Thomas Helliker

Helliker had been employed as a shearman's[2] colt at a woollen mill owned by a Mr Naish at Semington, near Trowbridge in Wiltshire.

The workers had organised an anti-machinery mill-burning riot that destroyed the mill on 22 July 1802 and Helliker was accused of waving a pistol at a night-watchman during this attack.

[4] Despite Helliker having an alibi from his friend Joseph Warren, to the effect that they had both got drunk on the night in question and had locked themselves inside a house until the morning, he was charged and lodged in Salisbury gaol.

Thomas Helliker The thread of whose life was cut in the bloom of youth He exchanged mortality for immortality March 22 1803 in the 19th year of his age.

A second inscription was added later: This tomb was formerly placed over the remains of Thomas Helliker At a time of great disturbance throughout the manufacturing towns of this county.

He was condemned for an offence against the law of which he was afterwards believed to be innocent and determined to die rather than give testimony which would have saved his own life, but forfeited the lives of others.