Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    QSR1873/1/5/1
  • Title
    Depositions and examination - John Chapman of Flitton, labourer, charged with stealing one roan mare pony value £30 from Samuel Taylor Maddams on 22 November 1872 at Flitton
  • Date free text
    28 November 1872
  • Production date
    From: 1872 To: 1873
  • Scope and Content
    Samuel King of Flitton, horsekeeper - he employed by Samuel Maddams. On Friday evening 22 November a roan mare pony was in a stable in the farm yard with other horses. The stable door was not locked. The pony had a headstall on and was fastened to the manger. The pony had a rug on and an elastic band. The next morning he noticed that the stable door was unpinned. He struck a light and found that the pony with the headstall and rug were gone. He went and told his master then went to the police constable. He has seen the same pony that morning at Ampthill. Samuel Taylor Maddams of Flitton, farmer - on the morning of 23 November he received information about the missing pony from his horsekeeper and sent messages to several places, including St Albans. At 10 o’clock he received a telegram from St Albans that the pony was stopped there by the police and a man was in custody. He went to St Albans and found his pony with the headstall, rug and band in the custody of Sgt. Pellant. He knows the prisoner. Chapman is a native of Flitton who he believes has been living in London for several years. Joel Arnold of Higham Gobion, farmer and publican - on the night of Friday 22nd about 10.15pm he was coming through the Hand Gate of Barton Toll Bar. He saw a man he now knows to be Chapman sitting on a pony with a rug on at the gate waiting for it to be openend. His [Arnold’s] son who was with him called up the gatekeeper. In the meantime he saw the prisoner’s face by the light of the lamp. He saw the prisoner had a grey coat on with a velvet collar and wore a black hat. Abraham Pellant, police sergeant stationed at St Albans (Herts) - he was on duty near to St peters Church about 1.40am on 23rd. He saw a man with a pony coming from the Luton Road. He stopped Chapman and asked where he was going. Chapman said he was going to stop in the Town that night at the house Mr Hewitt used to keep. Chapman said a gentleman named Facer who used to be station master there was coming to buy the pony in the morning for £15. He asked whose pony it was. Chapman said it belonged to Mr Salter, Plait Dealer, Church Street, Luton and said he was Salter’s servant. He did not believe Chapman so took him to the station. At the station he saw Chapman had a headstall and cord across the pony’s back for stirrups. He asked Chapman if he could refer him to anyone from whom he could make enquiries. Chapman said "Mr Facer". He went to Mr Facer’s house but he was absent. Mrs Facer answered without opening the door that she knew nothing of the transaction. He detained Chapman on a charge of stealing the pony. About 9am a telegram was sent to Mr Maddams who arrived about midday and recognized the pony, rug and headstall as his. He handed them and the prisoner over to Supt James. Charles Osborne, police constable stationed at Westoning - on Saturday morning 23rd he went to Mr Maddams’ premises. He saw a small black bag picked up in the meadow adjoining the yard which was handed to him. He passed over a gap into the road in the direction towards Luton. He there picked up a cord with a piece of Deal at each end, formed so as to make stirrups. He showed the bag, cord and pieces of deal to the prisoner who said "they are mine. I bought a bridle and this cord in the bag down with me". George James, superintendent of police for the Ampthill Division - he traced the pony to St Albans where he found it had been detained by the Borough Police and that the prisoner was in custody. Chapman was given to him, as were the pony with a rug, band of headstall. When charged with stealing them Chapman made no reply. John Chapman - he does not want to say anything. His witness Piper gave him the paper produced and lent him 5s. Witness for defence ---------------------------- Walter Piper of 5 Elm Street Grays Inn Road, St Andrews, Holborn, journeyman baker - he has known Chapman for 2 years. Chapman was servant to a Mr Calworth. He knows nothing about any pony. He thinks he saw Chapman on Wednesday morning the 20 November in London. They merely passed the time of day. He did not see Chapman on Friday afternoon. He remembers seeing him in London on Thursday 21st. He lent Chapman 5s on the Thursday and nothing more passed. He dined with Chapman in London last Friday week. He has never seen the paper produced by Chapman before. He does not know the handwriting.
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