QSR1879/2/5/10/c

Depositions and examination - Mary Ann Smith, wife of Thomas Smith, charged with receiving one grey skirt from William Rolls at Leighton Buzzard on 14 December 1878 one scarlet skirt from Frederick Smith on 27 December 1878, knowing them to have been stolen from Henry Stone

1 February 1879

From: 1879 To: 1879

Henry Stone of High Street, Leighton Buzzard, draper – on 14 December he had some grey skirts of the kind produced hanging in his shop. He also had skirts of the same material in scarlet. He has missed both grey and red skirts from time to time lately. He believes the grey one is his property. He did not sell Smith the skirt produced for 2/11 on 2 November. William Rolls – he lives at Heath and Reach with his father. He took the skirt from Mr Stone’s on 14 December. It was hanging on an iron bar near his shop door. He took it to Smith’s house. Smith’s wife was at home. He gave it to her and she thanked him. She did not give him anything for it or promise to. While he was in the house he saw a scarlet petticoat 2 days after Christmas. He saw William Durrant take that from Mr Stone’s shop. Durrant gave it to Frederick Smith, the prisoner’s son, to take home. Frederick Smith – he lives with his parents in Leighton Buzzard. The prisoner is his mother. On 27 December Durrant gave him a scarlet skirt. He saw Durrant take it from Stone’s. He took it home and gave it to his mother. She took it upstairs. He only said to her “I have brought a skirt from Durrant”. He told her Durrant was with him. Susannah Durrant, wife of James Durrant, a labourer living in Leighton Buzzard – the prisoner is her sister. A fortnight ago last Wednesday her sister came to her house wearing 2 skirts. The one produced was one and the other was a scarlet one of the same material. Her sister asked if she would like one. She said she had no money to buy one with. The prisoner said her husband’s sister had sent them from London. She did not buy one. Thomas Ruffhead, police constable stationed at Leighton Buzzard – on Wednesday 29 January about 9pm he went to the house of Smith’s husband and saw them both. He asked what skirts she had in the house. She said “All I have, I have on”. She lifted up her dress and he saw she had on the grey skirt now produced. She took it off and gave it to him at his request. He asked where she got it. She said she bought it from Mr Stone for 2/9, and bought some stockings and towels at the same time. She said she bought them 12 weeks ago the day her poor father died. Mary Ann Smith – she has nothing to say.

item

Smith, Mary Ann,
Smith, Thomas,
Rolls, William,
Smith, Frederick,
Stone, Henry,
Durrant, William,
Durrant, Susannah,
Ruffhead, Thomas

LEIGHTON BUZZARD, Leighton Buzzard High Street, receiving stolen goods, clothing, draper, police constable