History of

Ardleigh
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History of Ardleigh >> Ardleigh Snippets

Ardleigh Snippets

When researching for this website we often find a little snippet of information on a location or subject which may be of interest. Here is one for Ardleigh.

Essex Herald January 30 1840

On Thursday evening last, as Mr. Warren, a miller residing in Ardleigh, was returning home from Manningtree market on horseback, he was attacked by a footpad, who demanded his money or his life.

The villain, on stopping his horse, struck him a violent blow across the bridge of his nose with a large bludgeon, which felled him to the ground, and for a short time rendered insensible; but as the thief was in the act of extracating the contents of his pockets Mr. Warren recovered his senses, and a regular battle ensued between them, in which Mr. Warren floored the thief several times, and punished him severely.

It being about 11 o’clock, the night was very dark, but Mr. Warren contrived to get a sufficient glimpse at the villain to recognize his features, and knew him instantly to be a most notorious and desperate thief, named William Everett, upwards of 60 years of age, from he parish of Ardleigh, and who has twice been transported.

Mr. Warren called out, "It is you, Everett, is it? I know you well." Upon which the villain took to his heels, and, leaving his hat in the road, made a jump at the hedge and ran down a field.

[Mr. Warren] soon procured the assistance of the parish constable, when they returned to the spot where the attack was made, and discovered the prisoner in the road looking for his hat, and they succeeded in taking him into custody.

He was taken before the magistrates on Friday, and was fully committed to take his trial at the next assizes at Chelmsford. Mr. Warren is very serious injured.