QSR1842/3/5/51-52

Depositions and examinations - George Stanford and Francis Brown

24 June 1842

From: 1842 To: 1842

Thomas William Overman of Maulden, farmer - having reason to believe his barns had been robbed he watched on the nights of 22 and 23 June. Between 1am and 2am on the morning of 24 June as he was hidden in one of his barns where some wheat was lying on the floor partly dressed he heard a noise and found it to be from a board being forced off. A door was then opened and some persons entered the barn. He smelt brimstone and saw a flash of light. After that he heard them go to the heap of corn and counted them using the bushel 8 times. He then moved close tot eh door at which they entered and stood there till they came on their way out. He could see one of the men but not so as to recognize him. He then called for Mr Bates the police superintendent who was hidden in another part of the barn with his men. Bates came to him with a light and the other men secured the other outlets from the barn. He and Bates found the two prisoners with four sacks, none of which belonged to them but were all in the barn the previous evening, each containing about 2 bushels. They were carrying two of the sacks and the other two were left near the corn heap Stanford had since told him they were coming again for them. James Bates, superintendent of police - he was watching in the barn with Mr Overman. He heard some persons come to the barn and enter it. He remained quiet until Mr Overman called him to his assistance. He went with a light, found the two prisoners and took them into custody. He then searched the barn with mr Overman and found 2 sacks near the door where they entered and two more close to teh heap of corn. He then searched the prisoners and in Brown's pocket found a dark lanterna dn a screw driver or jemmy. On Stanford he found some lucifer matches and that part of a lucifer box on which a match is rubbed in order to ignite it. He remarked that there must be more persons implicated - Stanford replied that they were coming again to fetch the other sacks away. He took the men to Mr Overman's house and they continued their watch until daylight, leaving the prisoners in the charge of Policeman Scott. He wondered where the ladder came from by which they had reached the doors to enter the barn. They both said they got it from Mr Norman's rick yard. George Stanford and Francis Brown - had nothing to say.

item

Stanford, George,
Brown, Francis,
Overman, Thomas William,
Bates, James

MAULDEN, stealing, wheat, farmer