Reference
HSA1669/S/61
Title
John Sheard, Keysoe, labourer Taken before John Neale J.P. 20 August 1669.
He had one sheep in fields of John Bayes, called Bushy close and Meadow close, by agreement with John Bayes as wages for tending John Bayes sheep.
Examination of Thomas Hensman 20 July 1669 Confesses theft; sold them at Oundle.
John Bayes 20 July 1669 Thomas Hensman laid out much money in household stuff after the sheep had been stolen.
John Sixton, Keysoe, constable 20 July 1669 Thomas Hensman confessed secretly to him that he stole the sheep.
The information of John Sheard of Keysoe in this Countie labourer taken before me John Neale J.P. the 20th August 21 Chas 2. This informant also saith: That he had one sheep in John Bayeses pasture groundes called Bushy Close, and meadow close, which was by agreement with John Bayes to goe there amongst his sheep as a wages for his locking to, and dressing Jn Bayses sheep, and the same night in Whitson week last past as Jn Bayses sheep were drove away, he lost his sheep also, and he doth verily beleive, that his sheep was also drove away by the same person, and at the same time, as were John Bayses; and farther he saith that he was present at the examination of Thomas Henseman, and when he was charged with the taking away twenty three sheep, and foure lambs, he did neither deny it, nor did he except against that number, whereof his sheep was one.
The Examination of Thos Henseman of Keysoe in the sd. county taken before John Neale J.P. the 20th July 21 Chas 2. The sd. examinant being duly examined sayth and confesseth that upon Friday night in Whitson weeke last past he tooke twenty three sheep and foure lambs out of the grounds of the sd. John Bayes in Keysoe called Bushy Close and meadow Close, and drove them all that night towards Oundle in Northants. and sold them all there at that markett (which is on the Saterdaies) the next morning to severall persons, as some of them he sold to one Stannion of Brigstocke, a buyer, and seller of sheep, seven of them he sold to one William Catterne a butcher of Oundle for three poundes six shillinges, of whom he receaved no more mony then one pound six shillinges and a pennyworth of Tobacco, he earnestly pressd him to hasten away, wishing him to take that tobacco under some hedge, least he should be taken upon suspition in that towne, whereupon this examinant hasted home with that mony which he had receaved; the rest of the sheep he saith he sold to other buyers & sellers of sheep, and that he sold many of them for twelve shillinges a peece, And farther he saith that no other person was with him, or knowing of this fact of his, but he was alone both in the taking, driving & selling of the sayd sheep.
The information of John Bayes of Keysoe in this countie housebandman taken before John Neale the same day. This informant being duly sworne saith that upon the Friday in Whitson weeke last past in the night there were twenty two pasture sheep and foure fat lambes of his owne and one sheep of his sheapheards taken out of his groundes in Keysoe aforesd commonly called Bushy Close and Meadow Close and drove away; for which fact doing (because his neighbour Thomas Hensman now prisoner was observed to be presently after that day by his next neighbours to lay out much mony in household stuffe, and to have much more by him, as he less them see) he had him in suspicion, as also because he was a man of a loose life, and was not likely to procure so much mony together at that time in an honest way; wherefore he desired my warrant for him to examine him upon his groundes of suspition; whoch accordingly I did.
The information of John Sixton of Keysoe Beds., constable taken the same day. This informant also saith: That he was present with the prisoner Thomas Henseman at his examination at my house, and that then and there the sayd Thomas Henseman called him aside and to him confessd that he was guilty of the fact he was accused of, and that he tooke away the 23 sheep and 4 lambs the day alleadged out of John Bayses groundes in Keyshoe and drove them to Oundle in Northants and there sold them at that markett the next day to severall persons, whom he knew not before.
Date free text
1669
Production date
From: 1669 To: 1669
Exent
No. of pieces: 1
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item