William Daniell, in his book Warminster Common, published in 1850, referring to the bad reputation and behaviour of the residents of Warminster Common, noted: “They were notorious for drunkenness, debauchery, stealing, Sabbath-breaking, – Whenever robberies occurred, which was very often, whether they deserved it or not, the Commoners were sure to have the credit of it: in such cases, it was all but impossible to convict them, for want of credible witnesses.
Not one adult out of forty ever attended any public religious service on the Lord’s day; they then generally associated at a place called “The Drove’ near Butlers Coomb, or strolled on the common, or lay under the hedges at the sides of the roads, in groups, in all their filthy working apparel, – drinking, swearing, or witnessing or partaking of some ungodly games or sports.”