QSR1874/1/5/5

Depositions and examination - Ann Giddings, charged with stealing 3 chamber towels, 4 pocket handkerchiefs, one draper towel, 2 napkins, one pillow case, one pair of socks, one head dress and other articles to the value of 9 shillings from George Abbiss at Potton on 19 December 1873

20 December 1873

From: 1873 To: 1874

Elizabeth Abbiss, wife of George Abbiss of Potton, innkeeper who keeps the George and Dragon Public House at Potton. About a month ago she missed several articles of linen. Ann Giddings was employed by her once a fortnight to come to her house to wash. She counted all her linen and yesterday gave information to the police. She went with Sgt Vincent to the house of George Giddings on Friday 19th December and was present when he searched it. She identified as her property: 3 chamber towels, 4 pocket handkerchiefs; one draper towel; 2 napkins; one pillow case; one pair of socks and one head dress. The marks that were on them had been cut out. Mrs Giddings had been in the habit of taking her linen to her house to wash, but she had always returned the number of articles correctly. At that time Giddings should not have had any article belonging to her in her possession. Several other articles belonging to her were still missing. The value of the goods is 9 shillings. [Cross-examined] These things were not sent to Giddings to be washed. She did not know Giddings had been to prison before. She went again with Sgt Vincent to Giddings house that morning and identified 2 tea cloths, one little child’s blanket, one napkin with her name on it, one apron, a duster, and a pair of child’s socks. Since she employed Giddings she had come to her [Abbiss’s] house once a fortnight. All she had given to her to wash at home were 6 sheets and 2 shirts. Thomas Vincent of Potton, sergeant of police – on Thursday 18th December he received information that Mrs Abbiss had lost a quantity of linen and suspected Ann Giddings of having stolen it. He went to Sir John Burgoyne and applied for a search warrant. On Friday morning he went to George Giddings’ house with Mrs Abbiss and searched for the linen. Mrs Giddings told him she had nothing in the house belonging to Mrs Abbiss. He searched the house and found various items in different parts of the house which Mrs Abbiss identified as her property. Mrs Giddings said she did not steal the articles but brought them home to wash. He sold George Giddings he would charge him with receiving stolen goods. Giddings said he knew nothing at all about the matter. He detained them both in custody. That morning 20th December he went again to Giddings’ house and found more items. Ann Giddings – she never stole them. “I am sure Mrs Abbiss never catched me off my guard in her life and I have worked at her house till 12 at night”.

item

Giddings, Ann,
Abbiss, George,
Abbiss, Elizabeth,
Vincent, Thomas,
Giddings, George,
Burgoyne, John

POTTON, stealing, household goods, laundress, innkeeper, police sergeant, Potton George & Dragon