QSR1840/2/5/5

Depositions and examination - William Potton of Biggleswade, labourer, charged with stealing a set of old harness with the exception of a collar and reins from William Thomas Chapman

2 April 1840

From: 1840 To: 1840

William Thomas Chapman of Biggleswade, solicitor - about 3 or 4 months ago he directed Potton to take a set of old harness to Mr Taylor's with directions to show it to Samuel Taylor who was to allow him what he thought it was worth. He had not seen the harness since until that morning when it was produced by John Huffer. Edmund Stanton, clerk to William Thomas Chapman - between 3 and 4 months ago he saw a set of harness in the harness house of William Thomas Chapman. He had an old key to the lock of the harness house and Potton had a new key. About 3 or 4 months ago Potton asked for the old key, saying he had lost his. There was a fire in the harness house about 3 or 4 months ago and he saw the old set of harness then. About a week or 10 days ago the door of the harness house was open and he saw the old set of harness was missing. He assumed Potton had removed it to the stables at the Swan Inn where Chapman's horses stand. The previous day he was sent by Chapman to Potton's house to fetch any keys Potton had in his possession and the new one was handed to him. Samuel Taylor, collar and harness maker at Biggleswade - Potton told him 2 or 3 times within the last year to look at an old set of harness belonging to his master, Chapman. About 3 or 4 months ago Potton told him to look at it and say what he would allow for it. He never saw the old harness until that morning when he heard Potton had been discharged. He went to Chapman and asked if he knew where the old set of harness was. He then went to the Swan with Chapman, looked over the harness there and found the old set missing. He went to John Huffer a harness maker who lives at Biggleswade and asked him if the harness now produced was Mr Chapman's harness. Huffer said it was and that he bought it from Potton. John Huffer, collar and harness maker at Biggleswade - about 2 or 3 months ago Potton came to him and asked if he wanted an old set of harness. He bought it for 13s 6d. Potton owed him 1s and they spent 6d on beer, making the price 15s. Potton said Chapman had made him a present of the harness. William Potton - as he and his master were coming home from Highland's at the end of February Chapman told him to take and sell the harness for him to Mr Huffer. A week or two later he did so, and though he did not say so to Huffer he meant to give the money he received for it to Chapman.

item

Potton, William,
Chapman, William Thomas,
Stanton, Edmund,
Taylor, Samuel,
Huffer, John

BIGGLESWADE, Biggleswade Swan Inn, harness, harness maker, false pretences, clerk, solicitor