QSR1853/4/5/5

Depositions of Charles James Wade, clerk of Lower Gravenhurst, Anna Maria Nicolls, spinster of Lower Gravenhurst, Daniel Hazzard, police constable of Shitlington and Maria Clint Wade. In the case of Ann Pearce, accused of stealing a pencil case, a locket, 2 yards of lace, 2 shawl pins, 2 caps, a lace shawl and a lace fall.

22 August 1853

From: 1853 To: 1853

Charles James Wade: a rector of Lower Gravenhurst. On 20 August he was advised by his children that property had been found in the box of the prisoner, who had been in his service. He called for the police constable and was present when the box was searched and property belonging to him was recovered. He then went in search of the prisoner who had left the house earlier that morning. Anna Maria Nicholls: resided in the house of Reverend Wade. On 20 August she missed a number of small articles and mentioned this to the family. A short time after that, the Constable came and she was present when the prisoner’s box was searched. A number of items belonging to her were found in the box. She then went to Shefford with the constable, to the prisoner’s mother’s house. The constable produced a piece of lace which Nicholls knew to be the property of Miss Rawes, a lady staying at the house of Reverend Wade. Maria Clint Wade: wife of Reverend Wade. On 20 August she suspects some item shad been stolen from her and her children. She went with the Constable to search the prisoner’s box. She saw him take out a gold pencil case, the value of 8 shillings, a locket, and a few other articles of value. She went with the Constable to the house of the prisoner’s mother and the constable produced a piece of lace which she knew to have been purchased in Hitchin 10 days previous. The prisoner had leave to go to Bedford on the Saturday with her father. She remained over on the Sunday to hear Reverend Charles Trollope preach a sermon. The prisoner had taken with her a large bundle and as she knew the prisoner mother, she suspected some articles had been taken to the mother’s house. Daniel Hazzard: was sent for by Reverend Wade, who advised him he had missed many things from his house and he wished him to search the prisoner’s box. He did so any found the missed items. He went to the prisoner’s father’s house in Shefford and a piece of lace was recovered. Statement of the accused: nothing to say except she had taken the things and was sorry for doing so.

item

Pearce, Ann,
Wade, Charles James,
Nicholls, Anna,
Hazzard, Daniel,
Wade, Maria Clint,
Trollope, Charles

Shitlington, SHEFFORD, Lower Gravenhurst, stealing, household goods, lace, vicar, clerk