QSR1843/3/5/43

Depositions and examination - James Smith

22 June 1843

From: 1843 To: 1843

William Whiteman of St Mary Bedford, sexton of that parish - last night (June 21st) a few minutes past 9pm James Smith came to his house and asked him for the keys of the Church as he and Mr Miller wanted to go into the Church for 5 minutes. He knows Mr Miller well - he is a stomemason and has been employed on some recent alterations in the Church. He did not see Mr Miller, but believing what Smith said he gave him the keys. There were 5 keys opening different doors and gates, three in one lot attached with a bit of small chain and two in another. Smith went away with them. Smith had himself been employed on the works at the Church. Smith returned in about 5 minutes. He asked Smith for the keys. Smith said he would not give them to him or anybody else, but would keep them. Smith went out of the door into the street. He followed him and again asked for the keys. Smith again refused. He then saw one of the small keys hanging out of Smith's pocket. He caught at the key. Smith said "I'll be damned if I part with the keys for you, the parson, or the churchwardens either" and knocked him down. Smith struck him on the side of his head with his fist. He then left Smith. Smith did not return with the keys. He saw Smith again about 1/4 hour later. Smith was then in the street against the Hop Pole. he cannot say what passed then. Smith was swearing like a mad man and said he would not give up the keys until he had his money. Smith has not returned the keys since. Francis Glanville of St Mary Bedford - he is one of the churchwardens for the parish of St Mary and was also one of the churchwardens last year. He knows James Smith. He did not authorise him last night to go for the keys of the Church. He does not think he ever gave him authority to have the keys of the Church, but certainly not for the last 3 months. George Hurst of St Mary Bedford - he is one of the churchwardens of the parish. He knows James Smith. Smith has had no authority from him since he has been in office to have the keys of the Church. He has been in office from the commencement of the churchwardens' year about Easter. Smith has not been employed about the Church on any instructions given by him since he has been in office. Reverend Edward Isaac Lockwood of St Mary Bedford, clerk - he is the officiating minister of the parish. He knows James Smith. He has not given him any authority at any time to have the keys of the Church. George Handscomb Miller of Bedford, stonemason - he knows James Smith. He saw him last evenign about 9pm or a few minutes after at his office in the parish of St Paul. Nothing passed between them on the subject of the keys of St Mary's Church. Smith was not there more than 5 to 10 minutes. Smith left about 9.15pm. He did not go with him, nor leave his house after this time. He did not authorise Smith to go for the keys of St Mary's Church. Nothing was said about them. He did not want the keys for any purpose.

item

Smith, James,
Whiteman, William,
Glanville, Francis,
Hurst, George,
Lockwood, Edward Isaac,
Miller, George Handscomb

Bedford St.Mary, sexton, stonemason, assault, Cauldwell Street Hop Pole, Bedford, churchwardens, clergy