Some of the most horrific murders in the 19th century were those of children at the hands of sundry perpetrators.
In previous blogs I have covered the murders of Sweet Fanny Adams, as well as crimes such as the Birmingham Child Murder, in September, 1888.
Recently, whilst researching the Red Barn murder, in which William Corder murdered Maria Marten, I came upon another case in the same district in the pages of The Manchester Mercury of Tuesday the 18th of November, 1828:-
HORRIBLE MURDER AT MILDEN
We have to record another horrible murder which has, last week, disgraced the western part of the county Suffolk.
It was perpetrated at Milden, the adjoining village to Monks Eleigh. and within the distance of seven or eight miles from Polstead, the scene of Corder’s diabolical murder of Maria Marten.
BODY OF A BOY FOUND
Last Tuesday morning, about nine o’clock, the body of a little boy, between nine and ten years age, in the service of Mr. Wm. Woodgate, farmer, was found in a field some distance from the house, with his throat cut, and quite dead.
The body was removed to the church, and an inquest was held on Wednesday, which was adjourned to Thursday, as constables were in pursuit of the suspected party, whom they succeeded in apprehending, about five o’clock in the afternoon of Wednesday.
THE SUSPECT ARRESTED
His name is Partridge, and, at the time he was taken, he was proceeding in the direction of his father’s house, at Monks Eleigh, where he also resided.
On searching him, a large clasp knife was found upon him, with marks of blood visible upon the blade, and also finger-marks on the handle.
He was detained at the Lion public-house that night, and on the following day he was visited by the Rector of Milden two or three times.
THE PRISONER’S CONFESSION
On the re-assembling of the jury, on Thursday, the Rev. Mr. Hallward stated the prisoner’s confession to him of the murder, the substance of which was as follows.
He went to work about six o’clock on the Tuesday morning; that his brother, Thomas, accompanied him as far as Mr. Woodgate’s field, adjoining the moat-field; that after working a short time he left and went to look for a swingell which had left before harvest; on going across the field he saw the deceased, who asked him what he did there, as he had no business across that field; that he replied, “What is that to you? I will give you a clout or two on the head;” that nothing else passed, and (Partridge) went to look for the swingell.
On his return to his work, he again saw the deceased; he went up him, took him by the top part of his head, held it back, and cut his throat; the deceased fell, and he (Partridge) went away, but, as he was alarmed, he did not look back to see if the deceased got up again; that not a word passed between them before he perpetrated the dreadful deed; that the deceased had, days before, and often, taunted him with having stolen .Mr. Poole’s sheep; he did not know why the deceased had done so, but supposed he had heard it said that he (Partridge) had stolen Mr. Poole’s cosset lamb.
He stated that he was not concerned in stealing Mr Poole’s sheep; that he did not murder the little boy, Ansell, last year; that he should not have gone out his way to catch the deceased; and that he had not sharpened his knife for the purpose.
THE VERDICT
The reverend gentleman was evidently labouring under great anxiety and distress of mind during his whole examination; he frequently wept, and at the time became extremely agitated.
The jury, after about five minutes deliberation, returned a verdict of wilful murder against George Partridge.
HARDSHIPS OF THE BOY’S PARENTS
The parents of the deceased have drunk deeply of the bitter cup of misery.
They were formerly in belter circumstances.
A little more than a year since they had to mourn the loss of a child, a little boy, about seven years old, who came by a violent death, and whose body was found some time afterwards in an ozier ground, near the spot where the present murder was committed.
Just before the last harvest, the poor man had the misfortune to break his leg; and, to complete their afflictions, another child has been barbarously murdered.
ABOUT THE ACCUSED
The prisoner is about 22 years old, his countenance is dull and heavy, and his forehead very low.
He exhibited no emotion at any time during the investigation, but seemed to view the whole proceeding with sullen indifference.
His afflicted parents are both living, and have a family of seventeen children.
EXECUTION OF PARTRIDGE THE MURDERER
The Morning Post, on Thursday the 16th of April, 1829, published the following details concerning Partridge’s ultimate fate:-
On Monday, at noon, the above malefactor was executed at Bury St. Edmund’s, pursuant to his sentence, for the murder of George Ansell, a boy about nine years of age.
After his conviction the prisoner preserved the same sullen taciturnity which had marked his conduct during his long imprisonment.
A PLEA OF INSANITY
It was reported previously to his trial, that he would be proved to be insane, but there was no pretence for such a plea to be set up.
He was visited by the Sheriff’s Chaplain, and other persons, who attempted to awaken his mind to the awful situation in which he was placed.
The culprit appeared to have very indistinct notions of religion, but he listened to his spiritual advisers with attention.
THE SCAFFOLD ERECTED
At an early hour in the morning the scaffold was erected opposite to the aperture in the wall, called “Corder’s door,” and the open space before it was filled with spectators.
At the usual hour the criminal was ushered to the scaffold, and the executioner adjusted the rope, soon after which the platform fell.
HIS BODY DISSECTED
After hanging the usual time the body was taken to the Suffolk General Hospital to be dissected.
When Corder was executed this lad was one of the many who came from afar to witness the scene, little thinking, perhaps, that he would be the next to ascend the fatal platform.