QSR1875/4/5/5/a

Depositions and examination - George Athies Wright of Leighton Buzzard, charged with obtaining 2s from Sarah Ann Rogers by false pretences at Leighton Buzzard on 7 September 1875

14 September 1875

From: 1875 To: 1875

Sarah Ann Rogers of Leighton Buzzard, singlewoman – she lives with her parents. She did not know Wright until he came to their house on 30 August. The next day he asked her to lend him a shilling and said he would repay her in the evening. She let him have the shilling. He did not repay it. He did not say anything about a will then. The next Monday he asked her to lend him more money. She refused. She let him have 2s the next day to buy a front and collar. Before she let him have the 2s he said he had bought 2 houses at Luton and was buying 6 more. He said he had made his will at Mr Pettit’s. On the previous Saturday Mr Garside brought the copy will produced to her. She heard it read by Mr Garside and the copy will was left with her. By the will property was left to her. Wright promised to pay her the 2s after he came from the bank. He said he had £104 in the bank. This was before she let him have the 2s. She asked him for the 3s on the Tuesday night. He never gave it to her. Wright was present when Garside read the copy will. Wright said he had a presentment he should be drowned at sea and that was why he left the money to her and her family. He said he had great respect for them all as friends. Wright said his money was in London and was coming through the Westminster Bank to Mr Rumball. She gave the letter produced and envelopes to PC Ruffhead having previously opened it. She posted the letter directed to Mr Walter at the request of Wright. He gave her a penny for the stamp. He said he had written for all his things to come to their house. James Quilter Rumball of Leighton Buzzard, manager of the Leighton Branch of the London and County Bank – he has received no money on Wright’s account from the Westminster Bank or any other bank. They have had no business transactions with him or any money of his. George Garside the younger of Leighton Buzzard, attorney’s clerk – he is clerk to Mr Pettit the solicitor at Leighton. He knows Wright by sight and has seen him several times lately as a client to Mr Pettit. He received instructions from Wright a week last Friday to make his will. He prepared the will himself – a copy is produced. Wright said his whole property consisted of £920 in the National Provincial Bank at Portsea and 2 houses at Luton, all of which was given to Sarah Ann Rogers and her sister equally. He saw the will signed himself and witnessed it with Mr Pettit. Wright said he was an old friend of the Rogers family. Wright never paid for the willl. At the request of Wright he took the will to the Rogers’s and read it in the presence of Wright to the two daughters. He believes the signature to the letter produced is Wright’s signature. Thomas Ruffhead, police constable stationed at Leighton Buzzard – on 9 September he called at the Bell and Woolpack, Leighton in the morning. He received the copy will produced from Sarah Ann Rogers. He also received the letter produced from her signed “George Wright” directed to Edward Walter, Ship Cumberland, Victoria Docks, London. George Athies Wright – does not wish to say anything.

item

Wright, George Athies,
Rogers, Sarah Ann,
Rumball, James Quilter,
Garside, George,
Ruffhead, Thomas,
London and County Bank,
Pettit, Henry,
Walter, Edward

LEIGHTON BUZZARD, false pretences, bank manager, solicitor, clerk, police constable, Leighton Buzzard Bell & Woolpack, ships