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Hi dee-jay,

I've been researching the history of Ilchester Gaol for some time now.

Despite a search of the Western Flying Post for a month either side of his conviction date, I could find no mention of James Gill's trial in July1828.

I did find a mention of the trial of John Gill with the conviction in 1825, but not too much I'm afraid.

He was tried at the Lent Assizes in Taunton. The presiding Judges were the Hon. Sir James Burrough and the Hon. Sir James Allen Park. This was a particularly busy hearing, with 160 prisoners on trial. The Hon. Sir James Burrough opened the hearing by stating that this Lent Assizes presented him with some of the most reprehensible and shameful crimes that it was ever his displeasure to preside over, worse than anything he had experienced at the Old Bailey.

Due to the large number of cases to be heard, the local newspaper only covered (in detail) the worst of the crimes, all the rest were briefly summarized, name, crime and sentence. So it was with John Gill, who's only mention was that he was guilty of horse stealing and was sentenced to death.

From my own research into public executions at Ilchester, I do know that he was executed on the gallows erected above the entrance to Ilchester Gaol on the 27th April 1825. Four others were executed with him;

Samuel Blanning for highway robbery
Henry York for highway robbery
John Wilmott for horse stealing
Phineas Radford for sheep stealing

I did a search for a month after the execution date but these hangings were not reported in the Western Flying Post.

I did find a report of an execution that took place a week before which had made the news due to the awfulness of the crimes that had been committed. I have included a transcript for you as it mentions the five other condemned men due to be executed the following week, these were John Gill and the four men mentioned above.

It appeared in the Western Flying Post of Monday April 25th 1825.

If nothing else it does give some idea of how John Gill spent his last days.


Execution - On Wednesday last, Joseph Bennett and George Maggs, convicted of an unnatural crime at the last Assizes for this county, were executed on the drop at Ilchester Gaol. Bennett was about 30 years of age, a single man, and a native of Witney in Oxfordshire. Maggs was 22 years old and a native of Radstock. They had, since their condemnation, been attended by the Rev. Mr. Valentine, the chaplain to the Gaol, through whose unwearied attention they appeared to be brought to a sense of their awful situation. About half past seven they attended in the chapel, with the five other unfortunate malefactors, ordered for execution on Wednesday next, where the Morning Service was read, the whole of the prisoners being assembled; after which the Sacrament was administered to the seven criminals in an impressive manner. The Under-Sheriff arrived about nine o'clock, and the prisoners continued in prayer till a short time after eleven, when the necessary preparations having been completed, the solomn procession moved from the chapel, the chaplain repeating part of the burial service. Bennett first ascended the scaffold; he stepped forward, and addressed the immense multitude of spectators, and said, "You are now assembled to witness two poor sinners die for a crime of which we are innocent" and he exhorted them to keep holy the sabbath-day, the breaking of which had led them to their untimely end. Maggs also protested his innocence, and they both said that they hoped God would forgive the two woman who had sworn falsely against them.

After continuing in prayer with the chaplain a short time, the drop fell, and closed the world on them forever.



I hope this is of some help,

Regards,
Arf

Hi Nicola,

I do a lot of research in Somerset, I'm currently researching the notorious Gaol in Ilchester.

Catharine appeared at the Somersetshire Lent Assizes in April 1833.

The local newspaper The Western Flying Post- Monday April 8th 1833 carried the following report;

Richard Bowtell was indicted for having stolen various articles, the property of Myra Newton, and Catharine Bullinger with having received the same knowing them to have be stolen.

It appeared in evidence that in October last the prosecutor was in want of a shopman, and that she saw an advertisement in the Evangelical Magazine, which she answered, and received a letter from Bowtell, dated London, stating that he had lived two years with Jabez Williams of Uxbridge; and on the other half sheet was a letter purporting to be written by Jabez Williams, giving him a most excellent character, and that the only reason for parting with him was in consequence of taking an apprentice. The letter it turned out was written by Bullinger. Mrs. Newton took him into her employ, and he completely gained her confidence, which he abused by robbing her of an immense quantity of goods; he paid her a great deal of attention, obtained from her a lock of her hair and other presents, and made her an offer, which she declined, but which he instructed his counsel was not true. It was clearly proved that no person of the name of Jabez Williams had ever lived at Uxbridge, that at the time the letter was written the prisoner was residing at Sherborne, and that the whole of his professions was a tissue of falsehood.

Twenty-two witnesses were called for the prosecution, but their evidence was unconnected; sometimes five witnesses in succession did not prove any one circumstance.

The learned Judge reprobated in strong terms the way in which the case had been got up.

The jury found the prisoners guilty.

An objection was taken to the indictment, which was held to be good against Bowtell, and it reduced his punishment; he was, however, sentenced to seven years transportation, and Bullinger, to fourteen years transportation.

I hope this will help with your research, is Catharine an ancestor of yours?

Regards
Arf

Gadget,

As John Wathen wasn't a commisioned officer he won't appear in the Army lists.

Copies of the documents for the John Wathen you found in the National Archives in WO97 can be ordered direct from their website.

Tom,

Interesting question! I'm not really sure of the answer but it's possible I guess. Fitting a man out for his new officers uniform in a theatre of war would certainly present some problems

Arf

If it's any help, I can confirm that a Regimental Sgt Major George Gardner of the 13th Light Dragoons did indeed take part in the famous charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava. He is confirmed in the roll of 'Chargers' in Terry Brightons book, Hell Riders.

Regards,
Arf