QSR1827/303

Examination of William Hide of Arlesey, labourer, and John Cooksey of Arlesey, gamekeeper, in the case against James Taylor and James Sammons and David Clarke all of Arlesey for stealing a duck and drake the goods of Samuel Bedford Edwards of Arlesey, esq.

3 April 1827

From: 1827 To: 1827

William Hide says "On Sunday afternoon last about 3 o'clock I was standing near my home near Church End at Arlesey I then saw the 3 prisoners walking together towards Henlow - James Taylor left them and got over a ditch and went down the riverside about five or six poles: - There were two ducks on the river bank opposite to him - he pelted the ducks - then he then went over the water to the ducks: then I went to fetch John Cooksey. They were white ducks of Mr Edwards. There are none like them in our country." John Cooksey says "...I went with William Hide in pusuit of the 3 prisoners, we met all the three prisoners about a hundred yards from the river I asked them "what they had got there - Taylor said I've got nothing" Sammons answered I've got a duck. I asked David Clarke what he had got. He made no answer but I searched him and I found a live duck under his smock frock - I also found a live duck under Sammon's frock. I took the ducks home to my master's Mr Edwards. The prisoners all asked me to let them go but I kept them in custody. I know this duck and this drake they are Mr Edwards property - they have particular marks about them. The lads were going homewards and towards the direction the mill pit." James Taylor says "we had no intention to steal the ducks, or to take them home we only wanted to swim them at the mill stream." James Sammons says "we only took the ducks to make them swim at the mill." David Clarke says "we only wanted to make the ducks swim in the mill pit."

item

Hide, William,
Cooksey, John,
Taylor, James,
Sammons, James,
Clarke, David,
Edwards, Samuel Bedford

theft, ducks, ARLESEY