Cambridgeshire

Police

History

Notes

Great and Little Shelford

| Introduction | Parish Constables | Self Help | Associations | Seeking Outside Help | Continuity in Post | Paying Constables | Were the Shelford Parish Constables Effective ? | Establisnment of a Lighting and Watching Act Police Force | The Coming of the New Police | Named Shelford Officers |

Great and Little Shelford Constables:

The following are some of the Parish Constables and other police who operated in Great and Little Shelford before the introduction of the new police under the Rural Constabulary Act 1839

Samuel TAUNTON, George LEADBEATER, Samuel HOLDER, Edward WHYBRO, James WILLIS, David ROBINSON, Thomas ELBOURN, William GALL, Charles GALLEY, William (John) WEBB, William THOMPSON, Joseph MOORE, John DEAN

Samuel Taunton

An experienced Bow Street Officer sent at the request of the Earl of Hardwicke to assist at Shelford after three arson attacks on local farms. Taunton arrived at Cambridge 31 December 1831 and within a few days he interviewed and arrested Joseph Ellum or Ellerm, a local labourer, who had been seen by witnesses working near the scene of one of the fires, and who had made remarks suggesting he would like to see one of the losers harmed. Taunton was back in London by 12 January 1832. After weeks in custody, in March 1832, at the Cambridge Assizes, Ellerm's case was thrown out by the Grand Jury for lack of evidence.
(Globe, 6 January 1832 p3, Huntingdon, Bedford & Peterborough Gazette 7 January 1832 p2, Weekly Times (London) 8 January 1832 p6, Northampton Mercury 14 January 1832 p2)

George Leadbeater

A Bow Street Officer sent to Shelford at the request of Rev Edward Serocold Pearce JP, to assist in the investigation of the Shelford arson attacks after Ellum's case was dismissed. Assisted in the examination of suspects Joseph Shearing, Robert Elborne and John Ansell. The three suspects were later released, mainly because of lack of evidence and because the series of arson attacks continued while they were in custody.
(Huntingdon, Bedford & Peterborough Gazette, 9 February 1833 p2)

Samuel Holder

Samuel Holder was an active parish constable in the Borough of Cambridge. He was also involved in some cases in the County, possibly acting under a magistrates warrant or order. He can be linked through local press reports to policing activities in both the Borough of Cambridge and the County of Cambridgeshire. He would appear to have been active between 1828 and 1844. He may have been the Samuel Holder, tailor, age 55, resident in Thompson's Lane Cambridge, listed in the 1841 census return.

Cambridgeshire Assizes 1828. Ann Slogrove was charged with stealing a muslin flounce, a piece of lace etc. Some of the stolen property was produced to the court by Samuel Holder, a constable, who described searching for and finding it at Slogrove's lodgings. The press report does not mention the location searched.
(Cambridge Chronicle 1 August 1828 p2)

An action brought by William Peachey against John Payne (governor of the County Gaol also a sworn Constable) and Samuel Holder, Constable, for unlawful arrest. Payne had been making enquiries into the theft of pigeons and had traced them via a carrier to a house in Brick Lane London. The carrier gave a description of the sender which Payne recognised as resembling Peachey. This led to a confrontation between Peachey and Payne and Holder at the Red Lion Pub in Ickleton. Payne was arrested and the judge ruled that the arrest, without warrant, was unlawful and the jury awarded Peachey damages of £5.
(Cambridge Chronicle 8 August 1828 p3)

Cambridge Town Sessions. William [?] Cooper (24)was charged with theft of some banknotes (stealing by finding). The arresting Constable was Samuel Holder. Cooper was transported for seven years,
(Cambridge Chronicle 16 January 1829 p3)

Cambridgeshire Assizes, Samuel Holder, constable, received a warrant from the Mayor of Cambridge which he executed by breaking open the plaintiff's stable and removing a horse, which was handed over to another party, its rightful owner.
(Cambridge Chronicle 19 March 1830 p2)

Cambridge Town Sessions. Theft of a cheque by Michael Gore and Sarah Barnes at Bury St Edmunds. Offenders were arrested in Cambridge by Samuel Holder constable.
(Cambridge Chronicle 22 October 1830 p4)

William Manning (19) arrested on warrant by Holder for a theft of cash on the road between Shelford and Hauxton. Found not guilty.
(Huntingdon, Bedford & Peterborough Gazette 15 January 1831 p4)

Isle of Ely Assizes - William Jarvis charged with an offence of uttering a forged banknote at Chatteris on 10 Dec 1830, George Houghton was charged as an accessory. Both found guilty and sentenced to death. Samuel Holder and another constable proved the safe keeping and continuity of the forged banknote.
(Cambridge Chronicle and Journal 1 April 1831 p3)

Three packages containing gunpowder had been put in the letterbox at the Cambridge Post Office. The post office employed two police officers, Holder and Radford, to watch the premises. Henry Braine (19) was seen repeating the offence and was arrested and prosecuted
(Cambridge Chronicle and Journal - Friday 16 December 1831 p3, Albion and the Star - Thursday 12 January 1832)

First meeting of the Mendicity Society for Cambridge. Samuel Holder appointed the Inspector and Officer of the Society. He had already removed a number of vagrants from the town.
(Cambridge Chronicle 3 February 1832 p2)

Trial of John Stallon (Stallion) for arson. Samuel Holder, Constable, proved continuity of some of the exhibits. Stallon found guilty and sentenced to death, eventually admitting to starting 12 fires in Great and Little Shelford.
(Cambridge Chronicle 2 August 1833 p2, Cambridge Chronicle 9 August 1833 p2, Firestarter, 2025, by Fraser Grace.)

Isle of Ely Assizes. Thomas Stringfellow, Thomas Potter and William Cooper were charged with stealing cloth and ribbon from a linen draper at Ely. Samuel Holder Constable of Cambridge apprehended Stringfellow and Potter at Barnwell, Cambridge. Another Cambridge Constable arrested Cooper in Cambridge with the stolen goods.
(Cambridge Chronicle 10 April 1835)

Samuel Holder, Cambridge Constable, investigated a theft of a horse from Oundle, sought out a suspect in Cambridge and followed and arrested the suspect at Stilton.
(Cambridge Chronicle and Journal - Friday 25 September 1835 p2)

Docwra v Flitton. Action involving Robert [?] Holder the constable for unlawful arrest.
(Cambridge Chronicle and Journal - Saturday 25 March 1837 )

Samuel Holder appointed constable to attend the insolvent debtors court in the room of Chas Neve (resigned)
(Cambridge Independent Press 26 November 1842)

Constable Holder arrested Mary Collings for a robbery in Chesterton Lane Cambridge. She was later acquitted.
(Cambridge General Advertiser 10 January 1844 p2 and Cambridge Chronicle 13 January 1844 p1, Cambridge Independent Press 23 March 1844 p3)

Appointment of Constables St Clements Cambridge, Mr Sam Holder and Thos Brown
(Cambridge Independent Press 28 October 1843 p2)

Appointment of Constables St Clements Cambridge Sam Holder and Thos Brown
(Cambridge Independent Press - Saturday 26 October 1844)

At the court leet Appointment of Constables St Clement Mr Samuel Holder and Mr Charles Clark
(Cambridge Chronicle and Journal - Saturday 16 October 1847 p2)

Court Leet appointment of Constables St Clement parish, Samuel Holder and Charles Clark
(Cambridge Independent Press - Saturday 14 October 1848 p2)

Holder, Parish Constable, witness in case against 6 boys for cruelty to a tame duck
(Cambridge Independent Press - Saturday 28 April 1849 p1)

Court Leet Constables appointed for St Clement Parish S. Holder and C. Clark
(Cambridge Independent Press - Saturday 27 October 1849 p3)

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Edward Whybro

Edward Whybro(w) was a carpenter living at Little Shelford who served as a constable at Little Shelford at least 1841 - 1845

1841 Little Shelford census, Edward Whybro, b. 1795, Cambs, carpenter with wife Ann b.1795 Cambs and two children: Frances 15 and Edward 10. Same census, Mary Ann Whybro, dressmaker, aged 23 b. cambs. Married Ann Gall 3 Feb 1814 at Little Shelford. Edward Whybrow died at Little Shelford May 30 1855, a carpenter and for many years church clerk of the parish
(Herts Guardian 12 June 1855 p2)

Edward Whybro, a Constable, assaulted in the execution of his duty by William Jobson - Cambridgeshire Quarter Sessions. 2 months imprisonment.
(Cambridge General Advertiser 8 December 1841 p2)

Cambs Petty Sessions Appointment of officers
Gt Shelford: Constables David Robinson carpenter and James Willis farmer,
Lt Shelford: Thomas Elbourn, blacksmith and Edward Whybrow carpenter
(Cambridge Chronicle 8 April 1843 p2)

Cambs Petty Sessions, appointment of parish officers:
Shelford Great - Constables David Robinson and James Willis,
Lt Shelford Thomas Elbourn and Edward Whybrow
(Cambridge Chronicle 6 April 1844 p2)

Edward Whybro, carpenter, Lt Shelford Constable for 1845 and 1847 (printed list of Constables in the Cambridge Division 1845,1847, Cambs Archives KP138/10/1)

James Willis

James Willis, farmer, served as a Parish Constable at Great Shelford at least from 1843 to 1845

1837 marriage James Brand Willis to Hannah Hagger.

James Willis, 30, tailor, Gt Shelford in the 1841 census

James Brand Willis 42 farmer and tailor b Stapleford, living at Gt Shelford in the 1851 census with wife Hannah 35, and 10 children: Naomi 12, Sarah 11, Samuel 10, Joseph 9, Mary 7, Eliza 6, James 4, Hezekial 3, Brand 1, and Hannah 2 months, all b in Gt Shelford.

Appointment of officers
Gt Shelford: Constables David Robinson carpenter and James Willis farmer,
Lt Shelford: Thomas Elbourn, blacksmith and Edward Whybrow carpenter
Cambridge Chronicle 8 April 1843 p2

Gt Shelford, Purcell Sadler poaching on land of James Willis Gt Shelford fined 40s and 8s costs
(Cambridge General Advertiser 6 December 1843 p2)

Cambridge Division Petty Sessions, James Willis, Constable of Gt Shelford, was charged with having assaulted Thomas Kefford, labourer. Case Dismissed. The assault was alleged to have been committed by the complainant in ejecting the defendant from his premises where it appeared he had no business (?)
(Cambridge Chronicle 23 December 1843 p2, Cambridge Independent Press 23 December 1843 p4)

Cambs Petty Sessions, appointment of parish officers:
Shelford Great - Constables David Robinson and James Willis,
Lt Shelford Thomas Elbourn and Edward Whybrow
(Cambridge Chronicle 6 April 1844 p2)

Police executing arrest warrants after a riot - one of the Constables named as David Robinson, the other was James Willis, who, it was alleged, used excessive force.
(Cambridge Independent Press 30 August 1845 p2 and case reported fully in Cambridge Independent Press 25 October 1845 p4)

Gt Shelford - "A great undertaking. Mr James Willis of this place has just started for Australia by the South Sea emigrant ship from Liverpool, taking with him his wife and 11 children, all the children being under 15 years of age."
(Cambridge Independent Press 16 October 1852 p3)

J ames Willis tailor Gt Shelford Constable for 1845 (printed list of Constables in the Cambridge Division 1845, Cambs Archives KP138/10/1)

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Served as a Constable at Great Shelford at least 1843 - 1845

1841 census David Robinson, 30, carpenter, b Cambs, wife Sarah 25, children: Elias 6, Sarah 1, both born at Gt Shelford

1851 Census: Woolards Lane Shelford, David Robinson, carpenter b Shelford, wife Sarah 32 born Stapleford. Seven children: Elias Alfred 16, Sarah 10, Emily 9, William 7, Bertha 4, Louisa 2, Frederick David 1.

Appointment of officers
Gt Shelford: Constables David Robinson carpenter and James Willis farmer,
Lt Shelford: Thomas Elbourn, blacksmith and Edward Whybrow carpenter
(Cambridge Chronicle 8 April 1843 p2)

Cambs Petty Sessions, appointment of parish officers:
Shelford Great - Constables David Robinson and James Willis,
Lt Shelford Thomas Elbourn and Edward Whybrow
(Cambridge Chronicle 6 April 1844 p2)

Police executing arrest warrants after a riot - one of the Constables named as David Robinson, the other, who allegedly used excessive force, was James Willis (Cambridge Independent Press 30 August 1845 p2)

Gt Shelford, James Dockerell charged with assaulting David Robinson of Gt Shelford - fined 6d and 13/6 expenses (Cambridge Independent Press 5 April 1851 p3)

David Robinson, carpenter, Gt Shelford Constable for 1845 (printed list of Constables in the Cambridge Division 1845, Cambs Archives KP138/10/1)

David Robinson died in 1855

Thomas Elbourn

Thomas Elbourn served as Parish Constable in Great Shelford at least from 1843-45

1841 census Thomas Elbourn was a blacksmith at Lt Shelford aged 50, wife Sarah 45,, and 5 children: William 23, Sarah 16, Frederick 14, Charles 11, Edward 8.

Appointment of officers
Gt Shelford: Constables David Robinson carpenter and James Willis farmer,
Lt Shelford: Thomas Elbourn, blacksmith and Edward Whybrow carpenter
(Cambridge Chronicle 8 April 1843 p2)

Cambs Petty Sessions, appointment of parish officers:
Shelford Great - Constables David Robinson and James Willis,
Lt Shelford Thomas Elbourn and Edward Whybrow
(Cambridge Chronicle 6 April 1844 p2)

Thomas Elbourn blacksmith Lt Shelford Constable for 1845 (printed list of Constables in the Cambridge Division 1845, Cambs Archives KP138/10/1)

Thomas died Dec 1849 aged 59

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William Gall

William Gall was a parish constable in Little Shelford in 1847

1832 William Gall Little Shelford ropemaker (1832 Cambs Jury Books)
1841 census Little Shelford William Gall 40, rope maker, wife Elizabeth 40, son William 20, rope maker.

1851 census High Street Little Shelford aged 54, b 1797 Lt Shelford, farmer and rope maker. Wife Elizabeth b 1799 Sawston and grandson William age 5 b 1846 Little Shelford and nephew Alfred Brown 18 b 1833 Saffron Walden

died 1866 farmer wife Elizabeth b 1799 Sawston.

Peter Barker of Shelford charged by William GALL, constable of the same village, with assaulting him on 10th inst and threatening to do him some bodily injury and with using threatening language against him and Mr Wortham the Magistrate. Fined 5/- and expenses
(Cambridge Chronicle 5 June 1847 p2)

William Gall, rope maker Lt Shelford Constable for 1847 (printed list of Constables in the Cambridge Division 1847, Cambs Archives KP138/10/1)

Charles Galley

Charles GALLEY was a constable appointed under the Lighting and Watching Act in 1851 for Great and Little Shelford

Cambridge Div Petty Sessions. Charles GALLEY was sworn as Constable for the parishes of Great and Little Shelford.
(Cambridge Chronicle 11 January 1851 p7)

Two countrymen named Dunn and Colville charged by Galley, a newly appointed constable of Gt Shelford, with assaulting and resisting him in the execution of his duty, With the consent of the constable, the court dismissed the case with a reprimand and expenses 8s3d each (Cambridge Independent Press 18 January 1851 p1)

John Hind, labourer of Grantchester, charged by Charles Galley, police constable of Shelford, with furious driving and not having reins on the turnpike road at Gt Shelford. Fined 1s and expenses. Also police rate allowed for Little Shelford.
(Cambridge Chronicle 1 February 1851 p7)

1851 census Gt Shelford, Charles Galley age 40 b. 1811 at Swaffham Cambs. Occupation Police officer. With Ann wife b Swaffham cambs 1811, niece Mary Ann Martin, 20, house servant, also b Swaffham.

1861 Charles Galley b 1815 Swaffham Cambs, living at Elsenham Essex, home of his mother-in-law, occupation watchmaker

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William (John) Webb

1851 census High Street Little Shelford John Webb, occupation Police Officer, age 28 b 1823 Little Wratting Suffolk, with wife Lucy Webb age 33, b 1818 Cambridge.

(There is some confusion over his given name: was it William or John?)

Cambridge division petty sessions. William Thompson was sworn in as a police constable for the parish of Little Shelford under the lighting and watching Act, in the stead of William Webb.
(Cambridge Chronicle 17 May 1851 p7)

Cambs Archives KP138/9/1/ letter from John Webb, late police constable of Lt Shelford, dated 29 March 1851, to the Lighting and Watching Act Inspectors, asking if he can keep the hat supplied to him. Second letter, to the "Board of Inspectors Little Shelford", 30 March 1851, stating he had served 21 Dec 1850 to 28 March 1851, asking them to "forgive me for what I have done amiss and reinstate me in my former position as police constable under your command, that is if you have a policeman in your village".

William Thompson

No trace Shelfords in 1851 census

Cambridge Division Petty Sessions. William Thompson was sworn in as a police constable for the parish of Little Shelford under the Lighting and Watching Act, in the stead of William Webb, also James and Henry Mansfield and James Howard prosecuted for poaching fish. Howard discharged, the others fined 6d and £1.3.6. expences each.
(Cambridge Chronicle 17 May 1851 p7)

Melbourn Petty Sessions. William Jackson of Hauxton Cambs, publican appeared to answer the information of William Thompson of Little Shelford, P.C. for having on Sunday 18th July opened his house for the reception of persons not being travellers during the usual hours of afternoon diving service. Fined £1 and 15.6d expenses.
(Cambridge Chronicle and Journal - Saturday 26 July 1851 p3)

George Jennings Lt Shelford sale of beer during hours of divine service - charge preferred by the village policeman.
(Cambridge Independent Press - Saturday 26 July 1851 p3)

Cambridge Division Petty Sessions - Little Shelford - Joseph Pratt Lt Shelford, labourer, charged with assaulting William Thompson constable of this parish whilst in the execution of his duty. Defendant "who is an incorrigible and has up to the time of the offence been in the receipt of parish relief was in a public house in the parish drunk and disorderly and when the constable at the request of the landlord requested defendant to go out of the house he became obstreporous and violently assaulted him". Fined 10s, 14 days impt in default.
(Cambridge Chronicle and Journal - Saturday 25 October 1851 p3)

William Thompson, Little Shelford, was one of six Lighting and Watching Act policemen who advertised in the local press asking to be considered for appointment to the new police. This was in response to a rumour that the new force was recruiting strangers rather than local men. The following advertisement suggests that this appeal failed and William drew on other skills
(Cambridge Chronicle 15 November 1851 page 5.)

Advertisement, "Exercises in deportment, drilling, calisthenics &c. William Thompson, Little Shelford, Drill Master, Respectfully informs the Ladies and Gentry of the County and the Preceptors of Seminaries and Academies, that he gives lessons as above whether at the residence of private families or in schools. He teaches deportment and carriage in a few lessons, on moderate terms; and can offer first rate testimonials from the guardians and friends of previous pupils. Letters addressed as below, or at the Chronicle Office will meet with immediate and respectful attention. Little Shelford Dec 18 1851"
(Cambridge Chronicle 20 December 1851 p5)

Joseph Moore

Carpenter, Gt Shelford Constable for 1847 (printed list of Constables in the Cambridge Division 1847, Cambs Archives KP138/10/1)

John Dean,

Shoemaker Gt Shelford Constable for 1847 (printed list of Constables in the Cambridge Division 1847, Cambs Archives KP138/10/1)

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