QSR1840/1/5/24/b

Depositions of Henry Savage, Charles Burridge and Thomas Simkins, and examination of John Blunt

28 December 1839

From: 1839 To: 1840

Henry Savage, grocer and draper at Cranfield - on Monday 18 November his shop was shut up at 11pm and he did not go to bed until 12. In the morning he found the shop had been broken into . Goods missing included several men's round or smock frocks. He believes the smock frock now produced to be one of those stolen - there were 4 or 5 of the same size, texture and colour besides 3 or 4 drab ones. His shop mark is on a card which is sewed on to the gusset - the mark appears to have been torn off the smock. It is clear from the smell that the frock has not been worn Charles Burridge, labourer at Cranfield - he heard of Savage's shop being robbed in November. A few days later Blunt came to him in a field where he was at work and asked if he wanted to buy a smock. He said no. Blunt said he had no money or victuals and must sell something. The same night Blunt met him in the street and showed him a smock, for which he wanted 4 shillings. It had been worn a little but not much. Blunt said he had it from Newport. He bought the smock from Blunt for 4s and gave hims some beer. He heard of Joseph Minards being in custory and heard Blunt then ran away and he has not seen him since. The smock was not quite new, but still smells like new stuff. Thomas Simkins, labourer of Cranfield - William [sic] Minards told him about a week or 10 days after Savage's shop was broken into theat he and Blunt broke it open and that the stuff was hid under a [Haulier Cock?] in the way past field. The day Joseph Minards was taken he saw Blunt and he said it was a bad job he was taken as now they would be found out. Blunt did not say he did it, but thought he should go off. He said "I hear they've got Joe off to Woburn and I dare say he'll split and tell who it was". Blunt went to John Harpur's and he believes Blunt went away the same night. John Blunt - shall say nothing, and shan't say where he had the frock from

item

Blunt, John,
Minards, Joseph,
Savage, Henry,
Burridge, Charles,
Simkins, Thomas

CRANFIELD, Newport Pagnell, WOBURN, grocer, draper, burglary