QSR1840/4/5/5/d

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

27 July 1840

From: 1840 To: 1840

John Tregenza, keeper of Bedford Gaol - on Thursday July 23 he received the letter now produced from his turnkey Skinner in the presence of Smith. Skinner said the prisoner had finished his letter and it was there for the post. This took place in the passage of the Gaol near the cell in which the prisoner had been writing. John Howard of Bedford, ironmonger - the previous Thursday afternoon in consequence of a message from Smith he received through his son he went to Smith in Gaol and saw him in the presence of Tregenza the gaoler. Smith said "I hope you will deal mercifully with me". He replied "why Smith you have robbed me I believe very extensively and we have found out that your wife has carried several parcels of chisels and left them at James Halfhead's in Gravel Lane". Smith admitted they were parcels with three or four chisels each and said his wife knew where they were amd if he could see her he would give them back again. Smith offered to write to her about them. He repeatedly said to Smith he could make no promise, and is sure he said nothing to Smith to induce him to say what he did. Response to prisoner: he has no recollection of saying that if his property was restored he would beg the jury to be favourable to him. He may have said if Smith wished him to do anything the proper course would be to restore his goods but he made no promises. William Smith: he stated there might be some chisels in his wife's possession after Howard said he would be favourable to him if he restored the goods, and wrote to her to tell her to send them to him to see if they were Howard's property. Howard: Smith said he would direct the chisels to be sent direct to him. William Smith: knew nothing more. John Tregenza - was present at the interview in the gaol between Howard and Smith. The prsioner "fell into tears", cried very much and asked to be left alone with Mr Howard as he had something he wished to say to him privately. He told Smith it could not be allowed. Smith said to Howard "I hope you'll forgive me" and hoped Howard would speak for him at the time of Trial. Howard replied "that will depend on whether his property is restored or not", and if it was restored and Smith convicted the only thing he could do was ask the Chairman and Magistrates to be as merciful to him as possible.

item

Smith, William,
Howard, John,
Halfhead, James

London Smithfield, Hitchin, Bedford High Street, Bedford Gravel Lane, ironmongers, braziers