ARSON, 1844

INCENDIARY FIRES.--Yesterday information was received at Bow-street that on the morning of the 23d inst., about the hour of three o'clock, some evil-disposed person or persons wilfully and maliciously set fire to a thatched hovel, in the occupation of the Hon. and Rev. H. Tollemache, at Harrington, Northamptonshire. Also, about seven o'clock the same evening another thatched hovel was set fire to in the same lordship, in the occupation of Mr. Wm. Cheney, whereby the hovels were entirely consumed. A reward of 100has been offered by the Hon. Charles Tollemache for the discovery of the incendiaries. On the evening of the 25th instant, a hayrick, about twelve tons in weight, situate in a field near the house of Mr. William Rogers, in the parish of Kingston Deveril, Wilts. was wilfully set fire to, and in the whole destroyed. A reward of 40l  is offered for the discovery of the incendiaries. Also, about one o'clock on the morning of Friday last, the 26th instant, a large wheat-rick in the farmyard of Mr. John Mersey*, in the parish of Desborough, Northamptonshire, was wilfully set fire to and the whole destroyed, with a deal of other valuable agricultural property.

 Morning Post, Tuesday 30 January 1844

* A miss-hearing of "John Nursey", surely!