QSR1851/2/5/5

Depositions of William Spacey, labourer of Milton Bryant, Joseph Smith Cook, master of the workhouse, of Woburn, and William Buckland, porter at the workhouse. In the case of Thomas Cook accused of stealing a pair of shoes

15 January 1851

From: 1851 To: 1851

William Spacey: was in the Woburn Union Workhouse, along with the accused, in the early part of the year. On day the accused asked if he could try one of Spacey's shoes on. He tried on the right shoe and said that it fitted him nicely. He returned the shoe. The shoes were the property of William Spacey and not the workhouse. That evening, on going to bed, he left his shoe in the passage, as was the normal practice. About half an hour after, he heard some rattling of the shoe and some men went down to investigate. On returning, they told his shoes and 2 other pairs had gone. The prisoner left the workhouse that night. Spacey left the following morning and did not see his shoes again for some time. He heard the prisoner had been sent to gaol for absconding the workhouse with clothes. Spacey returned to the workhouse on another order, and there saw his shoes in a room. The porter asked if he could swear them as his, and he said he could. Joseph Smith Cook: master of the Woburn Union Workhouse. On 15 January, the prisoner and Spacey were inmates of the workhouse. That evening the prisoner scaled the walls and absconded from the workhouse taking union clothes. The following day he was informed 3 pairs of shoes had been missed, including those of Spacey. They were a good pair of shoes and he was allowed to wear them. On 7 February the prisoner was committed to the House of Correction, he was sent to the workhouse so the porter may strip him of the workhouse clothing and put his own. William Buckland: on 7 February the prisoner was bought to the workhouse in custody and he was ordered to take off the workhouse clothing and given his own. The shoes were taken from him and remained in Buckland's possession.Statement of the accused: nothing to say

item

Cook, Thomas,
Spacey, William,
Cook, Joseph Smith,
Buckland, William

WOBURN, Milton Bryant, stealing, shoes, Master of the workhouse, porter