The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-01-18
Essex County Oyer md Tcrminer.

| Before Judge Whitehead and a full Bench.
Trial Of Thomas Marsh for The Murder Of The VIE and
Children of Gersham Cheddick, al Nepark, the
might Of the 9th November last past.
For the Prosecution Francis T. Chetwood, Esq, Dis
trct Attorney for Essex County, and John Van Dyke
| Esq District Attorney for the County Of Mddlesex.
| For the Prisoner--Oliver S. Iastead, and William
| llalstead, Esqrs.
| Jurors Svorn-Daniel Reeves, Nathan L. Baldwin, Will
liam Crane Elias w. styles, Daniel Bosworth Charles f.
| Gardner Charles b. Ward Elias Litte Joseph Lee
| James S. Tyre Charles II. Williams, Silas Washbum
| -l2. Fourteen jurors challenged percmptorily-
none for cause
Mr.. District Attorney CHErwooD opened the with
few and pertinent remarks He dwet upon the shock
ing increase of crime in the country and the necessity OF
putting the laws into effect when the guilt OF the accused
has been properly and legally established He then pro-
cceded to state the charge which the prisoner at the
bar stood accused and the principal points relied on BY
the prosecution to prove the They as follows
On the night OF the 9th November last Gersham Ched
dick retired to bed with his wife and daughter aged
about tw elve years and aged eighteen who slept
by himself but in the Shortly after, the old
aroused by the barking of his dog and listening
for moment heard noise but did not pay particular
tcntion to il minute two after, he thought he heard
the cracking If Of fire; he rushed to the bedroom door
and found the flames blazing the staircase prccludng
threw himself to the ground then Selling the ladder lac
speedily possible TO the window, but the smoke
out in such volume that almost smothered him;
he made the second attempt but before he could him
self he fell senseess from the ladder neghbor coming
up the moment also essay ed the task but without
and in few moments the entire building with the
consumed bodies of his wife and children OF
ruins He supposed that his wife had opened the bedroom
door, and was instantly suilocated The family had
but moved in that day at two o'clock, and the only
fire in the house made OF green corn cobs.
which lay smoudeIing the hearth of the back kitchen
The prisoner, Marsh, originally owned the property,
but had sold il to Chpddick rather exchanged IL for
farm, at Railway and in this barter originated the cause
of the dispute Deeds had been made out and deposited
by each in the office of an Attorney, at Elizahehown
and referees we've appointed 10 adjust the difference IN
value. While the under consideration, Marsh
made attempt bride the referees but falcd and the
decision awarded, against Marsh who was adiudged
pay to Chcddick $3.50 The award was handed to
the Attorney, and him too, Marsh tried with bride but
failed lie approached the man in whose house the
Attorney resided to try ard gain entrance into the At
toney office to get possession OF the In every
attempt he defeated, and in his rage he that
Cheddick should occupy the house twenty flour
hours On the evening oftho burning the prisoner came
from New York by the Courtand ferry and while
waiting for the boat he heard TO donouncc the ree
rees. Cheddick and all who had any thing do in the
transaction lie next traced about O'Clock, to
the cars for Newark and about half past eight the fire
occurred The night was bright moonlight Ono ofthe
)as he was proceeding to the fire met him running
from the place where he supposed the fire to be- He
enquired OF Marsh where the fire was-Marsh replied
that he did not know and then darcd through slough III
order to avoid this person second individual saw |
man of the same appearance Marsh few minutes al
this running rahera Hurried manner and he follow
ed him and heard him TO get the morse,
which this person thought was spoken TO person |
near at hand who had horse and wagon waunS Ihese
the principal points in the evidence on
which the prosecution rely for conviction To csab
sh the motive Of the arson the District Attorney said
that proof would be addnced TO show that Marsh had re-
fused To nay the tax collector when called alleging
in excuse that he had sold the property and the owner
had moved in Also that the day before the fire |
Marsh called on the agent the Hartford Com
pany in Newark and effected an insurance the pre-.
misses $3.50 bu, had called at the office since the
burning nor had he sent in a statement Of the loss
By the late law OF the State Of New jersey any person
convicted Of arson whereby death caused is guilty
of murder in the first degree.
ExaMNtrioN % WrrNrssEs.
GEEsHAm CHGppIcK, the husband and father Of the |
murdered family have lived at Plomb point 30 years