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Notes on Policing Littleport 1800-1841
| Introduction | A Lighting and Watching Act Force | Parish Constables | Named Constables and Watchmen | The Isle of Ely Constabulary | Littleport lock-up | Lighting and Watching Act 1833 |
The Following are the names of Constables, Watchmen and Sergeants of the Watch in Littleport from 1800 to the formation of the Isle of Ely Constabulary in 1841. These have been derived from newspaper reports and from Cambridgeshire Archives Petty Sessions Records for the Ely and South Witchford Division, which includes Littleport. The class of records KPSE/A/D/ contains Petty Sessions Informations, complaints and statements, some of which include the names of Constables and Watchmen.
Format of entries
Name, (dates of birth and death where known),
titles found, e.g. Constable, Watchman etc
Cambs Archives Ref or CALM Ref, date, offence or crime alleged
Or newspaper details
TUBBS, Clement (1762-1817)
Constable
KPSE/A/D/2/87 5 November 1802 (begging)
RAYNER, Robert (1772-1852),
Constable
KPSE/A/D/3/32 13 October 1803 (non payment of rates)
CROSS, William,
Constable
KPSE/A/D/8/18 28 April 1808 (non payment of rates)
STAPLES, John,
Constable
283/L4/107 7 June 1816 (Elizabeth Watson of Littleport, singlewoman and John Staples, Constable of Littleport against William Wyebrow for robbery at Mrs. Waddelow's 7 June 1816 - aftermath of the Littleport and Ely riots)
BUTCHER, Richard
Constable
283/L4/70 30 May 1816 (Richard Butcher, constable of Littleport and Revd. John Vachell against Elizabeth Newman for larceny 30 May 1816 - Aftermath of the Littleport and Ely Riots)
WOODBINE, Robert,
Constable,
KPSE/A/D/11/8, 30 December 1824 (releasing prisoner from cage)
Cambridge Chronicle 8 April 1825 p3, Isle of Ely Assizes, Willson Wybrow indicted for assaulting Robert Woodbine, Littleport Constable on 24 December 1824. The officer was called to the Crown Inn, where there was a fight between members of a friendly Society following a meeting. Three witnesses claimed assaults started by the officer using his staff to hit people and Wybrow was acquitted.
Robert Woodbine, constable, Littleport called by landlady of the Crown Inn where there had been a meeting of a friendly society which ended with the members fighting - Woodbine alleged he was assaulted by William Wybrow as he tried to end the fight. Wybrow alleged the Constable started the violence by hitting people on the head with his staff. The Jury found for the accused. (Cambridge Chronicle 8 April 1825 p3)
Isle of Ely QS, - articles of the Peace taken against James Bilney for threatening his wife. he told Robert Woodbine, Littleport Constable, on 8 Nov 1825, that he would kill his wife on his release. Bilney was imprisoned until Sureities found, himself £20 and two others £10. Cambridge Chronicle 13 January 1826 p3
Cambridge Chronicle 25 January 1828 p2, Constable Woodbine a witness in case of theft of a fowl and a turkey on 23 Dec 1827
SECKER, Samuel,
Watchman and Constable
KPSE/A/D/14/6, 27 January 1831 (using threatening language)
PEACOCK, John,
Constable and watchman,
PS/E/D14/2 27 Jan 1831 (using threatening language)
SILLSON, James
Constable
Cambridge Chronicle and Journal - Friday 01 July 1831 p3
William Syndall assaulted the officer when he was being arrested and taken to the Cage for abusing the Overseer. 14 days imprisonment
TAYLOR, Thomas,
Constable, Watchman and Constable,
KPSE/A/D/14/58 28 July 1831 (drunkenness and assault);
Cambridge Chronicle 5 August 1831. Isle of Ely Assizes, Thomas Taylor, Constable, witness against Ellen Berridge for theft from the person
Cambridge Chronicle 4 January 1833 p3 Constables Thomas Taylor and Robert Thornhill prosecuted Joseph Vincent and John Easy for assaulting them in the execution of their duty.
KPSE/A/D/17/10 11 January 1834 (fighting and disturbing the Peace);
KPSE/A/D/17/24 23 January 1834 (Charles Doe -Discharging firearm in street, escape from cage after arrest);
KPSE/A/D/17/28 30 January 1834 (discharging firearm in the street);
KPSE/A/D/17/40 20 February 1834 (assault);
KPSE/A/D/17/42 24 February 1834 (fighting and assaulting PC Taylor);
KPSE/A/D/17/60 17 April 1834 (fighting and abusing pub landlord);
KPSE/A/D/19/3 17 January 1836 (non-payment of poor rates)
(1841 census Thomas Taylor carp[enter] and publican living in Cross Street Littleport with wife Martha and their seven children)
THORNHILL, Robert
Constable
Cambridge Chronicle 4 January 1833 p3 Constables Thomas Taylor and Robert Thornhill prosecuted Joseph Vincent and John Easy for assaulting them in the execution of their duty.
CRABB, Robert,
Constable and Watchman
PS/E/D17/34 13 February 1834 (assault and abusive language)
MURFITT, William,
Watchman
PS/E/D17/34 13 February 1834 (assault and abusive language)
(occupation "watchmaker" in Pigot's 1839 Direcory)
GILLETT, Robert,
Constable
KPSE/A/P/1836/22 4 July 1836 (B.O. to appear at the next assizes)
JAMES, William,
constable
KPSE/A/P/1837/14 28 Aug 1837(Assault, threats to murder)
SIMPSON, James,
Constable
PS/E/D20/163 , 14 December 1837 (summons order)
JAMES, John,
Constable
PS/E/D21/144 13 August 1838 (fighting and riotous behaviour);
PS/E/D21/156 27 August 1838 (licensing);
PS/E/D22/164 25 May 1839 (licensing);
PS/E/D22/165 25 May 1839 (licensing);
PS/E/D22/167 25 May 1839 (licensing);
PS/E/D22/168 25 May 1839 (licensing);
PS/E/D22/169 29 May 1839 (riotous behaviour and threatening officer);
(Listed as a Carpenter in Pigot's 1839 Direcory)
SMITH, James,
Constable, Serjeant of the Watch, Police Constable, Police Officer, Sergeant of police:
A/D/21/217 14 Nov 1838 (drunk and escaping from the Lock-up);
PS/E/D21/219 20 Nov 1838 (licensing);
PS/E/D22/1 1 Jan 1839 (licensing);
S/E/D22/2 1 Jan 1839 (licensing);
PS/E/D22/3 1 Jan 1839 (licensing);
PS/E/D22/4 1 Jan 1839 (licensing);
PS/E/D22/12 17 Jan 1839 (trespass);
KPSE/A/D/22/35 12 Feb 1839 (licensing);
KPSE/A/D/22/41 14 Feb 1839 (licensing);
PS/E/D22/48 18 Feb 1839 (betting);
PS/E/D22/49 18 Feb 1839 (licensing); PS/E/D22/57
22 Feb 1839 (malicious damage);
PS/E/D22/64 1 March 1839 (disorderly behaviour);
PS/E/D22/66 4 March 1839 (drunk and disorderly);
PS/E/D22/71 5 March 1839 (Drunkeness);
PS/E/D22/134 27 April 1839 (Weights and measures) ;
PS/E/D22/134 27 April 1839 (Weights and measures);
PS/E/D22/156 11 May 1839 (theft);
PS/E/D22/169 29 May 1839 (riotous behaviour, threatening officer);
PS/E/D22/188 17 June 1839 (obstructing police);
PS/E/D22/191 2 July 1839 (drunk and disorderly);
KPSE/A/D/22/285 9 October 1839 (drunkeness);
KPSE/A/D/22/305 31 October 1839 (pick-pocket);
KPSE/A/D/22/318 18 November 1839 (drunkenness);
KPSE/A/D/22/337 9 December 1839 (licensing);
PS/E/D24/87 14 April 1840 (burglary);
PS/E/D24/89 16 April 1840 (abusive language and threatening officer):
PS/E/D24/91 18 April 1840 (Attempted strangulation of father and assault on police constable);
PS/E/D24/108 6 May 1840 (false pretences);
PS/E/AP/1840/19 21 May 1840 (Recognizance notice to appear as QS);
PS/E/D24/129 25 May 1840 (trespass);
KPSE/A/D/24/132 28 May 1840 (gaming);
KPSE/A/D/24/135 1 June 1840 (gaming);
PS/E/D24/257 James Smith relieving officer to the Ely Poor Union, 26 Nov 1840 (labourer neglecting to maintain family)
PS/E/D24/265 ditto 3 Dec 1840
PS/E/D24/293 James Henry Smith relieving officer to Ely Poor Law Union, 26 Dec 1840(deserting family)
1841 census James Smith, 28, turfman, Lynn Road, Littleport, with wife Rachel and two young daughters.
1851 census Camel Rd Littleport with wife and 5 children, agricultural labourer
SIMKIN, Thomas [Simpkin] (1810- ),
Watchman, Police Constable,
PS/E/D22/50 18 Feb 1839(Assault - not on police - before appointment? );
PS/E/AP/1839/57 18 Feb 1839 (recognizance to appear at QS);
PS/E/D22/55 22 Feb 1839 (threatening language);
PS/E/D22/105 1 April 1839(obstruct police, attempt to rescue prisoner);
PS/E/D22/106 1 April 1839(obstruct police);
PS/E/D22/107 1 April 1839(obstruct police);
PS/E/D22/108 1 April 1839(assault);
PS/E/D22/117 6 April 1839 (vagrancy)
PS/E/AP/1840/57 19 Nov 1840 (Letter from George Kidd, clerk to the inspectors to the Justices of peace in the hundred of Ely informing them that Thomas Simkin has been appointed constable of Littleport parish);
PS/E/D25/31 18 Feb 1841 (assault);
PS/E/D25/37 22 Feb 1841 (sleeping rough);
PS/E/D25/44 29 Feb 1841 (poaching);
PS/E/D24/292 25 December 1840 (Assault);
PS/E/D25/91 3 April 1841 (sleeping rough)
Cambridge Independent Press Five men charged with assailting PC Simkin in the execution of hisd duty. All acquitted after making counter allegations that the officer had struck the first blows with his staff.
1841 census police officer at Church St Littleport with wife Sarah and two children)
ELLIS, Thomas,
Constable,
KPSE/A/D/25/98 30 Apr 1841 (licensing);
Not known whether Thomas Ellis was a Parish Constable or the first Constable of the new Isle of Ely Constabulary to be stationed at Littleport.
COPPERTHWAITE, Thomas,
Constable,
KPSE/A/D/25/216 7 Dec 1841 (threat to kill Littleport Constable Copperthwaite);
PS/E/D26/12 13 Jan 1842 records Thomas as a Constable of Ely in a begging case.
Thomas Copperthwaite was an Isle of Ely Constable, initially at Littleport. In 1846 he was appointed as Superintending Constable in Horncastle, Lincolnshire
1851 census lists Thomas Copperthwaite 39 born Meath, Ireland, Superintendent of Police at The Wong, Horncastle and wife Margaret and daughter Susan.
(Thanks to Brian Davey for the information about Copperthwaite's role at Horncastle)
DRING, Samuel,
Constable
wheelwright, Wisbech Road
Vestry Minutes 24 Sept 1842 - nominated as Constable for year ahead. Cambs Archives P109/8/2
CROSS, James
Butcher, Victoria Street
Vestry Minutes 24 Sept 1842 - nominated as Constable for year ahead. Cambs Archives P109/8/2
JEWSON, Will Edmd Day Jewson
coal merchant City Road
Vestry Minutes 24 Sept 1842 - nominated as Constable for year ahead. Cambs Archives P109/8/2
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