Rebecca Tooley

Rebecca Tooley of Totness was found dead in a ditch in a field on 11 august 1843. Her head had been smashed.

She was found by a boy who was gathering ferns in the field an a hill near the Broadhempston and Denbury Road about a quarter mile from Ashburton. Her body was in a ditch by a hedge covered in some hedge cuttings or broil. she was lying on her face with her bonnet off and was quite stiff. There was a large wound to the right side of her head above the ear, another to the left and a deep wound to the forehead. Her eyes were swollen and nearly close with blows and the face was otherwise mutilated and bloody. When the surgeon examined her he found that all the ribs on her left side were broken as though someone had jumped on her to finish the deed.

A man and a women were taken into custody but it doesnt look as though they were indicted for trial but it was confirmed that there were great grounds for suspicion against one of them.

Not sure if this was solved.

see Western Times - Saturday 19 August 1843

see Western Times - Saturday 21 October 1843