The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1869-02-06 00:00:00

THE NORWICH MURDER.

The further examination of the prisoner, William
Sheward, charged on his own confesssion with the
murder of his wife, Martha Sheward, in June
1851, was proceeded with on Monday, before the
Mayor (Mr. E. K. Harvey) and other magistrates, at
Norwich.
Mr. Mendham, town clerk, again appeared for the
prosecution ; awl Mr. Stanley, solicitor, again de-
fended the prisoner.
John Bird deposed—l live in Park-lane, Heigham, and sin
acorn merchant and commission agent. 111 1851 I went to
live in St. George's Middle-street. I knew Sheward, the
prisoner. After I went to live in St. George's Middle-
street, Sheward came to my house and had some
conversation with me about hiring three unfurnished
rooms; it was at about the half-quarter alter Mid-
summer. I understood from him that he had been living on
St. Martin's Palace-o,in He came at Michaelmas, 1851,
and occupied the rooms. Ile removed his furniture into
them. He lived in the rooms alone. About six months after
he first came to my house a female came to visit him. I saw
her there a few times. One evening I and my wife returned
home rather unexpectedly. it was in the summer of 1852.
The female was in the house then, and, from what I saw, I
gave Sheward notice to quit. Some time afterwards I found
he was living in King-street. I called at his house in King-
street a few times. I Saws female there. I had seen her
before at my house. it was On the night I have just pre-
viously referred to. The first female who visited hint in St.
George's was not the same woman.
Cross-examined.—l think I gave Sheward notice to quit
about Michaelmas, 1852. I had not seen the second female
at my house many times. She bad first commenced coming
in the simmer of 1852. When! gave Shewaril notice to quit,
he said he was sorry if he had given offence, but in conse-
quence of what I had said he should leave.
Re-examined.—I had complained of what I had seen in
rather strong terms.
Mary Lee, a widow, of Magdalen-striet, Norwich, deposed:
—Years ago I WaS in the habit of goiug out nursing. I know
the prisoner Sheward. I knew him when he lived in King-
street. I knew his wife, and nursed her with her first child,
thirteen years since She was living in King-street. I have
nursed her ia four other confinements since. It is about
nine years since I nursed her with her third child. I found
that they were not married, and I asked why they lived in
whoredom .as the first Mrs. Sheward had been dead a long
time. Ile replied, "Sine might have been married before if
she liked." They were afterwards married to my knowledge.
They were married at the registrar's office. 1 was with
them.
Mr. Mendham put in the certificate of the marriage of the
prisoner with Charlotte Maria Buck, on the lath of February,
1802 rho prisoner was ;1 escribed as a widower, living in
King-street, Norwioh, and Charlotte Maria Buck was referred
to as a spinster. Sheward's age was stated to be thirty-nine,
and Buck's thirty. Mr. Mendham asked the witness whether
this was the marriage to which she relerred.—The witness
replied that it was.
Elizabsth Lince, wife of the attendant at the Clerical
Rooms, Norwich, deposed—l live on Mousehold-heath. I
formerly lived in Tabernacle-street, St. Slartin-at-Falace.
I went to live there in 1850. I recollect a Mrs. Batson
coming to live in Tabernacle-street. I do not know the
prisoner Sheward. I recollect a man and woman living in a
house adjoining ours. When she first hired the house I did
not live there. I saw the woman there. I was living at the
time with my mother and father. My mother always took
the rents of the houses adjoining ours. We afterwards
moved quite away, into St. Margeret's. I remember the
woman who hired the house next curs. She was a ladylike
woman, with golden hair in curls During the summer of
1851 I was passing through Magdalen-street, and my mother
pointed out a man to me in Mr. Christie's shop.
Cross-examined.—The man my mother pointed out to me
was standing at a counter. Ido not know that it was the
prisoner. Mother said it was the genie man who had lived
in St Martin's-at-Palace, in the house next ours. I cannot
recognise the prisoner as the same man my mother pointed
omit; Ills so many years ago.
Mrs. Ruth nWen deposed—l am the wife of Cottinghsm
Swan, and live in Botolph-stree, St. Augustine's, Norwich.
knew Mr. Christie's pawiihrok.ng shop in St Clements In
consequence of something my father-in-law sal 1 to me I went
to the prisoner's/muse In it Martin-at-Palace. I bought some
things from the prisoner; it is about fifteen or sixteen 30-ar.s
since, bull aunot give the exact date. The prisoner was em-
ployed at the time at Mr Christie's. I saw him there several
times. My former husband dist about thirteen years since, in
September, 1455. I went to the prisoner before he died. The
prisoner was selling MT when I bought the things from him
I knew the prisoner and also Mrs. Sheward ; she had been at
my shop many timea. She was a light-complexioned w..mali
with golden hair. I never saw her after I bought the things,
nor did lace her when I bought them. I don't know where
Sheward went to live after he lett St. Martin-at-Palace.
Crossexamined.—lt was in the autumn time wheat went
to buy the things, butt cannot say what year it was.
Mr. William Boston deposed—l am a pawnbroker, carry-
ing on business at Orford-hill, Norwich. I know the prisoner.
I was formerly in the service of Sir. Christie; pawnbroker,
opposite St. Clement's Church. He had two shops—a pawn-
broking shop and an old clothes shop. I attended to both
shops Sheward also attended to both shops, but principally
to the clothes show I left Mr. Chnstie's shout sixteen
years since I left Sheward there. I know Mr. Bird, the
corn merchant, who tim been examined. I believe Shesvard
bad apartments at Bird's. I ;lave frequently seen Sheward
write. I believe a letter produced. dated Mardi 24, 1853, is
An his handwriting