QSR1840/1/5/10

Depositions and examination - Samuel Brooks of Felmersham, labourer, charged with stealing one shilling from Revd Henry Davis Ward

9 November 1839

From: 1839 To: 1840

Revd Henry Davis Ward of Felmersham, clerk - Samuel Brooks is employed by him to run errands and do any jobs that may need to be done. He has access to the kitchen, where there is a dresser with three drawers, two of which are used by the maid servants to put their work in. One of his servants, Sarah Freeman, had often complained of losing half pence from her drawer. On Thursday 7th he asked her if she had lost any money lately - she said her purse with money in it had been lost last Saturday. He therefore marked a shilling and 2 half pence which he showed to her and put into the drawer. They were safe on the Friday night, but that morning she came to him and told him the shilling was gone. He went into the yard, called Samuel Brooks into the kitchen, searched him, and found the marked shilling in his trousers pocket. Sarah Freeman, servant to Revd Ward - as above. She had shut her drawer quite close the night before, and after Samuel Brooks came for a key she saw it was a little open. Samuel Brooks - had nothing to say.

item

Ward, Henry Davis,
Freeman, Sarah,
Brooks, Samuel

FELMERSHAM, servant, stealing, money