| Parish Poor Houses |
Dartford Chronicle 26 May 1877 - Charge of Arson: William Longhurst, a middle aged man of poor appearence, was charged on remand with having maliciously set fire to two cottages at Hartley, on the 12th inst., several persons being at the time therein. George Day living at Hartley, said the one cottage belonged to him, and the other to his father. They were tenants under T H Fleet esq. Prisoner, who lived in a shed between the two cottages, came in on that morning at about a quarter to two. Witness and his brother Henry were sitting up late talking, and were surprised at the visit. Prisoner went out threatening that he was going to leave the country and they should not be there long. Shortly afterward he found his own cottage on fire, and both were burned down. Henry Day brother, and Annie Day, daughter corroborated. William Cherry spoke to having seen prisoner walking fast along the Longfield Road without his hat. Mr Cooper, agent, said he went to Mr Longhurst's hut, and that finding him apparently asleep, he roused him. PC Law said that the prisoner, when charged, made no reply. The case was sent for trial in the usual manner, prisoner briefly protesting his innocence.
21 July 1877 - Charge of Setting Fire to Dwelling Houses: William Longhurst, 50, labourer, was indicted at the Kent Summer Assizes on the 13th inst. for setting fire to two houses, several persons being therein, the property of T H Fleet esq. at Hartley, on the 12th May. Mr Waring prosecuted, and Mr Dean defended prisoner. George Day, a labourer, said that he occupied a cottage next door to his father near the Black Lion, at Hartley. The roofs were thatched. About one o'clock at night the prisoner came into the room, where witness was talking with his brother. Prisoner remained about a quarter of an hour and left. Before he left he said he was going to leave the country, and witness would not stop the [............] Shortly after prisoner left [............] He saw the house (?) [............... ....................] corroborated, and identified the hat produced as the one worn by the prisoner. William Cherry [.......] to seeing William Longhurst comin fromt the direction of the hut shortly after it commenced. Prisoner had no hat on then. Witness afterwards found the hat produced near where the fire originated. Annie Day, daughter of George Day, corroborated here father's evidence, and said she saw the prisoner take her father's hat from his head and put it on his own whilst the house was on fire. George Day recalled, acknowledged to being apprehended once on a charge of setting fire to a stable. The case was dismissed without Mr Dean addressing the jury. (Gravesend Journal 28.11.1866 - William Longhurst given 2 months' hard labour for stealing 12 rabbits from Hartley Manor estate on 12 November. Gravesend Journal 15 June 1870 - William Longhurst given 2 months' hard labour for stealing pair of scales belonging to Fanny Parris, previous record mentioned. Dartford Chronicle 21.10.1876 - George Day acquitted of neglecting to provide proper nourishment for his daughter. Dartford Chronicle 25.10.1879 - Thomas Spicer fined 5s for assaulting William Longhurst at Longfield) |
