QSR1851/1/5/5/a

Thomas Tillyard, police constable of Beckett Street, St Pauls, Bedford, Henry Ison Jebbett, police superintendent of Wellington Street, St Peter, Bedford and John Purser, tailor of Pepper Alley, St John, Bedford. In the case of William Bailey accused of stealing 5 live fowls and 2 ducks

24 October 1850

From: 1850 To: 1851

John Purser: a tailor living in Pepper Alley, Bedford. He occupied a plot of land in Cardington where he kept fowls and ducks. On 21 October he locked up 5 hens, a cock and 2 ducks in a barn. Next morning he found the fowls and ducks gone. Thomas Tillyard: having heard of the theft, he went to local poultry shops to see if they had bought any of the missing fowls. When he went up Queen's head Lane, he saw a cock hanging up for sale. He fetched Mr Purser who identified it as his. They entered the yard and identified 5 hens from those running around as those of Mr Purser. There were also 2 dead ducks hanging up for sale, outside the window of the prisoner’s house. These were also identified as Pursers. Henry Ison Jebbett: went with Purser and Tillyard to the prisoner’s house and saw all the property which was identified by Purser. He then took the prisoner into custody. The prisoner said that he had purchased the fowls and ducks the previous day for a shilling a piece. He afterwards said it was his wife who had purchased them from a strange man. In the prisoner’s presence, Mrs Bailey was asked if she had bought any fowls, and she said that she had not bought any for a month. Whilst taking the prisoner to gaol, he escaped from Jebbett's custody, but was retaken.

item

Bailey, William,
Tillyard, Thomas,
Jebbett, Henry Ison,
Purser, John

stealing, fowls, ducks, CARDINGTON, BEDFORD, tailor