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Crimes & Misdemeanors
20 Dec 1602 - Thomas. Butcher of Hastingleigh, husbandman,Robert Deverall of Hastingleigh, labourer,
for entering the close of Francis Rose at Aldington, and taking fifteen ewes worth 6 li. (6 Pounds)
27 Jan 1615/16 - Adam Gosham of Hastingleigh, labourer, at Hastingleigh, broke and entered a close and barn
of a certain Richard Hawke (likely to be South Hill) and stole "one bushell of oates" worth 10d.
belonging to the said Richard.[He acknowledged the indictment and was whipped]
28 Feb 1616- Thomas Skilton of Hastingleigh, carpenter, at Waltham, stole "two bushells of wheat"
worth 2s. 6d. (2 shillings & sixpence) belonging to George Harris.
1754 - On 1st August, Eleanor Chadman, formerly of Lyminge, now resident in Hastingleigh, found guilty by
the Consistory Court of Canterbury of fornication in Lyminge, and sentenced to do Penance in Lyminge
Church by wearing a white sheet, and carrying a white wand. She was required repeat the following
confesstion[sic] before the clergy and congregation
'Whereas I Eleanor Chadman have committed the Grievious Sin
Of Fornication or Whordom to the Great Offence of Almighty God and Breach of
His Majesties Ecclesiastical Laws and Evil example to others Now I do here-
Before God and his Congregation humbly confess and Acknowledge such my
Great Wickedness for which I am heartily sorry and penitent beseeching
Almighty God to forgive the same and my neighbours to be satisfied with this
My penitent confession and I promise by Gods Grace to live more chastely
And honestly for the time to come which God grant I may perform. Amen '
This she did do on 1st September 1754 and was witnessed by John Lynden the Rector, and 3 church wardens:
Michael Dreller, Richard Argar and John Rigden. This was not an unusual punishment, there are many cases
recorded of the same or similar punishment for this crime, in several Counties in England.
[The confession was standard wording for the crime.]
1861 - Folkestone Observer - Tappenden of Hastingleigh, assault on Mark Dodd [George Tappenden was a constable
of Hastingleigh at the time, or could be one of his sons]2011 - A man's body was discovered in Partridge Wood, after Police received evidence from a man arrested in London.
The press reported that the body had lain there for up to 6 years. Partridge wood is an ancient wood in the Parish.