Many thanks to Trish Symonds who has transcribed the following articles

Wednesday, 16 July 1800, Sun 2439 –
ROYAL FETE AT FROGMORE – The Royal Family then proceeded across the Lawn to another part of the Gardens, where they were met by a groupe of Gypsies. As they approached their hut, Mrs MILLS, fantastically dressed, and who acted as their Queen, led from behind a thicket two children seated on an ass; here she sung a Gypsy song with uncommon vivacity and sprightliness, the rest of the groupe joining in the chorus; after which she delivered her Poetical Destinies of Good Fortune to the Royal Family.

Saturday, 29 May 1802, Ipswich Journal 3614 –
CHELMSFORD, May 28 – Tuesday last, James LEE, Lydia LEE, and Angeletta LOVELL, all gypsies, and the last-mentioned nearly 80 years of age, belonging to the Nottinghamshire gang, were committed to the House of Correction here, by J. TYRELL Esq, as rogues and vagabonds.

Saturday, 26 January 1811, Ipswich Journal 4037 –
A few days ago was married, being the fourth time, at Norton, near Gaulby, Leicestershire, Lawrence WINSOR, a celebrated fiddler and travelling brazier, and formerly noted as the leader of a gang of gypsies, aged 86 years, to Johanna SKELTON, of Coaton-in-the-Elms, aged 22.

Monday, 13 April 1812, Hampshire Telegraph 653 –
Adam and Thomas LEE, two of the gypsies who were tried last week at Kingston Assizes, for highway robbery, and found guilty, along with William SEWELL, for cutting and maiming his sister and brother-in-law, ordered for execution on Monday next, at Horsemonger-lane. A most affecting scene took place on Saturday evening between Thomas LEE and his wife, on their return from Kingston – she being also an accomplice in the robbery and transported for life. Previous to their being conducted to their separate cells, they took a final leave of each other; and the wretched criminal, the husband, in a most affecting and agitating manner, alternately embraced his wife, and little infant, which she had in her arms.

Saturday, 18 February 1815, Ipswich Journal 4067 –
A gang of twelve vagabonds, consisting of three males and nine females, strolling about the country as gypsies, have been apprehended at Borley near Sudbury, who it seems harbour in St Giles’s, London, some short portion of the year. The heads of this gang are Joseph and Hannah LOVEL; and with them two girls, whom they say are their daughters, called Esther and Susan; and another, a niece, they call Ruth; a woman who calls herself Cinderella BOSWELL, a native of Staffordshire, but travels particularly in Essex; Palfe the wife of BOSWELL’s son, who belongs to a parish in Ipswich, but travels as a grinder. Joseph LOVEL, having about two years ago been adjudged a rogue and vagabond, at Chelmsford, was, at the Sessions on the 13th ultimate, adjudged to be an incorrigible rogue and vagabond, and committed to the House of Correction at Chelmsford for six months; the rest of the party were adjudged rogues and vagabonds, and were committed for a month. Three stout fellows belonging to the gang, effected their escape with their four asses and baggage. Two young chimney-sweeps, who had joined the gang, and who said their names were Henry and John GASKIN, otherwise SMITH, were detained on suspicion of stealing a donkey cart in the neighbourhood of Newport on the Cambridge Road. Some of the relatives of these sweeps have, it seems, been in the “Laurel” Hulk at Portsmouth.

Monday, 12 May 1817, Caledonian Mercury 14894 –
NOTICES RESPECTING SCOTTISH GYPSIES – From a correspondent of the highest respectability – “My father remembered old Jean GORDON of Yetholm, who had great sway among her tribe. She was quite a Meg Merrilies, and possessed the savage virtue of fidelity in the same perfection. Having been often hospitably received at the farmhouse of Lochside, near Yetholm, she had carefully abstained from committing any depradations on the farmer’s property. But her sons (nine in number) had not, it seems, the same delicacy, and stole a brood sow from their kind entertainer. Jean was so much mortified at this ungrateful conduct, and so much ashamed of it, that she absented herself from Lochside for several years. At length, in consequence of some temporary pecuniary necessity, the Goodman of Lochside was obliged to go to Newcastle to obtain funds. Returning through the mountains of Cheviot, he lost his way, until he came to an abandoned barn with a light glimmering through the window; when he knocked on the door it was opened by Jean GORDON. Fearing her sons would soon return, Jean convinced the farmer to give her his money for safe keeping, leaving a small amount in his pockets, together with his horse, which she had then hidden. The sons soon entered the barn and attempted to rob the farmer, but the small amount of coin on him was not worth taking. Next morning, Jean returned his money to him together with his horse, and led him back to Lochside. I have heard the old people of Jedburgh say that all Jean’s sons were condemned to die the same day. It is said the Jury was equally divided until one on their number awoke and gave his vote for condemnation, in the emphatic words “Hang them all”. Jean was present and only said “The Lord help the innocent in a day like this”. Her own death was accompanied with circumstances of brutal outrage, of which she was undeserving. She was a staunch Jacobite and chanced to be at Carlisle on market day in the year 1746, where she gave vent to her political partiality. The rabble of the city inflicted upon poor Jean GORDON no less a penalty than that of ducking her to death in the Eden. It was an operation of some time, for Jean was a stout woman, nearly six feet high, and struggling hard with her murderers, often got her head above water and continued to exclaim “Charlie yet! Charlie yet!”. When a child, and among the scenes which she frequented, I have often heard these stories, and cried piteously for poor Jean GORDON. (This was a shortened version of the article)
The late Madge GORDON was counted as queen of the Yetholm clans. She was, we believe, a grand-daughter of the celebrated Jean GORDON, and was said to have much resembled her in appearance. Madge GORDON was descended from the FAAS on her mother’s side, and was married to a YOUNG. She was rather a remarkable personage, of a very commanding presence and high stature, being nearly six feet high. She had a large acquiline nose – penetrating eyes, even in her old age – bushy hair, that hung round her shoulders. When she spoke vehemently she used to strike her staff upon the floor. She frequently boasted that there was a time when she was of considerable importance, for there were at her wedding fifty saddled asses, and unsaddled asses without number. If Jean GORDON was the prototype of the character of Meg Merrilies, I imagine Madge must have sat to the unknown author as the representative of her person.

Saturday, 19 July 1817, Jackson’s Oxford Journal 3352 –
UNION HALL – Saturday, four Gypsies, named, John, Joshua, Sharensee, and Matilda SMITH, were brought before Mr Serjeant SELLON, charged by MAY and GOFF, for robbery. The prisoners denied all knowledge of the robbery in question. They were, however, committed for re-examination.

Thursday, 26 February 1818, Caledonian Mercury 15037 –
ANECDOTES OF THE FIFE GYPSIES – Hugh GRAHAM, brother of Charlie GRAHAM who was executed at Perth, was, with a small knife, stabbed by his own cousin, John YOUNG, in Aberdeen. These two powerful gypsies never fell in with one another but a wrestling bout commenced. GRAHAM was the aggressor, he drew his knife, but YOUNG wrestled it out of his hand, and laid his opponent dead at his feet, by stabbing him in the upper part of the stomach, close to the breast. YOUNG was one of seven sons and, although five feet ten inches high, his mother called him “the drawf o’ ma’ bairns”. He was condemned. And hanged at Aberdeen, for the murder.
Peter YOUNG, another son of Sarah GRAHAM’s, was also hanged at Aberdeen. When anyone asked old John YOUNG where his sons were, his reply was, “they are all hanged”. I was informed by a gentleman in Edinburgh that this gang of YOUNG’s were related to the Yetholm gypsies, which proves the connection between the gypsies of Lochgellie and those on the Scottish borders, and shows they are from one common stock.
Jenny GRAHAM, sister to the GRAHAM’s already mentioned, was kept by a gentleman as his mistress; however, although he was very affectionate towards her, she left her life of protection and wealth to return to her old wandering way of life. She was remarkably handsome.
Meg GRAHAM, another sister, is still living, and is a woman of uncommon bodily strength, a good deal stronger than the generality of men. She is married to William DAVIDSON, a gypsy at Wemyss; they have a large family, and sell earthen ware through the country.
The GRAHAM’s who were at Lochgellie, the WILSON’s at Raplock near Stirling, and the JAMISON’s in the neighbourhood of Linlithgow, were all, by the female side, immediately descended from old Charlie STEWART, a gypsie chief. Charlie STEWART is described as a stout good-looking man with a fair complexion, who lived to a long age. He was descended from the Royal Stuarts of Scotland, and died in the last 20 years.

Thursday, 26 November 1818, Caledonian Mercury 15169 –
DEATHS – At Sanquhar, on the 16th current, at the advanced age of 102 years, William MARSHALL, tinker. He was born at Colmonell, in 1716, lived about 50 years in the parish of Minnigaff, and for the last 24 years he resided at Sanquhar. He was twice married, and has left a widow and several children. His father, also named William, lived in the extraordinary gang of gypsies, who infested Galloway and the neighbouring counties, for a great number of years.

Saturday, 6 February 1819, Ipswich Journal 4257 –
QUARTER SESSIONS – At Peterborough Quarter Sessions, Newcomb BOSS and George YOUNG, two gypsies, were put on their trial for stealing a gelding, the property of Mr SPEECHLEY of Peterborough. The trial occupied the attention of the Court for several hours, after which, the Jury returned a verdict against both the prisoners of guilty, and sentence of death was passed upon them.

Saturday, 21 October 1820 – Morning Chronicle 16064 –
Two men and a woman, belonging to a tribe of Gypsies, have been apprehended in Kent on a strong suspicion of being the persons who sent the poisoned pudding to Maidstone Gaol, by eating of which the two prisoners, GREENTREES and HEARN lost their lives. It is conjectured that they were implicated with GREENTREES in horse-stealing, and took that diabolical mode of preventing his impeaching them.

Thursday, 7 December 1820, Caledonian Mercury 15486 –
DARING GANG OF GYPSIES – In the beginning of September last, two men were committed to Maidstone gaol on a charge of horse-stealing, of the names of HUGHES and GREENSTREET. On Thursday, 5th October, a basket was received at Maidstone prison, by the carrier from Tunbridge Wells, directed to W. GREENSTREET or GREENTREES. It came from Rowland Castle, near Portsea, where GREENSTREET’S wife, family and friends reside; he therefore received it as coming from them without suspicion. Its contents proved to be clothes, cheese, bacon, a boiled plum pudding, apples, &c. It so happened that the prisoners had just had dinner; GREENSTREET ate some of the pudding and offered it to his fellow prisoners, but only HEARN accepted some. Both men were seriously taken ill a short time afterwards, and continued in a dreadful state until they expired. It being strongly suspected that the pudding was poisoned, it was analysed and found to contain arsenic. When GREENSTREET was informed he had eaten a poisoned pudding, he had no doubt it had been done by a man named PROUDLY. The pudding was given to the carrier by a tall gypsy woman, who had directed a maid to write the address on it. Bow Street was informed of the case, and they sent LAVENDER and BISHOP to Maidstone to investigate. LAVENDER went to Romsey fair, where he apprehended PROUDLY and accompanied him to Maidstone. The prisoner said his name was PEARCE and not PROUDLY; he was however committed. LAVENDER next went in search of the woman who made the plum pudding and was so fortunate as to meet with the woman charged with the heinous act, calling herself Mary BAKER, encamped on the road from Chesham with an old man and woman and some Gypsey children. The old people are supposed to be the parents of HUGHES. LAVENDER conveyed her to Maidstone. She was identified by the maid as having been the woman who sent the pudding. Another woman previously in custody purchased the articles in Tunbridge Wells. The women were committed for trial on a charge of having murdered the two men in Maidstone Gaol. PROUDLY alias PEARCE was committed for horse-stealing.

Thursday, 8 March 1821, Trewman’s 2894 –
DEATHS – On Thursday week, was interred at Piddletown, aged one hundred and one, Mrs STANLEY, widow of the late Peter STANLEY, well-known in the counties of Wilts, Hants, and Dorset, by the designation of King of the Gypsies. The concourse of people assembled from the adjacent villages to witness the closing scene of this venerable Queen Dowager of the wandering tribe was immense.

Saturday, 31 August 1822, Caledonian Mercury 15757 –
GYPSEY MARRIDGE – On Wednesday the 14th inst, was married at Lower Winchendon, Bucks, by the Rev Thomas HAYTON, John FLETCHER to Teanaah BUCKLAND, daughter of Edward BUCKLAND, head of a tribe of gypsies who have long frequented that part of Buckinghamshire. After the ceremony the party retired to a lane adjacent to the village, where they partook of an excellent dinner provided for the occasion, part of which was served on solid plate, and the remainder on beautiful oriental china. The novelty of the scene attracted a number of respectable people from the neighbouring villages, all of whom were requested to partake of their cheer.

Saturday, 12 October 1822, Ipswich Journal 4406 –
DEATHS – Died, on Sunday, at an obscure lodging in St Clement’s, Wm ABBINGER. This person had acquired the reputation of being well-versed in the art and mystery of fortune-telling. He was formerly in the navy, and having obtained his discharge by disabling one of his hands, he associated for some time with a gang of gypsies, from whom he derived his knowledge of the occult science.

Saturday, 16 October 1824, Morning Chronicle 17316 –
THE KING OF THE GYPSIES – On Friday last, an interesting funeral took place at Wittering, a village three miles south of Stamford. The individual whose remains were consigned to the earth, was in life no less a personage than Henry BOSWELL, well known as the Father, or King of the Gypsies, resorting in this part of the country. The old man was encamped on Southorpe Heath, with several of his family and subjects, on Sunday se’nnight, when death put an end to his reign and his earthly wanderings. He had been ill for a few days, but his complaint was really a decay of nature, for the patriarch was nearly 100 years of age. A decent coffin had been provided, and the obsequities on Friday were conducted with great decorum. The body was deposited in Wittering church-yard, where the service was read by the Rev William WING. On Wednesday, the gipsy camp broke up from Southorpe, on which occasion those who had composed it went to the churchyard to pay the last tribute of affection at the grave of BOSWELL, and a very impressive scene of silent unaffected grief was witnessed. The old man is said to have died in very affluent circumstances, and to have possessed estates in several parts of England.

Monday, 1 August 1825, Bristol Mercury 1822 –
ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE – At Worcester, sentence of death was recorded against Fanny and Eliz. DALLOW (mother and daughter, and gypsies) for stealing, near Tenbury, a pony, which though worth 10/-, they sold at Upton-on-Severn for 4/-. They were both in custody before, on a charge of stealing a cow, but were acquitted.

Saturday, 21 January 1826, Newcastle Courant 7789 –
At the Northumberland Sessions, held in the Moot-Hall, Newcastle, on Thursday and Friday, the 12th and 13th inst, John STEEL and Thomas ALLEN (Gypsies) for stealing some engine articles from the colliery at Ovingham, were found guilty and sentenced to be transported for 7 years.

Saturday, 1 April 1826, Jackson’s Oxford Journal 3805 –
SINGULAR CASE – Tried at the Cambridge Assizes, a prisoner named Elijah POPPY, a sturdy specimen of the wandering race called gypsies, on a charge of having feloniously stolen a certain amount of mutton from the premises of John CRISP, farmer, at Swaffham Prior. A shepherd had hung the meat up in a part of the farm for the dogs, and the prisoner had carried it off for himself and his companions. The Jury deliberated for some time when the Foreman said, “We find the prisoner Not Guilty, because we consider the thing stolen, not as mutton, but as carrion, and of no value”. The prisoner was discharged to no small satisfaction of several of his gipsy bretheren, who were anxiously awaiting the issue of the case, but whose skill in “fortune-telling” did not enable them exactly to predict so favourable an event.

Saturday, 12 May 1827, Jackson’s Oxford Journal 3863 –
EXECUTION – James CLASE, better known by the name “Blue Jemmy”, for horse-stealing, and Wm HEWLETT, for sheep-stealing, were executed at Ilchester on Wednesday. CHASE is said to have confessed having stolen not less than a hundred horses, he had been brought to the bar nineteen times, and tried at Dorchester, Exeter and Taunton. In early life he lived as a post-boy at Salisbury; afterwards, he joined some gypsies, and at length commenced those practices which brought him to an ignominous end, at the age of 52. HEWLETT thought his a very hard case as, previous to the commission of the offence, for which he suffered, he had never stolen more than 24 sheep!

Tuesday, 16 February 1830, Hull Packet 2361 –
DEATHS - On Thursday week, died in his tent, in the parish of Launton, Oxfordshire, upwards of 100 years of age, Jas. SMITH, a well-known character, and for many years considered as the king of that wandering people called gypsies. He was the father of 16 children by his wife (who survives him, and whose age is more than 100 years), some of whom are upwards of 70 years of age, his grand and great-grand-children are numberless.

Saturday, 13 August 1831, Jackson’s Oxford Journal 4085 –
DEATHS – At Winchester, aged 70, Robert LEE, who for many years enjoyed the distinguished title of “King of the Gypsies”. Since his seccession from the erratic tribe, and during his residence in Winchester, his Majesty has been domiciled at the House of Industry, from which place his remains were taken for interment.

Tuesday, 20 September 1831, Hull Packet 2444 –
DEATHS – Lately, at his residence at Northampton, John HOYLAND, Esq, formerly of York, author of “An Historical Survey of the Gypsies”.

Saturday, 18 August 1832, Preston Chronicle 1042 –
DEATH OF THE KING OF THE GYPSIES – Died, in a tent on our race ground, on Wednesday, the venerable Charles LEE, the “King of the Gypsies”. The age of this monarch of the murky tribe was not correctly known; they called him seventy-four, but it is conjectured he was much older. He has left about fifty children and grand-children behind him. He was interred in St Ann’s church-yard, followed by ten of his relatives, the rest of the family being absent at the different fairs, races &c., in the presence of at least a thousand spectators, who had from curiosity been attracted to the church-yard, to witness the funeral of so exalted a character. (Lewes Paper)

Tuesday, 16 July 1833, North Wales Chronicle 312 –
HORSE DEALERS – Two gypsies, who gave their names as William RILEY, a razor grinder, and Thomas WILLIAMS, a rag-merchant, were brought before the Court by the Superintendent of Police at Chester, who saw them in the fair offering a horse for sale. A pretended certificate of sale was found in the pocket of one. Committed into custody, while further enquiries are made.

Saturday, 12 July 1834, Ipswich Journal 5025 –
BURY QUARTER SESSIONS – Susan BOSS, 30, charged with having obtained from Robert GRIMWOOD of Little Livermere, labourer, 5 sovereigns, 2 half-sovereigns, and divers other coins, and a silver watch, under fraudulent and false pretences of telling “his fortune”, was discharged for want of prosecution. The Court reprimanded the prisoner and assured her she had had a narrow escape.

Saturday, 27 December 1834, Jackson’s Oxford Journal 4261 –
A few days ago, John LOVELL, an old man residing at Brighton, who has lived there for several years past on the bounty of their Majesties and other branches of the Royal Family, attained the 102d year of his age. This venerable old man, in his youthful days, followed the trade of a travelling tinker about the country, and he belongs to the tribe of gypsies. At an early age he married his first wife, by whom he had issue 22 children, 16 being sons. After her decease he again entered the bands of matrimony, and the second wife gave birth to 20 children, making in all 42, 28 of whom were sons. He is now in the enjoyment of good health.

Wednesday, 4 February 1835, Derby Mercury 5351 –
DEATHS – Died, last week, at the Royal encampment, Bestwood Lane, in the parish of Basford, near this town, after a lingering illness, Louis BOSWELL, King of the Gypsies, aged 42. Many thousands visited the encampment for the funeral, however, it did not proceed as a deputation from the gypsies in Leicestershire determined to inter the Royal remains in the usual burying place, “No-man’s Heath”, in Northamptonshire. A procession was formed which set out with the Royal corpse for “No-man’s Heath”, attended by the Royal Princess and a considerable train, but circumstances afterwards occurred that induced the procession to stay at Eastwood, when the funeral took place on Monday in the presence of a vast concourse of spectators. The deceased succeeded to the Royal dignity, on the death of his father, which took place a few years ago in Lincolnshire, and he has left his only daughter, a fine looking personage, a quartern measure filled with gold for her fortune. (Nottingham Journal, January 30)

Wednesday, 8 February 1837, Derby Mercury 5456 –
DEATHS – A. BOSWELL, the celebrated King of the Gypsies, died on Tuesday afternoon, the 24th of January, in a lane in the parish of Laneham, at the great age of 99, as he himself stated a few minutes before his death. He was possessed of an ass, nearly as old as himself, a camp, an old fiddle, and three half-pence. His family consists of his grandson (Elijah), two concubines (his wife having died some time previously), and twelve children, sons and daughters. His remains were interred by the gang with due honours, in Laneham churchyard.

Thursday, 31 May 1838, Trewman’s 379 –
DEATHS – On Wednesday, Sarah BOSWELL, the Queen Dowager of the Gypsies, died in the Infirmary of the Basford Union Workhouse, at nearly 94 years of age. The old woman was married to the celebrated BOSWELL, King of the Gypsies, 72 years since, and although living out in the open air for her whole life, during the whole vicissitudes of this uncertain climate, had preserved an uninterrupted state of health until shortly before her death. (Derby Reporter)

Sunday, 17 February 1839, The Examiner 1620 –
DEATHS – On Monday last, Dinah BOSWELL, one of the numerous tribe of gypsies of that name, was buried at Bury, who had attained the good old age of 101. She was attended to the ground by many of her relatives and friends, who seemed affected at witnessing the conclusion of her earthly wanderings. Some of the spectators who were present indulged in acts which were, to say the least of them, extremely indecorous on so solemn and occasion. (Cambridge Chronicle)

Sunday, 9 June 1839, The Charter 20 –
CONVICTS PARDONED – The three gypsies, (brothers), named LOVELL, who were convicted in June last of waylaying and robbing Mr GREEN, a farmer, whom they were said to have left for dead, have received a pardon from the Crown, at the suggestion of Lord John RUSSELL, the real perpetrators of the robbery having been discovered, and the innocence of the young men fully proved. (Worcester Journal)

Tuesday, 19 July 1839, Brighton Patriot 229 –
MIDSUMMER QUARTER SESSIONS, TOWN HALL, HORSHAM – Richard BARBER, hawker, 19, and Charles BEARCEY, sweep, 22, charged with stealing at the parish of Bursettow in the county of Southampton on the 28th April last, two ponies, the property of Joseph SELWOOD. The Jury returned a verdict of guilty upon both prisoners. It appeared BARBER had been led astray by the other prisoner, who was of a company of gypsies. BARBER – 10 years transportation. BEARCEY – transportation for life.

Friday, 23 April 1841, Liverpool Mercury 1563 –
DEATHS – ROYAL DEMISE – On Wednesday the funeral of old ____ ISAACS, the king of the gypsies, took place at Yatton, a village about nine miles west of Bristol. There was a very large assembly of the black-eyed brunettes. The ceremony was followed by sundry and various libations of heavy wet, short, and cold without, until sorrow was flouted up to the mirth, and mirth stimulated to anger, and the “funeral baked meats” were knocked about in one general row. (Devonshire Chronicle)

Saturday, 5 March 1842, Jackson’s Oxford Journal 4636 –
BERKSHIRE ASSIZES – John BROWN, Linda JEFFS, Caroline BOWERS and Elizabeth SCOTT, were placed at the bar. The prisoner BROWN stood charged with burgulariously entering the dwelling-house of Mr Robert WEST of Warfield, on the night of 10th October last, and stealing 3 cheeses, a quantity of bacon, wearing apparel, and other articles, and the three women with receiving the same knowing it was stolen. The prisoners, being gypsies, a great number of the tribe have flocked to this town, anxiously watching the trial. A verdict of guilty was returned against all four prisoners, who were sentenced – John BROWN, to ten years’ transportation – the three women, twelve months’ imprisonment each.

Saturday, 8 October 1842, Freeman’s Journal (Issue N/A) –
THE GYPSIES – A short time since, a very remarkable circumstance took place in the New Forest, Hampshire, in the instance of a Gypsy named LEE having been rejected from the fraternity. The spot where the scene took place was at Bolton’s Bench, near Lyndhurst. Between three hundred and four hundred Gypsies, belonging to the different tribes, including the LEES, STANLEYS, and COOPERS, were assembled on this unusual occasion. The concourse consisted of a great many females, and so secretly had the meeting been got up, that scarcely a person residing in the neighbourhood was aware that a circumstance of the sort was about to take place. The offender, a handsome-looking man between 30 and 40 years of age, was placed in the middle of the ring, composed of the King of the Gypsies, and the patriarchs of the different tribes. This ring was followed by a second, made up of the male portion of the assembly, and the external circle was formed by the women. The king, who was one of the LEES, a venerable old man, and one who looked as if he had been upwards of ninety summers, then addressed the culprit for nearly an hour, but in a tongue that was perfectly strange to the bystanders. The address was delivered in a most impressive manner, as might be conceived by the vehemence of the gesticulations which accompanied it. None but the Gypsies themselves had the slightest knowledge of the crime which had been committed by the offender, but it must have been one evidently obnoxious to the tribe, as the act of expulsion among them is an extremely rare occurrence. As soon as the king had finished his speech to the condemned man, he turned round and harangued the whole of the Gypsies assembled and, expressing himself in English, informed them that Jacob LEE had been expelled from among them, and that he was no longer one of their fraternity, and that he do leave the camp of the Gypsies forever. The king then advanced towards him, spat upon him, and the circles which enclosed him simultaneously opened to admit of his retreating from among them, whilst they smote him with the branches of trees as he left the ground. The meeting then broke up, and the parties assembled went their different ways, some of them having come to witness the tribunal from a considerable distance. The whole ceremony, which took place under an aged oak in the forest, was a very imposing one, and being a very unusual, almost unprecedented, occurrence in these parts, created an intense degree of interest among the bye standers.

Tuesday, 18 October 1842, Morning Chronicle 22749 –
SINGULAR GYPSY FUNERAL AT LITTLE COGGESHALL – For some time a numerous tribe of gypsies have pitched their tents in Cut Hedge-road, Little coggeshall. One of the party died last week. As soon as life was extinct, much ceremony was observed. The body was dressed in a Scotch plaid gown, silk stockings, and satin shoes; wax tapers were burnt, and the remains lay in state. Instructions for the funeral were given to Mr CLEMENTS, the undertaker, and no expense was spared to render it most respectable in all its appointments. The coffin was of fine oak, studded with gilt nails, and bore a brass plate, upon which was engraved, “Cecilia CHILCOTT – died Sept. 20, 1842, aged 28 years”. On Sunday last, the funeral took place, and her remains were interred in the parish churchyard, by the Rev W. WIGSON, curate, in the presence of a concourse of between 4,000 and 5,000 persons. The pall was supported by four respectably dressed females deeply veiled, and about 30 of the tribe followed, all dressed in black, the men wearing black cloth cloaks. The greatest decorum was observed by the whole of the party, and a more respectable funeral, we understand, has not been seen in the town for many years. We are credibly informed that in the coffin were placed by the side of the body, the deceased’s watch and a purse of money, for the protection of which a person is appointed to watch the grave for some weeks. The father of the deceased, attributing the death of his daughter to the removal by the police, threatens to take legal proceedings against the parties. (Chelmsford Chronicle)

Friday, 26 May 1843, Newcastle Courant 8790 –
PETTY SESSIONS – At the petty sessions, held at Alnwick on the 20th instant, William ANGUS, one of the travelling gypsies, was brought up charged with encamping upon the public highway, in the township of Lesbury, on the 16th February last. He was fined 20s, including costs.

Saturday, 1 July 1843, Leeds Mercury 5717 –
At the Castle of Exeter, on Monday week, Wharnford STANLEY, the king of the gypsies in that district, was committed for trial on a charge of horse-stealing.

Wednesday, 27 March 1844, Derby Mercury 5829 –
DERBYSHIRE LENT ASSIZES – Wednesday, March 20 – Noah BOSWELL, 24, and Joseph SMITH, 28, (gypsies), charged with having on the 6th day of March instant, at the parish of Beighton, stolen a promissory note of the Chesterfield and High Peak Bank, for the sum of 5/-, four sovereigns, and two half sovereigns, the property of Thomas MIRFIN. SMITH was found Guilty, and BOSWELL acquitted. Sentence on SMITH, 7 years’ transportation.

Tuesday, 10 September 1844, Belfast News 11181 –
DEATH OF THE GIPSY KING – A few days’ since near Beaulieu, Joseph LEE, the acknowledged monarch of that mysterious class of people, the Gypsies. He was a native of Brockenhurst, in the New Forest, and was, it is said, in his eighty-sixth year. He was the progenitor of a long line of descendants, having left behind him a large assemblage of aged children, grand-children and great-grandchildren. He is reported to have died worth a great deal of money. Indeed, some years ago, when Charity LEE was married to one of the STANLEYS, old Joseph LEE presented her upon the occasion with one hundred spade guineas, besides trinkets and several pieces of plate furniture. About sixty years ago he was in the habit of travelling the country around Southampton, Ramsey, Lymington, and Ringwood, as a razor-grinder, and was well known in these neighbourhoods as “Gipsy Joe”. He was the boon companion of the notorious Peter WARREN and Billy DEAR, the two great contraband adventurers. Smuggling, deerstealing, poaching, and occasionally selling a few ponies at various fairs, were Joe’s mottled avocations. In his political administration he was remarkable for one act, which took place in his reign, viz: that of excommunicating, in person, about three years’ ago, a gipsy by the name of Jacob LEE.

Saturday, 5 October 1844, Northern Star 360 –
A GIPSEY WEDDING – Married at Blagdon, September 17, 1844, by the Rev Daniel WHEELER, Matthew, son of Joshua STANLEY, King of the Gypsies, to Martha, second daughter of John BROADWAY, of the same tribe. After the ceremony they returned to the Seymour’s Arms, where the wedding dinner was provided by the landlord, Mr HALLETT, in the best style, and spent the remainder of the day, returning to their camp, on Blagdon hill, at about twelve o’clock in the evening. It is estimated not less than 400 persons assembled to witness the ceremony, and the bells having been set ringing, and the Blagdon band engaged for the union, the wedding day and the day following were kept up as holidays. (Bath Journal)

Saturday, 19 July 1845, Jackson’s Oxford Journal 4812 –
BRACKLEY – A QUEEN IN TROUBLE – On the 12th instant, Patience JUNE, the Queen of the Gypsies, and who has seen no less than 73 summers, was taken into custody by police officials, MARRIOTT and HUTTON, in consequence of her being in a state of drunkenness, and was (certainly very ignobly for a Queen) wheeled to the Brackley lock-up house in a barrow. After remaining in the cage some time, Patience was once more allowed to become a free subject, on her paying 3s.

Friday, 20 March 1846, Liverpool Mercury 1820 –
DEATHS – March 2, in Wincanton Workhouse, aged 95, Dow BARTON, Queen of the Gypsies. The funeral was attended by hundreds of her gypsy subjects.

Tuesday, 26 May 1846, Daily News 108 –
Zachariah LEE, a stalwart gypsy, was charged with sleeping in the open air in Epping Forest, and with being unable to give a satisfactory account of himself. The prisoner was discharged solely in consequence of his having a settled place of abode at Chingford.

Thursday, 25 February 1847, Trewman’s 4235 –
BROADCLIST – We noticed a few months since the death of Gypsy STANLEY and his daughter; his widow has had erected to their memory a large head and foot stone, both richly carved with a long inscription in gold letters, executed by Mr DAVY, statuary. On Monday last, the time appointed for these being fixed, a large number of gypsies and several hundred of the residents of the village were present on the occasion. Thomas STANLEY was the son of the present King of the Gypsies.

Thursday, 11 November 1847, Caledonian Mercury 19727 –
YETHOLM – CORONATION OF THE GYPSY KING – Monday, 25th October, being the day appointed for traversing the boundary of the Common, and for the coronation of Charles BLYTH, successor to the late Will FAA, King of the Gypsies. Charles was solemnly crowned in the centre of the village, the band playing “God Save The King”, and the crowd cheering “Long Live Charles the First”. The cortege proceeded to the Common, where a long-tailed white horse was in readiness for his Majesty, and three or four bottles of whisky were quaffed before mounting. In going down a hill some of his Majesty’s attendants, more merry than wise, kept tickling the horse behind until it broke away from the grooms, and Charles I embraced his mother earth. Fears were entertained that his Majesty (who is upwards of seventy years) was hurt; but Dr TURNER was in immediate attendance; and after feeling his purse, prescribed a glass of whisky, after which is Majesty gradually recovered. He remounted and the procession moved on to the inn, where they were comfortable seated at the festive board of Mrs GOVANLOCK. “The King” was drunk, and the band played “Welcome Royal Charles”. His Majesty briefly responded, expressing his determination to promote such measures as would be most conducive to the welfare and prosperity of his most loyal and affectionate subjects, which were received with deafening cheers.

Saturday, 12 January 1850, Hampshire Telegraph 2623 –
DEATH OF THE QUEEN OF THE GYPSIES – Hannah BOSS, of Bosswell, sovereign of the gypsies, died in Lincoln Union on Sunday week, at the advanced age of 99. She entered the Union five years’ ago, being, through age and infirmity, no longer able to accompany the well-known tribe in their wanderings. The old lady had been connected with the Bosswell tribe from her birth.

Friday, 23 August 1850, Hull Packet 3425 –
LOUTH – BOROUGH POLICE REPORT – Tuesday, August 13th, Before J.B. SHARPLEY Esq – Elijah ELLIOT alias YOUNG, with many other aliases – one of those pests of society, the gypsies, and who has been convicted of serious offences in various places in this county – was charged by No. 2, PATRICK, with being drunk and creating a disturbance in Aswell-lane. Fined 5s and costs, or 14 days.

Saturday, 12 April 1851, Hampshire Telegraph 2688 –
At the Magistrates’ Clerk’s Office, Chichester, on Friday, Henry MIDDLETON and Henry ROY, gypsies, were charged with an assault on Thomas COLLINS and Margaret, his wife, at Pagham. Fined 3/- 12s, and costs 1/0 8s; in default, two months’ hard labour.

Friday, 2 July 1852, North Wales Chronicle 1310 –
BANGOR, June 29 – CRUELTY TO ANIMALS – John BURKE and J. RILEY, two camping gypsies, were fined €2 each and costs, or one month hard labour, for cruelty to their donkeys. Their Worships observed that the whole fraternity was a pest to the country. The money was immediately paid.

Friday, 15 April 1853, North Wales Chronicle 1361 –
BANGOR, Wednesday – POLICE INTELLIGENCE – Obstructing the Highway – Patrick RILEY and J. SWEENEY, two travelling gypsies, were, on the information of P.C. Rees DAVIES, fined 10s and costs for erecting their tents on the road leading from Bangor to Clasinfryn. In default of payment, they were committed to the gaol for a month.

Saturday, 6 May 1854, Jackson’s Oxford Journal 5271 –
WINSLOW – Died, April 25, at the Newport Pagness Union house, in the 101st year of her age, Nanny DRAPER, generally known as Queen of the Gypsies.

Wednesday, 9 August 1854, Derby Mercury 3277 –
“Tye” at the Crystal Palace – That celebrated personage “Margaret FINCH”, the Queen of the Gypsies, who died at the advanced age of 109, and lays buried in Beckenham churchyard, close by, and who held her sylvan court in these parts, is reported among other prophecies and predictions, to have foretold that within 150 years, of which there are upwards of 40 still to run, “Norwood” would be the heart of London.

Wednesday, 19 November 1856, Derby Mercury 3395 –
SUSPICIOUS DEATH – The body of Josiah STANLEY, the “King of the Gypsies” of the West, was found on the 29th ultimate, in the river Dart, near Totness, and was buried on the 3d instant at Highweek, being followed to the grave by a crowd of spectators. Various rumours having got abroad, the Coroner held an inquest, which has been from time to time adjourned. The medical men ask for a post mortem examination, giving it as their opinion that the man had been strangled before being thrown into the water. The police are already possessed of some important information. The tribe to which the deceased belonged have offered a reward of 50/- for the apprehension of the murderer.

Saturday, 27 December 1856, North Wales Chronicle 1561 –
BANGOR, Monday, December 22 – Ann RAFTERY, one of a number of gypsies who infest the neighbourhood of Glanmor, Aber, was charged by P.C. Stephen DAVIES with vagrancy. Committed to the county gaol for one month with hard labour.

Friday, 13 February 1857, Caledonian Mercury 21025 –
“In 1732, recording a conviction by the Judge of the Regality, of some gypsies who lived in a cave and plundered the neighbourhood in these terms:- ‘This day was finished here a very tedious trial of four gypsies, strollers or vagabonds, which lasted between eighteen or nineteen hours, by the honoured Captain HALKETT, James DEWAR of Lassodie, and Henry WALLWOOD of Garvock, deputies of the Most Honourable the Marquis of Tweeddale, as hereditary baille of the Justiciary and Regality Courts of Dunfermline; when on a full and plain proof, James RAMSAY, one of the gang, was sentenced to be hanged the 22d of March next; and the other three to be whipped, the first Wednesday of each month, for one half-year, and afterwards to be banished the regality for every.’ (Billings Baronial and Ecclesiastical Antiquities of Scotland Vol ii)”

Friday, 15 May 1857, Morning Chronicle 28204 –
CLERKENWELL, Yesterday – ROBBERY AT A LICENSED VICTUALLER’S – William BULLIFANT, 24, a dirty-looking fellow, residing at 75 Noble-street, Goswell-street, who described himself as a brass-founder, but who is better known from his being connected with some gypsies and going about the town as a travelling tinker, was placed at the bar before Mr TYRWHITT, charged with stealing a number of articles of the value of €1.5s, the property of Mary Ann NUNN, a barmaid, and further with stealing a waistcoat, the property of Mr Charles FRANCIS, the landlord of the Adam and Eve public-house, St John-street, Clerkenwell. When Mr FRANCIS, who was attending the theatre, was informed that he had been robbed, it caused that gentleman great excitement, in consequence of which he unfortunately broke a blood-vessel, and this morning we regret to say died. Mr FRANCIS, a young man, had only been in the public-house a few months, and was well respected. The person, who kept up a bellowing noise the whole of the time, pleaded for forgiveness, and made one or two attempts to go into a fit. Mr TYRWHITT committed the prisoner to the House of Correction for three calendar months, with hard labour. The prisoner clasped his hands together, and he and his wife made a continual howl until he was removed.

Saturday, 5 October 1861, Jackson’s Oxford Journal 5658 –
MAGISTRATES CHAMBER, SEPT 23 – Hansell BYLES was charged with assaulting Betsy BIRCH at Aylesbury on the 25th ult (fair day). Both parties are gypsies. The defendant struck her savagely on the head with a pint pot, sadly disfiguring her, and cutting a piece out of her head. The complainant having expressed a wish to settle the matter, they were allowed to do so.

Thursday, 26 June 1862, Liverpool Mercury 4486 –
THE MURDER AT WATERLOO – On Monday evening, an inquest was held at Waterloo, Hants, before Edward HOSKINS Esq, on the gipsy woman named Alice Colt LEE, aged 23, who was murdered by her husband, Edward LEE, a gipsy, under circumstances we have previously stated. The father of the deceased, a gipsy, named COLE, of Andover, said that his late daughter and the prisoner went to live together in October last. They were married at Milton Church, near Portsmouth, on the 7th October last, and she would have become a mother in about a month’s time. The coroner summed up, from the information presented he could warrant no other conclusion than that the woman had been murdered by her husband. The Jury returned a verdict of “Wilful Murder” against William LEE. The gypsies are in an excited state, and have expressed a determination to “Lynch” the murderer if they can secure him. (Note: the names Edward LEE and William LEE are as they appeared in the article)

Tuesday, 4 November 1862, Caledonian Mercury 22879 –
AN ANCIENT WANDERER – Last week, says the Montrose Review , one of the Brechin police constables found an old man, named Hugh WHITE, lying at the roadside, near Roschill, in a state of great exhaustion. He was immediately removed to the Police Office, and after warm restorative had been administered, he was able to be conveyed to the Paupers Lodging House, where he now lies. He was ascertained to belong to a tribe of gypsies, if not the hereditary patriarch of a race of wanderers of the name of WHITE, long known in this and neighbouring counties. He states that he is a native of Ayrshire, where he was born in 1761; and his attenuated and withered aspect seem to warrant the conclusion he has seen at least a hundred summers.

Saturday, 25 February 1865, Hampshire Telegraph 3412 –
ALLEGED ROBBERY BY GYPSIES – Mary STANLEY and Mary Anne STANLEY, gypsies, married women, were charged with stealing two baskets, the property of William Charles GODDARD, the occupier of a fancy repository at 71 Russell-street, Landport. (There followed a full transcription of the trial.) The Mayor, at this stage of the proceedings, observed that it would be necessary to adjourn the case, and intimated that the magistrates would be prepared to entertain an application for bail, if competent security could be obtained.

Saturday, 22 November 1867, Jackson’s Oxford Journal 5978 –
ABINGDON – County Magistrates Chamber – George ROBERTS (20) of London, labourer, and John BAKKER of Bilston, labourer, were charged with stealing a coat and handkerchief, property of Charles WESTEN, a carter. The prisoners, who were tramping along the road, took the coat, which had been left near the field where the man was working. The prisoners tried to sell the coat to two young gypsies named BUCKLAND. They were sent to gaol for three months each.
Three tramps, who gave their names as George SMITH of Reddich, boot loser, Samuel POTTER of Gloucester, labourer, and John OWEN of Hereford, labourer, were sent to gaol for 14 days each, for destroying their clothes in the union.

Saturday, 1 April 1871, Jackson’s Oxford Journal 6157 –
THE GYPSY ENCAMPMENT – A ball was given by the gypsies on Friday evening, March 24, in a large marquee erected for the occasion on the grounds of their encampment in Binsey-lane. The marquee was lit up with a number of lamps, and as much comfort as possible was imparted to the tent. COX’s quadrille band was engaged for the occasion, and refreshments were provided by Mr Joseph HIGGINS, Jericho House. Dancing was kept up until a late hour. On Sunday, the camp was again visited by hundreds of the curious; another ball will be given in the grounds on Monday next.

Saturday, 8 April 1871, Jackson’s Oxford Journal 6158 –
The gypsies, lately encamped in Binsey-lane, have left that place for Banbury. They gave a farewell ball on Monday, when about two hundred people attended.

Saturday, 24 August 1872, North Wales Chronicle 2384 –
BANGOR PETTY SESSIONS – August 20, before Col. WILLIAMS, Major PLATT, and the Rev D. EVANS – Sylvester BOSWELL, “King of the Gypsies”, was charged by William THOMAS, keeper to the Right hon, Lord PENRHYN, with being on land in the occupation of Evans WILLIAMS, for the purpose of killing game. The defendant gave his name as William GREEN. Fined €2 and 11s costs.

Saturday, 30 May 1885, North Wales Chronicle 2999 –
GYPSIES ON THE WAR PATH IN BANGOR – Kinsey TAYLOR, Walter TAYLOR, Felix TAYLOR, and Gersham LEE, gypsies, were brought up in custody, charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm upon Charles LUCAS, a carter in the employ of the London and North Western Railway, at Glanadda, near Bangor, on the night of Friday the 22nd inst. The Bench considered the charge against the four men, which included kicking LUCAS almost to death, to be of such a serious character that they were committed to take their trial at the Quarter Sessions. The prisoner LEE asked the Bench to discharge him with a fine, as he had a wife and two or three children to care for. The court was crowded during the hearing of the case, and the wives of the prisoners on hearing the decision of the magistrates created considerable disturbance by their wailing.

Saturday, 12 May 1888, Hampshire Telegraph 5577 –
GIPSIES IN TROUBLE – William BAILEY and Thomas BEXLEY, neither of whom put in an appearance, were summoned by James Sturt EDGELER, of Bramshott, for causing damage to a meadow on the 28th April last to the extent of €1. The two defendants were ordered to pay €3.8s.6d each, or in default, a month’s hard labour.

Saturday, 9 June 1888, North Wales Chronicle 3159 –
CONWAY – Petty Sessions, Monday – GYPSIES IN TROUBLE – William LEE, Ethel LEE, Alfred TAYLOR, and Felix TAYLOR, were charged with obstructing the highway. P.S. ROWLANDS said they had three caravans, and tent, and two large fires on the road between Colwyn and Llancilian. Felix TAYLOR was fined 10s and costs, and the others 5s and costs each. Alfred LEE and Solomon TAYLOR were each fined 5s and costs for allowing cows to stray on the road.

Thursday, 13 November 1890, Western Mail 6705 –
Norton Fitzwarren burial ground has many interesting associations. Many years ago the then Lord of the Manor had a partiality for gypsies. He encouraged them to settle down upon a piece of land which he placed at their disposal, and the rector of the parish likewise made friends of them, frequently conducting Divine service in their encampment. So warm a feeling of friendship was created that after the camp broke up the gypsies bore the place in fond remembrance and those who died upon their travels were, by their ernest wish, conveyed to Norton for burial. Consequently, in this quiet resting-place for the dead are to be found tombstones erected to the memory of the various members of the STANLEY tribe, which claim Royal rights in the race.

Thursday, 15 January 1891, Liverpool Mercury 13424 –
THE GYPSY KING AND THE MOVABLE DWELLINGS BILL – The following unsolicited expression of opinion from the King of the Gypsies has just been received at the Central Office of the Liberty and Property Defence League – “Gypsy Camp, Falcon Hall, Edinburgh, Jan 10 1891. Having been all my life a traveller on the roads, and living the life of a gypsy, as my forefathers have done for ages, I protest strongly against the assertions made by a man calling himself ‘George SMITH of Coalville’, and against the attack on our liberties contained in his Movable Dwellings Bill. Let this man name and produce evidence of any cases among gypsies or showmen that bear out his assertions. I personally know all the gypsies and showmen in England, and I am bold to assert that in health and morality their lives will bear favourable comparison with either that of ‘George SMITH of Coalville’ himself or those of his pet slum-dwellers. Many members of the House of Lords and of the House of Commons have been in my tent and those of other gypsies, and can speak to their cleanliness. It would be a gross misjustice to put us on a worse footing than the lowest thief in a London slum. – George SMITH, King of the Gypsies.”

Thursday, 9 April 1891, Aberdeen Weekly 11288 –
Lizzie WHITE, the queen of the Orkney gypsies, has died at Stromness at the age of 97 years.

Saturday, 11 April 1891, Birmingham Daily Post 10234 –
DEATH FROM BURNS – An inquest was held yesterday by Mr WEEKES (deputy coroner) on Sydney CLAYTON, aged two months, whose parents are gypsies encamping in Queen’s Head Lane, Handsworth. On Monday week there was a fire in one of the tents on the camp ground, and the deceased was left in charge of a sister, twelve years of age. The girl said she fell asleep in front of the fire, and was awakened by hearing screams. She then saw the baby had fallen from her lap into the fire. The mother said she heard the screams, and on rushing into the tent saw the child on the fire. She picked her up, and took her to the General Hospital. Mr HOLDEN, surgeon, said the child was badly burned, and died on the 6th instant from pneumonia following the burns. The Jury returned a verdict of “Accidental Death” and expressed a wish that in future the gypsies would protect their fires by guards.

Friday, 28 July 1893, Western Mail 7547 –
QUARREL BETWEEN GYPSIES AT NEATH – FEARED SERIOUS RESULT – On Wednesday afternoon two gypsies named Caradog PRICE and Samuel RILEY had an altercation near the Corporation Field, Neath, and during the quarrel PRICE knocked RILEY down. The police sergeant later arrested RILEY, as he appeared to be drunk; however RILEY at once became unconscious, and has remained so ever since. He was examined by Dr DAVIES, who said he was in a critical condition and not likely to recover. PRICE was remanded. On Thursday evening our representative called at the workhouse, and was informed RILEY was still in a very serious state, and not likely to recover. He has been badly knocked about, his skull being fractured, and being a man of about 65 years of age, makes the injury of a much worse character.

Saturday, 29 July 1893, Western Mail 7548 –
THE QUARREL BETWEEN GYPSIES AT NEATH – OPENING OF THE INQUEST – The gypsy RILEY died at Neath Workhouse on Friday morning. On Friday afternoon Mr Howel CUTHBERTSON, coroner, held an inquest into the circumstances. Ellen Williams RILEY, a single woman, said she lived in Rhondda. Deceased was her father, and was 73 years of age. He was a basket and clothes-peg maker. Inquest adjourned.

Monday, 31 July 1893, Western Mail 7549 –
VERDICT OF MANSLAUGHTER – The adjourned inquiry into the death of Samuel RILEY was held at the Town-Hall, Neath, on Saturday. The inquiry had been adjourned for the purpose of having a post-mortem examination on the body. Dr DAVIES was sent to see the deceased at 10.15pm in the lock-up; there were no marks of injury, with the exception of a slight scratch on the left cheek. The post-mortem showed there were no external marks of injury. There was a large clot of blood on the brain. Death was caused by compression of the brain, due to a blow. If the man had died from a fit, then the clot would be inside the brain. The Jury found that the deceased’s death was due to pressure on the brain, caused by a blow received by being thrown violently to the ground in the Corporation Field by Caradog PRICE. PRICE will, therefore, be charged with manslaughter.

Friday, 19 April 1895, Manchester Times 1967 –
Local Notes and Queries – Absalom SMITH, a well-known gypsy in the county of Leicestershire, was elected as King of the Gypsies in the early part of the present century. He exercised the vocation of a “fiddler”, in which he greatly excelled. Death is no respecter of mortals, and he comes when least expected. After a merry bout at Twyford Wake (the Saddle Inn), King Absalom was seized with an illness which proved his last. He died in the so-called Royal camp in Freisland, a lane leading from Twyford to Ashby Folville. Dr NOBLE of Leicester attended him, and it is recorded that his fee of five guineas was punctually paid for each journey and attendance. His Zingari Majesty was interred in the churchyard at Twyford, in a grave twelve feet deep. He was buried in his clothes, or Royal robes, and straw and timber were put on the coffin. The coffin was made by John BAINES, a local carpenter, and was paid for by the tribe in new half-crowns. More than sixty gypsies from twelve encampments attended the funeral, and he was interred with all the honours due to his rank, and with, in addition to the ordinary service, all the peculiar ceremonies of the tribe.

None of the following are recounted word for word, however, I have tried to make sure that I haven't left anything out and have tried to capture the tone of the originals, Jackie

The Morning Chronicle, Tuesday July 1, 1845

Concerns: Damon Lee; Zachariah Boswell; Uriah Cooper; Robert Lee; Perrin Lee; George Lee & John Porter

These men were charged with rioting and violently assulting several police constables who had been on duty at Hampton races.

Police Constable, George Grant said that at about 8pm on June 19th he and some other police constables were at the race course, when their attention was called to a large crowd of people and shouts od murder. When they went nearer they found a crowd of between 200 - 300 people surrounding 2 men who were fighting. The police arrested the fighters and were about to leave with them when they were attacked by the mob, who threw stones, bottles and other missiles at them. The police men were then pushed onto the river and nearly drowned. Finally, they were beaten with large poles. Another policeman positively identified Damon Lee and George Lee as being involved. A different police constable identified Porter.

Damon Lee, George Lee and John Porter were given a month's hard labour. All the others were discharged as no one had formally identified them as taking part in the riot.

John Bull June 28, 1862

Concerns: Edward Lee and his wife

A frightful murder was committed near Waterloo, Porstmouth on Saturday morning by Edward Lee, A Gipsy. Lee had left Waterloo that morning in his covered wooden van, accompanied by his wife and 8/9 year old nephew. About half a mile after they started the journey the boy saw Lee struggling with his wife. During the struggle he forced her head over the lower half of the dor and cut her throat. he then threw her body out of the van. The body was then trodden on by their horse. Lee left the caravan and lay down on the side of the road and gave himself up peacefully to the police when they arrived.

Lee said that the couple had just returned from Ascot races, where his wife had behaved immorally with another man and that he had been incited to murder by his jealousy.

Lee was held in Winchester goal. The coroner's inquest held on Lee's wife returned a verdict of "Wilful Murder" against Lee and the paper reported that the "gipsies are in an excited state and have expressed a determination to lynch the murderer if they can secure him."

Undated article from an unnamed paper

Concerns: Thomas Cooper

Thomas Cooper, sometimes called Gipsy Cooper of pugilistic notoriety was charged with robbing Edward Hawkes of a sovereign and other money at last Chelmsford races. Hawkes, a tailor, had been at last July's races and was looking for a friend when he was surrounded by 5 or 6 men. knocked down and held on the ground. Cooper, who was one of the men, held his hand over Hawkes' mouth. By struggling he managed to get the hand from his mouth and shoult "murder". One of the paarty called out "Cut the b------r's throat. While on the floor Hawkes' possessions were taken from him. This took place at about 8 pm and therefore there was plenty of light to be able to see the face of the prisoner. The jury found a verdict of guilty and Cooper was sentenced to death.

The Times 4th August 1828

Concerns: Ruth Smith also known as Lovell

Smith, whose real name is Lovell, was charged with stealing 20 sovereigns from Miss Louisa Pearson of Knightsbridge. Miss Pearson's servant said that aon Monday last, a Gipsy woman, who was very like the prisoner, called at her mistresses house and offeredto read her future for a sovereign. The servant did not have that amount of money and so the gipsy woman took her best clothes instead. The Gipsy foretold a handsome husband, a large familya nd a great fortune. The servant was so pleased that she told her mistress, who also wanted to get her fortune told. (unfortunately I only have the first part of the article - sorry!)

The Times 5 October 1842

Concerns: Jacob Lee

A meeting was held at Bolton's Bench, near Lyndhurst in the New Forest. Between 3-400 Gipsies of different tribes were assembled there. The meeting was to banish Jacob Lee from being a Gipsy. He was described as between 30 and 40 years old and as a handsome man. He was place in the middle of a ring composed of the King of the Gypsies and the patriarchs of the different tribes. This was followed by a second ring, made up of the men present and finally a third ring, which was made up of the women. The king, who was one of the Lees, an old man who looked over 90 years old, spoke to Jacob Lee for nearly an hour. Once he had finished talking to Lee the Gipsy king turned to the others present and said that Jacob Lee was no longer one of them and that he was to leave the camp for ever. The King then spat on Lee and as he left all the others present hit him with branches as he left.

The whole meeting, which took place under an ancient oak tree was a very imposing one and created an intense degree of interest among the bystanders.

Lincolnshire Echo 1902

Concerns: Elijah Pearce; John Brown; Stephen Smith; John Smith & John Clarke

The following were summoned for allowing horses to stray on the highway at Scampton. On April 21st: Elijah Pearce Fulnetby, four horses. John Arthur Brown,Cleethorpes, four horses and 36 donkeys; Stephen Smith, Barton-on-Humber, three horses; John Smith, Grimsby,two horses; and John Clarke, of Grimsby, four horses.

P.C. Parker said he saw six vans with 17 horses and 36 donkeys in the Horncastle-lane at Scampton. There were four fires, which had been made by pulling rails out of the fencing in the hedges. The occupants of the vans were all sitting round having breakfast. The horses and donkeys were straying about all over the road,some of them being 300 and 400 yards away from the vans.
Pearce was fined 8s and 4s 6d costs; Stephen Smith, John Smith and John Clark, 2s each animal and 4s 6d costs; and Brown 1s each animal and 4s 6d costs.

Banbury Guardian, 3 October 1850, page 3
Oxford Commitments. - Job Loveridge and Joseph Loveridge, for stealing, at Fulbrook, a copper scale...

Oxford Chronicle, 22 February 1862, page 7

POLICE, TOWN HALL, Feb. 11. - Job Loveridge, Signet Loveridge, and Alce [sic] Loveridge, all gipsies, were brought up in custody, charged with being drunk
and disorderly and disturbing the public peace at Wantage, on the 17th Feb. They were each fined 5s., which they paid.

Witney Express, 7 May 1885, page 5

At the Cirencester Petty Sessions last week...James Loveridge and Job Loveridge, gipsies, were brought up on remand charged with stealing a coat, &c., the property of
Edward Jew, from the Railway Inn, Cirencester, and were committed to take their trial at the next Gloucester Quarter Sessions. James Loveridge, who is 35 years old, has
spent 17 years and one month of his life in prison, nearly all for larceny, and has during that time undergone two periods of seven year's penal servitude.


Taunton Courier dated Wednesday August 17, 1831, page 5

Lammas Assizes. Crown Court Wm. Hickman, Isaac White John Davies and Catherine Hickman, travelling tinkers and gipsies, were charged with entering the dwelling house of Jas Spear, and stealing five pieces of calico and other articles. The prisoners had been seen loitering about the village of Ubley, they having pitched a tent near the village. The prosecutor’s house was broken open and robbed. In consequence of some information the prisoners were apprehended, and all the property found in a donkey cart they had. The prisoners upon being told of the charge against them ran away, but were pursued. The jury found the male prisoners guilty, and acquitted the female prisoner. - Sentence deferred.

This article was sent to me by Betty Flood Please email her if you have a connection with Isaac White

Christchurch Times - Saturday, March 5th, 1927

"CHIEF TRAVELLER'S DEATH"
Body viewed by scores of Caravaners.

The funeral took place on Monday of the late Mr. Noah Hughes, who was also known as " Sandy Cooper," and who passed away at 4. Pound Lane, Christchurch, on the preceding Thursday at the age of 75 years.

The deceased was widely known over the three counties of Hampshire, Dorset, and Wiltshire, which he travelled in a caravan for nearly seventy years, and he was known by the fraternity of caravan dwellers as the " Chief Traveller," the occupation of these people being that of licensed hawkers.

Word was quickly spread of his passing, and during the week-end scores of the fraternity visited Pound Lane to view the body and to pay their last respects to their departed " chief," who, we are informed, is succeeded by his brother, Mr. Sam Hughes, of Bristol. The deceased, who is stated to have been born on the Town Common, had 15 children - nine of whom are living - and three of them presented him with 36 grand-children, one with 14 and two others with 11 each.

There was a great number of mourners at the funeral, each of them carrying a wreath, many of which were of a most beautiful nature. The officiating clergyman was the Rev. A. B. Bennett, and the undertaking arrangements were in the hands of Miller Bros.

This article was sent to me by John Russell Please contact him if you have a connection

News of the World 2nd September 1900

There has just died in the gipsy colony at Inkpen Bucks a remarkable gipsy named Mary Jane Black, better known as "Granny" Black. She was born in Southampton and was 90 years old. She had a family of 14 children, 10 of who are living and something like 200 grandchildren.
News of the World November 23 1856

Murder of the Gypsy King - we stated last week that the body of an old man, named Stanley, "The Gypsy King of the West", had been found in the river Dart and there was little doubt from the evidence that he had been murdered.

Gypsy Death Customs - Extracts from newspapers
These extracts can be seen at the Surrey History Centre, Woking ref 2570/2. Unfortunately most have no date or publication details
12 February 1932 Gypsy Queen's Last Wish
Mrs Lavinia Bowers died aged 75 and in accordance with her last wishes the gipsies of Botany Bay, Sholing, Southampton burned her caravan and possessions on the common at Botany Bay. Except when she was on the road she spent all her days at Botany Bay. Her family established the gipsey colony there 100 years ago. Widow of Noah Bowers, known as Chalky and since he died almost 20 years ago, she had been regarded as head of the colony.
Sunday Express - no date


The last scenes of the burial of Plato Buckland the 102 year old gipsy took place today in Marlow, where in a chalk pit one mile outside of town, which had for many years been the Buckland encampment land, his van and all possessions were burned according to gipsy rite. Nearly 30 children, grand children and great grandchildren stood around the fire, the old blue van weather beaten, aged, was wheeled into the centre of the camp. One of his sons said the van had been used by the old man for all his married life, nearly 80 years. Towns people came to watch, but did not intrude. The gipsies stood reverently as a man set a match to the petrol soaked hay, the old van was soon enveloped in flames. Mourners circled the fire, calling out tributes to the dead. The van burned for half an hour. "Like the Old Man!" shouted one gipsy. "Made proper and tough to the end, they don't make them, man or van, like that nowadays." The flames roared higher, the roof collapsed and the sides fell, while the old van stood erect and courageous. Then, amid wailings and groans, the brave old vehicle swayed and tumbled in a fire of sparks to the ground. The embers glowed and died. There remained only the gaunt ashes for the wind to blow away. The ashes of his home and his household.
London City Mission Magazine (no date)
St Giles Churchyard Farnborough
Levi Boswell the "Gypsy King" was laid to rest amid the lamentations of his tribe. The old chief was 78. He ended his days at Bromley in an encampment with the Borrovian name of Tugmutton, where he enjoyed the ministrations of the City Missionary. According to custom the dead King wore bright yellow socks and a red muffler and was buried with much pomp and ceremony. The casket half hidden with flowers, was in a hearse drawn by 6 horses with postilion richly covered in purple and gold. "To the graveside flocked gypsies from near and far. Men who had never seen their chief in life; women who loved him; children who in later years will build a legend around his name and the outsiders, a thousand strong, assembled to witness the obsequies of a Romany King." Chals (gypsy fellows), chiefly horse dealers and showmen, broke down with emotion. The crippled widow nee Rhona Lee, known as the Queen of Kent, was a pathetic figure, leaning on crutches and supported by her 6 children, 2 of who are diminutive cripples. The departed chief was one of many in the clan the Boswells and Lees (the two clans have intermarried for 300 years) who died in the faith, resting wholly and consciously on the finished work of Christ.
Daily Mail October 1st 1924
The caravan in which Mrs Sarah Bunce, aged 73, a well-known show woman, had lived all her life, and in which she died, in flames on the fairground at Reading yesterday. She was the surviving head of the family and in accordance with Romany custom, in such cases, her old home-on-wheels was destroyed by fire. A large crowd watched the ritual despite a heavy shower of rain.

The following extract can be seen at the Surrey History Centre, ref: 2570/1
England's first gipsy school, funded by Surrey County Council in a movable building in Hurstwood between Guildford and Dorking is proving to be a remarkable success. Four months work has built up a school with 60 - 70 children who attend in the morning and afternoon and with evening classes that have 59 adults on the books. There are no truants, young and old viewed the Easter recess with dismay and crowded back at the end of the holiday with eager faces. "The children learn slowly" said Mr A S Millner, the school master, to a Daily Express reporter yesterday. "But already a considerable number can write their own name and read sentences of words with one syllable. "None knew any arithmetic when they came, but curiously enough, every one of them could give the correct change for half-a-crown or a pound note, and they understand Roman numerals on a clock. They have now learnt the Arabic figures and can do simple addition. I can teach them nothing about nature. They have names for every tree and know the habits of every animal and how to catch it. One interesting effect of the establishment of the school has been that the gipsy encampments that were formerly spread over a large area have become concentrated round the school.
The following extract can be seen at the Surrey History Centre, ref: 2570/3
An old feud said to exist between rival camps at the gipsy encampment at Crowborough was suggested as the cause of an affray when Henry Carter, George James and John James junior of the encampment were brought up on remand at mark Cross Petty Sessions on Tuesday, on a charge of inflicting grevious bodily harm on Alfred King at Crowborough on 30th October. Alfred Smith, of the same address, was charged as principal and with aiding and abetting. The four prisoners were charged with similar offences against George King and Daniel King. Fanny King, wife of John King, living in a caravan at Alderbrook road said 300 yards and 2 cottages seperate their camp from that of the prisoners. She and her husband occupy one caravan. Geprge King, his wife and 2 children, occupy another and Alfred King, wife and 2 children, a third. daniel King had a tent on his own. Re the 30th October, she said she and her husband and son were in bed about 10.30pm when George James snr knocked and shouted "John King come out". The witness said he wasn't coming out and George James threatened to go to King's son George and kill him. All four prisoners were there. They then went to George King's van and the witness heard terrible noise and screaming, she jumped out of bed and run to George King's van. George James, she said, threw a pail at her son in his van. Her son said "You have broken my arm" and there was a terrible gash on his hand. George James then pulled her son out of the van and he got up and ran away followed by the prisoner and many women and children. The witness stayed in her son's van. Shortly afterwards all the four prisoners and women and children returned. George James threw a piece of iron at her and it hit her left leg. She looked around and saw George James' wife and 2 daughters beating her daughter, a consumptive child of 15. George james later struck her on the head with a piece of stick. She shouted at her daughter to come away and then she saw her sone Daniel laying on the ground and she went and raised the alarm by phone and later went to Crowborough Cottage Hospital. Mrs King said the prisoners blamed her for sending the cruelty inspector to their children, but she denied this. Mr Carpenter, for the prisoners, cross-examined. She said there had been no feud and denied members of her famioy had threatened to kill Carter. Doctor Alderson who examined Fanny, George and Albert said Fanny had a large painful bruise on her left forearm and the Ulna was fractured; she also had an extensive wound on the back of the thigh. George King had an enourmous swelling on his right hand and Albert King had a three inch would on the scalp. He was suffering from blood loss and his back and the front of his right thigh were badly bruised. Albert King, son of Fanny, said he was in bed asleep when he was woken by the breaking of glass. He dressed and went to his brother George's van. Carte struck him with something heavy on the right temple and on falling to the ground he was kicked on the jaw and on the body. Prisoners said "Don't let him get up, kill him." The witness begged for mercy, but he kept on receiving blows until someone said "Here's Daniel King" and they left him. Daniel King said he was awakened by his brother Albert begging for mercy. He went out and John James, with something in his hand, hit the witness on top of his head and knocked him senseless. P.C. Harris, Crowborough, summoned to the scene by George King said he found a piece of drainpipe and a piece of iron with fresh blood on it and a damaged bucket with fresh blood on it. Numerous stones lay between George and Fanny's vans. An iron bar was also found. Smith was discharged as there was not enough evidence. The charge against George King, John James junior and Henry Carter re George King was also dimissed but they were committed to trial at the East Sussex Quater Sessions in respect of the other charges. Bail was allowed. After this case Daniel King was summoned for assulting Louisa King on 30th October, John King summoned for threatening Louisa King, same date. Both pleaded not guilty and both cases were dismissed due to insufficient evidence.