Murder at The Bower

Article from the Derby Mercury, 11^th October 1765

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On Monday se’nnight a most inhuman Murder was committed in the Parish of Shrivenham, Berks, on the body of Richard Slade of Sparsholt, a poor laboring man, by one Isaac Blanckett, a disorderly fellow. The deceased was found laid upon his back, with his throat cut in so shocking a manner, that his head was nearly half taken off. Blanckett is committed to the County Gaol at Reading, by virtue of the Coroner’s Warrant. Richard Slade had the misfortune to lose two houses by the late fire at Ramsbury, and having obtained permission to collect the charity of well-disposed persons, had happened to stop at Shrivenham, where, at a Public House, he unfortunately fell into the company of Blanckett, from whence they departed together, and went as far as a place called The Bower, which is surrounded by a Wood, where the above murder was committed. Blanckett is not quite twenty years of age, but appears to be a most dissolute and abandoned wretch.

The knife with which this murder was committed, and which was most providentially left upon the poor man’s breast, is like to prove a sufficient evidence against the prisoner, since it is extremely remarkable; and being kept in hopes of its being known, has this week been positively sworn to by an inhabitant of Wootton Bassett, to be Blanckett’s knife. It seems also, that upon the prisoner’s returning to Shrivenham, after committing the fact, sooner than could be expected, he was taxed with not having been at Longcott, though he positively asserted it. This may probably afford another circumstance, to corroborate his guilt.