June 18th The Last Siege in England
     

Henry Rogers was a pewterer in Helston who expected to inherit his elderly father’s farm in Crowan but, very late in life, Rogers’ father married, the nineteen year old, Anne Millett from Porthleven and bequeathed everything to her.

Determined to secure what he believed to be his rightful property, Rogers entered and barricaded himself inside the farmhouse when he was aware that Millet was absent. He had considerable support from the local population, including Sir John St. Aubyn of Clowance (September 27th), who believed his cause was rightful.  St. Aubyn advised that the cause was right but that he should obey the law but approximately 200 men and women set up impromptu barricades across the local lanes and defences on the walls surrounding the house. 

On this day in 1734, the Under-Sheriff of Cornwall, James Tillie, was eventually sent to serve an eviction warrant but was fired on from within the house and retreated.  The farm was left alone for some months until a cannon was dragged from Pendennis by a force of soldiers from the garrison.  The house was besieged for some days until, determined to end the siege, the cannon was fired on the house.  Bitter fighting ensued and several soldiers were killed.  Rogers escaped but was captured in Salisbury and sent to Launceston gaol (pictured above in gaol).  Sentenced to death, Rogers was hanged there in 1735.

 

 


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