QSR1840/1/5/43-44

Depositions and examaniations - John Samwell and Thomas Cumberland charged with felony

18 November 1839

From: 1839 To: 1840

James Scrivener of Houghton Regis, labourer - he works for Stephen Hunt of Houghton Regis. On 5 November he stood on Houghton Green and saw John Samwell, Thomas Cumberland and George Pateman throw 5 or 6 trusses of straw on the Fire on the Green. He saw John Samwell and Thomas Cumberland with trusses of straw on their shoulders carrying them out of Mr Hunt's yard. He saw another person throwing them out of the stable into the yard. There were 14 or 15 of them and they said let's all have one apiece. He spoke to Samwell and Cumberland. They dropped the trusses - he took them and put them in the stable. Stephen Hunt - he is a farmer at Houghton Regis. Several boys came to him on the 5 November to ask for some straw to make a bonfire. He gave them leave to fetch some stubble out of the field. His farmyard is very near where they make the bonfire. He did not give them permission to take straw out of his yard or barn. He missed a great quantity of truss bound straw.

item

Samwell, John,
Cumberland, Thomas,
Scrivener, James,
Hunt, Stephen,
Pateman, George

HOUGHTON REGIS, Houghton Regis Green, stealing, straw, Bonfire Night