John Snitch (Snytch) 1666, was a Carpenter and Overseer of the Poor for Potton. Overseers were chosen from prominent men in the town, usually of yeoman or master craftsmen class and above. Two served at any one time and their period of office lasted one year. It was the job of the overseer to collect the Poor Rate and to distribute it to the needy. John left the sum of £100 plus a cottage and land in his will which made him a rich man, leaving nearly half of his wealth to the poor. John went down in the history of Potton, his memory being kept alive as young apprentices were sponsored under the terms of his will for the next couple of hundred years. In 1699, the money brought “Harvey’s Lands” and the profits were used in the way he wanted until 1877. His charity is still there today, integrated in to The Potton Consolidated Charities. He was buried in a prominent position in Potton church graveyard and his grave stone can be seen to this day. The wording on his gravestone say’s “Here lieth the Body of John Snitch who departed this life June ye 12 1687. He gave one Hundred Pounds the Interest of which is to put out Poor Children Apprentice (sic) Born in ye Parish of Potton”. He is also recorded in the burial register as “1687 June 13 Jn Snitch carpenter who gave an hundred pound to use of the poor of Potton”. Click on John Snitch’s Charity button above.
Thomas Snitch 1703, was a Cottager and a Taylor.
James Snitch 1739, rented 147 acres of farm land from the Whitbread Estate in Southill. He was also the Church Warden and on the Jury List 1810 for Southill, still farming land in Southill in 1822.
William Snitch 1761, was a tailor in Huntingdon along with his father Thomas.
Francis Snitch 1761, paid Hearth Tax for 1 hearth in Potton in 1761.
Elizabeth Snitch 1767, produced a Sampler of the County of Bedfordshire at the age of 12 yrs. (see page on Elizabeth Snitch Sampler)
Rebecca Snitch 1768, farmed 4 acres of land from the Whitbread Estate in 1801. She is the daughter of James 1739.
Thomas Snitch 1784, was a publican of the “White Lion” public house , Huntingdon Street, St Neots, in the 1841 census for St Neots. He was still registered as the publican in 1851 (Kelly’s Directory).
Frank Snitch 1790, of Southill was the Overseer of the poor for Southill, Church Warden, Trustee of the Southill Charity and Receiving Officer and Registrar of birth, marriages and deaths for the Wixamtree Hundred. He was a High Constable and collector of county rates for Southill and was on the Jury List 1830 for Southill. He was a Lieutenant in the Bedfordshire Dismounted Horse Artillery and can be found mentioned in the Bedford Muster List 1539 – 1831. Frank still owns farmland in 1827.
Charles James Snitch 1796, was a Doctor in Covent Garden and had a letter to the editor published in the Times Newspaper dated 26 October 1826 in respect of the editor casting aspersions on Charles’s character. I have found 3 further different cases that Charles James Snitch was also involved in at “The Old Bailey” these can be read at the following addresses:
http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/browse.jsp?id=t18400706-name-295&div=t18400706-1850#highlight (acknowledge oldbaileyonline.org) http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/browse.jsp?id=t18411129-name-625&div=t18411129-110#highlight (acknowledge oldbaileyonline.org) http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/browse.jsp?id=t18440819-name-246&div=t18440819-1929#highlight (acknowledge oldbaileyonline.org)
Thomas Snitch 1804, was a Corporal in 31st Foot Regiment in Agra, West Bengal, India and married Susanne Walsh a widow of another soldier of the same regiment. He joined the regiment on 9th January 1826 and was discharged from the army aged 42 on 22 May 1847 and became a pensioner after 21 years service. 17years and 2 months of his service was spent in Tropical Climates. His service record shows he was in Afghanistan in 1842 and was present at the engagement of Mazeena and Tezeen and was awarded a medal for his service in the area. The 31 Foot Regiment is now 1st Battalion East Surry Regiment. The 31st spent 22 years in India during which time it fought in the First Afghan War and First Sikh War. After the disastrous retreat form Kabul in January 1842 an avenging army was sent in under the command of General Pollock. They were at Mazeena, the Tezeen Valley and Jugdulluck before capturing Kabul. It was not a victory that the British Army could be proud of, as wanton destruction was encouraged. Villages were looted and burned and the main bazaar at Kabul was destroyed. The 31st gained the battle honour CABOOL 1842 for this campaign. Click on the link below to read more on 31st Regiment of Foot and it’s historyhttp://www.britishempire.co.uk/forces/armyunits/britishinfantry/31stfoot.htm
Francis Snitch 1815, was a Carpenter and Wheelwright in Offord Cluny/Darcy.
Thomas Snitch 1817, was a Yeoman & Farmer (Kelly’s), in Offord Darcy.
James Snitch 1832, Deserted his pregnant wife, Eliza Snitch (nee Dawson) and children in 1862. Eliza and children ended up in Union Workhouse, Huntingdon
Rachel Snitch 1841, was born in Agra, West Bengal, India. Her father was Thomas Snitch and her mother Susanna Walsh.
James Snitch 1846, was the publican of “The Bell” public house at Little Stukeley (Kelly’s 1894-1914).
Elizabeth Snitch 1862, was born to James & Eliza Snitch (nee Dawson) in Huntingdon Union Work House.
Arthur Snitch 1863, emigrated to the USA and landed in New York before travelling across the states to Cleveland Ohio where he settled. His Father William Snitch and mother Sarah Knight also emigrated with Arthur. In the 1910 US Census Arthur was listed as an alien and not a naturalized citizen of the USA. His descendants are still in Cleveland to this day.
James Snitch 1863, became a Congregational Minister and was the minister of Union chapel, Houghton.
George Snitch 1865, was a Telegraph Messenger (1881) and a sorter in the post office (1901 census).
John Thomas Snitch 1876, emigrated to NSW Australia 28-5-1928 with his sons Leonard Frederick, Arthur George and daughters Flora Alice and Edith Elizabeth.
Thomas Snitch 1887, Emigrated to Quebec in Canada on 15th June 1925 at the age of 38, on the ship: Athenia. He was employed by the Canadian National Railway as a Diesel Engine Supervisor and was the on board engineer responsible for the maintenance of the first diesel electric rail car to travel across Canada during it’s record breaking time of 67 hours. Thomas Snitch is the 6th person from the left in the photograph.
Lucy Snitch 1891, had her throat cut when she was aged 9 by James Peetit aged 13 (see Extracts from documents).
Albert James Snitch 1901, was the Pearly King of Hornsey and a member of the Pearly Kings & Queens Family.
Alfred George 1903, emigrated to Western Australia where he married Stella Maud.
Roy Lincoln Snitch 1914, was Mayor of Coniston, Ontario, Canada from 1947 to 1962
Edward Norman Snitch 1918, was awarded The George Medal for bravery in 1952 in his capacity as a CID Officer in the Metropolitan Police. The medal was presented by Queen Elizabeth 2 in 1953.
Arthur Snitch 1920, attempted to save a man from drowning (see Extracts from Documents).
Peter Alan Snitch 1944, was awarded the (BEM), British Empire Medal in 1988.
Thomas Dana Snitch 1947, was a founder member of the Canadian Rock Group WARPIG. Thomas played Keyboard/Guitar & Vocals. The group was formed in 1969 and released their first album in 1971.
John Paul Snitch 1968, is the Singer/Guitarist of the backing group 3 Legged Dog (3ld) as well as this group he also plays in the band, G.U.T. in Australia. The first album he played on was about 1989. The band 3ld are a backing group for other artists.
Michele Louise Snitch 1969, Was awarded the (MBE), Member of British Empire Medal.
Stephen Snitch 1983, plays professional Rugby League Football for Huddersfield Giants (2006)
Extracts of Documents
29 April 1783, Alice Harper of the parish of St Neots in the said county, single woman taken on the oath before me, J Negus DD this day 29th of April 1783. Who said that she is now with child, that the said child is likely to be born a Bastard and to become chargeable to the said parish of St Neots and that William Snitch of the town of Huntingdon, Taylor is the father of the said Bastard child.
“The Lincolnshire Chronicle, April 27th 1900”
A Schoolboy Cuts A Girls Throat
Extraordinary Charge against a Hull Schoolboy – At the Hull Police court, on Wednesday, before Mr E C Twiss, stipendiary magistrate, a respectably dressed lad, named James Henry Pettit, aged thirteen, was charged with maliciously wounding a girl of nine years, named Lucy Snitch, residing with her parents in Richmond Terrace, Durham Street – The prosecutrix, a bright looking girl, said she was in a field on Holderness road, on Monday last, in company with a number of other children gathering daises. The prisoner whom she had never seen before, came to her and offered to dig some roots of red daisies, and she went with him to the bottom of a dry ditch. Here he took out his pocket knife, and after cutting some branches off a tree, he put his arm around her head and his hand over her eyes, and after drawing the blade across her throat in three places, stabbed her in the temple and ran away. She cried out, and some people came up and took her to the infirmary. The wounds bled very much, and the doctor had to stitch the cut on the temple. On Tuesday the Police took her to the Courtney Street Board School where she picked out the prisoner from a class of forty boys – On the application of Mr Jones, the deputy chief constable, a remand of seven days was granted, the lad being detained in custody.
Extract from another Yorkshire newspaper source
” A Schoolboy Cuts A Girls Throat”. James Peetit, aged thirteen, was remanded at Hull on the charge of wounding Lucy Snitch, aged nine. The parties were in a field with other children gathering flowers, when Peetit, offering to dig her some daisy roots, got the girl to go with him to a ditch. Here he took a pocket-knife, and putting his arm round her head and his hand over her eyes, drew the blade three times across her throat, stabbed her on the temple, and ran away. The girls screams brought assistance, and she was taken to the infirmary, where the wounds were dressed. Subsequently she picked the prisoner out of a class of forty boys. The boy, who had nothing to say remains in custody, bail having been refused.
Plucky Attempt At Rescue
Entry in a local newspaper for the year 1933.
“Plucky Attempt At Rescue “. Arthur Snitch living at Buckingham Street, Hull, who was at Beachley on a visit to his uncle, said that he went to the river to bathe. When he was swimming back to the shore he noticed Northam was in difficulty and called out to him “Can’t you get back?”
Northam replied, “Go and tell your brother I can’t keep up any Longer”. Witness was up to his waist then. he turned and swam back to the drowning man 20 yards away. “He caught hold of me and pulled me under and I said “Turn on your back and I will try and tow you back”. He still held on to me and I was afraid that he would pull me down. I tried to kick free but he was holding the strap of my costume. It tore and I broke away”.
“I swam for the shore shouting for help and when I was up to my knees I turned around. He had then disappeared. At the time the tide was running in very swiftly. There was a considerable current with a sort of undercurrent as well”. When he got out of the water he was exhausted and almost on the point of collapse. He had experienced no difficulty in swimming out to Northam. When he had recovered he was able to tell where Northam had gone down. A man was on the shore taking off his clothes.
“An Extra Swill”
George Snitch of Beachley, Uncle of the last witness said that when the tide was running in, providing bathers did not go out too far, it was safe. Further out there was danger from big holes some of which were caused by ships which has lain in the mud. A considerable number of people bathed there, and since the tragedy, hundreds had bathed there
The Coroner: Why do people bathe there. Is it the fascination of the river?-I suppose so, Witness added that just at the time there was an extra “swill” which no doubt lifted the drowned man off his feet.
“Huntingdonshire Gazette, Friday July 23, 1813”
Kimbolton Agricultural Society:- For Best Bull – to Mr Nicholls, of Stukley – Second Best Ditto – to Mr Snitch, of Offord Cluny.
“Hertford Mercury, Hertford and Bedford Reformer, 1845”
Harpur Charity:- The Quarterly and Monthly Meeting of the Trustees was held in the Board-room on Thursday. The Mayor preceded. – Marriage Portions:- The following young maidens of “good fame and repute” drew lots successfully for the marriage portion of 20s each.
Frances Swepson ……..Francis Snitch, wheelwright, Offord Cluny.
“Cambridge, Wisbeach, Ely March, Chatteris, Manea, Upwell, Thorney, Whittlesey, Newmarket, Soham, Linton, and Royston Advertiser”
William Aill (31) pleaded guilty to an indictment charging him with stealing a brown mare, the property of Mr Thomas Snitch, of Offord Cluny, in the county of Huntingdon. – Sentence of death recorded.
“Cambridge, Wisbeach, Ely March, Chatteris, Manea, Upwell, Thorney, Whittlesey, Newmarket, Soham, Linton, and Royston Advertiser, Nov 8th” (year unknown)
COMMITTED TO THE CASTLE :- John Aill (by the Rev George Jenyns and George Jenyns Jr. Esq) charged with feloniously stealing a brown mare, the property of Mr Thomas Snitch, of Offord Cluny, in the county of Huntingdon; which mare the prisoner offered for sale the day after it was stolen, at Great Wilbraham, in this county.
Extract from “Cambridge Chronicle and University Journal, Isle of Ely Herald and Huntingdonshire Gazette,
December 14th 1861″
Marriages :- At Huntingdon :- Dec 8, at All Saints’ church, by the Rev J G Vesay, Rector, Mr Thomas Snitch, farmer of Offord Darcy, to Elizabeth, youngest daughter of the late Mr Wm Smith, of Huntingdon.
Extract from “Cambridge Chronicle and University Journal, Isle of Ely Herald and Huntingdonshire Gazette, April 6th 1867”
Appointments:- The following nominations have been confirmed :- Overseers, St Mary’s Mr F Higgins and Mr W Cluff. St Benedict’s Mr J Pascoe and Mr J Piggott, St John’s, Mr Talbot and Mr W S Windover, All Saints’, Mr J Dilley and Mr Snitch (Mr Snitch is Frank Snitch(1790))
Extract from “Cambridge Chronicle and University Journal, Isle of Ely Herald and Huntingdonshire Gazette,
November 25th 1871″
Whittlesey Division Petty Sessions Nov 18th (Before Z Levitt and J Blunt, Esqs)
Mary Ann Snitch was brought up on remand by Supt Smith for obtaining goods under false pretences from the shop of Mr J Askew , at Thornby – committed for trial at the sessions.
Extract from “Cambridge Chronicle and University Journal, Isle of Ely Herald and Huntingdonshire Gazette,
December 30th 1871″
Quarter Sessions, the following prisoners for trial;
Mary Ann Snitch, obtaining by false pretences a dress value 11s at Thornby.
“The Daily Mail, Friday, March 27, 1942”
Hull Fire Heroes decorated:- At a recent Investiture at Buckingham Palace the B.E.M. was received by George Blades, Arthur Bucknall, Tom Davison and Thomas Ramsey of the Hull Fire Service; John Slater chief of works fir fighting service in Hull and Private John Snitch, Home Guard and a member of the works fire service. During a raid a water main was fractured and fires were started by a bomb. An essential valve became buried with debris and was under a building which was on fire. Snitch tried to reach it and Slater assisted him. Eventually they got the valve clear of debris and a plentiful supply of water was available to get the fire under control. Their pluck and determination, undoubtedly saved much valuable property.