QSR1853/2/5/8

Depositions of John Adams, farmer of Hockcliffe, William Clough, police sergeant of Hocklcliffe, John Thorogood, police constable of Toddington, James Fossey, licensed victauller of Toddington, George Randall, labourer of Toddington and Charles Evans, labourer of Toddington. In the case of Joseph Brewer, accused of stealing 2 trusses of clover hay.

10 March 1853

From: 1853 To: 1853

John Adams: a farmer of Hockcliffe. His father, Millard Adams was also a farmer at Hockcliffe and John Adams knew he had purchased a rick of clover hay from Mr Smith in Smith's field in Toddington. It was used to feed his fathers sheep. No one had a right to take clover from the rick except his father’s shepherds Charles Evans and George Randall. He received information that clover had been taken from the rick on 8 March, and he went to the rick with Sergeant Clough, and from there to the house of the prisoner at Toddington. He tracked the clover from the rick along a cart way in the field, to the road leading to Toddington, as far as Mr Cotchings Gate. Then down his field, over some rails, to a piece of Faulkeners ground and over to the prisoners premises. It was littered in his yard. Adams also went to Fossey's premises across the road and there some clover hay was found in the stable. The clover matched that missing from his father’s rick. George Randall: shepherd to Millard Adams. Mr Adams had a rick of clover in a turnip field in the occupation of Mr Smith. He had been feeding his masters sheep off the rick. On 9 March, he had Charles Evans, also a shepherd, noticed some of the clover had been taken off the rick. 2 trusses or more had gone. He found some of the clover littered in the adjoining field and traced it down the road Mr Cotchings field. He informed the Constable Thorogood. Charles Evans: had taken clover from the rick, twice a day to feed Mr Adams sheep. He last took hay from the top of the rick about 5 o'clock on 8 March. Next morning, as he was going to the rick, he found clover about the road near Cotchings gate. When he got to the rick he found some of the clover had been taken away since the previous night. He guessed about a truss and a half was missing. William Clough: went to the cover rick in Mr Smith's field on 9 March. Randall was in the field and he asked him if he had missed any clover. He said he had and Clough traced the clover from the rick along a cart way in the field, to the road leading to Toddington, as far as Mr Cotchings Gate. The prisoner’s yard was on the opposite side of the road. He traced the cover further from Brewers yard along to that of Fossey. In Fossey's stable he found 3 donkeys feeding from clover in manger. John Thorogood: on 9 March he accompanied John Adams and Sergeant Clough from the clover rick to the prisoner’s house. He picked up clover as he went along. They then crossed the road to the premises of James Fossey. Fossey said he had bought the clover from Brewer the previous night. He went to Brewer and asked if he had sold Fossey any clover, to which he replied he had not. He denied knowing anything of the charge. James Fossey: keeper of the Angel Inn in Toddington. On the 8 March the prisoner came in between 9 and 10 o'clock. He asked if he wanted any trusses of hay. He said he would and asked Brewer to bring it to him. Brewer brought them and put them in the stable. He did not pay Brewer for it. Neither mentioned a price. He had never bought his clover before Brewer before. He gave part of the clover to the donkeys that night. The next day, on returning from Fancot, he met Thorogood & Clough who asked where he had got the clover hay from. He told the he had bought if from Joseph Brewer.Statement of the accused - Joseph Brewer: nothing to say

item

Brewer, Joseph,
Adams, John,
Clough, William,
Thorogood, John,
Fossey, James,
Randall, George,
Evans, Charles,
Adams, Millard

stealing, hay, clover, TODDINGTON, Toddington Angel, Hockcliffe, licensed victualler, farmer, shepherd