Title
Deposition:
Thomas Bitheray, Carlton, husbandman. 29 June 1671. His horse, with saddle and bridle, was stolen as he slept in Soldrupp field. Robt. Brookes said he saw JohnEaton mount a horse and ride off. Saddle and bridle were found at Eaton's house. Robert Brookes, Souldrop, hayward. As above, John Eaton, Deane, labourer Denies theft. Found bridle and saddle in Lord Bolingbroke's pasture near Melchbourne. The information of Thos Bitheray of Carleton in the sayd County husbandman taken this 29th day of June 1671 by Jn Neale Esq J.P in the case of Jn Eaton of Deane, who is suspected for stealing the horse bridle and saddle of the sd. Thomas Bitheray. The sd Thomas Bitheray being duly examined sayth that upon the 28th day of June last past going to Peterborough faire, he layed himselfe downe under a bush in Soldruppe feild, to stay for some of his neighbours, who were appointed to overtake him, and goe with him, leaving his horse in the highway to grase, with his bridle, and saddle on him, and while he slept under the bush, his horse, bridle and saddle were taken away as he perceived, when he awoke out of his sleep; whereupon this informant applyed himself to Robert Brookes that towne Haward, who was keeping Cowes in the feild, for tydings of his horse, who told him that he saw a young man take him, were told him a very fast gallopp away towardes Melchborne, which way the Heward and this informant bath following him, were told that his name was John Eaton, and that he lived at Deane who rode that way before them upon such a horse; whereupon we followed him to his house in Deane, And after he had often with much impudence denied before the sd J.P. that ever he saw the horse, bridle & saddle which this inf. had lost; we searched his house, and found therein layd up this informants bridle and saddle which were both good ones and of good value; After he consented to help them looke the horse, and they found him in Knotting pound, which towne was in his way from Soldropp feild to Deane where the sayd Jn Eaton sayd he was sorrie for that he had done and would doe so now more. The examination of Robert Brookes of Soldrupp Heward taken upon oath etc the same day before the same. The sd. Thos Brookes being examined upon his oath saith that Jn Eaton aforesd came to him in the feild as he was keeping Cowes, and stayed some time there with him to talke, and after he was gone a furlong or above, he saw him take a horse that was feeding in Soldrupp feild in the highway, whom when he endeavoured to catch, the horse rann from him into the pease, whether [:whither] he saw him follow him, and there he saw him take him, and ride him upon a fast gallopp towards Melchborne; he saith further upon his oath that it was the same man who talked with him in the feild who took the horse bridle and saddle, and rode them away, and that this aforesd. Jn Eaton was the man that did it; he saith farther that he with the sd. Thos, Bitheray pursued him to his owne house, and brought him before the sd. J.P. where he constantly denied that ever he saw any such horse bridle or saddle but upon searching of his house afterwards we there found the bridle and saddle which had been upon the sd. horse, and was owned by the sd. Thomas Bitheray, and averred to be the same which was upon his horse which he had now lost; And after that with much adoe we prevailed with him to goe with us to help us to looke the horse that we lost, and we found him in Knotting pound. The examination of Jn Eaton of Deane in the sd. County labourer taken at the same time by the same J.P. The sd. Jn Eaton acknowledgeth that he did stay and talke with the sd. Robert Brookes in Soldrupp feild, but denyeth that that he saw any bridle, saddle or horse in that feild or touched any either in that feild, or at all in his way home; And when the bridle and saddle were found upon him, he sayd he found them in my Lord of Bullingbrookes pasture neere to Melchborne. And farther he confesseth not