Herald - Issue 420

All Saints’ Church, Fawley where Elizabeth Noyce was laid to rest in 1814 v READ THE HERALD ONLINE: www.herald-publishing.co.uk v 10th March 2022 • The HERALD • Page 25 PRIVATE, COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL CHURCH, FAWLEY Continued from page 24 On the night of the murder a er her son had gone on a secret rendezvous to see his girl-friend, a servant girl had said that she had seen the son, George, coming out of the eld ve minutes a er she had le the house. Elizabeth died on the following Sunday as a result of her injuries. A coroner’s inquest was held the next day and a verdict of Wilful Murder was pronounced against her son George Noyce. He was taken to the County Gaol in Winchester. A bill of indictment was raised against him but was thrown out by the Grand Jury. He was arraigned on the Coroner’s Inquisition and the prosecution was carried out by Mr. A. Moore. e facts were related to the Judge, who counselled that the facts exactly matched the report from the Coroner, and there were no grounds to prove that ‘the prisoner’ was guilty. He ruled that the actions of the son, on hearing of his mother being missing, were that of a loving and concerned son and an innocent man. e counsel agreed with the verdict and did not call any witnesses and con rmed that he preferred to exonerate the prisoner completely. George was acquitted and freed immediately. e statement from the maid servant was completely ignored. e fact that Elizabeth had threatened to remove George as bene ciary of her will if he proceeded to marry the ‘unsuitable girl-friend’ was not mentioned in the enquiry. Ironically the Overseers and Churchwardens of the Fawley Parish o ered a reward of £150 or £250, depending on which report one reads in the newspapers, on the capture of the guilty person. No one was ever charged as the murderer. We will probably never know if the son George was guilty or not. George married Mary Rose, moved to Chalice Court in Southampton, and they produced 8 children. George lived in Southampton for the rest of his life continuing his work as a house carpenter . My grateful thanks to Robin Somes who forwarded to me some of the newspaper reports. Sophie’s Sewing Alterations • Dresses • Trousers • Curtains • Replacement Zips etc • Wedding & Bridesmaid Dresses Made to Order Also made to measure garments Call Sophie Walsh on 07422 533856 Blackfield Send your local news to The Editor, The Herald, 2 High Street, Hythe SO45 6AH ABOUT US Our roofers are the best in the business and are ready to give your roof a full and completely FREE inspection