QSR1853/3/5/14,15,16,21,22/a

Depositions of George White, straw bonnet manufacturer of Luton, Freeman Laurence, bleacher of Luton, James Harris, victualler of Luton and Priscilla Brown, a minor. In the case of William Langley, Charles Langley, Francis Langley, accused of stealing 436 scores of straw plait & in the case of Ann Langley & James Brown accused of receiving straw plait knowing it to be stolen.

6 June 1853

From: 1853 To: 1853

Freeman Laurence: worked for George White who had bleaching premises in Mr Harris's Yard in Luton. On 1 June he put a large quantity of straw plait into the straw chest a little before 9 o’clock in the evening. About a quarter of the plait was [?] straw plait and about 90 score was twist edge plait. He locked the door with a padlock. It was an enclosed yard with gates. On returning about 6 o'clock on the morning of 2 June, he went to the straw chest to take out the plait and could not turn the key. The lock came off as it was touched, and he found all the plait gone. He went and told Mr White. About an hour later he saw Constable Murfin in the street with some of the prisoners. He recollected having seen one of the prisoners, whom he understood to be named Charles Langley in Mr Harris's yard the previous night whilst he was putting the plait away. George White: a straw bonnet manufacturer in Luton with bleaching premises in Mr Harris’s yard. On 2 June, in consequence of what he was told by Freeman Laurence, he went to the bleaching premises and found the straw chest had been opened and the plait all gone. He informed Constable Murfin. Due to some suspicions, they went to the prisoner Brown's house in Burr Street and found Charles Langley, William Langley and Ann Langley there. A younger boy, Francis Langley, came in soon afterwards. Murfin told them they were charged on suspicion of stealing the straw plait. They denied the charge and said there was no plait on the property. Murfin asked what time Charles Langley had been home the night before and the mother said he was at the house and in bed by 10 o'clock. Murfin asked if Charles had been in Mr Harris's yard the night before and he replied he had but for not more than a minute. Murfin went upstairs and called out that he had found the plait. White went to see the plait, which was on a quilt on the floor. There was another bunch in the front room. He found 45 score of twist edge plait hanging on a bed head. He identified the plait found in then house as his. In total he found 344 score of [?] plait and 92 score of twist edge plait. It was worth about £30. James Harris: keeper of the Dukes Head public house in Luton. He let part of the yard to Mr White, who used it for bleaching. On 1 June about 9 o'clock, Charles Langely called at his house and asked for 3 pennyworth of gin and water. Langley went into the back yard for about 10 minutes. Harris went to see where he was and met him returning. Langley sat down for about a quarter of an hour and drank his drink. Priscilla Brown: a bonnet serer and worker for Mr White. On 1 June about 9 o'clock, she was coming from her work and saw Charles Langley and William Langley walking backwards and forwards near Mr Harris’s house. She saw them pass Mr Harris's yard gate twice.

item

Langley, William,
Langley, Charles,
Langley, Francis,
Langley, Ann,
Brown, James (d),
Laurence, Freeman,
White, George,
Harris, James,
Brown, Priscilla

stealing, LUTON, Luton Burr Street, Luton Dukes Head, Straw Plait, shoemaker, bonnet sewer, straw hat manufacturer, bleacher, carpenter, victualler, MAULDEN