Daily Universal Register 27th April 1786 Canterbury April 18th, Sunday morning last, John ANCELL a poor labouring man, in the Parish of St Peter in Thanet was found in a field adjoining to Draper's near Margate, with his skull fractured in a flocking manner, and many parts of his body terribly bruised. The following are the particulars relative to this horrid affair. The deceased went to Margate on Saturday evening a quarter before eleven o'clock, at which time he parted with an acquaintance near the Churchyard, to go home to Sackett's Hill, and he was then in much liquor. Soon afterwards, Charles TWYMAN of Bromstone, near St Peter's, was seen to go the same road on horseback, with a boy who lived with him, behind him. A suspicion therefore fell on to the said Charles TWYMAN, which was strongly confirmed by its being known that there had been a dispute between him and the deceased for some time since and that TWYMAN threatened to be revenged on the deceased. The boy who rode behind TWYMAN, was examined Sunday afternoon, but for a long time he denied any knowledge of the murder and though only twelve years of age, kept to one account, that it was with great difficulty he was made to confess the truth. At last he owned that Charles TWYMAN did kill ANCELL and gave this relation; TWYMAN was on horseback and overtook the deceased about 11 o'clock on Saturday night, a short distance from Margate church yard, on the road to Draper's; that he first attempted to take a bag from ANCELL, and told him that he was an excise officer; but ANCELL, knowing TWYMAN, called him by his name and refused to give up his property; on this a scuffle ensued and TWYMAN knocked ANCELL down by a blow on the head with a great club stick. ANCELL recovering a little, got away as far as Draper's, near half a mile from the place where he was first struck, but TWYMAN then came up with ANCELL and knocked him down a second time. After this the poor wretch got on him knees and begged for mercy. TWYMAN dismounted and shook hands and promised he would not strike him any more; but almost as the same instant, the blood thirsty villain gave the unhappy man several violent blows on his head which fractured his skull; then made him (The boy) strike the deceased several times while he was bleeding on the ground and afterwards TWYMAN walked his horse two or three times over the dead body. Thus finished the horrid scene. It is much to be lamented that this cruel murder is not yet taken but a search is making after him, and every step pursued to hinder him getting away by water, being well known on the Isle of Thanet, and on the sea coast, it is thought he cannot escape the punishment due to his crime. The deceased has left a wife and 8 children and the murderer has left a wife and 5 children. -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.9.8/380 - Release Date: 6/30/06