Arksey In The News Part Four - Crime and Punishment

Doncaster Gaol, St Sepulchre Gate 1880

Villains Of Arksey

In this, the fourth of five posts looking at stories from the British Newspaper Archive, we look at a darker side of village life. Theft, cruelty, beatings and even murder are among the misdemeanors reported. Sadly there are many, many stories revealing the village's villainous past. 

Contents

• Unhappy Matrimonial Relations - 1888
• Failed to Remember - 1929
• Revolver Shot Ends Party, Man Found Dead in Garden - 1938
• Milk Board's 'War', Farmer Fined £25 for False Returns - 1939
• A Farmer's Drinks, Sequel Heard at Doncaster Court - 1910 
• Doncaster Divorce Cause - 1873
• Rape at Arksey - 1846
• Riotous Assembly Near Doncaster - 1848
• A Batch of Poachers - 1880
• Felony - 1880
• Girl's Body Exhumed, Gruesome Duty for Police Near Doncaster - 1928
• Had Had a Baby, Yorkshire Village Gossip Ends in Exhumation of Girl's Body - 1928
• Concealment of Birth - 1864
• Extraordinary Charge Against a Land Agent - 1873 (two stories)
• Horrible Case of Cruelty - 1856
• Cutting and Wounding at Arksey - 1848
• Vicarage Theft - 1888
• Excise Prosecutions - 1877
• Theft of Pork - 1862
• Seduction, Mapplebeck v Cartledge - 1839 
• Adulterated Spirits - 1895
• Salvation Army Disturbances Near Doncaster - 1885
• Bentley Boys Birched - 1916
• Arson - 1895
• Highway Robbery Near Doncaster - 1850
• Theft of a sheep - 1895
• Arksey - Woman Fined For Assault - 1919
• Robbery Near Doncaster - 1849
• Attempted Suicide - 1883
• Assault - 1879
• Links

Unhappy Matrimonial Relations

'On Saturday, at the West Riding Court, Doncaster, Geo. Crawshaw, labourer, Arksey, was charged with having assaulted his wife. - Complainant alleged that her husband knocked her down and gave her a black eye. He then kicked her about the body in a brutal manner. - The Rev. R. E. Taglis, curate of Arksey, gave the defendant a good character, and said that the woman was unfortunately a notorious drunkard. - Defendant stated that she pawned everything in the house, and as soon as she made any bread she went and got drink for it. He lost his situation on the railway because his wife was found on the line drunk. He had two children. - The magistrates made a separation order, the defendant to allow complainant 5s. per week, and to retain the custody of the children. He was fined 10s. and £1 3s. for assault, the Chairman stating that it was a most unfortunate case.'

Sheffield Evening Telegraph, 13 August 1888

Failed to Remember

  

Hull Daily Mail, 31 January 1929

 

Revolver Shot Ends Party 

Man Found Dead in Garden

'A revolver shot abruptly ended the gaiety of a Boxing Night party being held by Mr and Mrs Chambers at their home in Askern Road, Bentley, near Doncaster.

Rushing into the garden, they found Harry Greenwood (44) of Arksey Lane, Bentley, lying dead with gunshot wounds. A revolver was nearby. The fatality was discovered at 4 a.m.

Greenwood, who leaves a widow and four children, was acquainted with the Chambers, but it is understood he was not at the party.'

Evening Telegraph, 27 December 1938  

 

Milk Board's 'War'

Farmer Fined £25 For False Returns

'The "war" between the Milk Marketing Board and the Federation of Producer Retailers over the question of keeping daily records of the quantities of milk produced and sold was carried a stage further to-day when a number of producer retailers appeared before the Board in London.

F. Auty, of Arksey, Doncaster was fined £5 on each of five complaints of making false returns.

Mr. Thomas Baxter, chairman of the Board, said that as Mr. Auty had undertaken to keep the daily records in future the Board would adjourn another cas of failing to keep them.'

Derby Daily Telegraph, 1 June 1939

 

A Farmer's Drinks

Sequel Heard at Doncaster Court

'At Doncaster on Saturday, a case of some interest to licensed victuallers occupied a good deal of the time of the court.

Wm. Lister, farmer, Shaftholme, was charged with being drunk in charge of a horse and trap, and Francis Machin, landlord of the Plough Inn, Arksey, was charged with permitting drunkeness on the 26th ult.

Mr. W. Baddiley appeared for the defence.

Police Constable Farr, who was the principal witness, stated that at 2 o'clock he saw a pony and trap standing in front of the Plough Inn, and soon after Lister staggered out. When he saw witness he said, "Have you been looking after my pony and trap?" Witness asked if he was in charge of them, and he replied "Yes." The officer told him that he was drunk and not fit to be in charge of a horse. Lister replied "I'm alright; I've another drink inside." Witness told him he would not allow him to enter the inn again or take charge of the pony and trap. The landlady told witness her husband was not at home. She also said, speaking of Lister, "I served him with one pint, and this is what he has left," pointing to part of a pint of beer.

For the defence, Lister denied that he was drunk. Before going to the County Council inquiry he had had a pint of beer, and he had another at close of proceedings. He then drove to Arksey, where he called at the Plough Inn and had another pint.

The evidence for the defence was given by Messrs. G. Chadwick, E. Jennings, R. W. Smith, T. Hale, F. Trout, and W. Mawson, Mrs. Machin and Mrs. Hall. The witnesses with one exception said Lister was sober, and Mrs. Hall said he appeared to be sober.

The case was dismissed.'

Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 6 June 1910

 

Doncaster Divorce Cause

Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 12 February 1873       

 

Rape at Arksey

'Richard Mason (21), and Geo. Stanley (10), charged with having, on June last, committed a rape on the person of Maria Slack.

Mr. Hall and Mr. Boothby were for the prosecution; Mr. Bliss defended the prisoners. The prosecutrix at the time the offence was committed was in the service of Mr. Terrill, a farmer, of Arksey, and, on the 30th of June last, she was conveying her master's breakfast to a field where he was mowing, about a mile from the house, when the prisoners seized her, and accomplished the crime with which they were charged. When the prosecutrix returned from the field, the prisoners again attacked her, and perpetrated a similar offence.

The Jury returned a verdice of GUILTY against both prisoners and they were sentenced to be Transported for Life.'

Leeds Intelligencer, 25 July 1846 

 

Riotous Assembly Near Doncaster

 

London Standard, 9 September 1848

A Batch of Poachers

'On Saturday, at the West Riding Court, Doncaster, Wm. Buller, collier, Mexboro', was summoned for using dogs for the purpose of taking game at Adwick-on-Dearne, on the 9th inst. - Defendant and another man, who had two dogs with them, were seen ranging about several fields, and defendant admitted that he was trespassing, but not in search of game. He was fined 20s. and 16s. costs. - George Gathercole and Jno. Julian, of Doncaster were charged with trespassing in pursuit of game at Arksey, on the 15th inst. During the night a gamekeeper heard the discharge of a gun, and, proceeding in the direction whence the sound came, he saw the defendants, one of whom had a gun in his hand, ranging about the fields. Gathercole having been previously fined for similar offence, was ordered to pay 40s. and costs, and Julian was fined 20s. and costs. - Geo. Langfield and Geo. Thompson, both of Doncaster, were charged with committing a similar offence at Arksey, on the 21st inst. Before five o'clock in the morning defendants were seen in a field over which Sir Wm. Cooke has the right of shooting, and were driving the hares into an adjoining field, where there was a companion ready to shoot them. One hare was shot. The defendants were each fined 20s. and 9s. 6d. costs. - James Thompson, Balby, and Thomas Johnson, Doncaster, were fined 10s. and costs for using dogs for the purpose of taking game at Brodsworth, on Sunday the 28th inst.'

 Sheffield Independant, 31 May 1880 

  

Felony

On Saturday, at the West Riding Court, before Major Sturrick, Charles Richardson, labourer, Arksey, was charged with stealing three small pictures and three turkeys. On Wednesday night prisoner was at the house of a person named Crooks, and next morning three small pictures were missed, which were subsequently found in the prisoner's possession. On the 6th inst. prisoner was near the house of Mr. Collins, gamekeeper, and soon afterwards three young turkeys were missing. Prisoner was suspected, and on being charged with the theft he produced the turkeys, which he said he had found in a lane. Prisoner alleged that he was drunk at the time he stole the turkeys, and his sister informed the magistrates that he was only released from Wadsley Asylum two months ago. He was committed to prison for one month in each case.'

Sheffield Independent, 10 May 1880

Girl's Body Exhumed

Gruesome Duty For Police Near Doncaster

'Doncaster, Friday. - The body of Mary Egglestone, aged 16, was exhumed last night at Bentley, a colliery district about two miles from Doncaster. The exhumation was carried out by the Doncaster Divisional West Riding Police, acting under Home Office instructions. the girl died on December 31st last and was buried in Arksey Cemetery near Bentley, on January 3rd. She was the daughter of Mr Sydney Egglestone, of Bentley Colliery village. The body was medically examined at Bentley Mortuary to-day, whither it had been removed pending an inquest this afternoon.'

 Hull Daily Mail, 10 February 1928

The story continues in the following article...

Had Had a Baby

Yorkshire Village Gossip Ends in Exhumation of Girl's Body 

Manslaughter Verdict Returned

'As reported in the "Mail" of Friday, the West Riding Police, acting on instructions conveyed from the Home Office to the Doncaster District Coroner, on Thursday night had the gruesome task of exhuming the body of a sixteen-year-old girl who had died last December. The body had been buried in the Arksey cemetery, near Bentley colliery village, where the girl had resided.

An inquest was held during Friday, and as a result of the evidence given a verdict was returned that death was due to an illegal operation, a verdict of manslaughter being entered by the jury against a Mr and Mrs Redfern, of Bentley, and a Mrs Crabtree, whose address was not given. The Redferns were committed to Leeds Assizes.

When the girl died a certificate was given that her demise was due to a rheumatic affection, and on Friday the father, a colliery cashier, said he had no knowledge that his daughter was suffering from anything but rheumatism. The exhumation was brought about as the result of gossip in the village, and the signed statement of a man who had courted a sister of deceased.

Police Patrol the Roads

The exhumation began at midnight and was carried out by two gravediggers employed at the cemetery, and a number of local police. Every precaution was taken to see that prying eyes were kept away. Police patrolled the one road past the cemetery, and others walked about the cemetery. The gravediggers and the police were occupied under the light of hurricane lamps about an hour-and-a-half before, with the aid of ropes they raised the coffin. It was then removed on a handcart to the district mortuary, and guarded by police throughout the night.

On Friday morning an autopsy was conducted by Dr V. Sutherland, the county pathologist, and at the inquest held by Mr Frank Allen, Mr J. E. Lightburn, from the West Riding solicitors' department, represented the Crown, and Detective Supt. Burton of the West Riding C.I.D., and Supt. Minty were present. Mr Lindsay Crawford appeared for the relatives, and Mr D. Dunn (Rotherham) for Mr and Mrs Redfern, whose names were mentioned in the course of the inquiry.

Rumours a Public Scandal

The Coroner said the girl was attended during her last illness by Dr Lind Walker, of Doncaster, and from the history the doctor got of the case and his own observations, he diagnosed the cause of death as a rheumatic affection, and certified accordingly. She died on December 31st, 1927, and after the body was buried on January 3rd, rumours began to get about the village, and definite information was laid by a man named Gott, who had been courting the sister of the dead girl. In his own handwriting Gott made a statement to the police which implied that the girl had died not from the cause specified.

About that time the matter had become a public scandal in the parish. The police made many inquiries. Ultimately, after reference of the case to London, the Home Office asked him (the Coroner) to exhume the body, and have a post-mortem examination made. The evidence was that Mrs Crabtree, a woman from London, came on December 9th, was with the girl at the house of Mr and Mrs Redfern, and that after she left the girl gave birth to a child.

Doctor's Changed View

Dr Lind Walker said he was called to see Miss Egglestone on the night of December 23rd. she complained of pains in her joints, and was unable to move when in bed. He certified death as being due to acute articular rheumatism, and very high temperature. The girl's temperature went up to 109. The symptoms were consistent with his diagnosis of her illness. That day he had attended an examination by Dr Sutherland, and from what was found he was now of the opinion that death was due to septicemia. There was no evidence of an illegal operation.

Dr Peter Lindsey Sutherland, county pathologist, Wakefield, said his examination was directed towards an illegal operation. He came to the conclusion that the girl had recently had a child but there were no marks to show how birth had been caused. There were signs of septicemia.  

The Coroner: Having regard to the information Dr Walker obtained did you think a medical man might reasonably come to the conclusion he did about death? - Yes, the symptoms were very much alike.

Courtship Commenced in May       

Walter Sutherland (22), plasterer, of Waggon and Horses, Knottingley, said he had known Mary Eggleston for about three years and started courting her in May, 1927. She told him that she was in a certain condition and that he was responsible. He did not deny it. She asked him if he could get anything for her, and he replied, "I may be able to." He did not, however, get her anything. Some time later she spoke of a woman in London, and asked witness if he could find her money to pay the woman for an operation, but he refused.

Ernest Gott, clerk, of Daw Wood Cottages, Bentley, said he at one time courted the sister of the dead girl, but the courtship ended about a fortnight ago owing to a quarrel. He knew something of the circumstances of the death of her sister. Shortly afterwards he was interviewed by Sergeant Walker, who cautioned him and took down a statement. Witness afterwards wrote a statement and signed it.

This statement was read by the Coroner, and in it an allegation was made that a Mrs Crabtree, from London, had performed an operation on the girl.

Mary Elizabeth Egglestone, mother of the girl, said she did not take any actual part in making arrangements, but her daughter left home on the evening of Friday, December 9th, and was away until the following Tuesday. Her daughter never told her what happened at the Redfern's house.  

Mr Dunn said it was admitted that a body was born in the Redfern's house. He did not desire to call Mr or Mrs Redfern, or Mrs Olive Robinson, sister of Mrs Redfern.

Pressure From the Father

The Coroner, summing up, said the case must have caused a vast amount of pain to this unfortunate family. He thought the father had exerted pressure on them to tell the whole truth. It was a terrible story, and must draw them to the conclusion that somebody in the village, with assistance possibly from outside, was carrying on a practice which was deplorable. With regard to the medical evidence, no hint was given to Dr Walker as to the girl's condition before he saw her, and he had no right to compel the patient to undergo an examination which she did not ask for.

The jury, after retiring, said in their opinion an illegal operation had taken place, and that this was the cause of death. The persons responsible were Mr and Mrs Redfern and Mrs Crabtree.

The Coroner: If such a person as Mrs Crabtree exists.

The jury said their verdict amounted to one of manslaughter against the two Redferns and Mrs Crabtree.

Accused Remanded  

Counsel's Reference to a More Serious Charge

At Doncaster to-day John Redfern and his wife, Norah, were remanded in custody charged with the manslaughter of the dead girl. Mr Lightburn, for the Crown, said at the moment prisoners were only charged with manslaughter.

He would have to take instructions from the Public Prosecutor and it might be necessary to prefer a more serious charge at a later date.

Police-Sergt. Walker said when the prisoners were arrested, John Redfern made no reply to the charge. the female prisoner said: "It is not true." '

Hull Daily Mail, 11 February 1928      

 

Concealment of Birth

Huddersfield Chronicle, 20 August 1864

Extraordinary Charge Against a Land Agent

'At the Sheffield Intermediate Sessions, held yesterday, Mr. W. Overend, Q.C., presiding, Mr. William Marsh, land agent, Bentley, near Doncaster, was charged that he unlawfully and knowingly, by certain false pretences, did fraudulently cause and induce one Hannah Sampson to execute a valuable security with intent to defraud her. Mr. Barker prosecuted, and Mr. Montague Williams and Mr. Lockwood defended. The circumstances of the case were of a very singular character. The defendant occupies a very important and responsible position in society as the agent of Sir William Cooke and a guardian of the peer of the Doncaster Union. Mrs Sampson is of advanced age, and thirty five years ago she and her husband occupied a house at Arksey, and paid the rent to a man named Martin. He disappeared and nothing more was heard of him. Sampson died and his wife continued to reside in the cottage, and, having been in undisputed possession for thirty years, she acquired a title to the property. Some months ago, on account of her failing health, it was thought advisable that she should be removed to Sheffield; and the defendant, when asked, promised to get her relief transferred from the Doncaster to the Sheffield Union. He went to the house with two men, and, having asked a neighbour to withdraw, he produced a document, which he requested Mrs Sampson to sign, at the same time remarking that it was to transfer her relief from one union to another. Some pretence was made to read the document, but she certainly never understood that by it she was transferring her property to the defendant. He afterwards gave her 10s. to pay her fare to Sheffield. She subsequently ascertained that she had sold her property to the defendant and his heirs for 10s. On the 27th January he came to Sheffield to see Mrs Sampson, and asked her heiress, Mrs. Dakin, to sign another document, and when she refused and denied his right to the property, he threatened to stop Mrs. Sampson's relief, and it was suspended from that date. The deed was dated the 16th October, and it was registered in January. Under these circumstances the prosecution contended that the defendant had obtained possession of the property by false pretences. - The case for the defendant was that the sale was of a bona fide character, and that the witnesses were called to set up a flat denial of the contention of the prosecution. - The prisoner was found guilty, and was sentenced to six months' imprisonment. He was formerly American Consul at Antona.'

Bradford Observer, 1 March 1873

To read an article about William Marsh go to William Marsh, Son of a Miller, Friend of a President on sister site Bentley Village, A History.

Another story from the same case

'Yesterday at the Sheffield intermediate sessions, Mr. William Marsh, land agent and steward to sir William Cooke, Arksey, near Doncaster, was committed to prison for six months for defrauding a widow named Sampson (seventy years of age) by inducing her to sell him a cottage, of which she was the owner, for ten shillings. The woman, it was stated, was in extreme distress, and prisoner, under pretence of helping her to procure parish relief from Sheffield Union, induced her to sign a document which turned out to be a conveyance of her sole remaining property - the cottage she lived in - to himself. She accepted the 10s believing it was meant as a benevolent gift, but prisoner alleged that this sum constituted the purchase money.'

 Sheffield Independent, 1 March 1873

Horrible Case of Cruelty

'At the York assizes, on Tuesday, Elizabeth Empsall, aged 30, was indicted for wounding Maria Empsall, her illegitimate daughter, in the parish of Arksey, near Doncaster, on the 14th of June last. On that day the little girl was found in a coalhole, tied fast, with her face black and otherwise bruised. This discovery of the child led to an examination of it, and the child was found to be exceedingly exhausted, and covered with wounds and bruises. It was removed to the workhouse. At the workhouse the child, no longer under the fear of it's unnatural mother, told so horrible a story of the treatment it had been subjected to, that the present prosecution had been instituted. The poor child on being brought into court to give evidence, was unable to stand, and was placed on a seat. The child stated that she was put to sleep on the floor; afterwards at night she was tied to a box or a chair by her mother round the waist, and then her hands were tied in such a position that she could neither sit up or lie down, and this continued for some time. On the morning of the 14th of June her mother beat her with a strap. she had no breakfast that morning. After her mother had breakfasted she beat her with a rod. After that she struck her with the poker and with a coalrake. She then tied her in the coalhole, and went to market. The jury found the prisoner guilty. The judge sentenced her to be imprisoned for three years with hard labour. She left the dock amid the indignant shouts of the audience.'

Liverpool Daily Post, 19 July 1856 

Cutting and Wounding at Arksey

'Richard Webb, 44, was charged with having, on the 24th of June last, at Arksey, feloniously stabbed, cut and wounded Henry Shillito, with intent to do him some grievous bodily harm.

Mr. Ingram and Mr. Boothby prosecuted; the prisoner was defended by Mr. Pickering. He was found GUILTY of an ASSAULT, - To be imprisoned and kept at hard labour for six calendar months.'

Yorkshire Gazette, 29 July 1848

Vicarage Theft

'Yesterday at the West Riding Court, Doncaster, John Morton, of Doncaster, was charged with being on premises at Arksey for an unlawful purpose, on the 29th inst. - Charlotte Johnson, wife of a butcher, stated that on Tuesday, in consequence of what was said to her, she went to the Vicarage, when she saw the prisoner coming out of the yard. He was putting two eggs in his pocket. She called for assistance, but prisoner got into the street. She followed him as far as Arksey Station, when she met her husband, who had a conversation with the prisoner, and then gave him into custody. - Prisoner was committed to prison for seven days.'

Sheffield Evening Telegraph, 31 May 1888

Excise Prosecutions

 Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 30 April 1877

An Imposter in the Doncaster District

"An Affectionate Relative"

'The Doncaster West Riding magistrates were on Saturday engaged for several hours investigating charges of alleged felony and false pretences against a man named Chas. Grayson, possessing many aliases and of no fixed place of abode. The charges were of having obtained food by false pretences from John Webster, labourer, Arksey; of obtaining money in a similar way from Hy. Kitchen, labourer, of the same village; with having stolen two watches belonging to Arthur Holdsworth, labourer, Adwick-le-Street, and obtaining money by false pretences from Wm. Gabbitas, farm labourer. The prisoner, a comparatively young man, of fair complexion, was shown to have been in the habit of introducing himself as a relative. He generally denominated himself a "cousin," and shook hands and conversed with families in the most familiar fashion. In some cases he even professed "love" for the fair sex, to whom he thus became acquainted. He proved so companionable at the homes of certain farm labourers that he was not only cordially invited to breakfast, dinner, tea and supper, but was also provided with a bed for a few days. When asked plain questions as to his relationship he playfully asked the people to "guess" who he was, and when he had thus elicited information he declared, "Well, I am cousin - ," mentioning the name of some person living at a distance. It by no means disconcerted him when told, "Oh, I should not have recognised you." These credulous folk he further imposed upon by borrowing money, and occasionally he was not particular about taking away with him what did not belong to him. This was the burden of the tale which the Doncaster magistrates had to listen to, and the witnesses smiled and treated the matter rather in the light of a good joke. One particular matter is worthy of detail. The impostor called at the house of a woman named Esther Webster, and declared he was the son of a relative named Wm. Randerson living at Little Houghton. He said Mrs. Webster would shortly receive £550, and that there would be a further sum of £350 for each of her children. she was advised to get the necessary certificates as to the birth of the children, and she paid £1. 5s. 1d. for seven of them. These certificates were shown to the prisoner, and he took possession of them. He described himself as a butcher, living at Little Houghton, and one who was intimate with the relative in question. He made arrangements to meet Mrs. Webster and her husband at Arksey Station, to drive them over to Little Houghton, in order to get the money; but he failed to fulfil that engagement. He had previously said he and a brother had "laid down £160 about the money, and that they had pulled a solicitor over a counter during a squabble about it." The prisoner was committed for trial on each charge. He appears to be known to the police under the aliases of Oates, Ridley, Brown, Simmons, Anderson, Hooper, Holdsworth, Batty and Mitchell. Information in the possession of the police shows that he went to a certain person at Upper Whiston, under the name of Oates, and was provided with food and lodging for two months without making any payment in the belief that he was a relative, as declared. Moreover, he sold the furniture of the man during that time, realising £15, and handing only £4 over to the owner. He told the man he had bought a lot of property at Stannington and that he had a house and plenty of furniture there, the benefit of which the man was welcome. The practice of false pretences had been extensively carried on by the prisoner in the Sheffield and Rotherham districts and also in the neighbourhood of Worksop.'

Sheffield Independent, 30 January 1893

 

Theft of Pork

Dundee Courier, 31 December 1862

Seduction

Mapplebeck v Cartledge

'Counsel for the plaintiff, Messrs. Creswell and Wrightman; and for the defendant, Mr. Alexander. - Mr Wrightman opened the pleadings. The declaration stated that the defendant had debauched Sarah, the daughter and servant of the plaintiff (Mr. Richard Mapplebeck), to which the defendant pleaded not guilty. - Mr. Cresswell, in stating the particulars of the case, said this action was brought by the plaintiff to recover compensation for one of the greatest injuries that could possibly be inflicted upon him. The death of a child was bad enough; but the dishonour of a daughter in early life was ten thousand times worse. It sometimes happened that a woman of mature age so far lost the control of her reason over her passions as to render it almost impossible for it to be said that her seducer was worse than herself, - that she had departed from the paths of virtue by her own folly rather than from any inducement on the part of another person. But where they found that such was not the case, that there had been no want of care and attention on the part of the parents, where the age of the child was tender, where the parties had been long acquainted, and where the man had been received as an honourable suitor, thus laying asleep all the watchfulness of the parents; then having won the affections of the daughter, and afterwards betrayed her, nothing could serve as compensation for the injury done to his child. And unless he (Mr. C.) was much deceived in the circumstances of this case, the jury would find that it belonged to the latter class. The plaintiff was a farmer at Arksey, near Doncaster, possessing some property independent of his farm. He had two children, a daughter, the unfortunate subject of the present action, and a son about thirteen years old. The defendant was the occupier of  about 200 acres at Shaftholme, near Doncaster; and his father, who died some time ago, had also been a farmer, at the same place, and had left the defendant and the rest of his family well provided for. The plaintiff's daughter, now about nineteen years of age, went to school with the defendant's sister; and on her leaving school when about fifteen years of age, he commenced paying her some attentions, and was afterwards received as her suitor, the parents having no objection to the defendant in point of station, and judging that if they married the match would be a suitable one. Things went agreeably for some time, but in the year 1837, the defendant then having obtained possession of the girl's affections, overcame her prudence by representing himself as an honourable suitor, and the consequence was that she became pregnant and was delivered of a child in the month of April last year, she being then scarcely 18 years of age. When they found a girl of that age seduced and drawn away from the paths of virtue, to the sacrifice of her chastity, what compensation, he would ask, was sufficient to remunerate the parent? Remuneration was impossible. Money was no compensation; but the law of this country provided for no other mode of redress, and it was only reasonable that the father should have some means of providing for that child, when, owing to the misconduct of the defendant, it was unlikely that she should obtain a suitable establishment for herself. It sometimes happened when a man had been wicked enough to betray an innocent girl, that he would add injury to crime in order to shield himself; and accordingly the jury would find in this case, that this cold-blooded man, shortly before the victim of his passion was brought to bed, had the cruelty and wickedness to tell her that he did not believe that he was the father of her child. But he defied him to bring forward any evidence under the sun, at all tending to throw reproach and discredit upon this unfortunate girl, other than what his misconduct had subjected her too. It was no trifling aggravation of the offence, that in cases of this description, the unfortunate victim of a man's treachery was obliged to appear in the witness box to tell the story of her own shame. the plaintiff's daughter would consequently be presented before them; they would judge of her conduct; and if satisfied the defendant had affected her ruin, he doubted not but they would by their verdict compensate the plaintiff to the extent that the defendant's means and money could be made to do it. - Miss Sarah Mapplebeck: I am nearly nineteen years old, and the daughter of the plaintiff, who lives at Arksey, near Doncaster. He has property of his own, and occupies some land under Sir William Cooke. I have a brother aged 13, who with my father, mother, and myself constitute our family. When I went to Miss Barrowcliff's school at Arksey, about the time I was 13, the defendant's sister was there. she was about my age, and from school I went to my father's, and assisted in the household work. When I was about 14 years old, I became acquainted with the defendant. He is getting on for 30 years of age, and I shall be 19 in November. I first met him at my uncle's at Arksey. soon after that he came to see me at my father's. He paid his addresses to meet me about a month after I first met him, and he continued to visit me at my father's. My father and mother were aware of it; it was with their consent and approbation. It was at the latter end of July, 1837, that something particular happened. Before that time I heard him say that his father could live independent any day. His father is now dead. He occupied a large farm. Before the occurrence in July we used occasionally to walk out together, in the day time. In consequence of what happened in July, I gave birth to a daughter in April, 1838. About six months after the connection, I told him the situation I was in, and he said he thought we had better be married. I afterwards saw him again, in about a fortnight, and he then said his father was against his marrying during his lifetime, but that he was not likely to live long, and when he died he would make all right. I saw him again, and spoke to him on the subject, and he said it was not his child. He said he thought it was to an elderly gentleman. I know Mr. Morey; he attends our family. He attended me in my confinement. It is not true that the person defendant named is the father of the child. When he said it was not his, I was so overcome that I never spoke. I have never seen him since the child was born; it died on the 5th of this month. - Cross-examined by Mr. Alexander: I was between 13 and 14years old when I first met the defendant. My father afterwards sent me to Doncaster to learn millinery with Miss Roberts. I was with her five months. She had several other persons in her employ, and a great many persons came to her shop. I lived in lodgings whilst there. I lodged at Mrs. Goodison's, and was the only lodger there. I had a room to myself. I used occasionally to visit my father's, who lives three miles from Doncaster, and generally walked; sometimes the young women were with me, and sometimes I went alone. I never rode over to my father's in a gig, or rode out for a little airing, whilst at Doncaster. My father and mother came to to see me at my lodgings, and Mr. Cartledge sometimes. At the end of the five months, I went to live with my father, and continued to do so. My grandmother, uncle, father, and mother, brother and myself, composed the family, but the two former occupied a separate part of the house. My father's farm consists of about 12 acres of land. Down to the occurrence we are enquiring into, I assisted my mother. - Re-examined by Mr. Cresswell: My father has £500 out at interest besides his farm, and my mother has the same sum, also out at interest. Miss Roberts did not keep an open shop, only a private house. Mrs. Goodison is dead. she was a widow lady, and had lived with Sir Geo. Cooke. she was considered a very respectable woman. - Mr. John E. Morey, surgeon, of Doncaster, said I know the plaintiff; I have attended his family since 1812. I have known his daughter since her birth. I remember making an observation about her appearance in the beginning of 1838. She was indisposed, and I suspected the cause, and on telling her she admitted it. I informed her parents of the circumstance. I attended her in her confinement; she was ill for three or four days. I have attended her since. My bill will be about £40. The plaintiff and his wife were much shocked when I mentioned the matter to them. The defendant's father was a man of property. - Mr. Alexander admitted that a verdict must pass for the plaintiff, and addressed the jury in mitigation of damages, and amongst other topics urged the situation of the plaintiff's daughter as a servant in her father's house as a reason for proportioning the amount to a such a condition of life. Mr. Baron Parke then summed up the evidence to the jury, who after a few minutes' consultation found a verdict for the plaintiff - Damages £350.'

Leeds Times, 16 March 1839  

Adulterated Spirits

 Yorkshire Evening Post, 12 March 1895

Salvation Army Disturbances Near Doncaster

'On Saturday, at Doncaster, five men from Doncaster were charged with disturbing a meeting of the Salvation Army, at Arksey, on the 21st of December. It was stated that the defendants attended the service in the evening, and interrupted the proceedings by singing songs, shouting, and beating the forms with sticks. - For the defence it was alleged that there were differences between the vicar and a parishioner, named Chadwick, and the latter allowed the "army" to meet in his building. They went around the village, singing and playing, as the people were going to church. They carried a banner with "blood and fire" on it, and during the service one of the preachers told the defendants their hearts were as black as the devil, and they were going to hell. - Lord Auckland said if the Salvation Army would leave the public in peace and attend to their so-called worship, those cases would not arise as frequently as they did. The defendants were ordered to pay the costs, 15s. each. - The decision was received with applause.'

Lancaster Gazette, 3 January 1885

Bentley - Boys Birched

'At the Doncaster West Riding Court on Wednesday three Bentley schoolboys were charged with stealing a hand bag at Bentley. In outlining the facts, Supt. Minty said that prosecutrix, Miss S. Pepper, Grange Road, Bentley, managed a confectioner's shop at Bentley and on the 6th September as she was about to close the shop she placed her bicycle outside the shop. the bag was on the machine and she asked a boy to look after it. While the boy was standing by the bicycle, the defendants went up to him and when Miss Pepper came out she found the handbag, which contained two purses, a silver watch and two half-crowns had gone. P.c. Palmer saw the boys at their homes and they admitted their guilt. One boy handed him 10d., saying "I only had a shilling and I have ten pence left." Another handed him 8 1/2d., remarking "I had some of the money and spent some on chocolate," and the third boy replied "I took the bag, and gave one boy 2s. and the other 1s. and they spent some on chocolate." He took the officer to some railings, under which he had hidden the bag, and the officer recovered it. - Each was ordered to receive six strokes of the birch rod.'

Doncaster Gazette, 1916

Arson 

Yorkshire Evening Post, 12 March 1895 

Highway Robbery Near Doncaster

'Enoch Price (18), and Henry Batty (20), were charged with having, on the 4th of June last, at Arksey, feloniously assaulted and robbed Ann Lister of a moreen bag, some candied peel and citron, a glass bottle, and other articles, her property. - Mr. Serjeant Wilkins defended Price; the other prisoner was not defended. - The prosecutrix, the wife of Mr Robert Lister, is a highly respectable lady, and lives at a village called Bentley, which is situated about a mile from Doncaster. On the 4th of June last she was at Doncaster, where she purchased various articles of grocery, which she placed in a moreen bag, and at ten o'clock at night she proceeded home. When the prosecutrix arrived a short distance out of Doncaster she was met by three men, two of whom were the prisoners. Price, who disguised his features by having a handkerchief tied over the lower part of his face, pulled out of his pockets a brace of pistols, which he presented at the head of the prosecutrix, one on each side, and threatened to blow a hole through her head if she did not give up what money she had in her possession. Batty was standing close by at the time, but he did not say anything to the prosecutrix. As a matter of course the prosecutrix was very much afraid; she made an alarm, and the prisoners being apprehensive that some person was approaching on horseback, they instantly decamped, taking with them the moreen bag, which contained the articles already mentioned. The prisoners were apprehended on the following day, when Batty admitted that he, Price, and a man named Fogg, were the individuals who were guilty of the robbery. The property was found in the possession of Fogg, and the pistols were discovered at the house of the father of Price. From their appearance there was no reason to suppose that the pistols had been loaded. The principle witness for the prosecution was Fogg, who was committed for trial along with the two prisoners, but was admitted evidence for the crown. He entered into detail as to how the robbery was planned and effected, and his testimony was corroborated in many important particulars by the prosecutrix and another witness. In Fogg's cross-examination it was shown that he had been before the magistrates twice and fined, - once for an assault upon his master, and once for poaching. Three witnesses gave Price an excellent character. - The jury found both prisoners guilty. - To be each imprisoned for eighteen months.'

Leeds Intelligencer, 20 July 1850

Theft of a Sheep

 Sheffield Independent, 5 January 1895

Arksey - Woman Fined For Assault

'At Doncaster, on Saturday, May Drew, a single young woman, summoned Mary A. Gretton, married, of Askern, for assault. It was alleged that defendant struck complainant across the face, thrashed and kicked her until she fell to the ground unconscious. A special constable picked her up. In defence, Mrs Gretton said that the girl provoked her by pulling faces and putting her fingers to her nose, and calling her names. A fine of 40s. was imposed.'

Doncaster Gazette, 1919

Robbery Near Doncaster

'William Johnson, 22, and Thomas Walker, 17, were indicted for having committed a highway robbery at Arksey, near Doncaster. 

Mr. Hall and Mr. Pashley were for the prosecution; Mr. Aspinall defended Walker; and Johnson had no counsel.

The prosecutor is Samuel Howarth, a shepherd residing at Scowsty, near Doncaster. On the evening of Saturday, the 10th of December last, he was leaving the market at Doncaster; and when he had got about three hundred yards out of the town he was knocked down by two men, who robbed him of a silver watch, and two shillings. He was rendered insensible by the bruises which he had received, and laid in that state for some time on the road. When he was enabled to get up he returned to Doncaster, and gave information to the police. Some days afterwards the two prisoners and a man named Holdsworth were apprehended. Walker was committed for trial, and the other two were committed to the House of Correction as vagrants. The evidence against Walker was that he was found on the Monday after the robbery with the prosecutor's watch in his possession. The evidence against the others was that they were seen several times in different places in company together, and apparently acting in concert. Holdsworth has since escaped from the lock-up at Wakefield. The defence set up by Walker was that he had bought the watch of a person on the Sunday after the robbery; and it was proved by his brother that they had been fiddling and dancing in the streets, and that Johnson and Holdsworth joined them on the Saturday night when the robbery was committed, and that Johnson and Holdsworth were the persons who sold the watch to him. The prisoner Johnson was found GUILTY, and sentenced to ten years transportation. Walker was acquitted.'

Yorkshire Gazette, 17 march 1849

Note: Although the robbery is said to have been carried out at Arksey, the village is more than three hundred yards out of Doncaster. Also, the place Scowsty does not exist, and could be a misspelling of Scawsby.

Attempted Suicide

'George Drabble, 21, grocer, on a charge of unlawfully shooting at himself, with intent to commit suicide, at Bentley-with-Arksey, was ordered two months' imprisonment, but without hard labour. Mr. Beverley was for the prosecution.'    

Sheffield Independent, 20 October 1883 

Assault

'Before H. Jubb Esq. (Chairman), H. Otter, Esq., J. Kaye Esq., and J. Montague Esq. Unlawful assault near Doncaster - John Farmery, 23, labourer, pleaded guilty to a charge of unlawfully assaulting Mary Dunstan, 14 years of age, at Bentley-with-Arksey, near Doncaster, on Friday the 16th inst. Committed to prison for 12 months with hard labour - Mr Shirley prosecuted.'

Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 23 March 1879

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Links

For other articles in the series use the links below:

Arksey in the News Part One - Wild Weather

Arksey in the News Part Two - Railway Incidents

Arksey in the News Part Three - Accidents

Arksey in the News Part Five - Miscellaneous Matters

Alison Vainlo 

Written 2013, updated 2020