QSR1841/4/5/12-14

Deposition and examinations - Stephen Janes, William Smith and Caleb Feasey

31 July 1841

From: 1841 To: 1841

Thomas Gadsden - he lives with his father James Gadsden a farmer at Eaton Bray. The previous day he saw Janes, Smith and Feasey at his father's door. They asked for work - they did not give them any. They went away together down the close. He watched them until they were out of the close and then went upstairs to watch them further. He saw one of them come round the hedge to a hay rick. His father's fowls were just against that hay rick. He saw the man drive them round the rick. He heard them flutter and make a noise. He came downstairs and ran towards the rick. He saw all three men together about 40 yards from the rick. He said to Janes "I know you have got a fowl in your pocket". Janes denied it. Janes refused to let him feel. He went with them down the field. He met a neighbour, Robert Hodges, and said he would search. Janes then pulled a fowl out of his pocket and gave it to him. It died a minute or two later. He has no doubt it was one of his father's fowls. Stephen Janes - believes it is not one of Mr Gadsden's fowls. They had been round after work and had been at Whipsnade Hall. Coming through a bit of a plantation they saw the fowl lying half dead in the lane. There were 2 or 3 girls with bundles of sticks under their arms who ran away at the same time. He picked up the fowl and put it in his pocket. William Smith - can say nothing further than Janes Caleb Feasey - he was with them but never meddled with it.

item

Janes, Stephen,
Smith, William,
Feasey, Caleb,
Gadsden, Thomas,
Gadsden, James,
Hodges, Robert

EATON BRAY, Whipsnade Hall, stealing, fowl