Reference
QSR1841/1/5/10-11/a
Title
Depositions of Joseph Robinson, Thomas Orpin and James Harris against Charles Hardwick and Thomas Hardwick
Date free text
10 November 1840
Production date
From: 1840 To: 1841
Scope and Content
Joseph Robinson of Harrold, carpenter - he occupies a small farm at Odell on which there is a homestead. He keeps fowls there. Last Sunday he was informed that the harness house had been broken open. He went to see and about 8pm Thomas Orpin came to him. They waited in an outhouse. About 10pm they went into the yard and saw two persons there. He saw one of the persons put his arm in the hen roost and appear to be robbing it. He could not see him take any fowls out. Afterwards they went to the pigeon hutch - one climbed a ladder while the other held it. He saw the man put his hand into the pigeon holes and saw a pigeon fly away from him. He and Orpin then went and took them. Before they searched them one of them said he had got one pigeon and would give it to them if they would let them go. They took the men to Harrold. The constable searched them and found 3 fowls in Charles Hardwick's pocket, two alive and one dead. A live pigeon was also taken from him.
Thomas Orpin of Harrold, labourer - he was watching with Mr Robinson, but not standing near him. He saw the men go to the pigeon hutch and saw one take a pigeon from the hutch and put it in his pocket. He went to take the men and they said they were looking for lodgings. He accused them of having the pigeons and they offered to give him one. Charles Hardwick said as they were going to Harrold that he had 3 hens in his pocket that he had bought at Northampton.
James Harris , constable of Harrold - he was called on Sunday night by Mr Robinson. He searched the prisoners and in the pockets of a frock coat on Charles Hardwick he found one live pigeon, 2 live hens, and 1 dead hen, still quite warm.
Level of description
item