QSR1842/1/5/52

Depositions and examination - John Smith of Aspley, higler

3 January 1842

From: 1842 To: 1842

Frederick Chapman of Sharnbrook, tailor - on Monday 4 October at 5.30am he left John Smith in the room in which they had slept together at Thomas Smith's beer setter, Sharnbrook. He went to work and left 3 shirt fronts on the table in the room. He came back at about 9am, went upstairs into his room to send the fronts to the wash but they were gone. Smith had left and he had not heard of him again until today. Smith had been lodging in the same room with him for about 5 weeks. He swears the collar now produced is the same he left on the table in his bed room. John Smith - "did you not lend me the shirt fronts?" Chapman - "I lent you the fronts a fortnight before." Smith - "Were they not under my care all the time?" Chapman - "No they were not." William George Whitmarsh, superintendent of police of Bletsoe division - he went to Woburn with a warrant and took Smith in charge. Smith was drunk. He brought Smith to Bedford yesterday evening and gave him into the hands of Bartlett Powers a Bedford constable. Bartlett Powers, constable of Bedford - last night at about 7.30pm Mr Whitmarsh gave him Smith in charge. He put Smith in the cage. Smith wanted to know what for - he told him it was for stealing shirt fronts. Smith said he believed they were at home - he then said he believed he had one on. He [Powers] took it off him. Smith said "do not take it away, my shirt is so dirty". He took it and now produces it. Smith told him they were lent to him and that he had lent Chapman his shoes. John Smith - Chapman lent him the fronts. He wore them for a fortnight before he left. He did not wear them on the Sunday as he came away on the Monday. He laid them under the table and found them there on the Monday morning and brought them away with him. He has seen the landlord since and sent his respects to the young man.

item

Chapman, Frederick,
Smith, John,
Whitmarsh, William George,
Powers, Bartlett,
Smith, Thomas

ASPLEY GUISE, SHARNBROOK, WOBURN, BLETSOE, BEDFORD, stealing, clothing