Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    R3/3710
  • Title
    Letter mainly regarding arson on estate farms and potential perpetrator(s)
  • Date free text
    7 Dec 1831
  • Production date
    From: 1831 To: 1831
  • Scope and Content
    Reads- The late fires enveloped in mystery. I think they are done either by the people who actually work on the farms, or a parishioner who has a dislike to the person. That there is only one concerned is pretty clear, else the rewards would have tempted informers. As to Totternhoe: the tenant Fossey (no connection of Tween) lives at Dunstable & rents at Totternhoe from Bridgewater; he is overseer, and like all overseers is a marked man; but in this case the ricks were not set on fire, only the buildings, and these were separated from the ricks by a road. A man was suspected; he admitted having seen the fire at Lewsey break out, he was at the time on the downs. There is no doubt of the man committed for setting premises on fire at Wingfield last Thursday, but evidence only circumstantial; Reddall & Green fear he will not be convicted. Have not had time to go to Elstow, but I understand there was a watchman who had every evening to leave his beat for a few minutes to turn some cows out; that in his absence the light was placed among some straw in an open hovel. Mr. Manning did not reside at this farm; the buildings are close to the village, & by pulling down some houses the fire was confined to his farm. I imagine the loss great, as the whole crop is consumed with the exception of 40 or 50 quarters barley, also part of a hayrick. The property is Whitbread's. Circular not relished by tenantry - "interference". I am going to meet the Woburn farmers tonight for the 3rd time. W. Bennett. Whitbread (the member of staff), and works in hand. Best for Duke to put an experienced drainer in charge of 10-12 men in park. Iron bridge at the Swan.
  • Level of description
    item
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