Wistowpedia

The History of Wistow

Two Defiant Priests

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Stephen Wakefield Rector of Wistow from 1559 to 1587

With the emergence of Protestantism after the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539 support for the Catholic faith did not entirely disappear in Huntingdonshire. In 1584 the diocese of Lincoln investigated two ministers, Stephen Wakefield of Wistow and William Dickinson of Elton. They were accused of being Recusants, individuals who refused to attend Anglican services.  The ‘Recusancy Acts’ began during the reign of Elizabeth I and imposed a number of punishments on those who did not participate in Anglican religious activity, including fines, property confiscation, imprisonment and in some cases those adhering to Catholicism faced capital punishment.

 

William Baker M.A. Rector of Wistow from 1642 to 1645 and 1661 to 1687

The period between 1643 and 1660 was a time of almost uncontested Parliamentary control of Huntingdonshire and some locals took advantage to overturn the old order. Puritans introduced their own ideas on church worship and deprived former ecclesiastical opponents of office. Then in 1644 the new Presbyterian Church government introduced an even more exacting ordinance, which evicted about twenty clergymen. Some were treated quite harshly, Mr Baker of Wistow being ‘imprisoned at Huntingdon jeyl where he was abused and barbarously treated’. William Baker returned as Rector of Wistow in 1661 after the Restoration of Charles II.

James Dickerson Deposition 10th April 1854

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Depositions of Joseph Phillips and all others against James Dickerson charged with felony.

10th April 1854

Huntingdonshire TO WIT :

 

The Information of Joseph Phillips of Wistow in the said County taken on oath this 10 Day of April 1854, before me, the undersigned, one of Her Majesty’s Justices of the Peace, acting at Huntingdon, in and for the said County, in the presence and hearing of James Dickerson.

Charged with Felony.

I, on my Oath, say

I am Shepherd to George Pryme Esquire who (occupies) a farm at Wistow in this County, he (had) some sheep in a field in that parish called Raveley (Hole).  Last Saturday the Eighth Instant they were ewes and lambs. I saw them on Saturday night between six and seven. They were alright. About my flock on Sunday morning I saw Joseph Yates and from what he told me I went down to Raveley Hole. I found one the ewes had been slaughtered and a piece of the carcass taken away, it was taken from the left (front) leg and one the ears was also cut off. Joseph Yates showed me that morning a piece of meat and a sheep’s ear which I have no doubt had been taken from the ewe belonging to my master.

Sworn before me

G (??????)                                           Joseph Phillips

The Prisoner declined asking the ??????? any questions.

Huntingdonshire TO WIT :

 

The Examination of Joseph Yates of Huntingdon in the said County taken on oath this 10 Day of April 1854, before me, the undersigned, one of Her Majesty’s Justices of the Peace, acting at Huntingdon, in and for the said County, in the presence and hearing of James Dickerson.

Charged with Felony.

I, on my Oath, say

I am one of the Police Constables of the Borough of Huntingdon. I was on duty on Sunday morning between one and two o’clock. The prisoner, James Dickerson came to me about that time at the station house. He sat down on the steps of the station house door and said he was tired and should not go any further for he had been to Wistow and killed a sheep. I then took him into the station house and I asked him if it was true what he had said, he said, yes it is quite true, his hands were covered with the blood – he then produced a piece of meat and a sheep’s ear. I search him and found a knife on him which was also bloody – I then asked why he had done it he said he could get no work and wanted to be sent out of the country – he said he had been to Mr Woodruff, the evening before who gave him a four penny piece and told him to go to Mr Saunders to try to get a job. Mr Saunders refused that. He then went to try to catch one of Mr Saunders’ sheep and failed and then went to Mr Fairlee and killed a sheep. Mr Fairlee is Mr Prymes Bailiff. I then went over to Wistow and went to the field where he told me he had killed he sheep and I found a sheep dead. I examined the sheep the skin was on but a piece of meat had been cut off the thigh and one ear was off. I afterwards went to Joseph Phillips who is shepherd to Mr Pryme. I told him what had happened and showed him the meat and the sheep’s ear which I had taken from the prisoner. Phillips afterwards brought the sheep up to Mr Fairlee’s house.  I (patterned) the ear myself and it exactly fitted. The prisoner was quite sober when he came to me at the station house. I said nothing to the prisoner to induce him to make communication.

Sworn before me

G (??????)                                           Joseph Yates

The Prisoner declined asking any questions.

Huntingdonshire TO WIT :

 

James Dickerson stands charged before the undersigned, one of Her Majesty’s Justices of the Peace for the County of Huntingdon, this Tenth Day of April in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight Hunderd and Fifty Four for that the said James Dickerson on the Eighth Day of April Instant at the Parish of Wistow in the said County wilfully killed a certain ewe sheep the property of George Pryme Esquire with intent to steal the carcass or meat thereof.

And the said Charge being read to the said James Dickerson and the Witnesses for the Prosecution Joseph Phillips and Joseph Yates.

Being severally Examined in his presence, the said James Dickerson is now addressed by me as follows : ‘Having heard the Evidence, do you wish to say anything in answer to the Charge ? You are not obliged to say anything unless you desire to do so, but whatever you say will be taken down in Writing, and may be given in Evidence against you upon your Trial. And you are clearly to understand that you have nothing to hope from any Promise of Favour, and nothing to fear from any Threat, which may have been holden out to you to induce you to make any admission or confession of your guilt, but whatever you shall now say may be given in Evidence against you upon your Trial, not withstanding such Promise or Threat’.

Whereupon the said James Dickerson sayeth as follows ;

I was not quite sober when I did it. I have nothing more to say.

The Mark of James Dickerson

X

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Althea Walker
November 2010

The Wistow Riot 1833

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On June 24th, 1833, John Pickard, a publican of Wistow, approached the police to ask them to help him clear his yard of people fighting.

At about 10.30 Edward Foreman, a constable, assisted by Thomas Samworth, a butcher of Peterborough, went with Pickard to the yard and, according to Foreman’s court deposition, saw “two or three hundred men assembled” who were told to clear the yard.

Foreman took hold of one John Page, a labourer of Wistow, and had started to escort him from the yard when Isaac How, of Warboys, attempted to free Page. Foreman struck How with his staff, and was then knocked down by How and assaulted by several persons unknown. On taking Page into custody, Foreman was then assaulted by William Taylor, a labourer of Warboys.

In a court deposition Mary Foreman, wife of the constable, said that she went along to Wistow to “see after” her husband because she had heard that he would “get murdered”, and witnessed the assaults on him by How and others.

In his court deposition Thomas Samworth confirmed that he had accompanied Edward Foreman to Wistow “to suppress a riot” and had seen John Behavey and Richard Buddle adjusting their clothes as if they had been fighting and saw John Page and Samuel Buddle fighting together. It was at this point that Foreman attempted to apprehend Page. Subsequently, Samworth was knocked down by Samuel King and other persons unknown.

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John Dransfield

Heritage Day 2009

Crime – Quarter Sessions 1850 to 1856

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Wistow Warbler     1850 to 1856

SNIPPETS FROM THE COUNTY OF HUNTINGDON COURTS
MIDSUMMER SESSION MON 1 JULY 1850 JAMES RUST ESQ CHAIRMAN

Thomas Dickerson 21 Labourer

John Pickard 22 Labourer

Committed 25 April 1850 by G Rust Esq. charged on the oaths of William Warren and others with having stolen one copper powder flask and one leather shot bag, the property of the said William Warren at Wistow.

9 Calendar months hard labour each

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GAOL CALENDER FOR MICHAELMAS SESSION MONDAY THE 18 OCTOBER 1852

William Dickerson 27 Labourer

Committed 13 October 1852 by Rev W Finch & R H Hussey Esq. Charged on the oaths of John Saunders and others with having stolen a scythe blade, the property of Isaac & Henry Saunders at Wistow.

Sentence 6 weeks hard labour

George Smith gaoler

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QUARTER SESSION 4 APRIL 1853 JAMES RUST ESQ CHAIRMAN

William Atkins 22 Labourer

Committed the same day by T S Fryer Esq. and the Rev. E Baines charged on the oaths of William Battle and others with having broken and entered the dwelling house of the said William Battle at Wistow, and stolen some pork, cheese and pudding, his property.

1 year’s hard labour

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QUARTER SESSION 2nd JULY 1855

Eliza Smith 35 wife of Matthew

Committing magistrate Gilbert Ansley Esq. of Houghton Hill St Ives

A warrant was issued on 2nd July 1855 when she was also taken into custody, for Stealing one pair of child’s boots value 2shillings, the property of Sarah Butler of Wistow, on the 30th day of June 1855

Guilty 3 weeks hard labour

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HUNTS MICHAELMAS SESSION 16TH OCTOBER 1855

A CALENDAR OF PRISONERS FOR TRIAL AT THE GENERAL QUARTER SESSIONS OF THE PEACE

TO BE HOLDEN AT HUNTINGDON ON MONDAY 15TH OCTOBER 1855

JAMES RUST ESQUIRE CHAIRMAN

SIR WILLIAM BOOTH, BARONET, HIGH SHERRIFF

GEORGE DE VINS WADE GENTLEMAN – UNDER SHERRIFF

GEORGE FREDERICK MAUTE – UNDER SHERRIFF

BENJAMIN AISLABIE GREENE , GENTLEMAN, CLERK OF THE PEACE

In the gaol at Gt Stukeley Nr Huntingdon

William Roast 46 Pig Jobber

Surrendered in court, charged with stealing eight sheaves of oats, the property of Mary Murfin value 1 shilling at Wistow on the 20th day of September 1855

Tried on 16 Oct 1855

Acquitted of larceny

Allowed by clerk of the peace, magistrates certificate costs £12 13s 8p

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17 MARCH 1856 ASSIZES

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE SIR JOHN JERVIS, KNIGHT CHIEF JUSTICE OF OUR LADY THE QUEEN OF HER COURT OF COMMON PLEAS

THE HONOURABLE SIR WILLIAM WIGHTMAN, KNIGHT, ONE OF THE JUSTICES OF OUR SAID LADY THE QUEEN, ASSIGNED TO HOLD PLEAS BEFORE THE QUEEN HERSELF.

JAMES GAY ESQ HIGH SHERIFF

CLEMENT FRANCIS GENTLEMAN UNDER SHERIFF

BENJAMIN AISLABIE GREENE CLERK

William How 25 Labourer

County Magistrate Thomas Skeels Fryer Esq.

Chatteris Isle of Ely

David Veasey Esq.

Castle House Huntingdon

Warrant 28 Jan 1856 Received 29 Jan 1856

Feloniously ravishing Mary Ann Hammond at Warboys and Wistow on the 30th day of March in 1854.

18 March 1856 Tried before Chief Justice

Guilty of Rape Transported for Life

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Debbie Booth, Jenny Head, Althea Walker

Heritage Day 2009

James Dickerson’s Crime 1855

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Wistow Warbler      1st January 1855

WISTOW SHEEP SLAUGHTERER GETS FOUR YEARS

Unemployment drives local man to crime

James Dickerson aged 25, labourer from Wistow, was today given a sentence of four years penal servitude for killing a ewe with intent to steal part of the carcass. The ewe belonged to George Pryme Esquire, also from Wistow, and was stolen in April 1854.

Joseph Phillips, shepherd to Mr Pryme, was alerted to the slaughter of the sheep by Police Constable Joseph Yates. They went together to Raveley Hole where they found the carcass. In his deposition Joseph Phillips said, “I found one of the ewes had been slaughtered and a piece of the carcass taken away, it was taken from the left front leg and one of the ears was also cut off. Joseph Yates showed me that morning a piece of meat and a sheep’s ear, which I have no doubt had been taken from the ewe belonging to my master”.

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That Sunday morning between one and two o’clock James Dickerson had turned up at the station house in Huntingdon. He sat on the steps of the station house saying he was tired and couldn’t go any further because he had “been to Wistow and killed a sheep”. It was clear to the constable that Mr Dickerson was telling the truth because his hands were covered in blood and he had a bloody knife on him. He also produced a piece of meat and an ear!

When asked James Dickerson said, “he could get no work and wanted to be sent out of the country”. The evening before Mr Dickerson had approached Mr Woodruff for work, but was given a four penny piece and told to go to Mr Saunders to try and get a job. Mr Saunders turned Mr Dickerson away and in desperation he had tried to catch one of Mr Saunders’ sheep but failed. Constable Yates felt the prisoner was “quite sober” when he was at the station. The Constable went on to say that Joseph Phillips, shepherd, had showed him the ewe’s carcass and his comment was “I patterned the ear myself and it exactly fitted”.

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Having heard the evidence against him James Dickerson’s comment was “ I was not quite sober when I did it. I have nothing more to say”.

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James Dickerson’s grave can be found in the churchyard

 

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Source Documents from Huntingdonshire Archives, Reference HCP/1/37 Quarter Sessions 1854

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Debbie Booth, Jenny Head, Althea Walker

Heritage Day 2009