved.

Four cases were tried at Nisii Prius, non of which were of much importance.

The following information comes from Transported beyond the Sea

William Embley (23) was sentenced to death for stealing and killing a ewe sheep worth £1 the property of John Lewin of Flamstead and a ewe sheep worth £1 the property of William Scribner, but the sentence was commuted to transportation for life.

Joseph England (35) was sentenced to death for stealing a wether sheep worth £2, the property of Thomas Lott of Watford, but the sentence was commuted to transportation for life.

Samuel Freeman (21) was sentenced to death for breaking and entering the house of Joseph Bigg of Kimpton, and stealing a waistcoat (10s), a pair of breeches (15s) the property of Thomas Bigg, a box (1s) and 40½ guineas and bank notes, the property of Joseph Bigg. The sentence was commuted to transportation for life.

Thomas Hill (39) was sentenced to death for highway robbery at North Mimms from William England for stealing bank notes (2 * £50, 2 * £20, 2 * 10, 1 * £2) and a canvas bag worth 2d, the property of the Most Noble George William Frederick, Duke of Leeds.  The sentence was commuted to transportation for life.

William Matthews (25) was sentenced to death for stealing a wether sheep worth 16s, the property of George Pigram of Therfield, but the sentence was commuted to transportation for life.

 

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