8th APRIL 1835
This incident is set against the years of economic depression and general hardship following the Napoleonic Wars, when agricultural discontent fermented and broke in the riots, machine breaking and arson of 1830-31.It is interesting in this account that the word 'Unions' iis used - a forerunner of the Trades Unions that would later be established
From the ?Bury & Norwich Post? December 3rd 1834 On Friday night at about a quarter before nine a most destructive fire broke out in the farmyard of Mr. Jas. Baldry of Lidgate in this county. Mr. Baldry had not returned from a parish meeting; his bailiff who had just gone to bed ( having previously looked round the premises as usual) was alarmed by the light, and running down without his clothes let the horses and stock out of the stable and the yard. At this time the barn was enveloped in flames and the wind being high, they rapidly extended to four stacks of wheat, one of hay, some haulm and straw and all the other outbuildings; they soon after reached the dwelling house, and also five tenements (four of them belonging to the parish) and a house in the occupation of Mr. Sollinger shopkeeper; the whole of which were destroyed - not a tinker nor a spar being left of the greater part of the buildings. the quantity of corn destroyed was nearly 400 coombs. A part of the furniture and shopkeeper?s goods were preserved but many of those were stolen in the confusion The greatest fears were entertained for other property contiguous to the fire, and it was only by the most praiseworthy exertion of his labourers, divested by himself and his family with pails of water, wet blankets etc. that the extensive premises of Mr. Pawsey were preserved. Flakes of fire fell continuously on the thatch of the building and straw in the yard, and one actually descended down a chimney of the dwelling house and set fire to a bung of straw in the flue which fell into the room in a blaze just as Mrs. Pawsey providentially entered. We lament to add that no doubt is entertained of this dreadful calamity being wilfully occasioned. Three lads were apprehend Saturday, against whom Mr. Baldry had on Friday declared his intention to procure a warrant for injuring his poultry and one of whom had previously used threatening language towards him, They were detained for examination before the Magistrates on Monday. Mr. Baldry's stock and the buildings, which were the property of . Col. Wollaston were partially insecure, as were also the shop which belonged to Mr. Pawsey and one of the cottages. The inmates of the cottages were likely to have loss made up by the liberality of the inhabitants and others, the family of Mr. Weatherby of Newmarket, having humanely brought a carriage full of clothing, and bedding for their relief.
1st April 1835 THE TRIAL OF JACOB ROSE, GEORGE PULHAM and ROBERT MOTT
The trial Judge was Lord Abinger .Jacob Rose, aged 23, George Pulham, 22 and Robert Mott, 20 were charged with having maliciously set fire to the dwelling-house, barn, stables, cow-house, and stacks of Mr. James Baldry, of Lidgate, farmer.James Baldry deposed as follows: I occupy a farm at Lidgate, the property of F.W.Wollaston, Esq.; the prisoners live in lodgings, Pulham nearest me, Mott about 200 rods further. On the 28th November a vestry meeting was held at ?The Oak? public house, about 300 rods from my house; Pulham?s is about half that distance, and between. While at the vestry we heard the alarm of the fire, about half-past eight; Mr. Harvey and I went together in the direction of my farm, and when we got to the gate the stacks were on fire. More than one was on fire; this was at the upper part of the stack-yard, against the wind. The property burnt was a farm-house, out-house, two barns, three stables, bullock-shed, cow- house, granary and cart-shed; there were some tares and a clover stack, one stack of hay, three haulm stacks, on of them haulm and straw together, 35 ˝ dozen of new hurdles; in one barn 21 coombs of beans in the sacks, between 20 and 30 coombs of barley undressed, and two half-mows of barley in the same barn; I suppose there might be in all 140 coombs of barley; the produce of six acres of oats were also burnt. There were about 16 coombs of wheat and implements. The whole amount of my loss, as estimated by a friend, was 515L. 14s. 6d. Some cottages were also burnt, and a grocer?s house and shop, stable, and cart-lodge, belonging to Mr. George Pawsey. I saw the prisoners in a barley stubble on my farm between 11 and 12 on the day of the fire, they were throwing stones at my geese, I went up to them and told them I would certainly get a warrant for them the next morning. Mott and Rose repeatedly threw stones at them after I told them to leave .