A Grim Almanac of Essex by Neil R. Storey

Author:Neil R. Storey
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780750954266
Publisher: The History Press
Published: 2013-08-31T00:00:00+00:00

A burning at the stake.

1 JULYOld Punishments: Burning at the Stake

It is a little known fact that far more women were burnt at the stake in England for petty treason than for witchcraft. At a time when every household represented the state in microcosm and operated on strict hierarchical lines, crimes such as plotting against or killing a master, or aiding and abetting a criminal to enter the house, were classed as petty treason (in contrast to high treason where the offence was committed against the head of the state) and were punishable by burning at the stake. (The punishment for high treason was to be hanged, drawn and quartered.) This horrible punishment was last carried out in Essex in July 1735 when Margaret Onion was burnt at the stake in Chelmsford for the murder of her husband.

2 JULY1846 The body of PC George Clark was discovered in a wheat field near Dagenham. His wounds and the trampled crops were ample evidence of the ferocious struggle that had resulted in his death. It appeared that he had been brutally assaulted with his own police-issue cutlass, which was found near his body covered in blood. Detectives from Scotland Yard were called in and concluded that Clark had been murdered by a suspect who mistook him for PC Butfroy, against whom he bore a grudge. Another accusation followed when it was revealed that Police Sergeant Parsons had induced other officers to lie and state he was on duty that night. Charges of perjury were brought against the police officers but the cruel killer (or killers) of PC George Clark was never brought to justice for his murder.

3 JULY1767 Thomas Wood, a Billericay miller, vowed to reform his eating habits. At the age of 40 he weighed 25 stone; he was known as a phenomenon for miles around, and visitors passing through the town always called in to gawp at his massive size. Such attention was not bad for business and he took the banter with a jolly smile and a kindly word for all. By the time he approached his mid-40s his weight was beginning to affect his health. He ached constantly, lost his teeth and had frequent palpitations. The rector of nearby Nevedon was concerned enough to encourage Wood to read a book about moderation and physical improvement. Wood took the advice on board and was soon shedding weight by the stone. From July 1767 he only ate a kind of dumpling made from 1lb of flour boiled in 1½ pints of milk. His weight reduced to about 11 stone, and he remained at that weight until well into old age. He died aged 63, and was buried among a number of his ancestors in Burstead churchyard.

4 JULY1835 Ann Child was committed to Chelmsford Gaol for having assaulted Samuel Vale, the parish constable of Rayne, while he was performing the duties of his office. Found guilty at the Summer Assizes, she was sentenced to fourteen days’ hard labour.

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