QSR1844/3/5/32-33

Depositions and examinations - John Lightfoot and Joseph Harris charged with stealing a watch from William Curtis

18 and 22 June 1844

From: 1844 To: 1844

18 June ------------ William Curtis of Renhold, labourer – Thursday June 13 he went with his master’s sheep to the river near Newnham Mills in the parish of Goldington to wash them. There were three other men there with him washing the sheep – William Ives, Samuel Peacock and William Haynes. An old man named Braybrooks who lives at the mill was there looking on. When they had finished Samuel Peacock pushed him into the river. William Ives pulled his watch out of his pocket to prevent it getting wet. In pulling it out the outside case fell off into the water. They felt about the bottom for it but couldn’t find it. The prisoners came up while they were feeling for the watchcase. Lightfoot asked if he had lost his knife. He told Lightfoot what they were looking for. He said in the prisoners’ hearing that if anyone of them found it he would give them what they charged. He then left and went home. He saw the washers who he left at the water come by the farm where he works soon after. He did not see either of the prisoners looking for the case. The case now produced is the one he dropped. Brooks French of Bedford St Paul, watchmaker – about 2 years ago he sold a watch to William Curtis. The silver case produced by Mr Bull belongs to that watch. John Bull of Bedford, silversmith – on Thursday 13 June the prisoners brought a watch case to his shop to sell. He asked Harris if it was his property. Harris said it was and that he found it. He gave Harris 3s 9d for it. John Lightfoot – he and Harris went in the water to bathe. Harris trod on the case and fetched it up. Joseph Harris – confirms what Lightfoot said. He knows nothing more about it. 22 June ----------- William Braybrooks of Newnham Mill, labourer – last Thursday week he was looking on at the sheep washing . He saw Curtis drop his watch case into the water. The prisoners were not then present – they came afterwards. Curtis said to him in their presence (they were not more than 5 or 6 yards away and looking on and might have heard what Curtis said) “you live here very handy and when the water is clear you very likely may find it – if anybody finds it and brings it to you I’ll satisfy him if I can, or if you find it yourself I’ll satisfy you”. Curtis spoke to everybody there as well as to him. John Lightfoot of Goldington, labourer – he never heard Curtis say that he would satisfy anybody that found it. He did not know whose it was. Joseph Harris of Goldington, labourer – he says the same as Lightfoot.

item

Lightfoot, John,
Harris, Joseph,
Curtis, William,
French, Brooks,
Bull, John,
Ives, William,
Peacock, Samuel,
Haynes, William,
Braybrooks, William

BEDFORD, RENHOLD, Bedford St.Paul, GOLDINGTON, Newnham Mill, stealing, watches, watchmaker, silversmith, sheep