This is Findon — www.findonvillage.com  created by Valerie Martin, contains scenes from her home village of Findon, West Sussex, U.K.

CRIMES CONNECTED WITH FINDON IN THE 1800s

Copyright Valerie Martin 2002.

The first Census Returns for Findon were in 1801.  They did not go into great depth with details but gave the parish having 381 inhabitants.   Sixty-nine of these were recorded as engaged in agriculture.  Agricultural labourers were very poor.

Public hanging and gibbeting in Sussex ceased in 1799.   I have, therefore, not been surprised to find an abundance of crimes for the nineteenth century.    Firstly there was early in 1803, a poor man was stopped and searched by two ruthless footpads somewhere between Arundel and Findon (near Patching Pond).   Not altogether satisfied with the meagre belongings the man was carrying on his person, the villians —

Secondly, there was the crime of Joseph Terry who was born in Thakeham and was one of twin sons born to Henry Terry.  Joseph settled in Findon as a carpenter.  

At the age of 43 Joseph was committed on 16th June 1818 at Horsham.  Convicted as a rogue and vagabond having been found lying naked in the open air. He was tried on 13th July 1818 at Horsham Sessions.  He was sent back to Findon for his misdemeanours.   I know quite a bit about this villager of the past. He was 5 ft 6½ins tall, of slender build, with a fair complexion and brown hair.  He had grey, hazel eyes and a thin face.   He had a scar on his left leg.   If I had more ability as an artist, I would be able to give you a photo-fit image of him! 

Joseph was a first cousin twice removed to Albert Short Senior of Findon Farm.  He was also in some way connected to the Ockendens of Findon at the time.

In the early nineteenth century the lot of smugglers was not a very happy one as a major crackdown was launched on their occupation. Perhaps it is best not to know the full share that Findon folk took in eighteenth century smuggling.  The name if a Findon smuggler comes to mind — that of Mr. Lillywhite who lived at Gore Cottages at the foot of Bost Hill.

Following the Revolution in France in 1830, there was some stackfiring in Britain.  Four thatched houses in Findon were destroyed by fire and this may have been the cause — that was the story at the time.

If you are reading this in Australia you just may have your roots buried in Findon if you have the surname of Thompson in your family tree.

173 years ago there was an agricultural labourer living in the village named William Thompson and at the tender age of 21 years he was caught stealing from the property of a gentleman named Thomas Grey.     I have no more info on Thomas Grey and do not know where he lived.    

William made off with two watches... one gold and the other silver.   Also seven silver teaspoons and other articles.  

The outcome was not good for William as 173 years ago this month he was sentenced at the Spring Lewes Assizes in March 1835 to be transported for life.

By January, 1838 there was a constant stream of beggars in the village centre.   These unwelcome vagrants knocked on the doors of cottages and if not receiving goods to their liking, would swear at the occupants.   Some carried knives and terrified the poor unsuspecting villagers.  The problem made the inhabitants decide to contribute to the wages for a night watchman who was paid a guinea a week.  It was intensely cold and the man started his solitary pacing of the village centre in an effort to keep the peace on Tuesday, 13th February 1838.

From Cissbury Ring, looking eastwards one can see the rows of roofs of Findon Valley with the downland of High Salvington rising beyond.  Behind is Highdown Hill with its own historic windmill site and traditional burial ground of the South Saxon kings. Highdown Hill is just within sight of Findon from some of the highest points and was the location of a crime back in 1853.  

25 year-old George and his brother William, aged 20 years were two of the nine sons of the Clear family of Angmering.   Most of the boys in the family were unemployed and were described at the time as looking half starved.  

George and William were charged before the magistrates on 15th January 1854 because it was said they had used wires for the purpose of taking game.   The brothers had been detected setting wires in Mr. Henty's field in Pot Lane near Highdown Hill.

They were committed to the House of Correction for one calendar month, and to be further imprisoned for six months if they failed to find the required sureties.   It is documented that Superintendent Norman gave them food, which at the time it was said.....

"they ate voraciously".

I can't help wondering if they provided the sureties or not!

In February, 1890, George Caplin, a most trusted employee of George Hampton of Findon for twenty-five years, was found dead in a tank at the rear of the cattle shed where he was employed.  He had always been a well conducted and respected man.  His employer, George Hampton was a great Findon Sheep farmer of the era and lived at North End Farmhouse for close on half a century.  His Southdown flock was renowned and known far and wide. 

The Coroner’s jury returned a verdict of

“suicide while temporarily insane”. 

George Caplin had not been himself during the previous weeks and considered by friends and relations to be of unsound mind since losing his wife.  He had been out of the Infirmary about two months and was very depressed and deemed not responsible for his actions in taking his life.  He was interred at St. John the Baptist Church in the village on Monday, 17th February 1890. The burial service was read (as was the custom at the village church at that time), over those ...

“who lay violent hands on themselves”.

Here I come to the end of the 1800s..... but I would like to mention one happening ten years later.   A Findon man, Frederick Miles, was described as "the laziest man in the village" by Police Superintendent Bridger when the offender appeared before Worthing Magistrates in 1910.   Frederick Miles was charged with "sleeping out" and received a sentence of seven days in prison.

This is Findon — www.findonvillage.com is a continually growing record created by Valerie Martin exclusively for documenting life in Findon.