THE BCH ARCHIVE
LOCAL HISTORY FOR
BIRTSMORTON
CASTLEMORTON
HOLLYBUSH
And The Surrounding District
Archive of Reports and Anecdotes
Reports Page 9
Farmer, Thomas ??-1872
In the Court of Probate, on Tuesday, the case of Farmer v. Farmer was heard. This was a suit to establish the Will of the late Thomas Farmer, of Notts Farm, Castlemorton, who died on the 21st January 1872, having executed his Will on the 16th of the same month. It was opposed by the eldest son of the testator, on the ground that the Will was not duly executed. Mr. R. Searle appeared for the plaintiff; Mr. R. A. Bayford represented the defendant. Mr, Searle said that the testator was a farmer, living at Castlemorton, and made his will leaving his property to his wife for life, and then to his younger children, not giving anything to the defendant, who contested the Will on the ground of undue execution, but as notice had been given that it was not his intention to call witnesses he (Mr. Searle) should only have to call the attesting witnesses and prove the Will in proper form. The learned counsel then called the following evidence: William Jeynes, examined by Mr. R. Searle: I knew the testator, and on the 16th January, 1872, he sent for me to give me instructions for his Will. I took them down in writing. I do not know where they are. I went with the instructions to Mr. Wells, a solicitor's clerk, and he drew up the Will which is in Court. That was on the same day that I received the instructions. When I went back the other witness was there, and the Will was read over to the testator, who said, That's my Will. He signed the Will by a mark, and this is the same document. The testator knew perfectly well what he was about at the time. John Guives, another farmer, also living at Castlemorton, who also witnessed the Will, proved the signature by the testator, and its being witnessed properly. Mr. Baysford said he was not in a position to contest the Will, and Sir James Hannen pronounced for the Will, but as notice had been given by the defend-ants that they would only cross examine, there was no order as to costs.
Published: Saturday 25 January 1873
Newspaper: Worcester Journal
___________________________________________________________________
Fowler, William 1857-
James Proverbs, labourer, of Welland, appeared on bail to answer a charge of stealing a pocket knife, the property of Wm. Fowler, at Castlemorton, on the 7th ult. Mr. Gregory defended. Wm. Fowler said: l am eleven years of age, and work for Mr. Lashford, at Castlemorton. About three weeks since I lent my knife to Mr. Lashford's housekeeper, Miss Eagols. From what I heard, I a few days afterwards asked the prisoner if he had got my knife. He said he had not. The knife how shown to me is the one I lent to Miss Eagols, and is my property. Mary Eagols said: I am housekeeper to Mr. J. Lashford, of Castlemorton. On the 7th July I borrowed a knife of the last witness. On the same day I left it on a rack by the pump. I went a short distance down the orchard, and on my return the knife was gone. P.S. Potts said: From information I received, I apprehended the prisoner on the 15th July. Before apprehending the prisoner I asked him how he accounted for his possession of the knife I now produce, which he had sold to Henry Bullock. He said he found it. Prisoner pleaded guilty, and elected to be tried at once. Mr. Gregory addressed the Bench in extenuation of the offence. The case was dismissed, it being deemed inexpedient to inflict punishment.
Published: 8 August 1868
Newspaper: Worcester Journal
___________________________________________________________________
Gamble, George
George Gamble and William Watts, of Castlemorton, were charged with killing a hare, at Castlemorton, on the 23rd Sept. 1873
Published: Saturday 18 October 1873
Newspaper: Worcester Journal
George Gamble was summoned by Fanny Morgan, both of Castlemorton,for 18s arrears under an affiliation order. Defendant, who appeared with his arm in sling and looking ill, explained that complainant’s brother had kicked him on the arm and incapacitated him from work. The payments had been kept till recently. The Bench adjourned the case for two months, to enable him to pay.
Published: Friday 02 January 1903
Newspaper: Gloucestershire Echo
___________________________________________________________________
Gatfield, William
An affiliation order of 1s per week was made against William Gatfield, Castlemorton, to pay 2s 6d per week for maintenance of the child of Ellen Arnold, Castlemorton, until the child is 14 years of age.
Published: Saturday 27 October 1900
Newspaper: Worcestershire Chronicle.
___________________________________________________________________
Gillam, James
For having in his possession one pair of unjust flour scales and three unjust weights, at Castlemorton, on the 9th inst, was fined 4s and costs.
Published: Wednesday 18 September 1867
Newspaper: Worcestershire Chronicle
___________________________________________________________________
Green, Charles
Petty Sessions, Monday. Charles Green, labourer, of Castlemorton, was brought up in the custody of P.S. Potts, charged with stealing two tame fowls, the property of Mr. John Rayer Lane, at Castlemorton, on the night of the 12th December. Rose Weaver, servant to Mr. Lane, said: About eleven o'clock on the night of Thursday last, the 12th inst., as she was going to bed, she heard a fowl cry, and told her master and mistress. Her master went out. The next morning she saw two fowls, one living and the other dead (now shown to her), in the possession of P.S. Potts. She knew the fowls immediately, and was sure they were her master's property. They were safe in her master's premises on the morning of the 12th. Mr. Lane said he knew the prisoner Charles Green, who formerly lived in his house as servant. On the night of the 12th inst. he was told by the last witness that there was some one amongst his fowls in the cart-house. He went out and saw the prisoner just leaving the cart-house. Prisoner ran away across the orchard. When had got about forty yards fell down on the ground. Witness then said, if you get up I'll shoot you. Witness had a mop in his hand. Prisoner got up and commenced running, and distanced him, getting over a gate, and he lost sight of him going down a field where there was no road. The night was very light, and witness could see prisoner distinctly. Witness afterwards went round his ricks, and near a wall dividing the rick-yard from the road he found a quantity of feathers. It appeared as if someone had got over the wall. On the following morning he saw Sergeant Potts compare he prisoner's boots with some footmarks near where he saw the prisoner get over the gate. And they corresponded exactly. He saw the shoes taken off the prisoner's feet. P.S. Watts stationed at Welland said that on the morning of Friday the 13th inst. he received information from Mr. Lane that he had had some fowls stolen the previous night. He accordingly went to make inquiries, and to look after the prisoner, when he found in field belonging to Mr. Cook a dead fowl and a live one (which he now produced). He then went to the prisoner, who was working for Mr. Wilcox, of Castlemorton, thrashing, and asked him where he was on the previous night. He replied, home, and a-bed by nine o'clock. Witness asked what account he could give of being in Mr. Lane's wain-house on that night. He denied being there at all or on Mr. Lane's land. He then charged him with stealing two fowls, the property of Mr. Lane, on the night of the 12th inst. Prisoner said he knew nothing about them. He afterwards took the prisoner into custody to Mr. Lane, and in the presence of Mr. Lane compared his shoes with the marks near the gate over which he had been seen to get on the previous night and they corresponded exactly. The prisoner was also present. Prisoner asked Mr. Lane's pardon and requested him to look over it. The hat (now produced) belonged to the prisoner. He had seen him wear it. Witness received it from Mr. Lane on Friday, the 13th inst. He showed the hat to the prisoner, but he denied all knowledge of it. The prisoner declined to call witnesses. He elected to be tried at the Quarter Sessions ; and, having been duly cautioned, said he had nothing to say. He was committed for trial at the next Quarter Sessions.
Published: Wednesday 18 December 1867
Newspaper: Worcestershire Chronicle