Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    QSR1873/3/5/3/a
  • Title
    Depositions and examination - Jacob Smith of Leighton Buzzard, charged with stealing one pair of trousers value 1s from Matthew Birdsey the younger of Leighton Buzzard, painter, on 13 June 1873
  • Date free text
    24 June 1873
  • Production date
    From: 1873 To: 1873
  • Scope and Content
    Matthew Birdsey the elder of Leighton Buzzard, tanner – he has known Smith for years. His son Matthew is a painter. The pair of trousers produced belong to his son. On 13 June about 6am he saw them hanging on a line at the back of his house. He was informed when he was at breakfast that they were missing. Eliza Birdsey, wife of Matthew Birdsey the elder – the trousers belong to her son Matthew. On 12 June at night she hung them on a line at the back of her house. The next morning she missed them. In the afternoon John Deacon brought Smith to her at the White Lion Inn at Leighton. He told Smith to give the trousers to her, which he did. He said “I don’t want the trousers. I gave sixpence for them”. John Deacon of Leighton Buzzard, keeper of a store shop – from information he received on 13 June he went in pursuit of Smith. He found him at the Falcon Inn at Leighton. He found the trousers produced in Smith’s basket. Smith said he might have them. He went with Smith and the trousers to Mrs Birdsey who identified them as her son’s. He had previously seen Smith and told him he believed he stole the trousers. Smith did not reply. Smith later told Mrs Birdsey he gave 6d for them. Thomas Ruffhead, police constable stationed at Leighton Buzzard - about 3pm on June 13 he received information about the stolen trousers and obtained the trousers produced from Matthew Birdsey. They were quite wet. He apprehended Smith that afternoon. Smith denied stealing the trousers and said he bought them that morning for 6d from a young chip he did not know. Jacob Smith – “I do not wish to say anything”.
  • Level of description
    item
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