QSR1841/4/5/24

Depositions - Philip Foley charged with stealing a horse

6 September 1841

From: 1841 To: 1841

Ellen Dillon, wife of Patrick Dillon of Luton - on Saturday morning Foley came into her house and asked to see her husband, saying he had a letter for him. She expected her husband that night but he did not come. Foley stayed very late waiting for him and she let him sleep in the stable. Her husband's horse was in the stable. Her servant girl locked him in. He got up in the morning and had his breakfast. Her servant told her the prisoner had taken the horse out of the stable. She sent her after him and the horse was brought back. Foley said he took the horse out to give it some grass. She did not give him leave to take it. Foley did not give her any letter. He was a stranger to her. Bridget Macquire - the prisoner stopped at her mistress's house till late and slept in the stable. When he got up he had his breakfast. She saw him leading the horse out of the stable with a halter. She told her mistress. On her instruction she followed him and about a mile from home she met him returning with the horse. James Impey - he lives near Mrs Dillon's house. On Sunday morning he saw Foley lead the horse out fo the stable door with the whip under his arm. It was about 11.45. He went to fetch the police. John Chapman - about 12 o'clock he was told a man had made his escape who attempted to steal a horse at Donkey Hall. He cut across the fields towards Mr Williams brick kiln in the direction he heard he had gone. He heard a person like the prisoner had been seen near Kidney Wood going fast. He got round as far as Lord Bates Lodge when he was told he was gone over the Pales. He tracked him along the field about 20 or 30 yards past the Lodge and found Foley laid between the pales and the double hedge. He took him into custody. He said he had done nothing - he said he hid because he was frightened. He said the woman gave him leave at first but afterwards contradicted it and said she did not. William Taylor - on Sunday Mrs Dillon told him to go after her horse. He went after him and met the maid servant coming back. She told him the man was coming back with the horse. He met him just afterwards. He asked Foley who gave him leave to take the horse out of the stable and he said no one. He walked by the side of Foley till they met his father. They took hold of the horse and shoved Foley off. Foley said the horse was lame and he had taken it out for exercise. He told Foley the horse had exercise enough going to market.

item

Foley, Philip,
Dillon, Ellen,
Dillon, Patrick,
Macquire, Bridget,
Impey, James,
Chapman, John,
Taylor, William,
Williams

LUTON, Luton Donkey Hall, horse theft, kiln