QSR1852/1/5/31

Deposition of William Ralph Young, police superintendent of Woburn, £20 To prosecute Elizabeth Roberts accused of stealing 2 pairs of cotton stockings, a book and a piece of tobacco.

24 October 1851

From: 1851 To: 1852

William Ralph Young: Elizabeth Roberts had been in his service for about 3 months when she absented herself for longer than she had leave to. He sent word to her that she was discharged and should come and collect her boxes. On 21 October, she came for her box, she went upstairs and brought it down herself. It was not locked or fastened. Young told his wife to examine the box, which she did in his presence. They found 2 pairs of stockings, a book and tobacco, all believed to be their belongings. The items were not hidden but were among her own. (Some of the statement is crossed out but reads...) she was advised by Young that if she was unable to give a satisfactory account of things she would be taken to the magistrate. Roberts said she had taken the tobacco for toothache and the stockings as she had none of her own to wear. She told the magistrate she had taken the book to read and planned to return it. He had no reason to suspect her as dishonest.Statement of the accused: she said that she was very sorry for what she had done.

item

Young, William Ralph,
Roberts, Elizabeth

WOBURN, stealing, stockings, book, tobacco, servant