Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    QSR1885/2/5/1
  • Title
    Depositions of William Harris, farmer of Willington, James Samworth, dealer of Godmanchester, Thomas Cox, wheelwright of Tempsford and Frederick Smith, police inspector of Biggleswade. In the case of Charles Mardlin accused of fraudulently taking 2 sheep whilst being a bailee.
  • Date free text
    17 February 1885
  • Production date
    From: 1885 To: 1885
  • Scope and Content
    William Harris: a farmer of Willington. On 4 August he went to St Ives market and bought 42 sheep and engaged a man who went by the name of ‘Holy Moses’ to drive them from St Ives to Willington. On arrival he found he only had 40 sheep. On 18 September he went to the Wheat Sheaf Inn at Tempsford and saw 2 sheep and identified them as his property. They were worth £5. He sent one of his men for them and they were handed over by Mr Cox. James Samworth: a retired dealer living in Godmanchester. On 4 August, ‘Holy Moses’ (his proper name being Robert Offley) left 2 sheep with him on behalf of Mr Harris as they could not walk to Willington. He kept them until 8 September when he asked Charles Mardlin to drive them to Mr Harrris of Willington. Mardlin agreed to take them as far as Charles Smith’s at Girtford Bridge but then he wanted Mr Harris to send for them. Mardlin drove the 2 sheep, with some other lambs. On 20 September he went to Tempsford and saw the same 2 sheep in a field occupied by Mr Cox. Thomas Cox: a wheelwright residing at the Wheat Sheaf Inn at Tempsford. On 9 September the prisoner went to his son’s house at Tempsford and asked if him if he would buy 2 sheep. He said he didn’t want the 2 sheep but would buy pigs. He later saw Mardlin with the 2 sheep and asked how much he wanted for them. He was told £3 10s 0d. They negotiated and the sheep were sold for £3. Mardlin told them they were odd sheep and he had bought them with his pension money. He later gave them up to Mr Harris’ man. Frederick Smith: inspector of police at Biggleswade. On 9 February he received the prisoner into custody from Huntingdon Police Station. Statement of the accused: he did not steal the sheep but was guilty of selling them.
  • Exent
    8 pages
  • Reference
  • Level of description
    item
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