QSR1841/3/5/17

Depositions and examination - William Philpot charged with stealing a silver spoon

30 April 1841

From: 1841 To: 1841

William Fitzwilliam How of Aspley Guise, gentleman, "being one of the people called Quakers" affirmed - the previous day about 2pm he saw Philpot in his wash house. He found Philpot was brother to his cook and told his housemaid to let him have his dinner. On his dinner table he had 4 silver tablespoons and only one was used for gravy. They were taken into the kitchen after dinner. The spoon produced is one fo the four and "the mark of gravy is upon it". He went out after dinner and on his return was informed that a silver spoon had been stolen. A woman who had been at his house selling matches was searched but no spoon was found on her. He then suspected William Philpot who he understood resided at Toddington. he sent for police constable McHugh and informed him of his suspicions. Ann Willison, servant to Mr How (housemaid) - after Mr How dined she took 4 silver tablespoons out of the dining room into the kitchen. Two of them had been used - one was in the pudding and the other in the meat dish. William Philpot dined in the kitchen with the servants. When she went to wash the spoons she missed one. Philpot was then in the kitchen talking to his sister. He left soon after. She believes the spoon produced is the one that was taken. John McHugh of Aspley Guise, police constable - at Mr How's direction he went to Toddington, went to Philpot's lodging and apprehended him. Philpot was in bed, got up and put on his clothes.He searched Philpot's pockets, and in his right coat pocket found the silver spoon now produced marked with the letters W M H. William Philpot - had nothing to say.

item

Philpot, William,
How, William Fitzwilliam,
Willison, Ann,
McHugh, John

ASPLEY GUISE, TODDINGTON, stealing, silver, Quakers, housemaid