History of Fordham

Three Horseshoes P.H, Fordham
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History of Fordham >> Fordham Snippets

Fordham Snippets

When researching for this website we often find a little snippet of information on a location or subject which may be of interest. Some are quirky, some show that there is nothing new in this world, and some about the attitudes and morals of the time. [index to snippets] Here's one for Fordham about the Fordham criminal gang.

County Cronicle March 1826

The New Fordham Gang

A number of depredators under this self-entitled denomination, were convicted at the late Essex Assizes, and sentenced, one to transportation for life, another for seven years, and others to various terms of imprisonment.

J. Biggs, constable of Fordham, and gamekeeper to G. Tufnell, Esq., was the principal means of apprehending the greatest part of the gang, consisting altogether of fifteen persons; and well received the merited approbation of the Judge. ...

The crimes of these men were not confined to poaching, of which, however, it was the foundation - as they were poachers from their youth up - sheep, poultry, corn, and every species of property that was come-at-able fell prey to their rapacity.

A young man, named James French, 21 years of age, and now in the 20th Regiment of Foot, destined for the Indies, as some atonement for the various crimes in which he had participated, made a disclosure of the arts practiced by himself and his accomplices, which led to their detection ... He acknowledge that the first hare he had caught was so early as the sixth year of his childhood; that on associating with the gang; he was let into all their secrets; that they possessed 600 nets and snares; that there was a warren in London for their disposal; that hares were generally snared; and that pheasants were taken by burning brimstone rags under the trees they perched upon, whence they dropped unconsciously into their nets ... From these and other particulars, most of the gang were eventually apprehended.

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