Event - Hemyock History Group

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March 2010

Hemyock History Group
When:	Thursday, March 11 2010 @ 07:30 PM UTC - 09:30PM
Event Type:	Meeting
Where:	Church Rooms, Hemyock
Description:	Dr David Pugsley will be talking on the famous "Murder in Clayhidon" THE MURDER AT CLAYHIDON On Tuesday evening the two prisoners, Sparks and Hitchcock, were conveyed from Clayhidon to our County Gaol, where they have been placed in separate cells. Since their incarceration, they have conducted themselves well, and have been, we understand, constantly visited by the chaplain of the prisons - the Rev. Mr. Hellins. We understand that the murderer, George Sparks, was engaged to be married to a daughter of Hitchcock. The following are the statements made by the prisoners at the close of the investigation before the Coroner, after having been duly cautioned: Hitchcock said:- I am not guilty of the crime. I was at the White Horse drinking on Saturday night, with Mr. Blackmore, and George Sparks and Edmund. We left and went on together, and Edmund Sparks left us at Bolham Hill. Mr. Blackmore and George Sparks and I then went on to the French Nut Tree, and I wished Mr. Blackmore good night, and we parted. Then I went on up the road as far as the plantation. I went through the plantation to my own house, and went in and went to bed. My wife and my two daughters, and my niece, and my wife's mother, were at my house; they were all in bed when I came home. I went as far as the French Nut Tree with Mr. Blackmore, at his request. When George Sparks and I left Mr. Blackmore, he went on alone, and George Sparks and I went as far as John Moon's, and there we parted. With regard to the foot tracks, spoken of by Mr. Blackmore, at the Lower Ham, I can only say, if there were any foot tracks of mine, they were made when I came on with the two men put in charge over me by George Braddick, the constable after I was taken up. I never saw George Sparks with any iron, or any thing, as we came on from Redwood's. The motion made by George Sparks to me at Ann Redwood's, to call me out, was to ask me if I would pay fourpence for the gin there that was put in the beer. Mr. Honiball paid me two shillings and threepence. I owed Ann Redwood sevenpence halfpenny, which I paid her, and I spent in liquor, with what I paid her, about one shilling and ninepence, leaving me with sixpence only. George Sparks said:- I can only say I am guilty of the crime of striking Mr. Blackmore. I knocked him down on the road with the piece of tongs they found in the river. I took the iron from the house near Ann Redwood's. I have nothing to say about the money. I think I killed Mr. Blackmore the first blow. I did not mean to kill him - only to rob him. James Hitchcock is innocent. I was alone when I struck Mr. Blackmore.