QSR1852/3/5/9

Depositions of Charles Armiger Golding, farmer of Biddenham, William Johnson, labourer of Biddenham and Uriah Johnson, labourer of Biddenham. In the case of George Solesbury accused of stealing a faggot of wood.

1 May 1852

From: 1852 To: 1852

William Johnson: he had been digging a ditch at Biddenham on 24 April, around 4 or 5 o'clock in the afternoon. As he got out of the ditch he saw a man carrying faggots on his back, in Ford End Close in Biddenham. There were some faggots in Ford End Close belonging to Mr William Golding. Solesbury was walking by this hedge, where the others were lying. Johnson followed Solesbury along the other side of the hedge, and his father followed him on the same side of the hedge. He followed him about 10 or a dozen chains. Johnson went over the stile at the bottom of the hedge. He went up to Solesbury. His father was already with him. Solesbury brought the faggot back to the hedge and said "this is the place I had it from". Johnson took the faggot to Mr Golding. Uriah Johnson: father to the last witness. He had been digging a ditch in Ford End Close in Biddenham when his son pointed to a man carrying a faggot of wood on the hedge side. There were some faggots lying by the hedge side which belonged to William Golding. He went after the man and followed him for about 12 chains. He then said to the accused "have you been getting my faggots?" The accused replied that he would not have taken them if he had known they belonged to anyone. Johnson said that it was not his property but belonged to Mr Golding , his master and that he should take the faggots back. He took it back. Mr William Golding and Mr Arminger Golding were Johnson's masters and the faggot belonged to them. Charles Arminger Golding: he lived at Ford End Close in Biddenham at the occupation of his brother William Golding. There were some faggots in that close on 24 April. They were the joint property of his and his brother.

item

Solesbury, George,
Golding, Charles Arminger,
Johnson, Uriah,
Johnson, William,
Golding, William

BIDDENHAM, Biddenham Ford End, stealing, wood