QSR1881/2/5/2

Depositions of Rose Ann McDonald, a widow of 5 Gravel Lane Bedford, Ann Freeman, singlewoman of Gravel Lane, Bedford, Joseph Newton, police constable of Northill and James Hare, labourer of Northill. In the case of William Rook accused that as a bailee did fraudulently take a bed quilt, a canvas bag, 8 bottles of wine and other articles.

19 January 1881

From: 1881 To: 1881

Rose Ann McDonald: She had engaged William Rook to move some good for her from Blunham to Bedford. He was assisted by another man whose name she did not know. They drove a horse and cart and she helped them load the furniture. They left at 11 o’clock. She went to Bedford to meet them at the house she had taken there. They arrived about 4 o’clock and both men were drunk. Rook was unable to stand. Rook’s man and another, who she asked to help, moved the things into the house. On unpacking she missed a wicker 2 quart bottle containing wine, a bed quilt, a chair cushion, some chintz valance and part of a shawl. They had been in a canvas bag. She asked Rook and he said he did not know what had come of them. She said “where is the bag with the figures on it”. He replied it was in his loft and that she could have it. She told him the things had been inside it and a wicker bottle was also missing. He told her the bottle was empty and also in his loft. When she had given it to him, it had contained 2 quarts of wine. They had also emptied 8 bottles of wine and another containing home made wine. She paid Rook 10 shillings and owed him another 5 which she said she would pay when her things were returned. The total value of the items was £1-4s-6d. [cross examination] she had been at Blunham on 30 November and he come from Chalton on 26 November. She had employed Rook and his charge was to be 6 shillings. He had looked over the goods to see what there was and she had helped him load the cart. There were 42 bottles of wine and 10 empty bottles. She did not know if the bed quilt had come to Blunham but had been taken from Chalton by Rook, in the bag he later told her was in his loft. The cushion had been taken tot Blunham. She could not say if the shawl reached Blunham. Chalton was about a mile from Blunham. Rook took 4 or 5 loads of things and she rode back with him the in empty cart each time. No-one was left in the Blunham house whilst they were gone. He moved her goods from Blunham to Bedford on 16 December. There were 3 loads from Blunham to Bedford. The cushion was with the first or second load. He had not cautioned her that the goods had not been safe left in the house. Rook had been sober on leaving Blunham and drunk when he got to Bedford. She had parsnip, blackcurrant and other wine. Ann Freeman: a single woman of Gravel Lane, Bedford. She had been at Mrs McDonalsd when Rook said he knew who had robbed her, but would not say until forced. [cross examination] she had helped Mrs McDonald put her things upstairs. Rook had been very tipsy. Joseph Newton: the police constable at Northill. On 18 January, he served a summons on William Rook and asked him if he had any of the things named in the summons. Rook said he had a bottle, which he had found in his cart after he had got home. He said he also had an old bag belonging to Mrs McDonald. Statement of the accused: not guilty James Hare [on behalf of the defence]: Rook had engaged him to help moved Mrs McDonald from Blunham to Bedford. He had seen the cushion and some wine on the cart, which he helped unload at Bedford. All the things were unloaded and delivered to her house. Nothing was missing. Rook did not get drunke on the road from Blunham to Bedford. Neither had any wine. Rook had a half quartern of rum on the road and he had a pint of beer at Fenlake. After they had finished, they both went to Appleby’s and then on to another public house. McDonald came there after them and they went back with her and then to Harris’ public house in Horn Lane. She had some whiskey which Rook paid for. She had asked him to treat her. [cross examination] he had counted the bottles of wine when they left Blunham and they had been 20 in a hamper. They were another 7 in nosebags.

7 pages

item

McDonald, Rose Ann,
Rook, William,
Freeman, Ann,
Newton, Joseph,
Hare, James

Bedford Gravel Lane, NORTHILL, BLUNHAM, Mogerhanger Chalton, wine, household goods