QSR1843/3/5/47

Depositions - William Purser charged with stealing a hay fork

27 June 1843

From: 1843 To: 1843

George Scroggs of Dunstable, farmer - on Monday morning 26 June he found that 2 of his servants, William Purser and James Oliver had left his service. He desired the policemen John Tutte and Richard Byers to find them and bring them back. In the afternoon the policemen brought them back to his house together with a hay fork which is his property. Richard Byers of Dunstable, police constable - about 8am on Monday George Scroggs desired himself and John Tutte to search for 2 of his servants who had left his service and to bring them back. From information he received he went to London Colney where he found them in company with a gentleman named Goddard who had hired them to make hay. They at first denied working for George Scroggs, but later admitted they had lived with him. He found a hay fork at the public house which Purser admitted belonged to George Scroggs, and that he had taken it out of his chaff house that morning. He took Purser into custody. They both said they would not go back to Mr Scroggs service. James Oliver - he and Purser were working for George Scroggs. On Monday morning Purser asked if he would go with him as he meant to leave Mr Scroggs service. He agreed. They left about 4am and started off towards London. Purser had a hay fork with him. He saw Purser with the fork in Mr Scroggs' yard before they started.

item

Purser, William,
Scroggs, George,
Byers, Richard,
Tutte, John,
Oliver, James,
Goddard

DUNSTABLE, London Colney, stealing, agricultural implements, farmer, police constable