History of Maldon

High Street, Maldon, 1891
Reproduced courtesy of The Francis Frith Collection.

History of Maldon >> Maldon Snippets

Maldon 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 is one for Maldon about a swindler.

The Times 11 October 1817

Swindler
A man, having the appearance of a gentleman traveller, took up his abode, a few days since, at Miller's Hotel in Southend, where he lived in the most sumptuous manner. After remaining two or three days, he expressed a wish to see the town of Maldon, and requested of Mr Miller to let his man drive him to that place, which he assented to.

On reaching Maldon, he put up at the White Horse, where he ordered dinner to be ready at a certain hour; in the mean time he said he would walk round the town and see the place. The landlord being fully prepared for the guest at the appointed hour, waited with considerable anxiety for his arrival, but unfortunately he never afterwards made his appearance; and the man who drove him was obliged to return to Southend with his horse and chaise, the nearer of the unwelcome tidings to his master, who the stranger had left so abruptly, without even paying his reckoning at the hotel.

From Maldon, it appears, this insolent individual made the best of his way to Chelmsford, where he hired an iron-gray mare of Mr Taverner, at the King's Head, for the purpose of proceeding to Braintree, and which he readily obtained; in the consequence of representing himself as acquainted with several tradesmen of this place. The mare was hired on the 29th ult., but neither the man nor the mare have since been heard of.

[End of article]

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