On the evening of October 21st 1830 Charles Capell Hardwick, who lived and farmed at Hewish, was riding his horse back from Bristol market. He had a considerable sum of money with him. He got talking to Richard Hewlett, who was travelling in the same direction, and they rode along together for a while. When they were about 1.5 miles from Congresbury, Richard Hewlett drew a pistol and shot Charles Hardwick in the shoulder. Hewlett galloped away towards Congresbury, but Hardwick caught up with him half a mile away at the bridge over the River Yeo on the edge of Congresbury Moor. Hewlett then hit Hardwick on the head with a bludgeon and rode off towards Congresbury. Hardwick followed him. At Congresbury Bridge Hewlett's horse fell down as it swerved to avoid a cart. Hardwick and Hewlett fought each other. Hewlett hit Hardwick on the head and then stabbed him with a dagger. Despite his injuries, Hardwick held on to Hewlett until some local men, who had heard the sounds of a fight, arrived to apprehend Hewlett.
Charles Hardwick was seriously injured, but eventually recovered from his injuries. Hewlett was tried at Taunton Assizes in April 1831and found guilty of attempted murder. Later the same month he was hanged at Ilchester Gaol.
Charles Hardwick lived for another 19 years and died in July 1849, aged 50. He was buried at Hutton near Weston-super-Mare. In 1871 money was raised to pay for a granite cross to commemorate the event. This was erected in the churchyard of St Andrew's Church in Congresbury.
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