QSR1839/1/5/18

Examination and depositions - John Burbidge of Blaby (Leics), a tramp, charged with stealing a silver watch worth 30s and a tin nutmeg grater worth 1d from William Lockwood

12 November 1838

From: 1838 To: 1838

Sarah Lockwood, wife of William Lockwood of Dunstable, retailer of beer - on Saturday 10 November she placed a silver watch on the mantlepiece in the tap room. There was also a nutmeg grater on the mantlepiece. John Burbidge was there at the time, about 3pm. After he left she missed the watch. The only other person there at the time was a woman from Dunstable named Abraham. William Lockwood of Dunstable, retailer of beer - his servant told him his wife had missed his watch from the tap room and wanted to know if he had it. When he realised Burbidge was gone he sent his servant to the lodging house (The Bell) to find him and bring him to his House. Lockwood accused him of stealing the watch which he denied, so he sent for the police man. Robert Lees of Dunstable, police constable - was sent for to Mr Lockwood's House, the Ewe and Lamb in Dunstable. Mrs Lockwwod told him there was a man in the tap room she suspected of stealing her husband's watch. He denied it, but when Lees searched him he found the watch in the inside of his breeches near the knee and the nutmeg grater in his pocket. John Burbidge - "I wish I had never come up this road. I came to see for work from my parish Blaby in Leicestershire".

item

Burbidge, John,
Lockwood, Sarah,
Lockwood, William,
Lees, Robert

DUNSTABLE, Blaby, stealing, watches, beer retailer, Dunstable Ewe & Lamb, Dunstable Bell