QSR1854/1/5/2

Depositions of John Edwards, labourer of Biggleswade, John Rollins, labourer of Biggleswade, Joseph Albone, labourer of Biggleswade and William Warren, an inmate of Bedford gaol. In the case of James Phillips accused of stealing 3 bushels of potatoes.

26 October 1853

From: 1853 To: 1854

John Edwards: a labourer working for Henry Waldock of Bleak Hall in Biggleswade. On 13 October he was employed digging potatoes for Mr Waldock and putting them in a sack. He left 4 sacks of potatoes in the corner of the field about 6pm. The following morning when he returned he found 3 bushels of potatoes he had been taken from one of the sacks. John Rollins: he worked for Mr Waldock and on 13 October he had been at work in the field with John Edwards. On the same evening, he went to the Plough public house and William Warren and James Phillips came in and asked a man by the name of Albone where Mr Waldock’s potato pits were. Albone told him. Albone had also been working there. William Warren: an inmate of Bedford gaol having stolen potatoes belonging to Mr Henry Waldock. He and James Phillips used to work for the same person. They were talking on 13 October and he was telling Phillips he was badly off for potatoes and did not know what to do. They planned to take some of Mr Waldock’s potatoes. On the same night they went to the Plough public house and met Joseph Albone. John Rollins was there as well and he heard Phillips ask him where he was working. Phillips said at Mr Waldock’s digging potatoes. They left the Plough after about an hour and took 3 or 4 pints of beer. They left and went to Mr Waldock’s field. There were sacks covered over with a cloth. They took about 3 bushels from one of the sacks and pit them in an old bag. He and Phillips both carried them part of the way. When they got to Warren’s house and shared the potatoes. Joseph Albone: on 13 October he had been in the Plough public house at about 7pm and Phillips came in. Phillips asked a man by the name of John Rollins who he was working for and Phillips said he was working digging potatoes. Philips asked him where the potatoes were grown and Albone told him they were in a field just above the Plough. Warren and Phillips left the Plough together about 8.30pm. Statement of the accused: he had left Warren near the Plough about 8.30pm. Warren went one way and he went the other.

item

Philips, James,
Waldock, Henry,
Edwards, John,
Rollins, John,
Albone, Joseph,
Warren, William

BIGGLESWADE, stealing, potatoes, farmer, Biggleswade Plough, Bleak Hall