On the evening of Friday the 7th inst as Stephen Rodway, a respectable salt and coal merchant of Cricklade Wilts., was returning home from Wootten Bassett, he was most barbarously shot through the body and killed on the spot, in the turnpike road between Purton Stoke and Purton about half past 9 oclock ( the time being known from the report of a gun or pistol having been heard at a great distance by many persons in the neighbourhood ) and robbed of everything he had about him. Three Bank-notes ( amongst many others which it is known the deceased had in his possession ) have been traced to a person of the name of Robert Watkins, of Wootten Bassett, who, with his brother stands fully committed to take his trial for the offence at the next Assizes for the county of Wilts. ( see advertisement )

Advertisement in THE TIMES 28th May 1819

Murder and Robbery of Mr Stephen Rodway Whereas the following Bank notes besides those which have been traced to the hands of Robert Watkins one of the persons committed for trial for the above offence are still missing viz. a bank of England note No. 19664 dated Nov 3 1818 payment of which has been stopped, two Abingdon Bank notes of one pound each endorsed petty 2-519 and one Glocester Bank note for one pound endorsed petty 2-519 together with the following articles viz a silver hunting watch jewelled having a glass under the top case makers name James Bath Cirencester no 3606 a light coloured Drab Great Coat and a large Red Leather Pocket Book having the strap which fastens it split or divided the name of the deceased being written therein which pocket book also contained other Notes and Papers. Whoever will give information so as to lead to a discovery of the above Notes and Property shall receive a REWARD of TEN GUINEAS, on applying to Mr WELLS solicitor CRICKLADE or to his agents Messrs Millett and Hillier 2 Middle Temple Lane London. Cricklade May 26th 1819

A Contemporary Account of the Execution of Robert Watkins

Footnote : The hanging took place on Friday July 30th 1819.
Robert's father later confessed to the murder, it has been rumoured.
Spare a thought for Robert !

The site of the murder and the execution is on a right angle bend in the road, 200 yards down from the Jubilee Gardens Project in Purton Stoke. There are deep drainage ditches on both sides of the road and in the winter months after snow or ice quite a few motorists leave the road and have to be hauled out. No-one has been killed yet.
On at least one occasion a motorist, held up at temporary traffic lights at the bend in the road, reported seeing someone momentarily on the back seat of their car ... a tall man in old-fashioned clothes.