Gamekeeper, William Lilley was murdered at Ravenfield on 10th October, 1865.
William Lilley accompanied by John Hawkins, Henry Machin, and William Butler, went to Silverwood, for the purpose of watching game. They were employed by Henry Jubb and others who preserved game in the locality.
The watchers had no reason to anticipate the arrival of poachers, but there had been a continuance of dry weather and as rain had fallen during the day, they thought it likely that the opportunity would be seized by poachers to secure game. Accordingley the deceased and his companions went to Silverwood and sat down under a fence which adjoined and separated it from a large field. They lay concealed for 2 hours, and about ten o'clock, the silence was broken. They observed 3 or 4 men setting a net. Lilley, jumped across the fence, as he approached the men, he was struck and fell to the ground ...
John Teale, 35, and William Sykes,38, a forgeman, were sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Manslaughter.
Henry Bone,35, a collier, and John Bentcliffe,39, a collier, were sentenced to 20 years imprisonment.
David Booth, 50, a labourer, was sentenced to 7 years imprisonment.
The story is told with the aid of newspaper extracts.
Note: Silverwood was an extensive wood between Wickersley and Ravenfield owned by the Bosvile Family.