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Back to main article on Policing St Ives Appendix A. The St Ives Police Officers ALDERTON, Thomas (1816-1893) (served as St Ives Constable 1842-1846) In the 1841 Census, Thomas Alderton, then a butcher aged 25, was living in Meeting Lane with his wife Frances and three small children. He was appointed as a St Ives Constable in November 1842. Thomas was an active and effective officer serving alongside Hume Burgess and Thomas Cole from 1842 to 1846. His reported cases in the local press included licensing offences, public order, drunkenness, and various thefts. In a report on St Ives Petty Sessions, Nov 7th 1842, the Constables for the year ahead appointed for St Ives were: Hume Burgess, T.Alderton, Jacob Stevens, William Ingle, William Sadler, Charles Culpin, Henry Golding and Henry Cope. Hume Burgess was shown as the only St Ives paid constable. Although serving at the time. (Cambridge Independent Press, Saturday 12 November 1842 p3) At the end of 1842 the local press commented: “The new constables, Messrs Alderton and Burgess, are giving great satisfaction to the inhabitants generally, by their vigilance in watching some of the public houses in which gambling has been carried on to some extent. One or two of the largest beer shops yet require the terrors of the law to be enforced and we hope the above active officials will do their duty”. (Cambridge Independent Press, 31 December 1842 p3) It seems likely, from the above and the level of his exertions and number of court cases, that Thomas Alderton was also a paid constable during his period in Office. This is further confirmed by a press report on a burglary at an office in St Ives in February 1843 which included the following optimistic observation: "The villains were doubtless well acquainted with the premises, and we hope that the vigilance of our paid constables will be shown in their capture, as in a parish under 4000 inhabitants all resident bad characters must be familiar to them." (Cambridge Chronicle, 4 February 1843 p3). There is some suggestion that the paid constables and their unpaid counterparts did not always enjoy the best of relations. In February 1843, Thomas Alderton, Constable, charged William Cole, described as an assistant to the Constables, with being drunk and disorderly. (Cambridge Independent Press, 4 February 1843 p 3) In March 1843 The Cambridge Independent Press reported on a St Ives Vestry meeting that Messrs Alderton and Burgess, appointed constables, were asked to use their efforts to do away with "the public nuisance of porters, watermen and others congregating at The Cross much to the annoyance of respectable residents". (Cambridge Independent Press, 18 March 1843 p3) The following year a St Ives Vestry meeting resolved not to employ paid constables in the future. This may have been the reaction to the likely appointment by the magistrates of a paid constable to oversee the new lock-up. (Cambridge Independent Press, 17 February 1844 p3) The last press report of a case brought by Thomas Alderton was the prosecution of William Crane of Milton with being drunk and challenging the officer to fight (Cambridge Chronicle, 19 September 1846 p3) In the 1851 Census, Thomas, occupation butcher, was still residing with his wife Frances in Meeting Lane St Ives. (1823 - 1882) (Served from 1849 as Superintending Constable, then joined the new Huntingdonshire Constabulary) PC William Benson was born in Ireland in 1823. At the age of 14 he joined the Army, serving in the 31st (Huntingdonshire) Regiment of Foot, regimental number 1024, rising to the rank of Pay Sergeant until discharged on pension on 23 February 1847. At this point his regiment had returned to the UK to be stationed at Walmer in Kent and after discharge William took a police post in Kent, where he served for the next two years. A note in the local press of William's marriage to Mary Ann Bentley of St Ives added the fact that during his army service William had been injured by the Sikhs at the battle of Aliwal, which took place in January 1846. (Cambridge Chronicle, 15 May 1847 p3) In October 1849 William Benson was appointed as a Superintending Constable and the keeper of the St Ives lock up. (Cambridge Independent Press, 20 October 1849 p4) In the 1851 census he described his occupation as a Chelsea Pensioner and was living at St Ives police station with: his wife Mary Ann b 1823 St Ives, a niece, Mary J Bently b 1845 St Ives, and a prisoner. (Cambridge Independent Press, 27 October 1849 p1) Benson was an active officer and cases he initiated, or where he gave evidence, included: fighting in the street, manslaughter, breach of the peace, criminal damage, theft, burglary, desertion of dependants, riding without reins, obstructing the highway, non payment of rates, obstructing police, poaching, indecent exposure, refusing to aid a constable when called on to do so, and using obscene language. His cases extended to other villages in the Hurstingstone Division, especially for licensing offences, for example the prosecution of Mrs Bavin, beer house keeper at Earith, for selling out of hours (Cambridge Independent Press, 21 May 1853 p4). Some of his cases show William working closely with other Parish Constables in the Division, For example, with Ramsey officer, PC Simpkin, in tracing and arresting two sheep stealers, Richard Marshall and John Papworth. (Cambridge Independent Press, 12 November 1853 p6) In his capacity as Inspector of Weights and Measures, William brought numerous charges against various traders for deficient weights. (Cambridge Chronicle, 6 May 1854 p8 and Cambridge Independent Press 3 June p7). PC Benson was also appointed a relieving officer for St Ives. Finding an experienced police officer in this role would have made it tougher for applicants to succeed in obtain relief. At St Ives petty session 25 November 1850 PC Benson charged two tramps, William Haywood and Henry Fisher, with breaking a street lamp. They had applied to him to be admitted to the Workhouse Benson, thinking them not proper objects, refused. Haywood took up a stone, said "here goes", and broke the lamp. They were taken into custody, and on being searched several snares and a good knife were found in Haywood's pocket. They were sentenced to seven days imprisonment. (Cambridge Chronicle 30 November 1850 p4) William clearly had some detective skills. There are a couple of press reports where he detected crimes by means of circulation to other forces in the Hue and Cry publication. (Cambridge Independent Press, 17 January 1852 p4). In another case he took down an unsolicited confession made by a prisoner while at the lock-up. (Cambridge Chronicle, 13 November 1852 p8). In another case he stopped and searched a suspect in the street, leading to an arrest and conviction for theft of fowls. Another skilled move was to use a local shoemaker to identify and match shoe marks at a scene with those of a suspect. (Cambridge Independent Press, 8 January 1853 p4) Following a complaint of theft, he mounted observations, catching thieves in the act of stealing beer and wine in transit. (Cambridge Chronicle, 14 April 1855 p8) In 1852 William applied to the Justices for a rise in salary. This was referred to a committee of Magistrates looking into the use of Superintending Constables across the whole County and was resolved on his re-appointment. (Cambridge Chronicle 10 April 1852, p7) When the new Huntingdonshire Constabulary was established, Benson and other Superintending Constables lost their positions. Superintendent Benson’s ability was recognised and he secured a post as a Superintendent in the Cambridgeshire Constabulary. He applied to the Huntingdonshire Magistrates for a gratuity to compensate him for the loss of his post. Although he had secured another police post, he had lost his income as an Inspector of Weights and Measures and had removal expenses and had been unable to sell his horse. Despite the fact that he had served the Huntingdonshire Justices for seven years, his request was refused. (Cambridge Independent Press, 13 December 1856 p3) In the 1861, 1871 and 1881 Census returns, William was a Police Superintendent living at the police station at Woodditton, Cambridgeshire. William Benson died 8 July 1882. Mary Smith, who said she resided Cambridge, but this was proved to false, and Clara Cool, of Caxton. were charged by Constable Bentley with an offence under the Vagrant Act. Each committed for 21 days' hard labour. (Cambridge Chronicle, 20 October 1855 p8) (1795-1872), served as St Ives Constable 1834-1855 In 1842 a newspaper report referred to “the new Constables, Messrs Alderton and Burgess” who were “giving great satisfaction to the inhabitants generally, by their vigilance in watching some of the public houses in which gambling has been carried on to some extent.” (Cambridge Independent Press, 31 December 1842 p3). However, there are a few earlier reports showing that Hume Burgess had been a St Ives Constable since 1834 (Vestry Minutes Hunts Archives KHP72/8/1/2). His status may have changed from unpaid to paid constable from 1841/2 and back to being unpaid from 1844/55. Press reports show Hume to have been most active between 1841 and 1844. His service, between 1834 and 1855, overlapped that of Thomas Cole. In 1837 Constables Hume Burgess and Thomas Cole were commended by Magistrates for their "active and efficient exertion" in a crime case. (Cambridge Chronicle 11 March 1837 p3). In the 1841 Census, Hume Burgess, b. Hunts 1795, occupation baker, was living in Green Street St Ives with his wife Mary, Née Whitacre, and their eight children. In November 1842 the Cambridge Independent Press carried a detailed report of proceedings at the St Ives Petty Session, at which the Parish Constables were appointed for the parishes in the Hurstingstone Hundred for the year ahead. Eight constables were nominated by the St Ives Vestry for the year ahead. Hume Burgess was shown in this list as the only St Ives Constable paid a yearly salary out of the poor rates. The other unpaid Constables appointed for St Ives that day were: T. Alderton, Jacob Stevens, William Ingle, William Sadler, Charles Culpin, Henry Golding and Henry Cope. (Cambridge Independent Press, 12 November 1842 p3) At a St Ives Vestry Meeting on 9th March 1843 Messrs Alderton and Burgess, appointed constables, were asked to use their efforts to do away with the public nuisance of "porters watermen and others congregating at the cross, much to the annoyance of respectable residents". (Cambridge Independent Press, 18 March 1843 p3) Press expectations of the efficacy of the paid constables was probably over optimistic. In a report of a burglary at a local solicitor’s office the Cambridge Chronicle observed “The villains were doubtless well acquainted with the premises, and we hope that the vigilance of our paid constables will be shown in their capture, as in a parish under 4000 inhabitants all resident bad characters must be familiar to them.” (Cambridge Chronicle 4 February 1843 p3) In February 1844 a vestry meeting was held at St Ives to revise the list of Constables when, with two or three exceptions the same parties were re-elected. The meeting also resolved that there would be no paid constables in future and that the attention of the “proper authorities” should be directed to the state of The Cross especially on Sunday afternoons and evenings. (Cambridge Independent Press, 17 February 1844 p3). Cases taken to court by Hume included theft, liquor licensing offences, cruelty to animals, drunkenness, disorder, fighting in the streets, and indecent exposure. Unlike Thomas Cole, he did not seem to have been the victim of many assaults or obstruction in the execution of his duty. Might this have been a reflection of a more tactful approach, or possibly a more intimidating physique? Hume Burgess may not have been popular with and supported by the local Parish Constables. In August 1843 two of the Parish Constables, Jacob Stevens and Charles Culpin, appeared before the Justices for refusing to assist Hume Burgess in suppressing a disturbance. (Cambridge Chronicle, 12 August 1843 p3). Hume's integrity was attacked in 1845. John Cope and James Clark of Hemingford charged Hume Burgess and Thos Hollington, Constables, with having extorted from them 2s 6d each on the threat of preferring a charge of furious driving. The Constables were acquitted, magistrates accepting their defence that they had taken money from the complainants to pay for damage he had done to their harness. (Cambridge Independent Press, 23 August 1845 p4). Another charge brought against Hume Burgess, this time for an alleged assault, was dismissed by the magistrates when it became apparent that the plaintiff, a local veterinary surgeon, was being legitimately ejected from licensed premises after a drunken argument. (Cambridge Independent Press, 28 February 1846 p1) Hume’s last case traced in the press was charging Edward Childs with assaulting his daughter Jane. Childs was fined £1.1s and 9s expenses. (Cambridge Chronicle, 15 September 1855 p8) The 1851 Census lists Hume Burgess b 1796, occupation baker, Green Street, St Ives, with his wife Mary b 1800 Sawtry, and daughters, Sarah b.1832, Jane b.1836 , and Emily b.1839 all born at St Ives. In 1861 Hume was living at the Baker’s shop, Green Street St Ives with his wife, one daughter and a nephew. Hume died in 1872. (served 1852, 1853) At Ives Petty Sessions, William Burgess, butcher of St Ives, charged Joseph Earl with using obscene and disgusting language in the Streets (Cambridge Chronicle 26 April 1851 p7) William Burgess, Constable, charged Robert Sutton, of Needingworth, with challenging him and another person to fight. Fine plus expenses, 12 shillings and cautioned. William Burgess, one of the Constables for St Ives, mentioned in report of Vestry Meeting Abraham Billings of Hemingford was charged by John Cole with being drunk and fighting in the streets of St Ives at half past 12 o'clock on Sunday. (Cambridge Independent Press, 16 May 1840 p3) John Cole, Constable at St Ives produced at court 2 sacks, part of the evidence in a theft case. John Cole. Constable. charged John Curtain with having assaulted Samuel Hart, a lad, with a thick drover stick. (Cambridge Independent Press, 11 December 1841 p3) John Cole, baker, one of the St Ives Parish Constables (Cambridge Chronicle, 14 February 1857 p7) (1784-1856) (served as a St Ives Constable 1820-1849) Thomas Cole, born in Swavesey in 1784, was the longest serving 19th Century St Ives Constable. The St Ives Vestry Minutes show Thomas Cole and John Smallbones appointed as Constables on 5 April 1820. From 1821 until 1825 Thomas was appointed Constable along with John Leach. After Leach died in 1825 Joseph Hall and Thomas Cole were appointed as Constables annually. The earliest press record found for Thomas as a constable or "peace officer" at St Ives was in July 1822 when he was assaulted and obstructed in carrying out his duty. (Cambridge Chronicle 19 July 1822 p3). Thereafter press reports and various documents in the Quarter Sessions Rolls suggest that Thomas Cole served as a peace officer / police Constable in St Ives continuously for some 29 years, until at least 1849. (although records confirming service during the year 1824 have yet to be found). From the number of assault and obstruction charges he raised over the years, Thomas obviously encountered resistance to his role from certain quarters, (e.g. Cambs Archives HCP/1/9/26. Presentment: Francis Lewis, St. Ives, labourer, assaulting the constable Thomas Cole. Michaelmas 1823) By 1826 Thomas had also been appointed as the County Inspector of Weights and Measures by the Huntingdonshire Justices. In that year the Justices posted a newspaper advertisement giving notice that standard weights and measures had, under the Act of 6 Geo IV, chap 74, been procured for the use of the County and the same were placed in the custody of Mr Thomas Cole of St Ives, Inspector of Weights and Measures, and there followed a list of 8 locations and dates where persons could attend to have their weights and measures checked against the county standards. (Cambridge Chronicle 19 May 1826 p3) Thomas was to continue to hold the weights and measures office at least until 1845 (Cambridge Independent Press, August 1845 p4) and during the intervening period he brought a number of cases against tradesmen for defrauding their customers with inaccurate weights and measures. For example Cambridge Independent Press, 1 April 1843 p3 The Quarter Sessions minutes for 14 Oct 1839 shows a payment to Thomas Cole for “attending St Ives Bench and sessions” £2.14.6. Then on 30 December 1839: £2.12.6. and 6 April 1840: £2.14.6. It is not clear whether these payments were by way of a salary or payments for specific expenses and tasks. Reported cases mentioning Thomas Cole as a St Ives Constable continued in petty sessions and occasionally in Quarter Sessions up to 1847. Offences included: stealing livestock and other goods, drunkenness, fighting in the streets, various poaching offences, indecent exposure, furious driving, cruelty to animals, obstructing the highway, prize-fighting, begging, setting dogs fighting, watermen navigating the river on Sundays, wandering the streets while contagious with smallpox, and various licensing and weights and measures offences Most of the reports of Thomas's cases suggest that he would normally have worked on his own. However, occasionally press reports or court records do show him working with other, mainly unpaid, constables. For example: Deposition: From Charles Downman and John Conquest, St. Ives Parish Watchmen, John Hall and Thomas Cole, St. Ives constables, Robert Reynolds, butcher, Thomas Rycroft, brewer, concerning a fight in the 'Ram' yard, assaults on the watchmen by John Green, Francis Lewis, James Ibbett, John Kent and John Smith. Reynolds and Rycroft charged by the watchmen, had assisted in putting the prisoners into the cage. (Michaelmas Sessions 1825). (Cambridgeshire Archives HCP/1/10/47, Sep 1825). If a constable needed help he could call upon persons nearby to assist him in the execution of his duty. Refusing such aid was a criminal offence. For example, Joseph Matthews of Hemingford was charged by Thomas Cole, constable of St Ives, with aiding and assisting at a fight and refusing to assist him when called upon - he was bound over in the sum of £10 to keep the peace for six months. (Cambridge Independent Press 15 June 1839 p3) In 1837 Thomas was working with another Constable, Henry (believed to be a typo for Hume) Burgess, and the pair were complimented by magistrates on their "active and efficient exertion" in bringing a receiver of stolen fowls to justice (Cambridge Chronicle 11 March 1837 p3). But in 1838 there was a problem as Constables Cole and Burgess had fallen out. Burgess was charged with refusing to assist Cole in making an arrest when called upon to do so. Magistrates supported Cole, cautioning Burgess not to offend again or he would be fined. (Cambridge Chronicle 14 April 1838 p3). By 1840 the two officers were again working together effectively, Burgess giving evidence supporting Cole in an animal cruelty case (Cambridge General Advertiser, 30 December 1840 p2) In the 1841 Census Thomas Cole, occupation "Peace officer", aged 55, b 1786 Swavesey, was living in Crown Street, St Ives, with his wife Ann, born Astwood 1791, Colne Hunts; daughter Ann b.1821 Needingworth Hunts, school mistress, and son, William, aged 15 b.1826 Hunts. In addition to being a visible preventative keeper of the peace, Thomas had some investigative skills and in 1839, together with a constable from Chatteris, identified William Gillson, a thief, from shoe prints at the scene of the theft of a number of geese (Cambs Archives KHCP/1/13/10 and 11) In 1840 Thomas's integrity was challenged by a St Ives beer house keeper who had been reported for allowing gambling in his house. He alleged that Thomas applied the law unfairly and that he had compounded an offence by another beer house keeper. The magistrates did not believe the evidence presented and threw out the case, but nevertheless admonished Thomas as to his future conduct. (Cambridge Independent Press 11 January 1840 p3, and Cambridge Independent Press 18 January 1840) Another charge was preferred against Cole, the constable, by Doggett for having divulged the proceedings in the magistrates’ room, by which the ends of public justice were defeated; Thomas was reprimanded and the chairman threatened him with dismissal upon a repetition of the offence and pointedly told him it would be the last time he should reprimand him. (Cambridge General Advertiser 23 September 1840 p4 and Cambridge Independent Press, 19 September 1840 p3) in 1844 Thomas Cole, Constable, St Ives, was involved in an accident at Godmanchester in a horse and gig as he was returning from taking a prisoner to gaol. He collided with a cart used by another Constable and both shafts of the gig were broken. (Cambridge Independent Press, 6 January 1844 p3) At a vestry meeting at St Ives for the purpose of revising the list of Constables, with two or three exceptions the same parties were re-elected. The meeting also resolved that there would be no paid constables in future and that the attention of the proper authorities should be directed to the state of The Cross especially on Sunday afternoons and evenings. (Cambridge Independent Press, 17 February 1844 p3) The most recent reference found for Constable Thomas Cole was in the Cambridge Independent Press, 7 July 1849 p4 when he charged Isaac Asplain and Ambrose Bones with breach of the peace by fighting in the street. By the 1851 Census, Thomas was no longer a Constable. Thomas Cole, b. Swavesey 1784, was then a corn dealer living in Crown Yard St Ives with his wife Ann, daughter Ann b Needingworth 1819, and sister Sarah Ingle, born Colne Hunts 1806, an annuitant. Thomas Cole died in 1857. In the 1861 census, Ann Cole, widow and retired corn dealer, was living at 3 Waterside St Ives with her daughter Ann. John Bingham, Drover, of Saint Ives , was charged by William Cole, Assistant Constable St Ives with abusing him in the public streets And challenging him to fight. (Cambridge General Advertiser, 22 September 1841 p2 Thomas Alderton, constable of St Ives, charged William Cole (occasionally an assistant to the Constables) with being drunk and disorderly; the magistrates expressed their indignation to Cole's having placed himself in such a disgraceful situation, he expressed his sorrow and promised never to appear before them again on a similar charge - ordered to pay 5s costs. ( Cambridge Independent Press, 4 February 1843 p3) Wm Cole constable of St Ives charged William Brown farmer of Broughton with causing an obstruction in the street by leaving a horse and cart without any person with it Charles Wootton and Henry Cope, Constables, both witnesses in a case relating to the theft of butter. Cambridge Independent Press, 10 January 1846 p4 John Cope (Cape?) Constable St Ives charged Robert Stocker and John Cox with being stripped to fight in a beerhouse. (Cambridge Chronicle, 29 August 1846 p3) Jacob STEVENS of St Ives, gardener, and one of the constables of that parish, fined £2.10s and 15/- costs for neglect of duty on 2nd August and refusing to assist Hume Burgess, another constable of St Ives, in suppressing a disturbance there, Charles Culpin of the same place also another of the constables fined the same penalty and costs for a like offence. GOLDING, Henry ( ?1806 - 1883 ) (served as St Ives Constable from 1842-1844 then 1850-1852) The 1841 census lists Henry Golding age 35 as a turner, living in the Sheep Market St Ives with his wife Elizabeth and children Mary (15) Joseph (13) Henry (10), George (8), William (5) and Isaac (3). The next mention of Constable Golding is in the Cambridge Independent Press, 5 October 1844 p2 when Hussey Golding, constable of St Ives, charged John Earl with fighting in the street. Then on 9th October 1844 the Cambridge General Advertiser ( p3) recorded Reeve Wood, shoemaker, of St Ives was charged by Henry Golding, Constable, with fighting. In 1850 Henry Golding was appointed as a police officer by the St Ives Improvement Commissioners; wages 16s per week. (Cambridge Independent Press 13 April 1850 p3) Thereafter he was involved in a larger number and variety of court cases serving as a Constable to late 1852. In May 1850 the Improvement Commissioners agreed that the police officer would be furnished with hat, coat, great coat, trousers, boots. (Cambridge Independent Press 18 May 1850 p3) In the 1851 Census, Henry Golding, occupation turner, was still resident at the Sheep Market St Ives with his wife and six children. Cases brought to court by Henry or in which he was a witness included: assaulting police, assault, fighting in the street, leaving horse and cart unattended, licensing offences, disorderly conduct, drunkenness, using obscene language, non payment of rates, obstructing highway, theft, falsely raising alarm of fire and begging. In April 1852 Henry Golding was in trouble. He claimed expenses for taking a prisoner, Robert Stocker, to Huntingdon Gaol. This was on the Coroner's warrant on a charge of having killed his wife. On the way they stopped at a public house and had refreshments. Magistrates took a dim view of this and disallowed the expenses. The Chairman of the bench told Mr Ulph, one of the St Ives Improvement Commissioners, who happened to be in court, that "if (Golding) were a servant of theirs, they should instantly dismiss him." This advice from the bench does not seem to have been followed. In February 1855, Henry Golding, occupation chair maker, was listed at the Vestry meeting as a Parish Constable for St Ives for the next year. (Cambridge Chronicle 24 February 1855 p6) In 1856 a newly built dwelling house with workshops in Sheep Market occupied by Mr Henry Golding was being offered for sale. (Cambridge Chronicle 1 Nov 1856 p1). The 1861 Census recorded Henry Golding, turner and chair maker, at 2 Sheep Market, St Ives. Henry was appointed Town Crier by the St Ives Vestry in 1870, a post he held at least until 1876. Henry died in 1883 Joseph Hall served as a St Ives Constable in 1816, then from 1825 – 1834. St Ives Vestry Minutes show that Joseph Hall was appointed Parish Constable on 23 June 1825 following the death of Constable John Leach. Later Joseph served with Thomas Cole and Hume Burgess from 1825 to 1834. Hunts Archives, HCP/1/6/58, from 1816, is an information laid by Joseph Hall, Constable of St. Ives, that he had been called to suppress a riot in the house of Samuel Cox, a licensed victualler of St. Ives, and had been violently assaulted by John Tall, a waterman, who had had struck him with his (the constable's) staff. A commitment order was made against John Tall, John Hookham and John Turner, charged on the oath of Samuel Cox with entering his house, creating a riot and breaking his windows, and against John Tall for assault on Joseph Hall, the Constable. Other cases brought by or involving Joseph Hall include: • Indictment in 1825 against John Smith, Francis Lewis, John Green, James Ibbott, and John Kent, all of St Ives, for rioting and assaulting Charles Downman, John Conqest and Joseph Hall. (Hunts Archives HCP/1/10/57). • An 1826 Indictment against Francis Lewis, St. Ives, labourer, for assaulting Joseph Hall and Thomas Cole, St. Ives, Constables. (Hunts Archives HCP/1/11/10). • Depositions from April 1828: Thomas Butler, St. Ives, Shoemaker, Joseph Hall and Thomas Cole, St. Ives., Constables, Robert Day, Needingworth, John Sharp, Needingworth, Shoemaker, William Richford, St. Ives, labourer, concerning leather stolen by Richford from Rutler and sold, or offered, to Day and Sharp. (Hunts Archives HCP/1/12/11) • Joseph may well have been acting under the direction of the St Ives Bench in bringing a number of defendants to court for a growing nuisance on the river. Hurstingstone Petty Sessions heard a charge by him that on Sunday, at Saint Ives, they did use and employ certain boats or barges in navigating the River Ouse. Joseph Hall was deemed to be a credible witness. Convicted:- Joseph Dean, St. Ives, Waterman; William Lindsell, Brampton Mills, miller; John Budgefoot, Ramsey, waterman; William Pate, Wisbeach, St. Peters, Isle of Ely, corn merchant; Potto Brown & Joseph Goodman, Houghton, millers; John Lindsell and Thomas Lindsell, St. Ives, corn merchants; William Robinson, St. Ives, Waterman; John Dean, St. Ives, Waterman; Christopher Chambers, Earith, Waterman; James Fields, St. Ives, Waterman; Thomas Goodwin, Whittlesey, Isle of Ely, waterman; James Bone, St. Ives, Waterman. All fined 5/- and 9/6 costs. (Hunts Archives, HCP/1/15/10, December 1831) • Joseph was a witness in a serious assault case before Huntingdonshire Michaelmas Quarter Sessions in 1833. Charlotte Burn (Byrne), travelling woman, complained that Richard Gunton, St. Ives, waterboy, had violently attacked her near St. Ives Bridge Toll bar, that James Smith had helped him and that Isaac King and John Elderkin had looked on without assisting her. Joseph Hall, Constable, and James Drage, St. Ives, Keeper of the workhouse, William Conquest, labourer, and Philip Hopkins, labourer, eye-witnesses, corroborated and Oliver St. John Cooper, surgeon, testified to marks of violence. (Hunts Archives HCP/1/17/18). • In 1833 Joseph arrested John Stocker, cordwainer, for assault on the master of the St Ives workhouse and himself. Stocker was sentenced to 3 months hard labour. Cambridge Chronicle 23 Aug 1833 p2 and 18 Oct 1833 p2 and (Hunts Archives HCP/1/17/25) No trace has been found of Joseph in St Ives in Pigot’s directories 1830 and 1839 or the 1841 census (Possibly b. 1815 - ?) Hemp served in the Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards. In 1841 while in the military stationed in Quebec he married Ann Lawler. He served as Constable in St Ives 1847 to 1849 under the St Ives Improvement Commissioners. PC Philemon Douglas HEMP was the first Constable appointed by the St Ives (Hunts) Improvement Commissioners under the St. Ives (Huntingdonshire) Improvement Act 1847 (An act for paving, lighting, watching, draining, cleansing, and improving the town of Saint Ives and the neighbourhood thereof in the County of Huntingdon, enacted 22 July 1847). He was sworn in on 12 Oct 1847 In the minutes of 25 September 1849 there was a report of an enquiry into missing money allegedly from PC Hemp’s possession. The minutes record that the evidence against PC Hemp for this and other misconduct was not sufficient to dismiss him, but the Chairman admonished the constable regarding his future conduct. On 12 March 1850, Hemp resigned. (Cambridge Independent Press 16 March 1850 p3 and 13 April 1850 p3) Henry Golding was appointed in his place. The last reported prosecution brought by PC Hemp charged John Burgess with using obscene language in the streets of St Ives, for which he was fined 10s. (Cambridge Chronicle, 14 July 1849 p4) It is not known for certain what became of PC Hemp. Could his life have taken a turn for the worse after he left office? When his son Theophilus was baptised in Jan 1851 the family were at St Thomas, Salisbury, Wilts, and living in the workhouse there. Over the next two years newspapers reported a down-and-out man, Philemon Douglas Hemp, stealing meat and obtaining money under false pretences. He was using faked letters explaining his suffering from various misfortunes beyond his control, to persuade sympathisers to help him financially. (Hampshire Telegraph 8 Nov 1852, Hampshire Advertiser 8 Nov 1851 and Windsor and Eton Express, 10 January 1852.) George Ingle constable of St Ives charged two men Joseph Thaxter and Francis Lewis with fighting; Thaxted ordered to pay 15s, Lewis discharged (Cambridge Independent Press, 6 September 1845 p1) George Ingle of St Ives constable charged Wm Freeman, Robert Collins, and Robert Douce with fighting in the streets; ordered to pay 4/6 each and cautioned regarding their future conduct. St Ives Petty Sessions - George Ingle, Constable of St Ives, charged Oliver Dring, William Johnson, Daniel Hard, William Wilkes and James Reynolds, labourers, with fighting in the street. All fined and paid except Wilkes who was committed for 3 months hard labour. (Cambridge Chronicle, 14 March 1846 p3) George Ingle of St Ives, peace officer, charged Mathew Barnaby and William Johnson with being drunk and disorderly in the streets and breach of the peace. (Cambridge Chronicle, 6 June 1846 p3 John Ingle, Constable of St Ives charged John Maile, publican, with being drunk and obstructing him in the execution of his duty ; ordered to pay 12/- fine and expenses. The chairman praised Ingle for his active and proper discharge of his duty. William Ingle , Constable of St Ives, charged George Steward, Waterman, with an indecent assault on two females. (Cambridge Independent Press, 8 June 1844 p3) William Ingle Constable charged a man named Maile with being drunk and disorderly - fined 5s and costs (Cambridge Chronicle, 20 July 1844 p3) William Ingle, Constable, bound to give evidence in a brothel keeping case being brought by Rev Yate Fosbroke and Hume Burgess, Constable. (Cambridge General Advertiser 7 August 1844 p3) (1801-1879) (Served as a St Ives Parish Constable 1850-1879) In 1850 the St Ives Improvement Board appointed Richard James as assistant police officer for the first three days of the ensuing fair at 5s a day. (Cambridge Independent Press, 18 May 1850 p3) On 12 September 1854 the Improvement Commissioners appointed Richard as a police officer and Inspector of Nuisances at an annual salary of £20. Again in 1855 he was employed specifically during the fair for 15 shillings. Richard served in those roles until April 1857 when the new Huntingdonshire Constabulary took over policing the County and the Improvement Commissioners lost their policing function (Cambridge Independent Press, 25 April 1857 p7) Between 1850 and 1857 PC James appeared regularly in various cases before the St Ives Petty Sessions. These included licensing offences, using obscene language, drunkenness, assaulting and obstructing police (himself the victim), failing to assist a constable when called upon to do so, breaking fences, disorderly conduct, indecent exposure, gross indecency, obstructing the highway, keeping a disorderly house, a baker using incorrect scales and weights, pick-pocketing, Interfering with railway tracks, assault, and animal cruelty. In his capacity as Inspector of Nuisances he also brought cases before the Magistrates involving foul and offensive ditches and offensive drains. In a licensing case in August 1856, PC James was giving evidence and he was described in the report as "the Assistant Constable", which suggests that he was regarded as subordinate to Benson. (Cambridge Chronicle, 16 August 1856 p7). At a vestry meeting in February 1857 listing the appointment of Constables for the year ahead, Richard James was listed and described as "New Police". (Cambridge Chronicle, 14 February 1857 p7) One of Richard's cases in the summer of 1856 led him into great difficulties. It was a licensing case involving the prosecution of John Wallis of The Chequers for drawing beer during prohibited hours on Sunday July 13th 1856. According to the PC, various drinkers were involved. At court a number of witnesses contradicted the PC's evidence, claiming that he couldn't have seen from his position some of what he described in evidence. Magistrates dismissed the licensing case and Wallis brought an action at the Assize Court against PC James for perjury. The case dragged on for almost a year. At the trial various tradesmen gave evidence of character supporting PC James and the Jury believed the officer and returned a verdict of not guilty. (Cambridge Chronicle, 25 July 1857 p6). In April 1857 the St Ives Improvement Board terminated Mr James' services and salary as a police officer – he continued as an Inspector of Nuisances at £5 per annum. (Cambridge Independent Press, Saturday 25 April 1857 p7). However, the St Ives Vestry nominated Richard James as a Parish Constable every year from 1857 to 1879. He lost the Improvement Commissioners Inspector of Nuisances position to Mr James Bone, but when Bone retired in 1870 Richard James was reappointed as Inspector of Nuisances and Common Lodging Houses (Cambridge Independent Press 11 May 1872 p2). In 1860 the Vestry also elected Richard as the St Ives Pindar, a position he held until his death (Cambridge Chronicle 14 April 1860 p7.) After the formation of the new Huntingdonshire Constabulary, Richard James, Parish Constable, continued to perform some policing duties. He appeared occasionally in press reports of police cases up to 1879 as an informant, person charging, a witness or victim. Cases included: pick-pocketing, animal cruelty, begging, trespass, malicious damage, poaching, indecent exposure, obstructing the highway, rescuing impounded livestock, turning animals out onto the highway to graze, using a stage coach without a licence, furious riding, assaulting a Constable (himself), false pretences, using abusive language in the street, and sheep stealing. One case records him working with Police Officer Petchey of the new police, to execute an arrest warrant on a Robert Chivers, who promptly attacked both officers with an iron bar. Chivers was later sentenced to 12 month imprisonment. (Cambridge Independent Press 4 July 1863 p6) On 24th December 1867 Richard’s integrity was publicly challenged at some incident at the Unicorn Inn. No detail of this has been found other than an advertisement in the Cambridge Independent Press, 12 January 1867 p2, in which George Clark, miller, of St Ives, anxious to avoid being sued for defamation, apologised publicly to Richard for what he had said. In the 1861 Census, then aged 60, Richard was living in The Waites, St Ives, and described his occupation as a "Parish Officer". He had the same occupation in 1871 when he was living in North Road, St Ives. Richard died in 1879. His death certificate recorded his occupation as “Constable and Inspector of Nuisances”. George Barrett of Barking Essex was accused by John Leach, Constable, of St Ives of using at St Ives Fair a “subtle craft” to defraud (a prohibited game with cups and balls). Barrett was committed to Hunts Quarter Sessions where he was convicted of being a rogue and vagabond. He was sentenced to 6 months hard labour and “publicly whipped from the Clockhouse to the Workhouse”. (Hunts Archives HCP/1/6/139 and Cambridge Chronicle 23 October 1818) The Calendar Of Prisoners for Huntingdon Michaelmas Quarter Sessions includes Thomas Reynolds (23) for insulting John Leach, St Ives Constable, and endeavouring to excite the populace against him. Also Hunts Archives HCP/1/9/45 is an Indictment for Thomas Reynolds, labourer of St Ives, for assaulting John Leach, constable, (Hunts Archives HCP/1/9/1 Oct 1823) Mr Matthews, Constable of St Ives, charged William Kate, a tramp, with assaulting him. It appeared Kate was ill using a dog in the streets, Matthews admonished him for it, when he struck him with a stick and used very abusive language. Committed for 11 days hard labour (Cambridge Independent Press, 11 June 1853 p4) John Smallbones served as a Constable with Thomas Cole in 1819 and 1820. May have been John Smallbones (1788-1856), St Ives, cordwainer / shoemaker, to whom John Stocker was apprenticed 16 June 1813. Hunts Archives KHB1/temp/ap/201 Jacob Stevens of St Ives, gardener, and one of the Constables of that parish, fined £2.10s and 15/- costs for neglect of duty on 2nd August and refusing to assist Hume Burgess, another constable of St Ives, in suppressing a disturbance there, Charles Culpin of the same place also another of the constables fined the same penalty and costs for a like offence. A rook shooting case in which Mr William Whellams, one of the Parish Constables of St Ives and Mr Fovargue, shoemaker, of that place, were the defendants, was settled out of court, J. O.Beck esq not pressing the case, on the costs being paid 10s each. ( dates not known ) Served as Superintending Constable in charge of the St Ives Lock-up 1842 -1849 Quarter Sessions minutes record the appointment of Wootton, a Metropolitan Police Officer, as Superintendent of the St Ives Lock-up, on the recommendations of the St Ives Magistrates. No trace in MEPO4. Could this be Charles Frederick Wootten, Back St, St Ives, in the 1851 Census. Builder, b 1824 Westminster, wife Elizabeth Anne b 1814 St Ives, daughter Martha Elizabeth b 1844 Marylebone (he was then a carpenter) daughter Louisa b 1846 St Ives. Married (second time) to Elizabeth Eden in 1849 at St Ives. Was he in the Metropolitan Police some time before 1844? Charles Wootton was an experienced Metropolitan police officer and was appointed by the St Ives Magistrates in April 1842 as Constable and Superintendent of the newly built St Ives Lock Up. His duties as a local constable extended beyond matters connected with the lock-up "A most foul and infamous conspiracy” was attempted against Wootton, the police constable, by a low prostitute of the name of Ann Sansom (who had been in his custody), and her aunt, a Miss Luff of St Ives. After a very patient and strict investigation, the magistrates dismissed the case not believing one word of the charge against the officer. (Cambridge Chronicle, 7 March 1846 p3) At the Huntingdon County Court September 18th 1847, Charles Wootton faced allegations by Mr and Mrs Ingham of assault and false imprisonment. In August 1847 Wootton, and other officers, were involved in stopping a disturbance in the Bullock Market involving a number of railway navvies. Two arrests were made, but one prisoner was released by the crowd. The second prisoner, Langford, was taken to the Station House followed by part of the mob. At the Station House the mob became rowdy and Thomas Ingram, a "Ganger" on the St Ives and Wisbech Railway, backed by a number of the navvies, noisily demanded the release of Langford. Wootton arrested Ingham to prevent further disorder, whereupon Ingham's wife clung to her husband and the couple were dragged off together into the station house. In the course of the ensuing struggle, Ingram and his wife received minor injuries, which they alleged were caused by Wootton. The County Court jury, directed by the Judge, found in favour of Mr and Mrs Ingham and they were awarded £5 and 50s damages respectively. The police officers' version of the incident was supported by a number of witnesses, including a couple of respectable shopkeepers, but the Inghams produced more witnesses to give evidence against the police. One of the police witnesses was Elizabeth, the wife of PC Charles Wootton. She was fearful that the mob would break into the station house, her home, and free Langford. As a sad footnote to the case, in the following November, Mrs Wootton committed suicide by cutting her throat with a razor. (Huntingdon County Court case Cambridge Chronicle 25 Sept 1847; suicide of Elizabeth Wootton Cambridge General Advertiser, 29 November 1848 p3 and Cambridge Chronicle, 2 December 1848). St Ives Magistrates obviously felt that the case against Wootton was without merit and he faced no sanctions. ( Cambridge Independent Press, 21 August 1847 p4, Cambridge General Advertiser 22 September 1847 page 1) Wootton resigned his post in October 1849 and was replaced by Sgt William Benson. (Cambridge Independent Press, 20 October 1849 p4) top of page
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