Newspaper Articles For the Parish of Culmstock

Provided by Lindsey Withers

From the newspapers:-
Bath Chronicle; Bell's New Weekly  Messenger;  Bridgwater Mercury; Bristol Mercury; Bristol Mirror; 
Dorset County Chronicle; 
Exeter and Plymouth Gazette; Exeter Flying Post; Gloucester Journal;  Hereford Journal;                 
Kentish Gazette; Kentish Weekly Post; Morning Post; North Devon Journal; 
Perry's Bankrupt Gazette; Sherborne Mercury;  St James' Chronicle; Stamford Mercury; Sun (London); Taunton Courier; Wells Journal; Western Times; Worcester Journal; 

Sherborne Mercury, Monday 6 November 1797
List of Game-Keepers' Certificates, issued on Deputations or Appointments by the Clerk of the Peace of his Deputy, for the said County, between the 1st Day of July 1797 and the 17th Day of October following:

Kentish Weekly Post Or Canterbury Journal, Tuesday 3 March 1801
Bankrupts: CHARLES BAKER the younger, of Prescott, Culmstock, Devon, tanner. To appear March 12, 13, April 11, at the Squirrel Inn, in Wellington, Somerset. Attorney, John Minifie Poole, Wellington Somerset.Gloucester Journal, Monday 20 July 1801 Bankrupts: Dividends - Aug. 3, CHARLES BAKER the younger, of Culmstock, Devon, tanner.

Gloucester Journal, Monday 31 August 1801
The Rev. J. G. GARRET, rector of Brushford, Somerset, is presented to the vicarage of Culmstock, Devon.

Gloucester Journal, Monday 7 September 1801
DEATH - Lately, aged 75, the Rev. JOHN NOTT, vicar of Culmstock, and minister of Honiton Clyst, Devon.

Kentish Weekly Post or Canterbury Journal, Tuesday 17 August 1802
From the London Gazette, Aug. 14, Dividends: September 3, CHARLES BAKER the younger, of Prescott, Culmstock, Devon, tanner, at the Squirrel Inn, in Wellington, Somerset.

Kentish Gazette, Friday 30 November 1804
From the London Gazette: Dividends In The Country: Dec. 21, CHARLES BAKER the younger of Prescott, within the parish of Culmstock, Devon, tanner.

Gloucester Journal, Monday 28 July 1806
On the 16th inst., as GEORGE WOOD, aged 18 and WM. THOMAS, aged 16, both of Culmstock, Devon, were bathing in the river Culm, they were both unfortunately drowned.

Exeter Flying Post, Thursday 29 December 1808
Culmstock, Devon. - To be Let by auction, at the Fountain Inn, in Uffculm, Devon, on Friday the 20th day of January next, at two o'clock in the afternoon, for a term of seven years, from next Lady-day, all that capital Farm, called SOUTHEY BARTON, situate in the parish of Culmstock aforesaid; containing about 110 acres of rich arable, meadow, and pasture land, formerly in the possession of MR RICHARD MANNING, deceased. - For viewing the premises, apply to MRS MANNING, of Culmstock aforesaid, who will appoint a person to shew the same; and for other particulars to Mr Flood of Honiton, or Mr Boucher, of Wiveliscombe . Dated 27th December 1808.

Exeter Flying Post, Thursday 13 July 1809
Culmstock, Devon. - To be Let for the term of 10 years, from Lady-day, 1811, at the Fountain Inn, in Uffculm, on Wednesday the 19th day of July next, all that very compact and desirable Farm, called HENBURROW, with an Overland contiguous thereto, called PERRY'S; consisting together of about 60 acres of arable and pasture ground, 4 acres of fine orchard and 48 acres of rich watered meadow, all lying within a ring fence in the parish of Culmstock aforesaid; and in the occupation of MRS JANE FRY; with Right of Common upon Culmstock Hill, Maiden Down, Black Down, Hackpen Down, Heal Moor and Prescott Common. - The estate is within 3 miles of a very good lime kiln and capable of very great improvement, as there is a prodigious fine stream of water which rises in the same, that may be carried not only over all the meadows, but also over a considerable part of the arable and pasture ground. - To be Let also, with the above lands, Five Cottages, with good Gardens thereto, all adjoining the said lands, which may be considered of great advantage to a tenant by having his labourers, if he choose it, under his eye. The premises are situated about 8 miles from Tiverton and Honiton, and 6 from Wellington, all capital market towns. - For viewing the premises apply to Mr Richard Gibbons, at Prescott village, in Culmstock aforesaid; or James Snook, in Uffculm Town,; and for further particulars to Thomas Pannell and Son, Cullompton. - N.B. The tenant is to pay and bear all rates, taxes and incumbrances whatsoever.

Exeter Flying Post, Thursday 13 September 1810
Culmstock: To be Sold in Fee, or Let for a term, all that Farm, called BROOKSHILL, situate in Culmstock, Devon, now in the occupation of MR SAMUEL HENSON, and held for a term, which expires at Lady-day next; comprising a good farm-house and offices, and about 24 acres of excellent arable and meadow land, and orchard; and possessing an unlimited right of common on Maiden Down and Hill Moor. Also All that Messuage and Farm, called QUARTS, situate in the Parish and within two miles from the town of Wellington, in the county of Somerset; now in the occupation of MR THOMAS GIBBONS, whose term expires at Lady-day next; consisting of a farm-house, barn and outhouses, and 57 acres of good arable, meadow and pasture land and orchard; and having an unlimited right of common on Black Down. - If the above estates are not sold before the 29th day of September next, a Survey will be held at the White Horse Inn, in Tiverton, on that day, for letting the same for a term. - For viewing the premises apply to the tenants; and further particulars may be known at the office of Messrs. Wood and Strong, solicitors, Tiverton, who are authorised to treat for the sale. August 24, 1810.

Bristol Mirror, Saturday 10 August 1811
DEATH - At Chudleigh, aged 71, the REV. JOHN GARRATT, for forty years the very respectable and learned master of the free grammar school of that town, and vicar of Culmstock, Devon.

Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser, Thursday 23 January 1812
Manor Of Culmstock. To be Sold, For a Term of 99 Years, Determinable on the Deaths of Three Persons, to be named by the Purchaser, with Possession at Lady-Day next,. All those several Closes of Arable, Pasture Land, and Orchard, known by the Name of "LONDON'S," containing about Twenty-two Acres, with a Barn and Stable thereon, situate within and Parcel of the Manor of Culmstock, in the County of Devon, now in the Possession of MR SAMUEL BRADDICK. - For which purpose an Auction will be held at the Three Tuns Inn, in Culmstock, on Monday the Twenty-seventh day of January next, at Three o'Clock. - The Tenant will shew the Premises; and further Particulars may be known on application to Mr Marker, of Uffculme. - December 30th, 1811.

Stamford Mercury, Friday 16 August 1816
Devon Assizes, Aug. 10. Threatening Letters. - CHARLOTTE ASHFORD, late of Culmstock, near Cullompton, in the County of Devon, the wife of AARON ASHFORD, was indicted for having on the 4th day of July last, feloniously sent a letter in writing, without any name subscribed thereto, directed to Miss Anne Hewett, Peter's-street, Tiverton, Devon, demanding the sum of 30l. in the following words, contrary to the statue in such case made and proved:- "Madam - When your aunt, the late Mrs Hill, was in Holland, and obliged to keep a tavern to maintain herself, my father was then an English merchant there. He frequently lent Mrs Hill money, which she always honestly repaid. He recommended her in her business to all his friends, and she always confessed how much she was obliged to him. He has been dead many years, and I am reduced by misfortunes to poverty; and having a large family that I cannot maintain, I am become quite desperate. I must raise 30l. immediately, or my children must starve. If you will send me 30l. the Lord will bless you, both for your good aunt's sake and for your own, for saving a family from ruin. If you will not send me the 30l. you must abide by the consequences, which you will have cause to repent; for, as I said before, I am ready for any desperate act to save my poor starving children; and I have been at Tiverton, and examined your house. If you consult any attorney or doctor, or show this letter to any body living, except your old servant, I shall be sure to know it, and then worse will befall you than what I have threatened you with. If you send me the money, you need never fear any harm from me. But I know you have enough of this world's goods to give to such a sufferer as I am: therefore, if you refuse, I advise you to beware of the consequences, for I am positively resolved to do what I have threatened; and if you were to have men to watch your house every night, I should find an opportunity some time or other. Ask your faithful and sensible old servant, whether it is not better to part with 30l. and that, too, for a good purpose, and to sleep in quiet and peace, than to keep your money, and never go to bed without the dread of thieves and fire, and of being destroyed before morning. Besides if you hired a set of men to watch your house by night for months together, how much less than 30l. would it cost you? I shall say no more, except to inform you, that I shall not wait more than four or five days for your answer. You will enclose three 10l. Bank of England Notes in a letter firmly sealed and direct your letter to Mr John Calvert, Post-office, Bristol, till called for. This is not my name, but it will be sure to reach me with this direction." - On the envelope was written, "Before you open this letter, I beg to inform you, that if you value your own life and safety, you will not communicate the contents to any living creature. Direct your letter to Mr John Calvert, Post-office, Bristol." - To this indictment the prisoner pleaded Not Guilty - Mr Tonkin, in addressing the Jury, observed that the law has made it capital for any person to send a letter signed with any name, or signed with a fictitious name, requiring money of the party to whom it is addressed; and it is also a crime for any person to send a letter, though not requiring money, if it threatens great violence to the party. The prosecutrix is a lady of great respectability, far advanced in life, and labouring under many infirmities: it was most likely, therefore, that she would be strongly affected by receiving a letter of this description. She is by no means desirous, however, to have it supposed that she wishes to pursue the prisoner at the bar with any personal vengeance; and when I say there exists a relationship between them, you will give me credit for being inclined to forbear from any thing which the justice of the case does not require. It was impossible, situated as the prosecutrix was, that she could have the most distant surmise that the prisoner could be implicated in such a transaction. As to the history of the aunt alluded to, whether it be true or false is perfectly immaterial. Supposing it true, it is a means of using undue influence to extort money from the person to whom it is addressed: if false, it is a means of leading astray the party, in order that the writer may elude detection. This letter has the post-mark of Taunton upon it, and I shall prove to you that it was sent by the prisoner at the bar. - The prosecutrix, as I have already stated, is a person infirm in health, and much advanced in age: she does not, therefore, usually open her own letters, which are read to her by a servant. When this letter arrived, it was accordingly opened and read, and, as might be naturally expected, it had the effect of exciting so much alarm in the lady that she was induced to send a reply to this John Calvert, in the following words:- Mr Giffard, one of the prisoner's counsel, here rose and objected that the contents of this letter could not be read, unless the Learned Gentleman had evidence that the original letter reached the prosecutrix. - Mr Justice Holroyd said, that if the Counsel for the prosecution thought they could bring it home, he could not prevent its being read. - Mr Tonkin continued. Gentlemen I will not state the contents of this letter at present. A few days after, the prosecutrix received another letter, signed John Calvert, in these words:- - "Madam - I have been detained from home by very severe illness, occasioned by poverty and despair, or I should have written you before. If you will send me the sum I have required of you (30l.) by the return of post, I will promise you never to molest you, or to apply to you in the same way again: but it is of no use to offer me less than that, for I will make no compromise for a smaller sum than 30l. If you do not send it, you must abide the consequences. If my father had not befriended your aunt, she would never have been able to return from Holland. Now I advise you, for your own safety sake, to send me 30l. immediately. I beg you will get a 20l. Bank of England Note, and a 10l. Seal the letter firmly and at the ends also, and direct as your last, Mr John Calvert, Post-office, Bristol, till called for. - I am madam, your humble servant. "Bristol, July 17." "J. Calvert." - This letter was received by Miss Hewett, the prosecutrix, by the common conveyance of the post; and as she now began to be truly alarmed, she consulted with her friends, to endeavour, if possible, to trace it. In consequence, a person was dispatched to Bristol with the cover of a letter directed to John Calvert and with instructions to watch and see what person would call for letters so directed. Inquiries were also made at the Post-office, and there another letter was found, directed to the chief clerk of the office, and signed John Calvert. It stated, that John Calvert intended being in Bristol, and not knowing where his residence would be, had ordered his letters to be directed to the office; but being prevented from going thither, he would esteem it a favor if the clerk would forward them to him at the Post-office, Cullompton, Devon. A one-pound note was enclosed as a fee for his trouble, and he was requested to acknowledge the receipt by the first post. In consequence of a communication with the Postmaster at Bristol, the letters were re-directed and forwarded to the Post-office at Cullompton, and a person was directed to wait there and see who came for them. During the whole of the following day no person came; but on the 29th of July, Mary Flay appeared at the office with a letter, which contained a request that any letter for Mr Calvert should be forwarded in the cover which was enclosed to the Post-master for that purpose. The letters were accordingly sent, and a constable then took Mary Flay into custody with the letters in her possession. On being taken before a Magistrate, she stated, that she was sent by her mother and her mother was employed by ANN BERRY, of Culmstock, who is a servant of the prisoner; and ANN BERRY will state that she received this cover from her mistress's hand. So far, gentlemen, we have traced the letter to the prisoner at the bar. If she had no knowledge of the first letter, it would be one of the most extraordinary circumstances on earth that she should sent to receive letters directed to John Calvert. How should she know that any letters were coming for John Calvert, or what had she to do with John Calvert? It is not possible to bring evidence of the prisoner's sending the first letter; but when we find her so mixed up with this transaction; when you find the name of John Calvert pervading the whole of it, it seems to warrant but one inference; and that is, that the original letter could only have been sent by the prisoner. - Mary Gunner lived with Miss Anne Hewett, at Tiverton. Miss Hewett was nearly 80 years of age, and of a very delicate constitution. Witness was in the habit of taking in her letters and of transacting her business; she had always opened and read her letters to her for years past: remembered the letter coming on the 6th of July, and should know it if she saw it again. (Here the letter was handed up to the prisoner and identified.) On the receipt of this letter she read it to Miss Hewett, who desired her to write an answer, which she sent by the post to the Bristol Office, as requested. On the 20th of July she received another letter for Miss Hewett, in the same hand-writing as the former, repeating the threat. She then addressed a blank cover and sent it, as before, to Mr John Calvert, Bristol Office, till called for: there was nothing in the inside, but she enclosed a sheet of paper, to make it look like a double letter. - John Dawe, who has been Postmaster of Taunton for 16 years, proved the transmission of the letter addressed to J. Calvert, as stated by the Counsel. - Mr Gifford here stated an objection that the indictment makes the prisoner send a letter to Miss Anne Hewett of the tenor following. Then it sets out the letter. But goes on to state as part of the letter that which is written on the envelope, which is no part of the letter, as it refers to the letter itself, in these words "before you open this letter." - Mr Justice Holroyd. - That which you refer to is written within that which contains the letter, and I think the whole of it forms only one letter. It is on a separate sheet, but it is not necessary that the whole of a letter should be written on one sheet of paper. I have frequently received long letters from the East Indies on several sheets of paper, but they constituted only one letter. - Mr Gifford rose again. - My Lord, in examining the indictment I perceive an error, which materially affects the case. The letter says, "If you hired a set of men to watch your house by night; but it is set out, in every one of the counts, "by nights". Now, I submit to your Lordship, that this variance is fatal, and I rely on the case of Rex v. Bear, referred to in Hart's case, East, 978, which was tried at the Worcester Lent Assizes in 1776. The Court agreed, that where an instrument is set out juxta tenorem, the tenor must be in the indictment according to the instrument. In this case the indictment professes to state the tenor, but uses the words 'be nights,' instead of the exact words 'by night,' which comes directly within the case I have cited. - Mr Williams - My Lord I submit that by nights and by night is the same expression. It does not alter the sense: and your Lordship knows, that where the omission or addition of a letter does not alter the sense, the variance is not material. This was expressly held by Lord Mansfield. Hart's case, which my Learned Friend has cited, was an indictment for forging a bill of exchange. The bill produced in evidence corresponded with that set forth in the indictment, except that it was written "value recv'd," instead of "value received." The prisoner was convicted, but judgment was respited upon the question, whether this literal variance were material, the words sounding the same; and on the 7th of June 1776, all the Judges were of opinion that the variance was not material, as it did not change the word. - Mr Gifford - My Lord, I still submit that the variance in this case is fatal. It is another word; and I rely on the case of Rex v. Bear. There is also another case, the Queen v. Drake (Salk. 661), which proceeded upon its being a different word - nor for not; and Justice Powys says, in the report of the same case in Holt's Re. 350 that he did not mark this to be so small a variance of a letter as if it happened in false spelling or abbreviations, which possibly might not hurt. Here the instrument is laid in the indictment according to the tenor, and the very words laid, and not the substance and effect of them, must be proved. - Mr Justice Holroyd, after having looked into the several cases, delivered his opinion as follows:- It seems to me, that the words by night, and by nights, are distinct and different words. The sense may be the same, though certainly it is not common parlance; but the law ties me up by the word tenor, to have the exact words. I am not inclined to go beyond what has been determined, but it does not appear to me that those cases have been over-ruled. The Learned Judge then told the Jury, that an objection had been taken to the indictment in point of law; and though there was no alteration in the sense of the words, yet, as they had undertaken to set out the tenor of the letter, the objection was fatal. - The Jury, therefore, immediately returned a verdict of Not Guilty.

Exeter Flying Post, Thursday 26 February 1818
Manors, or reputed Manors, Farms and Lands in Culmstock, Devon - To be Sold, by private Contract, the Fee Simple and Inheritance of the following Hereditaments, in three lots that is to say: Lot the 1st. The Manor, or reputed Manor, of Nicholashayne, with the capital Messuage, Farm, and Lands, called Melhuishes, otherwise Pond; containing about 122 acres (be the quantity more or less,) of exceedingly good meadow, pasture, arable and orchard land, now in the possession of MR JEWEL COLLIER, of his under-tenant and situate at Nicholashayne. Lot 2d. The Messuage, Farm and Lands, called Searles, containing about 64 acres (be the quantity more or less),of good meadow, pasture, arable and orchard land, now in the possession of MR JAMES BROWN, as tenant thereof, whose term will expire at Lady-day next, and situate within the Manor of Nicholashayne aforesaid. Lot 3d. The Manor or reputed Manor, of Hole, and the Reversion in Fee, of a Messuage and Tenement called Hole, with the Lands thereto belonging; containing about 13 acres (be the same more or less), of good pasture and orchard land, now in the possession of MR CORNER, and by him held for the residue of a term of years, determinable on the deaths of three lives, under the yearly rent of 13s. 4d.; together with a Cottage, called Oatways, situate at Hole aforesaid. - All the premises are respectively situate in the parish of Culmstock, about midway between Cullompton and Wellington, and about ten miles from Taunton and from Tiverton. - For viewing the several premises, apply to MR RICHARD FRY, at Woodgates, in Culmstock aforesaid; and for further particulars to Mr Law, Land Surveyor at Littleham, near Exmouth; or to Messrs. Brutton and Ford, Solicitors, Exeter. - All applications by letter, are to be post-paid.

Bath Chronicle And Weekly Gazette, Thursday 25 February 1819
DEATH - At Culmstock, Devon, the REV. H. C. MANLEY, LL.B., aged 78, vicar of Bradford, near Taunton and upwards of 50 years incumbent of Sandford Arundle, in this county. He discharged his sacred duties in both his parishes to within a few weeks of his dissolution: and died beloved, and greatly respected and regretted by his parishioners, and all his friends.

Hereford Journal, Wednesday 12 April 1820
Execution At Exeter. - At Exeter on Tuesday, THOMAS MUSGRAVE was executed at the New Drop for sheep-stealing. This unfortunate man was a native of Culmstock in the County of Devon. He has belonged to the army and fought in several battles; in America, under General Whitelock; and in the Peninsula, under Lord Wellington, in all which services it appears that he conducted himself extremely well; latterly he was an out-pensioner of Greenwich Hospital, having been discharged in the peace of 1814, in consequence of weakness of body, occasioned by long and active service. The crime for which he suffered was committed in the month of August last, when he stole and killed a ram sheep, the property of Mr H. Dobble, of Uffculm; and to assist him in accomplishing this most daring robbery, he took two of his children (girls) one of them 14 and the other about 17 years of age; they were both brought forward as evidence against their father on his trial and on their statements he was found guilty, and received sentence of death. He ascended the scaffold with a firm step and to the last seemed to possess an uncommon degree of fortitude. During the trying scene he occasionally addressed the spectators with much composure, and complained of injustice done him by his children, who, he said, had sworn falsely. He joined fervently in prayer with the minister who attended him for a considerable time, after which he was turned off and expired apparently without a struggle.

Exeter Flying Post, Thursday 13 September 1821
Game List,. County of Devon. Persons who have obtained Game Certificates for the Year 1821: COLLER, JEWELL, yeoman, Culmstock. COLLER, JAMES, yeoman, Culmstock.

Exeter Flying Post, Thursday 25 October 1821
Culmstock, Devon. To be Sold by private Contract, All that compact and desirable Leasehold Estate, called HIGHFIELDS, Situate near the town of Culmstock; comprising about 36 Acres of Orchard, Meadow and Arable Land, now let to MR JOHN WOOD, Butcher, whose term expires at Lady-day next. - For Price and other particulars, apply to Wm. Chave, Esq., Alphington, near Exeter; if by letter, post-paid, Dated October 24th, 1821.

Taunton Courier, and Western Advertiser, Wednesday 12 November 1823
Fortunate Loss! - At the late Blagdon Fair, MR RD. POOK, butcher, of Culmstock, Devon, had his pocket picked of a purse and its contents, and soon after recognized the fellow who had committed the robbery, whom he instantly seized and threatened to knock him down unless he immediately restored the property. After a little demur, the fellow averred that he had not got the purse, but knew the man (one of his companions) who had it, and engaged to find him and give up the booty, on being liberated. To this MR POOK objected, without having some security for his return; upon which the delinquent handed him a 5l. note, and on gaining his liberty, made such good use of it, that he was not seen afterwards. The contents of the purse, of which MR P. was plundered, only amounted to a one pound note and a few shillings"

Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser, Wednesday 14 April 1824
Culmstock, Devon. - To Be Sold In Fee By Auction. At the White Hart Inn, in Wellington, in the County of Somerset, on Thursday the twenty ninth day of April next, at four o'clock in the afternoon, subject to such conditions as will be then and there produced, The very Desirable Messuages and Lands hereinafter mentioned, in the two following lots viz. Lot 1. - All that Messuage or Tenement, commonly called or known by the name of Crowcombe; consisting of a barn, barton, courtlage and several closes, pieces and parcels of arable, meadow and pasture land, thereunto belonging, containing, by estimation, forty acres, be the same more or less, situated and lying within the said parish of Culmstock, and now in the occupation of MR VOISY, as tenant thereof. Lot 2. - All that the Moiety, Half Part, or Share, of all that Capital Messuage or Tenement, commonly called or known by the name of Southey Barton; consisting of a substantial well-built farm-house, with most convenient outhouses, barn, bartons, courtlages and one hundred and eleven acres of excellent orchard, arable, meadow and pasture land, thereunto adjoining, desirably situated on the banks of the River Culm, in the said parish of Culmstock, and now in the occupation of MR JOHN COOK as tenant thereof. N.B. The Estate called Crowcombe, lies about a quarter of a mile from the great Western road leading from Taunton to Exeter, and both Crowcombe and Sothey Barton are within a short distance of the excellent lime kilns of Canons Leigh, on the Grand Western Canal and are distant from Collompton seven miles, from Honiton nine miles, from Tiverton ten miles, and from Wellington five miles, all excellent market towns. - For viewing the premises, apply to the respective tenants, and for further particulars to Mr James Waldron, Solicitor, Hartswell, near Wiveliscombe, Somerset. Dated 30th March 1824,.

Exeter Flying Post, Thursday 12 August 1824
To Be Sold in Fee, by Auction, with possession at Lady-day next, at the White Ball Inn, in Sampford Arundel, in the county of Somerset, on Monday the 23d day of August next, at three o'clock in the afternoon, subject to such conditions as shall be then and there produced, the following very desirable Leasehold Tenement in Culmstock, Devon, held for two several Terms of 99 Years, determinable with the lives of two healthy Persons, aged respectively 56 and 58, in the following Lots:- Lot 1. - Four Closes of Arable and Pasture Ground, in the occupation of JOHN FROST, containing about 17 Acres and half. Lot 2. - A Close of Meadow Land in the occupation of HENRY WOOD, containing about 3 Acres. Lot 3. - A Dwelling House, Garden, Barn, Stable and Out-houses, adjoining. Lot 4. - A Cottage and Garden, in the occupation of said JOHN FROST, or his Under-tenants. Possession of Lots 1, 3 and 4 at Lady day next. -

Exeter Flying Post, Thursday 14 October 1824
Culmstock, Devon. By Public Auction, the Fee-Simple and inheritance of a most Desirable Overland Tenement, called Croot's, Consisting of several Fields or Closes of very good Orchard, Arable, Meadow and Pasture Land, containing about 13 Acres, will be offered for Sale by Public Auction, either together or in lots, at the Fountain Inn, Uffculm, on Saturday the 23d day of October next, at Four o'clock in the afternoon. - The Premises are situate in the parish of Culmstock, about a mile and a half from the Town of Uffculm aforesaid, and now in the occupation of JOHN TUCKER, as yearly Tenant. - For viewing the premises, apply to the said JOHN TUCKER; and for further particulars, to Mr John Coldridge, or Mr S. T. Coldridge, Surveyors, Exeter. - Dated Exeter, September 27th, 1824.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 26 May 1827
Fatal Pugilistic Contest. Between A Father And son. - On Wednesday, an Inquest was held at Culmstock, near Wellington, before Isaac Cox, Esq., Coroner, on the body of PHILIP STARK, a shoemaker, aged 68, whose death was occasioned by very peculiar circumstances. It appeared that the deceased, who resided at Uffculm, had gone to Culmstock fair on Tuesday, and having spent the day, as is usual on such occasions, in drinking with his friends, was met by his son and some others at two o'clock in the morning of Wednesday, when an altercation ensued, and the father stripped to fight his son; some blows ensued, and the deceased having missed his aim, fell (according to some of the witnesses) over a bank; he remained there some time, almost in a state of insensibility, and died before medical assistance could be obtained. The evidence was very contradictory as to the particular fact of his falling, some of the witnesses attempting to criminate the son, by saying that he kicked his father in the bowels and side, and forced him over the bank; and others, that no such acts of violence were committed. Messrs. Ayshford and Nott, respectable surgeons of Culmstock, deposed that they were not called to the deceased until life was extinct, - that on examining the body they found marks about the abdomen, of external injury, - that the internal parts, particularly the stomach and intestines, bore marks of violence, but they could not conscientiously swear that the deceased died of the blows which were said to have been given him by his son; they admitted, however, that if, as had been stated, such blows were given, they were the probable cause of death. - The Inquest was adjourned until Thursday morning, when Mr Tucker, Surgeon of Exeter, attended to open and re-examine the body. His evidence coincided with that given by the other medical gentlemen on the preceding day; he, however, cautioned the Jury not to form any conclusion from the black appearance of the lower part of the body, as such marks often existed when no external injury had been received, especially at this season of the year; an instance of which had come under his (Mr Tucker's) observation only two days before. As to the appearance of the stomach, he was convinced there was sufficient to account for death, as it bore indications of severe injury having been lately sustained and every other part of the body being in a sound state. Mr Poole, solicitor, who attended on the part of the accused, asked Mr Tucker whether poison would not produce some what the same appearance of the stomach; Mr T. admitted that it would, as would also the action of the gastric juice; he however thought, if blows had been given, they were the more than probable cause of death. The Inquest was not concluded at a late hour on Thursday evening and we have not yet heard the result.

Exeter Flying Post, Thursday 31 May 1827
JOHN STARK has been committed to the Devon County Gaol, on the Coroner's warrant, charged with Manslaughter, under the following circumstances. The prisoner's father, PHILIP STARK, 68 years of age, a shoemaker, residing at Uffculm, had attended on the 22d inst. at Culmstock fair, where he drank freely, and at 2 o'clock, on the morning of Wednesday, fell into company with his son, a quarrel took place, the father stripped to fight, some blows ensued and the old man fell over a bank, he remained there some time, almost in a state of insensibility, and died before medical assistance could be obtained. The evidence, on the Inquest, was of a conflicting nature, and after an adjournment from Wednesday to Thursday, late in the evening of the latter day, the Jury returned their verdict as above. The unfortunate son conducts himself in prison with the greatest propriety, expressing deep regret for what has happened, and declaring that whatever he did was entirely in self-defence; he is a fine stout athletic man, 32 years of age, and 6ft. 2in. in height; is understood to be of good character and was his offence bailable, security to any amount would be given for his appearance at the Assizes.

Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser, Wednesday 5 September 1827
Culmstock. To Be Sold. - At the White Hart Inn, in Wellington, on Thursday the Twenty Seventh Day of September next, between the Hours of One and Three o'clock in the Afternoon, during the remainder of a Term of Ninety-nine Years, determinable on the death of the Survivor of Three Persons, aged Thirty-three, Nine and Eight Years, A Genteel Residence, comprising a Dwelling House, Stable, and necessary Outbuildings and about Seventy Acres of Meadow, Orchard, Arable Land, and Pasture, with unlimited Rights of Common on Maiden Down and other Commons, situate within Half a Mile of the Western Turnpike Road, in the Parish of Culmstock, Five Miles South West of Wellington and Nine Miles from Tiverton, partly occupied by LIEUT. PICKMOORE. - The Premises are holden under the Dean and Chapter of Exeter. - The situation is most healthy and desirable for Sporting. - To view the Premises, apply to the occupier and for further particulars to James Partridge, Attorney, Tiverton. All letters to be post paid. August 25th, 1827.

Sun (London), Thursday 6 March 1828
Insolvents Applying To Be Discharged: ANTHONY POOK, Culmstock, farmer.

Western Times, Saturday 15 March 1828
Insolvent Debtors: ANTHONY POOK, of Culmstock, farmer and serge maker, had settled with his creditors.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 29 March 1828
Culmstock. - Notice is hereby given, that all those who are indebted to the late MISS BETTY BROWN, of Culmstock, in the County of Devon, deceased, are requested to pay the amount of their respective debts, on, or before the 7th day of April next, to MR WILLIAM BROWN, of the same place, Executor. And whoever has any just claim on the late MISS BROWN is requested to send the particulars of such demand, on, or before the said 7th day of April, to the aforesaid MR WILLIAM BROWN, in order that he might liquidate the same. Dated March 22d, 1828.

Exeter Flying Post, Thursday 21 August 1828
MARRIAGE - At Culmstock, on Monday last by the Rev. Mr Ritchie, ROBERT WREFORD, Esq., of Uffculm, to MISS SOPHIA TAPSCOTT, eldest daughter of ROBERT TAPSCOTT, junr., Esq., of Prescott.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 13 September 1828
Game Duty, County of Devon. Persons who have obtained Game Certificates for the year 1828. List (1) General Certificates at £3 13s. 6d. each: AYSHFORD, A. M. Esq., Culmstock. CORNER, WM. yeoman, Culmstock.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 17 January 1829
Peculiar Court Of The Dean and Chapter of Exeter. - GILLHAM v. CORNER and POWER. - This is a suit for perturbation or disturbance of the plaintiff's right and possession of a seat or pew in the church of Culmstock, occasioned by a division thereof into seats by the defendants, (the first one of the churchwardens and the other a builder), by and with the authority of the vicar of the parish. - The hearing of this cause occupied the attention of the Court (the Worshipful Canon Rogers, and W. M. Praed, Esq., as Assessor, having been substituted by the Venerable the Dean), the whole of Tuesday last, and a Decree will be pronounced at the next Court, when a more particular account will be given. - Counsel for the plaintiff - Mr Crowder; Proctor - Mr Kemp, Sen.; Counsel for the defendants - Mr Coleridge; Proctors - Mr Gear and Mr Barnes.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 24 January 1829
In the Peculiar Court of the Dean and Chapter of Exeter - Friday Jan. 23. - GILLHAM v. CORNER and POWER. - This day, a sentence was read before the Worshipful John Rogers, by which it was decreed that the defendants had improperly and without due authority, divided the seat or pew in question (in the parish church of Culmstock) and directed them to restore it to is former state, and to certify their having so done within two months; and that the same, when restored, be allotted as the property of the plaintiff and his family; each party paying their own costs; from which the Proctors appealed.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 21 March 1829
Devon Assizes. - William Wood, alias Thomas & Peter Fowler, were put to the bar upon a charge of having stolen out of the bedroom of SAMUEL TOWNSEND, of Culmstock, a box containing 51 sovereigns, and 1 half-ditto, 5 one-pound notes of various banks, one note of hand for 10l. one silk handkerchief, and several articles of wearing apparel, in December last. - Robert Gillend deposed to finding 10 sovereigns hidden in the ditch of a field about a mile off, to which he was directed by the prisoner Wood, who said it was part of his share of the property stolen from TOWNSEND. Prisoner afterwards took witness to Fowler's house, but would not suffer him to go in: went with Wood about a mile further and he then produced a steel purse, containing 22 sovereigns, which he delivered to witness. - John Davy, a farmer, was directed by Wood to a field in his (Davy's) occupation, and then found a bundle which he brought to TOWNSEND'S house. - There were two or three other witnesses who proved that Wood had first charged a man named Saunders, with the offence and afterwards Fowler. - Several witnesses were called to speak to the character of the latter, who was acquitted and Wood found guilty. Death Recorded. - The prisoner is a youth of about 16 years of age. The trial lasted four hours.

Sherborne Mercury, Monday 24 August 1829
Culmstock, Devon. - To Be Let By Auction. - For a term, from Michaelmas next, at the Three Tuns Inn, in Culmstock by MR W. CORNER, on Monday, the 31st of August, 1829, at five o'clock in the afternoon, on such conditions as will be read at the Auction, The Following Desirable Premises, in Lots:- Lot 1.- The Western Part of the late Dwelling House of MR WILLIAM HELLINGS, deceased; consisting of a good parlour, kitchen, three good bed-rooms, and other necessary offices; a walled Garden, with choice fruit trees and a Kitchen Garden; forming a desirable residence for a respectable family. Lot 2.- The Eastern Part of the said Dwelling House, Barn, Courtlage, Stable, Cow Sheds, and Pound House, with all other attached and detached Offices; also a good Garden, and about 1 acre of productive Orchard, together with the Rights in Towning Meadow. This is a desirable Residence for any business. The above will be let with or without additional Lands. - For viewing the same and other particulars, apply to MRS S. H. HELLINGS, the proprietor, or to the Auctioneer, if by letter, post-paid.

Sherborne Mercury, Monday 1 February 1830
Culmstock, Devon. - To Be Sold. - The Fee Simple and Inheritance of all those two very desirable Estates, called or known by the names of Clysts and Brookshill, situate at Prescott, in the parish of Culmstock, containing by admeasurement 51A. 3R. 32P. of most excellent Orchard, Meadow, Pasture and Arable land. On Clyst's is a good Dwelling-house, Walled-Garden, and Offices, well adapted for the residence of a small genteel Family; on Brookshill, a Dwelling-house and Garden. - Also, a Cottage and Garden, in the occupation of WILLIAM BROWN, in the village of Prescot. The lands are in a high state of cultivation, having been for many years past in the hands of the Proprietor. The whole will be sold either together or in Lots, as will be described in handbills, to be had at the principal Inns in the neighbourhood. - For which purpose a Survey will be held at the Lamb Inn, South Appledore, in the parish of Uffculm, on Wednesday, the 24th of February next, at three o'clock in the afternoon. - For viewing the Premises, apply to MR BOWDEN, at Prescott; and further particulars may be known on application to Mr Marker, Uffculm, or to Mr William Cleave, Land surveyor, Little-Marshall, near Exeter. All letters to be post paid. Dated 28th January 1830.

Sun (London), Saturday 1 May 1830
Whereas, by a Decree of the High Court of Chancery, made in a Cause, Watson v. Brutton, dated the 4th February, 1830, it is referred to Samuel Compton Cox, Esq., one of the Masters of the said Court, to inquire what Incumbrances or Liens are upon the Trust Estates, which consist of a Freehold Messuage and Farm, called Pond Farm, in the Manor of Nicholashayne, in the Parish of Culmstock, in the County of Devon, and also a Messuage, Farm and Lands, lying within the said Manor of Nicholashayne, called Serle's Norrishes or Braggs, situate in the said Parish of Culmstock, which said several Farms and Lands are in the occupation of JOHN JEWEL COLLIER or his under tenants; and also the Reversion of a Freehold Tenement or Dwelling-House and several Closes of Land, called Hole, situate in the Parish of Culmstock aforesaid, now or late in the occupation of WILLIAM CORNER; therefore, any person or persons claiming to be Incumbrancers upon the said Trust Monies, or claiming to have a lien thereupon, are forthwith, by their Solicitors, to come in and establish their claims before the said Master, at his Chambers, Southampton-buildings, Chancery-lane, London, or, in default thereof, they will be excluded the benefit of the said Decree. - Galworthy, Solicitor, Cook's-court, Lincoln's Inn.

Western Times, Saturday 24 July 1830
Devon County Sessions. - WILLIAM QUICK, for stealing from JOHN WOOD, in the parish of Culmstock, Linen Draper, 40 yards of printed Cotton. The cotton was exposed to view in the window, from which the prisoner had taken it. The case was clearly proved, and the court sentenced him to be imprisoned 6 months, and to be twice privately whipped.

Sherborne Mercury, Monday 14 November 1831
Culmstock, Devon. To Be Sold By Auction. - At the Angel Inn, in Tiverton, on Wednesday, the 23d. of November instant, at eleven o'clock in the forenoon, either together or in the following Lots, Lot 1. - The Reversion of a Moiety of all that desirable Farm, Lands and Premises called Southey Barton, and Southey Mills, situate in the parish of Culmstock aforesaid, containing in the whole, by estimation, 110 acres, or thereabout. - The Estate is subject to the Life-Interests of MR JOSHUA NEWBERRY and GRACE his wife, therein, who are aged respectively about 62 years . Lot 2.- the Reversion of and in a Close of Ground, called Normans, otherwise Henniker Meadow, in Culmstock aforesaid, containing about 3 acres more or less. - This Meadow is subject to the same Life-Estates. - The Premises may be viewed on application to MR JOHN BROOM, the occupier; and further particulars obtained of Mr Brien or Mr Loosemore, Attornies-at-Law, Tiverton. - N.B. part of the purchase money may remain on security of the premises. - Dated November 5th, 1831.

Perry's Bankrupt Gazette, Saturday 26 November 1831
Meetings Under English Insolvent Debtors; Estates, Gazette, November 15, 1831. BAKER JOHN ROBERT, of Culmstock, Devon, gent. - meet 22d Dec. at eleven, office of Mr Galsworthy, Cook's-court, Lincoln's Inn, to make a further dividend.

Exeter Flying Post, Thursday 25 October 1832
Declaration Of Electors: - Culmstock. - We the undersigned do agree to form a Committee of Management for the purpose of securing the return of a Member for the Northern Division of the County, Free of all Expence whatever. - In coming to this resolution, we desire to add that we are individuals of no personal importance, we have no relation of any sort with parties, we are also totally unaccustomed to political matters, but we do think at this present moment it is the bounden duty of every good man, of every prudent man, and of every interested man, however humble his station may be, to turn his most serious attention to this subject. For after an excitement unparalleled in our history, we are on the eve of a great political experiment, an experiment no less than "a New System of Government under a New Order of Society," and therefore, not only the happiness, but even the security of ourselves and families, will mainly depend on those to whom we now entrust the practical solution of this momentous problem.

Western Times, Saturday 12 January 1833
Culmstock And Hemyock Farmers' Society. At Meetings of Holders and Occupiers of Land, held the 1st and 2nd days of January, 1833, in the Parishes of Culmstock and Hemyock, pursuant to Public Notices, for the purpose of taking into consideration the necessity of forming a Society for the Protection of the Farming Interest. MR RICHARD FRY, in the Chair, at Culmstock. Mr John T. Gervis in the Chair at Hemyock. It was considered by the Meetings.- That Associations and Combinations had so multiplied in the Kingdom, that those who do not make use of the same means, must inevitably sink under the pressure of Bodies which pursue their objects with the advantages of united purpose and action. - That Commerce, Manufactures and Trade, have, in every branch, societies instituted for the protection of their several interests, and that all measures considered prejudicial to these interests are immediately opposed by petition to the Legislature, representation or remonstrance to the Government, and appeal to public opinion. - That this state of affairs obliges all classes to defend their particular Interests in accordance with such practice, and the actual feelings of the Times. - That it is therefore essentially necessary that the Farming Interest should have the same advantage. - 1st. To form a Society for the protection of the Farming Interest, to be called "The Farmers Society" in the earnest hope and expectation of the general support of Holders and Occupiers of Land, by which alone a sure safeguard will be obtained of their common Interests. - 2. That the Society be limited solely and exclusively to the protection of the Farming Interest, "without any interference whatever in political or party matters." - 3. That all Holders and Occupiers of Land for Agricultural purposes be eligible as members. - 4. That the Rules now read for the regulation of the Society be confirmed. - 5. That the neighbouring Parishes be invited to concur in a measure so expedient and beneficial, by the institution of similar societies or by joining this society. - 6. That the Proceedings and Resolutions of the Meetings be published in the Western Times, Western Luminary and Monday's Sherborne and circulated by handbills. Richard Fry, Chairman, Culmstock; John T. Gervis, Chairman, Hemyock.

CULMSTOCK.

Western Times, Saturday 27 July 1833
Devon Lammas Assizes. - Trials of the Prisoners. - John Harvey indicted for breaking into a dairy, at Culmstock, belonging to JOHN DAVEY, and stealing therefrom 42lbs. of cheese. It appeared in evidence that the prisoner was seen about 10 o'clock in the night of the 9th of July inst. with the cheese under his arm, he left them at a house saying he would call for them in the morning - but the occupiers of the house, hearing that the dairy had been broken into, suspected that all was not right, and carried the cheese to MRS DAVEY, who identified it. The prisoner was found Guilty.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 21 September 1833
The Creditors of JOHN ROBERT BAKER, formerly of Barnett's Hotel, Spring gardens, in the County of Middlesex, afterwards of Brussels in the Netherlands, since of Calais in the Kingdom of France, and late of Culmstock in the County of Devon, Gentleman, an Insolvent Debtor, discharged from imprisonment under and by virtue of an Act of Parliament passed in the Fifty third Year of the Reign of His Majesty King George the third, intituled "An Act for the Relief of Insolvent Debtors in England," are requested to meet the Assignees of his Estate and Effects, at the Offices of Messrs. Galsworthy and Nicholls, Solicitors, No. 9 Cook's Court, Lincoln's Inn, in the County of Middlesex, on the Twenty Fifth Day of October next, at Twelve o'clock at Noon, when and where the said Assignees will declare the amount of the balance in their hands and proceed to make a further Dividend with the same, amongst the Creditors whose debts are admitted in the Schedule sworn to by the Insolvent, in proportion to the amount thereof, subject to such correction of the rights to receive Dividends as may be made according to the Statute. - Galsworthy and Nichols, Solicitors, 9 Cook's Court, Lincoln's Inn, London.

Western Times, Saturday 3 May 1834
Inquest by Mr R. H. Aberdein. - On the 26th ult, at Culmstock on the body of SAMUEL FRY, labourer, aged 79. It appeared that on the 21st ult., deceased was suddenly deprived of the use of his legs, so as to be unable to stand and complained of being cold - in three minutes afterwards he died. Verdict, "Visitation Of God."

Western Times, Saturday 19 September 1835
MARRIAGE - Sept. 10, W. BAKER, eldest son of J. BAKER, Esq., of Nicholashayne Villa, to MARY, the eldest daughter of JOSEPH ALSOP, Esq., of Prescott Cottage, both of the parish of Culmstock.

Sherborne Mercury, Monday 15 February 1836
DEATH - February 9, at Appledore, near the Lamb Inn, Culmstock, MR SAMUEL HENSON, builder, in the prime of life. His loss will be deeply felt and long regretted by his numerous friends; for added to talent in his profession, he was a man of strict integrity and of the most friendly feeling. The Conservative cause in Tiverton, has lost, in him, one of its most firm, active and unflinching supporters.

Western Times, Saturday 28 May 1836
UFFCULME - An Inquest was held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., on Tuesday, the 24th instant, on the body of JOHN WILLEY, of Uffculme, labourer, who hung himself on Saturday, the 21st instant. It appeared that the deceased who was in the employ of Mr Henry Coles, had been a few weeks since discharged in disgrace from the Plymouth corps of marines, having been previously repeatedly punished, of which his back shewed evident marks, but he had conducted himself with propriety during the time he had been in the service of Mr Coles. On Saturday morning last he got up between 4 and 5 o'clock, with the intention of cutting some binds for binding bark, some of which he appeared to have done, as they were found about 6 o'clock in a cart by his master, but he had disappeared, and was not heard of again till Sunday morning the 22nd, when he was discovered by Mr Joel Wood, in a field belonging to Mr John James, suspended by a cord round his neck, attached to a withy stem in the hedge above. Great peculiarity had been for some time observed in the conduct of the deceased, and a verdict was returned by the Jury of "Hung Himself Being Lunatic." - It was stated that the unfortunate man who was a native of CULMSTOCK, had from childhood evinced a degree of aberration of intellect, and it is but too probable that he may have incurred the punishment of stripes during his service in the marines for negligence arising from that circumstance and not from any culpability of his own.

Western Times, Saturday 4 February 1837
MARRIAGE - At Uffculm, by the Rev. J. Smith, ALFRED DUNSFORD, Esq., surgeon, of Culmstock, to EMMA, daughter of MR WOOD, of Rull, in the parish of Uffculm.

Western Times, Saturday 6 May 1837
MARRIAGE - April 23, at Culmstock, MR JOHN DAVEY, of Benshayne House, to GRACE, eldest daughter of MR J. HALLARD, builder, same place.

Western Times, Saturday 9 September 1837
Devonshire. Compact Valuable Freehold Estate. To Be Sold by Auction on Wednesday, the 4th day of October next, at four o'clock in the Afternoon, at the Red Ball Inn, Culmstock, by Mr Sharland, either together or in Lots, the fee-simple and inheritance of all that Compact and Desirable Farm, called HENEGAR, Situate in the Parish of Culmstock in the County of Devon; comprising a Farm House, Barns and convenient Out-Buildings, and 100 Acres, more or less, of Arable, Meadow, pasture and Orchard Land. - The Great Western Turnpike Road passes by the Estate, affording an easy access to the principal market towns of Taunton, Wellington and Tiverton. - MR JOHN HILL, the Proprietor, will direct a Person to shew the Estate, and further particulars may be obtained of Mr Richard Lyddon, Attorney-at-Law, Wellington, Somerset. A considerable portion of the Purchase Money may remain on security of the Estate. - Dated 31st August 1837.

Western Times, Saturday 30 September 1837
Inquest by R. H. Aberdein, Esq. - On Wednesday, the 20th inst., at Culmstock, on the body of HENRY ROWSELL, aged 67 years. The deceased who was a farm servant to Mr Wm. Broom, of Sheldon Grange, Dunkeswell, had been sent to Dunns Hills Kilns, in Holcombe Rogus, with a waggon and horses to fetch lime and after assisting with six other men to drink out their usual allowances of cider - an extra quart each man was procured and swallowed on account of it being the last time for the season that one of the parties would go there for that purpose. The deceased then started in company with another man also driving a waggon laden with lime - he did not then appear to be intoxicated. The deceased and his companion stopped however at a beer house at Whey town about a quarter of a mile from the kiln, where with two others they drank four more quarts of cider. After proceeding about hundred yards from this beer house the deceased got upon the shafts of the waggon, he was driving, and was then observed to be tipsy, and fell back on the lime - his companion put on his own waggon and passed him, then stopped both waggons and got deceased back on his load and drove on his horses for him. When they came to the Red Bull the deceased who had been very restless, and complained of thirst, drank part of a pint of ale. As the approached Culmstock Bridge the deceased who was seen standing up on the shafts very much intoxicated, and holding on by the fore part of the waggon, fell off on the near side on his back, and the fore wheel passed over his body. The companion of deceased, James Quick, who was leading the shaft horse belonging to the deceased's waggon, did not know he was standing on the shafts until after the accident happened. - Verdict returned of Accidental Death.

Western Times, Saturday 28 October 1837
DEATH - Oct. 19, at Culmstock, in his 54 year, MR JOHN GILLARD, yeoman, deservedly respected and deeply regretted.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 25 November 1837
MARRIAGE Nov. 22, at Culmstock Church, by the Rev. John Clarke, of Clayhidon, J. B. Farrant, Esq., of Maidstone, Kent, to Charlotte, third daughter of Robert Gardiner, Esq., of Wellesford House, near Wellington, Somerset.

Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser, Wednesday 24 January 1838
DEATH - Jan. 13, at Culmstock, Devon, REV. JOHN WOOD, for many years Pastor of the Church at Uffculm.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 3 March 1838
The Court for Relief Of Insolvent Debtors. - The Matters of the Petitions and Schedules of prisoners hereinafter named, (the same having been in the Court,) are appointed to be heard as follows: - At Court House at Exeter, in the County of Devon, on the 19 day of March 1838 at the hour of 10 in the morning precisely: SILAS SHEEN, formerly of Burliscombe, and late Culmstock, both in the County of Devon, Labourer, Dealer in Coals.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 17 March 1838
On Thursday the 8th ult., there was presented to the REV. JOHN BLACKMORE, M.A., Curate of Culmstock, Devon, by his congregation, a handsome silver salver and elegant bread-basket, as a testimonial of esteem and respect for faithfully discharging his duties as a minister of Christ's Apostolic Church.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 31 March 1838
Insolvent Debtors' Court. - SILAS SHEEN, formerly of Burlescombe and late of Culmstock, in this county, labourer and dealer in coals, was remanded for two calendar months from the date of filing his petition.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 7 July 1838
Culmstock - This little spirited loyal Parish displayed an unusual degree of loyalty on the day of the Coronation. - About three in the morning the day was ushered in by guns firing and bells ringing. - At nine o'clock, the Clubs, together with the band, (the latter being attired in blue caps and rosettes made for the occasion) proceeded to Millmore to meet the Weavers and those that work at the Factory, each party having their respective flags; they were then joined by the respectable inhabitants, and walked in regular order to Church, where a most excellent sermon from the 1st Chapter of the 1st Book of Kings, verses 39 and 40, suitable to the occasion, was delivered by the REV. JOHN BLACKMORE, A.M. At the conclusion of the service, the procession, upwards of 1500, met at Hillmore, when carvers being appointed for a certain number, they conducted their respective parties to the dinner tables placed in the town. The Poor were most handsomely regaled with roast beef and plum pudding (hot-and-hot), the band playing the whole time; and after the Queen's health had been drunk, with other loyal toasts, and God save the Queen sung by all present, accompanied by three times three, the party were marshalled off to the Beacon-hill, a hogshead of cider being drawn before them for distribution. A tar barrel was burnt on the Beacon; and dancing was kept up till between nine and ten o'clock, when all departed highly gratified with the amusements of the day. - Whilst the party were on the Hill, the Ladies enjoyed their cup of Tea in the Grandstand erected in the Town for the occasion, beautifully decorated with flowers and evergreens. The Pensioners were liberally treated with good Old Port. Culmstock was never known to be so gay and everything was conducted in the most orderly manner.

Western Times, Saturday 7 July 1838
County Sessions. - Sentences of the Prisoners. - ROBERT GILLARD, 17, stealing a fowl at Culmstock - two months imprisonment, 2 weeks solitary and twice whipped. Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser, Wednesday 18 July 1838 BIRTH - July 19, at Culmstock, the lady of MR ALFRED DUNSFORD, Surgeon, of a daughter.

Sherborne Mercury, Monday 4 March 1839
Devon General Sessions. - JOHN BAKER, 32, charged with stealing on the 3rd inst., at Culmstock, eight ducks, the property of JOHN NEW, Esq., - No Bill.

Western Times, Saturday 21 September 1839
DEATH - Sept. 13, at Culmstock, MR JAMES GILLHAM, aged 64, a highly respectable yeoman of that parish.

Western Times, Saturday 2 November 1839
Insolvent Debtor - To Be heard on Saturday the 23rd November 1839 in Bristol, 10 o'clock. JOHN HAMPSON, formerly of Culmstock in the county of Devon, then of Wiveliscombe in the county of Somerset, Licensed Victualler, since of Stratton-street, afterwards renting the Tap of the Crown Cellar, in the Exchange Market, under William Harding of the Crown Exchange Market, aforesaid, and late of Stratton Street aforesaid, all in the city of Bristol and during the whole of such time occasional guard and coachman.

Western Times, Saturday 14 December 1839
Inquest - An Inquest was held by Mr Aberdein, on the 6th inst., at Culmstock, on the body of ANN FRY, an infant aged 3 years, who was so severely burnt by her clothes catching fire, on the 2nd, that she died on the following day.

Western Times, Saturday 21 March 1840
Lent Assizes. - Alleged Sheep Stealing. - JOHN DAVEY, charged with stealing a sheep, the property of FRANCIS WOOD, on the 3rd of March, at Culmstock. Mr Cockburn appeared for the prosecution and Mr W. C. Rowe for the defence. - FRANCIS WOOD - I am a farmer of Culmstock and have land there called the High Fields, where I had 16 sheep on the 2nd of March. Next day I went away to market and did not see the sheep. On the next day I missed a wether hog sheep, and could not find it anywhere. I went to the house of a MR DAVY, near me, where I saw the head and belly of a sheep. I then went and searched Prescot Orchard and found some of the skin f the shank, and the mark of a rope on a tree and blood below. I then went to the house of a MR FISHER and found a skin belonging to my sheep. I afterwards fitted the head and skin, and found that they agreed. - Cross-examined: I am a butcher as well as a farmer, and the prisoner is a butcher; he lives a quarter of a mile from me. MR FISHER lives a mile off. The prisoner himself lives at Culmstock, and not with his father, where I found some of the mutton. I was last in the High Fields on the Monday before the sheep was stolen. I went there to drive in one to kill it; this was about four o'clock, and I then counted them. I had two sorts of sheep there at that time. I saw FISHER on the Thursday; who showed me the skin. That skin belonged to my sheep. MR DAVY, prisoner's father, asked me what marks I had on the skin and I told him there was a C on the near side. I never mentioned ear marks at all. MR DAVY gave every assistance and searched with me. I had two sorts of sheep. I purchased some for Mr Corner, and another from another person. I know that prisoner has bought sheep from a Mr Collier of the neighbourhood. Prisoner has been in the habit of buying and selling sheep. - Re-examined - Prescott Orchard is a ¼ of a mile from my fields. - JOHN FISHER - I know prisoner. I live at Hemiock. On the 5th of March prisoner offered me two sheep skins for sale. I said, you have not picked up MR WOOD'S skin that was lost and brought it to me. He said no. I bought the skins and my wife showed them to the last witness and identified one as his. Cross-examined - I have known prisoner many years. He dealt with me for skins before that time. I am a butcher also. Prisoner has borne a good character for honesty. On this occasion I gave him a fair price for the skins. When I asked him about WOOD'S skin I had no suspicion that he took it. It was in the evening he brought the skin. It was quite open when I saw it. I had the skin from Thursday evening till Friday evening, when MR WOOD came and owned it. I gave the skins to a person to put them into my slaughter-house when I bought them. I did not mark them before I gave then to be put in the slaughter-house. Prisoner's father rents 60 or 70 acres of land, and has private property. The skin was now produced by MR WOOD, and the nark C. was pointed out, but it was very indistinct. The head was also produced by MR FISHER, in order to show the correspondence between it and the skin. MR WOOD cross-examined by Mr Rowe - The head was brought here by my servant. He is not here today. I will positively swear that it is the same head I saw at MR DAVEY'S, because a portion of the lip is left. There might be a bit of the lip left in skinning sheep by a young butcher. Re-examined - I fitted the head to the skin in presence of the Rev. Proctor Thomas, at an examination at his office. That was on the Sunday morning. [Mr Rowe here submitted that there was not sufficient evidence that that was the head. The Court thought that was a question for the Jury.] James Keen - On Tuesday, March 3rd, prisoner offered me for sale a fillet of mutton for 5 ½d. per lb. I don't know the market price. I told him the meat was hot and he said he had killed it that morning. I saw it was dirty and bloody and he said the rope broke and the carcass fell to the ground. Cross-examined - I live at Culmstock, 2 miles from prisoner's house. He is a butcher and I have always dealt with him. MR WOOD recalled was directed by Mr Cockburn to fit the head to the skin, which he did. MR FISHER, recalled by Mr Rowe - I received the skin now produced from the magistrate's office the day after the examination. It was in a constable's possession in the interim. His name is White. I cannot see that any portion of the skin has been cut off since I first saw it. I don't think there has been. I can swear to the skin as being the one that MR WOOD owned. I took particular observation of it. When the young man brought it to me I observed a mark on the head part where it was cut down The witness now proceeded to point out the cut in the skin and said that was the same he alluded to. - By a Juror - I don't know that that is an unusual mark. I don't know that others might not be cut in the same way. By the Court - I did not see the skins in the slaughter-house till I was called in when WOOD called. - By Mr Cockburn - I had other skins there, but they were not of the same colour. The Court here observed to the Jury that if the mark C. was not distinct to them, the identity was not complete. The Jury said they could see no mark and acquitted the prisoner.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 23 May 1840
Capital Freehold Farm For Sale, In Culmstock, Devon. - Messrs. Corner and Farrant will submit to Public Auction, at the Lamb Inn, South Appledore, in the parish of Uffculme, on Wednesday, the 24th day of June next, at Three o'clock in the afternoon, subject to such conditions as shall be then produced, the Fee-simple and Inheritance of all that desirable Estate called CULLIFORD Consisting of a good dwelling-house and garden, out-buildings and offices, affording every accommodation and convenience and an extensive fish-pond contiguous to the house; together with upwards of Seventy Acres of very rich orchard, meadow, pasture, and arable land, in a high state of cultivation, having been farmed by the late owner during the last thirty years. The property is situated within a short distance of the Bath and Exeter turnpike-road, 6 miles from Wellington, 7 from Cullompton, 9 from Tiverton, 11 from Honiton, and 12 from Taunton; is bounded by the river Culme, famed for its trout, and in a country abounding with game. There is a pack of harrier and otter hounds kept in the parish. - This Estate combines the opportunity of investment with a desirable residence rarely to be met with, being beautifully timbered and well watered; the extensive stone quarries and lime kilns of Westleigh are within an easy distance. For viewing the premises, apply to the owners, MESSRS. THOMAS and GEORGE GILLHAM, at the farm; and further particulars may be known on application to Mr Marker, or Mr Richard Bowerman, Uffculme. - Dated, May 15th, 1840.

Dorset County Chronicle, Thursday 11 June 1840
Culmstock, Devon - To Be Sold By Auction. At the White Horse Inn at Tiverton, on Tuesday, the 30th day of June, 1840, at Five o'clock in the Afternoon, either together or in the following Lots:- Lot 1. - The Reversion, in Fee Simple, expectant on the decease of MR JOSHUA NEWBERRY and GRACE his wife, aged respectively about 71 years, of and in an Undivided Moiety of a very Desirable Farm, Lands and Premises, called SOUTHEY BARTON and SOUTHEY MILLS, situate in the parish of Culmstock, in the county of Devon, containing in the whole, by estimation, 110 acres. - Lot 2. - The Reversion, in Fee, expectant on the decease of the same Lives, of and in the Entirety of a Close of Ground, called NORMAN'S, otherwise HENNIKER MEADOW, in Culmstock, aforesaid, containing about 3 acres. - The Premises may be viewed on application to MR JOHN BROOM, the occupier, and further particulars obtained from Mr T. P. Wright, Land Agent, Stuckeridge, near Bampton; or Mr Loosemore, Solicitor, Gold-street, Tiverton. Dated 2nd June 1840.

Western Times, Saturday 29 August 1840
Westbeer Cottage. To be Sold in Fee by Private Contract, a neat Cottage, Standing on a moderately-elevated spot, at Prescott, in the Parish of Culmstock, Devon, surrounded with a Shrubbery and Garden, about One Acre and 28 Perches. The House consists of Two Parlours, Six Lodging Rooms, Kitchen, Back Kitchen, Underground Cellar and other offices. - With the above may be had the whole or any part of 32 Acres of exceedingly Rich Meadow, Arable and Orchard Ground. Apply to MR TAPSCOTT, at the Cottage. Dated August, 1840.

Western Times, Saturday 24 October 1840
Devon County Assizes. - HENRY EXETER In Trouble. - HENRY EXETER was charged with stealing at Culmstock, a quantity of money. SARAH SOUTHEY, widow of Culmstock - lost 7 sovereigns and 5 shillings from a box in my bedroom on the 17th of October, it was safe on the previous day. The bedroom door had been broken open and the box also. I had £50 11s. altogether in the box before it was broken open, prisoner lived in part of my house. - MARK BABB, Constable of Culmstock - On Sunday evening he went in search of HENRY EXETER and traced him to Taunton where he found him in the Castle Yard. I apprehended him and he was searched at the Station House, 6 sovereigns and some silver being found on him. He confessed that he had opened the box with a screwdriver and took out the money. Guilty. - He was further indicted for stealing a coat from MR TOZER of Culmstock. Guilty, 14 years Transportation.

Western Times, Saturday 26 December 1840
An Inquest was held before R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner, at Culmstock on Monday the 14th inst., on the body of MARIA CATRE, aged about four years, whose clothes caught fire in the afternoon of the 12th inst., by which she was so severely burnt that she died on the following morning.

Western Times, Saturday 23 January 1841
Death From Excessive Drinking. - An Inquest was held before Mr Aberdein, on Wednesday, the 13th inst., at Culmstock on the body of HENRY WALL, labourer, aged 39 years. It appeared that the deceased returned home to his lodgings on Monday night between 10 and 11 o'clock, rather tipsy; he ate some bread and cheese and then said he would have something to drink, and he went out again and returned with a half gallon jug of beer. There were then in the house his landlord, JAS. SHEEN and his wife and brother. The deceased put the beer on the table and swore he would drink it up in two minutes; the woman said, "don't HARRY, it will kill thee." He then bet with JAS SHEEN he would drink it in two minutes - he poured it out into a pint cup and drank it at four times following, drinking up the whole in about two minutes. The deceased then sat down before the fire, and appeared to be sleeping and on the woman's return, about a quarter of an hour, she and her husband removed him into a back room and laid him down on some hay, covering him up with bags to keep him warm. this was between 11 and 12 o'clock at night, he was very drunk and insensible and they continued to look at him several times afterwards, when they perceived a considerable discharge from his mouth and saw him gasp twice; they called in assistance, but deceased died soon after 12 o'clock. Verdict - Died of Apoplexy, arising from Excessive Drinking.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 5 June 1841
DEATH - May 31 at Culmstock, after a long and protracted illness borne with Christian fortitude, MR JOHN HELLINGS, aged 70 years. He was universally respected by a numerous circle of relatives and friends, for his social virtues, urbanity of manner and amiability of disposition.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 26 June 1841
Manor of Culmstock - To Be Sold for a Lease, under the Dean and Chapter of Exeter, in one or more Lots, for three Lives, to be named by the Purchaser, an Overland Estate called WOODFURLONGS, In the Manor and Parish of Culmstock, containing about 22 Acres. For this purpose an auction will be held at the Ilminster Inn, Culmstock, on Tuesday, the 13th day of July next, at Twelve o'clock in the Forenoon. For particulars apply to Mr Ralph Barnes, Solicitor; or Mr John Coldridge, Surveyor, Exeter. - MR JOHN SOUTHEY, Culmstock, will shew the Premises.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 10 July 1841
Notice To Debtors and Creditors. All Persons indebted to the Estate of the late JOHN HELLINGS, of Culmstock, in the County of Devon, Gentleman, deceased, are requested forthwith to pay the amount of their respective debts to his Executors, Mr Thomas Webber, of Hearne, in Halberton, or MR W. ANNING, of Wooding, in Culmstock. And all persons having any claims or demands on the said Estate, are desired to transmit the particulars thereof to their Solicitor, Mr Loosemore, Gold-street, Tiverton. 2nd July 1841.

Western Times, Saturday 28 August 1841
MARRIAGE - August 25 at the Independent Chapel, Uffculme, THOMAS GILLHAM, Esq., surgeon of Culmstock to HARRIET, daughter of the Rev. CHARLES WILLIAMS, of the former place. The worthy father of the bride officiated at the Ceremony.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 11 September 1841
BIRTH - Sept. 9 at Culmstock, Devon, the lady of ALFRED DUNSFORD, Esq., Surgeon of a son.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 16 October 1841
The Rev. JOHN WOLLASTON KARSLAKE, has been instituted to the Vicarage of Culmstock, vacant by the resignation of the Rev. WM. KARSLAKE.

Western Times, Saturday 16 October 1841
Ploughing Match Of The Upper Culm Agricultural Association. For the Parishes of Churchstanton, Clayhidon, Hemyock, Culmstock, Uffculme, Dunkeswell and Sheldon. Ploughing - Horse Ploughs. - 4th Prize - G. HOW, ploughman to MR JOHN HILL, Culmstock, £1 5s. Ploughing - Ox Ploughs - 2nd Prize - W. TREMLETT, ploughman to MR GILLHAM, Culmstock, £1 10s Horse Ploughs - Ploughboy s under 18 years of age; 1st Prize, J. ANSTEY, ploughboy to MR JAMES COLLIER, Culmstock £1. The following Premiums were also awarded by the Association. Indoor Male servants - To WILLIAM MORGAN, servant to MR JAMES TWOSE, of Culmstock, 9 ½ years consecutively, £1.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 8 January 1842
Devon County Sessions. - Trial of Prisoners. ROBERT KARSLAKE, stealing two posts, at Culmstock, the property of THOMAS WEBBER - 7 years transportation. RICHARD TAPSCOTT, stealing at Culmstock, a watch, the property of ROBERT ANSTEY - 10 years transportation.

Western Times, Saturday 8 January 1842
Devon County Sessions - Trial Of Prisoners. RICHARD TAPSCOTT, was indicted for stealing on the 30th Oct., in the parish of Culmstock, a watch, watch chain and seal, the property of ROBERT ANSTEY. Guilty. A previous conviction being proved he was sentenced to 10 years transportation.

Western Times, Saturday 2 April 1842
Inquest held before R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner. On the 25th inst. Good Friday, at Culmstock, on the body of JAMES CARNE, aged 7 years, whose apron caught fire in reaching over the grate to the back crook; the poor child who was alone in the house, on finding himself on fire rushed into the road, and the wind being fresh the flames quickly ascended above his head; he died the same night. The body presented a shocking spectacle, the head and face being completely disfigured.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 23 April 1842
DEATH - April 20 at Almshayne Farm, Culmstock, Devon, after a short illness, MR THOMAS WEBBER, in his 74th year, a highly respectable yeoman of that place. His strict integrity of conduct through a long life of usefulness, gained him the esteem of all his fellow-parishioners.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 6 August 1842
THOMAS GILLHAM, Esq., of Culmstock, in this county, received the Degree of Doctor of Medicine from the University of Edinburgh on Monday last; and had the further honour to receive a compliment on his Thesis, and a direction from the Medical faculty of the University, that in the printed list of Graduates, the customary mark of approbation should be prefixed to his name.

Court for Relief of Insolvent Debtors in Devon. - JAMES BINDON, late of Burlescombe, labourer, previously of Upcot Farm, Culmstock, farmer and labourer.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 3 September 1842

BIRTH - August 26, at Culmstock, the lady of ALFRED DUNSFORD, Esq., Surgeon, of a son.

Western Times, Saturday 29 October 1842
Upper Culme Agricultural Association. The Ploughing Match and Annual Meeting came off on the 20th of October. The attendance was very respectable and the proceedings of the day gave great satisfaction. Twenty-four ploughs started for the respective prizes, of which we have only space to enumerate the prizemen, as follows:- Horse Ploughs:- Ploughmen Drivers Plough Owners 3rd GEORGE HOW DAVID SCANNEL MR J. HILL, Culmstock Ox Ploughs:- 1st. WM. TREMLETT HENRY WILLEY MR GILLHAM, Culmstock The following Prizes were also declared at the meeting:- Second Premium:- To THOMAS WEBBER, of Culmstock, who has worked on Upcott Farm in that Parish during the last 47 years consecutively for MR JOHN HILL 5 years, for his father, MR GEORGE HILL 27 years and grandfather MR JOHN CHORLEY 15 years, - £2. Third Premium:- To THOMAS DOBLE, servant to MR THOMAS COOMBE, at Culmstock and Churchstanton, 12 years and 7 months consecutively from Lady-day 1830 to the present time, £1 10s. Ninth Premium:- To THOMAS NETHERCOTT, of Culmstock, now under 21 years of age, apprentice to MR WM. ANNING, of Woodhayne in Culmstock, whom he has served 10 years 10 months and 8 days, 10s.

Western Times, Saturday 7 January 1843
Exeter City Sessions. Trials Of The Prisoners. - A "Bristol Cove Lagged." - William Morgan was indicted for stealing a purse, containing divers coins of this realm, the property of ELIZABETH WHIDDON, on the 22nd December, in St. Sidwell's. - Mr Rowe defended the prisoner and requested that the witnesses might be ordered out of Court. Mr Greenwood was requested by the Court to conduct the prosecution. - ELIZA WHIDDON - I am the wife of THOMAS WHIDDON, of Culmstock. He was a patient in the Hospital on Christmas Eve. About seven in the evening of the day before they showed the Christmas meat. I was walking across the road in St. Sidwell's to see the prize pig at Batten's. I had two half crows, a shilling and a fourpenny-piece in my purse, a few ha'pence and a white handled knife loose in my pocket. Having inspected the pig at Batten's, I proceeded to Manley's shop to look at his show, when I felt a pull at my pocket, turned round, and saw the prisoner close to me and my pocket turned out and empty. The prisoner had several companions with him. He went across the street to the Old London Inn. - I followed him, took him by the arm, and said, "You bad fellow, you have robbed me of every ha'penny I am the owner of." He said "Me! not me," and away he ran down Paris-street. - A gentleman came out of the Inn - I told him that the man in the velveteen jacket had robbed me of every penny I had and he halooed, "Stop thief." I was so frightened that I could not move. I saw the prisoner immediately after in the custody of Mr Rouse. Cross-examined by Mr Rowe - I had seen my money in my purse in the morning. I had taken the knife out of my pocket the same day. By the Recorder - I know that the knife was in my pocket because I know it. By Mr Rowe - I am sure that the prisoner took it because he was at my elbow when I felt the tug at my pocket. There was another man in company with him and he ran to the left, whilst the prisoner went off to the right. Prisoner walked off. When I said he moved slowly, it was when he was in the act of picking my pocket in the crowd. There was more than a hundred people in the crowd. By Mr Greenwood - I mentioned what I had in my pocket before the things were found. - John Rouse, plumber, called. Mr Rowe - Have you been out of Court? Witness - You ordered me out - I hope you are satisfied. The Recorder - It is a very proper question. Mr Rouse - It is rather touching to one's feelings. Mr Rowe - His skin is not so thick as his head. Witness - When I was coming up Paris-street I heard the cry of "stop thief." I saw this man coming at a quick pace past the London Inn stables. I made my way over and caught him by the collar. I said, you are the man. He said, no I'm not, the man that did it has gone by. I did not look at his hands, I watched his face, because I know them customers. About a hundred people came round. I said, stand by and look out, I heard money drop: with a hundred people searching for money it is no use to ask whether I saw it. Joslin came up - the prisoner told me that he had some coppers and a knife in his pocket, when the woman said that she had lost two half crowns. He then took the coppers and a white handled knife out of his pocket. When the woman afterwards said she had lost a white handled knife. I said, will take my oath you pulled one out of your pocket. - Cross-examined - If it will not hurt your feelings, I should like to know if you have ever served the office of parish constable. Rouse - I am bound to act as constable during my life in this city. I hope I shall always act uprightly. He then went on to say Prisoner produced the coppers and the knife immediately that I collared him. He threw away a half crown. I could tell the sound of silver - I heard the distinct sound of silver muffled. I think I could tell the sound of a half crown. The Recorder - As the learned counsel was rather smart upon his ability to detect the sound of half-a-crown, said he thought that a witness might detect the difference in sound between a half crown, a shilling and a six pence. Witness - I solemnly swear, safely and with satisfaction to myself, that it was just such a knife as this (producing a white handled knife). - By Mr Greenwood - I am sure that it was not a black handled knife. The prisoner is not an Exeter man. He is an occasional visitor. By Mr Rowe - I have seen the man before frequently - I have watched such men when I see them sometimes 20 times in the course of the day in my "pramblations" through the city. - John Joslin, an officer of the Police - I found the prisoner in Rouse's custody. I asked MRS WHIDDON if she had lost anything besides money; she said she had, a small white handled pen knife. I immediately moved the prisoner away to have him searched and a young man saw the pen knife at his foot and gave it to me. I took the prisoner to the Station House, searched him and found amongst other things a penny piece, a red pocket book, with two flash notes of the bank of elegance. When I took the prisoner in custody he did not deny that he had taken the purse, nor own it - MRS WHIDDON said that she had lost a small knife, &c. - H. Gregory heard the witness say that she had lost the knife, and then witness picked up the knife, which he handed Joslin. - THOMAS WHIDDON, the husband, identified the knife. Had left it in his waistcoat pocket when he went to the Hospital. He could swear to the knife on account of a fracture in the handle. - Mr Rowe, addressing the Jury, commenting on the feeling which Rouse had thrown into the case by professing to have seen him about the town, though when, where and how, he did not know. Rouse's feelings were very tender - his skin not being so thick as his lead. He was out looking at the crowd of people inspecting the beef, and having a tender heart, suffered his feelings to carry him away when he heard of the poor woman's loss. The learned counsel said that she had not seen the knife, and that she did not know she had it in her possession. He argued that the man was not guilty, for he said I am not the man - the thief has gone on. Rouse was a choleric hasty man, whose feelings ran away with his judgment. His imagination led him to conclude that this was the man, because he heard the cry of stop thief, and heard the woman say that she had had her pocket picked. He took the two knives into his hand, and showed the Jury how the prisoner's knife might appear like the prosecutrix's knife - one being entirely white and the other being partially so. Having argued with great ingenuity, The Recorder put the facts to the Jury. There were circumstances put by the counsel for the prisoner which were worthy the attention of the Jury. Rouse's statement was not strictly correct with that of the prosecutrix, as to the pace prisoner was going down Paris-street. But the discrepancy was very slight and unimportant - for they both agreed that he was the only man going down Paris-street at the time. The whole question turned upon the identity of the knife, for the prosecutrix had lost it some hundred yards off, and the knife was found under the prisoner's foot. - The Jury immediately found the prisoner guilty. He was then arraigned for having been found guilty before for stealing a knife from Mr Dunsford. This fact having been proved by the evidence of Mr Governor Gully, he was found guilty on that point. - The prisoner had much the air of a professional thief. - The Court in passing sentence said it was impossible to doubt the conclusions of the Jury. He had very little doubt that Rouse's suspicions were correct, that he had been long prowling about the city. The sentence of the Court was that he should be Transported beyond the seas for the term of ten years. The sentence excited a sensation in the Court, the prisoner apparently having many friends in the body of the Hall.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 12 January 1843
Devon County Sessions. Trials of Prisoners:- JOHN LARCOMBE, 16, stealing stockings at Culmstock, 2 weeks' solitary and whipt. Imprisoned One Month, Hard Labour, Solitary and Whipped - JOSEPH ROGERS, 17, stealing at Culmstock.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 14 January 1843
Capital Freehold Farm For Sale, In Culmstock, Devon. - To Be Sold by Private Contract, the Fee-simple and Inheritance of all that Beautifully Timbered and Well Watered Estate, called CULLIFORD, combining the opportunity of Investment with a desirable Residence rarely to be met with; consisting of a good Dwelling-house and Garden, Outbuildings and Offices, affording every accommodation and convenience; an extensive Fish-pond; an excellent Threshing Machine, by Water, and more than 70 Acres of rich Orchard, Meadow, Pasture and Arable Land, in a high state of cultivation; having been farmed, during the last thirty years and upwards, by the late Owner and his Son, one of the present Owners. - The Property is within a short distance of the Westleigh Stone Quarries and Lime Kilns as well as of the Bath and Exeter Turnpike Road and of the Bristol and Exeter Railway Line; 6 miles from Wellington, 7 from Cullompton, 9 from Tiverton, 11 from Honiton and 12 from Taunton - is bounded by the River Culme, famed for its Trout; and in a good Country for Game. - Ottery Hounds and Harriers are kept in the parish. - For viewing the Premises, apply to the owners, MESSRS. THOMAS and GEORGE GILLHAM, at the house; and to treat for the Purchase and further particulars, application may be made to Mr Marker or Mr Bowerman, Solicitors, Uffculme. Dated 21st Nov. 1842.

Western Times, Saturday 4 March 1843
Inquest at Red Hill Tunnel on the Bristol and Exeter Railway. - An Inquest was held on Monday last, at the Red Ball Inn, in the parish of Culmstock, before Mr Aberdein, Coroner, on the body of a poor man named JOSEPH GILBERT. It appeared from the evidence that the deceased in company with others, had been engaged during the night of Saturday and on Sunday morning, (for the men work in gangs night and day,) in blasting the rock, in order to form the tunnel for the Bristol and Exeter railway, at Red Hill, near the White Ball Inn, between Cullompton and Wellington. They had formed and charged seven chambers or mines with gunpowder, and fired six of them, before six o'clock on Sunday morning, at which hour they would have terminated their labours, and another gang would have come on. In consequence of the seventh charge not exploding, the deceased and two other men named Thomas Cutes and Thos. Cullum were lowered in the skip or tray, down the shaft of the intended tunnel, to ascertain the cause of the failure in the explosion. In being lowered, the bottom of the skip came in contact with some portion of scaffolding and tilted over, by which the three poor fellows were thrown out. Cutes clung to the scaffolding and saved himself, but Cullum and the deceased were precipitated to the bottom of the shaft, a fall of about 30 feet. Cullum fell perpendicularly and there being about seven feet of water in the shaft, he escaped with little injury, except a thorough ducking and a few trivial bruises, not so the unhappy man GILBERT, who is supposed to have fallen against the side of the shaft, and so have bounded from side to side in his descent as he was picked up a shattered corpse, his head being much fractured and his leg and thigh broken. The deceased was a fine young man, about 32 years of age. He came from Wednesbury in Staffordshire, where he had left a widow and three children. He had only been at work on the railway for a few days. The Jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death.

Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette, Thursday 23 March 1843
Somerset Lent Assizes - JOHN HARTWELL, aged 36, was acquitted on a charge of assaulting ROBERT MOORE, a constable living in Culmstock, in the execution of his duty.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 15 April 1843
MARRIAGE - April 11, at the Registrar's Office, Wellington, MR FRANCIS THOMAS, of Culmstock, Devon, to MISS JANE ANSTY, of the same place.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 17 June 1843
Culmstock - A serious affray took place on Thursday the 8th inst., between the parishioners and a party of navigators; the former had met at the Red Ball to celebrate the annual perambulation of the parish, when a most savage attack was made by the latter, who were armed with sticks: several received some severe contusions and the otherwise harmonious party were dispersed.

Western Times, Saturday 24 June 1843
Inquest by R. H. Aberdein, Esq. - At Culmstock on the 16th instant on the body of a male bastard child, of one MARY RICHARDS, who was confined on the 11th inst. The child shortly after its birth died and reports arose that it did not come to its death by fair means, but had been strangled. It was found, upon examination that the child came to its death from the ignorance of the persons who attended the mother, in not using proper means to quicken and restore circulation and respiration. Verdict accordingly

Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser, Wednesday 25 October 1843
DEATH - October 16, at Culmstock, the residence of his son, MR HENRY PRATT, yeoman, aged 81 years, after a long illness.

Western Times, Saturday 28 October 1843
Agricultural Meeting. Upper Culme Agricultural Association. - The annual meeting of this association was held on Monday, at Culmstock and attracted a number of persons. The prizes were distributed as follows:- Horse Ploughs £2 0s. 0d. WILLIAM MORGAN - MR JAMES TWOSE, Culmstock. Ox Ploughs £2 0s. 0d. ROBERT ANSTEY - MR JAS. COLLIER, Culmstock. Ploughboys. £0 10s. 0d. JAMES DAVEY - MR JOHN DAVEY, Culmstock £0 7s. 6d. GEO. WM. SOUTHEY - MR FRAS. SOUTHEY, Culmstock Agricultural Labourers and Servants. Second Premium - 2nd. Prize to SIMON SHADDOCK of Culmstock, who has worked 34 years for MR RICHD. FRY, £1 15s. Third Premium - 1st Prize to THOMAS DOBLE, servant to MR THOMAS COOMBE, Culmstock and Churchstanton, 13 ½ years, £2. Fourth Premium - 3rd Prize to HESTER BALE, servant to MR THOS. COOMBE, at Churchstanton and Culmstock, 10 ½ years, £1. Female Parish Apprentices - 2nd Prize to ANN ANLEY, under 21, apprentice to MR JOHN DAVEY, of Culmstock, whom she has served 9 years, 10s.

Morning Post, Friday 19 April 1844
BIRTH - On the 8th of April, at the Vicarage, Culmstock, the Lady of the REV. J. WOLLASTON CARSLAKE of a daughter.

Perry's Bankrupt Gazette, Saturday 13 July 1844
NORRIS, THOMAS of Culmstock, Butcher.

Bell's New Weekly Messenger, Sunday 21 July 1844
Culmstock, Devon:- Insolvent Debtors: THOMAS NORRIS, Culmstock, Devonshire, boot and shoe maker.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 23 November 1844
CULMSTOCK, Devon. - To Be Let by Tender, for a Term of 10 years from Michaelmas 1844, all that very desirable Farm and Premises called CULLIFORD, Situate in the Parish of Culmstock; consisting of a good Dwelling-House and all necessary out-buildings, having a water-power thrashing machine and about 70 Acres (more or less) of watered Meadow, Orchard, Pasture and Arable Land, now in the occupation of MR GEORGE GILLHAM. - The taker will be required to pay all rates, taxes, rent-charge in lieu of tithes and other outgoings (except land tax), to repair and keep in good repair all the Premises (except the walls and timber work of the roofs) on being allowed rough timber by delivery. Also to pay immediately for the ploughing and dressing, the Farm being in a regular course of cultivation. For viewing, apply at the Dwelling-house; and further particulars may be known of Mr Wright, Land Agent, Stuckeridge, near Bampton; or M. Bowerman, Solicitor, Uffculme, to one of whom Tenders in writing must be sent on or before the 30th day of November 1844. Dated 18th November 1844.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 21 December 1844
Devon Winter Assize. - JOHN CARFELL, charged with stealing a furnace and a chain, the property of JAMES HILL and THOMAS HOOF, at Culmstock, was acquitted. PETER PHILLIPS (30), WILLIAM DODDMEAD (40), and THOMAS BATHO (15), were tried for setting fire to a wheat rick, in Culmstock, the property of MR GEO. KEEN. Mr Kekewich appeared for the prosecution. The rick was set on fire about 9 o'clock in the morning of the 4th Sept. The prisoners were seen with a fire, at a short distance from the stack, about 10 minutes before the rick was discovered on fire; when they left their own fire by the hedge, they went in the direction of the rick; they were the only persons seen about the spot. Elizabeth Dunn, who was travelling along the road, met Phillips and Doddemead, walking at a moderate pace, about a gun-shot from the rick. She saw Batho come out of the hedge, about 39 yards from the rick. When taken into custody, Phillips had a box of Congreve matches in his pocket, although he had denied, with the rest, having any such thing. The Learned Judge, in summing up, explained the law with regard to principal and accessories and the Jury found Batho guilty, but acquitted the other prisoners. Another indictment against the prisoners for a similar offence was withdrawn, and Thomas Batho was sentenced to transportation for 15 years. His Lordship in passing sentence, however, said he would take care to lay the extenuating circumstances of the case before her Majesty.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 6 February 1845
Culmstock - Died on the 19th ult., in this parish, JAMES GILLARD, aged 102 years. He was a man of very temperate habits, by trade a weaver, and up to his ninety-seventh year worked at the loom, and occasionally in his garden. His sight was rather weak, but otherwise he retained all his faculties, his memory particularly. He was confined to his bed for the last two years of his life.

Western Times, Saturday 8 March 1845
BIRTH - March 6, the wife of MR HILL, of Upcott, Culmstock, of a daughter.

Western Times, Saturday 19 April 1845
MARRIAGE - April 13, at St. Sidwell's Church, Exeter, by the Rev. Francis Courtenay, MR THOMAS PRATT, of Culmstock, yeoman to MISS REBECCA HALLETT, of the former place.

Western Times, Saturday 28 June 1845
DEATH - June 21, of a decline, universally respected, in her 21st year, LOUISA, fifth daughter of the late MR GILLARD, yeoman, Hillmoor, Culmstock.

Exeter Flying Post, Thursday 24 July 1845
Devon and Exeter Assizes. - WICKS and another, V. HEWETT and Others. - This was an action of trespass brought by the plaintiffs (WICKS AND DYER) to recover against the defendants for a trespass alleged to have been committed in breaking open and forcibly entering a public-house kept by the defendants - to which were joined several pleas. - Mr Sergeant Kinglake and Mr Marshman appeared for the plaintiffs; Attorney, Mr Davie, Mr Rogers and Mr Bevan appeared for one of the defendants named Ash; and Mr Crowder and Mr Montague Smith for the remainder of the defendants; Attornies Mr Trenchard for Hewett - Rodham for Lee and others. Mr Sergeant Kinglake stated the case - he said the plaintiffs were the occupiers of the Red Ball, a public-house kept by them in the parish of Culmstock, of which the defendants Mr Wm. and Thos. Hewett, were the owners - they are large brewers in the County of Somerset. The remainder of the defendants were the confederates of those already mentioned. - The plaintiffs, on the 24th of June 1844, wishing to go out gave instructions to those whom they left in charge of the house, to take all precautions to prevent an entry, as they expected one. Their anticipations proved correct - and shortly after the defendants, Mr Hewett and others, came and demanded admittance, which was refused. One of them, more sapient than the rest, suggested that the back door should be tried; and eventually they got in. One of the men (said the learned Sergeant) brought an iron bar with him, which clearly showed they meditated a forcible entrance. The learned Counsel proceeded to call witnesses to prove the entry. The case was proceeding when we left and was likely to occupy the attention of the Court for some length of time.

Bristol Mercury, Saturday 1 November 1845
BIRTH - Oct. 26, at Pitt-farm, Culmstock, MRS F. SOUTHEY, of a son.

Western Times, Saturday 21 March 1846
Devon County Assizes. - Trials Of The Prisoners. - HENRY ANNING, aged 45, was charged with stealing a quantity of wheat, a fir pole and an oaken post, the property of JAMES COLLIER, of Culmstock, on the 3rd of January last. When called on to plead, he said, "Guilty, and I am very sorry for it." He was sentenced to be imprisoned three months with hard labour.

Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser, Wednesday 1 April 1846
MARRIAGE - On Thursday last, by license at the Registrar's Office, Wellington, by the Superintendent Registrar, Wm. Rodham, Esq., MISS MARY PRATT to MR THOMAS TALBOT, both of Culmstock.

Exeter Flying Post, Thursday 9 April 1846
Re; JOHN HILL, of Upcott Village, in the Parish of Culmstock, in the County of Devon, Farmer. - A Petition for Protection from Process having been, on the fourth day of April 1846 filed by the said JOHN HILL in the Court of Bankruptcy for the Exeter District, the Public Sitting for the First Examination of the said Petitioner will take place before Mr Commissioner Bere at the said Court on the 23rd day of April inst., at One o'clock in the Forenoon precisely, when any Creditor may be heard; and the Choice of the Creditors' Assignees will take place at such sitting. By Order of the Court, John Bullivant, Messenger.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 25 April 1846
Court of Bankruptcy for the Exeter District - JOHN HILL, of Culmstock, yeoman, an insolvent, applied to pass his first examination. The insolvent stated that in coming from the station with Mr J. Loosemore, who appeared to oppose him, he said - "You had better not appear against me," and his grounds for saying that were - he had a good father-in-law, who had said, if he could get rid of his father's debts he would see his own debts paid one day. There were many gentlemen present who knew his circumstances. The Commissioner stated that it was right the gentlemen in the Court should know also that the Insolvent had not a farthing for his creditors, whilst he owed between four and five thousand pounds, principally incurred by himself. It might be all very well for the Insolvent to make light of this circumstance and think it a very trifling matter. It appeared that the Insolvent was in custody for debt in March last, and had been released by means of about £100 received from Mrs Rossiter, in order that he should give up all his interest in some estates which he held. When he paid the money he was not aware that he should be obliged to appear before that Court. The estates that he gave up were rented at about £230 a year. He sold his stock in January to persons who threatened to sue him for money which they had lent him. A distress had also been put in upon his property. He had sold a horse to Mr Norris of Loxbeer by which he made £3 10s. profit, but he was obliged to take that money home, put 30s. more to it and pay the £5 for poor's rates. He had bought some sheep of Mr Norris, but not for himself, - as Davey, a butcher of Tiverton, induced him to buy them and offered him 5s. for his bargain. But he never had the sheep nor the 5s. It appeared that Mr Loosemore's bill for £43 was incurred in an action which he defended for the Insolvent, who resisted a claim for £11 made on him by a Mr Brown. - The Insolvent was also examined by a solicitor of Holsworthy, who appeared on the part of a creditor named Talbot. It appeared that the Insolvent, having been relieved from all his property, employed himself last Saturday in ploughing for Mr Twose, a neighbour. He stated that he also rented three cows of Mr Twose, in order to support his wife and children, as they had nothing whatever to live upon. His father had bought some wheat at his sale. The Insolvent stated that he did not know whether his father (who had left this part of the country) possessed any property now. He denied having ever been in partnership with his father as a butter-merchant, nor had he ever been to Cullompton to rise the market. Mr Marks, his wife's father, never gave him a bond for £500 on the marriage of his daughter. Mr Salter, who married the Insolvent's sister-in-law, had received such a bond. Mr Salter never complained to the Insolvent on account of his father-in-law's partiality in that respect. The Insolvent had only spoken to Salter once since his marriage, and that was in cross terms. His father-in-law had promised that his wife should have her share of his property; but since that, he believed he had changed his will and left it to her sole use, in order that she should never want. - Mr Twose was called and examined by Mr Talbot's solicitor. He stated that the cows in the possession of the Insolvent were rented of him. He had bought two of the Insolvent's horses; one of £3 17s. 6d., and the other, an old horse, for £1. This horse had turned out a very good one. The Insolvent passed his examination.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 9 May 1846
DEATH - May 3, at Culmstock, in her 38th year, MARY ANN, the affectionate and beloved wife of MR ROBERT HELLINGS, yeoman, deeply lamented by her family and friends.

Culmstock, Devon - To Be Sold by Auction at the New Inn, Culmstock, on Thursday, the 21st day of May instant, at Four o'clock in the Afternoon, subject to such conditions as will be then and there produced (unless previously disposed of by private contract, of which due notice will be given) all those two Messuages or Dwelling Houses, with two pieces of Land attached; containing by estimation about half an Acre (more or less) situate at Nicholas-Hayne, , about one mile and a half from the village of Culmstock aforesaid and now occupied by RICHARD PENNY and JOHN THOMAS as Tenants thereof. The Property is held for the residue of a Term of 500 years and presents an eligible site for Building. For viewing the same application may be made to the respective Tenants and any further information may be obtained of Mr C. W. Yates, Land Agent and Accountant, Fore-street, Tiverton; or of Mr J. A. Toms. Dated 2nd May 1846. Solicitor, Tiverton.
Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 16 May 1846
Culmstock, Devon. - Eligible, Freehold and Leasehold Properties, With a Manor for Sale. - To be Sold by Auction by Mr S. Gath, at the Angel Hotel, in Tiverton, on Tuesday the 16th day of June next, at Three o'clock in the afternoon (unless previously disposed of by Private Contract, of which due notice will be given) subject to such conditions as will be there and then produced; the undermentioned very desirable Freehold and Leasehold Messuage, Cottages, Lands and Hereditaments in the following or such other Lots as may be agreed on at the Sale. All that Freehold Manor or Lordship of Culmdavy in the said County with its rights, royalties, privileges, members and appurtenances. For the Residue of a Term of 1000 years absolute all those Two Cottages and Gardens, containing about 8 perches; situate near the Town of Culmstock, in the said county and late in the occupation of JAMES STRADLING and CHARLES FURBEER. - For viewing the respective Lots, application may be made to Mr James Osmond, the Tenant of Highwood; and any further particulars may be obtained from Mr Henry Pook Pratt, at Uffculme, or Mr Patch, Solicitor, Tiverton. Dated Tiverton, 14th May 1846.

Court of Bankruptcy For The Exeter District. - MR JOHN HILL, of Culmstock, yeoman. The insolvent came up for final examination. He was opposed by Mr Webster of Hockworthy, solicitor, and examined at considerable length. He stated that he sent four cow bullocks to Churchinford Fair and that with them were driven four bullocks belonging to Mr Hellings, a neighbour, whose man Shaddock accompanied them. The four cows which were his own, he sold at the fair for £25. had let a dairy of ten cows to a man named Wood for 12 months at £10 each cow. Of the rent he received £35 last February twelve-months (almost at the commencement of the contract) to being with and he received the whole of it before Michaelmas, the year expiring at Christmas. Wood kept a book, in which the insolvent entered the sums as he received them. The whole money he received from Wood exceeded the rent by nearly £50. After he came out of the Sheriff's Ward in March last, he paid Wood £45 2s. 6d, £20 was paid the day after he came out and the rest two or three days after on the 16th of March. Sold Wood also eleven hogsheads of cider at 25s. per hogshead, including the casks. Didn't offer his farm to Wood for £50. Some years ago he paid £200 for a life on Baker's Farm; this interest he sold to Mrs Mary Rossiter, when he received £100 from her and gave up possession of his farms on coming out of the Sheriff's Ward. He had stated in his schedule, however, that £100 was received by him for giving up possession and as compensation for his crops in ground, &c. The value of the property which he thus relinquished, he stated to be £1000; but observed that he gave it up because he had no right to keep it, having failed to fulfil the agreement by which he had entered upon it. - The Commissioner remarked that the insolvent ought to have taken the benefit of the Act whilst he was in gaol, in which case his property would have gone for the benefit of the whole of his creditors, instead of giving it all to one set of them. - Robert Nethercott, the lad employed by the Insolvent to drive the bullocks to Churchinford Fair, stated that he took four additional bullocks from Mr Hellings' field by his master's order and none of Mr Hellings' men accompanied them. MR HILL sold all the eight bullocks at the Fair. - John Wood, the tenant of the dairy let by the Insolvent, stated that when HILL came out of prison he paid him £4 in gold, afterwards he paid him some silver, not much; and lastly, he received a £5 note. That was the largest sum he ever received from the Insolvent at one time. He bought the cider of the Insolvent in January last, but did not pay the Insolvent for it. He also bought some pigs for £2 and some odd shillings, but did not pay for them. The Insolvent owed witness's father £10, which he paid, out of the cider and pigs. The receipt for £45 2s. 6d., which had been produced by HILL, was shown to the witness. He recollected signing it on the day it bore date, but did not remember the sum which HILL paid him on that day. The receipt ran as follows: "Had of MR JOHN HILL, £45 2s. 6d., which he stood indebted to me from time to time and wages due to me up to March 16th, 1846. John Wood." there was nothing at present due to him from HILL. - HILL, who had been removed from the room, was recalled, and stated that he had paid £49 to Wood when he received the receipt. - Wood stated that this was not true. - The Commissioner said he did not think he ever saw a grosser case of mis-statement. he had some hesitation whether he ought not to send him to "another place." The only thing to be done was to dismiss his petition, and leave him at the mercy of his creditors.


Exeter Flying Post, Thursday 21 May 1846
BIRTH - May 15, at Culmstock, the wife of A. DUNSFORD, ESQ., Surgeon, of a son.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 20 June 1846
Court of Bankruptcy For the Exeter District. - Re: JOHN HILL, of Upcott Village, Culmstock, yeoman. The Insolvent was brought up in custody. he was examined by Mr Webster of Hockworthy, with respect to his statement on the last occasion that Mr Twose had paid £40 to Mr Lyddon, the landlord, to succeed the Insolvent in Jennings's Farm. - The Insolvent said that was not true, as he was confused when he was before the Commissioner last time. - From the cross-examination it appeared that the opposing creditor, Mr Talbot, had seized the petitioner's effects since his last examination, when the petition was dismissed; since his first arrest, the Insolvent had been in prison eight weeks. He obtained his interim order and was released from custody.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 4 July 1846
DEATH - June 27, at Culmstock, after a painful and lingering illness, ALFRED DUNSFORD, ESQ. Surgeon, of that place, aged 37.

Western Times, Saturday 18 July 1846
Exeter District Bankruptcy Court. - Tuesday, July 14, - Re; JOHN HILL, late of Culmstock, farmer. This was the day appointed for the final order of Insolvent, who had been several times before the Court, a previous petition having been dismissed, from the very unsatisfactory nature of the statement he made. Mr Webster, of Hockworthy, again opposed him today, Mr G. W. Turner supporting, and after a long examination, his Honour having commented in severe terms on Insolvent's conduct, adjourned the final order in the case for three months, refusing him protection for that time, which remands him to Prison.

Exeter Flying Post, Thursday 1 October 1846
Re: JOHN HILL, of Upcott Village, in the Parish of Culmstock, in the County of Devon, Farmer. - Notice Is Hereby Given, - That Mr Commissioner Bere, being the Commissioner acting in the matter of this Petition, will proceed to make a Final Order thereon, at the Exeter District Court of Bankruptcy, Paul Street, Exeter, on the Fourteenth Day of October next, at Eleven O'clock in the Forenoon precisely, unless cause be then and there shewn to the contrary. By Order of the Court, John Bullivant, Messenger.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 3 October 1846
Cullompton Petty Sessions. - JANE CORNER, of Culmstock was charged by WILLIAM CORNER, of Culmstock, her brother-in-law, with having threatened his life. It turned out that the old lady had only threatened his pockets, as she claimed some money of him, - a debt which he denied and hence the "little difference." She promised to delegate her powers of interference in future to her attorney, - and was discharged.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 17 October 1846
Court of Bankruptcy For The Exeter District. - Re: JOHN HILL, of Culmstock, agriculturist. This Insolvent, who came up in custody, obtained his discharge without opposition.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 31 October 1846
BIRTH - Oct. 27, at Culmstock, the wife of MR FRANCIS THOMAS, of a daughter.

Cullompton Petty Sessions. - JOHN DAVEY, of Culmstock, was summoned to support his grand-children, who had become chargeable. It appeared from the rate-book that he was renting at above £100 a year. The defendant promised to support the children and the case was withdrawn.&


Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 5 December 1846
Cullompton Petty Sessions. - Allotments To The Poor. - JANE CORNER, SAMUEL POOK, and PETER HOLWAY, were charged by the Churchwardens and Overseers of Culmstock, for refusing to quit certain allotments of land, made under 2 Will. IV. c. 42, after receiving due notice. Mr Jacobs, Assistant Overseer of Culmstock on the part of the complainants, produced a deed dated 1838, by which 50 acres of common ground were given up by the Dean and Chapter of Exeter and other landlords in Culmstock for allotments for the poor, some of which the defendants now illegally held. In carrying out these provisions, the parish had been put to an expense of between £200 and £300. MR COLLIER, of Culmstock also attended, being one of the Guardians and stated the facts of the case. The defendants considered that the allotments having been made and let to them, became family property, subject to all the rights of primogeniture and the law of entail; and therefore they refused to give up possession. JANE CORNER held the plot in right of her husband; SAMUEL POOK got into his plot by exchange with the former holder; and PETER HOLWAY succeeded his father in his plot. The defendants refused to give up their plots - although the Overseers and Churchwardens promised to give them compensation for their crops in ground - and the Magistrates granted the warrants applied for.

BIRTH - Dec. 1, at Culmstock, the wife of MR JACOBS, master of the National School, of a daughter.&


Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 3 April 1847
MARRIAGE - April 1, at Culmstock Church, MR GEORGE SOUTHEY, to MARY ANN, only daughter of MR JOHN FROST, yeoman, of Culmstock.

Bristol Mercury, Saturday 5 June 1847
MARRIAGE - June 3, at Clifton, by the Rev. John Hensman, MR JOHN COTT, of Dursley, to ANN, third daughter of the late MR JOHN BAKER, of Culmstock, Devon.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 11 September 1847
Cullompton Sessions. Constables' Courtesy. - Catching A Tartar. - PHILIP STARK, THOMAS BURT and ROBERT SKINNER appeared to answer the complaint of ANNE, wife of JOHN TAPSCOTT, of Culmstock, for an aggravated assault, committed upon her in July last. - From the voluminous evidence of MRS TAPSCOTT ( who is an excessively loquacious, but rather good-looking young woman, and whose simple-minded spouse seemed to be at least 70 years of age), it appeared that Mr Macknow, general dealer of Honiton, is in the habit of travelling about the country, supplying the villagers with goods and receiving payment at the convenience of his customers. A day or two before the assault named took place, Macknow called upon MRS TAPSCOTT and either did not receive the sum she was indebted to him, or forgot it, when he handed her a receipt and then demanded the money. This she flatly refused, stating that she had already paid, and would keep the receipt. The consequence was that Stark, a Constable, was directed to bring her before Mr Hurley, the Magistrate, on a charge of stealing the receipt, and she, protesting her innocence of the crime imputed to her, stoutly refused to go, or at least till she had consulted a "very partiklar friend" of hers, in the person of one ROBERT MOORE, the Constable of Culmstock. This "limb of the law" verified the old adage, "save us from our friends," as he injudiciously recommended her not to stir a peg till Stark had produced his authority for depriving her of her freedom; which suggestion she adopted, but in no very mild way and after delivering herself of a volley of abuse, Stark, whose ire was roused, proceeded to extremities, and compelled her to go to Uffculme, if not with him, at all events with her friend Mister Moore. Arrived at Uffculme, Stark left our heroine at the George Inn, in charge of her "confidential adviser," and proceeded to Mr Hurley's residence, to herald her approach. The worthy Magistrate being confined to his bed from illness, could not act without a clerk, and as some time must elapse before the latter functionary would arrive from Cullompton, MISTRESS TAPSCOTT was allowed to remain at the George - not quiet - but in a state of great excitement, expressing her indignation at the treatment she received from Stark, whom she considered "more like a lion than a man." - As all things must come to an end, however, so did this good lady's sojourn at the George. The Justice being now quite ready to receive his visitors, the note of preparation for departure was sounded and re-echoed through the Inn. MRS TAPSCOTT here became quite obstreperous and the scene that ensued beggars description - suffice it to say, that the valiant Stark was almost driven stark mad and having called the other two defendants to his assistance, procured a cart and heaved his "fair" charge into it bodily. Fearing the possibility of the prisoner escaping from their clutches, the three defendants held her down in the vehicle, and drove on at a rapid rate. From her own struggles and their ungentle behaviour, the poor woman's bonnet was knocked off into the road, her clothes were much torn and her person bruised - indeed, so much so, that she did not recover from the ill-effects of her journey for a considerable time afterwards. - Mr Turner addressed the bench on behalf of the defendants, and contended that Burt and Skinner were only doing their duty in responding to Stark's call for assistance and that as MRS TAPSCOTT was guilty of a misdemeanour in not obeying the law by refusing to go with Stark, he was justified in using force to make her go. - The bench acquitted Burt and Skinner of the assault; they considered Stark had used undue violence towards his prisoner, but taking into consideration the difficulties a constable had to contend with in such a case, recommended the appointment of arbitrators on each side to decide as to the amount of damage to be awarded her. - [It is but justice to MRS TAPSCOTT to state that there was no ground whatever for impeaching her, in the first instance, with stealing the receipt, her entire innocence of the charge having been satisfactorily established before the Magistrates.]

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 23 October 1847
Devon County Sessions. - One Month Hard Labour. - MARY ANN FRANKS for stealing butter from ROBERT GEAR, at Culmstock (one week solitary).

Western Times, Saturday 23 October 1847
Upper Culme Agricultural Association. - The prizes to the successful ploughmen were awarded as follows:- Horse Ploughs: JAS. ROWE, ploughman to MR JNO. FRY, of Culmstock £1 5s. The Prizes to Labourers were then awarded:- For Greatest Number of Children - JOHN NORTON, Culmstock, 4 children, £2. Longest Service - JOHN DARE, worked for MR ANNING, Culmstock, 28 years, £2 10s. Female Servants - ANN ANSTEY, Culmstock, 8 years, £1. Apprentices Remaining After the Expiration Of Their Apprenticeship. - EML. HOLLOWAY, Culmstock, £2.

Western Times, Saturday 20 November 1847
Cullompton Petty Sessions. - Petty Larcenies. - WILLIAM HOLWAY, a labourer, and ALFRED FRY, a youngster about 15, were charged with stealing apples from an orchard, the property of MR JOHN FRY, farmer, of Culmstock, on Sunday the 29th of August. last. MR FRY, (a member of the Society of Friends) stated that on the day mentioned, he was returning from his place of worship, when he saw the lad FRY, shaking one of his trees and the other defendant picking them off the tree. Neither of the prisoners made any defence. HOLWAY said he was a labourer with one child, and earned 7s. per week. The Bench thought that his bad example had been the cause of the lad's transgression and therefore fined him 15s. including costs. The lad FRY was discharged on his father's undertaking to give him a sound flogging. JAMES PERCY and SAMUEL PERCY, two young urchins, apparently under 14 years of age, were also charged with stealing apples from MR FRY'S orchard on the 22nd of October last. The prosecutor had detected the lads, sons of his workman, one of them knocking the apples down with a pole and the other picking them up. The mother of the children was present and pleaded hard for forgiveness, her husband's wages she said were but seven shillings per week, out of which she paid one shilling for rent, and the remainder was all that five persons had to subsist on, as her husband had no privileges. She was asked why she did not send those poor boys to the national school, the cost of which was only one penny per head? but she said, that even these two pence could not be afforded out of the miserable pittance she received. MR FRY said that it was not altogether correct that her husband had no privileges, as during the cider season he had his supper every night and his dinner twice a week; he trusted, however, that the Bench would not send the lads to prison, as he was loath to inflict such a punishment, if any other means could be devised to keep them honest. The Bench after some consideration, gravely admonished the lads (through the Chairman, Mr Drewe) and discharged them, on the mother's undertaking to give them a whipping on their return home.

Western Times, Saturday 11 March 1848
Devon County Sessions. - Twelve Months' Imprisonment, Hard Labour, - JAMES SANSOM, stealing at Culmstock, on the 9th of Jan., a razor, from JOHN TAPSCOTT.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 25 March 1848
Devon and Exeter Lent Assizes. - The Grand Jury returned No Bill against JOHN WINN, charged with having, on the 18th of December, at Culmstock, committed a rape on ANN HOOKWAY.

Western Times, Saturday 1 April 1848
MARRIAGE - March 27, at the Baptist Chapel, Prescot, near Culmstock, by the Rev. J. H. May, MR JAMES JAMIESON, tea-dealer of Tiverton, to SOPHIA, daughter of the late MR JOHN GILLARD, of Culmstock, Yeoman.

Western Times, Saturday 1 July 1848
Devon County Sessions. - Sentences of Prisoners. - One Week Imprisonment - JOHN JORDAN, 22, stealing bacon from J. HEWETT, Culmstock, 13th June.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 29 July 1848
Devon Lammas Assize. - HENRY COLE, aged 15, who was indicted with two other boys, pleaded guilty to a charge of having stolen scythes and seeds at Culmstock on the 9th instant. WILLIAM BRADDICK and JOHN STEVENS were charged with having stolen several scythes at Culmstock on the 9th instant. HENRY COLES, who had been included in the indictment, had pleaded Guilty. It appeared that the scythes had been deposited in a barn on the premises of MR JOHN TALBOT. On being missed some tracks were followed to the house of MR ELSTON, where the three boys lived. The case chiefly rested on the confession of COLES, whose evidence could not be taken as against any one but himself. Several witnesses, however, deposed to the loss of the scythes, and their being subsequently found at MR ELSTON'S. The difficulty appeared to be to connect the two prisoners with the theft, or guilty knowledge of it. They were both found Guilty and sentenced to two months' hard labour.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 12 August 1848
Cullompton Petty Sessions. - THOMAS WEBBER, of Culmstock, was summoned by HENRY NETHERCOTT, for non-payment of wages. It appeared that the parties had agreed to settle it for 9s. at the last meeting, but the money had not been paid. The defendant's wife attended and kept the court in uproar until she was forcibly removed. It turned out that the defendant had lent the complainant's mother a donkey cart, which he calculated to set-off against the wages. The Bench ordered the wages and increased costs to be paid, and recommended the defendant to sue in the County Court for the hire of the cart.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 14 October 1848
Cullompton Petty Sessions. - Cowardly Assault. - RICHARD DAVY was summoned to answer the complaint of ANN MAPLEDORAM, of Culmstock. The defendant did not appear and the Constable of Culmstock stated that he met him on Sunday night and told him he had a summons for him. DAVY then ran away. Witness chased him for 300 yards, when the defendant, in attempting to get into a field, tumbled over the gate. Whilst he was on the ground, witness repeated the summons and then DAVY rose up and bolted. He had since disappeared from the neighbourhood. - The complainant stated that on the night of the 28th of September she went to bed, expecting her little girl, BETSEY home from her mistress's, who kept the public-house. As she did not come, witness got up and dressed and went up to the public-house, about midnight, to look for her. She found the door locked and asked for admission. The people inside refused to give it, for fear of RICHARD DAVY, who, they said, had been just turned out for outrageous behaviour. She then saw two men coming up. One of them RICHARD DAVEY, and directly afterwards he fell upon her, beating her very brutally, knocking out one of her teeth, filling her mouth with blood and covering her head with bruises. The companion of DAVEY appeared and corroborated the complainant's story. - Mr Huyshe - But how was it you didn't interfere to prevent this? - Witness: I didn't want to get into the scrape, so I went on. - Mr Huyshe - What, when you saw a man ill-using a woman? - That is not the usual conduct of an Englishman. - The Bench fined the defendant £2 10s., including costs, and in default sentenced him to two months' imprisonment. A warrant was issued for his apprehension.

Western Times, Saturday 31 March 1849
MARRIAGE - March 26, at the Baptist Chapel, Prescot, near Culmstock, by the Rev. J. H. May, MR JAMES DAVEY, of Culmstock, yeoman, to ELIZABETH LYDIA, eldest daughter of MR HENRY DENNIS, also of Culmstock, yeoman.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 31 March 1849
Devon Lent Assizes. - JOSEPH RADFORD, JOHN CROYDON, and JOHN WATTS, were indicted for breaking into the house of JAMES ACKLAND, at Culmstock, on the 25th November last and stealing various articles. Radford and Croydon were found guilty, and sentenced to be imprisoned 12 months. Watts was acquitted.

Western Times, Saturday 11 August 1849
At Somerset Assizes, an action was brought by SARAH MELHUISH, against MR JAMES COLLIER, farmer, of Culmstock in whose domestic service she had been, for injury done her by an assault. Mr Cockburn was counsel for plaintiff; and Mr Crowder for the defendant. It appeared that there was a sheep-shearing dinner at the house in June; and the two female servants heard a noise and screaming, which made them hasten into the room. MR COLLIER was quarrelling with his wife, because she did not like a song that a gentleman had been singing; the song was "something about kissing." He took his wife by the hand, led her out of the dining room and tried to push her upstairs, in order to lock her up in the bedroom. She resisted and the girl MELHUISH clung to her neck to help her. There was a scuffle and though the chief witness, another servant, ELIZABETH TREMLETT, denied that defendant struck her, SARAH MELHUISH did fall or was pushed down and hurt her bosom very much - she fell over a chair. She was obliged to go home and three surgeons were employed, Mr Nott, Mr Bridge, of Wellington and Mr James of Exeter. Verdict for plaintiff, damages £50.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 25 August 1849
BIRTH - Aug 12, at Culmstock, the wife of MR WM. JACOBS, Relieving Officer, of twin daughters.

BIRTH - Aug. 14, at Culmstock, the wife of MR J. W. WRIGHT, yeoman, of twin sons.
Cullompton Petty Sessions. Applications For Licenses. - A beer-house keeper named KARSLAKE, applied for a victualler's license. He resided in Culmstock parish, with a public-house within forty yards. A public-house within a mile on the same road had been shut up from want of traffic. - The applicant, who was well recommended, grounded his merits upon the wishes of the tallymen who formed his customers and who, he said, disliked the other house. The memorials produced in his favour stated that the applicant's house was quieter than the other. - The Chairman said that the Magistrates had always set their faces against allowing beer-houses to become a stepping-stone to ale-houses. It did not appear that this license was required for the public benefit, but only to benefit the applicant's property.

Wellington County Court. - MELHUISH v. COLLIER. - JAMES COLLIER, of Culmstock was summoned by John Melhuish to recover a gun, which the defendant had taken from him on the 4th of October last. It appeared that the defendant has the deputed right of sporting over the manor of Culmstock, holding the deputation under the Dean and Chapter of Exeter, and that on the above mentioned day the plaintiff (John Melhuish) was, with a dog and gun, poaching on the said manor; defendant being near, heard the report of a gun, and immediately repaired to the spot, and found Melhuish in company with another man searching about; the defendant looking round found a partridge lying on its back, with its wings extended, warm and bleeding. The case having been heard at some length, His Honour decided that the defendant was to keep the gun, and the plaintiff pay all expenses. Out of which affair arose the action between the same parties, for the alleged assault said to have been committed on the 22nd of June, 1848.&

Culmstock - On Saturday the REV. W. KARSLAKE, with his lady and children, were out on foot, the eldest daughter, MISS FANNY KARSLAKE, riding on an ass, when the animal starting suddenly, the young lady was thrown violently off and broke her arm. She is now doing well. On Monday, as the waggon and horses of MR J. TAYLOR, of this place, were descending the hill in this village, the harness gave way and the thill horse becoming unmanageable, went on at a rapid pace. One of the wheels coming in contact with the corner of a house, the waggon turned over and the five persons in it, members of MR TAYLOR'S family, were thrown into the road. One of the girls received a cut in the head, but this was the only injury experienced, beyond that of both shafts being broken.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 29 September 1849
Cullompton Petty Sessions. - Poor Rates. - JOHN TURNER, of Culmstock, was summoned at the instance of the overseer for the non-payment of £6 0s. 11d. poor rates. The defendant asked for a fortnight's time to pay it in. The Overseer acquiesced and the summons was renewed for the next Sessions on the defendant paying the costs.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 25 October 1849
Devon County Sessions. - Sentences of Prisoners. - WILLIAM BULTEEL (27), stealing a sheep, at Culmstock, the property of JAMES COLLIER, transported 14 years.

Western Times, Saturday 5 January 1850
DEATH - Dec. 26, at Culmstock, the infant child of MR and MRS TAPSCOTT, of the Ilminster Inn.

Western Times, Saturday 23 March 1850
Devon and Exeter Lent Assizes. - THEOPHILUS HART was charged with committing a rape on MARY ANNE RICHARDS of Culmstock, on the 22nd of February last. There was a second indictment against the prisoner for stealing two sixpences, threepence and a pair of worsted socks from prosecutrix. Mr Cox prosecuted. - The prisoner is a servant of MR GEAR, farmer, of Southy Barton, Culmstock and is 19 years old. The case, as disclosed by the examination in chief of the prosecutrix, appeared to be of a most horrid and atrocious description. Prosecutrix was on her way from Wellington to her master's residence on the evening of the 22nd of February; on the road she met some boys, who attempted to take liberties with her, which she resisted, but the boys followed her. Soon after she was met by a man named Berry, who took her by the arm, and wished to see her home; she declined his offer, but he persisted in accompanying her; and whilst going through a path field, they were met by the prisoner and a man named Searle. She got over a stile into the next field and attempted to run away, when Searle overtook her and told her it was "no use to run away, as she was in the wrong hands now." He held her by the arm until prisoner came up and then they took her to another stile, at the other end of the field. Searle wished her to sit on his knee, but she declined and the prisoner told Searle to hold her fast whilst he fetched a stick to drive away the boys, who, it appears, were still following her. She told Searle if he did not let her go she would cry murder, to which Searle replied, that if she did he would cry murder also, on which she screeched murder three times, as loud as she could, but no one appeared to have heard her. They then let her go on for some distance, until she had passed over a narrow bridge, which crossed a stream of water. On getting to the other side she again began to run, but was overtaken by the prisoner and Searle, who took her out of the path and dragged her towards a hedge. BERRY at this time was behind, driving away the boys. Searle then threw her down and prisoner held her legs. Prosecutrix resisted, scratched Searle's face and tore his hair, on which BERRY came up and took her by the arms whilst she was still lying on the ground. She cried murder, on which prisoner put his hand over her mouth. They did not succeed in their purpose - some boys came up and SEARLE and BERRY went away. Prisoner remained behind and declared that he would have connection with her; she said rather than he should do so, she would go and drown herself and went towards the water, but he stopped her, threw her down and effected his purpose. After this she asked for her basket and prisoner got it for her, but the money and socks were missing. When she got home it was a quarter past twelve; but when the boys first attempted to take liberties with her, it was between nine and ten. The servant man let her in and she told him, in reply to his questions, why she had been so late; said she had been followed by six men, who had taken liberties with her. She did not know prisoner, or either of the men previously except Berry, whom she had seen that morning, thrashing in her master's barn. Her errand to Wellington was to see her child as although but nineteen years old, she had been a mother for two years. It was quite light enough for her to recognise the prisoner, it being, she stated, a bright moonlight. In reply to his Lordship, she stated that she really went to drown herself rather than give up to prisoner; and that she would have done it in an instant if he had not prevented her. - Prisoner stated that after the others had been with her, she said she would drown herself and he told her she should not and then she consented to his having connection with her and that whatever had happened was entirely with her consent. And that when it was known the following Sunday "the other chaps" mothers went to her and offered her 30s. to make it up, that she took the money and signed a paper. - Prosecutrix stated that it was the mothers of the boys who had followed her that wished to make it up, that she told them in the presence of her mistress that she could not make it up. That she told the Constable of it the Sunday night and the next morning they came again - but this time it appeared that Berry's mother was one of the women, that they offered her 30s. to make it up, that she said she did not see how she could make it up as she had spoken to someone about it. The money was however left on the table and prosecutrix appropriated it afterwards to her own use. The outrage took place on the Friday, but she did not acquaint the Constable until Sunday evening, when he appointed to meet her at Uffculme the following morning at nine o'clock. The women came to her with the money twice on Monday morning and left the money on their second visit. She admitted that she had signed a paper which prisoner said was a promise that she would undertake to proceed no further in the matter, but which she declared she did not know the purport of. [The paper was handed to his Lordship]. On being shown to prosecutrix she admitted it was the paper she had put her mark to, but that something had been added to it. The paper was as follows:- We, the undersigned, have paid One Pound Ten Shillings for injuries committed on the person of MARY RICHARDS, who have promised not to prosecute us according to law. The mark of MARY RICHARDS, Wm. Berry, Theophilus Hart, T. Berry, Jno. Dare, Robt. Searle, W. Hart, and Chas. Tapscott. - CHARLES TAPSCOTT of Culmstock, saw prosecutrix coming down the street on the evening in question. Wm. Berry was walking with her; he had his arm round her waist. Witness followed them down to the bridge, about 20 or 30 yards, when he saw the prisoner and Searle running after her. Witness kept behind and watched; saw them all go into the meadow and heard some conversation, but could not remember it. Saw the three men flock round prosecutrix and heard her say something, but could not remember what. When in the meadows he was 50 or 60 yards behind them. The witness, who appeared to give his evidence very reluctantly, would not, or could not, remember what was done, although he admitted that he saw what took place and that the moon was shining. [His Lordship observed that the moon did not rise that night until twelve.] - Witness at length admitted that he had seen the prosecutrix on the ground and described the conduct of the prisoner and the other men, as was stated by the prosecutrix. He saw Berry and Searle go away and went off with them, leaving prisoner and prosecutrix behind. About an hour after he saw prisoner in the street at Culmstock, who told him that he had had connection with the prosecutrix since witness left. In his cross-examination by his Lordship, he stated that he was 18 years old - that he had two boys with him, Walter Hart and Robert Dare. Dare put his hand round her waist, and prosecutrix did not seem to be much against it. Berry then accosted her and put his arm round her neck which she did not seem to resist much. After the other men accosted prosecutrix she seemed to be resisting them, and he heard her speak as if she was in distress, but could not remember what she said; but from witness's answers to other questions, there was no doubt prosecutrix had resisted and that a very brutal and disgusting outrage had taken place, and that, in the words of the witness, she was "sobbing like as if in agony." - Prisoner now stated that when he came out of the public house, the witness was in company with three others, and said there's GEAR'S servant maid, she has had a base child and we will follow her. - Witness denied that he had said so, but admitted that one of his companions had said something of the sort. - John Mayo, servant to Mr Geare, recollected letting in prosecutrix about a quarter before twelve, on the night in question. Her clothes was wet and dirty and she said six chaps had followed her. By his Lordship - Did not observe that her clothes were torn, her bonnet was also dirty. - Hannah Geare, mistress of the prosecutrix, stated that she asked her the next morning, why she was so late and she replied that six chaps had followed her and taken away her basket and money. She did not state anything else then, but witness having heard something about it from other people, put the question to her on Tuesday, when she mentioned the personal injury she had received. On the Monday morning, three women came to her house and left some money on the table. Prosecutrix had lived with her for seven months. She gave her leave to go to Wellington to see her child and expected her back earlier, but it appeared that Wellington was seven or eight miles off and she did not leave their house until two in the afternoon. Prosecutrix still lived with her. - Robt. Moore, Constable of Culmstock, stated that prosecutrix came to him on Sunday evening. She said that she was sent there by her master, and made a statement as to the personal injuries she had received. Witness made search for the parties who had absconded and on the 4th of March, he obtained a warrant under which the prisoner was apprehended at Bristol, on the 15th. Prisoner when brought to witness by a Bristol Policeman, said he should not have been there, had it not been for Searle, and he should not have done it, had he not been drunk. - Prosecutrix was recalled and stated that prisoner had been drinking, but was not so drunk as not to know what he was about. - Prisoner, in his defence, urged, that if the prosecutrix had been able to resist the efforts of three men according to her statement, it was not likely that he could have succeeded, unless she was a consenting party. He called Mary Berry, who stated that she went to prosecutrix on Sunday evening and asked her to make it up. At first she said she would not. Four persons went to her and they said if she would make it up, they would give her three shillings a piece. She replied that she did not know how to make it up; on which her mistress said, as there were so many in the mess, she had better consent to take half a crown from all six and make it up. It was then agreed that she should take 15s. the next morning. They brought it accordingly; but she refused to take less than 30s. As they had not so much money, they went back to get it and at nine o'clock brought the 30s. which she received. The women then asked her to satisfy them that she would not proceed, to sign a paper to that effect. Mrs Geare drew up the paper, which was afterwards shown to Mr Sheares, a shopkeeper, who said it was not sufficient - that the names of the parties accused ought to be on it, and he wrote another form on the other side, which the prosecutrix put her mark to. In reply to the prisoner, witness stated that she had received 5s. from him, which formed part of the 30s. - John Searle, a lad of 16, brother to the man who had taken a part in these disgraceful proceedings, also proved the payment of the money. - His Lordship then summed up. The prisoner was indicted for a very serious offence, which until lately was punishable with death, but though the extreme penalty had been abolished, it was still subject to the highest secondary punishment known to law. His Lordship recapitulated the evidence. As to the prisoner's defence that prosecutrix was a consenting party, he observed that it was hardly possible that such could be the case, as to the assault in which the three persons were concerned, and had prisoner been indicted on that charge, his conduct was such that in law he would have been liable as a principal. As to the agreement not to prosecute, if a rape had taken place such an agreement was entirely illegal; the only way it could be used for the defence was by suggesting that a person who would take money in that way could not have received such an injury as had been described - that would be for their consideration. On the other hand the paper showed that there had been an outrage committed, from the anxiety of the parties to make it up, and their specifically stating that the money was paid to avoid a prosecution. In conclusion his Lordship observed that though there were some remarkable circumstances in the case, the main and almost the only question was whether the prosecutrix was or was not a consenting party. If she was not, they must find the prisoner guilty; if on the contrary it appeared that the prosecutrix consented to the conduct of the prisoner, it would be their duty to acquit him. The Jury, after a minute's consideration, returned a verdict of Guilty. - His Lordship then passed sentence. He observed that the crime was a most atrocious one. Because this poor young woman had had the misfortune to be the mother of a base child, he and some other persons equally wicked as himself seemed to think that they might use her in the most brutal way possible. The defence set up, that the prosecutrix had made the matter up, was, he conceived, an aggravation of the crime. Although he thought he had succeeded in silencing this poor young woman, happily for the country, justice could not be frustrated in that way, and he would find himself lamentably mistaken. After being a party to the abominable attempt of the others on this poor woman, he had, when she was exhausted by their unmanly treatment, succeeded in effecting his wicked purpose. It was also an aggravation of his conduct that he was a married man. So abominable an outrage required a severe punishment and he therefore sentenced the prisoner to 15 years' transportation.

Western Times, Saturday 25 May 1850
Cullompton Petty Sessions. - ALFRED FRY was charged with ill-treating a pony, the property of MR TAPSCOTT, of Culmstock. A little boy called JOHN BAKER, said he had been sent to Culmstock by his master for coals, when he was met by the defendant, who struck the pony a violent blow with a broom stick. The pony ran away with the cart and ran up a hedge, smashing the cart and throwing the boy, BAKER, out on the ground, where he lay for half an hour insensible. The defendant said that BAKER was driving at a "sharp trot" without reins and thinking the cart would run over him, he struck the pony to turn him aside. MR TAPSCOTT, BAKER'S master, said BAKER was driving with reins and that FRY was a perfect nuisance to the neighbourhood. He was fined £1 or fourteen days imprisonment.

Cullompton Petty Sessions. - An order was granted for the removal of ELIZABETH NEATHERCOTT and her two children from the parish of Cullompton, to that of Culmstock. Her husband had absconded from her, about three years ago, in consequence of which, she had become chargeable to the parish. She had never heard anything of her husband since he left, nor had she the slightest idea where he was at present.
Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 25 May 1850
Cullompton Petty Sessions. - Pauper Removal. - An application was made on the part of the Churchwardens and Overseers of Cullompton, for the removal of ELIZABETH NETHERCOTT and her two children, who were receiving relief from that parish, to Culmstock. It appeared that her husband left her about three years ago, since which she had been in the Tiverton Workhouse, receiving pay from Cullompton. JOHN NETHERCOTT, father of the defendant, proved that his son was apprenticed to a tanner in Culmstock, but that he ran away before the expiration of his time, when he was 19 years old. The application was granted.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 27 July 1850
Cullompton Petty Sessions. Arrears In Poor's Rates. - An old woman, named HANNAH TOOS, was ordered to pay 9d. for half a year's poor's-rates for her house in the parish of Culmstock.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 7 September 1850
Cullompton Petty Sessions. ROBERT KARSLAKE, keeper of a beer-house near the Red Ball, in Culmstock, applied for a victualling license. MR KARSLAKE said there was a great deal of travelling there by persons going to the train and sometimes people were taken ill. - Mr Huyshe. - If you believe it, on licensing day, spirits seem to be the panacea for all kinds of diseases. But you are only forty yards from an old-established inn; if a person is taken ill and gin is the panacea, you have only to go fifty yards to the door. - MRS KARSLAKE - But it's very hard to go to another house. - Mr Huyshe - There I grant you, that's the point most important to you. - The license was refused.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 26 October 1850
Cullompton Petty Sessions. A Game Quarrel. - MR JOHN COLLIER, of Culmstock, was charged with an assault upon MR WILLIAM HENRY SPURWAY, of Culmdavy, in Hemiock, upon the 9th of October, in the parish of Culmstock. - The plaintiff was represented by Mr Geo. Turner, of Exeter; and the defendant by Mr Rodham, of Wellington. There were also complaints of two other defendants, who were engaged in the same assault, but it was agreed to take them separately. - It appeared from the statement of the plaintiff's attorney, that the MESSRS. COLLIER were hunting and that while in pursuit of a hare, MR SPURWAY coursed a hare, which was killed, when the defendants attacked him grossly, taunted him with being under sureties to keep the peace and forcibly took him from the hare, which was torn to pieces. - MR SPURWAY, upon being examined, stated that on the 9th instant, he was coursing upon the Common on Culmdavy-hill, with his servant and three grey-hounds. The common was the property of Mr Bowerman, and witness had the right of sporting. He found a hare in an adjoining furze-brake, where he had a right, and after coursing it across the common killed it and took it up. During the course he lost sight of it for about a minute, but when he took it up the three dogs were at it. About four or five minutes afterwards, while he had the hare in his hand, and was looking for another, the defendant came up with Messrs. JAMES and WILLIAM COLLIER, and Mr Wheaton, all on horseback, and said, "That's my hare." Witness said - "I put it up, my dogs killed it, and it's my hare." Defendant said "You're a liar and I'll have that hare." The COLLIERS then taunted him several times with being bound over to keep the peace and finally left him; but JOHN COLLIER turned back and said he'd have the hare, which witness refused to give up. MR COLLIER then called to his son - "WILLIAM, take away the hare." They dismounted, caught hold of witness, and threw him down. After a struggle the hare was torn to pieces. JAMES held MR COLLIER'S horse, and abused witness grossly, saying he should like to put his fist in his chops. Had given defendant no provocation but refusing to give up the hare. - Cross-examined. - There had been differences of opinion upon sporting matters between witness and defendant. Had said that he would kill any hare that crossed him with his grey-hounds. Did not hear the hounds that morning until after he had killed the hare; the hare was not killed upon Mr Bowerman's land, but upon the path; it was not upon Mr Davy's land. When he found the hare, she started from a form; he carried the hare in his hand, because he had no large pocket. It was about four or five minutes after he picked up the hare before the hounds came up. - WILLIAM MAUNDER, servant to the last witness, corroborated his testimony. He saw the hare jump out of her form, and also lost sight of it. He was not sure, but he firmly believed that the hare which his master's dogs killed was the same which they had put up. It was four or five minutes after the hare was killed before MR COLLIER and the hounds came up. The hounds were running and ran to the spot where his master's greyhounds killed the hare, where they stopped, seeing the hare in his master's hand. It was possible that his master's dogs had changed hares and taken up the hunted one, but he believed the latter crossed before. - Cross-examined. - When MR COLLIER came up he said he had had the hare in view, but witness did not believe it. - For the defence it was contended that the charge had arisen out of an unfortunate disagreement between the parties; the defendants, who had kept in view the hare which they were hunting, believing that the plaintiff had purposely interfered with their sport in a manner which was highly unbecoming to a gentleman pretending to be a sportsman. - The Rev. John Huyshe said it was a shame that the time of the Magistrates and the public should be so long occupied to listening to what was merely a struggle for a hare. - MR FRANCIS D. W. WHEATON, a Surgeon, at Culmstock, said he was out with MR COLLIER'S hounds on the morning in question. After finding they had the hare in view until it rounded the corner into the place where MR SPURWAY'S dogs killed it; the hare was alive and kicking in MR SPURWAY'S hand. The greyhounds turned the hare, which MR COLLIER'S hounds hunted from the path and killed it about 27 feet off. The harriers and the greyhounds came together, and MR COLLIER came up in about a minute after the hare was killed. MR COLLIER claimed the hare, when MR SPURWAY, lifting up his stick, said "I'll break your head, and I'm glad of an opportunity to serve you out." A struggle took place for the hare, during which it was pulled to pieces. No personal violence was done to the plaintiff. - Cross-examined. - MR COLLIER did not call plaintiff a liar, and did not hear him allude to plaintiff being under sureties. The evidence of MR WHEATON was corroborated in the most positive terms by MR JAMES COLLIER, but the Magistrates considering that an assault had been committed, fined MR JOHN COLLIER £3 and the other charges were withdrawn upon the payment of the costs.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 16 November 1850
Cullompton Petty Sessions. - Mr Forwood applied for the order of removal of SAMUEL WALKEY, his wife and five children, from Culmstock to Woodchester, in the county of Gloucester. The pauper WALKEY stated that he was offered by the parish a certain sum of money to go home to Woodchester, and they took him part of the road in a cart. But he found he could get no work on the road. No one would employ him because he had such a family He didn't mind where he slept. He stayed in a stable five months, and never took off his clothes.

Western Times, Saturday 21 December 1850
Cullompton Petty Sessions. - Disgraceful Case. ANN BURY v. GEO. LEECH. - Mr G. W. Turner, Exeter, appeared for plaintiff and Mr T. Forwood, Tiverton, for defendant. - Mr Turner briefly stated the facts of the case, and observed that it would be his painful duty to expose some most disgraceful facts. It appeared that the plaintiff, ANN BURY, about 21 years of age, lives with her father in Culmstock. She has a sister, ELIZABETH, not quite 19 years old, who had formed an unfortunate connection with the defendant, GEORGE LEACH. Plaintiff was at a sale at Culmstock on Friday last, where she saw LEACH and her sister. She disapproved of the intercourse, and when they left followed them, entreating her sister to return home. LEACH and a man called HARBURY (whose house had been used as a rendezvous by LEACH and his paramour), then assaulted her and used her very cruelly. - ANN BURY proved the assault. She went after LEACH and her sister after the sale, and said to her, "You'd better come home than go in such company, after he has scandled your character so." LEACH struck her on the side of the head, on the nose and gave her a black eye. She tried to defend herself with her umbrella, which he took away from her, and struck her on the breast and three times with the umbrella, so that she fell down. He then dragged her by the arm and tore her dress and shawl, and covered her with mud. Her sister held her whilst LEACH struck her. Her father came to her assistance, and told LEACH he would follow him wherever he went. LEACH said "he would soon finish him if he caught him in the bye road." He also told witness "He'd cut her throat from ear to ear if she followed him into the bye road." She met HARBURY and his wife a little further in the road and told MRS HARBURY that she was the cause of the disturbance in allowing them to come to her house. When she said this, HARBURY kicked her below and above the knee, and otherwise assaulted her. She went away to get a Constable, but was so weak that she fell against some railings insensible. - Mr Forwood cross-examined her, to prove that she had been drinking and had been the aggressor, but did not succeed in shaking her testimony. - JOHN BURY, father of the last witness, corroborated his daughter' s evidence, and deposed to the marks on her body from the injuries she had received. The old man had been a soldier in the Peninsular and was discharged in the year 1814, and had received a medal with six bars commemorative of his prowess. - A man called Sheddock, a thatcher, corroborated the above statement. He helped ANN BURY home and saw the bruises, which were very bad indeed. ANN BURY bore a very good character in the village. - Constable Moore, also described the bruises as very bad, and gave ANN BURY a very good character. - Mr Forwood, for the defence called - HARRY HARBURY, who deposed having seen ANN BURY hit LEACH with her umbrella, but did not see him strike her at all in return. After ANN had hit LEACH, she struck MRS HARBURY, who did not touch her at all. - A little boy was then called and having been examined as to the nature of an oath, said he saw the plaintiff strike defendant, and "Let at 'un with the umbrella." She left LEACH and went to MRS HARBURY, whom she treated in a similar manner, and ran away with her bonnet. She ran away quite like a strong woman. - On hearing this extraordinarily contradicting evidence, Mr Turner requested the witness Sheddock should be called back, when he stated that the boy came up to him from a different direction from the scene of the quarrel, when it was all over, and asked him where MR LEACH was, so that the lad could have seen nothing at all of the matter. It appeared also that he had made quite a different statement when talking of the matter before. - In reference to the evidence of HARRY HARBURY, MR SHEAR, grocer and draper of Culmstock, stated that he had some conversation with the HARBURYS about the matter, and MRS HARBURY and HARRY HARBURY had said they knew nothing of the matter, but had passed quietly on. - Mr Forwood then called upon ELIZABETH BURY, the unfortunate sister, but withdrew her by the advice of the Bench. - The learned advocate then proceeded to address the Bench for the defence, urging with considerable ingenuity that all the parties had been to the sale, and had been drinking together after it was over. ANN BURY, who was "nearly three parts drunk," seeing her sister go away with a beau, felt a little annoyed at not having one herself and hence the present row. He did not think so much of the fact of HARBURY'S denying all knowledge of the matter, for nothing was more common to answer to a man that was pumping one "Oh! I know nothing about it etc." - The Bench having retired for consultation, The Chairman delivered judgment as follows:- "GEO. LEACH, you have been convicted of this assault, and I must say, that although I have attended this bench for many years, I never heard so gross a case. You have attempted to seduce that miserable girl and because her sister, with good and proper feeling, took her part, you committed this disgraceful attack upon her. This is not the first time, sir, you have been before this bench. I do not envy the feelings of that unfortunate girl, and I think it would have shown, I will not say better taste, but judgment, if she had not been brought here today. You are fined in the full penalty of £5 and expenses, or you will be sent to the common gaol of the county for two months." HARBURY was fined in the same penalty.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 22 February 1851
CULLOMPTON - On Tuesday JOHN and JAMES TREMLETT, charged with stealing pork from MR TWOSE, of Culmstock, and apprehended by Policeman Ware, were committed for trial at the Sessions.

CULLOMPTON - On Tuesday, before the Magistrates, HENRY HARWOOD, of Blackborough, was committed for trial at the sessions, for breaking into the house of HENRY HARBURY, of Culmstock, on the 6th of January last.

Western Times, Saturday 1 March 1851
Devon Intermediate Sessions. - Summary of the Calendar: - One Months' Imprisonment - JAMES TREMLETT, 29, for stealing at Culmstock, on the 17th of February, a piece of pork, the property of MR ROBERT TWOSE, (once whipped). Once Whipped and Discharged:- JOHN TREMLETT, 12, for stealing pork at Culmstock from MR R. TWOSE.

Western Times, Saturday 15 March 1851
Cullompton Petty Sessions. - Mr T. Forwood, Tiverton, applied to the Bench under the following circumstances:- At the last meeting their Worships had refused, on application, to transfer the licence of the Three Tuns public house, Culmstock, from MR MANLEY to a certain MR ARBERY, who had given evidence in a case of assault heard before them some time since, and in which a man called ARBERY had incurred their censure. He (Mr Forwood) feared there might have been a mistake between the defendant and a witness in that case, both of the same name. The applicant, HENRY ARBERY, had lived 15 years in service, had saved his wages to buy the Inn in question and their Worships' refusal would nearly ruin the man. He also held in his hand a great many testimonials of the most flattering description. The Bench assured Mr Forwood that they had not confounded the two brothers. The impression made on their minds at the time the applicant gave his evidence had only been confirmed and they did not think ARBERY was a proper person to keep a public house. They did not pay much attention to testimonials; two of the hon. bench had had to go through 71 testimonials yesterday and that had not made them think more highly of testimonials. The application was granted, subject to certain cautions.

Western Times, Saturday 5 April 1851
Cullompton Petty Sessions. - HENRY GILLARD was charged by HENRY MILTON, a youth of about fourteen years of age, with assaulting him on the 27th of March, at Culmstock. The complainant took him out of his master's stable, shook him by the collar, and struck him violently with a double rope, in consequence of the defendant's boy having flung a stone at his master's pony, which the complainant resented by "giving it him with a little stick about the size of a straw-mote." The defendant acknowledged that he struck the lad, but only "striped him three times, with a double rope." Mr Tapscott, the complainant's master, said it was the practice of the defendant's boys to throw stones at the pony, and the lad struck GILLARD'S boy, because he refused to give up the stones he had in his hand. Emma Hitchcock witnessed the assault and described it as a violent beating. The Bench deemed the assault proved and fined the defendant sixpence, which with the expenses amounted to eleven shillings. The Chairman said that a small fine only had been inflicted in consideration of the defendant's good character. The expenses were much less than was allowed by law - so that he had been dealt with very leniently.

Western Times, Saturday 5 July 1851
Devon Midsummer Sessions. - Culmstock v. Awliscombe. - For appellants, Messrs. Karslake and Coleridge; for respondents, Messrs. Collier and Cox. this was an appeal by which the parish of Awliscombe sought to make a lunatic pauper, now in the Devon County Asylum, chargeable to the parish of Culmstock. SARAH BIRD, aged 68, remembered the father of the present pauper coming to Culmstock with his wife about 50 years ago. They lived next door to witness. About 12 months after their arrival, the pauper, ANN FLOOD was born. FLOOD was of a wandering disposition and went about the country with a peep show and other things. The wife was in distress and received relief from the parish. Witness had accompanied her when she received relief. Mr Collier here intimated that he should withdraw the case, but complained that the respondents should have produced this witness before the Magistrates. If such proceedings were allowed, respondents would not represent their case truly until they came to sessions. Under these circumstances he trusted the Bench would not allow costs. Mr Karslake stated that the other side had refused his clients all reference to the parish books. Verdict for respondents, with full costs.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 12 July 1851
Cullompton Petty Sessions. - Assault:- ROBERT TOZER was summoned by JAMES ACKLAND for assaulting him at Culmstock. Mr Forwood attended for the complainant, the landlord of the Red Ball Inn, who stated that on the 28th of June he was sowing some turnip seed in a field near his house, when, finding that he had not sufficient seed, he desired his wife to send his son to assist him with a donkey-cart, but she refused to let him do so, saying that she would go herself. Complainant then struck his wife several blows with a small stick, when the defendant, who was her brother, came up to him and struck him several blows with his fist, knocking him to the ground many times, and threatening to kill him. - The Chairman remarked that that was a very curious way of treating a woman, and advised the complainant to take a different course in the future. - In his defence TOZER said that he went to the complainant's house about 10 o'clock on the night in question, when, on enquiring for his sister, he found that she had gone to Maiden Down; and on going there he heard her crying murder and found the complainant threatening to kill her. He then interfered and remained near the premises during the night, as the complainant continued to strike her severely with a stick and to threaten to kill her. The Chairman observed that the complainant was not a fit man to keep a public=house and it was a pity all the women of Culmstock did not give him a good licking, for he seemed to be a brutal sort of fellow that ought to be well punished. - The Bench dismissed the complaint.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 9 August 1851
Cullompton Petty Sessions. Attempt To Defraud A Landlord. - JOHN BERRY and ANN MAPLEDORUM were charged with fraudulently carrying away goods from a house, belonging to JAMES BLACKMORE, at Culmstock, in order to defraud him of his rent. - The complainant stated that BERRY was his tenant and on the day after midsummer he demanded the rent (£5 16s.) and forbad him to take away any goods, in order that he might make a distraint. The next day BERRY told him that he expected some money, and he accordingly consented to wait a week. Before the expiration of that time, however, he removed his goods. On the 30th of June complainant saw AMELIA BERRY, between ten and eleven o'clock, take away a quantity of "clome" (crockery). About midnight on the 10th of July he heard persons in the house and, on going there, he saw a clock taken away. - John Dare stated that he was working near the defendant's door on the 25th of June, when he heard BLACKMORE tell BERRY'S wife that she was not to remove any goods. - Robert Moore, Constable, of Culmstock, said BLACKMORE shewed him the weights of a clock and a fire shovel, in a stable, which he said belonged to BERRY. - Mary Dare, and MRS BLACKMORE were called to prove that MAPLEDORUM'S mother had admitted that her daughter had taken the clock. - Defendant said he had offered BLACKMORE the key of the door, and denied that he had ever taken away any of the goods. - The Chairman. - But you connived at your wife's removing them. - ANN MAPLEDORUM, who was such a length of time getting off her gloves, that the Chairman remarked - You wear such smart clothes up in that country that you can't get them off. - After a great effort, however, she released her hand from its gaudy covering and having been sworn, stated that she had seen nothing of the clock, and that her daughter had not taken it. - A great dispute here took place between the witnesses, when Grace said her daughter must be a fool to own it if she had taken the clock. - The Bench fined BERRY £4 double the amount of the value of the goods removed, but dismissed the case against MAPLEDORUM.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 18 October 1851
Devon Michaelmas Sessions. - List of Sentences: One Week's Hard Labour - ISAAC TAYLOR, for stealing a shift from MARY RICE, at Culmstock. One Day - JOHN SMITH, for stealing a shift from MARY RICE, at Culmstock (whipped).

Western Times, Saturday 25 October 1851
DEATH - October 15, aged 61, SARAH, wife of JAMES COLLIER, Esq., R.M. of Furze House, Culmstock, after a long and distressing illness.

Western Times, Saturday 24 January 1852
Tiverton Petty Sessions. - Mr Forwood applied on the part of the Overseers of Tiverton for an order of removal of a man called JAMES WESTERN to the Parish of Culmstock, which was granted.

Sun (London), Wednesday 31 March 1852
Insolvent Petitioners. - GEORGE HOCKEY, Culmstock, Devonshire, yeoman.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 3 April 1852
Cullompton Petty Sessions - Assaulting A Constable. - MARK CORNER was summoned for assaulting ROBERT MOORE, the Constable of Culmstock. The complainant stated that on the 6th of March he went, in the execution of a warrant, to the house of JANE CORNER; and on entering, she slammed the door against him. He succeeded, however, in going in, when the defendant, who was sitting at the fire place, rose up, and catching him by the collar of his coat, endeavoured to put him out. The old woman interfered, and induced him to allow him to remain. - It appeared that at the last Petty Sessions a fine was imposed on JANE CORNER, at the instance of a MRS SARAH HADDEN. The old woman had since gone to live with her son (the present defendant), and when this skirmish took place, MRS HADDEN was so frightened that she was unable to point out her goods, and the consequence was that the Constable could not proceed with the distraint. MRS HADDEN had been so unwell ever since that she was unable to be present today. The prisoner was committed for trial at the sessions.

Whereas a Petition of GEORGE HOCKEY, now residing at Culmstock, in the County of Devon, Yeoman, an Insolvent Debtor, having been filed in the County Court of Somersetshire, holden at Wellington, in the said County, and an interim order for protection from Process having been given to the said GEORGE HOCKEY, under the provisions of the Statutes in that case made and provided, the said GEORGE HOCKEY is hereby required to appear in the said Court to be holden at Wellington aforesaid, before the Judge of the said Court, on the Twenty-second day of April next, at Twelve o'clock in the Forenoon precisely, for his First Examination, touching his debts, estate, and effects and to be further dealt with according to the provisions of the said Statutes; and notice is hereby given that the choice of Assignees is to take place at the time so appointed. - All Persons indebted to the said GEORGE HOCKEY, or who have any of his effects, are not to pay or deliver the same but to Edward Lovell, Esq., the Clerk of the said Court, at his Office at Wellington, in the said County.

Western Times, Saturday 10 April 1852
Exeter Easter Sessions. - Trials Of The Prisoners. Wednesday. (Before Lord Ebrington.) A "Frizzolous" Charge. - MARK CORNER, aged 26, was charged with assaulting ROBERT MOORE, a Constable, in the execution of his duty, on the 6th of March, at Culmstock. The case, which was reported last week, in the Cullompton Petty Sessions, was of a most paltry character. The Constable had gone to his mother's house, to execute a distress warrant, when the prisoner laid hold of him and attempted to put him out of the house, but desisted, on being remonstrated with by his mother. - The Foreman of the Jury said, "We are all come to the agreement that it is but a slight breach of the law!" - The Chairman said they must find their verdict, either one way or the other. - The Jury found the prisoner Guilty. - A Juror said, "Us recommend the prisoner to mercy, sir - it ought not to have been brought here at all - 'tis a most frizzolous charge!" - (laughter). - The prisoner was sentenced to a fortnight's imprisonment and bound over to keep the peace for 12 months, in his own recognizances of £20.

GEORGE WATTS, aged nine years and JOHN WATTS, his father (neither of whom can read nor write) were charged, the former with stealing, and the latter with receiving a penknife and syringe, the property of ROBERT TWOSE, of Culmstock. Mr Pring prosecuted and Mr Carter defended. The evidence against the prisoners was very slight; and they were acquitted.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 17 April 1852
Cullompton - At the Sessions House on Monday, ANN WESTCOTT, servant to MR JOHN C. KNOWLMAN, of Culmstock, was brought before E. S. Drewe, Esq., and the Rev. J. P. Sydenham, charged with stealing from her master a £5 Bank of England note and four sovereigns. The prisoner, to avoid detection, had swallowed the note and put the sovereigns into the fire. A return of the former was caused by the administration to her of an emetic, but in such a state as to be almost impossible to discover what it was. She was committed to the Sessions.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 22 May 1852
Devon Intermediate Sessions. - ANN WESTCOTT was indicted for stealing £9 from MR JOHN COLLIER KNOWLMAN, at Culmstock. The prisoner was a servant in the employ of the prosecutor and was in the habit of dressing his wife, who was an invalid. On the 10th of April the money was missed from her pocket and on the prisoner being accused of taking it she at first denied it, but she was afterwards seen eating a five pound note, which was subsequently brought to light by the aid of an emetic. The four sovereigns were found in the ashes under the grate and the prisoner, when given into the custody of Policeman Moore, admitted her guilt. She was sentenced to six month's imprisonment.

AMELIA BERRY, a married woman, with a child, was charged with stealing a quantity of wood from JOHN JAMES at Culmstock. The prisoner was caught in the act of removing the wood from a linhay, near midnight, on the 1st of May, and was apprehended on the spot. - Mr Carter, who appeared for the prisoner, addressed the Jury at some length, and alleged that the prosecutor had brought the charge against her in order to satisfy his revenge for having been compelled to pay the expenses of an action for wages, which he had brought against her husband at Cullompton. He called the prisoner's mother and sister, the former of whom stated that she had heard the prosecutor say he would have the money out of BERRY or his wife, and the daughter added that he threatened to be revenged on her. - The Chairman, in summing up, severely commented on the course which the prisoner had taken, in endeavouring to cast imputations on the conduct of the prosecutor and was reviewing the evidence, when he was rather uncourteously interrupted by Mr Carter, who bluntly told him that his summing up was more like the reply of a counsel than anything else. - The Chairman said he should proceed as he thought fit. - Mr Carter - I protest against it; you have misrepresented the evidence, but I won't say designedly. - The Chairman denied that he was making a reply on the facts, but he thought it was his duty, and ever should as long as he sat there, to protect witnesses from what he thought unfair attacks. He apprehended it was beyond the duty of a Counsel to import his opinion into the case. - The Jury after some consideration returned a verdict of Guilty, and the prisoner was sentenced to three weeks' imprisonment.

Western Times, Saturday 3 July 1852
Devon And Exeter Sessions. - Trials Of Prisoners. - EDWARD WEBBER (18) was acquitted on a charge of stealing, at Culmstock, on the 29th of May, a pint cup, the property of HENRY ARBERRY. JOHN HILL (21) and JOHN GOFF (21) were charged with stealing, at Culmstock, on the 21st of May, from the person of SAMUEL WALKLEY, seven steel screws, a parasol top and a purse, containing 6s. 6d., the property of SAMUEL WALKLEY. Mr Karslake prosecuted and Mr Cox defended. It appeared that on the 21st of May, the prosecutor was at the Three Tuns Inn, at Culmstock, and was going home about eleven o'clock, the prisoners passed him on either side and Goff forced his hand into his pocket and took out seven screws, a parasol top, and a purse containing 6s. 6d., a scuffle ensued and Goff eventually escaped. Prosecutor asked Hill if he knew Goff, and he said, "No." Prosecutor then went back to the Three Tuns and apprised Moore, the Constable of the robbery, and he took them into custody. Mr Cox here called two witnesses to contradict what the prosecutor had said. From the evidence it appeared the prosecutor was drunk, when they saw him a short time after he was robbed and to one he showed the place in the road and said that it was there that he was robbed, and that he had lost 17s. 6d., but did not know who had done it, and to the other, he pointed out quite a different place, which was 30 yards away from the other, and said that that was the place where he was robbed. The Jury found both the prisoners guilty. The prisoner HILL, on account of a former conviction, was sentenced to ten years' transportation, and GOFF to 8 calendar months' imprisonment with hard labour.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 11 September 1852
TIVERTON - At the Guildhall on Tuesday, before G. Patterson, Esq., and J. Barne, Esq., - JOHN WOOD, JOHN CHANNON, FRANCIS THOMAS and WILLIAM TWOSE, overseers of Culmstock, were summoned by the overseers of Tiverton for nonpayment of £9 0s. 6d., charges incurred under order of suspension of removal of JAMES WESTERN and his wife, dated 16th January, 1852. The money was paid, with costs.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 25 December 1852
Cullompton Petty Sessions - Wages. - JOHN BERRY, of Culmstock, was summoned by JOHN JAMES, for 9s. 9d., for labour done. The case had been brought before the Bench previously, and referred to Mr Hart, who had made his award, but the complainant would not abide by it. The case was now dismissed, the Bench declining to interfere with their former judgment.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 12 February 1853
DEATH - January 26, at Prescott, in the parish of Culmstock, MR COOMBE, aged 60, deeply regretted.

Worcester Journal, Thursday 3 March 1853
DEATH - February 14, at Culmstock, MR WILLIAM SHEERS, sen., father of the Rev. E. Sheers, Wesleyan Minister, Ledbury.

Western Times, Saturday 12 March 1853
MARRIAGE - February 24, at St James's, Paddington, MR W. P. COLLIER, of Bowhays, Culmstock, to MISS FRANCES MARY MOOR, of Cullompton.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 23 April 1853
Cullompton Petty Sessions. - Illegal Assault. - MR JAMES COLLIER and ROBERT ANSTEY were summoned by HENRY ANNING for assaulting him at Culmstock. Mr Forwood appeared for the complainant and Mr Toms for the defendants. - The complainant stated that his mistress (MRS TWOOSE) lent him a gun early in February. On Lady-day he left her service and at her request he was returning the gun on the 22nd of March. As he was passing through a public path near MRS WATT'S house, MR COLLIER came up to him. At that time he had the stock in his pocket, and the barrel under his arm. Without saying anything, MR COLLIER seized the barrel and insisted on taking it. Complainant resisted, when he called ROBERT ANSTEY, and they took away the both parts with violence. In the scuffle he fell into a ditch, and ANSTEY fell upon him: The glass of his watch was destroyed, his neckerchief was broken, and his small clothes torn. - Cross-examined: - After MR COLLIER had taken his gun, he told him that he had authority to do so. - Mr Toms stated that MR COLLIER was the appointed gamekeeper of the Manor of Uffculme. - By the Chairman: - Was not upon any enclosed land when MR COLLIER seized him. - ELLEN WATTS, the occupier of a house near the path where the alleged assault took place, corroborated the evidence of the last witness. - ANN TWOOSE was called to prove that she had requested the complainant to return the gun, but the Bench ruled that her evidence was not admissible, as the defendants were not present when she gave the order. - The Bench, believing ANSTEY was acting under the order of his master, ordered him to pay only a fine of 1s. and the expenses; and on MR COLLIER, who they thought had much exceeded his duty, 50s., including costs. Charge of Illegal Fishing:- JOHN PERRY, DAVID HEMSON, and RICHARD PERRY were summoned for illegally taking fish at Culmstock, on the 7th of April. Mr Forwood appeared for the defendants. - HENRY FROST, game-keeper to CAPTAIN MALLETT, stated that the land belonged to MR CURHAM, and he had orders to look after the fishing in a stream running from Culmstock to Beambridge, on the banks of which he possessed two meadows. - JOHN HUNT said that on the 17th inst., he saw the defendants, with several others fishing; witness was going to church at the time; did not see any of the defendants take out any fish, but RICHARD PERRY held one of the men's legs while he groped for trout; HEMSON was also taking out fish; JOHN PERRY was looking on. - ROBERT HUNT, the brother of the last witness, stated that he was going to Church with his father and brother on the day in question, when he saw the defendants fishing in the Overland Meadow, and his father told him to watch them that they might not go into his land. - Mr Forwood contended that no right of private fishing had been proved, and produced a certificate from Mr Wright, the tenant of the property, giving HEMSON permission to fish. - The Bench, after some consultation, dismissed the case, on the ground that the private right of fishing had not been made out.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 30 April 1853
PRESCOTT, Culmstock, Devon. - To be Sold in Fee, by Private Contract, with Immediate Possession, all that convenient Messuage or Dwelling House, containing two Sitting Rooms, six Bed Rooms, one Dressing Room, large Kitchen, underground Cellar and other convenient Offices, with a productive Walled Garden, well stocked with choice Fruit Trees, Stable, Coach House, and other Outbuildings, two prime Orchards, two Closes of superior Pasture Land, and one Close of Watered Meadow Land, all adjoining, and containing in the whole, by estimation, 8a. 0r. 14p (be the same more or less), situate at PRESCOTT, within the Parish of Culmstock, in the County of Devon, and late in the possession of MR COOMBE, deceased. The Premises are in good repair and are well supplied with water. - The House is distant from the Tiverton Road Station of the Bristol and Exeter Railway 4 miles, and from the Wellington Station about 6 miles; is within a few minutes' walk of the River Culm, where excellent Trout Fishing may be obtained; and a Pack of Hounds in the neighbourhood. - For viewing the Premises apply at the House; and for further particulars to MR COOMBE, of Creech St. Michael, near Taunton; or to Messrs. John and James Trevor, Solicitors, Bridgwater. Dated 28th April 1853.

Exeter Flying Post, Thursday 7 July 1853
Devon Midsummer Sessions. - JOHN FROST, the younger and WILLIAM GILES were charged, the former with having, at Culmstock, on the 26th June, stolen, from the dwelling house of JOHN FROST, the elder, £3 and the latter with receiving £1 5s,, a portion of the money, knowing it to have been stolen. FROST pleaded guilty. Mr Bere prosecuted. Mr Carter defended. It appeared that FROST was apprehended at the Commercial Inn, Uffculme, on the 26th June, and a box containing twelve sovereigns and two sixpences found on him. MR GILES came in and sat by him on his right hand side. FROST was seen to stoop down and untie a boot string, while the constable was turning his back and the witness who observed it thought that he heard something fall to the ground, and that he saw silver there. Did not see MR GILES stoop; but on leaving the room he put his hand into his left pocket and said he had found some money, but did not know where it was. He said he had a sovereign and two half-crowns, and took them out of his pocket, stating that they did not belong to him. He was afterwards apprehended and delivered up the money, saying he did not know how he got at it. The Jury, by the direction of the Court, returned a verdict of acquittal. The Chairman sentenced FROST to twelve months' imprisonment with hard labour.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 23 July 1853
Cullompton Petty Sessions - Affiliation. - ELIZABETH TRICKEY, of Culmstock, applied for and obtained an order of affiliation of 1s. 6d. a week on THOMAS WALKLEY of the same place.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 20 August 1853
Cullompton Petty Sessions. - Assaults Without Blows. - JAMES FRY was summoned for assaulting JOHN JAMES, at Culmstock, on the 25th of July last. From the evidence of the complainant it appeared that he had a dispute on the day in question with a man named UNDERDOWN, and after it was over FRY came up in a fighting attitude and threatened to knock his head off. Complainant, however, told him he would not have the pleasure of doing it that night and there the matter ended, no blows passing on either side, and FRY keeping a distance of ten or twelve yards from him. Under these circumstances the Bench did not consider the case proved and dismissed the summons, ordering the complainant to pay the expenses. JAMES UNDERDOWN was then summoned by JOHN JAMES for an assault at the same place on the same day. This was a similar case to the last. A dispute arose between the parties and UNDERDOWN holding up his fists said he would polish him off if he came near him. It did not suit him however to comply with his request and so no blows passed. UNDERDOWN'S general conduct was such as to put him in bodily fear, having on several occasions threatened "to do" for him, and on the day in question, he used that expression simultaneously with the flourish of a frying pan towards him. The Bench endeavoured to get the complainant's definition of "to do for," but he did not seem very clear about it, varying it from a good thrashing to a skull-cracking. To support his complaint, however, he called his brother, who deposed to hearing UNDERDOWN threaten with an oath to "do for him." The Bench thought there was not sufficient evidence to justify them in calling upon the defendant to be bound over to keep the peace; and they therefore dismissed the summons. Extraordinary Charge Of Misconduct At Culmstock. - JOHN JAMES was then summoned by HENRY MILTON for exposing an indecent print at Prescott, in the parish of Culmstock, on the 24th July last. - The complainant stated that JAMES had frequently accused him of having been guilty of an unnatural crime with a donkey; and on the day in question he was driving a female member of his master's family to church, when the defendant and his brother were standing at the corner of their garden, near his master's gate. While complainant was stopping to shut the gate, the defendant made use of the most obscene language and asked him if he was not ashamed of what he had done. His mistress, who was in the gig, heard all that passed. On the 25th of July an image was set up in his garden, representing a person committing the act before alluded to, with the words "A full trial of HARRY MILTON for ___ , " written underneath. In the evening the defendant's brother, ROBERT, took it down and it had not since been seen. It was portrayed in chalk on an old tea-tray. - The case having proceeded thus far, the Bench consulted with their Clerk, and at the suggestion of that gentleman, as well as Mr Toby, who acted as amicus curioe, they asked both complainant and defendant whether they would rather the charge was decided by the Magistrates summarily, or whether it should be sent to the Assizes by indictment. The former alternative was selected, and, by the consent of both parties, the summons was withdrawn, and a new one taken out under the Vagrant Act, to be heard at the next Sessions, when several witnesses will be called on both sides.

Saint James's Chronicle, Thursday 25 August 1853
MARRIAGE - August 23, at Hemyock, F. D. W. WHEATON, Esq., of Culmstock, to JULIA, eldest daughter of the late ROBERT FARRANT, of Culmpine House, Devon

Western Times, Saturday 1 October 1853
Culmstock - A new bell is about to be placed in the church tower. It is the free gift of JAMES COLLIER, Esq., of Furzehouse and JOHN COLLIER, Esq., of Bowhays. One of the old bells is to be re-cast and the work is to be done at the new bell foundry, recently established in Exeter by Messrs. Pannell.

Western Times, Saturday 26 November 1853
Destructive Fire. - On Saturday evening, about six o'clock, a fire broke out in some out-buildings situated on Southey Farm, near this town, in the occupation of MR ROBERT GEARE, the property of J. Heathcoat, M.P. for Tiverton. In less than ten minutes it communicated to the dwelling house adjoining, which was speedily in a blaze. Some idea of the fury with which the flames raged may be gleaned from the fact that in less than an hour the house was reduced to ashes, and the conflagration was distinctly observed at Tiverton, a distance of ten miles from the spot. The outhouses in which the fire originated, dwelling house, barn, cow sheds, stabling, pig-sties, &c., were burnt to the ground. A hay rick, the produce of 18 acres of land, and valued in about £50, a thrashing and a winnnowing machine, turnip drill, cart, chaff cutter, drags, and other implements of husbandry, an immense quantity of straw, between 40 and 50 bushels of barley and the greater portion of the horse harness, were also consumed; but the pound-house, cellar, and the whole of the live stock, with the exception of a bullock and some poultry, were saved. The furniture belonging to the tenant was also severely damaged by water and removal. It is generally supposed that the fire was the work of an incendiary. The premises were partially insured in the Alliance Fire Office. MR GEARE, who estimates his loss at upwards of £300, was uninsured. Measures are being taken for the apprehension of the offenders and it is hoped they will speedily be discovered and brought to justice.

Western Times, Saturday 11 March 1854
Cullompton Petty Sessions. - Transfer Of License. - Mr Forwood applied for a transfer of the license of the New Ball Inn, at Culmstock, from JAMES ACLAND to SAMUEL PAYNE. This application was adjourned from the 8th of February last, in order to afford an opportunity of evidence being procured to substantiate an objection then taken as to the fitness of the house and of the persons to whom it was sought to transfer the license. Mr Leigh now appeared to oppose the application, and the transfer was refused.

Western Times, Saturday 22 April 1854
MARRIAGE - April 14, at Culmstock, by the Rev. J. Kerslake, MR WILLIAM HOLWAY to MISS SARAH FOWLER of the same place.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 27 July 1854
City of Exeter Assize. - WILLIAM COWLER (27) was charged with stealing a shirt, and other articles, the property of THOMAS WALKEY; and two shirts &c., belonging to THOMAS MILTON. Mr Holdsworth prosecuted. The prosecutors are labourers, at Culmstock, and on the 27th June they came to Exeter and went to the 'Blackamoor's Head Inn.' Whilst here they went into a room where dancing was being carried on and having placed several small articles in a handkerchief, the bundle was handed to MILTON to protect, whilst his comrade enjoyed a dance. MILTON, however, became charmed with the dancing, and forgot all about the bundle, and upon their leaving the house, they missed it. Shortly afterwards they went to a beer shop near the 'Red Cow,' and whilst there, the prisoner came with two bundles - one of which was his own. The prosecutors claimed the other, but he refused to give it up, or even to open it, and upon a Policeman being fetched, the bundle was opened, and the prosecutors' articles were found in it. The prisoner was convicted and sentenced to four months' imprisonment.

Western Times, Saturday 19 August 1854
DEATH - Aug. 11, at Bowhays, Culmstock, JOHN COLLIER, Esq., aged 56; he was struck by lightning on the 26th of July, from the effects of which he never recovered; he was well known as a sportsman and otter hunter. His loss will be severely felt in his neighbourhood, where he was much beloved, particularly by the poor, who have lost in him a kind friend.

Western Times, Saturday 9 September 1854
A Wicked Act. - On Thursday last, ROBT. TOOZE, of Culmstock, was committed for trial at the next Assizes, on a charge of shooting at CHARLES LOUD, with intent to do him some grievous bodily harm. A shot had penetrated the head, which was extracted by a surgeon of Culmstock.

Cullompton Petty Sessions - Absenting From Service. - JOHN WHITE was summoned by JOHN NORTON, of Culmstock, wheelwright, for unlawfully leaving the service of complainant, his master, without his license or consent. Mr Forward appeared for the defendant, who was ordered to be committed to prison for 14 days, with hard labour.&

Western Times, Saturday 21 October 1854
DEATH - Oct. 14, at Hillmore, Culmstock, after a few days' illness, MR T. J. JEWELL, yeoman, in the 45th year of his age, deeply and deservedly respected by all who knew him.

Western Times, Saturday 25 November 1854
MARRIED - Nov. 14, at St Pancras Church, London, Mr William Hands, of St John's Wood, Chemist (late of Cheltenham), to AMELIA, only daughter of the late R. H. POOK, Esq., of Culmstock, Devonshire.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 10 February 1855
Cullompton Petty Sessions. - An application was made by Mr Ware, solicitor, of Uffculme, for an order for the removal of JOHN TOWNSEND, his wife and three children, from the parish of Uffculme to the parish of Culmstock. - A. W. Leigh, Esq., appeared to oppose the order on the part of the Overseers of Culmstock. After a lengthened examination, the order was granted.

Western Times, Saturday 10 March 1855
Devon Lent Assizes. - List of Prisoners for trial up to the present time in the County. - JOHN NORMAN, stealing a shovel at Culmstock from MR JAMES SALTER.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 17 March 1855
Devon Lent Assizes - Calendar of Prisoners to be tried in the County:- ROBERT TOOZE, shooting at CHARLES LOUD at Culmstock.

Western Times, Wednesday 21 March 1855
Devon Lent Assizes - Charge Of Maliciously Shooting. - ROBERT TOOZE (35 on bail) was indicted for feloniously shooting at CHARLES LOUD at Culmstock, on the 26th of August. - Mr Edwards prosecuted and Mr Coleridge defended the prisoner. - Mr Edward Palmer, land surveyor, produced a plan of the prisoner's premises and the land adjoining. - MR LOUD, the prosecutor, stated that he was a farmer residing at Culmstock, where he had lived three years. The prisoner was there before he came. They had not been on the best of terms for the last twelve months. - Mr Coleridge objected to the line of examination pursued by the learned counsel for the prosecution, which would have the effect of prejudicing the case. - His Lordship thought that any evidence adduced with a view of showing malice was legitimate, but suggested that the witness should be called at a later period of the case and accordingly, CHARLES LOUD, son of the prosecutor, was called. He stated that on the 26th of August he was reaping in a field belonging to his father, called Smoky Hole. He left work at about half-past eight o'clock. Some of the workmen wanted to go to Skadding's cottage, and they all went thither. In doing so, they had to pass the prisoner's house, in front of which there is a meadow called Skadding's meadow. The workmen were all singing on coming up the road, but prisoner did not join in it. At the end of Skadding's meadow there is a linhay and near it a gate leading into the road. When he got near there, a gun was fired, some of the contents of which struck him on the right side of the head. Witness saw the flash of the gun and could see that it was fired from the prisoner's garden. He was frightened and did not see if anybody was standing there. He crept under the wall and made his way home. He went to a medical man the next day and had the shot extracted. - Cross-examined - The night was cloudy, but not very dark. Witness himself had never had an angry word with the prisoner. - GEORGE LOUD, brother of the last witness, stated that on the day in question he was at work in Smoky Hole. He accompanied the men to Skadding's meadow. Witness was near his brother when the gun was fired; he was looking towards the prisoner's garden at the time, and he saw him fire the gun. He had on a black Jim Crow hat, and a "blackish colour" jacket; witness saw him put the gun to his shoulder. - JAMES SOUTHERWOOD, servant to MR W. WHITE, stated that his master's house adjoined the prisoner's premises. On the night in question he heard some persons singing, and after that the report of a gun. On hearing that, witness and another servant, named WHITE, went out into their master's garden. They then heard somebody say "wait a bit and we shall see a better opportunity." It was a woman's voice; but he could not see who it was. About four or five minutes afterwards, the gun was fired again and he then saw MR TOOZE standing in his garden and a woman was there with him. MR TOOZE was the person who fired the gun, for he saw him take it down from his shoulder. - Cross-examined - The stars were thick and it was not a cloudy night. - FRANCIS WHITE stated that he accompanied the last witness to his master's garden, on hearing a gun fired. On getting there, he saw the prisoner TOOZE, in company with a woman, in his own garden. He heard someone say "wait a bit, we shall see a better opportunity." After that the gun was fired again. - MR WILLIAM WHITE, a farmer, who lived next door to the prisoner, was called, but the learned counsel for the prosecution said the evidence of the witness was not material. He was however cross-examined by Mr Coleridge at some length. He admitted having been on bad terms with the prisoner, but it was not his (witness's) fault. - MR FRANCIS WHEATON, surgeon of Culmstock, stated that CHARLES LOUD came to him on the 29th of August. He found one shot at the right side of the head - it had penetrated to the bone. the wound was not dangerous, unless some other disease supervened: but erysipelas might have been brought on. - MR LOUD, the prosecutor, stated that he had not been on good terms with the prisoner, but he had never given him any cause of offence. There had been a trial for perjury at Wells in which a workman of his, called ANNING, was concerned. He gave evidence in favour of ANNING, and the prisoner then threatened to make him pay for it. MRS TOOZE also said "she'd be d....d if she would not have him in gaol; and that she would do for him." The prisoner also said at Wellington, "I'll do for you and drive you out of the estate." - This being the case for the prosecution. - Mr Coleridge addressed the Jury for the defence. Undoubtedly, unless some satisfactory explanation was given, there was a case of a very serious nature against the prisoner. For the last two or three years there had been disputes between the prosecutor and the prisoner, who had litigated one with the other and under these circumstances it was not to be expected that great good feeling could exist between them. The presumption in the case was that the prisoner fired the gun with a view of shooting the party dead; but it had been fairly stated by the lad who was shot at, that no bad feeling existed between him and the prisoner; and moreover, he was unable to swear that the prisoner was the man who fired the gun. It was not likely that the prisoner would shoot at the prosecutor's son for a quarrel which he had with his father. He did not believe that the Jury would convict the prisoner upon the evidence adduced against him; for they would remember that every one of the witnesses were under the influence of MR LOUD and MR WHITE, both of whom were on bad terms with the prisoner. He did not however for a moment insinuate that either of these gentlemen came thee to say anything against the prisoner that they did not conscientiously believe, but he did ask the Jury to look upon the evidence in a different manner from what they would do if the testimony was that of independent and impartial men. Did anyone of them ever identify a man, in an uncertain light, merely by the flash of a gun? - He ventured to think that none of them would ever think of doing so, and therefore the case was one in which the evidence against the prisoner was full of difficulty and doubt. - His Lordship summed up with his usual clearness; and observed that it was certainly a very long way out of the course which he had seen generally adopted of gratifying malice - viz. for a man to shoot another man's son out f some malice which he was supposed to have against the father. They had, however, heard what the words were, which it was alleged had been used by someone in the prisoner's garden, and if they considered that they were used under a malicious influence, and with the design charged against the prisoner, then the Jury would undoubtedly find him guilty of maliciously wounding. If on the other hand they believed that the prisoner merely shot off the gun to get rid of the charge, then he could not be found guilty of the offence now preferred against him. - The Jury acquitted the prisoner.

Exeter Flying Post, Thursday 19 April 1855
DEATH - April 15, EMMA, relict of A. DUNSFORD, Esq., surgeon, Culmstock.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 2 June 1855
Cullompton Petty Sessions. - Affiliation. - JAMES ARBERRY of Culmstock, was summoned by BLANCHE ARBERRY, his cousin, to affiliate a child and the defendant not appearing and the evidence being clear, an order was made for 2s. 6d. per week for the maintenance of the child and costs.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 30 June 1855
Cullompton Petty Sessions. - JOHN CORNET, of Culmstock, preferred a charge against SAMUEL COOMBES, of the same place, for violently assaulting him. - It appeared that both complainant and defendant were at work, and had some words about a pick, when the complainant several times called the defendant a liar, whereupon he fell on the complainant and gave him two black eyes besides breaking his nose. - The complainant admitted having several times called the defendant a liar, and the Magistrates considered the justice of the case would be met by defendant's paying the expenses, 12s. 6d.

Transfer of Licenses. - The New Inn in Culmstock lately kept by JOHN STADDON, now deceased, was transferred to GEORGE WILLIAM SOUTHEY (Baker) Cullompton.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 8 September 1855
Cullompton Petty Sessions. - Absenting From Service. A labourer called BAKER was summoned by MR JAMES COLLIER, of Culmstock, for leaving his work after having contracted to cut some wheat. The defendant had been in the employ of the complainant for five years, but there was no agreement between them as to whether he was a yearly, monthly or weekly servant. The case was dismissed.

Vagrancy - ANN TAPSCOTT, of Culmstock, was charged by Mr Jacobs, Relieving Officer, with deserting her children, whereby they became chargeable. She was sentenced to one month's imprisonment with hard labour.

Western Times, Saturday 15 December 1855
Tiverton - Town Hall. Light Weights. ROBERT LOOSEMORE of Culmstock was summoned by Mr Harford, inspector of weights and measures, for using defective weights, &c., in the market-place, on that morning and the previous Tuesday.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 2 February 1856
Cullompton Petty Sessions - The Churchwardens and Overseers of Culmstock, by Charles Talbot, churchwarden, applied for a summons against FRANCIS GILLARD, of the same place, for refusing to deliver up possession of a certain plot of ground, situate at Hele Moor, which had been let to him by the Churchwardens and Overseers some time since, but was now required of him, he being since possessed of other lands in the parish. A summons was granted.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 16 February 1856
Cullompton Petty Sessions. - FRANCIS GILLARD, of Culmstock, cordwainer, was summoned by the Churchwardens and Overseers of the said parish of Culmstock for refusing to give up a certain plot of ground situate at Hele Moor in Culmstock, the same being let to him by the Churchwardens and Overseers of Culmstock. the complainants' reason for requiring possession was that they considered the defendant not a fit subject for the ground, being possessed of property of his own. Mr A. W. Leigh appeared for the defendant and it was proved to be quite clear that the land was duly allotted to the defendant a few years since by some previous Churchwardens and Overseers, and as long as he kept the ground in good cultivation, and did not allow his rent to be four weeks in arrear, it was quite out of the power of the present Churchwardens and Overseers to take the land from him, notwithstanding any error committed by their predecessors in office. the complaint was dismissed.

Western Times, Saturday 5 April 1856
Tiverton Petty Sessions. - An Order was granted for the removal of WILLIAM SHEERS, of Culmstock, a lunatic, to the Devon Lunatic Asylum.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 19 April 1856
Tiverton Petty Sessions - JAMES NETHERCOTT and WILLIAM PERRY, one a farm labourer and the other a servant, were charged with stealing six pecks of what, value 12s., the property of their master, MR JAMES COLLIER, of Culmstock. They pleaded guilty and were sentenced under the Criminal Justice Act to two months' imprisonment with hard labour.

Prisoners Committed To The County Prison Since The 10th Instant. - JAMES NETHERCOTT, stealing wheat at Culmstock, two months.
WILLIAM PERRY, stealing wheat at Culmstock, two months

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 14 June 1856
Cullompton Petty Sessions. Transfer Of License. - An application was granted for the transfer of the license of the New Inn, Culmstock, from GEORGE WILLIAM SOUTHEY to JOHN GILLARD, of Culmstock.

Western Times, Saturday 20 September 1856
Tiverton. - At the Police Office on Saturday, before W. T. Hawke, Esq, ELIZABETH HORSEWELL, charged by MR WILLIAM FISHER, butcher, of Culmstock, with abstracting four pounds of mutton from his stall in the new market place, on the day previously, was admitted to bail in two sureties of £10 each.

Western Times, Saturday 27 September 1856
Tiverton - Town Hall, Friday, Before the Mayor, G. Coles, W. H. Gamlen, W. T. Hawke, J. H. Amory and T. Carew, Esqrs. - Stealing Meat. - Elizabeth Horsewell, the wife of a mechanic employed at the manufactory of Messrs. Heathcoat and Co., was charged with stealing a loin of mutton, value 2s., from the stall of MR WILLIAM FISHER, butcher, of Culmstock, in the New Market Place on the 13th September. Mr Toms conducted the prosecution. The prisoner, it seemed, abstracted the mutton from the stall during the temporary absence of the prosecutor, and it was afterwards found by P.C. Heard, in a basket, at her residence in Westexe. She pleaded guilty and several respectable persons having given her a good character, was sentenced but to one months' imprisonment with hard labour.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 8 November 1856
Cullompton Petty Sessions. - Charge Of Stealing Reed. - THOMAS WEBBER and REUBEN WEBBER, his son, of Culmstock, were charged by ELIZABETH PAYNE, of the same place, wife of SAMUEL PAYNE, innkeeper, with stealing six bundles of reed, the property of the said SAMUEL PAYNE. It appeared from the evidence that the elder prisoner was employed to take down a linhay for the prosecutor and in the evening after the prisoner had left work to go home he was seen by MRS PAYNE about an hour afterwards, where the reed had been deposited, with his son, binding it together, and she saw then take away about six bungles. As they were taking it away she spoke, and said, "Oh, TOM, I little thought you would have robbed me in this kind of way after treating you as I have through the day." He replied "How robbing you - I was going to take it to your house." Whereupon witness said "Not likely." This evidence was confirmed, but from the defence sent up by prisoner there appeared a chance of his being about to remove the reed to complainant's premises. The magistrates, therefore, gave him the benefit of their doubt, and dismissed the complaint.

Western Times, Saturday 17 January 1857
Exeter District County Court - Tuesday, Dec. 13 - GILLARD v. Mason. - The plaintiff is a joiner, residing at Culmstock and the defendant, for whom Mr Stogdon appeared, is a builder of this city; and £2 18s. was the sum sought to be recovered for work done. The plaintiff's case was, that he was engaged by the defendant to work for him and superintend a portion of his business, at 19s. a week. The second day the plaintiff was in the service he was sent by the defendant, to Bradfield, which is about five miles from Culmstock; and whilst at work here, he was allowed 1s. 6d. per week, in order that he might lodge near the premises. Instead of lodging at Bradfield, however, he lodged at his own house at Culmstock - walking ten miles every day. The defendant submitted that, by the plaintiff's lodging at Culmstock, he had no claim to the eighteen pence a-week, and that his agreement with him was at 18s. per week. He admitted, however, that for the first fortnight he paid the plaintiff 19s. per week, but that was under a mistake. It further appeared that a dispute had arisen with regard to damage done to a wainscot door. The plaintiff, whilst working at Bradfield, sent down to the defendant the measurement for a deal door; but the defendant sent up a wainscot door. The door was found to be three inches too wide; but from whose error this misfit had arisen could not be determined, and the plaintiff cut the door without consulting his employer. The loss which the defendant alleged he had incurred by the cutting of this door was £2 4s. 4 ½d. His Honour was of opinion that the plaintiff ought not to have altered the door without communicating with his principal. He, therefore, would divide the loss between the parties; and he did not consider that a joiner, after walking ten miles a day, could be as efficient as if he had only walked half-a-mile. He, therefore, should deduct the amount which the plaintiff had charged on that account; and gave judgment for 12s. 1d.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 7 March 1857
Cullompton Petty Sessions - Charge Of Sheep-Stealing. - JOHN ACKLAND, of Culmstock, a labourer, was charged by MR WILLIAM WHITE, of Upcott-farm, Culmstock, with stealing a ewe sheep, his property, on Sunday morning, the 22nd of February. It appeared from the evidence, that on the Sunday morning in question the prosecutor went to his field and found one of his sheep missing. He saw a traced the tracks of a man to the next field, where the sheep had been killed and where he also found the skin and the head. Prosecutor, accompanied by his brother and the Constable (Robert Twose) traced footsteps from the field close to where the prisoner lodged, and then applied to the County Constabulary, who searched the house and found the prisoner getting out of bed, about noon, with a portion of his clothes on. On examining his smock, marks of fresh mutton grease were found on the sleeves and the same on his trousers, and on his waistcoat marks of fresh blood. Prosecutor said to the prisoner, "I have lost a sheep and I believe you have been and taken it." He replied, "I have not been home before late, and am now just getting up." No mutton was found on searching the house, although they found an apron with fresh marks of blood and grease. Not being able to discover any mutton or part of the sheep they left, however, on the same day. - David Pring, a relative of Mr Tuck of Sampford Arundell, not far distant from the prisoner's house, went to serve the bullocks and on a straw rick, in the Mowbarton, he found a bag of mutton on the top and about the middle part of the rick, covered with straw and wrapped in a petticoat. He then gave information to Mr White, and watched the Mowbarton until relieved by the Constable, to see who came for the mutton. the rick was watched from the Sunday to the following Wednesday by several persons. On the Tuesday night Robert Twose, Constable, watched the whole night and at daylight concealed himself under a mow staddle. After he had been there about an hour, between eight and nine o'clock, he saw the prisoner come into the Mowbarton, looking round every way, with a whet-stone in his hand. He walked about by the ricks for some time, and came close to where the Constable was concealed. After walking round again he came to the rick where the Constable was a second time, and looked under the staddle. He then crept in and saw the Constable concealed and on seeing him he said, "I am come for my whet-stone." The Constable, on searching prisoner's house, found a pick which he recognised as his property and under the rick prisoner said, "You know very well the pick you found down in my house is mine, not yours." He then crept out and was on the same day given into custody. - The mutton found was proved to match the skin and the petticoat in which it was wrapped was also recognised as belonging to the prisoner's wife. About 20 yards from the prisoner's door some pieces of boot were found which corresponded with the marks of the tracks; the boots apparently had been cut up and thrown away in a pit near, where they were found on its being dipped and raked, and also two feet of a sheep. - The prisoner, in his defence, stated that on the Wednesday morning he missed his whet-stone, and went to the hayrick to see if it was stuck in the rick, not knowing whether any of Mr Tuck's workmen had taken it; that he found one there but it was not his; and on going near the other rick, where the Constable was concealed, he heard something move under the staddle of the rick and he looked in and saw the Constable. The prisoner was committed for trial.

Western Times, Saturday 21 March 1857
Lent Assizes - Trials Of Prisoners [N. signifies that the accused can neither read nor write.] - Sheep Stealing At Culmstock. - JOHN ACKLAND (30. N.) was charged with stealing, at Culmstock, on the 21st February, one ewe sheep, the property of WILLIAM WHITE. Mr Bere prosecuted; the prisoner was undefended. - WILLIAM WHITE, farmer, of Culmstock, stated that on the 21st. Feb. he saw some sheep safe in his field; on the following morning, however, he missed one, and he noticed in the field tracks of a man's boots, and in the adjoining field there were signs that the sheep had been killed. the entrails were secreted in the hedge. Witness traced the footmarks to the prisoner's house. Went to the prisoner's house on the Sunday, and saw the prisoner, and on his "slop" there was some blood, some fresh blood on his waistcoat, and on his trousers some grease and wool. Witness told him he had lost some sheep, and he believed he had been for them. Prisoner replied that he had not been home very long, and witness replied - "Well, if you have been and killed a sheep, you could not be home very early." Witness also aid this was the third sheep he had lost and asked the prisoner the reason he came so far for a sheep, and prisoner said - "I did not like to take a sheep from a little flock and that is the reason I went so far for one." In the prisoner's house was found an apron, covered with blood and grease. - David Pring stated he was a servant of Mr Wm. Tuck's. Witness was in his masters wheat stack on 22nd Feb., and found a quantity of meat wrapped up in a piece of a woman's dress. Witness told MR WHITE what he had seen; and that gentleman desired him to watch the meat. Subsequently witness saw the prisoner jump over the hedge and come up to where he was standing; he said he wanted a scythe. The scythes were in the stable, and the prisoner went in and brought them out. He then said he would go home and return again directly; but witness saw nothing more of him. - Robert Twose, Constable of Culmstock, corroborated the statement made by MR WHITE. He also stated that he watched the rick in Mr Tuck's Yard, one whole night and whilst he was watching, the prisoner, came about 8 o'clock in the morning. Saw him in the yard, but between the hay rick and straw rick he made a stop, and looked round the ricks; prisoner passed round the hay rick and then came back to the place where the mutton was and there he made a stop; prisoner then stooped down and crept into the place where witness was; he said - "I'm come here after a whet-stone;" witness made no answer; shortly afterwards the prisoner went away. - William Tuck, farmer, of Sampford Arundell, stated that the prisoner had no business in his wheat yard; witness did not know that the prisoner had ever had any scythe or scythe stones in his stable. There was a pond in front of the prisoner's house and witness raked up two hind feet of a sheep from it. - Stephen Morgan also searched the pond and found some pieces of boot and a sheep's foot. - John Baker, a shoemaker of Sampford Arundell, remembered repairing the heel of the boots which the last witness discovered; they belonged to the prisoner. - Ann Twose stated that she had frequently seen the prisoner's wife wear the petticoat in which a portion of the sheep was wrapped in. - Grantham Giddy found the piece of petticoat produced, in a bag in the prisoner's bedroom. - His Lordship having summed up, the Jury found the prisoner Guilty. A Juryman recommended the prisoner to the mercy of the Court. His Lordship - On what ground do you make that recommendation? - Juryman - Because he had no counsel to plead for him - (laughter). - Sentence deferred.

Exeter Flying Post, Thursday 26 March 1857
County Court - JOHN ACKLAND, convicted of stealing a ewe at Culmstock, was sentenced to fifteen months; imprisonment.

Exeter Flying Post, Thursday 9 April 1857
Notice is hereby given, That the Partnership between THOMAS PRING and ROBERT ELSTON, of the parish of Culmstock, in the County of Devon, Cattle Dealers, was this day dissolved. - Witness my hand this second of April, 1857. - THOMAS PRING.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 11 April 1857
Cullompton Petty Sessions. Transfer Of Licenses. - Commercial Inn, Uffculme, to JOHN NELDER, of Culmstock. New Inn, Culmstock from JOHN NELDER to JOHN FRY.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 6 June 1857
Cullompton Petty Sessions. Offence Against An Ale-House License. - JOHN FRY, of Culmstock, victualler, was summoned by Police Constable Nicholls, for selling a jar of beer on Sunday, the 24th of May, at nine a.m. The complainant saw the jar delivered to a person, which apparently was ordered the night previous. The Constable having stated that the house was generally orderly, the defendant was ordered to pay the costs only, amounting to 7s. 6d.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 4 July 1857
Cullompton Petty Sessions. Malicious Injury. - ANN HELLARD, of Culmstock was charged by ROBERT POOK with doing malicious injury to a dwelling house. - Mr Ware, of Uffculme, appeared for the complainant and Mr Davie, of Wellington, for the defendant. - The defendant claimed the property as her's, notwithstanding its being conveyed by purchase to Mr Aaron Moore Ashford. - The claim of right was such as to oust the magistrates' jurisdiction and both complainant and defendant were left to be advised by their lawyers.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 25 July 1857
Cullompton Petty Sessions. Riding Without Reins. - MARK CORNER, of Culmstock, labourer, was summoned by P.C. 118, of Culmstock, and charged with having, on the 9th July inst., at the village of Culmstock, rode upon a waggon drawn by one horse without having reins. - The defendant, on being asked his name, replied, "Tom Bird;" the Constable, however, afterwards found it to be MARK CORNER. - Convicted in the full penalty of £2 and in default of immediate payment the feigned Bird was ordered to be caught and entrapped in prison, there to be kept with hard labour for the space of one calendar month.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 5 September 1857
Cullompton Petty Sessions. Trespassing In Pursuit Of Game. - SHADRACH THOMAS, of Culmstock, labourer, was summoned by Mr James Collier, and charged with trespassing in a close in Mr Sandford's cover in pursuit of game. - William Holway stated that on the 30th July last he heard a gun fired and went in that direction. On coming near the plantation he saw the poll of a man's hat in a field occupied by Thomas Shaddock; the man ran away and on witness's getting up to him he said he was killing rabbits because they destroyed the corn. - Mr Floud appeared for the defendant and the evidence being insufficient to warrant a conviction for game trespass, the bench dismissed the complaint.

Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser, Wednesday 16 September 1857
Wellington Police Court. - JOHN SHEWBROOKS, of Culmstock, was brought up on remand charged with having committed an aggravated assault upon Mary Anne Thorne, of Wellington. It appeared that on the evening of the day named, prosecutrix was out walking with a friend and met defendant and another person in the street in a state of intoxication. They went off the pavement to give them room to pass, but defendant followed them into the road and put his arms round complainant's neck; and in her endeavouring to free herself, her shawl was torn off, and defendant walked away with it. A young man called Sercombe followed him and demanded the shawl; but he refused to give it up and dealt him a blow over the shoulder, and challenged him to fight. A Policeman came up and he was given into custody. Defendant had nothing to say in answer to the charge; and after a severe reprimand from the Bench, he was fined £3 and 10s. 6d. costs; and in default of immediate payment, 21 days' imprisonment with hard labour. - Committed.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 10 October 1857
Cullompton Petty Sessions. Stealing Pears. - THOMAS NORMAN, JAMES NORMAN, and another, three labourers of Culmstock, were summoned by Mr Wm. Sheers, and charged with stealing pears, his property. - The complaint was withdrawn, on obtaining the sanction of the Bench, by payment of costs, at the request of Mr Shears.

Exeter Flying Post, Thursday 22 October 1857
Devonshire. - Parish of Culmstock, about four miles from the Tiverton Junction of the Bristol and Exeter Railway. - For Sale, by Auction, by Hussey and Son, on Thursday, the 19th November next, at Two for Three O'clock in the Afternoon, at the George Inn, in Uffculm, a most desirable Freehold Estate, called "SILVERLAND FARM," consisting of about forty acres; on which there is a neat brick built Dwelling-house (the entrance to which is through a lawn), with a good kitchen garden and necessary farm buildings. The greater part of the land is well adapted for grazing, a small portion is prime arable suited to root crops and between three and four acres are excellent orchard; together with three Cottages for labourers; now and for many years in the occupation of MR PRING. - The whole is well suited for a Person wishing to retire on a small farm where there is but little trouble, as the greater part of the land is well adapted for grazing. - The estate is well supplied with water. There is an excellent classical school in Uffculm, which is a pleasant walk from the farm, is near the river Culm where there is good fly-fishing and hounds are kept in the neighbourhood. . - For viewing the same, apply to Mr Thomas Pratt, of Uffculm, and for further particulars to the Auctioneers, Waybrook, Exeter; or to Mr Gribble, Solicitor, Cullompton. Waybrook, Exeter, Oct. 19th, 1857.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 24 October 1857
Cullompton Petty Sessions. A Negligent Driver. - MARK CORNER, of Culmstock, labourer, was charged by Sergeant Baker with being, on the 5th instant, at Culmstock, at such a distance from his waggon and horses, as to have no control over the same. - Complainant stated he saw the defendant stop his waggon at a public house in Culmstock, where he remained about a quarter of an hour drinking; he also saw the waggon and horses passing through the village with a driver and the defendant 200 yards off, coming from the direction of the public house. On being spoken to by the officer, his replies were revoltingly offensive and this being an aggravated case, the defendant was convicted in the penalty of £3, including costs, with the alternative of one calendar month's imprisonment, with hard labour, which latter he preferred.

Cullompton Petty Sessions. Stealing Potatoes. - HENRY FURBEER, of Culmstock, labourer, pleaded guilty to a charge preferred against him by another MR PHILIP WHITE, of Culmstock, farmer, of stealing potatoes from a heap on his premises, on the 13th inst. The prisoner was seen coming from the direction of the potato house by the prosecutor and was then observed to go into the barn, where he had been working, and there he placed something under a bundle of straw which prosecutor found to be the potatoes, and his property. The prisoner pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment, with hard labour.

Western Times, Saturday 7 November 1857
Cullompton Petty Sessions. - An assault was committed on JAMES ACKLAND, of Culmstock by Samuel Payne, on the 24th October last. The complainant was struck eight or ten times by the defendant, and ultimately knocked down. The dispute arose as to the right of erecting a linhay, consequently there was no jurisdiction.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 19 December 1857
Cullompton Petty Sessions. Application For Summonses. - Mr Channon, assistant-overseer, of Culmstock, applied to the Bench for a summons against WILLIAM HUNT, of the same place, farmer, for over-holding the possession of a certain plot of land let to him some time since by the church-wardens and overseers of the parish as poor land, and also for refusing to pay the rent due for same, amounting to £1 5s. - Summonses were ordered to be issued for hearing at the next sessions.

Wells Journal, Saturday 20 March 1858
Taunton: Loss of Cheques. - The Finder In Difficulties. MR ROBERT FRY, corn merchant of Culmstock, lost his pocket-book containing five cheques, amounting in the aggregate to £184 4s., a few days since, between Culmstock and Uffculm. Shortly afterwards MR FRY went to Wellington and found that one of the cheques (£16 4s.) had already been cashed, the person presenting it giving the name of John Phillips. Several of the county constabulary were at once on the alert; the road towards this town was taken b y Mr Superintendent Goldsmith, who was at Wellington when the affair was made known. He called at the Crown Inn, about two miles from this town, where he encountered a man answering the description of the person who had cashed the cheque at the bank, and who admitted he had come from Uffculm. This person turned out to be George Manning, who very recently kept a little shop in East Street, in this town, and was previously the keeper of the Silver Street turnpike gate. Mr Superintendent Goldsmith (armed with the necessary authority) proceeded to search Mr Manning and on him found the missing pocket-book, four cheques, three £5 notes, a sovereign and 4s., with other money. The Superintendent took his prisoner back to Wellington and on Friday morning he was brought before W. A. Sandford, Esq., and committed for trial. He was released on bail on Saturday.

Western Times, Saturday 22 May 1858
Cullompton Petty Sessions. - SAMUEL PAYNE was summoned for assaulting REUBEN WEBBER at Culmstock, on Sunday, the 3rd of May, by kicking him. The complainant was formerly in the employ of the defendant, and had left his master abruptly, whereupon PAYNE refused to pay him his wages. WEBBER, on the morning in question, was in PAYNE'S stable with one of his servants to whom he was telling the tale of his master having refused to pay his wages. PAYNE being outside heard it and went in, and turned WEBBER out and kicked him. Complainant called THOMAS GROVES, PAYNE'S servant who stated that WEBBER was speaking in a very indecent manner of his master when he came in, and put him out, and merely put his foot against him. He was convicted in the penalty of 15s. including costs. He also was requested to pay the boy his wages.

Felony - REUBEN WEBBER, the complainant in the last case, was charged with stealing hay from a rick, the property of MR JOHN COLLIER KNOWLMAN, of Barton Farm, Culmstock on Friday and Saturday, the 23rd and 24th days of April. - DAVID LEE stated that he went with the prisoner after a load of timber on Friday, the 23rd and on the way back had occasion to stop to take up a little child on the timber-carriage; WEBBER in the meantime went on with his own carriage. LEE stated that on coming round a corner, when about 100 yards from WEBBER he saw him come over a gate with a lock of hay in his hand; the rick was about 8 or 9 paces from the gate. JOHN NETHERCOTT stated that on Saturday, the 24th he was in the tallet, for the purpose of giving some hay to the fat bullocks, when he saw WEBBER come in the field, go to the rick and take up his arms full of hay, which had been recently cut. NETHERCOTT called to him whereupon he dropped the hay and ran off. WEBBER was sent to prison for one calendar month with hard labour. The Bench recalled LEE and stated to him that he had not acted as an honest boy ought, in that he did not tell his master what he had seen. LEE did not tell his master of WEBBER'S taking the hay until he had been accused by others of stealing the hay himself.

Western Times, Saturday 5 June 1858
Cullompton Petty Sessions. Pound Breach. - MR JOHN HOLLAND, living at the Red Ball, in Culmstock, summoned WM. WILLEY, of the same place, for releasing two asses from him, when on their way to be impounded, on Sunday evening, the 16th of May. Complainant stated that he came from church on the day above mentioned; he heard that defendant's asses were in his ground, an allotment with young grass, around which was a hedge. He asked ROBERT TOZER to go with him to take the asses to the pound. When on the way they met WM. WILLEY, who stood before the asses, causing them to turn back and asked where they were going to drive them. On being told they were going to pound, he swore they should not and defendant with help drove them into the yard of the Inn. He stated in defence that he had offered to pay the damages, but this was denied by the complainant and TOZER; the latter of whom stated that he asked WILLEY to pay one shilling when all would be right. This WILLEY refused and declared with an oath that he would not pay it, neither did he care for the Policeman or anyone else. Notwithstanding the defence which defendant set up, via: that he offered to pay all damages and which was stated by two witnesses, he was fined in the penalty of 40s. including costs, and damages (which were set down as 10s.), or the alternative of 14 days' imprisonment with hard labour.

Western Times, Saturday 12 June 1858
Tiverton - District Petty Sessions. - Gifford Brooks, a chimney sweep, residing at Cullompton, was charged with stealing a duck, the property of MR JOHN TAYLOR of Culmstock. P.C. Coles deposed that on the 2nd June he saw the prisoner in the Culm river, adjoining the prosecutor's farm and on catching sight of witness, he dropped a duck from under his arm. He took it up and found it nearly dead. The prosecutor identified the duck as his property. The prisoner in his defence, said he found the duck fixed between the stakes of the river and "only took it out." He was sentenced to a fortnight's hard labour.

Exeter Flying Post, Thursday 26 August 1858
Cullompton - RICHARD WELLAND, an old man, and a labourer of Culmstock, was sent to prison for fourteen days with hard labour, for having on the 20th instant stolen a piece of timber, value 4d., the property of GEORGE GILLHAN, farmer.

Western Times, Saturday 16 October 1858
Cullompton Petty Sessions. - Assaulting The Police. - WILLIAM POTTER and HENRY KELLAND were summoned for being drunk and disorderly at Culmstock on the 23rd of Sept. last, and assaulting P.C. Craig. The officer stated that he saw them both drunk at half-past two and ordered them home, when POTTER said "I am a Queen's man too." They collared Craig and they all fell. He called for help and ran away, and in doing so they tore his coat very much. George Shaddock, who came to the officer's assistance, corroborated his evidence. Fined £1 4s. 9d. each. The Bench allowed £1 6s. 6d. for a new coat for the Policeman.

Exeter Flying Post, Thursday 21 October 1858
Silver Street Farm, Prescott, In the Parish of Culmstock, Devon. Four Miles from Tiverton-road Station and Six from Wellington. - Mr Thorne will Sell by Auction, on Wednesday, the 27th of October instant, for the disposal, without the least Reserve, of all the undermentioned very superior Dairy Cows, Horses, Pigs, Corn, Hay, Apples, Cider and Casks, Husbandry Implements, Dairy Utensils and a part of the Household Furniture &c., the property of MR THOMAS PRING, who is going to relinquish agricultural pursuits, comprising sixteen first rate dairy cows, forward in calf; one heifer coming two years old, in calf; one powerful active black cart horse, 15 ½ hands high, warranted sound and staunch in harness; one very strong cob filly, eight years old, about fourteen hands high, perfectly safe in saddle; fifteen slip pigs; one rick of wheat; one ditto barley; one ditto clover hay; about twenty tons of prime meadow hay; large heap of well rotten dung; about eighty bags of apples; twenty hogsheads of excellent new cider, with the casks &c., &c. - For further particulars, see handbills. - N.B. - All the Hay and Straw may be carried off. - The Auctioneer has the pleasure to inform his friends and the public that the above lot of cows are the biggest and best he ever had the honour to offer for sale; the long experience and superior judgment of the proprietor in the choice of his stock being so generally known, any further comment would be superfluous. - Refreshment on the Table at Twelve o'clock and the Auction will commence at half-pat One to the minute. - Dated Willand, near Cullompton, October 11, 1858.

Exeter Flying Post, Thursday 6 January 1859
Cullompton Petty Sessions. - SAMUEL PAYNE, beerhouse-keeper, of Culmstock, was charged with keeping open his house at a prohibited hour. The same defendant, it will be remembered, was fined £1 at the last meeting for a similar offence; but the present charge (on the suggestion of Inspector Collins, it being but ten minutes over time) was withdrawn.

Cullompton Petty Sessions. Brutal Assault. - SAMUEL CORNER, labourer, was summoned for assaulting ARON FRY COOPER, of Culmstock. It appears a dispute arose between the parties as to a course of water which plaintiff on the 24th ult. was diverting for his own benefit. Defendant who claims a right became much excited and after striking plaintiff violently with his fists, inflicted serious wounds on him - one of his head and another on his arm, the latter bleeding for half an hour after the wound had been inflicted. Defendant was fined 30s including costs.

Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser, Wednesday 16 February 1859 Wellington Police Court. - SARAH JAMES, of Culmstock, was charged with having stolen at Wellington, on the 10th instant, two pairs of boots of the value of 11s. the property of Robert Nurcombe, of Wiveliscombe, and one pair of the value of 5s. the property of Mr J. Farmer, of Taunton. It appeared that during the forenoon prisoner went to Nurcombe's standing in the market, looked at and tried on a pair of boots, but they did not fit. Mr Nurcombe searched on his standing for others, when he missed a pair and charged the prisoner with stealing them. She denied doing so, but on his threatening to send for a Policeman, she was seen to take them from under her cloak and replace them on the stall. She was given into the custody of Sergeant Giddy and on being searched at the Station the other two pairs were found upon her. Prisoner pleaded not guilty to both charges, but consented for the magistrate to deal with them summarily. The value of the boots stolen from Nurcombe being over 5s., took it out of the magistrates' jurisdiction. She was therefore committed for trial on that charge and sentenced to two months' hard labour in Taunton gaol on the other.

Exeter Flying post, Thursday 21 April 1859
Cullompton Petty Sessions. - GEORGE ALSOP, a lad about sixteen, was charged by MR JOHN FRY, of Culmstock, yeoman, with disobedience of orders and leaving his service, without giving notice of his intention so do to. The defendant, from his behaviour in Court, appeared to be a violent lad and was told so by the chairman, who sentenced him to fourteen days' imprisonment hard labour.

Bridgwater Mercury, Wednesday 25 May 1859
Cullompton Petty Sessions. - SAMUEL CORNER of Culmstock, labourer, was summoned for assaulting ANN BALE on the 2nd instant. It seems that there had been an account between the parties for some time, and on the day in question the plaintiff went to defendant about it. An altercation took place and the defendant pushed complainant out of the house. The defendant was cautioned by the Bench as to his future conduct and the case was dismissed.

Bridgwater Mercury, Wednesday 27 July 1859
DEATH - July 13 at Culmstock, MR EDWARD ENGLAND, aged 30 years.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 30 July 1859
Cullompton Petty Sessions. Assaulting A Policeman. - SAMUEL LONG, a watch and clock hawker, was charged by P.C. Palmer with being drunk and assaulting him in the execution of his duty, at Culmstock, on Wednesday, the 20th inst. The defendant was represented by Mr T. Rodham. The officer stated that on the day named, he was at the Hillman's Inn, Culmstock, when he saw the defendant, who was creating a great disturbance with the landlady, MRS TAPSCOTT, about a clock that was to be raffled for. He requested the defendant to desist, but he continued to use abusive language to the landlady. The officer subsequently endeavoured to eject the defendant, but in doing so, the latter gave him a blow in his chest. Not long afterwards he saw the defendant lying in the road and when he asked him his name he dealt him another severe blow. - MRS PALMER, the wife of the officer, corroborated the above evidence. - Mr John Wood, who only saw a part of the affray, said he considered the policeman was more officious than was necessary and that the defendant would have gone home quietly had the officer not interfered. witness told him so at the time. Chairman to witness: I should not advise you to do that again. If you see an officer is exceeding his duty, you can take his number and report him. - Thomas Lockett also gave evidence as to the policeman's conduct. - The Magistrates fined the defendant 5s. and costs.

Exeter Flying Post, Thursday 22 September 1859
Cullompton Petty Sessions, Thursday 22 September 1859. - SAMUEL PAYNE, a beer-house keeper, of Culmstock, was convicted of selling brandy without al license, and also with refusing to admit P.C. Palmer. These offences were alleged to have taken place on the occasion of the "Red Ball Revel." Fined for the first offence the mitigated penalty of £10 and for the second £2 10s. A week allowed for payment.

Cullompton Petty Sessions. - A labourer of Culmstock named PURSEY, was committed for trial at the next general quarter sessions for embezzling various sums of money he had received for his master, CHARLES CORNER, of Culmstock.

Western Times, Saturday 22 October 1859
Devon Michaelmas Sessions. - SAMUEL PURSEY, 22, labourer, IMP., was charged with having embezzled sums of money received on account of CHARLES CORNER, his master, at Culmstock. Mr Karslake jun., prosecuted. The facts of this case were few and simple. The prisoner was in the employ of MR CORNER, miller, at Culmstock, and was authorised to receive moneys on behalf of his master. He received 6s. from Caroline Rossiter at Burlescombe, 4s, from MARY BERRY, Culmstock, and "s. 2s from CHARITY LANE, at Culmstock, but declined to account for these sums and now denied having received them, although the parties themselves swore positively to having paid him. The prisoner was found Guilty. there was another indictment containing similar charges against him, but no evidence was offered. He was sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment.

Exeter Flying Post, Thursday 27 October 1859
Cullompton Petty Sessions. - AARON FRY of Culmstock, on the 3rd instant, went to assist a respectable woman in her endeavour to get her husband away from a woman who, he said "was no better nor her should be." This, of course, led to a jolly row, the frail lady using her tongue with much freedom. FRY was no doubt a little top-heavy. P.C. Palmer having heard of the circumstance, summoned FRY for being drunk and disorderly. How far the zealous P.C. in this acted according to his instructions, is not for us to say. The Bench directed FRY and his frail antagonist to pay the expenses of hearing.

Exeter Flying post, Thursday 10 November 1859
DEATH - November 7, at the Manor Mills, Culmstock, much beloved and highly respected, MR CHARLES CORNER, aged 48.

Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser. Wednesday 16 November 1859
Pond Farm, Culmstock, Devon. - Messrs. Greenslade & Son respectfully announce that they are favoured with instructions to Sell by Public Competition, on Wednesday (this day), 16th November 1859, the whole of the undermentioned very choice Live Stock, Implements of Husbandry, Empty Casks, Cider, &c., the property of MRS ENGLAND who is about to quit above Estate. - The live Stock consists of 8 grazing sheep, 4 prime young dairy cows well seasoned in calf, 2 fat heifers, 2 capital barreners fresh in condition, 3 improving two years old heifers, 3 steer ditto, 4 promising heifer yearlings, 1 steer ditto, 2 rearing calves, 2 capital grey cart mares, one of which is in foal; 1 powerful black cart colt, rising three years old, with 4 sets of double and single harness complete; 1 useful black mare, calculated for all work, six years old; 4 slip pigs and 10 geese. - The Implements comprise 1 strong waggon, with lades, iron arms and patent boxes; 1 ditto Kerry with ditto, 2 broad-wheel putts with ditto, 1 cart, 3-wheel putt, spring market-cart, iron-bound oak field roller, pair of capital drags, 2 pair ditto harrows, iron cultivator, nearly new; double and single sulls, bodkins and chains, turnip-butter, sheep troughs, 5 dozen gate hurdles, winnowing-machine, barn sieves, picks and rakes, waggon line, capital long ladder, 17 hogsheads in good condition, 4 first-rate two-hogshead butts, 2 half-hogsheads, large kieving vat, brewing and other ditto, tubs, pails and buckets, funnels, cider jibbing, iron cider screw and bar, a quantity of old iron, a lot of various oak and ash plank, together with a quantity of other useful articles too numerous to particularize. Also 1- hogsheads of prime old and new cider. - The Auctioneers beg to call the attention of their friends to the above Sale, and to observe that the stock will be found of a very improving description and the Implements in good condition. The whole will be sold without the slightest reserve, and found to be well worthy of notice. - The Sale to commence at Two o'clock in the afternoon punctually. - Pond Farm is distant about 4 miles from Wellington, 7 from Cullompton, Ten from Tiverton and 11 from Taunton. - Dated Auction, Land, Estate, Fire and Life Agency Offices, Trull and Taunton, Somerset, Nov. 1st, 1859.

Western Times, Saturday 26 November 1859
Cullompton Petty Sessions. - ANN BAKER, wife of a labourer, of Culmstock, was charged by MR GEORGE LOUD, of the same place, farmer, with maliciously destroying a gate, his property. Defendant admitted the fact to prosecutor, who did not wish to press the charge. The Bench dismissed the case on payment of the expenses.

Western Times, Saturday 17 December 1859
Flour And Grist Water Mills. - To be Let by Tender, for a Term of Seven years, with immediate possession, working 3 pairs of stones with a good supply of water, situate in a first-rate neighbourhood at Culmstock, Devon, where a very good General Business and Home Trade has been carried on by the late owner, MR CHARLES CORNER, deceased, for more than thirty years. - For particulars and to view, apply at the Mills, where sealed tenders will be received up to the 1st of January, 1860, addressed to Messrs. Edward and Henry Farrant, the Executors. - Dated Culmstock, near Wellington, Somerset, Nov. 24th 1859.

Western Times, Saturday 24 December 1859
New Organ. - Mr Dicker of Exeter has built an organ for the parish church of Culmstock, which was opened on Wednesday last, by Mr Michael Rice, jun., in the presence of a number of the Clergy and inhabitants of the neighbourhood, Messrs. Risdon, Branscombe and Calway, of the Exeter Cathedral, assisting in the services. A splendid repast was partaken of after the ceremony, at which a large number sat down.