QSR1843/2/5/7/a

Depositions and examinations - Samuel Arnold and William Omant

18 March 1843

From: 1843 To: 1843

Joseph Margetts Pierson, brewer and coal merchant living at Hitchin (Herts) - Samuel Arnold is in his employment. On Friday 17 March he sent Arnold to Biggleswade for 3 tons of coals. Arnold was not authorised to dispose of any coals or to bring coals for any other person. Charles Hill, a farmer resident at Shillington - on Friday March 17 he was in one of his fields adjoining the Biggleswade and Hitchin road. He saw Omant covering something up in one of his fields in some sedges which had been stacked. He suspected something was wrong and watched him. He went to the place and found some coals. He knew Omant was working on a farm on the opposite side of the road belonging to Mr Eve. He then went to Omant as he was on the turnpike road and told him he had been hiding some coals in his field which he suspected were stolen. Omant said he bought them off a waggoner who was with his waggon about 200 yards away. He went to the waggoner (Arnold) and asked why he had been hiding coals in his field. Arnold said he brought some coals for Omant. He looked at the waggon and took the name. He took the coals, gave information to the policeman Hazard and delivered the coals to him. Omant said he gave 1s 4d per cwt for the coals and 2 1/2 for carriage. He saw the coals weighed and there was 1cwt and 33lbs. Daniel Hazard, police constable no.8 - on 17 March he recieved information from Mr Hill regarding some coals. He went to Hitchin and told Mr Pierson. he saw Arnold and asked if he had been for coal to Biggleswade that day. Arnold said he had. He asked if Arnold took a sack from any man who was working near the road to bring coals from Biggleswade. He said the man gave him a sack and 18d to bring a cwt of coals. Arnold said he would tell the truth - he said he forgot to get any coals for the man and took the coals which were in the sack belonging to Mr Pierson. This morning he approached Omant, who said he gave 18 1/2d to Arnold to bring the coals. Samuel Arnold - he is very sorry for what he has done. He was never brought before a magistrate before. The man whose name he did not know gave him 18 1/2d to bring on cwt of coals for him from Biggleswade. He forgot to get the coals so took them from his master's waggon. William Omant - he hid the coals under Mr Hill's sedge because it was on his way home. Annotated: Arnold committed for trial. Omant bailed.

item

Arnold, Samuel,
Omant, William,
Pierson, Joseph Margetts,
Hill, Charles,
Hazard, Daniel

SHILLINGTON, Hitchin, BIGGLESWADE, stealing, coal, coal merchant, brewer, farmer