Reference
QSR1827/387-388
Title
Examinations re. prosecution of poachers by Thomas Paxton.
Date free text
1st December 1827
Production date
From: 1827 To: 1827
Scope and Content
Examination of Thomas Paxton, Potsgrove, bailiff for the estates of Sir Gregory Osborne Page Turner; on the night of 29th November, accompanied by George Hammond, William Shouler and Joseph Spivey and others, he went out to endeaveour to take poachers he heard shooting in the woods. He caught up with sixteen poachers, six with guns, in a wood called Bunkers Grove. They stood in a line and threatened to shoot him after he had talked to them "about the Danger of such Resistance". After various short pursuits after this Paxton was struck on the shoulder with a bludgeon and eventually gave up the chase. He recognized Thomas Poney as one of the poachers. Examination of Thomas Poney, who denied being in the wood and called Elizabeth Adams of Heath & Reach as a witness, but she refused to be sworn.
Examination of George Hammond of Potsgrove, labourer - recognised James Cook and believed Henry Bates of Heath & Reach to be one of the men.
Examination of Joseph Spivey of Battlesden, gardener - recognised James Cook.
Examination of William Shouler of Potsgrove, labourer - employed as undergamekeeper - recognised the prisoner but did not know his name.
James Cook answered that last Saturday week he was kicked by Mr Durrants cow and was not far from home from Monday Night till last Friday morning when he went to Ampthill Fair.
Examination Joseph Spivey recognised the man before the magistrate who says his name is Thomas Linnell he was one of the men with bludgeons.
Examination William Shouler - recognises the prisoner Thomas Linnell as one of the men.
Thomas Linnell says he was there but had not a stick in his hand.
Information and complaint of Thomas Paxton naming: Richard Ireland of Potsgrove, labourer, Francis Bull, John Bull and William Stevens of Heath and Reach, labourers, William Pantling, James Adams, James Fowler, James Lawson, Thomas Toms and James Arnold of Great Brickhill, labourers, Thomas Guess, James Guess and Joseph Guess of Soulbury, Bucks, labourers, as being the rest of the party of poachers. James Arnold went to his house.
Voluntary evidence of James Arnold naming all the people he entered the wood with.
Examination of Joseph Spivey recognises the prisoners Thomas Toms, James Adams and Joseph Guess
Examination of William Shouler recognises the prisoner James Adams.
James Adams, William Pantling, James Fowler, Thomas Toms and Joseph Guess all say they were not there.
James Lawson says he was one of the party and went there fore the purpose of killing game but that he only had a stick.
Francis Bull and Thomas Guess say they were not there.
System of arrangement
These pages are numbered consecutively at the top although they
Reference
Level of description
item