Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    QSR1889/2/5/2b
  • Title
    Depositions of William Shepherd, gamekeeper of Houghton Regis, Daniel Humphries, shepherd of Houghton Regis, PC Walter Gough of Houghton Regis and William Squires, machinst of Leagrave. In the case of Samuel Taverner accused of stealing a quantity of coal.
  • Date free text
    18 February 1889
  • Production date
    From: 1889 To: 1889
  • Scope and Content
    William Shepherd: a gamekeeper of Houghton Regis. On 7 February he had been on duty at Mr Brandreth’s park in a field in Skimpot Road. He saw Samuel Taverner come along the road. Suspecting him of laying snares, he hid until he had passed, he then followed Taverner along the road to the Leagrave footpath. The prisoner turned in and went to some coal by the stacks in Mr Anstees field. He returned about 10 minutes later with a basket on his shoulder. Shepherd asked Taverner what was in it and was told some coal that he had picked up off the road opposite the Halfway house. Tarverner had a hammer in his pocket. Shepherd informed PC Gough. Daniel Humphries: a shepherd to Mr Anstee of Lewsey Farm. On 7 February he had been leaving work when he met Tarverner on the footpath about 150 yards from the stacks. Taverner was going towards the stacks where there was coal for a thrashing engine. Tarverner was not carrying anything. William Squires. On 28 January he had 15cwt of Hucknall Hard coal taken to Mr Anstee’s rick. On 9 February he found about 5 cwt gone from the heap. The coal produced was the same sort as that missed. The prisoner had worked for him when he had been thrashing but not on this occasion. PC Walter Gough: on 8 February he took out a search warrant to search Taverner’s house. He went to the house about 7pm and found a quantity of coal and a basket and hammer. He charged Taverner with stealing the coal. Tarverner said he had picked it up between the Halfway House and Skimpot Road. The coal had been taken from the stairhole and it was similar to that by the rick. Statement of the accused: nothing to say.
  • Reference
  • Level of description
    item
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