QSR1839/1/5/5

Depositions of Mary Payne of St Paul Bedford, singlewoman, and William Coombs, chief constable of Bedford, in case of Elizabeth Holloman, charged with stealing one pair of stockings, one apron, one flannel petticoat, one handkerchief, and four yards of lace netting from Mary Payne.

21 October 1838

From: 1838 To: 1839

Mary Payne: On 12 October she left service with Mr Samuel Joseph Lyon of Adelaide Square, leaving in his care a box containing clothing. The prisoner had come to Mrs Lyons before she left, when she was packing her box. She returned to collect the box on 19th October, but Mrs Lyon "was not well suited" with a servant so asked her to stay on until she goes to her next employment. The prisoner was with Mrs Lyon as her servant but left a few minutes later. Her box was in the room where the prisoner slept. She did not look at her box until Monday night the 22nd, when she missed some items - 2 pairs of white stockings, one pair of black stockings, one collar, one shift, four handkerchiefs, one nightcap, one apron, one flannel petticoat and 6 yards of lace edging. She suspected the prisoner and obtained a search warrant. On going with Mr Coombs to the prisoner's father's house at Harradine they examined the bed and found the apron now produced which she identified as hers. In a basket under the bed they found the flannel petticoat now produced which she identified by worn parts, and in a cupboard in the room she found the pair of white stockings now produced which are marked with her initials. She also found the piece of lace and a muslin handkerchief in the room in which the family were sitting. William Coombs: Confirmed the evidence of Mary Payne as true. The prisoner declined to say anything in her defence.

sub-file

Payne, Mary,
Coombs, William,
Holloman, Elizabeth,
Lyon, Samuel Joseph

Bedford St.Paul, Bedford Adelaide Square, stealing, clothing, servant