From the Hampshire Telegraph and Sussex Chronicle, Saturday, September 29, 1883:

Singular Charge of Violent Assault.

At the Petersfield Petty Sessions, on Monday, before Lieut.-Colonel Briggs, the rev. Horsley Palmer, and G. Coryton, esq., Frederick Morse, farmer of Froxfield, was charged on remand with having on the 6th instant violently assaulted James Sawkins with intent to do him grievous bodily harm; and two men in his employ, named Davis and Keens, were charged with having assisted him in the assault. - Mr. Greenwood, barrister-at-law, instructed by Mr. M. Hyde, of Portsmouth, prosecuted, and Mr. Geach, of Guildford, defended. -
The prosecutor stated that he was Game-breeder to Mr. Darvill, of Froxfield and was about 57 years of age. The prisoner Morse occupied a farm adjoining Mr. Darvill's, but prior to the 5th instant witness had only spoken twice to him. On that day he saw him at the "Barnett" public-house. Witness went home with defendant, who gave him some liquor. After drinking two or three glasses he said, fancying he detected some spirits in the liquor, "Mr. Morse, have you got something here besides beer?". Thereupon, prisoner fell into a great rage, and when witness walked out of the house, shouted after him that he would shoot him. Noticing that in his possession he had a double-barrelled gun, witness asked him what he meant to do. he replied "Don't take any notice of it." and they returned in company to the house. The two other prisoners entered shortly afterwards. One of them asked him what business he had there, and they both took hold of him. He struggled and was struck in the forehead and eye and thrown onto the lawn outside. He was rendered insensible, and did not remember anything more till the next morning. owing to the injuries he received he was obliged to remain in bed for a week during which time he suffered severely.-
In cross-examination witness said he and the prisoner Morse drank together at the public-house. he had two pints of ale. While in prisoner's house he did not see the latter put any gin in his beer, nor did he strike him and say "You are the ......... that shot my pheasants." Witness was not intoxicated.-
Mr. Robert Shackleford Cross, surgeon, of Petersfield, deposed to findings, on examination of the prosecutor, that the eighth and ninth ribs were fractured, and that he had received other injuries. There was an injury to the eye which must have been caused by a blow.-
George Hurst, a labourer employed by the prisoner Morse, corroborated prosecutor's statement and added that he saw Morse strike prosecutor several times in the face and kick him in the legs; that the prisoner shot at a man named "Ron", who was there, and whom he had told to get him some more cartridges; and that he afterwards threatened to shoot prosecutor and fired twice at him.-
George Hurst, a lad employed in harvesting by the prisoner Morse, and cousin to the previous witness, gave similar evidence, as did also did Thomas Hurst, his father, who stated that he assisted prosecutor home after the prisoners had left. He was covered with dirt and his mouth and nose were bleeding.-
John Hurst and James Hurst likewise corroborated.-
Henry Yelden, surveyor, of Medstead, stated that on the day in question he went to Morse's farm on business. Morse and the prosecutor came in together. the latter was sober. They drank some beer and entered into conversation, in the course of which prosecutor complained that there was something in his beer, and Morse told him he had put some gin in. Prosecutor resented and insinuation by Morse that he had watched him (the prisoner) about the fields, and behaved in a very excited manner. Witness after a time persuaded him to leave the house, and Morse, who was apparently sober, threatened to shoot him if he refused to leave. Witness afterwards left prosecutor having gone out of the house followed by Morse.-
Abel Wright, penman, in the employ of Mr. Darvill, deposed that on the evening of the 5th instant, he saw the defendant Davis, who said he had been with Morse knocking the prosecutor about till he was ashamed of himself.-
Kitty Futcher stated that on the afternoon in question she assisted to take prosecutor home. He was in an almost unrecognisable condition, and seemed scarcely able to breathe, and was partly insensible.-
The prisoners, who reserved their defence, were all committed for trial at the next County Sessions. Bail was allowed. Morse himself in 200/- and two sureties for 100/- each: and Keens and Davis
each in 10/-, and two sureties for 5/-.

John married a girl named Emily, born about 1866 at Tudley, Kent, England. I believe they had three children - George (b.1886), Harry (b.1888) and Emily (b.1899). John was a Road Making Labourer and in 1901, the family were living in Tonbridge, Kent. All three children were born in Tonbridge District.

I believe from FreeBMD that Emily was in fact Emily Ellis, and they married at Tonbridge District, Kent in q4/1884.