QSR1841/1/5/2

Depositions and examination - Jesse Cunnington

20 October 1840

From: 1840 To: 1841

Samuel Fowler of Riseley, tile maker - on 27 August he was going to London to see his sister. He met Jesse Cunnington at Bletsoe and Mr Crisp's beer shop. They left together and went to the Angel, Bedford. He had 2 bundles with one containing his clothes. One bundle was in a green handkerchief and the other in a red one. Cunnington carried the green bundle for him from Bletsoe to Bedford and he carried the other. When they arrived at Bedford they placed the two bundles on chairs. After about 3 hours Cunnington took up the green bundle and said he would go on. Cunnington said he would also take the red bundle. He [Fowler] said he could take that himself. He turned round to talk to William Purser for a few minutes then discovered Cunnington had gone off with both the bundles. He went after him along the London Road and came back by Elstow but could not find him. He heard nothing of him until the previous day when he met him at Keysoe and asked where his bundle was. He said London, then Westminster and admitted he did not have permission to take the bundle. He then went to work and his brother wished him to go to the policeman. William Purser of Johns Street, Bedford, tailor - Samuel Fowler told Cunnington in his presence not to take the large bundle away. He later helped Fowler to search Elstow and other villages for Cunnington, but they could not find him. The next morning he and Fowler went to Shefford in search of Cunnington and told the policeman of the offence. Jesse Cunnington - they agreed to go together to London. He carried one bundle to Bedford as stated. They had a good deal to drink. He wanted to leave and took up his bundle. He asked if he was to take the bundle he had carried to Bedford and Fowler said yes. He said he had better take the other bundle - Fowler said he need not. He took it and said he was going. Fowler said he would catch him. He went on until he got to a road that led to Maulden and asked a man if that was the London Road - the man said not so he turned back and lay on the road waiting for Fowler. Soon after he got up and went towards London. Not liking to leave the bundle in the road he took it with him. As to what had been said about him stating he would "break the bloody neck" of anyone who took him - he could not redeem the clothes at present but would do so as soon as he could get the money and said if any Keysoe people said anything to him about the clothes he would "thump their bloody head". Purser and Fowler both saw him go out of the house at Bedford. Samuel Fowler - the reason he did not take Cunnington when he met him at Keysoe was that he was afraid as Cunnington had said if anyone attempted to take him he would "break their bloody neck".

item

Fowler, Samuel,
Cunnington, Jesse,
Purser, William,
Crisp

RISELEY, KEYSOE, BEDFORD, ELSTOW, SHEFFORD, MAULDEN, Bedford Johns Street, Bedford Angel, beerhouses, stealing, clothing, tile maker, tailor