QSR1873/4/5/6

Depositions and examination - Harriet Elizabeth Childer of Aspley Guise, singlewoman, charged with obtaining a pair of boots value 6s 6d from Emma Wright by false pretences at Aspley Guise on 3 October 1873

8 October 1873

From: 1873 To: 1873

Lois Cox, wife of Harper Cox of Wavendon (Bucks) - Childer is a stranger to her. On 2 October about 6pm Childer came to her house and asked if she could lodge there. She asked where Childer came from - Childer said from Mr Burney's rectory at Wavendon where she had been living as cook for 12 months. She asked Childer in. Childer had supper and slept at her house. The next morning Childer came downstairs without any shoes. She lent Childer a pair of slippers. Childer had breakfast, lunch, dinner and tea. Childer said she would pay her 12s a week until she went to her situation at Broughton Rectory. Between 6 and 7pm Childer left her house saying she would not be gone long and never returned. Emma, wife of James Wright of Aspley Guise - one Friday 3 October about 12pm Childer, who was a stranger to her, came to her house. Childer said she wanted to be measured for a good pair of boots about the price of 13s, which were to be ready the next week. Her husband measured Childer. Childer said she had been cook at Mr Burney's rectory for 12 months and was going to Broughton Rectory. Childer wanted a pair of boots for present use. She gave Childer a pair to try on. Childer tried them on and put them on one side. Childer ordered a jacket and fitted that on and put it to one side with the boots. Childer also ordered a Linsey dress, 2 bonnets, a muff and Victorine, saying she would call in the following week for the things. She was to get the bill made out and Childer would pay her. Childer took the boots away with her. Childer also ordered 2 yards of silk to match a blue silk dress. Childer went away and she saw no more of her. Before Childer took the boots away she said she wanted them to wear in the kitchen when she went to Broughton Rectory where she was going to receive £26 p.a.. On that representation and in consequence of what Childer said about having been in service with Revd Burney she let her take the boots. Childer did not pay for them. James Wright of Aspley Guise, draper and shoemaker - on 3 October he measured Childer for a pair of boots. He heard her say she had been Cook at Revd Mr Burney's. He went into the garden and when he returned heard that the woman had gone away without paying for a pair of boots. He suspected that the woman's tale was not true, went to Mr Burney's and ascertained that no such woman was known there. He gave information to the police and went with PC Lunniss in search of Childer but was unable to find her. James Luniss, police constable stationed at Aspley Guise - he went in search of Childer and apprehended her at Woburn on 4 October. She was wearing the boots. He asked her name. She said that did not signify to him. He asked where she came from. She said Wavendon Rectory. She said that the boots she was wearing were bought from Mr Wright of Aspley Guise. She gave her name as Harriet Eliza Childer at the police station. Harriet Elizabeth Childer - "I did not say that I came from Wavendon Rectory. The silk I told Mrs Wright I should not want."

item

Childer, Harriet Elizabeth,
Wright, Emma,
Cox, Lois,
Cox, Harper,
Wright, James,
Lunniss, James,
Burney

ASPLEY GUISE, Wavendon, WOBURN, false pretences, boots, clothing, cook, draper, shoemaker, police constable