QSR1840/2/5/6

Depositions and examination - James Chambers accused of stealing flour from Henry Durrant

6 April 1840

From: 1840 To: 1840

James Gooding of Aspley Guise, miller - works for his uncle Henry Durrant of Aspley Guise, miller. On 21 February he was in his uncle's water mill. He left about 2pm leaving a sack and a half of thirds flour. There was also second flour in the mill. The next morning in consequence of information recevied he went to the mill. The two sacks and all the thirds flour were gone except a little left on the floor, which he put in a sample bag and gave to his uncle. He compared this with flour found at the house of James Chambers and believes it to be the same. Henry Sharp of Aspley Guise, labourer - he works for Henry Durrant. About 6pm on 21 February he left the mill and locked the door. The thirds flour in 2 sacks was left there. In the morning the entrance door was still locked but two other doors where open which he had bolted the night before inside. He went and told Gooding and his master. The three of them went to the mill and saw the sacks of flour were gone. Henry Durrant of Aspley Guise, miller - from information received he suspected the flour was in the house of James Chambers of Bow Brickhill and obtained a search warrant. He went with the constable and Gooding to Bow Brickhill. Chambers' wife said she had not got any flour, but they found a little flour and a loaf downstairs.Under the bed they found a large pan with about half a bushel of thirds flour in it. He went to look for Chambers who he understood was working on the Heath, but he was gone and had left his tools. John Abbey of Fenny Stratford (Bucks), constable - he received information that Chambers was working on the Eastern Counties Railway at Romford. he went there last Friday evening and the next morning took Chambers into custody. He searched him and found a knife and a bunch of skeleton keys. James Chambers - "it was my flour".

item

Chambers, James,
Gooding, James,
Sharp, Henry,
Durrant, Henry,
Abbey, John

ASPLEY GUISE, Bow Brickhill, Fenny Stratford, Romford, miller, water mill, stealing, flour, railway companies