QSR1839/4/5/8-9/e

Depositions of Thomas Haynes, Philip Parkes and William Humphreys against Frederick Diemer, charged with stealing material for boots and shoes from Henry Bolton, and Thomas Valentine, charged with receiving them.

17 August 1839

From: 1839 To: 1839

Thomas Haynes of Ampthill, shoe seller - does not know Diemer but knows Valentine from his calling on him with shoes. Valentine first called on him about 3 months earlier, offering to sell on the same terms as the previous man who had left Bedford. He bought about 4 pairs of shoes from him on that occasion, which he has since sold. Last Saturday Mr Bolton came with Powers the constable and asked to see his stock. Bolton identified the four pairs of boots now produced as his. Haynes bought two pairs on Saturday August 10 from Valentine for 3s 9d and 1s 8d. He bought a third pair of those produced for 3s and a pair of children's boots which he resold the same day. Over the last 3 months the only boots and shoes he bought from someone coming from Bedford were from Valentine. The man with whom he previously dealt who Valentine said had left Bedford was Covington. Valentine never offered him goods at less than market price. Philip Parker of Ampthill, dealer in clothes and shoes - does not know Diemer but knows Valentine. First dealt with him around 20 to 28 July. He bought several pairs of ladies' boots from him. He thinks Valentine had called on him 4 times. The second time he bought nothing. The third time he bought some ladies' boots. The fourth and last time he bought 5 pairs of ladies' boots, one pair of women's leather boots and some small ones. Mr Bolton came last Saturday with Powers and he showed them the pairs he had bought from Valentine - he claimed 6 pairs were his. The first time Valentine came he asked if the shoes were his lawful property - he said they were and he was coming in place of Covington. Valentine said he came from Bedford. When Parker doubted whether they were his property Valentine told him to look at his hands and he would see he was a shoemaker. He gave Valentine the same prices he used to give Covington. William Humphreys of Bedford, shoemaker - knows both Diemer and Valentine. 4 or 5 months ago Valentine offered him 6 or 7 pairs of women's shoes for sale, stamped H.B. - he did not buy them. He had bought shoes from Valentine in the past. He knows Mr Bolton's stamp and the shoes he did not buy had it. He never asked Valentine how he came by the shoes, and never said any of the shoes offered to him came through Diemer.

item

Valentine, Thomas,
Bolton, Henry,
Diemer, Frederick,
Haynes, Thomas,
Parker, Philip,
Humphreys, William,
Powers, Bartlett,
Covington

receiving stolen goods, stealing, boots, shoes, shoemaker, shoe retailer, BEDFORD, AMPTHILL