From the Papers

Chelmsford Chronicle 19 March 1794.

William West was executed for breaking into the house of Philip Martin, Esq., of Theydon Garnon, together with three accomplices (not yet apprehended) and stealing 2 gold watches, 70 guineas, 2 £20 and 1 £10 bank notes, with a quantity of silver plate and other goods value near £600.

He would not to the last make any confession tending to a discovery of his accomplices, though ably advised of the injustice respecting his obstinacy here, and warned of his consequent punishment hereafter. In other respects he behaved with decency, composure and seemingly with penitence. To see a man in the prime of youth making so ignominious an exit, shocks the feeling of the humane, but, were not the definitive laws of our county put into execution neither justice, property, or society could be supported.

Stamford Mercury 11 January 1729

On Friday last week Capt. Searle, of Epping, being with his son in the woods adjoining where he kept wild turkeys, heard some persons there, whom he suspected to have come hither to steal them; and in order to discover and apprehend them, ordered his son to go one way, while he searched another: The son was presently set upon, and knocked down by a fellow, who repeated his blows, as the other attempted to rise, and afterwards called to his companion by name, and told him, he had done young Searle’s business. The father was in hearing at this time, having drawn that way by his son’s outcry; both the rogues had made their way off, and Mr Searle carried his son home, whose skull was so fractured, that he died that evening. Capt. Searle knowing the person whose name he heard, got him secured, and he discovered the person who committed the murder, who is apprehended and sent to Chelmsford Gaol.

Ipswich Journal 21st February 1730

On Monday night, a gentleman coming from Ongar in Essex, was attacked by a single highwayman on Epping Forest, who took from him a watch, five guineas, and some silver, and after having cut his horses girts, he made off.

The same evening about seven, o’clock, a person whose wife is housekeeper to the Lord Vise Castlemain, going to see her, was attacked in his Lordship’s park, near his Seat in Epping Forest, by two foot pads, who robbed him of fifty pounds, and used him in a very barbarous manner, and went off undiscovered. It is remarkable, that he received the money but the day before, which gives great reason to suspect that the rogues were apprised of their booty.

Chelmsford Chronicle 17 January, 1783

Yesterday fortnight, in the morning, a farmer at Greensted Hall, near Chipping Ongar, in this County, was robbed of two £20 bank notes and near 80 guineas, at Holloway Down, near Woodford, by two footpads well armed.