The entry in the burial register at Stanford Rivers read: “William NAYLER, aged 25 of Ilford, buried on the 20 August 1816 by the Rev DOWDSWELL, the Rector.” Nothing unusual in this, but at the bottom of the page the Rector has added a note “Convicted at the Summer Assizes at Chelmsford and suffered death accordingly for a burglary at the house of ……(unreadable)”
The Chelmsford Chronicle July 31 1816 reveals the story!
William Nayler together with 3 other men Ambrose DEATH the elder, Ambrose DEATH the younger and Edward SMITH were indicted for a burglary in the house of William NOK[E] on the 12 May 1816 and stealing Bank of England and other notes, wearing apparel and culinary articles therein.
William Noke was a farmer residing with his housekeeper Rebecca READ at Toot Hill in the parish of Stanford Rivers. On the night in question the two of them had retired to bed when Noke was awakened between 11pm and midnight by a noise at the brewhouse door. Looking out of the window he saw a man standing before him with a gun. Noke asked him what he wanted to which the reply “he came for money and money he would have.” Mr Noke somewhat alarmed fetched four notes which he threw down to the man. The gun was then pointed at Noke and the man said, “if you do not come down I will blow your brains out.” He then heard the door burst open and he went down where he found that one or two men had entered the house via the parlour window and forced the lock of the door. Noke then told the court that he heard another person ‘stabbing’ at the kitchen door with what he perceived to be a plough coulter. Altogether there were four men in the house.
The housekeeper Rebecca Read alarmed by all the noise hid in the attic where she was soon discovered and forced to hand over £11 in Bank of England notes, her life savings. The men in addition to the money stole a copper kettle, coats, waistcoats, breeches, saucepans, a pepper box, window curtains, an umbrella and several other articles.
The four men were from the Ilford area, Death the younger and Nayler lodging with Death senior. A witness for the prosecution John WARD who lived next door to Death told the court that it was Nayler who proposed carrying out the burglary. Ward said that he was obliged to go along with the men as Nayler threatened to shoot him if he did not. A further man referred to in the newspaper report as SEYMOUR was also present. The men agreed to meet at the Fairlop Tree and then on towards Toot Hill. They stopped at The Talbot PH at North Weald, where Smith and the younger Death went in to get drinks, bringing out gin to the others who remained outside. The men then went on to the farm. Nayler waited at the front of the premises whilst the other five went round the back. It was Seymour who entered the premises via the kitchen door having forced it open with the coulter.
The men returned to the house of Death where they divided up their booty, the Deaths hiding their share under the floor in the house. A further witness William MOORE a carter to Mr WELSTEAD told the court how he had met the men about a quarter after four and asked them “where the deuce have you been at this time of night?” The reply was “ we have been crawling some where or other.”
John SACKET and Christopher GARDENER described as ‘officers’ Bow Street Runners?), told the court of the arrest of the prisoners and the discovery of the property at Death’s house.
All four were found guilty and the Judge, Lord Ellensborough passed the death sentence on all of them. He described Death senior and Nayler as being prominent in the atrocity, the one by leading his son in the night of the Sabbath to break open the door of a poor defenceless old man, the other by going prepared with a loaded instrument of death. Lord Ellensborough most earnestly recommended that they turn their eyes to the Almighty Creator, but more especially the two he had already mentioned for they could expect no mercy here, and ought only to expect it by the most sincere contrition and repentance above.
William Noke is possibly the William Noakes, a farmer from Colemans Farm, Toot Hill, who died Dec 28th 1840, aged 92.
John Ward and Seymour appear to have turned King’s evidence to avoid prosecution.
Why Nayler buried in Stanford Rivers churchyard remains a mystery.
