Person Page - 902

     Jane Stanser was christened on 24 December 1793 in Newark on Trent, Nottinghamshire. She was the daughter of Thomas Stanser and Jane Talbot.

     Jane Stanser was christened on 12 April 1805 in Ketton cum Tixover, Rutland. She was the daughter of John Stanser and Ann Wyles.
     Jane died before 10 March 1826 in Easton on the Hill, Northamptonshire. She was buried on 10 March 1826 in All Saints, Easton on the Hill.

     Jane was buried on 23 April 1786 in Ketton, Rutland. She was christened on 20 February 1785 in Ketton cum Tixover, Rutland. She was the daughter of John Stanser and Eleanor Sims.

     Jane Stanser was born in June 1850 in Sheffield RD, Yorkshire.

     John Stanser was christened on 2 December 1694 in Thorpe Salvin, Yorkshire. Jo:n Stansall, son of Gervase Stansall. There is no proof that this is the right parentage. As there is a labourer John of similar age staying in Thorpe Salvin, my tailor in Wales is unlikely to be the John born in Thorpe Salvin. Thorpe Salvin was created in 1775 from a chapelry of Laughton en le Morthen, but the records begin 1592.. He was the son of Gervas Stanser and Isabel Unknown (Stanser).
     John resided at Harthill, Yorkshire, June 1727.
John Stanser married Hannah Michel on 26 June 1727 in Wales, Yorkshire. John Stansel of the parish of Harthill & Hannah Michel of this parish. John was a tailor, in Wales, Yorkshire. M2.
John Stanser was mentioned in the register of duties paid for apprentices' indentures in 1744 in Wales, Yorkshire, England. John Stancell, master, tailor had an apprentice George Wright of Maltby - the premium beng £8.
Mary Cross married secondly John Stanser on 20 November 1760 in Aston, Yorkshire. Banns were called at Wales 4-18 Nov 1750 for John Stanser & Mary Cross.
     John was buried on 22 June 1777 in Wales, Yorkshire.

     John Stanser was also known as Stancer in records. He was born before 1697 in Thorpe Salvin, Yorkshire. He was the son of Gervas Stanser and Isabel Unknown (Stanser).
John Stanser married Barbara Theaker on 17 May 1715 in St Peter, Hayton, Nottinghamshire. John Stanser was widowed before 6 March 1732/33 on the death of his wife Barbara Theaker.
John Stanser married Mary Cooke on 18 May 1736 in St Peter & St Paul, North Wheatley, Nottinghamshire.
     John died before 10 June 1766 in Thorpe Salvin, Yorkshire. Which John?. John Stanser was buried on 10 June 1766 in Thorpe Salvin. John Stansel. The BTs give John Stamser/Stanser.

     John Stanser was christened on 13 May 1716 in Thorpe Salvin, Yorkshire. John, son of John Stansal labourer. He was the son of John Stanser and Barbara Theaker.
John Stanser married Sarah Matthewman on 7 February 1743/44 in Wath upon Dearne, Yorkshire. John Stancel & Sarah Matthewman [Date assumed from previous entry].
     John died before 10 June 1766 in Thorpe Salvin, Yorkshire. Which John?. He was buried on 10 June 1766 in Thorpe Salvin. John Stansel. The BTs give John Stamser/Stanser.

     John Stanser was christened on 19 May 1728 in Wales, Yorkshire. John, son of John Stansall, taylor. He was the son of John Stanser and Hannah Michel.
     John was buried on 23 June 1746 in Wales, Yorkshire. John the son of John Stansir, tailor was buryd in wooollen June ye 23rd.

     John Stanser was christened on 29 September 1805 in St Peter & St Paul, Sturton le Steeple, Nottinghamshire. He was the son of George Stanser and Hannah Bingham.
     John Stanser and Hannah Bingham were recorded on the 1841 census in Cross St, Sturton le Steeple. John Stancer, farmer aged 33, Hannah aged 65, Catherine aged 30, Elizabeth aged 25, presumably his sisters and mother, all born in Nottinghamshire. Hannah could be his aunt.
     Administration of the estate of Hannah Stanser was granted to John Stanser, on 20 May 1847 in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury The 20th day of May 1847
Administration of the Goods of Hannah Stanser, late of Sturton in the County of Nottingham Spinster, without parents, deceased was granted to Ann the wife of George Bailey of East Retford in the said county of Nottingham Butcher heretofore Ann Stanser Spinster John Stanser of Sturton aforesaid Farmer, William Stanser of the same place Farmer, Catherine Stanser of the same place Spinster and Elizabeth Stranser of the same place Spinster, her natural and lawful Brothers and Sisters and only next of kin.
Died 24th November 1846 Grant dated 28th August 1847 Oath under £1000.
Although this reads as if the administrators were her siblings, she must be their aunt.
     John died before 2 January 1850 in Sturton le Steeple, Nottinghamshire. He was buried on 2 January 1850 in St Peter & St Paul, Sturton le Steeple.
     The administration of his estate was granted in April 1850 at the Prerogative Court of York.

     John Stanser was christened on 5 April 1725 in Hayton, Nottinghamshire. He was the son of Matthew Stanser and Ann Waller.
     In Matthew Stanser's will dated 29 May 1761 in Hayton, John Stanser was named as heir.
Consistory Court: Violation of church rights (dilapidations: rectory/vicarage)
No sentence 1766 — 1771: John Stanser, plaintiff, Churchwarden, Sequestrator of the parish of Hayton (Nottinghamshire)
Jonathan Beeley plaintiff, Churchwarden, Sequestrator of the parish of Hayton; Charles Cartwright defendant, Clerk, Vicar of Hayton.
John Stanser married Catherine Peck on 29 November 1767 in St Peter, Hayton. Married by licence.
He was bondsman for the marriage licence of George Peck farmer of Hayton, bachelor & Sarah Smith of Hayton.

     John Stanser was christened on 30 November 1617 in Surfleet, Lincolnshire. He was the son of William Stanser and Bridget Unknown (Stanser).

     John Stanser was christened on 19 September 1749 in Littleborough, Nottinghamshire. He was the son of George Stanser and Elizabeth Okeland or Hokland.
     John Stancer possibly married Ann Reaynes on 15 June 1778 in Blyth, Nottinghamshire. John Stancer of this parish singleman and Anne Reaynes of this parish, singlewoman, married in this church by banns, 15 June 1778 by me Edw. Mokeson? curate. Signed John Stancer and Anne Reaynes her mark, in the presence of Richard Stanser & George Chappell
No real evidence for this link. The witness was Richard and the John of Sutton is the only known John with a brother Richard.
     John Stanser was recorded in 1811 census in Bridge St, Worksop. There are 3 Stancer families listed: J Stancer at Bridge St, 5 persons - 2 male and 3 female.
     John died before 25 April 1813 in Worksop, Nottinghamshire. He was buried on 25 April 1813 in St Mary (Priory), Worksop. John Stancer aged 70. Although the age is wrong he is in the right place and his presumed son George has a child baptised John the next year.

     John Stanser was christened on 26 December 1780 in Worksop, Nottinghamshire. He was the son of John Stancer and Ann Reaynes.
John Stanser married Elizabeth Theaker on 26 November 1810 in St Mary, Worksop, Nottinghamshire.
     John Stanser was recorded in 1811 census in Lead Hill, Worksop. In the Worksop 1811 Census there are 3 Stancer families. J Stancer at Bridge St, 5 persons - 2 male and 3 female. This is I think John and Ann and 3 children. Finally John Stancer at Lead Hill, just 1 ma1e and 1 female. This is I think elizabeth's eldest brother.
     John Stanser and Elizabeth Theaker were recorded on the 1841 census in Worksop. John Stancer, 60, currier & Elizabeth Stancer, 60, both born in the county.
     John Stanser and Elizabeth Theaker were recorded on the 1851 census in Collinson's Yard, Worksop, Nottinghamshire. John & Elizabeth Stancer, both aged 70, ag labourer & labourer's wife, both born at Worksop.
     John died before 22 February 1855 in Worksop, Nottinghamshire. He was buried on 22 February 1855 in Worksop cemetery. John Stancer aged 74.

     John Stanser was christened on 23 April 1799 in Tuxford, Nottinghamshire. He was the son of Thomas Stanser and Jane Talbot.

     John Stanser was christened on 10 October 1762 in Whitwell, Derbyshire. He was the son of George Stanser and Ann Jepson.

     John Stanser was christened on 1 May 1796 in Kneesall, Nottinghamshire. He was the son of George Stanser and Elizabeth Townrow.

     John Stanser was christened on 27 January 1724 in Rotherham, Yorkshire. He was the son of Edward Stanser.

     John Stanser was also known as Stanza in records. He was christened on 14 March 1722 in North Wheatley, Nottinghamshire. Johannes Stanza, Gervisi & Anna. He was the son of Gervas Stanser and Ann (?) (Stanser).
     John died before 1735.

     John Stanser was also known as Stanzer in records. He was christened on 13 November 1709 in Blyth, Nottinghamshire. John, son of Peter Stanzer of Norney. He was the son of Peter Stanser and Mary Downhill.

     John Stanser was christened on 4 July 1779 in Sutton cum Lound, Nottinghamshire. He was the son of Richard Stanser and Ann Barton.
     John died before 22 May 1785 in Sutton cum Lound, Nottinghamshire. He was buried on 22 May 1785 in Sutton cum Lound.

     John Stanser was also known as Stancer in records. He was born on 28 February 1758 in London. He was christened on 12 March 1758 in St Martin in the Fields, Westminster. He was the son of George Stanser and Hannah Hodgons.

     John Stanser's birth was registered in the quarter ending in March 1877 in Sturton le Steeple, East Retford RD, Nottinghamshire. He was the son of George Stanser and Harriett Booth. John Stanser was christened on 4 March 1877 in Sturton le Steeple. Mary, John, James and Hannah were listed as the children of George Stanser in the 1881 census in Freemans Lane, Sturton le Steeple.
     John Stanser was recorded on the 1901 census in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire. John Stanser, 24, servant (boarder crossed out), chemist & druggist, worker, born Sturton, in the house of the Burrows brothers, chemists & druggists.
     John Stanser was recorded on the 1911 census in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire. John Stanser, 34, single, chemist shop assistant, born Sturton-le-Steeple, was a visitir in the household of Frederick George Barnes, a general dealer.

     John Stanser was also known as Stanzer in records. John Stanser was also known as Stansell in records. He was born say 1675.
John Stanser married Mary Wainwright before 1700.

     John Stanser was also known as Stancell in records. John Stanser was also known as Stanzer in records. He was born say 1745.
John Stanser married Hannah Ogden on 24 December 1767 in Worsbrough, Yorkshire.

     John Stanser was also known as Stancel in records. He was christened on 11 March 1791 in Worsbrough, Yorkshire. He was the son of Matthew Stanser and Mary Cook.

     John Stanser was born before 1720.
John Stanser married Martha Cardale on 12 November 1741 in Braithwell, Yorkshire. John Stanser & Martha Cardale, both of this parish: certificate from Mr Hall, curate of Edlinton.
     John died before 17 September 1745 in Edlington, Yorkshire. This may be a son.

     John Stanser was also known as Stansar in records. John Stanser was also known as Stancer in records. He was born circa 1775? In Rutland. His age at death was 53 which suggests a birth before March 1775. He was the son of John Stanser and Eleanor Sims. John Stanser was christened on 2 May 1778 in Ketton cum Tixover, Rutland.
John Stanser married Ann Wyles on 17 July 1801 in Easton on the Hill, Northamptonshire. John Stansar of this parish & Ann Wyles of Ketton, Rutland, by licence.
     John died before 25 March 1828 in Easton on the Hill, Northamptonshire. He was buried on 25 March 1828 in Easton on the Hill.

     John Stanser was christened on 8 July 1810 in Ketton, Rutland. He was the son of John Stanser and Ann Wyles.
-He was implicated in the murder of Elizabeth Longfoot and ran away.
6th March 1838: Murder at Easton-on-the-Hill. Elizabeth Longfoot was murdered between three and four o'clock on the morning of Tuesday, 6th March. She was an eccentric woman, described as "old", but still in her forties.
Henry Goddard, the Bow Street Runner, was called into Northamptonshire for the second time, to work on the case. In 1842 he was to become the first Chief Constable of Northamptonshire. His memoirs are not very helpful toa modern student, because, writing many years later, his memory was at fault, and he made mistakes. The body of Elizabeth was not found floating "on the surface" of a well. She was found lying behind her kitchen door.
Much of the evidence is confused and confusing, because of the attempts to induce the accused men to testify against one another, and the consequent accusations and counter accusations. In fact the prosecution case was bungled, as will be seen.
The events of the morning of the crime will be reserved until the account of the trial, in which Easton-on-the-Hill villagers gave their eye-witness testimony. A report in 'The Times' says that magistrates questioned over a dozen suspects and released them all except three brothers named Archer, who were released on the following day when Andrew Porter, a baker, was arrested. One of the Archer brothers, John, was eventually charged. Goddard says that he was the only officer in town when the messenger arrived at the Bow Street office to request assistance. He travelled by the night mail and arrived at Stamford early the next morning. He met William Read, the senior police officer of the Borough of Stamford, and together they went to Easton to see the scene of the crime. They measured footprints, but Goddard says that the size of them caused them to suspect a large-footed "lay-about" named Stancer, whereas, Read said that the foot-prints led them to John Archer. Goddard goes on to say that Stancer's sister reported him missing since the murder. He and Read trailed the fugitive from Easton to Bourne, Gosperton, Deeping, Peterborough, Spalding, and finally Uppingham, where he was arrested, with money in his possession. On being lodged in Oundle bridewell, and charged with being accessory to murder, Stancer admitted that he was present when the murder had been done, but that the murderers were Jack Archer and Richard Woodward. Goddard and Read set off on the trail of Archer and Woodward, through Weedon, Crick, Colly Weston, Barnack, Market Deeping, Duddington, and finally back to Easton-on-the-Hill, where they were found and arrested. The two prisoners were placed in different lock-ups, Stamford and Oakham, "so that there should be no communication". Woodward asked Goddard who had given the evidence against him, and was told that it was Stancer. He admitted that he had been concerned in robbing the woman's house, but not in murdering her. He said that he was a bricklayer by trade, and wanted money to "take him to America". His only part in the murder, he said was to force the back door open with a mortar chisel.
Before the magistrates, Stancer was admitted as an approver (one who gives King's evidence), and the other two were committed for trial at the next Northampton Assizes.
The 'Lincoln Gazette' of 5th May 1838 carried the following report: "John Stansor [sic], a labourer, who absconded from the village [of Easton-on-the-Hill] on the morning of the murder of Elizabeth Longfoot... has been taken into custody. He was discovered concealed at Willow Hall near Peterborough, and has made a voluntarty confession implicating himself and ... John Archer and Richard Woodward, both of Easton, in the robbery and murder.... He stated that the two men and himself having framed the design to rob her, they also determined on murdering her to prevent the possibility of her appearing against them in a court of justice. The hour of four o'clock on the morning of the 6th March having been fixed upon, they went to the house, and were proceeding to remove some boards when she was alarmed by the noise, and she suddenly opened the door of the house and ran into the street crying 'Murder, thieves'. She returned however, almost immediately, to the house,and just as she was going to the window of the wash-house, Archer rushed from a dark nook close by and knocked the old woman down. He pressed his knuckles against her throat, and after a short struggle, she was dead. Woodward then took a 'plough-line' from his pocket and having fastened it round the neck of the deceased, they houled the body into the house, and shut and locked the door. They then secured the money, silver spoons and other things, left the house by the back way, and divided the plunder at a pond in an adjoining field. Woodward admitted that the statement made by Stansor, which was repeated in his presence, was correct, and seemed to think that he had some right to expect mercy, as his was not the hand that accomplished the murder. Archer stongly denied his guilt.
After the magistrates had heard all the evidence the three prisoners were committed to take their trial for murder at the Assizes."
At the Summer Assizes at Northampton on 17th July, there was a surprise. Woodward, Archer and Stansor were brought up, but instead of pleas being heard, an affidavit was read. "Mr Farrant, a surgeon," and William Read, the Stamford constable, had been on their way to the Assizes in a gig, when the horse fell. Read had broken his arm and was "otherwise so severely injured to render his attendance impossible." The prisoners were remanded till the next Assizes. Whether the affidavit was at fault, or, more likely, the 'Northampton Mercury' reporter, the information was incorrect. "Farrant" was not a surgeon: he was Farrer, the Magistrates' Clerk who was to testify that he had taken down Stansor's deposition. He and Read were, of course, vital prosecution witnesses. The surgeon was almost certainly the one who signed the affidavit to certify their incapacity. The case did not come up at the next Assizes, perhaps because the two injured witnesses had not recovered. The postponement was for eight months, the case eventually coming before Lord Denman at Northamptonshire Lent Assizes on 4th March 1839. The case took all day, and according to Goddard was still being heard at eight o'clock in the evening. Richard Woodward and John Archer only were on trial, althought John Stansor was produced to give evidence for the prosecution, during the course of which he said that he had been charged with the murder. The first witness was H. Broughton: "I live at Easton ...and I knew Mrs Longfoot. She lived near me and was about 40 or 50 years old .... She was a person of eccentric habits, and for the last few months appeared to be deranged. She had an orchard and used to sell the fruit. The boys used to annoy her...." (Broughton kept a boarding school for young gentlemen, and he was referring to his pupils.) "I have heard her raving and abusing in the street. I heard her being murdered on Tuesday morning, March 6th. I live abour 80 or 90 yards from the spot. I heard her cry out, about a quarter to four that morning. She was raving in the street in her habitual way, and I did not think anything of it".
John Hudson: I live at Easton....I heard her cry "murder" three times on the morning of March 6th.... My daughter was in the room with me, and went to the window.
Lawrence Thompson: I live opposite the house of the deceased.... On the morning of the murder, a little before four o'clock, I heard a woman cry our "Murder!" three times. I got up and dressed myself in about four minutes, not putting on my stockings. I went to the window and opened it. I heard a noise like vomiting. My brother went with me to Mrs Longfoot's gate, which we found locked ... There is a yard between the gate and the door, in with there is a well. There was a hay stack.... I heard a key turned in the door. I remained about three minutes, and then went to the window shutters of the bottom room, in the street. I saw a light within the house, and went across the road to a high piece of ground whence we could see a light in the upper room.... I left my
brother watching, whilst I went to feed my horses.
Richard Thompson confirmed his brother's evidence, and added: "I waited at the door about five minutes, and then went to Mrs Eaton's wash-house, where I saw the washerwoman. I went to bed and got up about a quarter to seven o'clock, when people were running to Mrs Longfoot's. I went, and saw her lying dead on her back just within the door. About the entrance to the door, near the deceased's feet, there were marks of blood and the print of a man's knee."
Sarah Claypole: I live at Easton, and knew the deceased. I was going to work at Mr Broughton's in the morning of the murder, about half past six o'clock. I saw her pattens and a shoe in the yard, just within the gate. I mentioned this at Mr Broughton's, and Anne Wild and James Newman went back with me. Anne Wild said, "Poor creature, here she lies!" I saw marks outside the door, on the slab, as if she had been drawn through the dirt into the house.
Pattens were wooden shoe soles raised on slats, used to slip on when walking through mud as found in unpaved streets.
From Sarah Claypole's evidence, Anne Wild was the one who found the body. This is her testimony:
"I am a widow.... I went back with Sarah Claypole to Mrs Lightfoot's, and found Newman listening at the door. I picked up the shoe and pattens, and seeing the key inside the door, I put my hand on the latch, and the door opened. I saw the body with feet towards the door, and the face towards the window.... The bonnet and cap were pushed quite back. I moved the head, and blood trickled from the left side of the face.
There were marks of blood outside, and the print of the knee of corded breeches.... The place was in great disorder, and a bunch of keys was hanging in a drawer. The beds did not appear to have been slept in.... There was a half-burnt candle in a candle-stick on the stairs. Next day I observed black places on the neck, as if made by pressure of knuckles. By "next day", Anne Wild meant at the inquest. She had not quite finished at the trial: she was re-called after a recess to answer a question about the scene of the murder. "An hour or two after I had been at the deceased woman's, I saw the door of the back kitchen open."
The Easton-on-the-Hill constable, Thomas Allen, gave an account of his visit to the scene of the crime. Then he was cross-examined by Mr Miller who was representing the prisoner Woodward. He agreed that he had not known the whereabouts of Stansor until Woodward had told him that he might be found at Bourne. He said that a warrant was out against Stansor -- for poaching.
The next witness was Mark Wilson Jackson, a Stamford surgeon:- "I saw the body lying on a table in the room next the kitchen. The side and head were bloody. Next day, before the Coroner, I examined the body. I found a wound, half an inch long and a quarter inch thick, on the left side of the head. It was in incised wound, as if from the sharp end of a mason's hammer or a mortar chisel. This wound might have knocked her down, but could not have killed her. On the right side of the neck and lower jaw, there were the marks of a man's fist, such as, by long pressure, would cause suffocation. I opened the body, and found the lungs distended, and full of black blood, which would result from strangulation...."
William Read, "Chief Constable" of Stamford was called. He was at the house at eight o'clock, and examined the knee mark in the blood.
"The woodwork of the kitchen window seemed to have been taken out by a chisel. I examined Whitehead's premises, which are much lower down than those of the deceased. There is a wall between the haystack and the yard, and these premises. Near the haystack, I saw footmarks of one man, as if he had come over the wall. I measured the footmarks and examined the shoes of the prisoners. Archer's feet correspond in size, but there were marks of nails, but no nails in his shoes. I got the shoes from his house, and his mother said they were his Sunday shoes. In consequence of having intercepted a letter, I took the prisoner into custody on Wednesday, April 4th, at Willow Hall in the county of Cambridge."
Mr Miller, for the defence: How long after the murder was it that you compared Archer's shoes with the marks?
Read: I compared them on the day after the murder.
Miller: What did you say to Stansor about his being admitted to Queen's evidence?
Read: I never said anything to him.
Many expected Stansor's evidence to be decisive. He was the next to give evidence.
John Stansor: I am brought out of gaol to give evidence against the prisoners. I have been charged with the murder myself. I have known the prisoners ever since they were lads. About a fortnight before the murder, I saw them at the opening of the Fox and Hounds, on Friday night. Woodward said, "Stansor, I want you to go along with Archer and me, to do old Tetty." I said "No, I won't have nothing to do with it. It's a comical job...." Archer came up .... and after a good deal of persuasion I agreed to go [They drank together, and then Stansor drank with others.] We went up the street and the clocks were striking three. Woodward pulled a chisel from his pocket, and said that would do to open the boxes .... We took the casement out with it, and Mrs Longfoot came to the window and [shouted] .... She then came out into the yard, and swore and blustered about, whilst we hid behind the haystack. Samuel Mitchell passed, and asked what was the matter. She told him to go on; it was nothing to do with him. We parted that morning, and on the Wednesday following, Woodward [renewed the proposition] .... About nine o'clock on the night of the murder, I saw Woodward and Archer. Archer refused to go and drink in the public house,telling Woodward that he would come when it was time to go, and say "Robin Hood, come out". I went to my sister's and lay down. It was three o'clock when Woodward came and rolled a stone against the door. Two sisters of mine, and a brother, were upstairs. He opened the gate, and propped it open with a stone, and told me to stay and watch. Archer put his head through the window, but he could not get in. Woodward did. He got in, and went to the door, and called, "Tetty". She came downstairs and went into the street, shouting and swearing. I stood against the haystack. The others were by the well. She could not see us. She locked the door and took the key with her.... When she came against the window, Archer knocked her down with his left hand, and Woodward struck her with the chisel. Archer fell on her and throttled her. He was kneeling on her, and she was gurgling in the throat as if she was sick. Woodward put a cord round her neck, and took the key out of her pocket, and unlocked the door. Archer pulled her into the house with the cord. I was going away [but] ... Archer cursed me for my cowardice.... I went in, and as soon as the door was locked, we heard persons come.... I followed the others upstairs with a candle. It was burning on the table when we got in. Woodward drew the curtains in the upper room. He took the keys out of Mrs
Lightfoot's pocket, and opened the drawer. There were sovereigns in it. Archer put these in his right hand pocket. We found money and bills in other drawers, which Woodward and Archer pocketed. Woodward saw two persons crossing the road.... He took the cord off her neck, and as we went out, Archer pointed to the body and said, "There the old bitch lies." Woodward said, "If it weren't so late, we would throw her into the well, and then it would be thought she killed herself." We all three went into a close called the Brook, and divided the money. I got three sovereigns and five shillings. On the same morning, I went to Bourne and stayed three days. Woodward came to me on the Saturday,and threatened to murder me if I got found out by changing the sovereigns. He told me to go in search of a job, and to keep out of the way because Archer was already taken up. I quitten Bourne and wandered about a hundred miles, going by the name of Thomas Islip. I was taken at Peterborough on suspicion of this murder.... On the following Tuesday, I confessed.
Thomas Masters: I know the prisoners, and Stansor. I was at the opening of the Fox and Hounds. I saw them there ...
Samuel Mitchell: After the opening of the Fox and Hounds, I went home about half past three in the morning. I saw Mrs Longfoot near her house, storming in the street.... I gound a stick on the morning of the murder, near the spot....[a stick produced].
Thomas Messam: I live at Tolthorpe....I saw Stansor and Woodward together at Bourne.
Henry Goddard: I am a Bow Street officer, and I was sent for in consequence of this murder. I saw Woodward on 12th April in stamford gaol. He said, "If you can promise a free pardon, I'll tell you about the murder at Easton. I said that was out of my power.... He then made a disclosure to me, and afterwards... before the magistrates.
At this point, Goddard was stopped from saying anything further about Woodward's statement. The reason would have been that the most acceptable evidence was the statement itself. Goddard left the witness box and his place was taken by the Clerk to the Stamford magistrates.
Nathaniel Farrant: I am Clerk to the magistrates...at Stamford. The examination of Woodward took place on 12th April. No promise or inducement was held out. The statement (referred to as "The Examination") was handed to Farrant and he read it. It referred to Woodward's visit to Stansor at Bourne, but described it as a "meeting". It alleged that Stansor told him how he had murdered Mrs Longfoot alone and kept all the money himself. It said that the incident Woodward had asked Stansor not to mention was the attempted robbery, earlier, in which he, Stansor and Archer had been involved.
Henry Goddard, re-called:- This was subsequent to the examination of Stansor.... On April 14th, I saw Woodward again, in custody, and he told me that..... he and Archer went with a ladder to Mrs Longfoot's house. They raised it in the street, but failed to get in through a window. They agreed that they would have to murder her to rob her.
...Woodward confessed to participating in the murder, and said that Stansor's statement was true...
Richard Whitehead: I am a farmer at Easton. Some days before the murder, I missed a ladder from my stack-yard. I saw it about a week later in Mr Phillips' yard.
William Brown: I was in Northampton gaol on 6th April, for cutting down some poles.
Archer and Woodward were brought into the yard I was in. Archer spoke of the murder. When Mrs Longfoot came in he stood behind the gate, he aimed a blow at her, but missed. Woodward struck her, and then again with the chisel. Woodward put a cord round her neck and dragged her indoors. Her shoe and patten came off ... Woodward took what he could find upstairs. Stansor remained in the yard. He had five sovereigns and five shillings. They left in different directions.....These particulars were ralated to me at different times in the prison-yard. I saw Woodward in July, in the "Glory Hole". I was there for stealing Mr Morton's ducks. He showed me a letter, and he told me, as a secret, that he had a double-barrelled gun hidden under a stack.
Woodward was in Number eleven, and I was in Number ten. We used to talk to each other between the iron rails. Woodward said he had some money in a hole in Mr Rayson's grounds, and some sovereigns in the ceiling of his brother's house.
Mr Miller, for the defence, cross-examining: Have you heard of a reward of a hundred pounds for the conviction of the prisoners?
Brown: I have.
Miller: My Lord, I should like to have Allen, the constable of Easton-on-the-Hill re-called. The parish constable took position in the witness box.
Miller: Did you search Woodward's house at Easton?
Thomas Allen: I did.
Miller: Did you search the roof?
Allen: I searched the roof, but found no money.
Miller addressed the jusry. His "eloquent, fervid and effective" speech endured for four hours. One of the important points he raised was whether it was possible for prisoners in Northampton gaol to communicate with each other in the manner described by William Brown. Lord Denman, the judge, edidently took this point, and although it was late in the day, he sent for the Governor of the gaol before commencing his summing up. Mr Grant, the Governor of the prison was present in Court when Denman finished.
Grant: It is impossible that the prisoners in their cells could converse in whispers. They would need to speak as loud as I am now giving evidence, and there is an officer continually on duty, so they must surely be heard, and would be liable to punishment in close confinement.
Henry Goddard, in his memoirs, says that the jury had a "long retirement" but they were in consultation for a short time. They found both prisoners not guilty. Goddard says that the verdict caused "surprise and astonishment" to the Judge and "everyone in court". He also tells us that later inquiries proved that prisoners in Northampton gaol were fully able to communicate with one another in the manner described by Brown. The modern reader may well decide however, that the prosecution was using Stansor to "frame" Woodward and Archer. That is certainly what the defence council, Miller, wanted the jury to believe.
Patrick Pringle, the editor of Henry Goddard's memoirs, quotes the "Annual Register" description of the reaction to the verdict in Easton-on-the-Hill. The inhabitants were called to assemble by "the call of a drum", and attacked Archer's house. His furniture was smashed and scattered in fragments in the streets. Woodward's property was subjected to similar treatment. The uproar did not abate until after midnight, but the villagers were unable to find either Archer or Woodward.

     John Stanser was also known as Stansor in records. He was born before 1750. He may be the John baptised at Duddington in 1743.
     John resided at Rutland, between 1769 and 1785.
John Stanser married Eleanor Sims on 1 April 1769 in Ketton cum Tixover, Rutland.
     John was buried on 1 October 1801 in Ketton, Rutland. John Stanser - but which?

     John Stanser was born say 1750. He may be the John baptised at Duddington in 1743.
John Stanser married Elizabeth Unknown before 1775.