GAME LISTS. - County of Oxford.

List (2) game-keepers, not being Assessed Servants, at 3l. 13s. 6d. each.

Pratley, George, by Sir John Reade, Bart. For the Lands and Manors of Chadlington Hundreds.

OXFORD ASSIZES.

MURDER OF JAMES MILLIN.

Henry Pittaway, aged 25, and William James, aged 48 years, were indicted for having, on the 15th of June last, maliciously shot at and murdered James Millin, a gamekeeper to Lord Churchill, at the Forest of Whichwood.

OXFORD ASSIZES.

TRIAL OF

Wm James & Henry Pittaway,

For the Murder of James Millin,

gamekeeper.

From the late hour when our Assizes finished on Friday last, we were unable to give so full an account of the trial of James and Pittaway as the importance of the cause require; we have therefore this week given the whole of the evidence, with an account of the behaviour of these unfortunate men from the time of their condemnation to the termination of their existence in this world.

The Counsel for the prosecution having opened the business (for which see our last Journal), proceeded to call his witnesses, as follows:-

Joseph Millin, the brother of the deceased, said - I am one of the keepers of Wychwood Forest. After my brother died, I desired Pittaway to call at a neighbour's named Godwin, and beg him to come to my house. On the following morning, between three and four, I and others examined the spot. We examined the ground, and saw where the powder burnt the bushes, where the ball had passed, and where it went into the ground. Pratley dug up the ball which entered the ground, and it is here to-day.

Jas. Pratley.- The day after the murder I assisted in apprehending the prisoner James. While he was in custody, I heard a conversation with him. George Pratley said, "It is a serious thing to shoot a man through a hedge." James said, "It is life for life." George Pratley said, "It could not be life for life." James said, "It would be, for if the man was found out he would be hanged." I said, "The man who shot James Millin would be glad he had not done it now." James said, "If that man could not rest till he had done it, what was he to do then? Perhaps he can rest better now then he could before. My neck is but short now, perhaps it may be longer at Midsummer." On the day after the murder I and my father Job, and Joseph Millin, examined the spot, and found the ball about five or six yards from the place where the deceased fell. I handed over the ball to Joseph Millin.

James Pratley cross-examined.- I was twice before the Magistrates before I told this conversation. I did not tell it, because I was examined to another part of the case.

George Pratley.- On the 18th of June I searched the house of Pittaway, and found a bullet mould, which I have here. I have compared this bullet produced with the mould, and I think it would fit the mould if it were not battered.

Job Pratley.- I was in company with James in the April before the murder, at the Swan. James said, "If one man could have an opportunity, Millin would not be keeper much longer." I said, "You would not kill a man for the sake of a deer?" He said, "No, I would not." I said, "We shall not be dismayed at that; we shall meet in the Forest and try that out." I am an assistant keeper.

Philip Pratley.- In the beginning of May last I was at work with both the prisoners in Furley Lees Coppice, in the forest. They were talking about poaching and the keepers. Pittaway said "he would no more mind shooting Millin than nothing, if he could get the chance, and was sure no one was with him; and he was sure there would be murder done this summer."

Mr. Augustus William Batt, a surgeon proved that he was called to see the deceased, and that his death was occasioned by a wound in the thigh, form a bullet which passed through the femoral artery.

This was the case for the prosecution.

The prisoners being called on for their defence, severally declined saying any thing.

Mr. Curwood said he had no witnesses.

Mr. Justice Park, after a short pause, proceeded to sum up the evidence. On this most important case, he intended to deliver no ultimate opinion himself, but to leave it entirely in the hands of the Jury, with such observations on each part of the case as it seemed to him to require. One general remark he could make - that it was a great mistake to suppose that only one man could be guilty of such a crime as that charged, because only one man could draw the trigger; for all who were present aiding and abetting were in law, as in reason and morality, equally criminal.

The Jury consulted in their box for a quarter of an hour and then returned a verdict of Guilty against both the prisoners.

Mr. Justice Park proceeded to pass sentence of death upon the prisoners, but was interrupted every sentence he uttered by the prisoner James, who used violent action, and called upon the Deity to witness that he was a murdered man.

COUNTY MICHAELMAS SESSIONS.

Charles Wiggins, 24, was charged with killing a deer, and also with a previous conviction in 1844 for a like offence.

James Wilsden, who deposed he is assistant of Geo. Spratley, gamekeeper of Wychwood Forest. On the 11th of September, about 11 o'clock at night he heard a gun fired, at Bunstock. Saw Wiggins and John Townsend. It was very moon-light. Bunstock is part of the Forest of Wychwood.

In reply to the chairman: Was about half a mile off when he heard the gun fired. Was about three or four minutes going to Bunstock. Heard the gun in the direction of High Lodge. Townsend threw down the gun directly witness came up.

Mr. Rawlinson produced a certified copy of a former conviction, dated March 27, 1844, at Chipping-Norton, before B. Whippy, Esq., in 12l. and 3l. costs. Bunstock is in the County of Oxford.

Prisoner made no defence.

The jury returned a verdict of guilty. - Six months' hard labour.

SHIPTON-UNDER-WYCHWOOD.

On Friday, the 7th of November, the annual banquet, termed the "Marks-mens Venison Feast" was held at the Fox Inn, Leafield, when a sumptuous dinner was catered by the worthy host, Mr. Smith, at which A.L. Rowlinson, Esq., presided supported by the Rev. Mr. Lot, Messrs. Biggerstaff, Roach, Upstone, Franklin, Kilminster, Willsdon, Cox, Morris, Bunting, Pool, Pratley, Dicks, Basket, & c. & c.

In the Name of God Amen I George Pratley of Potters Hill Lodge in the Forest of Wychwood in the Parish of Leafield in the County of Oxford deer Keeper After the payment of all my just debts funeral and testamentary expences I give bequeath and devise unto my dear Wife Rebecca All my freehold estates situate at Ensham Witney and Langley in the County of Oxford for her use during her natural life but my said Wife is not to be at liberty to create a mortgage or assign those freehold estates And after her decease It is my will and desire that my wifes sister Mary Ann Hewer shall after the decease of my said dear Wife as aforesaid receive and take the interest and profits of my said freehold estates during her natural life But if the said Mary Ann Hewer should contract matrimony it is not to be liable to the debts or controulment of any husband whom she may hereafter marry I also give and bequeath unto my dear wife Rebecca All monies which I may die possessed of situate at the Banking Establishment of Mess^rs Bowly at Cirencester in the County of Gloucester and at the Banking Establishment of Mess^rs Clinch of Witney in the County of Oxford and or any other bank or banks where I may have money but that she is to pay out of it unto my nephew William Thomas Howell the sum of one hundred pounds within six months next after my decease And it is also my will and my desire that my said dear Wife shall have the use of all my plate pictures and furniture during her natural life and after her decease I give the same for the use of my dear Wife's sister Mary Ann Hewer during her natural life And after the decease of my said dear Wife as aforesaid And after the decease of the said Mary Ann Hewer as aforesaid I direct that the whole of my freehold estates be sold together with my plate pictures and furniture and the proceeds of such sale to be divided unto and amongst All my nephew and nieces share and share alike children of my brothers and sisters And also the nephews and nieces share and share alike children of my said dear Wife's sisters but such nephews or nieces that shall not have attained the age of twenty one years such legacy or legacies shall not be paid to them until they have completed the age of twenty one years And I also appoint my said dear Wife Rebecca Executrix and my said nephew William Thomas Howell Executor of this my said Will and their receipts alone shall be a sufficient discharge In witness whereof I the said George Pratley the testator have set my hand and seal at the bottom of this parchment writing and do declare this writing as and for my last Will and Testament dated this twenty third day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty five - George Pratley - signed sealed published and declared by the testator as and for his last Will and Testament who in our presence and in the presence of each other and at the testators request have subscribed our names at witnesses thereto - Witnesses Edward Thomas Upstone Leafield Oxon - Philip Shayler Potters Hill Lodge

In the Prerogative Court at Canterbury In the *** of George Pratley deceased

Appeared Personally Edward Thomas Upstone of Leafield in the County of Oxford Gentleman and made oath that he is one of the subscribed witnesses to the last Will and testament of George Pratley late of Potters Hill Lodge in the Forest of Wychwood in the Parish of Leafield in the County of Oxford deer Keeper deceased which Will bears date the twenty third day of March one thousand eight hundred and fifty five and is now hereunto annexed And he further made oath that on the twenty third day of March aforesaid the Deceased duly executed the said Will by signing his name at the foot or end thereof in the presence of the Deponent and of Philip Shayler and the other subscribed witness thereto both of whom were present at the same time and that the deponent and the said Philip Shayler thereupon attested and subscribed the said Will in the presence of the said testator - Edward Thomas Upstone - On the 27 day of June 1856 the said Edward Thomas Upstone was duly sworn to the truth of his affidavit before me T. Spinks sen^r Stre** - Fred^k Capes - Not Sub^l

Proved at London 3^rd July 1856 before the Worshipful Thomas Spinks Doctor of Laws and Surrogate by the oaths of Rebecca Pratley Widow the Relict and William Thomas Howell the Nephew the Executors to whom Admon was granted having first sworn duly to administer