QSR1815/171-3

Examinations and depositions: Evidence of William Woods of Stagsden against Samuel Brown and Thomas Vintriun for assault and poaching.

14 November 1815

From: 1815 To: 1815

William Woods, preserver of game for Lord Hampden says that yesterday Mon 8 between 7 & 8 oClock I saw two men beating a close called Cow Hill in Stagsden occupied by James Walker each with a gun and with one dog bet. a lurcher & a Bull Dog. I went to them & saw one of them who he has since learned is Samul Brown of Cardington shoot a Rabbit & the other person who he has since learned is Joseph Saby of Bolnhurst picked it up. I asked them what Right they had to be there they said they had a Right & he demanded a sight of their certificate. Samuel Brown answered he had one but He had not got it with him I asked his name & also Sabys they both refused to give their names. Saby did not say he had a Cert. but refused to tell his name. I said I shall follow you till I know your names. They then went out of Stagsden into Kempston Parish & I followed them from thence to Wootton & from thence to Marston & there they both ran away. I went home to Stagsden West End. about the middle of the same day I heard a Gun go off in the neighbourhood of Ducksworth Spinney near Astwood. I went there & found Saby with his gun & another dog & another person with him who had also a gun. I again asked Saby his name & he refusted to tell. The other man made his escape into Grubs Wood in Stagsden. These two persons were then in a Close called Duscksworth in Stagsden in the occupation of Thos Summerlin. Saby was getting over a stile I was following him the muzzle of Saby's gun went into my face. I do not know whether it was accidentally or wilfully. I snatched the gun out of Saby's hand & threw it on the ground & said I am not coming here to be shot. I desired again to know his name saying if you refuse to tell me I shall charge the constable with you till you tell me I beckoned John Glidell to come & watch Saby whilst I went after the other man. Saby remained walking about the Close & Glidell with him till I came back in about 10 minutes time. I again demanded his name which he refused & I said you must go along with me Saby said he was very willing for he wanted refreshment. When we got to the White House in Stagsden I sent for Thos Bass junr the constable who came & on his demanding his name Saby told him it was Joseph Saby of Bolnhurst. I went to inform Mr Trevor & Mr Bass told Saby he might as well stay till I returned Saby made no objection But Bass did not take him in custody. When I first sent for Mr Bass I told him I found this man beating in Lord Hampden Manor & he refused to tell his name & I sent for you on that subject. When I threw the gun down Saby did not pick it up but Glidell picked it up and carried it to the publick house and when Mr Bass the constable came it was given to him to take care of who still has it. When I ret'd from Mr Trevor I told Mr Bass that Mr Trevor wo'd have no concern with Saby but he might go wherever he pleased Bass told Saby he might go home but Saby said I will not go away tonight Bass & I went away & left him. This morning about half past 8 oclock I saw two men coming out of Asty Wood in Stagsden in Lord Hampden's occupation I went to meet them. [passage crossed out] It was near half an hour before I got near them then I looked thro' the hedge of 6 acre field in Stagsden in the occupation of John Walker & I saw one of the men putting hares into a bag. The other was taking the gun to pieces I went thro' a gap towards the men the man who had the bag but whose name I do not know threw the bag down & ran away the other man who was Saml Brown also ran away I went & picked up the bag Brown swore an oath said he would have his game the other man said we will fight for it & he Brown came to me seized me by the collar and tried to kick my heels up the other man struck me a severe blow across the shoulder with the barrel of the gun the man had also a large knobbed stick which he held over and threatened me whilst Brown had hold of me but I believe he did not strike me with it. I struck Brown with my hand to make him let go his hold. Brown let go his hold. In the scuffle the other man had forced the bag from me and they went away. Mr Walkers shepherd John Warwick was with me he tried to persuade the men to be quiet. The men went some distance and then the other man threw the bag away and took a hare out of his pocket & threw it away towards the bag. We followed them about a furlong the stranger ran away Brown packed his gun up under his cloathes. I told him I knew his name was Saml Brown he ackn'd it was. I said my friend after this is over you will never do so any more Brown answered I know I shall. Brown went away I returned & took up the bag which contained five hares and on the bag and about the neck of it were two snares and I took the bag with the five hares & also the hare thrown down to Mr Trevors. I learned Browns name afterwards from J Pruden a Blacksmith at Stagsden who had seen him go by. The Mark of William Woods.

item

Woods, William,
Brown, Samuel,
Saby, Joseph,
Glidell, John,
Bass, Thomas

gamekeeper, poaching, assault, STAGSDEN