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Serving the communities of Bures St Mary and Bures Hamlet

 
 

 

These Press cuttings were taken from the archives of local newspapers
during the period 1762 to 1935.

Ipswich Journal
Norfolk Chronicle
Bury and Norwich Post
Suffolk and Essex Free Press
Suffolk Free Press

November 6th 1762
Bures bridge, near Sudbury has been washed away by the violence of the flood on Tuesday last. Notice is hereby given that no wheeled carriages can pass over the river Stour at that place. A new bridge will be erected as soon as possible.

August 11th 1759
Nunn and Simpson will have a large drove of very good Norfolk lambs and ewes at the Eight Bells, Bures Hamlet on the 18th of August.

January 12th 1765
To be sold at Bures Hamlet, Essex-300 oak timbers-50 elms and some ash. Enquiries of H. Woolman of Bures Hamlet.

February 18th 1769
Isaac Skinner, carpenter of Bures in Suffolk was committed to Bury Gaol for stealing a elm plank from Joseph Nevill of Bures

August 19th 1769
William Chandler was committed to Norwich Gaol charged with stealing a horse the property of Mr Garrod of Bures, Suffolk, he was apprehended at Attleborough by a description given in this paper last week.

April 25th 1772
Absconded from Bures in Suffolk on the 24th inst-John Tallant or Tallard, information had been laid against him that on early Tuesday morning the 18th he stole one weather sheep the property of John Lay of Lt Horkesley, Essex, he is about 5ft 6" high-about 32 years-little impediment in his speech-whoever apprehends him will receive 5 guineas from John Lay. Harvey Harrison stands charged with being an accomplice and receiving the sheep on board one of his barges.

April 10th 1773
Whereas the house of Samuel Coker of the Queens Head at Bures being broken into on the 3rd inst and two silver tankards etc stolen-this is to give notice that a handsome reward will be given for information by me Samuel Coker.

May 29th 1773
To be sold-a large quantity of corn shovels by Thomas Spurgeon, shovel maker of Mount Bures, Essex, also other stuff.

September 19th 1778
To be sold by auction at the dwelling house named Baker's Hall, Bures Hamlet-the outdoor and indoor stuff of Lawrance Rayner-brewing equipment-4 horses etc.

January 25th 1780
On Sunday, one of the servants of Bures Mill was taking some flakes of ice from the floodgates, by missing his feet he suddenly fell from the floodgates into the river, the gates being open the water drew him through utterly killing him, it was several hours before he was found.

March 31st 1781
A farm called Peyton Hall in Bures Hamlet for sale-in Lamarsh and Alphampstone, Essex 67 acres.

December 21st 1782
All persons indebted to the estate of John Constable of Bures, Suffolk, are desired to take notice that his executors have delivered all securities and bill books into the hands of Samuel Alston of Nayland with orders to sue the same.

October 11th 1783
To be sold by auction a Inn called the Angel situated in Bures, Suffolk.---good dwelling house with exceedingly dry cellars-large brew office-dairy-granary-stables with large yard leading to the adjoining river Stower which is most advantageously situated for loading and unloading goods.

October 2nd 1784
Inquisition on the body of Ann Neville of Bures St Mary who in the state of lunacy, hanged herself.

October 9th 1784
Inquest at Bures St Mary on Ann Neville who in a fit of lunacy hanged herself.

April 2nd 1788
There died at Bures, John Garrad, a respectable tanner of this place.

March 23rd 1796
At Bury Assizes Robert Stearns for riotously assembling with diver other persons at Bures and taking wheat from the premises of John Barnard and Lawrencw Bull and illegally sold out at prices beneath their value. 1 year in prison.

March 26th 1800
On Thursday evening last, a servant of Mr Jones, a brewer from Sudbury was returning from Bures in a cart when he unluckily drove against a post near the road, overturning the cart, he was found underneath the horse severely bruised, he died on Saturday.

May 2nd 1804
On Monday last the Lavenham Volunteers marched into Sudbury to be brigaded with those of Bures. The Sudbury company of the Babergh battalion were inspected separately, they performed maneuvers and the platoon executed them to entire satisfaction of the Inspecting Field Officer who said they would not disgrace veteran troops.

August 12th 1807
Yesterday night a fire broke out in a hay stack at Small Bridge Farm, Bures St Mary, it communicated with six other stacks which were totally destroyed, damage is estimated at 1000 pounds.

December 15th 1813
Married on Thursday last, Henry Mason Coker, son of W.Coker of Borley Hall to Miss Ann Sidley of Bures Hamlet.

April 3rd 1816
At Bury Assizes, William Cardy and Edward Everitt for stealing two sheep from J.Bogges of Bures, were sentenced to death.

August 2nd 1826
At Bury Sessions, John Allistone, for assaulting John Garrod, the constable at Bures. 3 months hard labour.

January 16th 1833
Henry Alliston aged 20 and Alfred Crossman aged 19 to be privately whipped and imprisoned for one week for stealing two tame rabbits the property of John Crossman of Bures.

December 31st 1828
Inquisition on John Sexton aged 10 years who drowned in the river Stour at Bures, he had been crossing the river upon the doors of a staunch, with the wind being high he was blown over and drowned, owing to the current his body was not found until two days later

January 16th 1833
One week and a whipping for Henry Allison and Alfred Crossman for stealing two tame rabbits from John Crossman at Bures.

August 6th 1834
Inquest--at Bures St Mary on Samuel Mills an ancient pauper who was found dead in bed in the workhouse, the severe storm on Monday night is supposed to have affected him strongly.

July 27th 1835
George Cranfield a labourer aged 34 years was found guilty at Essex Assizes of setting fire to a barn belonging to Osgood Hanbury at Bures. Sentenced to death.

November 25th 1835
John Everett and John Hazel for obstructing James Bowers whilst ploughing a field at Bures for the purpose of persuading him to leave his work. 2 months.

July 13th 1842.
Robert Stebbing aged 35 for stealing a quantity of leather from John Garrod of Bures, 7 years transportation.

December 27th 1843
The farmers of Mount Bures and Bures St Mary who are desirous of encouraging their industrious ploughmen, recently held a ploughing match on a farm belonging to Mr Gelding Boggis. 16 men and 2 boys competed. 1st prize to James Cranfield who works for Golding Boggis-£l, 2nd to J. Burrows employed by J. Boggis, 15s. 3rd to W. Godden for W. Taylor, 10s, 4th to G. Tibble for Golding Boggis. 1st for boys-J.Tibble for J.Boggis,

May 7th 1845
There was a fire at Ropers Farm, Bures St Mary, this was the work of an incendiary. Ropers Farm is the property of Trinity College Cambridge and farmed by Mr Taylor of Gt. Cornard.
Two barns, stables, cartshed, piggeries, horse shed, two waggons, three tumbrels, 26 sacks of barley, 7 sacks of tares, three horses, three colts, three shoats, seven little pigs, all consumed in the flames. Three men, John Cardy, George Cardy and their cousin James Cardy have been arrested on suspicion.

September 15th 1847
Four sheep were stolen from the farm of Mr Hale Westropp at Bures. The carcasses were traced to the premises of John Parmenter of Melford and to a butcher named Joseph Kingsbury of Melford who was found to have two carcasses in his possession.
Parmenter was committed for trial on charges of receiving and Kingsbury has absconded.

January 17th 1849
John Parmenter of Melford was found guilty of stealing 4 sheep the property of Mr H.W. Westrop of Bures, 10 years transportation.

December 14th 1836
The Board of Guardians at Sudbury Union will receive tenders for bread baked less than 12 hours for the Melford, Bures and Walter Belchamp workhouses.

January 16th 1839
John Ennals aged 51 was charged with stealing a quantity of beans and barley, the property of Richard Newman of Bures. Newman said he saw prisoner leave his granary and had suspected he had corn in his pocket and he had felt them. He had been employed by him for six years. To be imprisoned for one year and kept at hard labour.

April 19th 1837
John Ardley 16 for stealing 3 horseshoes from Isaac Death a blacksmith of Bures where he had went to warm himself. 2 months and a whipping.

June 17th 1840
.Inqu- at Bures St Mary on Thomas Blyth, grocer of Nayland aged 40.
William Good, a farmer said he was driving home to Bures by the Nayland road when nearly home he found a horse and gig lying in the road, deceased was lying in the middle of the road dead and cold, it appears the gig had gone up the bank and turned over. John Snow a hairdresser of Bures said deceased left the Horseshoes before 10, he was very fresh and the landlord tried to persuade him to take someone with him and Death's man, Aldwell, offered to go with him. Accidental.

August 7th 1843
Inqu-- at Bures St Mary on James Frost, horsekeeper to Thomas Hawkins of Assington who was sent with a waggon and another man in charge of a load of corn to Bures, not returning, his master went to look for them and he found the waggon without a driver and deceased lying beside the road, the wheels having crushed his head and the other man further behind quite drunk. Accidental

September 7th 1847
On Friday night, 4 fat sheep were stolen from High Pole farm at Bures St Mary from Mr Westrop.

September 15th 1847
On Friday afternoon a fire broke out in an out building belonging to Mr Samuel Plum of Ballingdon and it was consumed by the flames, it is supposed to be the work of an incendiary in revenge against Mr Plum for giving evidence against the parties who stole 4 fat sheep from Mr Westrop of High Pole Farm at Bures. On the previous Friday night Mr Plum and his man, being on the road near Bures, saw a horse and cart standing in the road and three men, they were putting sheep in the cart, he spoke to the men who he knew and they ascertained they were their sheep, they were driven to Melford and slaughtered by one of the party named Parmenter, the three men have absconded.

November 16th 1847
A shocking case of stabbing occurred at Bures St Mary on Monday evening last, two men named Joseph Hume and George Birch quarrelled in the Angel public house in the afternoon and that evening a scuffle broke out in the street, Hume drew a knife and inflicted huge stab wounds to Birch, a search was made for Hume and he was discovered hiding behind the gravestones in the churchyard.

March 29th 1848
At Suffolk Assizes, Joseph Hume a thatcher for stabbing George Burch at Bures. 6 months hard labour.

February 19th 1849
As railway workers on the on the Colchester Stour Valley Line were excavating the line at Gt Cornard, nearly opposite the Five Bells Inn, they discovered, 12 ft from the surface, a large tooth and a tusk, 4ft in length of the mammoth or fossilised elephant.
Last week, labourers upon the line at Mt Bures discovered about 5ft below the surface, three amphorae about 3ft high and very small at the neck, one was taken out perfect and another with a handle and spike broken off, the other two were broken. ( Greek or Roman Jars) . Another implement was found with two outer prongs and having double points upon which are knobs of brass similar to which are placed on the horns of cattle.

February 4th 1852
An incident happened at Sudbury railway station on Friday afternoon between one and two, a stiff breeze was blowing, so strong that two trucks and a carriage were set in motion and driven on the metals one or two miles towards Bures. It was feared a collision might occur and the red flag was hoisted but the trucks were attached to the incoming train and taken back to the station.

uly 27th. 1864.
An accident occurred in Foxearth Sreet last Thurs.Geo. Kingsbury from Bures st. Mary, narrowly escaping death.Kingsbury who is in the employ of Messrs.Turner(Tanners) had been to Foxearth Hall to collect three three packs of wool, he was proceeding with his load in Foxearth Street when his horse became restive, his rein broke and the horse became unmanageable, and drew the van into some palings and the shafts broke. Kingsbury's head came in contact with the palings, and he suffered severe cuts to the head. P.C. Edwards, assisted and after two hours, Kingsbury resumed his journey.

August 3rd 1855.
A poor widow from Mount Bures in Suffolk, has three sons fighting for their country in the Crimea, a fourth son is in the Essex Rifles at Colchester.

September 26th 1855.
George Jackaman was committed for trial on a charge of shooting with intent to murder J. Cook, gamekeeper to Mr J.Garrad at Bures. Cook is going on favorably.

October 10th 1855.
The bronze medal of the Royal Humane Society has been awarded to Charles Goody, a scholar at the British School at Bures in Suffolk for rescuing another boy from drowning in the river Stour at Bures, in August last year although only 12 years old, this lad has saved two lives in a space of 6 months.

June 4th 1857
Bures. An old fashioned house occupied by two labourers on the off-hand farm of Mr Joslin was burned to the ground, it is supposed to have originated from a lighted wad fired by a young man named Roberts who had been sparrow shooting, the wad landing on the thatched roof.

March 31st 1859
Bures. It is reported that the weaving trade is likely to be introduced into this village but the inhabitants think it too good to be true.

December 4th 1858
On Tuesday evening of the 25th ult, as the goods train was leaving Bures station for Marks Tey, the engine burst with a terrible explosion, scattering portions a considerable distance, some weighing above one cwt were thrown through the air up to 100 yards away.
Both the driver and stoker were uninjured, the explosion shook Bures with doors being blown open.

December 4th 1860
Breach of Promise Case was held in the Secondaries Court at Chelmsford in Essex.
On Wednesday a writ of inquiry was held to assess damages in an action for breach of promise of marriage recently brought against the Rev Philip Brett, M.A. rector of Mount Bures in Essex by a young lady named Cookshott now filling a situation as governess in Manchester,.
The defendant having suffered judgment by default, the damages were laid at £5000, but to the great disappointment of persons assembled to hear the case a verdict of £1200 was agreed to.

March 29th 1859
On Friday there was a destructive fire on the premises of Mr Charles Petitt at Mount Bures. 2 large barns, stables, sheds, 2 stacks of barley, 2 stacks of hay and several pigs and fowls were burnt.
A number of valuable horses nearly shared the same fate, damages is estimated to be about 1000L.
We understand a travelling medicant is in custody on suspicion. He called at the house for charity and was refused, it is supposed he caused the fire in revenge.

December 5th 1861
Alphampstone. On Friday last an accident befell a lad named George Parminter who is in the employ of Mr Cressel a carrier of Halsted, the poor boy had been sent to Bures with a donkey and cart, when near Mr Stock's farm the donkey ran up the bank on the side of the road and upset the cart with the boy falling under it, help was at hand immediately but it was found the boy was dead, his neck was broken.

March 27th 1863
Fire broke out at Fish House farm, Bures,(doubtless the work of an incendiary) occupied by Mr Charles Boggis, it consumed a wheat stack worth 125L.

June 2nd 1864
A correspondent writes concerning the fire caused by the severe storm at Alphamstone, "while looking out of the door to see the lightning, I saw a large fireball had fallen on the premises of Mr Boggis of Bures and another in the parish of Alphampstone,Essex, upon Gooles Upper Farm where it consumed everything".

September 15th 1864
Bures. Mr Pettit of Tey House was out with his gun in the village last week when he shot a hare, the hare was found to be in young and a cesarean operation was performed and two little leverets came into this world, William Mole a shoemaker of Bures had a cat which had that morning given birth to kittens, all dead, the hares were brought and placed in a barrel along with the cat and they were soon suckling and the cat seems quite fond of them.

February 26th 1867
Robert Godden a labourer of Bures was charged by his employer for misbehavior in husbandry on the 9th. Charles Boggis said defendant was employed by him to look after 400 sheep and was paid 13s per week, he had not discharged defendant but left it to the bench. 14 days hard labour. (This is for absenting himself from work. G.H.)

July 11th 1871
There was an inquest at the Queens Head Hotel at Bures on the body of William Eary aged 63 years, a groom employed by Mr James Dalton a merchant and malster of Bures St Mary. On Saturday evening deceased was feeding a mare belonging to his master when it kicked him in the body. The animal was vicious and deceased was the man best able to manage it. Accidental Death.

March 2nd 1872
There was an angling match at Bures between two angling champions named Woodward of Nottingham and Bailey of London for £100 on each side which came off on last Wednesday week. Bailey won the toss and chose a station near Bures and in the 1st hour caught a large quantity of over 50 fish, the match lasted from 10 till 4 in the afternoon when Bailey was declared the winner.
The results are as follows, Bailey 215 fish weighing 80 lbs and Woodward 101 fish weighing 10 ½ lbs, an excursion train from London brought down a great many anglers who lined the banks and had good sport.

September 3rd 1872
There was an inquest at Bures St Mary on the body of Mr Edward Manning a coal merchant of Bures. Abraham Cousin a licenced victular of Bures said deceased who was 58 years old and himself went to Sudbury market, deceased was driving. They pulled up at the Queens Head at Bures St Mary but before some gin which was ordered was taken, deceased drove off and came in collision with a horse and cart which was driven by G.Davy and deceased who was drunk was thrown out on to his head. Deceased had a defect in his eyes. Accidental death.

July 15th 1876
On Thursday morning, Mr Edward Smith submitted for sale at the Rose and Crown, Sudbury, two compact estates at Bures, viz Fish House and Chapel Farms, the 1st was bought by George Coote for £4000 and the 2nd by W. Garrad for £2700.

February 6th 1877
There was an inquest at Bures St Mary on a man named Robinson who lives in a cottage about a mile from the village of Bures, he was upwards of 70 years. On Tuesday morning he took shelter in a barn belonging to Mr G.Woods of Bures Hall, during a gale, when a gust blew the barn down, burying the deceased. Dr James Hair said he was dead before being extracted from the ruins. Accidental death.

February 11th 1879
Great Eastern Railway have arranged a new market train. To leave Sudbury every Thursday at 4-15, Bures at 4-45, Chapel at 5-5, Marks Tey at 5-20, to connect with the train to Ipswich and Colchester at 5-28.

January 17th 1880
On Saturday morning, a lad, the son of Mr Hawkins of Bures was skating on the river Stour near the gas house when the ice broke, his cries brought several people to the spot but from the state of the ice no-one dare approach him, a rope was thrown which he grasped and a man was sent for a boat, some time elapsed before the boat was got out and he was rescued after a ¼ of an hour, he being much exhausted he was unconscious for most of the day.

July 12th 1887
There was a fatal accident at Bures railway station late on Thursday night when Edward Smith a married man aged 50 years an engine driver from Bergholt road in Colchester and a native of Sudbury was killed. A pilot or additional engine was attached to a heavy excursion train travelling from Clacton to Mildenhall to assist in the gradients between Sudbury and Colchester. The engine was detached at Sudbury and was making it's way back to Colchester, when approaching Bures level crossing, the gates of which were closed, the engine stopped and the fireman got down to help the gatekeeper to open the gates, when the engine got through the driver got down and the three men were engaged in conversation when for some reason the brakes became released, seeing this Smith ran to the gates to throw them open, he opened one gate but was caught between the buffers and the gate while attempting to open the second gate, he was severely crushed and died instantaneously. Accidental death.

April 2nd 1889
During the week two fine otters were caught in the river Stour between Bures and Sudbury by two bargemen, William Newell and Charles Norman junior. One of the otters weighed 22© lbs the other 20lb.
They are now on view at the Angel Hotel, one of the otters has since died.

January 20th 1891
Richard Cook the innkeeper of the Thatchers Arms at Mount Bures was charged with unlawfully selling whisky without a licence. The landlords, Steward and Pattisson of Colchester and Norwich were negotiating a licence. To apologise and pay the costs.

October 27th 1900
Thomas Potkins, labourer and William Keeble, labourer and John Keeble, baker of Bures St Mary were charged with stealing tools, valued at 12s, belonging to George Pilgrim a bricklayer who said he went into the Horseshoes public house in Bures and he left his bag outside on the doorstep, soon after the three prisoners arrived, after they were gone he missed his tools. 3 months hard labour each.

March 11th 1901
A shock discovery was made on the railway line at Sudbury early on Sunday morning by James Sargent who was going to work at Mr Allen's maltings when he discovered a body which was horribly mutilated with the head and legs severed from the body, it is supposed by a detached engine. A telegram addressed to Harry Warden of Bures was found on the body. Deceased was 34 years of age and living with his brother at Moat farm.

June ? 1907
A furrow drawing match took place at Bures on May 30th, 22 competitors taking part.Prizes were given by Messrs Bentall and Company and nine other prizes were given by local farmers and gentry of the parish. The following were prize winners in order-H.Marshall-E.Cansdale- G.Cook-M.Cardy-T.Cook-T.Hartley-A.Fisher-T.Fenner-A.Marshall and J.Marshall. Great interest was taken in the match and was witnessed by a large number of persons. The farmers were represented by Jonathan Warden and John Garrod. Broad field was kindly lent by Mr H.Turner of Corn Hall for the match

January 1st 1908
A young journeyman baker, Frederick Harrison of Bures appeared in the dock at Halstead charged with burgariously entering Moss's farm house at Alphampstone, occupied by an old couple and their grandson named Johnson and stealing £50 in gold and a silver verge clock. The said Bench that there was grave suspicion against defendant but not enough evidence for him to be sent for trial.

January 29th 1911
One of the barge horses used in towing the barges belonging to Messrs Allen of Sudbury, while attempting to jump on to a barge slipped and fell into the river at Bures, despite strenuous efforts by the bargemen it was drowned.

January 9th 1911
The death took place at Bures of Herbert Pilgrim aged 10 years old son of George Pilgrim of Bures. It appears that the little fellow was assisting to turn the cows belonging to Mr Chambers from the street into the yard when he was knocked down by a cow, he did not complain in any way but died the next day. Compression of the brain

April 26th 1911
Miss L.Walsh, a teacher at Belchamp Walter school was cycling home to Bures on Friday night and was riding down Kitchen Hill at Bulmer when a child dashed across the road, she applied the brakes and fell incurring slight injuries.

August 13th 1913
At a special meeting of Halstead Bench, Marquis Dassie, a poultry farmer of " Morning Dawn" at Mount Bures was charged with committing a serious offence against Emily Smith aged 19, a domestic servant in his employ. The complainant said that she was washing up the breakfast things in the kitchen when the prisoner shouted " where are my boots", she replied upstairs, he went upstairs and could not find them, she went upstairs and when she reached the top of the stairs he pushed her into a bedroom where he committed an offence. For trial.

March 8th 1916
Mr George Page of Bures Hamlet regrets owing to one son in the army and the second now being compelled to join and his own ill health, he will be unable to travel his two Suffolk stallions in the coming season.

January 6th 1921
FORDSON TRACTOR-22 H.P.- DELIVERED TO PURCHASER £ 235---BRAND AND CHURCH----AGENTS---BURES.

June 25th 1919
On Tuesday evening a fatality occurred in the Stour at Bures. In the village there is a prisoner of war camp and the men were taking part in bathing at a place called " The Jump", one of the prisoners got into difficulties and was brought to the bank and given artificial respiration by his escorts and comrades, then another man was discovered missing, his body was recovered some time later. He was a Hanoverian named Karl Volker.

November 14th 1935
Dorothy Ellen Bird, a domestic servant was accused of murdering her newly born female daughter at Borley on January 2nd 1934
Detective Sergeant Fabian of New Scotland Yard, said he went to Ropers Farm, Bures, where accused was employed as a domestic servant and spoke to the accused. She replied that a child was born and that is all I know about it. Remanded.


Acknowledgment to the The Foxearth and District Local History Society for allowing me to use this material