QSR1839/1/5/10

Depositions and examination: Sarah Mardle charged with stealing money.

1 November 1838

From: 1838 To: 1838

George Halsey of Luton, labourer for Mr Davis of Falkners Hall - kept his money in a clothes chest in the bedroom of his house at Chiltern Green. Between 21 and 28 October the chest was broken open and £7 5s in crowns and half-crowns stolen. Ann Halsey, who lives with her brother George - on Monday 22 October she went to the barn to fetch her plait to take to market and left the house door open. She came back, put the plait in a basket and went to market, leaving the door locked and the shutters fastened. On her return she went to open the window, found the shutter partly open and thought it was odd. George Deacon, farmer of Chiltern Green - heard of the theft and went to Sarah Mardle whom he suspected of taking the money. She denied it so he went to Mr McDonall's to get a warrant, came back with Gamby the constable and threatened her with being taken before the magistrate. She went to the Halseys' house, showed Gamby a little box of money standing on a table, and admitted she put it there while he was gone. There was £4 11s. Asked what she had done with the rest she said she had bought a bundle of straw out of one half crown and eventually admitted burying the rest in a hole in the garden. Sarah Mardle - admitted taking the money and putting it in the garden, but said she had no more.

item

Mardle, Sarah,
Halsey, George,
Halsey, Ann,
Deacon, George,
Gamby

LUTON, Chiltern Green, stealing, money, Straw Plait