QSR1853/3/5/10/a

Depositions of David Smith, strawfactor of Stotfold. In the case of Archer Webb accused of killing a pig.

11 May 1853

From: 1853 To: 1853

David Smith: a strawfactor living Stotofld and keeper of pigs. On 10 May he had in his sty 2 fat pigs each weighing approx 20 stone. They were safe in the sty that evening and he latched the door. Next morning about a quarter past 6, he went to the sty and found the door open with the pigs out. He found one of the pigs lying dead in the orchard. He found 8 or 9 wound on it, made with a sharp knife. They seemed as if made by a person from behind. Footmarks in the orchard suggested the pig had been around with a man holding it by the tail. He called a neighbour, William Whitmore and they examined the pig together. They found footprints from the orchard into the garden, into Mr Bowman's close and down the lane into the road. They went along the road to Archer Webb's house. Smith went for the constable and went to Webb's house. They found Webb in the yard. The constable took Webb's shoes, which they then took to compare to the footmarks. They matched. Mr Whitmore and the constable examined the footmark more particularly than he did.

item

Webb, Archer,
Smith, David,
Whitmore, William,
Hide, James,
Galer, Charles,
Dickens, Thomas

stealing animals, pigs, STOTFOLD, butcher, carpenter, strawfactor, yeoman