Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue

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Reference
R3/3594
Title
Letter regarding estate employment, fire raising and people in custody awating charges.
Date free text
4 Dec 1831
Production date
From: 1831 To: 1831
Scope and Content
Reads- At a loss to find work for Geo. Broughton. Several fires, more frequent than in any part of England. One man in custody respecting the fire at Totternhoe, but I believe insufficient evidence. A man examined before Justice of the Peace here Friday & committed to Bedford gaol for trial on suspicion re. Jones of Hockliffe's premises at Wingfield Thursday; not the least doubt, but doubtful if enough evidence to convict He was out of work & went to the overseer (the parish being divided into districts), and the abominable system of rounds being established, having been at work in that district he was sent with a letter to Jones to obtain work in the adjacent district; this letter was discovered twisted up & thrust into some ---- [details of man's movements]; fire happened about 5.30, only destroyed stable & hovel as Jones' men who were on the spot saved the rest. Keeping the men employed is hopeless. At Eversholt 10-12 on the roads; at Crawley 7-8; Ridgmont 4 men, 12-14 boys; Woburn 24; Bennett had a meeting of Woburn farmers Friday. Jos. Todd of Speedwell has only 2 men, but if they all consent to take a fair proportion I fear it will leave 10-12 to be taken by Duke, & what is to be done with them I do not know, unless draining of park.
Level of description
item