QSR1853/1/5/35/a

Depositions of Ann, wife of George Whitfield, labourer of Potton and Samuel Wallis, police constable of Potton. In the case of Ann Dennis accused of stealing an apron, a handkerchief and a pair of clogs.

28 December 1852

From: 1852 To: 1853

Ann Whitfield: wife of George of Potton. About 20 September, she asked the prisoner to nurse her sister and herself whilst they suffered a fever. On 13 October her sister died. Soon after she missed some things and asked the prisoner if she knew of them. She said she did not. When the prisoner left her service, Whitfield made further examination of her sisters property and missed; a flannel petticoat, a new pair of white cotton stockings, a silk handkerchief, a pair of clogs, an apron and several other articles. She went to where the prisoner lived and saw she had on an apron and handkerchief which she recognised as her sisters. Ann Dennis acknowledged she was wearing her sister’s items but refused to surrender them. Whitfield waited several days in the hope Dennis would return them and as she did not she told the police. Samuel Wallis: on 21 December he went to the prisoners lodging. She was at home and he told he had come to search for property belonging to Mrs Whitfield. Dennis went upstairs and out of a box she took the handkerchief and apron. She said that was all she had. On making a further search on 28 December, Wallis found the clogs.

item

Dennis, Ann,
Whitfield, Ann,
Whitfield, George,
Wallis, Samuel

POTTON, stealing, handkerchief, shoes, apron, fever