QSR1871/3/5/4

Depositions and examination - Thomas Williams of Westoning, labourer, charged with obtaining 1s 1 1/2d from Elizabeth Woodland by false pretences at Westoning on 17 April 1871.

4 May 1871

From: 1871 To: 1871

Elizabeth Woodland, wife of William Woodland of Westoning, plait dealer- Williams is a stranger to her. On Monday 17 April between 10 and 11am he came to her house. He asked her if she had had a paper. She said she had not. He asked how she was. She said she was not very well. He said he had some medicine he was sure would do her good. She said she had some before from a person who came round and found no relief from it. He said “I am sent out by Brompton Hospital for the benefit of the poor”. She agreed to have some medicine. He mixed her up a bottle, which was put into a bottle that she gave him. He charged her 1s 1 1/2d which she gave him. She did not tell him what was the matter with her. He said she had the liver disease. She supposed from what he said that he was from Brompton Hospital or she would not have bought the medicine. She supposed he was a doctor. He said he would be round again in about a month and left the house. He said she was to take a teaspoonful of the mixture night and morning. He said the medicine was worth a guinea. She took 4 teaspoonfuls of the mixture which she would not have taken if she had not thought he was a doctor. She saw no more of him. She found the mixture did her no good. She applied for a warrant against him for obtaining her money under false pretences. She heard he left Westoning where he was lodging on 17 April. [Cross-examination] She did not say she did not like to see a doctor come into her house because their bills came to so much money. Thomas Williams – he hopes the magistrates will settle it in court. He pleads guilty to having obtained 1s 1½d from her. He did give her a bottle of stuff in exchange.

item

Williams, Thomas,
Woodland, Elizabeth,
Woodland, William

WESTONING, false pretences, medicine