R3/141/69

Reads- Hoffmeister says Your Grace not coming to the Abbey this season. On 30 Nov a granary in the park was broken into by forcing lock and a sack of 3 bush. flour was stolen; 2 Woburn men who previously worked in the park are suspect, William Brackley and William Major, both able but idle. Brackley long suspected of such practices and Major sent to Bedford bridewell last summer for stealing hay from Mr. Martin who keeps the George. I got a search warrant and found a quantity of flour under their beds, but not the sack; I am told they cut it to pieces and buried it. In Brackley's house was also found a sack of Mr. Martin's with about 3 bush. oats stolen from him; also a sack of Mr. Perrin's of Birchmore. Neither man was at home; they habe absconded. They don't appear to have been in want, for Major had 3 hogs and Brackley 1. The parishioners want to advertise and trace their accomplices who receive their stolen goods. Brackley's wife and 3 children and Major's wife and 1 child are on the parish. The deer are in good order. Barley and beans are dear, but wheat has not risen; veal and port 5d. per 1b., best beef 3d., mutton 4d. in Woburn market butter 11d. Transcript available

1 Jan 1772

From: 1772 To: 1772

item

Miller, Samuel,
Brackley, William,
Major, William,
Martin,
Perrin,
Hoffmeister

theft, Woburn George, Bedford Bridewell, oats, pigs, deer, general poverty, barley, beans, agricultural prices, wheat, cattle, sheep, Woburn Abbey (stately home)