James Grainge

On the evening of Wednesday 31st December 1823, a solicitor, a sheriff’s officer and an assistant called at Rabley House to inquire as to the whereabouts of a wanted man. On being told the man they sought was not there they tried to enter. With the door forced shut they were then met by the wanted man armed with a pitchfork. During a further attempt to gain entry an injury was sustained when the pitchfork was shoved out of a broken pane of glass causing the three to retreat.

Two kept watch on the property as the third located a magistrate to hear of the injury and the ongoing attempts to apprehend the wanted male. The magistrate agreed to issue a peace warrant and tasked the local Constables to assemble sufficient men to make the arrest. Due to the violence already shown it was decided to swear in Special Constables to assist and James Grainge, the brother of one of the Parish Constables, was sworn in, leaving his day job as a shoe maker in Shenley Hill.

The assembled body of Constables attended Rabley House and, under the authority of the warrant, entry was demanded in the name of the King. This was ignored and a tussle ensued to gain entry to the property. The wanted man appeared armed with a gun and made threats to shoot whoever was first to enter through the door. Grainge was told to do his duty and began striking the door with an axe but, within seconds, a gunshot sounded and he fell back with a severe wound to his arm.

Grainge was taken away by cart back to the village to receive surgical attention and the attempts to gain entry were paused for a considerable time while further Constables were sought and more Special Constables sworn in to bolster the numbers involved. The magistrate also decided to attend.  Further attempts to enter resumed and eventually the warrant was read aloud and entry afforded. The wanted man was upstairs but he did surrender himself and was arrested.

Three surgeons had gathered to treat Special Constable Grainge and having all agreed his injury was serious they attended him through the night. On the morning of Thursday 1st January 1824 the surgeons again inspected the wound and decided to amputate but noted they were not confident of success. On hearing this the magistrate decided to take James’ statement recalling the events and signed the taken statement. The surgeons began their task but James died shortly thereafter.