QSR1841/3/5/18

Depositions and examination - John Panter charged with stealing a waistcoat from Henry May

1 May 1841

From: 1841 To: 1841

Henry May of Silver Street, St Paul Bedford, clothier - the previous afternoon about 3pm from information given him he went with Mr Coombs to Mr Ivett's brick yard at St Paul, Bedford. When they got there Mr Coombs showed him the waistcoat now produced. The waistcoat is his. He is sure he had not sold it and it has his private shop mark on it. Panter was in his shop a week ago yesterday and he measured him for a coat. Panter was at work at the brick yard when they went there. Coombs took him into custody. He heard panter say he found the waistcoat at his door. He believes he hung the waistcoat outside his door on Wednesday morning. Robert Brown of St Cuthberts Bedford, labourer - the previous Thursday night about 7pm Panter came to him in the yard against Mr Ivett's house with the waistcoat on him. Panter offered to sell him the waistcoat for 1 shilling, 3 watch seals, one watch chain and a watch key which he had. They agreed and Panter gave him the waistcoat. He asked where Panter got it - he said he bought it at Mr Claydon's and gave 11s for it. He took the waistcoat home and examined it. He thought Panter did not come honestly by it and brought it back to Mr Ivett's yard and gave it to Panter. William Bettles of Conduit Street St Pauls Bedford, brickmaker - Brown told him yesterday about the waistcoat. They planned to get the waistcoat from Panter again. At dinner time he asked Panter if he had a waistcoat to sell - Panter said yes - he asked to see it - Panter fetched it. Panter asked for 4 shillings but he offered 2 and they could not agree the price. He said he would know the waistcoat again, knew where it came from, that Panter stole it and it came from Mr May. Panter called him aside to speak to him. They went into the lime house. He asked Panter where he had the waistcoat from. Panter admitted stealing it from Mr May's on Bedford Fair night, but asked him not to say anything or he would be transported. Panter said it lay outside the door on the path. He gave the waistcoat to Mr Coombs. William Coombs of St Paul Bedford, chief constable - he went with Mr May to Mr Ivett's brick kilns as stated. Bettles gave the waistcoat to him. Panter said he found it opposite Mr May's door.

item

Panter, John,
May, Henry,
Brown, Robert,
Bettles, William,
Coombs, William,
Ivett

Bedford St.Paul, Bedford St.Cuthbert, Bedford Silver Street, Bedford Conduit Street, stealing, clothing, clothier, brickmaker