Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    QSR1843/2/5/3
  • Title
    Depositions and examination - George Chapman charged with stealing a cotton pocket handkerchief from the premises of Jemima Bass at Riseley, which had been sent to her to wash by Mrs Jordan of Riseley.
  • Date free text
    15 March 1843
  • Production date
    From: 1843 To: 1843
  • Scope and Content
    Mary Partridge, wife of Robert Partridge, labourer of Riseley - between 12 and 1pm that day she was sitting close to her window and saw George Chapman go into Mrs Bass's house which is under the same roof as her house. Soon afterwards he came out and took 2 pegs which kept the handkerchief on a line to dry, then took the handkerchief, folded it up and put it in his pocket. He then walked away. Shortly afterwards she acquainted Mrs Bass with the circumstances. Jemima Bass of Riseley - at about 1pm she was informed by Mary Partridge that Chapman took the handkerchief which she had placed on the line, which she then missed. She went and told Charlotte Roberts that she had missed the handkerchief. Charlotte Roberts said she had seen her hang it up. She then went with Mary Partridge to search for Chapman but could not find him. William Mason, police constable - soon after 1pm he was informed by Allen Smart that Mrs Bass had lost a handkerchief and that Chapman from Bedford had got it. He followed Chapman. When he caught him he asked for the handkerchief. Chapman said he knew nothing about it. He said Chapman must certainly know about it as he had been seen to take it. Chapman again denied it. As he had his hand in one of Chapman's pockets Chapman took it out of the other and offered to give it to Mary Partridge who was with him. He took Chapman into custody. Robert Rootham , constable - between 1 and 2pm he heard that Mason had got a man who had stolen a handkerchief from Mrs Bass. He saw Mason in the street with Chapman. They went into the Oak and Mason directed him to assist as he had heard that Chapman was rather a resolute man. Before they went into the Oak he saw Chapman take the handkerchief out of his pocket and offer it to Partridge.
  • Reference
  • Level of description
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