QSR1851/3/5/28a/a

Depositions James Serjeant, yeoman of Northill, William Holmes, gentleman of Northill, and Isaac Orris Barker, gentleman of Biggleswade. In the case of Cornelius Kemp accused of obtaining money under false pretences

14 June 1851

From: 1850 To: 1851

James Sejeant: occupied a house and land in Northill and was Churchwarden. On 3 October 1850 he paid to Cornelius Kemp, 13 pounds, a shillings and 10 pence. This was the sum assessed of him by the Poor Rate for the parish dated 15 June 1850. Kemp gave him a receipt, he saw him write and sign it. Kemp had collect Poor rates ever since he had taken over from Sejeant as overseers, which was 3 years. However, Serjeant was unsure on whose authority Kemp did this as he was a regular attendee of the vestures of the parish and he could not recall Kemp being appointed overseer. When shown a book, Sejeant recognised it to be in the writing of Cornelius Kemp. Isaac Orris Barker: officiated as clerk to Mr Adey the auditor of the district, in which Northill is. He was present in November 1850 when Cornelius Kemp attended to pass the accounts of the overseer of Northill. Kemp produced a document book containing the account. Barker does not believe it was signed. It professed to be a true, just, complete account of the receipts of the overseer of Northill. The only receipts it contained were those from the former account and the produce of their other rate dated 5 October 1850. The words "Rec? C Kemp at the top of the left hand page were written by Kemp in Barker's presence. William Holmes: occupied a house and land in Northill. On 7 June there was a meeting of a committee, appointed y the vestry, to investigate Kemp's account. Holmes was present. Kemp attended and produced the book. He was requested to date the rate for the account of which he gives credit and in their presence put a date in the margin opposite. Kemp was asked what had become of the rate March to June. Kemp said he could not answer then but would meet the committee again. They met again on 9 June, the book having been in Kemp's custody in the meantime, and he was still unable to account for the deficiency. On producing the book, the dates he had but in the margin on 7 June had been erased. Questioned on this he said he had done it so the book would appear as they first did on Saturday (7 June) and would renter the dates. On 9 June, Kemp was attended by a solicitor and offered to make an assessment of his goods for the benefit of his creditors including the parish. The committee said they would not do this with seeking the advice of their solicitor and added if they accept it was not to affect the further proceeding against Kemp. Kemp and his solicitor then asked for time to consider what course they should take. They adjourned for 2 hours but neither Kemp nor his solicitor returned.

item

Kemp, Cornelius,
Serjeant, James,
Holmes, William,
Barker, Isaac Orris

NORTHILL, yeoman, grocer, false pretences, Poor Rate, Overseers