QSR1851/1/5/32-33/a

Depositions of William Irons, gentleman of Luton and John Millard, police constable of Luton. In the case of Jacob Smith the elder & Jacob Smith the younger, accused of stealing ash wood.

4 December 1850

From: 1850 To: 1851

They were stacking and faggoting wood on the day. The elder prisoner had been employed several times to cut wood. He had never been allowed to take any away or asked to take any. He said he did not know of a custom for woodmen to take wood away. John Millard: he went to Mixes Hill and saw the prisoners come out of Mr Iron’s field, each carrying a quantity of wood. He asked them if they had permission to take the wood and both said they did. The elder said it was rotten wood and they had a right to it and Mr Irons was aware of this. He took them to Mr. Irons who said it was a case he could not overlook. They both acknowledged taking the wood and Mr Irons said he had told them not to take it. The elder prisoner said that was not the case this time.

item

Smith, Jacob,
Irons, William,
Millard, John

LUTON, Luton Mixes Hill, stealing, wood