QSR1875/3/5/1

Depositions and examination - Thomas Wilden or Wielden of Pavenham, basket maker, charged with obtaining 5s belonging to Thomas Smith from Charlotte Smith by false pretences at Pavenham on 16 May 1874

21 May 1875

From: 1875 To: 1875

Charlotte Smith, wife of Thomas Smith of Pavenham, basket maker – in her husband’s occasional absence she pays the men and transacts other business for him. She perfectly remembers that Thomas Wielden was engaged to do some work for her husband in May last year – he generally did piece work. He came to settle with her on 16 May 1874 and gave her an account of work he said he had done. - Making one dozen and a half of potato pots 12s - Mending of skips 4s - Total 16s Against this she had a charge for board and lodging which came to 12s 5d and a charge for cash on account of 4s 7d (total 17s). Wielden then asked for 5s he said was due to him on account of works which he had begun but not finished. She paid him at that time the 5s he asked for. Wielden then left and did not return again. Mr Smith returned in the evening of that day and she acquainted him with the payments she had made. Thomas Smith of Pavenham, basket maker – he remembers the prisoner coming to him about the 7th May 1874 to ask for work. He gave him some work making potato pots or hampers. He made 18. He then gave Wielden work to repair 13 skips. On 15th May he went to Bedford and when he came home in the evening his wife told him she had settled with Wielden. He went into the shop where they worked to see what work was done and finds the account correct. Wielden was entitled to 12s for the potato hampers and 4s for the skips, and Wielden owed him 17s, which left a balance due from Wielden of 1s. On looking over the work he found Wielden had begun another skip and he put that work at 1s to make the account balance. He found that no other work had been done or commenced, in respect of which Wielden had taken the 5s from his wife. Wielden left that day without previous notice and did not return. Wielden came to him “on the tramp” and he gave him employment. It is a usual thing for him to employ persons of that order when work is pressing. On 23 May 1874 he obtained a warrant for Wielden’s apprehension and put it into the hands of the police. Thomas Wielden – has nothing to say.

item

Wilden, Thomas,
Wielden, Thomas,
Smith, Thomas,
Smith, Charlotte

PAVENHAM, basket maker, basket making, false pretences