QSR1840/4/5/5/b

Depositions - William Smith charged with stealing from his master John Howard

24 July 1840

From: 1840 To: 1840

Elizabeth Halfhead wife of James Halfhead of St Paul Bedford, labourer - Mrs Smith, wife of William Smith, came to her house on Friday July 17 at a little after 8am with a parcel wrapped up in her apron, and asked if she could leave it in her house until she called for it as the person she had taken it to was not at home. She agreed and told Mrs Smith to lay them at the back of her ironing board. She laid three parcels there, wrapped up and tied in thick white-brown paper. Each parcel had one chisel tied on the outside. One parcel was smaller than the others. She knew Mrs Smith and knew she lived at Mrs Clarke's. She washed for her. She had two little girls. Mrs Smith had told her she hoped they would stop in the town. About 9.30am Mrs Smith came again and took the 3 parcels. James Clark, constable of Bedford - that morning as he was bringing down the prisoner for further examination he called at Mr Coombs' house. While they were there a conversation took place in Smith's presence and hearing. Mr Coombs asked what he was in custody for - he said some files. Coombs asked if they were old files - he said not, that they were new files and Smith had been working at Mr Howard's. Coombs had thought they might be old ones out of a basket. A few minutes later Smith asked "if a woman was taken up and sent to prison what would become of her children if she had any" - Coombs replied "they would send them to the Union would they not Clark". Smith inquired how they would be provided for and there was further conversation as to what might be her treatment in the Workhouse. Coombs asked if he had got the woman (meaning Smith's wife) in custody. He said he had not. He [Smith] said "I wish I was as innocent as she is". Since then he had often said it was a bad job and he should be sent away. A few minutes earlier Smith said to him "are there not a great many transported from here?". He said there were. Smith said "that will be my chance". William Coombs, chief constable of Bedford - from information received that morning from Mr Howard he went up to the Gaol and saw Mrs Tregenza the Gaoler's wife and asked her for a letter. She delivered the letter to him which he now produces. She does not know in whose hand writing it is. It is addressed to Mrs Smith, Mr Castle's, 2 New St Cloth Fare, West Smithfield, London.

item

Smith, William,
Howard, John,
Clark, James,
Halfhead, Elizabeth,
Halfhead, James,
Coombs, William,
Tregenza

Bedford St.Paul, London Smithfield, stealing, ironmonger, washerwoman, police constable, transportation