Dog's Garden Dig Uncovers Possible Evidence in Historic Devon Murder Case
A Devon man is convinced that his loyal labrador has unearthed a crucial artifact in his back garden, potentially tying it to a infamous Victorian-era murder case that captivated the nation. Paul Phillips, aged 49, reported that his dog, Stanley, dug up a distinctive blue glass bottle from their property in Clyst Honiton, with the ominous warning "Not to be taken" inscribed on its side.
Connection to a Notorious Crime
This discovery immediately reminded Phillips of an article he had previously read about the 1865 murder of William Ashford, who was allegedly poisoned by his wife, Mary Ann Ashford. Further investigation suggested that the Ashfords might have resided in a neighbouring home, adding weight to the bottle's potential significance. Mary Ann Ashford was convicted of murder by arsenic poisoning and was executed in Exeter before a crowd of 20,000 spectators.
The execution was notoriously mishandled, with reports indicating it took several minutes for her to die, an event that is said to have swayed public opinion against public hangings. This botched execution played a role in the movement that ultimately led to the abolition of public executions in England during the 1860s.
Stanley's Persistent Digging
Phillips noted that Stanley repeatedly returned to the same spot in the garden, despite efforts to repair the area. After retrieving the bottle, Phillips conducted online research and identified it as a blue poison bottle that became common in the mid-19th century. He referenced historical newspaper accounts that allege Mary Ann Ashford was having an affair with a man 22 years her junior and plotted to kill her husband to seize his inheritance and start anew.
"I thought it was a really interesting and beautiful thing when I cleaned it up and just remembered something about the murder," Phillips told Devon Live. "I searched the internet and it came up with Clyst Honiton and Mary Ann's hanging. I can't say why it was buried here, but a bottle like this would have been very useful for various different things. What possible reason would they have to bury it? It could have been the bottle she used."
Historical Context and Trial
Mary Ann Ashford's trial occurred at the Devon Lent Assizes on March 16, 1866, where the jury reportedly reached a guilty verdict in mere minutes. Phillips believes his home is adjacent to the property where the Ashfords lived in 1865, and he mentioned that the alleged affair partner worked at a local bakery, which was once located down the lane opposite the property.
This find not only sheds light on a dark chapter in Devon's history but also highlights how everyday discoveries can resonate with broader historical narratives, from crime and justice to societal changes in penal practices.
