In January, 1800, _Thomas Bowerman_ was committed to the Devon Bridewell, at the suit of the overseers of the poor of Uffculme, on a conviction for having ran away and left his children chargeable to the parish of Uffculme. His wife was at that time dead, and _Elizabeth_, one of his children, about twelve years old, had been removed to the parish workhouse, and was there maintained at the expense of the parish. _Elizabeth Stark_, the mistress of the workhouse, in a conversation with _Elizabeth Bowerman_, mentioned to her, that on her father’s return from Bridewell, after the expiration of his sentence, she would be sent to her father’s house to be by him maintained and clothed. _Elizabeth Bowerman_ burst into tears, saying she could never again live with her father if he did return, as she was afraid he would murder her as he did her sister. She then stated that her father killed her sister, _Mary Gollop_, by pushing an awl into her head. She saw him do it, and he made her mother and herself wipe up the blood, and said he would serve her the same if ever she told of it. _Mrs. Stark_ remonstrated with _Elizabeth Bowerman_ on the incredibility of her story; but in spite of all admonition, she persisted in asserting the truth of her statements, repeated without variance the particulars of the case, and pointed out the part near the ear where the perforation had been made. On the prevalence of this report, in the month of February, 1800, it was judged expedient by the parishioners to consult the Coroner, who ordered the disinterment of the body of _Mary Gollop_, and held an inquest, by whom the skull was inspected, on which was found a small hole of the size of an awl on the side of the head near the ear, in the place that _Elizabeth Bowerman_ had pointed out. The Jury thereupon returned against _Thomas Bowerman_ a verdict of Wilful Murder. The circumstances of this case excited the attention of the late _Mr. Sheldon_, then living in Exeter. He obtained access to the skull, and on viewing it declared his opinion that the hole in the skull, supposed to have been made by an awl, was a natural perforation, and had not been effected by an awl or any other instrument; and as proofs of his position, he pointed out a small bed or channel leading from the hole, which he said was made by the passage of a vein, and a sort of enamel round the hole, which could not have been there if made by force or art. In further illustration of this truth, he produced a dozen or more human skulls having on them similar perforations variously situated, and each hole having a small channel, and the rim or edge of the hole smooth and polished. _Mr. Sheldon_ attended the Grand Jury at the said assizes on the investigation of this charge: before whom it is presumed he gave the same testimony. The Grand Jury returned “No Bill” against _Thomas Bowerman_ for the murder of _Mary Gollop_.