Box's Highwayman and Hanging Places
Alan Payne April 2019 Chapel Plaister became of national significance in the 1750s through the actions of Box's very own highwayman, John Poulter also known as Tom Baxter. He was a character whose life and capture caused great national excitement. Sometimes based at the Bell alehouse next to Chapel Plaister, he terrorised the roads in the area. The location was ideal for Poulter's needs. These were the years before a regional police force dealt with criminal pursuit. The parish had its own Constable (the tythingman) who rarely crossed parish boundaries and there was a single official for the whole hundred (area of several parishes). Most criminal chases were conducted by local people who raised the hue and cry (shouting and raising an alarm) and people rarely went into areas outside their knowledge.[1] Chapel Plaister was ideal to escape justice at the boundary of several parishes and of different hundreds, with many escape routes. Right: The Sign of the Bell Inn, LH Grimm, 1790, British Museum, recorded in GJ Kidston, History of the Manor of Hazelbury, 1936 |
The activities of the highwayman of Chapel Plaister gave the area considerable notoriety: Adjoining the chapel is a small house, long known as a wayside inn, and many years ago the headquarters of John Poulter alias Baxter a noted highwayman, who according to tradition, made a window at the side to command a view of Corsham road; so as to be ready for arrivals.[2]
Poulter himself recorded his visits to Chapel Plaister:
Poulter himself recorded his visits to Chapel Plaister:
In December 1751: It was all agreed and we set out for G's at C-p-l Pl-r but we did not trust him with our design
(to rob a Gentleman Clothier who travelled regularly between Bath and Trowbridge). In October 1752: We then loaded our horses and made the best of our way to Chapel Plaister, at which place we arrived at about five o'clock in the morning and calling up S-n G- we stayed there that day. The gang divided up their loot and set out for Farringdon. In March 1753: The next morning to St-n G-'s at Chapel Plaister where I sold the black gelding we stole at Nantwich to a Deeler (sic) in Needle, whose name is Darby ... for three guineas and St-n G- vouched for the same.[3] |
The inn at Chapel Plaister was clearly a safe house for the gang with some trusted people there, a place to return to after roaming the countries of England and Ireland looking for opportunities.
John Poulter's Crimes
The story of the highwayman was known throughout England. He was reported as born in Newmarket in 1715, ran the stables for the Duke of Somerset 1728 - 35, had been to France three times with horse and hounds, then to Bristol where he sailed to Africa, America and Jamaica.[4] He was clearly educated and literate, at one time having his own servant, a man with a carefree sprit of adventure.[5]
His story fascinated contemporaries and The Manchester Mercury carried a full front page serialisation in his own words for six consecutive weeks.[6] It is written in great detail, naming the gang members and their victims and describing the build-up and execution of their exploits in vivid and compelling detail. The report describes the members as all Gamblers and Pickpockets; they seem to be opportunists, roaming around the country taking advantage of situations as they arose in the years 1751 to 1753.
Poulter was captured at Exeter early in 1753 with a watch in his pocket stolen from Dr Hancock of Salisbury when at Claverton Down, near Bath.[7] He admitted several other thefts: several gold items at the Crown Inn, Blandford, a silver tankard from Corsham, a chestnut horse at Wakefield, Yorkshire and woollen goods from a Bristol warehouse. He admitted that he with one Dorson, alias Brown, Allen and others have committed several robberies on the Highway.
In August 1753 Poulter published a pamphlet called The Discoveries of John Poulter, alias Baxter. He claimed it was to inform the public about how to avoid house burglaries, shop-lifting, robberies at Fairs, fraudulent receipts, with every other Trick and species of Villainy made use of by Rogues and Sharpers and useful cautions for people who travel the roads.[8] His advice was somewhat obvious: I advise all people that have got a charge of money or bills not to travel after sun set. Much of the rest was an open apology hoping for a royal pardon: I have followed a life of gambling these five years last past and lived on the spoil of other men's substance. The rather pompous wording seems to be a mixture of self-grandification and a plea for mercy after his capture, with plenty of redactions to keep the reader intrigued.
He turned King's evidence to name the associates in his gang and all the crimes he had practised for the space of five years last past, in different parts of England particularly the West. He revealed the whereabouts of Eleanor Connor, alias Tobin, who had returned early to England from her 14-year sentence of transportation. She was freed when her gang broke into the gaol and £100 reward was issued for her re-capture.[9] He was held in Ilchester Gaol and sentenced to be hanged in September 1753.[10] But it was delayed because the Discoveries had enabled traders to understand how to secure their properties better and a number of recoveries of stolen goods had been made from the information Poulter gave.[11]
When he was brought to trial, the landlady of The Bell gave evidence. When asked if she were frightened when she saw Poulter’s pistols, she laughed and said they were by no means the first pistols she had seen loaded in that kitchen.[12] The attitude of the landlady of The Bell reflected society’s admiration for highwaymen, mirroring social and economic dissatisfaction of an underclass against the all-controlling, self-perpetuating local vestry committees.[13]
Poulter's Punishment
It was assumed that Poulter would receive a royal pardon for naming so many of his colleagues.[14] But he couldn't wait and escaped on 23 February 1754 out of a window. He walked 10 miles in his irons intending to walk to Wales.[15] He was recognised and recaptured.[16] His immediate execution was authorised and he spent the day 24 February receiving the sacrament.[17] He asked to see his wife who was brought from Bath. His execution followed at Ilchester on 25 February 1754, at which he behaved very penitently.[18] He stood up in the cart three times to defend his book of Discoveries, to urge the crowd not to make the same mistakes as him, and acknowledging that he deserved to die. He inspected his coffin and directed the hangman to make the rope shorter. After praying he called upon God to have mercy on his soul and the cart was drawn away leaving him hanging motionless.
It wasn't quite the end of the story. Those who bought horses off Poulter were anxious to deny involvement, including John Darby mentioned earlier. The Bath Journal of 30 April 1753 recorded a notice: That an old Black Horse at 15 hands high having a star on his forehead, was, on or about the 21st day of March past, bought of John Poulter, otherwise Baxter, at Blue Bell Inn or Alehouse called Chapel Plaister, by John Darby living near Bromsgrove in the County Worcester, Deeler in Needles, who hath the same in his custody and if the said horse was stolen by the said Baxter, the right owner thereof making a lawful Title to the same may have the horse of the said Darby on demand.[19] The dealer offered to return the horse free of charge if Poulter had stolen it. He escaped punishment, unlike the landlord of the Bell who was taken into custody in 1753 for robbery in association with Poulter.
The pamphlet was re-published several times. In 1754 it appeared with additional information about How to prevent horses from being stolen out of Grounds, Commons etc. Over the years several reputed members of his gang were apprehended, Thomas Lynch alias Burk in 1754 and John Smith alias Douglas in 1763.[20] Each time his pamphlet sold more copies, in its sixth edition by 1754, still being re-printed in 1763 and 1774.[21]
Hanging and Transporting Felons
The crimes listed by Poulter were theft rather than murder but there is a local rumour that he had murdered his former master, Dr Shakerley, Archdeacon of Wells in 1749. Knowing that the Archdeacon had money in the house, he shot him dead and so arranged the body, with a pistol to its mouth, that the jury brought in a verdict of suicide.[22]
This doesn't fit with either his Discoveries or with his other crimes. It would scarcely affect his trial because very many of his other crimes were punishable by hanging in Georgian England. The so-called Black Act of 1723 included capital punishment for poachers who disguised their faces by blackening. It was part of the government's attempt to repress social discontent arising in the collapse from the South Sea Bubble economic disaster. The Act introduced the death penalty for over fifty crimes including being found disguised in a forest, the destruction of fish ponds and trees, the killing of cattle and the setting fire to hay or straw. It was one of the most repressive acts ever passed, imposing the greatest number of capital punishments ever in a single act, many of which were for simple trespass rather than physical assault or murder.
The execution of felons in the Georgian period was usually at the crime scene as a way of showing justice in action. In fact the events were a huge public spectacle, enjoyed in the same way that we like violent films and have a curious fascination for evil.[23]
John Poulter's Crimes
The story of the highwayman was known throughout England. He was reported as born in Newmarket in 1715, ran the stables for the Duke of Somerset 1728 - 35, had been to France three times with horse and hounds, then to Bristol where he sailed to Africa, America and Jamaica.[4] He was clearly educated and literate, at one time having his own servant, a man with a carefree sprit of adventure.[5]
His story fascinated contemporaries and The Manchester Mercury carried a full front page serialisation in his own words for six consecutive weeks.[6] It is written in great detail, naming the gang members and their victims and describing the build-up and execution of their exploits in vivid and compelling detail. The report describes the members as all Gamblers and Pickpockets; they seem to be opportunists, roaming around the country taking advantage of situations as they arose in the years 1751 to 1753.
Poulter was captured at Exeter early in 1753 with a watch in his pocket stolen from Dr Hancock of Salisbury when at Claverton Down, near Bath.[7] He admitted several other thefts: several gold items at the Crown Inn, Blandford, a silver tankard from Corsham, a chestnut horse at Wakefield, Yorkshire and woollen goods from a Bristol warehouse. He admitted that he with one Dorson, alias Brown, Allen and others have committed several robberies on the Highway.
In August 1753 Poulter published a pamphlet called The Discoveries of John Poulter, alias Baxter. He claimed it was to inform the public about how to avoid house burglaries, shop-lifting, robberies at Fairs, fraudulent receipts, with every other Trick and species of Villainy made use of by Rogues and Sharpers and useful cautions for people who travel the roads.[8] His advice was somewhat obvious: I advise all people that have got a charge of money or bills not to travel after sun set. Much of the rest was an open apology hoping for a royal pardon: I have followed a life of gambling these five years last past and lived on the spoil of other men's substance. The rather pompous wording seems to be a mixture of self-grandification and a plea for mercy after his capture, with plenty of redactions to keep the reader intrigued.
He turned King's evidence to name the associates in his gang and all the crimes he had practised for the space of five years last past, in different parts of England particularly the West. He revealed the whereabouts of Eleanor Connor, alias Tobin, who had returned early to England from her 14-year sentence of transportation. She was freed when her gang broke into the gaol and £100 reward was issued for her re-capture.[9] He was held in Ilchester Gaol and sentenced to be hanged in September 1753.[10] But it was delayed because the Discoveries had enabled traders to understand how to secure their properties better and a number of recoveries of stolen goods had been made from the information Poulter gave.[11]
When he was brought to trial, the landlady of The Bell gave evidence. When asked if she were frightened when she saw Poulter’s pistols, she laughed and said they were by no means the first pistols she had seen loaded in that kitchen.[12] The attitude of the landlady of The Bell reflected society’s admiration for highwaymen, mirroring social and economic dissatisfaction of an underclass against the all-controlling, self-perpetuating local vestry committees.[13]
Poulter's Punishment
It was assumed that Poulter would receive a royal pardon for naming so many of his colleagues.[14] But he couldn't wait and escaped on 23 February 1754 out of a window. He walked 10 miles in his irons intending to walk to Wales.[15] He was recognised and recaptured.[16] His immediate execution was authorised and he spent the day 24 February receiving the sacrament.[17] He asked to see his wife who was brought from Bath. His execution followed at Ilchester on 25 February 1754, at which he behaved very penitently.[18] He stood up in the cart three times to defend his book of Discoveries, to urge the crowd not to make the same mistakes as him, and acknowledging that he deserved to die. He inspected his coffin and directed the hangman to make the rope shorter. After praying he called upon God to have mercy on his soul and the cart was drawn away leaving him hanging motionless.
It wasn't quite the end of the story. Those who bought horses off Poulter were anxious to deny involvement, including John Darby mentioned earlier. The Bath Journal of 30 April 1753 recorded a notice: That an old Black Horse at 15 hands high having a star on his forehead, was, on or about the 21st day of March past, bought of John Poulter, otherwise Baxter, at Blue Bell Inn or Alehouse called Chapel Plaister, by John Darby living near Bromsgrove in the County Worcester, Deeler in Needles, who hath the same in his custody and if the said horse was stolen by the said Baxter, the right owner thereof making a lawful Title to the same may have the horse of the said Darby on demand.[19] The dealer offered to return the horse free of charge if Poulter had stolen it. He escaped punishment, unlike the landlord of the Bell who was taken into custody in 1753 for robbery in association with Poulter.
The pamphlet was re-published several times. In 1754 it appeared with additional information about How to prevent horses from being stolen out of Grounds, Commons etc. Over the years several reputed members of his gang were apprehended, Thomas Lynch alias Burk in 1754 and John Smith alias Douglas in 1763.[20] Each time his pamphlet sold more copies, in its sixth edition by 1754, still being re-printed in 1763 and 1774.[21]
Hanging and Transporting Felons
The crimes listed by Poulter were theft rather than murder but there is a local rumour that he had murdered his former master, Dr Shakerley, Archdeacon of Wells in 1749. Knowing that the Archdeacon had money in the house, he shot him dead and so arranged the body, with a pistol to its mouth, that the jury brought in a verdict of suicide.[22]
This doesn't fit with either his Discoveries or with his other crimes. It would scarcely affect his trial because very many of his other crimes were punishable by hanging in Georgian England. The so-called Black Act of 1723 included capital punishment for poachers who disguised their faces by blackening. It was part of the government's attempt to repress social discontent arising in the collapse from the South Sea Bubble economic disaster. The Act introduced the death penalty for over fifty crimes including being found disguised in a forest, the destruction of fish ponds and trees, the killing of cattle and the setting fire to hay or straw. It was one of the most repressive acts ever passed, imposing the greatest number of capital punishments ever in a single act, many of which were for simple trespass rather than physical assault or murder.
The execution of felons in the Georgian period was usually at the crime scene as a way of showing justice in action. In fact the events were a huge public spectacle, enjoyed in the same way that we like violent films and have a curious fascination for evil.[23]
There was often a procession flanked by soldiers from residential centres to the crime scene, which might take up to two hours as the crowd barracked the progress of the felon shackled on board the prison cart. At the site, the erection of a scaffold or the fixing of apparatus to three trees might take an additional three hours, during which time the prisoner was permitted to make a statement, which he often extended as long as possible, and he was encouraged to confess his guilt and repent his fate. It was all intended to leave an indelible mark on the collective memory.
Somerset and Gloucestershire appear to have been particularly keen on crime scene hangings in the 1780s, although only a few are mentioned in Wiltshire. The last person executed in Bath was John Butler, footman working in the Royal Crescent, who was hanged for his part in the Gordon Riots of 1780. In Wiltshire the gallows at Great Bedwyn was recorded as 22 feet high and at Warminster in 1813 the felon prayed for half an hour then delayed dropping his handkerchief for an hour to signify his readiness.
Executions in Box
There are several local anecdotes referring to hanging places in the parish. The map of William Simpson, surveyor in 1770, reported that a Hangman’s Stile existed at Chapel Plaister.[24] The headline illustration shows two dissolute men standing at Chapel Plaister under the pub sign of the Bell Inn, perhaps a reference to the hanging place. Hangman's Corner, Kingsdown Farm, may also be a place of execution, convenient site to common land and the Old Bath Road. However, we need to exercise some care. The field at Ditteridge recorded on Francis Allen's 1630 map as Hangers probably refers to the steepness of the land next to the River Lid.
To avoid highwaymen, people carrying valuables didn't ride together as a band like pilgrims but strung out in single file so that the alarm would be raised by the following traveller if the front person was attacked. Hanging processions were abolished in the late 1700s and hanging grounds on common land (the customary place) became the normal place of despatch after the 1830s in preference to the location of the crime. Then with changing social attitudes and the opening of new county jails, such as Devizes Jail in 1817, indoor execution became the norm.
Conclusion
The headline picture is usually called Chapel Plaister, The Sign of the Bell Inn. This seems rather curious as no pub building is in sight. Who knows if the bleakness of the illustration was meant to represent a hanging place. Or could the gaunt figures represent John Poulter himself and an accomplice? After his time the chapel itself became a bakery, a barn and a poultry house until its restoration to a chapel in 1893. Its time with Poulter was surely one of its most exciting periods, however.
Somerset and Gloucestershire appear to have been particularly keen on crime scene hangings in the 1780s, although only a few are mentioned in Wiltshire. The last person executed in Bath was John Butler, footman working in the Royal Crescent, who was hanged for his part in the Gordon Riots of 1780. In Wiltshire the gallows at Great Bedwyn was recorded as 22 feet high and at Warminster in 1813 the felon prayed for half an hour then delayed dropping his handkerchief for an hour to signify his readiness.
Executions in Box
There are several local anecdotes referring to hanging places in the parish. The map of William Simpson, surveyor in 1770, reported that a Hangman’s Stile existed at Chapel Plaister.[24] The headline illustration shows two dissolute men standing at Chapel Plaister under the pub sign of the Bell Inn, perhaps a reference to the hanging place. Hangman's Corner, Kingsdown Farm, may also be a place of execution, convenient site to common land and the Old Bath Road. However, we need to exercise some care. The field at Ditteridge recorded on Francis Allen's 1630 map as Hangers probably refers to the steepness of the land next to the River Lid.
To avoid highwaymen, people carrying valuables didn't ride together as a band like pilgrims but strung out in single file so that the alarm would be raised by the following traveller if the front person was attacked. Hanging processions were abolished in the late 1700s and hanging grounds on common land (the customary place) became the normal place of despatch after the 1830s in preference to the location of the crime. Then with changing social attitudes and the opening of new county jails, such as Devizes Jail in 1817, indoor execution became the norm.
Conclusion
The headline picture is usually called Chapel Plaister, The Sign of the Bell Inn. This seems rather curious as no pub building is in sight. Who knows if the bleakness of the illustration was meant to represent a hanging place. Or could the gaunt figures represent John Poulter himself and an accomplice? After his time the chapel itself became a bakery, a barn and a poultry house until its restoration to a chapel in 1893. Its time with Poulter was surely one of its most exciting periods, however.
References
[1] J Crofts, Packhorse, Wagon and Post, 1967, Routledge and Kegan Paul Ltd, p.42-3
[2] John Aubrey, Wiltshire Topographical Collections, 1862, Longman, p.59-60
[3] The serialisation of Poulter's story in The Manchester Mercury, details below.
[4] The Manchester Mercury, 19 March 1754
[5] Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette, 18 August 1763
[6] The Manchester Mercury, 12, 19, 26 February and 5, 12 and 19 March 1754
[7] The Derby Mercury, 13 April 1753
[8] The Oxford Journal, 12 January 1754
[9] The Derby Mercury, 7 December 1753
[10] The Derby Mercury, 7 September 1753 and The Oxford Journal, 27 October 1753
[11] The Oxford Journal, 12 January 1754
[12] Gentleman's Magazine, 1835, p.173 quoted in GJ Kidston, History of the Manor of Hazelbury, 1936, p.110
[13] Roy Porter, English Society in the 18th century, Penguin, 1982, p.125
[14] The Oxford Journal, 12 January 1754
[15] The Derby Mercury, 1 March 1754
[16] The Derby Mercury, 22 February 1754
[17] The Derby Mercury, 1 March 1754
[18] The Derby Mercury, 1 March 1754
[19] James Waylen, The Highwaymen of Wiltshire, 1856, notes in WRO
[20] The Derby Mercury, 1 November 1754 and 12 August 1763
[21] The Oxford Journal, 17 January 1763 and The Derby Mercury, 21 January 1774
[22] The Taunton Courier, 14 February 1934
[23] Steve Poole, University of West of England, Public executions and Hanging Felons at scene of their crime, iTunes-U from University of London, 27 February 2013
[24] John Poulsom, The Ways of Corsham, published John Poulsom, 1989, p.52
[1] J Crofts, Packhorse, Wagon and Post, 1967, Routledge and Kegan Paul Ltd, p.42-3
[2] John Aubrey, Wiltshire Topographical Collections, 1862, Longman, p.59-60
[3] The serialisation of Poulter's story in The Manchester Mercury, details below.
[4] The Manchester Mercury, 19 March 1754
[5] Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette, 18 August 1763
[6] The Manchester Mercury, 12, 19, 26 February and 5, 12 and 19 March 1754
[7] The Derby Mercury, 13 April 1753
[8] The Oxford Journal, 12 January 1754
[9] The Derby Mercury, 7 December 1753
[10] The Derby Mercury, 7 September 1753 and The Oxford Journal, 27 October 1753
[11] The Oxford Journal, 12 January 1754
[12] Gentleman's Magazine, 1835, p.173 quoted in GJ Kidston, History of the Manor of Hazelbury, 1936, p.110
[13] Roy Porter, English Society in the 18th century, Penguin, 1982, p.125
[14] The Oxford Journal, 12 January 1754
[15] The Derby Mercury, 1 March 1754
[16] The Derby Mercury, 22 February 1754
[17] The Derby Mercury, 1 March 1754
[18] The Derby Mercury, 1 March 1754
[19] James Waylen, The Highwaymen of Wiltshire, 1856, notes in WRO
[20] The Derby Mercury, 1 November 1754 and 12 August 1763
[21] The Oxford Journal, 17 January 1763 and The Derby Mercury, 21 January 1774
[22] The Taunton Courier, 14 February 1934
[23] Steve Poole, University of West of England, Public executions and Hanging Felons at scene of their crime, iTunes-U from University of London, 27 February 2013
[24] John Poulsom, The Ways of Corsham, published John Poulsom, 1989, p.52