QSR1844/1/5/31-32

Depositions and examination - John Hilton and Wiliam Toll, both of Pavenham

19 December 1843

From: 1843 To: 1844

Samuel Partridge of Pavenham, bailiff – on Saturday 16 December about 7.30 he had a peacock put up in a basket alive for Mr Caleb Fever of Harrold. He packed it in the basket now produced and sewed it in. He gave it into the hands of Thomas Parsons of Harrold, a common carrier from Bedford to Harrold who was to deliver it to Mr Fever. William Tole and John Hilton, two young men of Pavenham were present when his wife spoke to him about packing and sending the peacock. He has not seen or heard of the peacock since. It was worth 10s. Thomas Parsons of Harrold, common carrier – on Saturday night about 7.30pm he received the basket containing the peacock from Mr Partridge. He took it on his cart. He called at Mr Ashpole’s at the Cock Inn at Pavenham. He went into the house for about 5 minutes but left no one in charge of the cart. When he came out the peacock and basket were gone. He has not seen the peacock since. He saw the basket in the custody of Riseley of Pavenham. Thomas Riseley of Pavenham, labourer – he was at the Swan Public House kept by James Hulatt at Pavenham, which is between Mr Partridge’s house and the Cock at about 7.30pm last Saturday. Tole and Hilton were there. A cart went by, Toll and Hilton whispered together and then left. In about 5 minutes someone entered the room and said that the peacock was stolen from Parsons’ cart. He then went to tell his master, Mr Partridge. Joseph Neal, police constable – from information received he went in search of Toll and Hilton. He found that Hilton had gone on an errand into Buckinghamshire. He followed and overtook Hilton at Stoke Goldington. He asked if Hilton knew what he wished to speak to him about. Hilton said he would tell all he knew. Hilton said he was with Toll when the latter took the peacock from the cart against his (Hilton’s) wish. Toll said he would have it, and put the peacock and the basket over a wall onto Mr Hipwell’s close. On the Sunday night he took Toll into custody. Toll said he knew nothing of the matter. He has since heard Toll say that he did take it, but that he did so for a joke. He found the basket over Mr Hipwell’s wall, about 60 yards from Ashpole’s house. John Hilton – he heard Mr Partridge speaking about the peacock. What he said to Mr Neale was the truth. William Toll – he took it out of the cart as a joke.

item

Hilton, John,
Toll, William,
Partridge, Samuel,
Parsons, Thomas,
Fever, Caleb,
Riseley, Thomas,
Neal, Joseph,
Hulatt, James,
Ashpole

PAVENHAM, HARROLD, BROMHAM, Stoke Goldington, stealing animals, peacocks, bailiff, common carrier, police constable, Pavenham Cock, Pavenham Swan