QSR1850/3/5/21/a

Depositions of Robert Gibbon, master of the St Neots union workhouse and Robert Hart, rural police constable of Eaton Socon. In the case of Mary Hollis accused of stealing a petticoat, a shirt and a sheet.

27 June 1850

From: 1850 To: 1850

Robert Gibbon: on 26 June was shown a bundle by Constable Hart, which he said he had taken from Mary Hollis. He examined the articles and recognized a shirt, petticoat and sheet as belonging to the Guardians of the poor in St Neots union. Mary Hollis had been at the workhouse voluntarily for some weeks and left on 25 June. She had no bundle when she left and Gibbon believes the items may have been hidden about her person. The laundry is in the women’s yard, they are locked gates on both sides. He believes he conveyed the shirt to the laundry himself on 23. Before going to bed on 25 June, the doors to the women’s dormitory were fastened and the keys placed in his bedroom. Robert Hart: on 26 June he was at Eaton Ford and met Mary Hollis. She was carrying a bundle. He questioned her on where she had come from and what the bundle contained. He examined the bundle and saw the articles which were branded with the words "St Neots Union". Upon being taken into custody, Hollis said they had been thrown over the wall but she did not know by whom. Later she said by Sarah Browning. She was taken to the cage at Eaton Socon. She later said she was unsure it was Sarah Browning who threw the items over the wall.

item

Hollis, Mary,
Gibbon, Robert,
Hart, Robert,
Browning, Sarah

Eynesbury, EATON SOCON, Eaton Ford, St Neots, stealing, clothing, Parish Workhouses