QSR1844/3/5/12-14

Depositions and examinations - Jane Manton (alias Jane Smith), Lydia Robinson and Mary Manton, charged with stealing 3 bundles of fir wood chips from Francis, Duke of Bedford at Ampthill on 14 May 1844,

23 May 1844

From: 1844 To: 1844

Richard Perry of Millbrook, woodman – he is employed as a woodman in the estates of the Duke of Bedford in Ampthill. There is a saw pit on Coopers Hill Plantation. On 14 May he saw the 3 prisoners coming from the direction of the sawpit, each with a large bundle of chips of fir wood. He stopped them and said they had no right there. They said they did not know and tried to go on. He stopped them and asked their names. One of the three said he must pick it out. He kept them until he got a policeman. As soon as the policeman came and recognized them he let them go. He kept the bundles of chips which he now produces. The value of each bundle is 2d. He has turned out Lydia Robinson and Mary Manton from the Plantation 3 times within the last 3 weeks and a number of times before. He has not seen Jane Manton there before. They are constantly collecting wood and he has repeatedly cautioned them and taken the wood away. Last year the quantity of wood stolen from the neighbourhood of Ampthill was very great, and a good deal this year. The poor are allowed to go in on a Monday to gather rotten wood. This offence was committed on a Tuesday. The chips are the property of the Duke of Bedford and are intended for sale. Charles Walsh of Ampthill, police constable – he knows the prisoners. On 14 May he saw them with Richard Perry in Coppers Hill Plantation. He has seen them bring wood from the Plantation into the town several times, not only on Mondays but on almost every other day of the week. He has taken away wood from Jane Manton. He has many times threatened all three of them that he would take them into custody. Jane Manton (alias Jane Smith), Lydia Robinson and Mary Manton – do not wish to say anything.

item

Manton, Jane,
Smith, Jane,
Robinson, Lydia,
Manton, Mary,
Perry, Richard,
Walsh, Charles,
Russell, Francis (7th Duke of Bedford)

MILLBROOK, AMPTHILL, Ampthill Coopers Hill, stealing, wood, woodman, police constable