6th August 1816: Arson suspected at Little Blakenham, Suffolk

The Bury & Norwich Post of Wednesday 14th August 1816 reported a case of suspected arson at Little Blakenham, Suffolk, which took place on 6th August 1816:

Early yesterday se'nnight, a fire was discovered on the premises lately occupied by Mr. Ward, at Little Blakenham, which consumed a barn and neathouse; and it was with difficulty that the dwelling-house was preserved from the flames. It is supposed to have been caused by some incendiary.

27th June 1816: Thomas Gooch MP informs the Home Office of arson at his property

Milford House
nr. Godalming
June 27th 1816.

My Lord.

Understanding that my Brother “MP for Suffolk” has communicated to your Lordship's Office, the unfortunate fire that happened on my premises last Saturday; I think it right to inform you what steps have been taken in the business—In the first place, it is the opinion of all who were present at the fire, that it was done on purpose, L Taunton from Bow Street is of the same opinion—a reward of £500 is offered for the apprehension of the person or persons who committed the act—

a Person is this day committed by Lord Midleton, to jail from on suspicion of setting fire to the Wharf at Godalming last November, which he confessed to have done to a man at Godalming, but which he denied this [morning] before Lord Midleton;—

This same person having asked respecting the fire at my Barn said positively he never heard of it, & afterwards that he believed he had—Taunton who was present strongly suspects him, as he could give no account of himself last Saturday, the day my premises were [burnt]

I should have mentioned to your Lordship, that it is generally supposed, that the cause of the fire, was my having a Thrashing machine, & I have myself in no doubt of it.—If Government should think proper to offer a pardon to any accomplice I think it might have a very good effect, as the reward of £500 might then have more effect weight—

I have [etc]
Thomas Gooch

19th June 1816: Threshing Machine set alight at Worlington, Suffolk

In the evening of Wednesday 19th June 1816, a Threshing Machine belonging to a farmer called Mr. Booty was set alight at Worlington, near Mildenhall in Suffolk.

18th May 1816: Arson at Dickleburgh, Norfolk

The Norfolk Chronicle of 25th May 1816 carried a brief report and reward notice regarding a case of apparent arson that occurred in the evening of Saturday 18th May 1816:

Saturday night last, a wheat-stack belonging to Robert Dover, Esq. of Dickleburgh, was wilfully set on fire and consumed—A reward of 100l. is offered on the conviction of the offender.—See Advt.

The reward notice is below:

ONE HUNDRED POUNDS. 

A Reward of ONE HUNDRED POUNDS will be given to any persons who shall discover and apprehend, or cause to be discovered and apprehended, the person or persons who set Fire to a Stack of Wheat, upon the premises of Robert Dover, Esq. in Dickleburgh, in the night of the 18th of May, 1816. 

This Reward to be paid upon conviction of the offender or offenders, by 

ROBERT DOVER

17th May 1816: A 13 year-old boy confesses to arson at Lawshall, Suffolk

The Bury & Norwich Post of 22nd May 1816 reported that in the evening of Friday 17th May 1816, a culprit had been found for the arson attack that took place at Lawshall on 12th May 1816:

Many persons under very suspicious circumstances were taken into custody, but no positive discovery had been made until Friday evening last, when a boy, suspected of being concerned in setting fire to his master's (Mr, Bradley's) barn at Lawshall, and committed for further examination, made a voluntary confession in the gaol to J. Benjafield, Esq. that he was the sole perpetrator of that act; and on further examination on Saturday, in the presence of Dr. Ord, Mr. Benjafield, Mr. Singleton, Rev. R. Davers, N. Colville, and P. Lathbury, (all Magistrates for the County) he repeated his confession, upon which he was fully committed for trial, by the Rev. Dr. Ord and John Benjafield, Esq. The boy, whose name is James Pleasants, is but little more than 13 years old—a sad instance of early depravity!

14th May 1816: Arson in Bury St. Edmunds

The Bury & Norwich Post of 22nd May 1816 reported a case of arson in the large town of Bury St. Edmunds itself that occurred in the evening of Tuesday 14th May 1816:

Yesterday se'nnight, about 11 at night, a fire was discovered in an outhouse belonging to Mr. Robert Gooday, of Southgate-street, in this town, which for a time threatened destruction to the neighbourhood, but by the speedy arrival of engines, and the prompt assistance afforded by several inhabitants who had repaired to the spot, the flames were fortunately subdued, altho' not before the above building, with a granary over, containing a quantity of barley and oats; as also a waggon, tumbril, hearse and mourning-coach, gig, &c. were entirely destroyed. The stock and implements were insured in the Suffolk Fire-Office.—There is little doubt that the above, as well as most of the alarming fires which have recently occurred in this county, was occasioned by some diabolical incendiary.

12th May 1816: Arson in broad daylight, at Lawshall, Suffolk

The Bury & Norwich Post of 15th May 1816 carried a report about a case of arson in Lawshall that highlighted the audacity of the action:

On Sunday afternoon, about three o'clock, (whilst the inhabitants of Lawshall were attending divine service) an alarming fire broke out in a barn, containing 50 coombs of what, belonging to Mr. Bradley, of that place, which in a short time consumed the same, together with a granary (in which some barley and oats) two stables, a cow-house, piggeries, four horses, 6 calves, and a sow and 9 pigs.

10th May 1816: Arson at Brockford, Suffolk

The Bury & Norwich Post of 15th May 186 carried a report about a case of arson that took place on Friday night 10th May 1816:

On Friday night two very large stacks of hay, and one of wheat, the property of Mr. Turner, of Brockford, were destroyed by fire.

9th May 1816; Threshing Machine attacked at Clare, Suffolk

On Thursday 9th May, a Threshing Machine was attacked at Clare in Suffolk. Accounts of what happened vary, and it worth quoting two articles which appeared in the press to illustrate the confusion.

From the Bury & Norwich Post of  15th May 1816:

Thursday last a thrashing-machine was taken into the Market-place at Clare, and burnt by the populace.

From the (later) Suffolk Chronicle of 25th May 1816:

The statement of a threshing machine having been burnt in the market-place, at Clare, we understand, was incorrect. A part of the machine only was destroyed, in a field some distance from the town.

The incident was reported to the Home Office by a General Elwes on 23rd May 1816, stating it was the 'destruction of a Threshing Machine by fire', although he says it took place on the 8th May.

7th May 1816: Government reward notice for arson at Drinkstone, Suffolk

200£.—PARDON.

WHITEHALL, 7th May, 1816.

WHEREAS it hath been humbly represented to his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, that on the Night of the 3d instant A BARN, belonging to Mr. GRIGBY, of Drinkston, near Woolpit. In the county of Suffolk, was WILFULLY SET ON FIRE by some evil-disposed person or persons:—His Royal Highness, for the better apprehending and bringing to justice the persons concerned in the said Felony, is hereby pleased, in the name and on the behalf of his Majesty, to promise his Majesty’s most gracious Pardon to nay one of them (except the Person who actually set Fire to the said Barn) who shall discover his, her, or their accomplice or accomplices therein, so that he, she, or they, may be apprehended and convicted thereof.

SIDMOUTH

And, as a further encouragement, a Reward of TWO HUNDRED POUNDS is hereby offered by the said Mr. Grigby to any person (expect as is before excepted who shall discover his, her and their accomplice or accomplices therein, so that he, she, or they, may be apprehended and convicted thereof; or to any person or persons who shall apprehend and bring the said offenders, or any of them, to conviction, or cause them, or any of them, so to be apprehended and convicted as aforesaid.

[From the London Gazette of May 7, 1816.]

SPRING GUNS are set on the Premises of Mr. Grigby, in Drinkston and Hesset.

6th May 1816: Stack fired at Hartest, Suffolk

The Bury & Norwich Post of 15th May 1816 carried a brief report about a case of arson in Hartest, Suffolk, that took place on Monday 6th May 1816:

Monday se'nnight a haulm stack, belonging to Mr. Harvey, Hartest, was consumed by fire.

4th May 1816: Arson at Henham, Essex

The Bury & Norwich Post of 15th May 1816 reported a case of arson that took place in the evening of Saturday 4th May 1816:

Saturday se'nnight the outbuildings upon a farm in the parish of Henham, Essex, occupied by Mr. Thomas Nottidge, were discovered to be on fire; and notwithstanding the most prompt exertions, all the buildings, with other property to a considerable amount, were totally destroyed.

4th May 1816: Arson at Stanningfield & Wickhambrook, both in Suffolk

The Bury & Norwich Post of 8th May 1816 carried reports about 2 cases of arson in Suffolk, both of which occurred in the evening of Saturday 4th May 1816:

On Saturday night a large barn in the occupation of Mr. Rollinson, of Stanningfield, was destroyed by fire.—Same night a fire was discovered on the premises of Mr. John Pryke, of Wickhambrook, when a barn and other outbuildings, with a stack of wheat, and one of beans, fell a prey to the devouring element.

3rd May 1816: Arson at Drinkstone, Suffolk

The Bury & Norwich Post of 8th May 1816 carried a report and a reward advert about a case of arson that occurred on Friday 3rd May 1816:

On Friday night a barn at Drinkstone, the property of Joshua Grigby, Esq. was wilfully set on fire, and consumed.—A reward of 200l. is offered for the discovery of the incendiaries. See advt.

The advert read as follows:

TWO HUNDRED POUNDS REWARD. 

A BARN at DRINKSTONE, the Property of Mr. GRIGBY, was WILFULLY SET ON FIRE about Nine o'clock in the Night of the 3d of this Month. 

Mr. Grigby thinks he cannot so well perform his duty to the Public; or express his Thanks to his Neighbours for their kind assistance; as by using his utmost endeavours to detect the Incendiaries. 

He also promises a Reward of TWO HUNDRED POUNDS to the Person through whose means they shall be convicted.—May 4, 1816.

30th April 1816: Arson at Groton & Timworth, in Suffolk

The Bury & Norwich Post of 8th May 1816 carried reports about another two cases of arson that took place in Suffolk on Tuesday 30th April 1816:

Yesterday se'nnight a small cottage at Groton, in this county, caught fire, and was entirely consumed.—Same day a haulm-stack on the premises of Mr. Harrison, of Timworth, was destroyed by fire.

29th April 1816: Arson at Hadleigh, Suffolk

The Bury & Norwich Post of 8th May 1816 carried a report about a case of arson in Hadleigh, Suffolk, that took place on Monday evening the 29th April 1816:

About ten o'clock on Monday se'nnight some sheds, in which eight bullocks were fattening, on the premises of Mr. Gray, of Hadleigh, were discovered to be in flames, and, from the repaid progress they assumed, soon became a heap of rubbish. Fortunately,the bullocks were preserved; and, by indefatigable exertion, a barn, to which the fire communicated, did not receive much injury; but an outhouse belonging to Mr. Ling, in which his working tools were deposited, with a number of fowls, were destroyed.

26th April 1816: Field of reeds set alight at Woodwalton Fen, Cambridgeshire

On Friday 26th April 1816, the Cambridge Chronicle reported that a field of standing reeds belonging to a General Hussey had been set alight in five different places. Hussey offered a reward of £20 for information.

26th April 1816: Multiple arson attacks across Suffolk

The Bury & Norwich Post of 1st May 1816 carried reports of multiple cases of arson that took place across Suffolk on Friday 26th April 1816:

About two o'clock on Friday morning an alarming fire broke out on the premises of Mr. Kingsbury, of Bungay, (whose death we have noticed above) which, from the quantity of tallow, tar, oil, &c. therein, threatened total destruction to the adjoining buildings, but was fortunately got under by the very prompt and active exertions of the inhabitants, though not until the offices were destroyed. 

Same day a fire was discovered in two barns occupied by Mr. Scott, of Kettlebaston, during the time the men who had been threshing therein were gone to breakfast, which circumstance leads to a strong suspicion they were wilfully set on fire, The flames raged so furiously, that the whole were destroyed in a short time, together with a stable, cowhouse, and a stack of stover.—The buildings, which belong to Matthew Beechcroft, Esq. of London, we do not hear are insured, but Mr. Scott had secured his property by insurance in the Suffolk Fire Office. 

Same morning a fire broke out in a cottage in the occupation of Mr. Rosier, of Grundisburgh, which was entirely consumed, and not an article of the furniture saved.

24th April 1816: Arson at Martlesham Hall, Woodbridge, Suffolk

The Bury and Norwich Post of 1st May 1816 carried a report about an arson attack upon Martlesham Hall, near Woodbridge in Suffolk, that took place on Wednesday 24th April 1816:

On Wednesday morning, about one o'clock, the barn and outbuildings of Mr. Glandfield, of Martlesham-hall, near Woodbridge, were discovered to be on fire. The flames consumed a quantity of barley in the straw, and also the waggons, tumbrils, ploughs, and general implements. A cart-lodge, about 150 yards distant, was also consumed; a circumstance which sufficiently indicated that the fire was not accidental. A man of the name of Joseph Bugg, who had been heard to use threatening language respecting Mr. Glandfield, was, by the active exertions of Mr. Charles Moor, of Woodbridge, (Agent to the Suffolk Fire-Office, where the corn was insured) soon after apprehended on suspicion of having set fire to the premises. He was examined before Edw. Moore and William Carthew, Esqrs. and has been fully committed to take his trial at the next Assizes.

20th April 1816: Threshing machine destroyed at Cockfield, Suffolk

The Bury & Norwich Post of 24th April 1816 carried a brief report about the destruction of a threshing machine at Cockfield on Saturday 20th April 1816:

On Saturday night a thrashing machine, belonging to Mr. John Fenton, of Whelnetham, was set fire to on the premises of Mr. Sarjeant, of Cockfield, and entirely consumed.