QSR1842/1/5/22

Depositions and examination - Joel Breed charged with stealing coals from the Honorable George Rice Trevor

22 November 1841

From: 1841 To: 1842

Joseph Procter of Stagsden, lime burner - he is employed lime burning at the Stone Pitts near the Stagsden Turnpike gate. He left the Pitts yesterday about 12.30pm. When he left there were a heap of coals at the back of the kiln, about 30 cwt. The kiln is in a field belonging to Hon. George Rice Trevor. The gate of the field was locked when he left. He went to the kiln that morning about 7.30am and saw the heap had been disturbed. He missed some large pieces of coal which were on the back side of the heap. He had plaed them there purposely to see if any were taken. He thought there was from 2 to 3 bushels taken. He traced footsteps from the heap up the field towards Kempston Box End. The foot marks appeared very fresh. They were over a ploughed field. He turned back to the kiln and gave the information to Mr Harrison who is now present. Henry Ison Jebbett, superintendent of police - that morning Mr Harrison informed him some coals had been stolen from the lime kilns on the Stagsden Road. He examined the place and saw the foot marks of two persons from the Pitts up Mr Swannel's field (the field the Pitts are in). He traced them over several fields in the direction of the house where the prisoner lives. The footsteps were fresh and had evidently been made since the rain that fell the previous evening. When he went to Breed's house he found his wife at home. He searched the premises in the presence of Joseph Procter and Samuel Harrison. In the back room he found about 1/2 bushel of coals, and amongst them were pieces of lime stones similar to those in the heap near the kiln. The coals were wet. He found Breed in Stevington parish about 2 miles or more from his house at work for Mr Rogers. He took Breed into custody and cautioned him. He went with Breed to the field and matched his shoes with the foot marks. They corresponded in every particular. He asked Breed whether he had bought any coals later and he said he had not bought any for some time as he could not afford it. The stone found among the coal at Breed's house matched the stone dug at the pit. Joel Breed - he has had a load of green roots come home lately which been difficult to burn. Last Saturday he took his scuttle to his next door neighbour and asked him to lend him some coal until he could afford to get some. His scuttle had never been emptied since he had some lime from the same kiln in the harvest, to do his house up. His neighbour lent him some coal. That is all he has to say. He came down the field the previous night from work. He did not go near the Pitts.

item

Breed, Joel,
Trevor, George Rice,
Procter, Joseph,
Jebbett, Henry Ison

STAGSDEN, Kempston Box End, stealing, coal, limeburner, limekilns, police superintendent