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CITY of NEW-SARUM.
WHEREAS three Soldiers were lately committed to the Gaol of this City, one on his own Confession, and the other two on Suspicion of stealing diverse Sheep, the Property of several Persons at Hilsey and the adjoining Parishes, in the County of Southton: Public Notice is hereby given, that they will be removed to the next Assizes at Winchester, where it is hoped that the Persons who have lost any of the said Sheep, will attend and prosecute the Offenders.
— Salisbury and Winchester Journal, Monday 24 February 1766 source
This 1795 Agricultural Survey underlines just how important sheep were “at Hilsey and the adjoining Parishes”.
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WESTERN CIRCUIT.
Mr. Justice Gould, Mr. Justice Aston.
Southampton, Tuesday March 4, at the Castle of Winchester.
Wilts, Saturday 8, at New Sarum.
Dorset, Thursday 13, at Dorchester.
Devon, Monday 17, at the Castle of Exeter.
City of Exeter, the same Day at the Guildhall.
Cornwall, Monday 24, at Launceston.
Somerset, Saturday 29, at the Castle of Taunton.— Stamford Mercury, Thursday 20 February 1766 source
The search term “Gould” with the date range “March 1766” finally turned up this report:
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Salisbury, March 17. At our Assize, which ended on Thursday, before Sir Henry Gould and Sir Richard Aston, Twenty-five Criminals took their Trials, Four of whom received Sentence of Death, viz. Robert Sciffel and his Wife, Weavers at Melksham, for murdering Anne Noyes, their Apprentice, (taken only for the Sake of the Premium given with it) a Child about Nine Years of Age, whom they not only beat in a manner too shocking to relate, but also denied her Food sufficient to support Nature; Charles Marchant and John Chivers, for stealing a Mare from Robert Smith, at Broad-Hinton. Francis Paradise, for carrying away from his Master, Mr. Periam, of Devizes, Bills of Exchange and Notes, was found guilty; but his Crime being of a singular Nature, Sentence was deferred till the Opinion of the Twelve Judges could be taken of it.
Friday Robert Sciffel was hanged at Fisherton Gallows, for the Murder of his Apprentice, Anne Noyes. Susanna, his Wife, who was to have suffered with him, pleaded her being with Child, and her Execution was respited for two Months.
— Derby Mercury, Friday 28 March 1766 source
No mention of sheep-stealing, unfortunately. Useful link for researching the Fisherton Gallows.
Slightly more detail on Susanna Sciffel:
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Friday, about twelve o’clock, Robert Sciffel was hanged at Fisherton gallows, pursuant to his sentence, for the murder of his apprentice Ann Noyes. Susanna his wife, who was to have suffered with him, pleaded her being with child; and a jury of matrons, after examination, affirming there were evident symptoms of it, her execution was respited for two months; and the usual restraint of close confinement, and to be fed with nothing but bread and water, was ordered to be taken off.
— Gloucester Journal, Monday 24 March 1766 source
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At Salisbury assize, which ended last Thursday, Eliz. Lloyd, for house breaking, John Hassell, for robbing Edw. Francis of upwards of 90l. on the road to Ramsbury; and Richard Hazeland for breaking open the house of Richard Holloway, and stealing 104l. 13s. received sentence of death. James Oatridge, respited last assize, is now to suffer. Susannah Sciffel, found guilty also last assize of murdering her husband’s apprentice, and whose sentence was respited on a supposition of her being with child, is now ordered for execution, and it is apprehended will suffer with the rest next Tuesday se’nnight.
— Leicester Journal, Saturday 26 July 1766 source
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Salisbury, July 21. At our assize, which ended on Thursday last, three prisoners received sentence of death, viz. Elizabeth Lloyd, and Richard Hazeland, both for house-breaking, and John Hassele for a highway robbery. —James Oatridge and Susannah Sciffel, condemned last assize, but afterwards respited, are now ordered for execution: and Francis Paradise and Charles Marchant, convicted of felony also last assize, are ordered to be transported, Marchant for 14 years, and Paradise for seven.
— Gloucester Journal, Monday 28 July 1766 source
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Salisbury, Aug 4. Tuesday Richard Hazeland for House-breaking, and Susanna Sciffel for the Murder of her Apprentice Girl, were executed at Fisherton Gallows.
— Derby Mercury, Friday 15 August 1766 source
Just under five months. I wonder what happened to her child.