QSR1842/3/5/37/b

Deposition of Thomas Claridge - Samuel Tompkins

27 May 1842

From: 1842 To: 1842

He is 11 years old. On 24 May he was with Henry Mason and James Goodall and Thomas Chamberlain. They came from Chelsea together. Mason was on one side of the path and they were on the other when Mason picked up the sovereign. Goodall was within 2 or 3 yards of them. He saw Mason pick up something, wipe [it] and say "no few halves" and then jink it on a stone. Claridge was not there at that time. He saw Tompkins coming down the path. He is sure he was not near to them when Mason picked it up. He told Tompkins Harry Mason had found a sovereign and asked if it was a good one. Mason would not let Tompkins see it at first, until Tompkins said "honour bright". Tompkins said "Its only a bright farthing", put it in his pocket and went away. Tompkins did not say he had lost a sovereign or ask him to look for one, until he came back and Mason said he would tell his father. Then Tompkins gave Mason a shilling and said it was his sovereign which he had lost.

item

Tompkins, Samuel,
Mason, Henry,
Chamberlain, Thomas,
Goodall, James,
Claridge, Thomas

LEIGHTON BUZZARD, Linslade Chelsea, stealing, money, School