QSR1853/1/5/29/a

Depositions of Fanny Frosel, wife of George and Sarah Bell and John King, police constable of Riseley. In the case Rachel Pestell accused of stealing a pair of sheets, a pair of pillow cases, a table cloth, 5 knives and 11 forks.

21 December 1852

From: 1852 To: 1853

Fanny Frosel: during an absence by Reverend William Mudge she took charge of this house and servants. On 30 November, she went to the house. The same day the cook left. She remained at the house with the other servant, housemaid Rachel Pestell, was to leave on the 8 December. In consequence of direction left by the reverend, prior to her leaving, she looked in Pestell's box and saw a wine bottle. On making the discovery, she sent for Miss Bell, who lived in the village and together they searched the boxes. Among Pestell clothes they found: a table cloth, a pair of sheets, 2 pillow cases, a night gown, a small doyley, a quantity of sugar and tea, 5 knives and 11 forks, a steel, some starch, 3 pairs of cotton stockings, a hymn book, a handkerchief and a bottle of wine. They called Rachel Pestell's father to see their discoveries. Mrs Frosel had lived with the Reverend for 4 years and had left his service in the summer. She knew all his articles of linen and everything except the sugar and tea to be the property of Reverend Mudge. On 11 December she went with Constable king to Rachel Pestell’s at little Staughton. Sarah Bell: was sent for by Mrs Frosel on 8 December and assisted her in searching the boxes of Rachel Pestell. They had already been opened but nothing appeared to have been removed. John King: on 10 December he heard of the robbery and went to the house of reverend Mudge. The following day he took Mrs Frosel to Little Staughton to where Rachel Pestell lived and found some of the items in her possession. Pestell was taken into custody and she acknowledge having taken some of the things, but did not say which.

item

Pestell, Rachel,
Frosel, Fanny,
Bell, Sarah,
King, John,
Mudge, William

PERTENHALL, RISELEY, Little Staughton, stealing, household goods, housemaid