QSR1851/3/5/34-35/a

Depositions of Sarah, wife of German Wagstaffe of Potton, John Tyler, farmer of Potton and John Shaw, police constable of Potton. In the case of Robert Apthorpe & William Hutchinson accused of stealing potatoes

29 April 1851

From: 1851 To: 1851

John Tyler: Apthorpe and Hutchinson were employed by him in sorting potatoes in his barn. He had sometimes missed potatoes but did not suspect the accused. On 24 April he received information that they had some potatoes they had taken from his barn. The same day the policeman produced some potatoes which match those missing from the barn. Sarah Wagstaffe: wife of German Wagstaffe and they live close to Mr Tyler's barn in Potton. On 24 April she saw the prisoners come into the yard where the barn is. Apthorpe went into the barn and Hutchinson remained outside as if watching. Apthorpe came out a few moments later with something wrapped up in his smock frock. She called to him but he did not come back. A few minutes later Apthorpe returned and went into the barn with Hutchinson. She went and charged them with stealing potatoes. Hutchinson said "go and fetch them back Bob and then perhaps she won't talk". Apthorpe went away and returned with the potatoes. She asked where he had taken them and he said to his aunts. John Shaw: a police constable. He heard that some potatoes had been taken from Tyler's barn, and from information received, went to James Lenton's house at Potton. He was not at home but he told Lenton's wife, Susan, that he had come about some potatoes taken from Tyler's barn. She said what potatoes she had were in the cellar, however he opened a cupboard and found some potatoes. Susan Lenton said they had been brought by the boys. Asked more about the boys, she said she was referring to her nephew and another boy. Shaw showed Tyler the potatoes and he confirmed they were his.

item

Apthorpe, Robert,
Hutchinson, William,
Wagstaffe, Sarah,
Wagstaffe, German,
Tyler, John,
Shaw, John,
Lenton, Susan,
Lenton, James

POTTON, stealing, potatoes