William Godwin's Diary

Events

The Times for 5 January reported that 'A murder was perpetrated about two o'clock on Sunday morning, in Skinner-Street, Snow-hill, by a gang of villains, who knocked down a Gentleman in Seacoat lane, and attempted to rob him, on which he gave an alarm, when several watchmen immediately sprung their rattles, and ran to his assistance. In the meantime the robbers made their escape down Snow-hill, where meeting another watchman, named Bloomfield, running to assist in the pursuit, they knocked him down (as is supposed with a bludgeon), and beat him so dreadfully on the heard, as to cause his instant death. Three persons have been apprehended on suspicion'.