QSR1850/1/5/36/a

Depositions of John Millard, police constable of Luton and John Wiseman, stationer of Luton, in the case of Charles Burgess, of the Luton Union Workhouse, accused of stealing a book, a tortoiseshell needle-box, a cigar case and a silk purse

20 December 1849

From: 1849 To: 1850

John Wiseman: kept a Stationer's shop in George Street, Luton. Charles Burgess often purchased small items. On 18 December, whilst in the shop, he saw Burgess steal a book. Wiseman took it from him and forgave him. A short time later, Wiseman discovered another book to be missing. It was called "Maunders little Treasury", a companion version to the first book. He also missed a tortoise shell needle box and a cigar case. John Millard: was advised by Wiseman of his suspicions. He went to the Union Workhouse, where the accused was an inmate, and searched him. He found the book and purse. Burgess said he had sold the cigar case to Abraham Short, another inmate. He went to Short, who was ill in bed, and retrieved it. Burgess then said he had sold the tortoise shell needle case to George Clark, also an inmate. Clark had sold the box to a boy named Smith, who gave it to Millard.

item

Burgess, Charles,
Wiseman, John,
Millard, John,
Short, Abraham,
Clark, George

LUTON, workhouses, stealing, book, stationer, Luton George Street