1739 News Article:
Colchester, December 28th. A few days ago the body of George Pryor, of South Church in the Hundred of Rochford, was found in a pond some distance from his house, having been robbed and murdered. His skull seem to have been broke with a large hammer, and the coroner’s jury having sate (sic) on the body brought in their verdict, willful murder. The deceased was a single man and had saved about a hundred pounds in money, which the villains carried off. (The Derby Mercury, January 3rd 1739)
1740 News Article: Colchester December 28th. A few days ago the body of George Pryor, a South Church in the hundred of Rochford, was found in a pond some distance from his house, had been robbed and murdered. His skull seem to have been broke with a large hammer, and the coroner’s jury having sate on the body, brought in their verdict willful murder. The persona is charged with having committed this cruel fact or James Alston, alias Ashen, and Lewis Pymont, two young man who lived in the said Parish, but deserted on Pryor’s being missed. Ashton is tall and thin, and went off in a leather jacket, and a great coat and lightish wig. Pymont is slender, and much pitted with the smallpox, and greatly addicted to swearing. The deceased was a single man, and had saved about a hundred pounds in money, which the villains carried off. About the time Pryor was missing, Ashton was seen at Raleigh, where he bought a small sized horse, and showed the company about 30 lbs he had in his pocket. The Reverend Mr. Davis, Rector of the said Parish, offers a reward of 10 lb and Parish officers 30 lb to any person who shall secure the two men before named. (The Ipswich Journal January 5th 1740)
1740 News Article:
From the South-Church in the hundred of Rochford in this County, we hear, that one of the villains concerned in the murder of Mr. George Pryor of that place, was a few days hence apprehended at Huntingdon, and being carried before I Justice of the Peace was after a strict examination, committed to Chelmsford gaol: 40pounds in money, was found in his custody, the which was secured by his worship. The affair was discovered in the following manner call the other person concerned in the said murder, enlisted into his majesty’s service, and being confined in the Savoy at London, with other recruits, was there taken ill of a violent fever, and there being no hope of his recovery, he confessed the fact, saying that, himself murdered Mr. Pryor, and that his companion robbed the house, and had taken up his residence at Huntingdon, with several other particulars relating to that horrid affair, a few hours after making the said Discovery he died. The other villain is shortly to be removed by habeas corpus from Huntingdon to Chelmsford jail, in order to take his trial at the ensuing advises for the county of Essex, and ’tis thought will be hanged in Chains near the place where the murder was committed. (The Ipswich Journal, March 1st 1740)
1752 Death Sentence – At the said Assizes on Thursday last, Samuel Prior, alias Samuel Butcher, a Smuggler, was tired and capitally conficted, for being concerned with fourteen other Persons in breaking open the Custom-House at Colchester, and carrying off 15 Hundred Weight of Tea, which has been seized by Capt. Martin, Commander of one of the Custom-House sloops, which Tea was lodged in the said Custom-House for Security
The Derby Mercury, 13th March 1752 (This sentence was also reported in The Philadelphia Gazette on 4th June 1752)
1751 News Article
On Friday last William Grindley and Walter Pryor, were committed to Newgate by Richard Chamberlain, Esquire for robbing Mr. Andrew Heron on the highway. Mr Heron lay at the Bull and Gate on Thursday night as did likewise the above two fellows, and on Mr. Herons going into the kitchen on Friday morning saw Grindley and knowing him to be the man who had robbed him the night before, had both him and His companion secured. There were 5 watches, two-horse pistols, and a hanger, found upon Gridley, and upon Pryor one watch with his own name engraved there on, a Powder Horn, and a black crape. (the Ipswich Journal, February 23rd 1751)
1761 Notice – Where as Joseph Pryor, of Little Dunmow in Essex, laborer, went away about 3 months ago, and left his wife and child in a charge to the said Parrish, whoever will give information to the overseers of little done well, so that he may be apprehended, shall receive a guinea reward and all reasonable charges. The said Joseph Pryor is about 24 years old, and about 5 feet 4 inches high, of a fresh complexion, and when he went away, he wore his own brown hair, and had a brown cloth coat, a blue waistcoat, and leather breeches, and it is supposed he went into the hundreds of Essex. (Ipswich Journal, October 3, 1761)
1776 Birth – Widdington, Essex – Joseph PRYOR on the 1851 Census in Chingford stated birthplace as Widdington.
1776 Birth – Widdington, Essex –William PRYOR on 1851 Census in Newport, Essex stated birthplace as Widdington.
1791 Birth – Coggshall, Essex – Thomas Nash PRIOR on the 1851 Census in Middlesex Co., States his birthplace as Coggshall.
1778 Birth – Born in Coggeshall, Samuel PRIOR. He is buried in Salem County, New Jersey, USA. Death record states his parents were John and Maria.
1786 Death – Monday last and Inquisition was taken at Great Baddow, on the body of John Pryor, who on the Sunday afternoon had been drinking at a public house, and quarreled with one John Lee, with whom he afterwards fought in the road, and at the third meeting the said prior received a violent blow on the left side of his Temple, by which he fell to the ground and expired. the jury brought in their verdict manslaughter. Lee is committed to our jail, to take his trial for the set of fence. (The Ipswich Journal, September 9th 1786)
1799 Death – “Lately, much lamented, Mrs. PRIOR, of Hornchurch, Essex. (The Evening Mail, 21 Aug 1799)
1804 Will – Rebecca Prior, widow of Great Coggeshall. Executor brother-in-law John Prior
1809 Marriage – Joseph PRIOR married Mary Biggs in Boxted. (Mary was a widow and living in Hackney, Middlesex in 1841)
1811 News Article – Ipswich. Monday as a servant of Mr. Thomas Pryor‘s of Ashfield, was playing with a loaded fowling-piece, it accidentally went off, and launched its contents in the side of a female servant standing near, but we are happy to add, hopes are entertained of her recovery. (the Ipswich Journal, April 6th, 1811.)
1816 Birth – Rosamond PRIOR, born about 1816 in Coggeshall to Samuel and Rosamond Prior. (She was 44 years old on the 1860 Census in Salem County, NJ)
1836 News – Essex County
Manslaughter, at Takeley. An inquest was held on Saturday last, before c. C. Lewis Esquire. Corner, on the body of John Mason, a laborer, in the employee of Mr. Mumford, who met his death under the following Melancholy circumstances. Benjamin Savile stated that he and George Pryor resetting under the Hedge in a field adjoining Howfield at dinner , when a quad was thrown through the Hedge, and it hit a bottle standing between him and prior. Pryor picked it up and threw it back. Another quad was then thrown between them, and Witness believe prayer also threw back Over the Hedge, but he did not see him. Witness then saw Matthews and deceased on the other side of the Hedge, about 2 and 1/2 rods off and immediately heard one of them make a noise as of crying. Did not notice deceased was hurt until Rule called out that he was dead. Never knew prior and deceased otherwise than good friends. Mr H. Crib, surgeon, Stuart Ford, deposed that he found a considerable effusion of blood upon the base of the brain, which he was of opinion was the immediate cause of death. A blow under the left ear was likely, he added, to produce such a result. George Pryor being called, and caution. To criminate himself, said . I’m sorry for having done it. They threw two quads at us when we sat at dinner, and I threw at them again. The jury returned a verdict of manslaughter, and the coroner issued his warrant for the apprehension and committal of prior. The Ipswich Journal July 23rd 1836.
1838 Stabbing
Stabbing. James Pryer, 29 laborer, indicted for feloniously stabbing George Pryor, his brother, at Stansted Mountfitchet, with intent to disable him. Samuel Welch examined. I am a surgeon at Stansted Mountfitchet. On the 6th of September I was called in to attend G. Pryor, it was about half past 10 at night, I found him at his own house lying in the kitchen, I found three cuts upon him, to upon the right side of the forehead, and one on the left side of the abdomen. That on the abdomen was in an oblique direction. There was also a cut wound on the left side of the neck, it was not an extensive wound. I did not didn’t see the prisoner, I saw him about a quarter of an hour after. I asked him how he could do such a thing to his brother, he replied that rather than lose his own life he thought he would take that of his brother. I asked how he had done it he said with a knife, I afterwards saw a knife marked with blood. George Pryer examined. I live at Stansted Mountfitchet. I remember being in my mother’s house on the 6th of September, my brother was going to milk the cows, I said he had better not as he was fresh, and the cow was so tetchy. I took hold of him to prevent his going and set him down in the chair, and held him for some minutes. I never saw anything the matter until I saw blood upon the ground, and I’ve been laid him down in the house and said nothing more to him. My mother laid me down, I never felt anything of the wound till I saw the blood. I never saw anything in his hand. Pryer, the the mother of the prisoner. I saw them prisoner and his brother scuffling about, prisoner was very fresh, and wanted to milk the cow, George Pryer said he had better not and set him down in the chair. I saw George Pryor had been wounded there were other persons in the room, and someone picked up a knife from the window which was given to Mr. Welch. I believe the knife produced may belong to the prisoner. In answer to the charge prisoner said he did not know how it was done, he had a knife in his hand eating bread and cheese and was very fresh. George Prairie called. I do not know whether my brother has a knife in his hand when I put him into the chair. Guilty. Mr. John Seaman, of Stansted, here came forward and gave the prisoner a good character for Humanity. The Chief Justice Tindal hoped this would be a warning to him and not to give Wait passion or to indulge in liquor. As this appeared to have been the effect of a sudden impulse of passion he should deal lightly with it. He then sentenced him to three months imprisonment and hard labor. (The Essex County standard March 9th 1838)
1841 UK Census, Essex
Great Coggeshall, Church Street, John PRIOR 85 independent b. in county. Jemima 67 born in county.
Leigh, John PRYOR 36 ag laborer b. Essex. Ann Pryor 16? b. Essex, Sarah Sprugeon 97 pauper b. Essex
Waltham Abbey, Hannah PRIOR 95 born out of county, John Marton 45 farm lab born in Essex.
1846 Will – John Prior of Great Coggeshall Yeoman, wife Jemima
son Nehemiah, named his children, Samuel Prior, Mary wife of Jeremiah Rogers, Maria wife of John Mount. 23 Mar 1846 Signed
wits John Mayhew George Beard Jr
1851 UK Census Essex
Chingford page 33, Joseph PRYOR 75 ag lab b. Widdington, Essex. Susan wife 73 b. Widdington, Essex. John son 26 Sewards —?, Essex
Layer Marney, page 13 Cottage “Smythies Green” William Wash 47 farm labourer b. Birch, Essex. Anna Maria Wash wife 45 b. Copford?, Essex, James PRYOR father in law, widow 76 farm laborer, in the receipt of parish relief, b. Mark Tey, Essex. (James Pryor is also on the 1861 Census in Layer Marney)
Newport, page 43 William PRYOR widow 75 pauper b. Widdington, Essex.
1855 Will – Jemima Prior, widow of Great Coggeshall. Names daughter Nancy Basher, son-in-law George Beard, brewer
daughters Jemima Beard and Mary Basher. Executor Matthias Gardner, Wits: Josh Beaumont Thomas Wood