To this petition was attached the evidence of several of the freeholders, in confirmation of what was stated in the above petition. One of these was given by Mr. Matthew Hutchins, gardener, of the King’s Road.
The above petition was referred to Hugh Cholmley, Esq., Surveyor-General, and William Watkins, Esq., Surveyor of his Majesty’s private roads. The reports from these two official gentlemen were evasive and unsatisfactory, and consequently a second statement was sent to the Commissioners, in reply to the objections. This last statement from Sir Hans Sloane was dated May 6, 1719.
On the same day (May 6) the following letter was received:—“My Lords direct Mr. Watkins to permit the tenants of the lands adjoining to the King’s Road, through Chelsea, to have free passage through the same, with their carts and horses, in the manner they have been accustomed to; and that the ditches which belong to the land, and lately filled up, be opened again.”
The above particulars explain the origin of placing the gates, or bars, at different parts of the King’s Road, and which many of the parishioners at the present time well remember.
Daring robberies and murders appear to have been very frequent about this period, especially in the Five Fields, (now Eaton Square, &c.) and along the whole line of the King’s Private Road.
Mr. Timbs, F.S.A., says, “In the King’s Road, near the spot where is now the Vestry Hall, the Earl of Peterborough was stopped by highwaymen in what was then a narrow lane; and the robbers, being watched by some soldiers, who formed a part of the guard at Chelsea College, were fired at from behind the hedge; one of these highwaymen turned out to be a student in the Temple, whose father having lost his estate, his son lived by ‘play, sharping, and a little on the highway,’ the desperate resources of the day.”
In September, 1753, a Mr. Crouch, cook to the Earl of Harrington, was attacked at night by two men who took his watch and money, and then stabbed him with a knife and beat him till he died. [155]
The following most diabolical and remarkable case of burglary and murder occurred in the King’s Road in 1771:—
On the site of the King’s Parade (near to Oakley Square) stood an ancient farm, which was in the occupation of the family of Mrs. Hutchins for many years. She was a widow, and some Jews it appeared made inquiries as to her circumstances, and considering there was a chance of obtaining valuable booty, determined on robbing the house. In June, 1771, they sauntered about the fields till 10 o’clock at night, and then went and knocked at the door, which was opened by a female servant, when immediately eight Jews entered the house. They seized the girl and treated her with great severity. Mrs. Hutchins went to her servant’s assistance, but one of them, Levi Weil, called Dr. Weil, compelled her to sit in a chair, after which he threw part of her clothes over her head to prevent her seeing their faces, and threatened to murder her if she made any resistance. They then went up stairs to a room, where Joseph Slow and William Stone, two men servants, were in bed, and in a sound sleep. Dr. Weil gave Stone a violent blow on the breast, when Slow instantly started up, on which the others cried out “Shoot him!” and a pistol was fired, the ball from which entered the body of Slow, who exclaimed, “Lord have mercy upon me! I am murdered! I am murdered!” They then dragged him to the stairs, which, being observed by Stone, he made his escape out of the window. They then robbed the house, and demanded money of Mrs. Hutchins, one of them struck her violently, and threatened to kill her. She was compelled at length to give her watch and 64 guineas, after which they quitted the house. Mrs. Hutchins then went to see her servants. She found the two maid-servants bound together; and no sooner had she given them their liberty than the wounded man said, “How are you, madam, for I am dying.” These words were scarcely uttered, when he fell down on the floor, and having suffered the most excruciating pain, expired on the following day, leaving a wife and two children to lament his loss.
The robbery and murder was no sooner known than a reward was offered from the Secretary of State’s office, for the apprehension of the gang. The offer was seconded by that of a much larger reward from the City of London; and also another of £50 from the parishioners of Chelsea.