Housebreaking in the Parish of Rothbury

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Housebreaking in the Parish of Rothbury

The Northumberland Michaelmas Quarter Sessions were held on Thursday, 17th October 1889, at the Moot Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne. Presiding over the court was Sir Matthew W Ridley who was supported by seven magistrates and the Under Sheriff for Northumberland. After the grand jury were sworn in, the chairman of the bench (Sir Matthew W Ridley) addressed the jury saying that the calendar only consisted of nineteen cases and, with the exception of two cases of alleged indecent assault, the rest were ‘ordinary alleged offences of larceny’.’

Thomas Smith did not have to wait very long before he was brought from the cells and placed at the bar in front of the bench. He was charged with two counts of housebreaking in the Rothbury area of Northumberland. The court clerk stood to state that Thomas was a bookmaker, aged twenty three years of age, and believed to be from Newcastle.

The Charges

The charges in the two cases against Thomas Smith were read out to the court.

Firstly, ‘For that the said Thomas Smith on the twenty eighth day of August now last past at the Parish of Rothbury in the said County feloniously did break and enter the dwelling house of George Robinson there situate and therein feloniously did steal one five shilling piece, one shilling, one sixpence, one half rupee, one twenty five cent piece in silver and two half pennies in copper of the monies, goods and chattels of George Robinson’.

The brief for the prosecution. REF: NRO 11343/B/DAT

Secondly, ‘For that the said Thomas Smith on the twenty eighth day of August now last past at the Parish of Rothbury in the said County feloniously did break and enter the dwelling house of John Starrs there situate and therein feloniously did steal one silver Geneva watch of the goods and chattels of the said John Starrs’.

Thomas was asked if he was guilty or not guilty to which he replied ‘I am not guilty of stealing but I am guilty of having them in my possession’.

The first charge related to Thomas breaking into the house of George Robinson, a farmer who lived with his spinster sister Mary at Sandilands in the Parish of Rothbury. The second charge was breaking into the house of John Starrs, a general labourer, who lived at nearby North Chirnells with his wife Mary.

The Proof in the first case

Thomas’s trial commenced with the prosecution calling Mary Robinson who, under oath, stated ‘My brother was out and I left between 1.30 and 2 o’clock in the afternoon. I got back between 9 & 10 o’clock the same night. When I left the house in the afternoon I locked it up. When I returned the door was not locked. The drawers downstairs were turned up. The boxes and bed upstairs were also turned up. Everything was right when I left in the afternoon’.

George Robinson was then called and under oath confirmed that he had left the house at about eight o’clock that morning and returned with his sister between nine and ten o’clock that night. He went on to say that the door into the house was unlocked and that on entering they found drawers downstairs had been forced open and emptied and on going upstairs found that boxes had been broken into with their contents lying on the floor. In addition to all of this one of the beds had been ‘turned up’. Continuing, he was able to confirm and describe items that were missing – ‘I missed a five shilling piece, a half rupee, a 25 cent piece, a sixpence worn with a hole in it, some old halfpennies one of which was dished on the edge and was of the reign of George III. I also missed a shilling that that had a lion in it and a number of three penny pieces. I identify clearly the five shilling piece produced by a nick in the edge. I also identify the sixpence produced by the hole on it by it being so worn and 2 Gs on the man’s neck on it as being mine. I further identify the George III halfpenny produced by being dished in the edge as being mine. The lion shilling produced, the half rupee produced and the 25 cent piece produced, and the old halfpenny produced are like what I had. I had several 3 penny pieces and in the money produced there are several 3 penny pieces but I can not identify them. The money was in a box in a drawer downstairs altogether. The lock of the box in the drawer had been wrenched open’.

Further statements were given by Police Constables Metcalf and Aitchison, Police Sergeants Bowmaker and Ewart, and Police Superintendent Dobson. But, as these overlapped with the second case, the contents of their statements will be explored together.

The Proof in the second case

Mary Starr was called by the prosecution and under oath she stated that her husband had left the house at about nine-thirty that morning and she at a quarter-to-two in the afternoon. She confirmed that she had fastened the windows and shutters and had locked the door as she left. Mary continued – ‘I returned a little before 9 o’clock in the evening. When I put the key in I could not unlock the door but when I turned the key the other way I locked the door. There was a false sneck on the door which still prevented the door opening. I forced the door open. I noticed nothing particular downstairs but when I went upstairs I found the doors open and when I left in the morning I had closed them. On going into my bedroom I noticed the bed had been turned up. I then looked round to see if my watch was hanging over the mantel piece but I found it was gone. The watch was hanging there in the morning when I left. I identify the watch produced as my property. Half of the small pointer is off. In the other rooms upstairs the locks of 2 boxes had been forced open and the contents had been ransacked. A cupboard upstairs had also been ransacked’.

For whatever reason Mary’s husband, John Starr, was not called by the prosecution.

Common Proof in both cases

Police Constable William Metcalf was called and under oath he stated that on the twenty eighth of August last, he had been on plain clothes duty with Constable Peter Aitchison for the annual Rothbury flower show. He went on to say – ‘In the forenoon about 11.30 when the train arrived, we saw the prisoner Smith and Williams and other 2 men go through Rothbury towards Thropton, shortly afterwards they returned into the town and from information having been received of a shop in Rothbury having been broken into, we visited the Station Hotel [now known as the Coquetvale Hotel] and saw prisoner Smith with Williams and another man in the bar’. Continuing, Constable Metcalf said that he approached the three men and told them that he wished to speak to them outside.

An aerial view of Cragside, near Rothbury, and its surrounding area. This picture was taken in 1910 and, from the high angle, it shows the Coquet Valley in Coquetdale. This photograph is part of a larger collection taken by local commercial photographer John Worsnop. 
NRO 01449/541

Once outside of the hotel, they were met by Police Sergeants Ralph Ewart and James Bowmaker. Sergeant Ewart apprehended Smith on suspicion of breaking into a shop at Rothbury. Williams and the other man were apprehended by Sergeant Bowmaker and Constable Aitchison. The group then started to make their way to the police station.

Constable Aitchison under oath stated ‘I saw Sergt. Ewart take hold of the prisoner Smith. I and Sergt. Bowmaker took hold of the other men. We came towards the police station, Sergt. Ewart was first with Smith. When on the bridge, the prisoner Smith made his escape from Sergt. Ewart and ran along the river side. I followed. The prisoner jumped into the water’. Constable Aitchison continued under oath to state that as he followed Smith into the river, he saw Smith throw a purse; a crowbar and a watch into the water and as he reached Smith ‘he attempted to stab me with a knife which he afterwards threw into the water’. Aitchison stated that Sergeant Ewart and Constable Metcalf came to his assistance and that he witnessed Sergeant Ewart recover the said items from the river.

Constable Metcalf, under oath stated ‘When Smith was in the water I saw him throw several articles into the water. Before P C Aitchison got a hold of him in the water, Smith drew a knife and attempted to stab P C Aitchison. Aitchison then got hold of the prisoner’. Metcalf went on to state that ‘I searched the prisoner and found in his possession a five shilling piece, a 25 cent piece, one half rupee, a lion shilling, one sixpenny piece which are now produced. I also found 16 three penny pieces, 5 pennies and 6 halfpennies and 2 farthings which are also produced. I handed them all to Supt. Dobson at the Rothbury police station’. Smith was escorted to the police station where a further search of Smith by Sergeant Ewart found a leather bag containing ten skeleton keys and another shilling in Smith’s boot.

The prosecution then called Sergeant Ralph Ewart who, under oath, confirmed his part of the apprehension of Smith and of the other men and subsequent events as told by Constables Aitchison and Metcalf.

Sergeant James Bowmaker was called on the twenty ninth of August, the following day, and under oath said that Superintendent Dobson gave him the skeleton keys and crowbar to see if they matched evidence at the crime scenes. Bowmaker stated that one of the skeleton keys operated the door lock at John Starrs and that ‘an indentation on the front side of one of the boxes exactly corresponded with the turned end of the crowbar’.

The final witness for the prosecution, Police Superintendent Thomas Dobson, was called and under oath. He confirmed that all of the recovered stolen items had remained in his possession since receiving them at Rothbury Police Station on the 28th August. He also confirmed that on the same day, he had been given the crowbar and bag containing the skeleton keys. Both had remained in his custody except when, on the 29th August, he had given them to Sergeant Bowmaker for comparison to evidence at the crime scene at John Starr’s house.

The prisoner was then asked if he wished to say anything in his defence and he reiterated that he did not break into the houses but that he had been in the company of a man who did.

The jury were then instructed by the chairman of the bench to retire from the courtroom and to return when they had decided on their verdict.

The Verdict and Sentence

When the jury returned, their verdict was announced. Smith had been found guilty on both charges of housebreaking.

The chairman of the bench responded by saying that the man the prisoner spoke of was a professional burglar and bad company. He went on to say that there was no evidence that the prisoner had been convicted before and that he hoped that Smith would not appear in front of the bench again. He then pronounced sentence, Thomas was to serve six months imprisonment on each charge with the sentences to run concurrently.

Thomas was then led back to the cells below the courtroom and later that day he was returned to the Newcastle Gaol situated in Carliol Square where he served his sentence.

Searches of various records have been made to try and find out what happened to Thomas after his release from prison but it was found that there were a number of Thomas Smiths in the region all of whom were of a similar age thus making it impossible to pinpoint ‘our’ Thomas.

 

We would like to give a special thanks to the volunteer whom tirelessly researched and produced this blog piece.

 

 

This Week in World War One, 28 June 1918

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BERWICK ADVERTISER, 28 JUNE 1918

 

Comrades of the Great War

MEETING OF BERWICK BRANCH

 

The first general meeting of the Berwick Branch of the Comrades of the Great War was held on Tuesday evening in the Oddfellows’ Hall, when Mr John Thornton presided over a fair attendance.

The Chairman, in a short address, said that the reason of forming a branch was with the object of assisting others who were not so well off as themselves. The Association was non-political, as no wise soldier liked politics. A gratifying feature was that they had many members of Parliament and titled persons identifying themselves with the Association, and working for the ex-soldier. He was pleased to say fifteen members had joined since last meeting, so that they were now over 50, and that was not a bad beginning for three weeks, but they wanted far more in Berwick and district. He did not think the Association was one which would flatten out once the war was finished, and it was to be world-wide in its aims and objects.

 

Comrades of the Great War badge. © David Power, NonComercial-ShareAlike 1.0.

 

There had been a campaign started in the general press at large to assist the ex-soldier, but he held that these efforts intended to do very little and he criticised the action of several prominent newspapers, as well as a member of parliament and others, who pretended to answer queries with the object of assisting the ex-soldier. The Association would only take up a case after it had been considered by the local War Pensions Committee. All who knew of deserving cases should state the circumstances as concisely as possible to the Secretary, Mr R. St. G. Tait, and a special printed form would be supplied to assist in filling in the necessary particulars. He mentioned also that Mr James Gibson, clerk to the local Pensions Committee, would only be too pleased to have any assistance in dealing with the too numerous cases placed in his hands. Mr Gibson had told him that three-fourths of his time was wasted in travelling from one house to another seeking information. Amid applause he intimated that he had received the first local donation to the funds. This was a cheque for £1 1s from Major Alex. Steven.

Mr C. Judge suggested that it would be a good thing to advertise appealing for funds.

It was announced that the Berwick Branch have fought and won their first case- a discharged Berwick soldier having received a calling-up notice to rejoin the colours. The local branch took the matter up: result-soldier notified by wire- “calling-up notice cancelled-exemption following.

 

BERWICK MILITARY TRIBUNALS

 

A NEWSPAPER EDITOR

Henry Smail Hamilton (42), Grade 11., editor and newspaper manager, residing at 4 Ravensdowne, Berwick, was a new case in which the man appealed on the ground of indispensability. A letter in support of this was read from Major H.R. Smail, N.F., explaining that Mr Hamilton had sole charge of the “Advertiser” Office, and was quite indispensable. If appellant had not gone into the business it would have been necessary for him  Major Smail) to have returned to civil life, and now that he (Major Smail) had again gone on active service, it was all the more necessary to have Mr Hamilton in charge of the office.

The National Service Representative said he had no remarks to make.

Three months’ exemption was granted.

A BUSY TAILOR

Ralph Crammond (37), a Grade 111. man, tailor, formerly of Horncliffe, now employed by Messrs Paxton and Purves, Ltd., Berwick, was stated to be largely engaged in military work at the present time; and that the firm had only half of their former staff at a time which was now the height of the season. The firm was exceedingly busy, and had the greatest difficulty in completing orders. This was the firm’s first appeal, and it was hoped the Tribunal would take a favourable view and grant exemption. The man was married, and had a wife and two children, nine and eleven years respectively.

Mr Herriot- Is it competent to grant exemption on occupational grounds?

The National Service Representative – I am not quite certain; certainly it is not competent to grant exemption to a Grade 1 man.

In view of the low category three months’ exemption was granted.

 

 

 

CAPTAINCY AND BAR TO MILITARY CROSS

FOR LIEUT. IAN MACKAY

 

We extend our heartiest congratulations to Capt. Ian Mackay, M.C., R.F.A., on his having gained his third “pip.” We are also informed that Captain Mackay has been awarded a bar to his Military Cross for gallantry in the field.

Captain Mackay who is the eldest son of Dr. W. B. Mackay, C.M.G., enlisted in the early stages of the war and after having done his course with the O.T.C. was gazetted to the R.F.A. He has had some trying experiences in France and for gallantry in the field was awarded the M.C. two years ago. On one occasion last year he was buried by falling debris in an advanced gun pit, but happily escaped without injury. His experience of the front has varied from the sea to the Somme and that he has come through it all is a matter for congratulation. We trust he will advance still further in the honoured Corps to which he belongs and that he may long be spared to wear his decoration. His younger brother, Lieut. Eric Mackay, is in the R.A.F., and was recently in the town on a short leave.

 

SPITTAL SCHOOL MASTER KILLED IN ACTION

 

As we announced on June 14th Captain John Martin Tate was killed in action on May 27th. Mr Tate was a Bachelor of Science of Durham University and on the outbreak of war was an assistant master in Spittal Council School. Early in 1915 he obtained a commission as second lieutenant in the 14th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers and soon afterwards was sent to France where he has taken part in most of the great struggles on the western front. During his three years as a soldier he has practically spent the whole time in fighting and strenuous work in France.

A year ago, on reaching the rank of Captain, Tate married a Newcastle lady, who occasionally visited Spittal and from whom we are able to give particulars of the gallant soldier’s death contained in a letter written to Mrs Tate by the Lieut. Colonel of the regiment. He says:- I regret more than I can tell you to have to write that your husband was killed in action on the 27th May. I know only too well that I can say little to soften the blow, but I say that death was instantaneous and that the manner of it was splendid and up to the highest traditions of the British Army. He and his men were surrounded and they counter-attacked the Hun repeatedly against terrific odds three times and on the last occasion your husband was killed leading his men. It was splendid and beyond praise. I miss and shall miss him; he was a friend as well as a perfect officer and was admired, respected, and loved by all. His courage and devotion to duty was of the highest order and I could and did always rely on him and never once did he fail. He would undoubtedly have gone far. He has been with me since 1915 and I cannot tell you how much his loss means to me. He was a husband to be proud of. The whole Battalion, or what are left of us, mourn his loss and cherish his memory.

His many friends in Spittal and especially the scholars and teachers of Spittal Council School regret the loss of a young man of marked ability who endeared himself to all during his short stay amongst them. To Mrs Tate they all express their deepest sympathy.

 

 

BERWICK FOOD CONTROL COMMITTEE

 

At the meeting last Monday, various transfers of ration cards were agreed to including one where the purchaser on account of removal wished to transfer from Berwick to Tweedmouth tradesmen.

Tea which is rationed in Berwick will not be rationed nationally when the new scheme books come into force on July 14. It is however possible to use a spare leaf in the book for this purpose, and the Berwick Food Control Committee is applying for power to increase the ration for tea to 2ozs. per head. Belford is not included in this application and will have to apply specially if it is thought desirable.

An application for an additional ration of butcher meat on medical grounds was agreed to.

The question of a supply of butcher meat for visitors to the Borough during the summer was brought before the Committee, and after consideration, it was agreed that the Chairman should call upon the Food Commissioner when in Newcastle to ascertain if some arrangement could not be made whereby an extra supply could be allocated for the summer visitors.

Archives from the Attic; The Thomas John Armstrong Papers.

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Charles Armstrong, born about 1800 at Heddon on the Wall in Northumberland, worked as a Land Steward on various estates in County Durham. At some time around 1860 he established his family home and a business as a Land Agent in Hawthorn Terrace, Elswick, Newcastle upon Tyne. The house would be the family’s home for about 100 years, but Charles’ tenure was short; in 1868 he died and the business was continued by his two youngest sons, Thomas John Armstrong, then only 18 and Robert Lamb Armstrong, then 16.  Later practising under the name of T. & R. Armstrong, they worked for a number of large local land owners as well as taking commissions in County Durham, Cumberland and farther afield. Robert died in 1889 but Thomas continued, perhaps into his seventies.

It seems as if Thomas never threw anything away; as papers became redundant he deposited them in the attic or a disused coach house, the work of 50 to 60 years resulting in a vast accumulation of documents, accounts, maps and plans as well as personal papers. The collection also includes a large quantity of the business papers of Robert Nicholson (1808-1855) and his half-nephew John Furness Tone (1822-1881), Civil Engineers, of Newcastle upon Tyne. Their consulting practice was active from about 1830 to about 1880, specialising mainly in railways but also undertaking various dock, harbour and water works. After Nicholson’s death, the practice was continued by John Tone. For the next 14 or so years he maintained an astonishing workload. His railway works extended to Somerset and Devon but here he became involved in projects with shaky finance and poor management who could or would not pay his fees. In 1869 he was declared bankrupt and, although discharged in a few months, this seems to have heralded a general decline in his activities. In 1879 he was declared bankrupt again and he died in 1881, after a long illness and in reduced circumstances.

How and why these papers were taken over by Thomas Armstrong remains a mystery. No evidence has been found to show that Thomas Armstrong ever worked professionally with John Tone, although he may have done so. The only proven link is that they were both Freemasons.

It appears that after Thomas’ death in 1927, all the papers were left undisturbed, although it is possible that the practice was continued by Thomas’ son Robert. After Thomas’s widow Annie died in 1961, her three children, all unmarried and still living in the Elswick house, offered the collection to Newcastle City and the bulk of it was transferred in 1963 and 1964, after which the family moved to Hexham. In 1966 the collection was offered to and accepted by  the Northumberland Archives and was then described as “…rather scattered, about 5 tin trunks (mostly plans) at the Old Town Hall and a large pile of volumes and some more tin trunks at Saville Place”. Later it was described as being “an extremely large collection, in an extremely dirty condition and a very confused state.”  These assessments have been confirmed by recent work; time has not been kind to the archive. Some of the documents have been damaged by water, some are too fragile to unwrap or unroll, ‘bookworms” have bored through bound volumes and some boxes contain mouse droppings. Soot or coal dust coats many items.

Some cataloguing was done in the 1970s but some general sorting and listing was carried out in 1981 and a paper catalogue from this era on is available at Northumberland Archives and is on-line at www.discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk  Recently all of the Nicholson-Tone papers have been re-catalogued in much more detail and work is now in progress on some large uncatalogued collections of maps and plans which include much Ordnance Survey material as well as Parliamentary Plans for various public works and engineering drawings. In spite of the poor condition of many items, the collection as whole is a valuable archive of the work of two nineteenth century professional practices in Newcastle.

An extract from a plan by Robert Nicholson showing proposed docks at North Shields in connection with the Newcastle and North Shields Railway, 1833. The plan is badly stained by water but still legible.

 

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