The Cragg Vale Coiners – aka The Turvin Coiners – were a notorious gang of about 70 coiners, based in and around Cragg Vale, and led by David Hartley – aka King David – of Bell House, Erringden.
The Cragg Vale coiners concentrated their efforts on reproducing the 1772 Portuguese 4,000 reis coin.
People at other farms in the area were involved in coining, including Keelham Farm, Hill Top Farm, and Stannery End.
An informer – James Broadbent – led to the arrest of Hartley and James Jagger.
In November 1769, two of the gang – Robert Thomas and Matthew Normington – shot and killed William Deighton, the local excise man who investigated the gang.
In November 1769, there was an enquiry by local magistrates into the murder, presided by the Marquis of Rockingham. Those present at the meeting included John Caygill, John Edwards, Viscount Irwin, Dr Leigh, the Vicar of Halifax, Richard Mawhood, Robert Parker, William Prescott, Christopher Rawson, John Royds, Thomas Sayer, Michael Wainhouse, Richard Wainhouse, Samuel Waterhouse and James Wetherherd.
The accused men were tried in August 1770, but acquitted. They were arrested once again in 1774, but, having already been acquitted of Deighton's murder, they were tried and executed for highway robbery
Page Ref: MMC186
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