1784 Mangotsfield Murder 'Whereas in the night of Thursday, 31st January last, the house of William Millard of the parish of Mangotsfield in the county of Gloucester, labourer, was broken open by forcing the kitchen window and early the next morning was found lying in his bed murdered in a most shocking manner, there appearing on him several mortal wounds, three on his face, one on his right eyebrow, another on his left cheek bone and on his lower lip, which appeared to have been made by a mattock or such like instrument used in the coalpit.' Other injuries were found on the body: 'a wound on his left breast, broken ribs and collar bone supposed caused by the butt end of a mattock.' A man called Stallard was suspected: 'a thin faced man, 5 feet 9 inches tall, a pale sallow complexion and short straight black hair and wearing a flapped hat and a light coloured coat that appears to have been turned, having offered for sale to a broker in Bristol a pair of old leather breeches and a white flannel jacket, the property of the deceased. 'Whoever will apprehend the above Stallard for any person to be convicted of the murder shall receive a reward of 10 guineas. 'Apply Edward Nicholls, overseer of the parish of Mangotsfield.' Poor Mr Millard was buried at Mangotsfield on the 5th February. Thomas Stallard was apprehended at Points Pool, now in St Judes, but then in the outparish of St Philip’s and taken to Gloucester Gaol for trial at the next assizes.