QSR1887/4/5/7

Depositions of Mary Clarke, wife of Arthur of Harlington, Isaac Nelson, police constable of Westoning and Arthur Clarke, baker of Harlington. In the case of John Bonner accused of stealing a purse containing 2 sovereigns, 3 half sovereigns and 30 shillings of silver.

25 August 1887

From: 1887 To: 1887

Arthur Clarke: a baker living in Harlington. On Sunday 7 August he had a purse containing £5 in his cupboard at Harlington. There were 2 sovereigns and 3 half sovereigns and 30 shillings worth of silver. It was put there on Saturday night and they added half a sovereign to it on the Sunday. He last saw it safe at 8.15pm. He and his wife went out a little before 9pm, leaving his little girl, an imbecile alone in the house. The house was left open and they were not going far. They went to the Rising Sun about 40 yards off to see off some friends. On going to the Rising Sun he saw the defendant coming out but did not see which way he went. They returned home after about 20 minutes. Next morning his wife discovered the purse and money had gone. The defendant had been working for him. On seeing the prisoner he told him he wanted back his money. Bonner said he didn’t have it. Bonner later said he was sorry for what he had done and would fetch it. Bonner left and came back 10 minutes later with £3 4s. He told the prisoner he wanted £1 14s more and the purse. The prisoner began to cry. His wife asked when he would bring it back, and the prisoner replied tomorrow morning. About 6am next morning the prisoner brought a sovereign, a half sovereign and 6 shillings. The prisoner would not say where the purse was. On 9 August he went with the defendant and PC Nelson to a hovel in Bury Orchard, a meadow some little distance from the house. He saw the defendant point out to the policeman where the purse was. The cupboard was in the front room and was not locked. Mary Clarke: she was aware that the purse in question was in the cupboard on the 7th August. She saw it there a little after 8pm. To her knowledge it contained 2 sovereigns and 3 half sovereigns and 30 shillings worth of silver. She went out with her husband that evening and returned soon after. Next morning about 6am she went to the cupboard and discovered the purse was gone. PC Isaac Nelson: on 9 August he saw the defendant at his father’s house in his father’s presence. He told the defendant he knew he had returned the money but asked about the purse. The prisoner said he did not know where it was. The defendant’s father told him to speak the truth and say where it was. The defendant then said he had thrown it into Snoxell’s cowhovel. He asked Bonner to show him and the defendant led him to Bury Orchard and to a cow shed there. Bonner pointed to the roof saying that was where he had thrown the purse. Nelson climbed up and found the purse. He said to Bonner that it was only a piece of old rag and Bonner said that was the purse after he had taken the money and torn it up. The prisoner was charged with stealing the purse and the £5. Statement of the accused: there was only three pound, four or five and he had taken it back. Clarke had said he wanted six shillings more and then he said sixteen and he got to thirty six.

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Bonner, John,
Clarke, Arthur,
Clarke, Mary,
Nelson, Isaac

HARLINGTON, WESTONING, baker, stealing, coins, Harlington Bury Orchard