THE RODDENBURY MURDER
Monday 28th December 1812
The notes below, concerning the murder of William Webb and his servant Mary Gibbons, at the hands of George Ruddock and George Carpenter, at Roddenbury Hill, not far from Longleat House, were compiled by Danny Howell and first published in the Wylye Valley Life magazine in September 1985. An account of the trial of the murderers features in the next article in this book.
Standing near the west door of the Parish Church of St. Denys, the Minster, Warminster, is a large upright tombstone marking the grave of William Webb. His still readable epitaph says “Sacred to the memory of William Webb of Roddenbury Hill, who departed this life, December 28th 1812, aged 55 years,” and continues “Alas, how changed, how gloomy the catastrophe he who’s hands ministered unto necessities, sunk beneath the vile hands of ruffians yet now enjoys peace and tranquillity undisturbed. Such prognostics, which are sure as oracles ought to receive a deep and lasting efficacy on the human mind. Farewell vain world, I enjoy the state of immortality thro’ the mediation of my Redeemer, for: He taught us how to live and o’ too high a price for knowledge taught us how to die.”
Mr. Webb’s “catastrophe” was a fatal one – he was murdered by two young men in his farmhouse at Roddenbury Hill, twixt Corsley and East Woodlands, just on the Somerset side of the Wiltshire county border. He was a bachelor farmer and lived with only one maid servant, Mary Gibbons. On the evening of the 28th of December 1812, two young men called at his farm seeking work. They were 20 year old George Ruddock and 21 year old George Carpenter. As the land was covered in snow, Mr. Webb was unable to offer them any employment but he asked them in and sent his maid to fetch them some cider. While she was gone, one of them blew the farmer’s brains out, and in an effort to do away with any witnesses to their murderous crime, dealt with the maid when she returned by throwing her alive into a well. ‘Twas said that the maid tried to save herself by clinging to the lip of the well but the two ruffians chopped her fingers off with a hatchet. The murderers then ransacked the farmhouse and left with a quantity of banknotes they found. They were soon apprehended though, by a sworn constable, Mr. Chinnock, of Frome, when they tried to tender some of the notes. They were held at Salisbury Gaol (at Fisherton Anger) until their trial at Salisbury Assizes in March 1813, when they were found guilty of murder.
They were sentenced as follows:
“George Ruddock and George Carpenter, you have been severally found guilty by an impartial jury of the murder of William Webb. The propriety and justice of that verdict, no person living who has been present today, can doubt of for a moment. That is not the only crime with which you are charged but also another crime of a similar nature against another person. You are not about to suffer for that offence but it may not be improper to advert to it because it forms a part of the grounds of the observations I have to offer.”
“I hardly ever heard of this the greatest of all crimes committed under circumstances of less excuse or greater aggravation – you had received no provocation; you went to the Deceased’s house; when you reached the house, he received you with kindness and humanity and offered you some refreshment which he thought you stood in need of; instead of accepting it, you proceeded to execute your bloody purpose with deliberate and determined cruelty and barbarity and nothing can be offered in vindication or mitigation.”
“Murder is the greatest crime of one human being to another.”
“I do not mention these circumstances to aggravate the misery of your present situation but only to waken you to a sense of your present duty. You have only a few hours to live. Yours is an offence beyond all hopes of mercy. By whom human blood is shed, by man shall his blood be shed also. It is not too late to obtain mercy, where for persons in your situation mercy may be found. Your duty is to endeavour to obtain that mercy and it is not too late to hope to obtain it but you can only receive it by such conduct as I have mentioned. You will before the awful period be assisted with every kind of spiritual advice to console you in making that kind of peace and atonement. I shall say no more but leave it to better advisers to put you in the right way.”
“All I shall do is to pass the dreadful sentence of the law and I accordingly pronounce that sentence, which is: That you be taken to the place from whence you came, from thence to the place of execution on Monday next, there to be hanged by the neck till you are severally dead. Then taken down and delivered to the surgeons to be dissected and anatomised. And may God Almighty have mercy on your souls.”
On the Monday (15th March 1813) after the trial, the two Georges were escorted from Salisbury Gaol to Warminster in a procession made up of a considerable number of men. The escort included in the following order: a detachment of Wiltshire Yeomanry Cavalry; about 200 Peace Officers and Gentlemen on foot with white wands, commanded by Captain C. L. Phipps; the Bailiff of Warminster; a Sheriff’s Officer on horseback; the Under Sheriff, the Magistrates of the Division and about 100 gentlemen on horseback; the Captain and a party of the Sheriff’s Javelin-Men; the Executioner; the criminals in a cart attended by a Clergyman; two coffins supported by eight men; the Reverend the Minister of Warminster; the County Gaoler and his attendants; another party of the Javelin-Men; the Sheriff’s Officers and others with white wands; and another detachment of the Wiltshire Yeomanry Cavalry. There was also a patrol of Cavalry flanking each side of the procession. (Victor Manley, writing in his Regional Survey of the Warminster District, in the 1920s, notes that the High Sheriff for the year 1813 was Mr. W. Fowle; the Under Sheriff was Mr. J. P. Tinney of Salisbury; and the Clerk of the Peace was Mr. James Swayne).
First, Ruddock and Carpenter were taken to St. Laurence’s Church in Warminster, where the Vicar of Warminster, Dr. Rowlandson, preached to them, and after the service they partook of the sacrament. They were then taken on to Arn Hill, just north of the town, where a double-gallows had been erected near the old burial mound. The two criminals were placed standing in a cart beneath the gallows, with a noose round each other’s necks. Carpenter was given a handkerchief to drop when he was ready for the cart to be driven away, so ending their lives. It was later said by those who witnessed the execution that Carpenter kept releasing the handkerchief, inch by inch, only to gather it up again in his hand, so delaying their demise for some thirty minutes. Apparently, the man in charge of the cart, fed up with the long wait, pulled the cart away while the handkerchief was still in Carpenter’s hand.
A London-published newspaper, The Star, which sold for sixpence-halfpenny, reported at the bottom of column one on the back page of its issue dated 19th March 1813:
“EXECUTION OF THE MURDERERS OF MR. WEBB AND HIS SERVANT. Monday, Ruddock and Carpenter were removed from Salisbury Gaol to Warminster, in a mourning coach, attended by the usual escort, preparatory to their execution on the Down close adjoining to Warminster. The spot chosen for this purpose was the point of an almost perpendicular hill, nearly 500 feet above the town, looking down on Warminster Church in which Mr. Webb was buried and nearly in view of the house where the murderous deed was perpetrated. On reaching the place of execution, the Clergymen spent a considerable time with the criminals; and after they were tied up, a handkerchief was given to Carpenter to drop as a signal for the cart to be drawn from under them. The poor wretch, however, clung so to life that he delayed dropping it but even then endeavoured to prevent his fall, whereby he suffered greatly in dying, whilst Ruddock who jumped boldly from the cart when it moved was dead in a moment. After hanging the usual time, the bodies were cut down and taken to the Infirmary at Salisbury for dissection. The concourse of people assembled was immense; the place of execution would readily have allowed ten thousand persons to see it without pressure. The gallows is to remain. The murderers made no confession of any importance subsequent to their conviction, indeed, their first confession was so ample that it admitted of but little addition. They were to the last much exasperated against each other, each condemning the other for the disclosure of their bloody deed. They were extremely ignorant with hardly any idea of a future state.”
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AN ACCOUNT OF THE TRIAL OF GEORGE RUDDOCK AND GEORGE CARPENTER
J. Easton
The following notes about the murder of William Webb and Mary Gibbons, at Roddenbury, near Warminster, by George Ruddock and George Carpenter, on 28th December 1812, are taken from a booklet (price sixpence) printed and published by J. Easton, of Endless Street, Salisbury, in 1813. The notes reveal what was said and by whom at the trial held at the Wilts Lent Assizes in March 1813, including “The Opening Speech of the Counsel; Confessions of the Prisoners, which also disclose Particulars of the Murder of Mary Gibbons; And the very impressive Sentence of the Judge.”
Counsel For The Prosecution
Mr. Gasalee opened the proceedings, and stated shortly, That the Prisoners were indicted for the wilful Murder of Mr. William Webb, on the 28th December last, to which charge they had pleaded not Guilty.
Mr. Burrough then rose, and said, Gentlemen of the Jury – I too, am Counsel for the Prosecution, and it is become my painful duty to require your attention to the circumstances of a case, not less remarkable for the atrocious crime which it involves, than for the means by which it has pleased God that your justice should overtake that crime. The Murder stated to you by my learned friend, Mr. Gasalee, was committed in the obscurity of night, and no Witness to the dreadful deed is living to relate it; but the eye of the Almighty was fixed on the Criminals in that obscurity, and by his Providence the necessity for human testimony is completely met. Circumstances have so worked together, that when you have heard them, no doubt will exist in your minds, that the guilty Perpetrators of that great and unheard of cruelty stand now before you to answer for it.
Gentlemen, Mr. Webb, the deceased, had been seen for the last time in the afternoon of the 28th of December last. His disfigured corpse was found in the afternoon of the 30th. In the mean time he had been shot from a gun, his head had been so bruised and beaten, that parts of the skull were forced into the substance of the brain, and his house had been plundered; it is for you to determine whether that crime was committed by the Prisoners at the bar, or by either of them, or whether they are innocent of the charge which is brought against them.
Gentlemen, you will hear, That on the 26th of December, the Prisoner Ruddock, left a gun at the house of a person named Tudgay; that the two Prisoners on the morning of the 28th bought some gunpowder of another person who will be called, and that at about six o’clock of that day, they together fetched away the gun from Tudgay’s house.
Gentlemen, there is a family of the name of Dredge, who live at about a quarter of a mile from Mr. Webb’s house. You will learn from them that on that night they heard at that distance, a violent outcry made by Mr. Webb’s dog. It was not an ordinary barking; it was a loud howling and raving. Continued during a long time. That raving of the dog was followed by the report of a gun in the direction from the house of Mr. Webb. Soon afterwards, while the Frome bell was tolling at eight o’clock, the wife of Mr. Dredge, went out and observed lights in the windows of both the chambers of Mr. Webb’s house.
Gentlemen, it is probable in the highest degree, that this mysterious raving of the dog, and the other circumstances, which then occurred, would of themselves determine that at that time the murder was committed. The Prisoners were as labourers in the service of Mr. Battle, of Norton Bavant, a neighbouring farmer. Soon afterwards, the country was alarmed by the report of the murder, and it was quite natural that every man, and every woman, and every child, should join in loud lamentations at this most atrocious act, and labour in the enquiries and investigation which might probably detect the culprits. The Prisoners were thrashing corn in their Master’s barn, and conversing coolly with him on some indifferent subject, when their Mistress came, full of horror, to relate it to them for the first time. The Farmer was like her, almost petrified with horror, and hastened instantly to Mr. Webb’s house to see the corpse, and to do whatever might be proper in the circumstances. The two Prisoners, gentlemen, betrayed no horror whatever; but both continued at their work without stirring one step, or expressing the least surprise!
Gentlemen, soon afterwards, the Prisoner, Carpenter, quitted that service, and entered into the employment of another farmer. It was to be part of his wages, that he was to have his beer in the family, and, as was natural, he came regularly for it; but on the 26th of January, it happened, when he came for it, his new Mistress was at that moment conversing on the subject of the Murder. It was universally a subject of conversation; every one was speaking of it, and every one joined in the same prayer on the occasion. “I pray to God,” said the Lady, either to Carpenter, or in Carpenter’s hearing, “that those who did that Murder might be discovered, and undergo their most just punishment.”
Gentlemen, Carpenter trembled and turned pale; and from that moment he never entered that house to have the beer which was his allowance. Here, Gentlemen, I beseech you to remark the great and overwhelming power of an accusing conscience. It is an awful lesson to us all. Carpenter was accused by no one. He was suspected by no one. But his mind was disarmed by the bare recital of that prayer which he knew to be offered up by every one who had heard of his offence. He could not resist the force of self accusation, and sunk under the weight of that conviction.
Gentlemen, Carpenter was a mere labourer, having only the wages due to persons working in his capacity. On the evening of the 11th of January last, he went to the shop of one Mr. Simpkins, draper, at Frome, to purchase a frock, the cost of which was twelve shillings; and he offered a one-pound note to pay for it. The note was injured in some respect and refused; he then offered a five-pound note, without knowing that it was more than another one-pound note. You will observe that he can neither read nor write. The Gentleman with whom he was dealing, suspected that he had not honestly come by it, kept it, and directed him to come again for the change.
All these circumstances which I have related soon transpired, and were whispered about. Suspicion was of course very active, and had been fixed on some persons on still slighter grounds, who were perfectly innocent. It was thought right by Mr. Hodding, the Gentleman to whom the public is so much indebted for the ultimate discovery of every thing relating to this crime, that Carpenter should be apprehended. He was apprehended. And then ensued the farther proof of the power of conscience. He instantly made that confession, which you will by and by hear read. Ruddock was also apprehended, and he made a similar confession.
They related, Gentlemen, all the means which they pursued to accomplish their wicked purpose. They gave information in what place they had concealed the deadly instrument with which they shot Mr. Webb, and that instrument was found accordingly, and was the gun which they had together taken from Tudgay’s house. They stated that they accomplished their horrible purpose by beating the head of Mr. Webb with the muzzle of the gun, and with a flail which they afterwards threw into a neighbouring rivulet. From that rivulet the flail was taken by Mr. Hodding, lodged in a little bramble near the spot where they threw it in; and about the muzzle of the gun when produced to you, you will observe the grey hairs of the Deceased yet adhering to it. They described where they had buried some of the property of which they robbed the house; search was accordingly made, and that property which will be identified to-day, was found precisely where they said it would be.
When, Gentlemen, you have heard these matters disclosed in evidence, you will of necessity come to this conclusion, on grounds the most certain which can be imagined. By your verdict the justice of the country will be satisfied in the conviction and punishment of these Criminals; and another striking proof will be afforded to mankind, that some how or other Providence will generally ordain that those who take away the life of man, and commit deeds of cruelty and blood, are not suffered to escape detection, but are brought to the bar of human justice to answer even in this world, for this, the greatest crime, which human laws can reach.
Witnesses were then called; and
William White, the first witness, stated, That he knew the deceased William Webb, and saw him the last time on the 28th of December last, about 3 o’clock in the afternoon. He was then at the Witness’s house, which is about a quarter of a mile from his own.
Thomas Tudgay, stated, That he lives at Corsley, about a mile from Mr. Webb’s. That he saw the Prisoners at his house on Saturday the 26th of December last, about one o’clock, and Ruddock left a gun there. They had been shooting for beer, and were going to a public house to drink it. That the gun remained at his house until between 5 and 6 o’clock of the evening of the 28th of December, when the Prisoners came to his house together, and Ruddock took the gun away. When they got out of his house, the gun was flashed off, but he cannot tell by whom.
Henrietta Battle, stated, That she lives at Corsley, and knows the Prisoners. That they were at her house together, between 9 and 10 o’clock in the morning of the 28th of December last, and Ruddock asked her for some gunpowder; she let him have some, and they went away together.
John Dredge, stated, That he lives in Dog-street, about a quarter of a mile from Mr. Webb’s house. That his own house is so situated, that he could see Mr. Webb’s from it. That he was at home the evening of the 28th December last with his wife and seven children. That between 7 and 8 o’clock, as he was sitting by the fire, he heard the report of a gun, which appeared to come in the direction of farmer Webb’s house. Farmer Webb had a dog, and about half an hour before he heard the report of the gun, he heard the dog bark and rave. After the gun was fired, he went out of his door, and it was very dark. About 8 o’clock he went to bed, leaving his wife, and eldest daughter up.
Ann Dredge, wife of the last Witness, stated, That on the evening of the 28th of December last, between 7 and 8 o’clock, she heard Mr. Webb’s dog make a noise, and rave very much, and she heard the report of a gun in the direction of his house, about half an hour after she first heard the dog bark. She was sitting by the fire. Her husband went to the door, and almost immediately after went up stairs to bed. After he was in bed, she went up stairs, and took away the candle, and brought it down stairs, and at that time she heard the bell at Frome toll for eight o’clock. That she sat down by the fire side, and looking through the window, saw a light in both of farmer Webb’s chambers. She observed it for a few minutes, and went to bed.
Susanna Gibbons, stated, That Mary Gibbons, who lived with Mr. Webb, was her sister. That she went to Mr. Webb’s house at two o’clock in the afternoon of the 30th of December last, to see her sister. That she knocked at the door, but no one answered. She opened the door and went into a passage leading into a court; from the court she went into the kitchen, and opened the window, and by her side lay a man dead on the floor, on his face. Nothing was near him. That she went out, and made an outcry, upon which two women came to her, but they did nothing till some gentlemen came. A man turned the body over, and she saw a great deal of blood on the floor. That she went up stairs, and searched for her sister, but could not find her any where. She went into all the rooms up stairs, and saw the bureau and chests open, and the papers about the room. The bureau was in one chamber, and the chest in the other.
George Mattocks, stated, That on Wednesday the 30th of December last, he was called by the last Witness to farmer Webb’s house, and saw the body lying on the left side with the face downwards. That he assisted in turning the body, and farmer Warren recognized the face of farmer Webb; and then he knew him; and he had known him many years. He observed wounds in the Deceased’s temple. He went up stairs with Susanna Gibbons, and found the things very much tumbled and displaced, and the bureau and chest in different rooms both open.
Joseph Miller, a surgeon at Frome, stated, That on the 30th of December last, he went to farmer Webb’s house, and saw Susanna Gibbons there. He was called in to inspect Mr. Webb’s body, and he knew him well. He entered the kitchen, and found the body lying on the left side with the arms folded, and the left side of the large face very much flattened, which he thinks was from pressure in consequence of his having lain some hours on the face. On examining the head, he discovered a very extensive fracture on it, over the right eye, a compleat division of the muscles over the fracture, about two inches and a half in length, and he conceived there must have been a blunt instrument used, as a portion of the skull was driven into the substance of the brain, occasioned by a blow or blows. He observed that the Deceased’s hair was rather grey. He examined other parts of the head, and found a similar fracture on the back part of the head, apparently inflicted with the same instrument, and that the skull was fractured there also very badly; and he believes these blows occasioned death. The whole of the right side of the cheek was dreadfully shattered; the nose was fractured, and there must have been very many blows inflicted. That on the following morning early, he examined other parts of the body in the same house, and discovered that the Deceased had been shot. The hands he conceived had been folded, and the right arm had received a large portion of the charge, which dreadfully fractured it below the elbow. He observed there were shot holes in great number over the chest and the belly, many of which had penetrated into the cavity of the body. There were no shot holes higher up than the chest. He examined the shot holes, and they were not sufficient, he thinks, to cause instant death, but that they would ultimately have killed him. He found one whole tin tack in the arm. He believes the blows on the head might have been given with the butt end of a gun. The same morning he saw the dead body of Mary Gibbons.
John Battle, of Norton Bavant, stated, That he knew Mr. Webb very well, and he lived in the parish of Warminster, in the county of Wilts. That he also knows the Prisoners, who were his neighbours, and worked for him, at the time of the murder. He first heard of Mr. Webb’s death two days after it happened. He was at his barn’s door, wherein the Prisoners were thrashing, talking to them. His wife called out to him, and told him in the hearing of the Prisoners, that farmer Webb and his Maid were both killed, on which he said “God forbid.” He talked to the Prisoners about it, and they said, “They hoped it was not so.” His wife then said to him, “For God’s sake, go up and see if it is true or not.” He went up to the Deceased’s house, but the Prisoners remained at work as before. That he had known the Prisoner Carpenter for ten or twelve years, and he has always gone by that name, and he never knew him go by the name of “William Haines.” That the largest payment he ever made him was two one-pound notes, and four or five shillings in silver; that sum the two Prisoners were to part between them for their labour. Carpenter had some kindred in the neighbourhood, but depended entirely on his labour for support, and Ruddock had only the same dependence.
Grace Creed, stated, That she knew George Carpenter. He was in her husband’s service in January last. He began to work for him a few days before the 21st of January. He was allowed beer, for which he regularly went into the house; the last time he came for any was Wednesday after the 21st of January last. She talked to him about the murder, and said, “I hope the right ones who did the murder will be discovered.” She looked in his face, and observed his countenance change. She observed to him what a heinous sin it was, when he scarce made any reply. He never came in for beer after that, although he continued working in the barn as before, up to the very day on which he was taken into custody.
Joseph Simpkins is a draper at Frome, and stated, That the Prisoner, Carpenter, came to his house on the evening of the 11th of January last, and desired to look at a carter’s frock, and purchased one at the price of 12s. And offered to pay a one-pound Warminster and Wiltshire note, which the Witness refused to take, as the signature was entirely gone. The Prisoner then offered a five-pound Glastonbury bank note, the signature on which was nearly gone, and the note was cut round the edges. Witness said to him, “This is a five-pound note,” and he replied, “Yes, it is.” That he then went to the other end of his shop, and consulted his Brother, and returning to the Prisoner, asked him of whom he took the two notes; and he said of his master, farmer Battle, at the Mad Doctor’s (the name of the place) near Corsley. That he told the Prisoner he would never be able to pass the notes, and had better leave them in his hands till Saturday. That he may wear away the frock, if he pleased, and settle for it when he came for the change which the Prisoners agreed to do, and gave his name “William Haines.” He went away; and Tuesday evening the 19th of January between 7 and 8 o’clock he came to the shop, and purchased some other things; and on the 23rd he came again about the same time, and as the Witness had changed the notes, he gave him the balance. He is quite sure that Carpenter is the man, as he had some suspicion, and took particular notice of him. He afterwards saw him before the Magistrate, and he then had on the same frock, and which he has on now, as he examined it when before the Magistrate, and knew it by a private mark. He did not know the Prisoner before.
Thomas Tilbrooke is a land surveyor, employed by the Marquis of Bath, and lives at Horningsham, about six miles and a half from Frome. He was not present when Ruddock was apprehended, but saw him soon afterwards at Frome, in custody of Officers at the Unicorn inn. He went there in consequence of his having been in search of him, and being informed that he was apprehended about three or four hours before. That Mr. Miller, David Williams, and many other persons, were present. Carpenter was not then in custody. That he had conversation with Ruddock about a quarter of an hour after he went into the room, during which time no promise or threat was offered him to his knowledge or belief, and he believes that if there had been any, he must have heard it. That he put a question to Ruddock, and asked him in what way he committed the murder. He replied, “I shot him;” and said farther, that he went in and beat farmer Webb about the head with the butt end of the gun after he had discharged it. Witness asked him particularly whether it was with the muzzle or the butt end; and he replied, “the butt end,” and said the Servant Maid was in the milk-house, and shut herself in. That when he saw Ruddock again, at the same public house, and in an upper room, Mr. Ireland, a magistrate, was present, and several other persons, and that, with leave of the Magistrate, he asked the Prisoner, Ruddock, what became of the gun; and he told him it was buried in Wraglin Wood, as near the middle of it as he could guess. The next morning, the Witness, with many other persons, went to Wraglin Wood; Carpenter’s father was one of them, and exclaimed, “Here is the gun!” and they went to the spot instantly; the gun had been buried with the top of the lock downwards, and covered completely over with earth. Witness had a large stick, and assisted others in getting the gun up [Here the Witness produced the gun, which he proved was in the state he found it; the stock was broken by the lock; the lock nearly beat off; the barrel very much bent near the top; and some grey hair between the ram-rod and the muzzle.]
Thomas Tudgay was again called, and proved that the gun produced, was the same left at his house, and taken away from thence by the Prisoners on the 28th of December, but it was not then bent or broken, and the lock was perfect.
Mr. Hodding (the solicitor) stated, That he was employed by the Marquis of Bath to make enquiries about the murder. That on Saturday next after the murder, he went to Mr. Webb’s house, and on Sunday as he was looking about the premises, he discovered part of a flail in the rivulet at the bottom of a meadow, near the house, called Webb’s Home Mead; and that there is a small footbridge over the rivulet, near that spot; that about ten yards down the stream, below the bridge, there was a bramble which grew in the hedge, and hung down into the water, and the head of the flail was hanging to that bramble; the flail was about half burnt, and it was the upper part of it which remained, and which had the head or button by which it is affixed to the hand staff. That he took it to Mr. Webb’s house, but not having any idea that it related to the murder, it was not preserved. This was some weeks before the Prisoners were apprehended. That he was before the Magistrates when the Prisoners were examined. That he saw them in the morning, separately in a room in the same house, by direction of the Magistrates, and put questions to them, but that he did not make either of them any promise, or say any thing to either of them to induce them to make any confession; but on the contrary, he told them they were not bound to answer any question he might ask them; and that it was his duty to tell them that it would not be better for them if they did, nor worse for them if they did not; but if they did answer any such questions, he hoped they would answer truly. Upon which Carpenter said, “He wished to tell the truth.” That he went with them immediately before the Magistrate, and the like caution was given both by the Magistrate and himself. That the examination of each was first taken separately before the Magistrate, and reduced to writing; and both examinations read over to the Prisoners whilst together, and they signed each examination, as did also the Magistrate. [Here the Examinations of the Prisoners were produced, and proved by the Witness.] The Witness stated farther, That subsequent to the Prisoners commitment to Fisherton Gaol, he saw them there separately, and gave them the like caution. He first saw Ruddock, and asked him what had become of the plate taken from Mr. Webb’s house, and he said he had not seen any. That the Witness explained to him, that by plate he meant silver spoons. He said there were two table spoons, and three or four tea spoons, which they threw into Pat Script’s well. That he put the same question to Carpenter, and he said they had thrown two table spoons, and three or four tea spoons into James Lewis’s well; this is one and same well, belonging to two tenements, one occupied by Martha Script, and the other by James Lewis. That a few days after this information, he (the Witness) went with James Miller to the well, into which Miller descended; and when he reached the bottom, he cried out, “I have got one!”; upon this, the well bucket was drawn up, with a silver table spoon in it, and there were found in the well one other table spoon, and two silver tea spoons, which he received and kept in his possession until now. [He produced the spoons to the court.] That at a subsequent time, and giving the Prisoners the same caution, that they were not bound to answer, he asked them as to the money, and part icularly gold. He first enquired of Ruddock, who said they did not find any gold, but that they found a large quantity of half pence, and two handkerchiefs, and that they tied the half pence up in the handkerchiefs, and buried the whole in a plantation belonging to the Marquis of Bath, in a wheat field, called Norton Common, opposite to the road leading to his uncle’s house. Carpenter afterwards gave the same account, describing the road rather differently. That two or three days after, he went and found two handkerchiefs and about forty shillings worth of halfpence tied up in them, about twenty shillings in each handkerchief. [The Witness here produced the handkerchiefs to the Court.]
James Miller corroborated the testimony of the last Witness.
Susanna Abbott, Mr. Webb’s sister, identified the spoons and the handkerchiefs to be his property, and stated, That he had a third handkerchief of the same pattern, which she produced, and that part of the border was cut out of one of them, and sewed into the hem of the other. That she was at her brother’s house about a quarter of a year before his death, and saw the three handkerchiefs; and that he used to keep a large quantity of half pence by him.
The Examination and Confession of George Carpenter, taken before the Magistrates, February 3, 1813.
Carpenter stated, That on the 28th December last, he and Ruddock went to Thomas Tudgay’s for a gun belonging to Ruddock; that Ruddock had generally powder and shot to shoot birds at the barn’s door, and had some shot on that day, but informed him that he had bought some powder for Mr. Battle; that John Battle, their master, told them he had not got work for them both. That he (Carpenter) went with Ruddock to the house of Mr. William Webb, to seek for work; that they left Tudgay’s together between five and six o’clock in the evening, and that Ruddock carried the gun; and on the road said, “I will shoot farmer Webb.” When Examinant answered, “No, don’t; then I won’t go up.” Ruddock replied, “Then thee be’st afraid to go up for fear I shall kill him.” That Examinant stood still; upon which Ruddock replied, “Come along, come along, for we shall both have nothing to do if we stay and thrash farmer Battle’s corn.”
They went to Mr. Webb’s house, when Examinant opened the door, and went in, leaving Ruddock on the outside. That Examinant asked Mr. Webb when he meant to have his bounds done. He was seated in his chair by the fireside, opposite the door where Ruddock stood, and that Examinant stood talking with Mr. Webb on the opposite side of the fire-place. That Mr. Webb desired his servant, Mary Gibbons, to draw some cider, and asked Examinant who was on the outside; when he informed him it was Ruddock. Mr. Webb then said, “Come in, George, and have some cider.” Ruddock answered, “No, I don’t want cider. I want to go home and have some supper, as I am very lier,” and instantly fired a gun at Mr. Webb, who fell from his chair; and Ruddock immediately ran into the house, and struck him a violent blow on his head with the butt end of his gun. That Mary Gibbons, who was then in the cellar, shut the door of the milk-house leading into it, when Ruddock pushed it open, and she ran out, crying, “Lord have mercy upon me.” That he ran after her, and knocked her staggering with the butt end of the gun; and then struck a second blow on the back part of her head, which brought her to the ground. That Examinant ran out of doors after her, and Ruddock said he would serve him the same. That Ruddock then proposed to throw her into the well, and asked this Examinant to hold the cover up. That he then dragged her to the well, when Examinant held up the cover, and Ruddock put her in head foremost, and Examinant put down the cover, Ruddock saying that she would not be found for some time. That they went into the house together, when Examinant took the candle into the milk-house; and Ruddock took a part of the flail from the hands of the Examinant, and struck Mr. Webb on the head therewith. That he then put the flail into the fire, which was partly burnt, and threw the remainder into the river. That Examinant held the candle when Ruddock picked the pockets of Mr. Webb of a black pocket book and some keys. That they both went up stairs, when this Examinant still held the candle, and Ruddock, with the keys, opened the drawers, but they found nothing but papers and writings. That they then went to the chest, which was opened by Ruddock, and in which they found two half-crown pieces, which he took. That they went home, and next morning Ruddock came to him, and told him to go along with him, and bury the gun in Wraglin Wood. That they went to Robert Gerrett’s, where Ruddock lived, for a spade, and pulled the gun from under a potatoe pit. That they went to Wraglin Wood, buried the gun, and then went to farmer Battle’s to work, and in the barn Ruddock gave Examinant two notes, one for five-pounds, and one for one-pound, telling him that he had got two notes for himself.
Ruddock’s Confession was to the same effect, except that they both agreed to shoot Mr. Webb, and get his money, which Carpenter said he had a great deal of. That Carpenter assisted in loading the gun; that he gave a signal for him to fire; that Carpenter struck Mr. Webb with a flail, and pulled Mary Gibbons out of the cellar; and that they both struck her with the gun and flail.
The Prisoners produced two Witnesses to their previous good character. The Prisoners being asked by the Judge what they had to say in their defence, Ruddock replied, “Nothing.” Carpenter replied, “Nothing, unless I tell about the murder.”
They were both found Guilty.
The Sentence:
George Ruddock, and George Carpenter – You have been severally found Guilty, by an impartial Jury, of the Murder of William Webb. The propriety and justice of that verdict, no person living, who has been present to-day, can doubt of for a moment. That is not the only crime with which you are charged – but also another crime of a similar nature against another person. You are not about to suffer for that offence, but it may not be improper to advert to it; because it forms a part of the grounds of the observations I have now to offer. I hardly ever heard of this the greatest of all crimes committed under circumstances of less excuse or greater aggravation – You had received no provocation; You went to the Deceased’s house; When you reached the house, he received you with kindness and humanity – and offered you some refreshment which he thought you stood in need of; Instead of accepting it, you proceeded to execute your bloody purpose with deliberate and determined cruelty and barbarity, and nothing can be offered in vindication or mitigation. Murder is the greatest crime of one human being to another. I do not mention these circumstances to aggravate the misery of your present situation – but only to waken you to a sense of your present duty. You have only a few hours to live. Yours is an offence beyond all hopes of mercy. By whom human blood is shed, by man shall his blood be shed also. It is not too late to obtain mercy, where, for persons found in your situation, mercy may be found. Your duty is to endeavour to obtain that mercy – and it is not too late to hope to obtain it – but you can only receive it by such conduct as I have mentioned. You will before the awful period be assisted with every kind of spiritual advice to console you in making that kind of peace and atonement. I shall say no more but leave it to better advisers to put you in the right way. All I shall do is to proceed to pass the dreadful Sentence of the Law – and I accordingly pronounce that Sentence, which is: That you be taken to the Place from whence you came – from thence to the place of Execution on Monday next – there to be hanged by the neck till you are severally dead. Then taken down, and delivered to the Surgeons to be dissected and anatomised, – And may God Almighty have mercy on your souls.
This Sentence drew tears from many present, and the Prisoners appeared to be greatly agitated and affected.
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The above notes were included in The Warminster & District Companion, Volume One, compiled by Danny Howell, published by the Warminster & Wylye Society For Local Study in April 2003. The notes in the Warminster Companion were accompanied with three photographs (taken by Danny Howell) with the following captions:
Roddenbury Farm, on the Longleat Estate, pictured in April 2003.
It was at Roddenbury Hill, on 28th December 1812,
that George Carpenter and George Ruddock
murdered farmer William Webb and his servant Mary Gibbons.
Wraglin Wood (now known as Ragland Wood or Ragland Coppice)
south of Mad Doctor’s Farm (now High House Farm), Corsley,
pictured in April 2003. The view looks west towards Friggle Street.
It was near the centre of this wood that Carpenter and Ruddock
buried the gun they had used to murder Farmer Webb.
Norton Common, at Corsley, pictured in April 2003.
It was in a plantation here that Carpenter and Ruddock
buried, in two handkerchiefs, the half-pennies they stole from Webb.
.