VARIOUS HEDGES

Attempted murder of William Henry Hedges by

his wife Bridgett

[The Times 28th July 1899]

Bridgett Hedges, 41, ironer, was indicted for wounding William Henry Hedges, her husband, with intent to murder him or to do him grievous bodily harm.

Mr. Symmons prosecuted.

It was stated that the prisoner believed that her husband was paying attentions to another woman, and on June 12 she purchased a clasp knife. She sent a lad with a message to her husband that a lady wanted to see him, and she afterwards went to a public house [The Spotted Cow, Higher Green, Lewisham] where her husband was and stabbed him in the right side of the chest with the knife. She was seized and the knife was taken away from her. She said she was sorry the stabbed him on the wrong side. It was stated that her husband was given to drink and when intoxicated he was unkind to her, and he had been sentenced to 14 days' hard labour for assaulting her. When he was sober he was a hardworking man. The charge against the prisoner of wounding him with intent to murder was withdrawn from the jury.

The prisoner expressed regret for having wounded her husband

The jury found the prisoner Not Guilty of wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm, but Guilty of unlawfully wounding under great provocation.

It was stated that the prisoner bore a very good character. She was a sober and industrious woman.

Mr. Justice Ridley sentenced the prisoner to six months' imprisonment with hard labour.

Bridgett Hedges nee Gallagher was born Queenstown, Ireland and married William Henry Hedges on 8th May 1876 Oxford. William Henry was born in the Parish of St. Clements Oxford in 1856 and the couple had two daughters Rosa born 1876, and Ada born 1878. At the time of the 1901 Census, after Bridgett had served her prison sentence, Bridgett and William were again living together in Lewisham.

Messrs. Hedges and Butler, wine merchants

On 19^th July 1821 Messrs. Hedges and Butler supplied the following wines for the Coronation dinner and banquet of his Majesty George IV:

Sherry and Port - 350 dozen Hock - 50 dozen

Claret - 200 dozen Moselle - 50 dozen

Champagne - 100 dozen Madeira - 50 dozen

Burgundy - 20 dozen

Martha Hedges

On the morning of 18th January 1889 Martha, a servant aged 17 years, fell down the lift hole at the Members' Mansions, Victoria Street, Westminster and was instantly killed. The distance she fell was about 80 feet.

Her death is recorded in the March quarter of 1889 at St. George's Hanover Square. Martha was probably the daughter of George and Norah Hedges (nee Connor) born St. Pancras.

The Prince of Wales a Prisoner

[The Times, 26th March 1860; page5]

Considerable amusement has been afforded at Oxford through the eccentric conduct of a knight of the plough named Hedges, known under the soubriquet of "Lord Chief Justice Burns". It appears that his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, in company with Colonel Keppell, Equerry in Waiting, Mr. Herbert Fisher, private tutor to his Royal Highness, Earl Brownlow, Sir Frederick Johnstane, Mr. H. Le Marchant, Mr. H. Chaplin, and Mr. H. Taylor, went out with the South Oxfordshire hounds on Friday last; but, meeting with indifferent sport, the Royal party, on their return to Oxford, determined on a ride across country.

Not being acquainted with the locality they made their way across the lands of Farmer Hedges at Barton, and, without being aware of the temper of the sturdy farmer, rode into the farmyard. Farmer Hedges, with his usual regard for trespassers, immediately closed his gates on the illustrious party, and levied a fine of a sovereign for damages, enforcing the demand with an intimation that none of them should leave until he had pocketed the amount.

The party at first imagined that when Hedges was acquainted with the names of his visitors he would at once have claimed the Royal clemency; but in this they were quite mistaken, for upon being informed that he was detaining the future King of England, he remarked "Prince or no Prince, I'll have my money." The astonishment of the Prince's retinue may well be imagined, but being mounted and encompassed by stone walls they were compelled to yield to the inexorable farmer, who, added to an "amiable" disposition, is possessed of a powerful frame, and on the occasion in question was armed with a dung fork, the emblem of his calling.

The Royal party, although somewhat annoyed at their detention and the obstinacy of the farmer, made the best of the joke, the Prince above the rest being much amused at the turn matters had taken.

LOOKING GLASS MANUFACTORY,

corner of Dean and Compton Streets, Soho

K. HEDGES respectfully informs the Nobility, Gentry &c. they may be supplied with LOOKING GLASSES of every dimension, of the first quality, at fixed prices; curvex mirrors from 12 inches to 36 inches; also plate-glass for windows, &c. Having every convenience within his premises of making and guilding frames of every description, all orders will be executed with the utmost punctuality. Glasses, &c. delivered within 20 miles of town.

[This advertisement appeared in The Times, 4 January 1809]

WILLIAM HEDGES

Temporary Lieutenant 10th Battalion, Canadian Infantry, Alberta Regiment

[Published Supplement to the London Gazette, 10 December 1919]

Military Cross (Canada)

For conspicuous gallantry and initiative east and south-east of Epinoy, on 17/28th September, 1918. When the advance had been checked owing to darkness and strong opposition, he arranged his platoon to protect the left flank, which was exposed owing to the unit on the left not having come up. Later, he aided this unit when it did come up to establish posts. The same night, in charge of a fighting patrol, he captured a hostile party of eight men and one machine gun. He also drove back about sixty of the enemy, being wounded in the shoulder by an officer, whom he then shot. The next morning he was severely wounded in the attach, and died as a result of his wounds.