QSR1877/3/5/5

Depositions and examination - Matilda Cotton charged with stealing a German silver watch value 12 s 6d from the person of Joseph Mayes at Luton on 12 May 1877

16 May 1877

From: 1877 To: 1877

Joseph Mayes of Tower Hill, Luton – he is a plait brusher. On Saturday morning he went into the Welcome Stranger. He had a pint of ale there then went to sleep. When he woke up Matilda Cotton came in. He went to sleep again a second time. Matilda Cotton had then gone. No one else had been in while he was awake. He lost his german silver watch. He gave 12/6 for it a fortnight ago. Sarah Oakley of Duke Street, Luton – she is the wife of William Oakley who keeps the Welcome Stranger Public House. On Saturday between 12 and 1 she saw Cotton and Mayes in the taproom sitting near each other. She went in again about ¼ hour later. Mayes was apparently asleep. Cotton had a watch in her right hand. She asked what she was doing with his watch – Cotton said she was looking at the time. She sent her daughter in afterwards. She told Cotton to put the watch back. She is unwell and went to lay down. No one had been in the house except Cotton. Mayes came and complained of his loss. John Seymour of Bute Street, Luton – he is an assistant to Mr Butcher, pawnbroker of Bute Street, Luton. On Saturday a Mrs Mayes came to his shop and offered a metal watch. He did not take it. About 2.30pm Cotton brought the same watch in. He asked whose it was and she said it was her husband’s. He said it did not belong to her. She said her husband bought it off the man. William Butcher of Luton, police constable – on Monday May 14 he apprehended Cotton and charged her. She said she did not know anything about it. She later said “He gave me it to take to the pawnshop. I took it but they refused it. I then took watch back and put it in Mayes pocket at the Welcome Stranger”. Matlida Cotton – Mayes asked her several times to take it to the pawn shop or sell it. Mayes was very tipsy indeed. She told him to go home to his wife. He said he shouldn’t, he should have her. She took it to the pawnbroker but could not pawn it. She sold it for 2 shillings.

item

Cotton, Matilda,
Mayes, Joseph,
Oakley, Sarah,
Seymour, John,
Butcher, William,
Oakley, William

LUTON, Luton Tower Hill, Luton Duke Street, Luton Bute Street, pickpocket, watches, pawnbroker, police constable, straw worker, innkeeper, Luton Welcome Stranger