QSR1844/4/5/27

Depositions and examination - Francis Ensor charged with stealing one potato fork value 1s 6d from Thomas Messenger

10 October 1844

From: 1844 To: 1844

Thomas Messenger of Leighton Buzzard, labourer – he is a labourer and a rough carpenter. Yesterday evening (9 Oct) he received a potato fork from Thomas Smith to repair it. About 9pm he went to a beer shop in Leighton kept by Daniel Parrott and took the fork with him. When he went in Ensor, who is a stranger to him, was sitting there. They were both at the beer shop until about 10.30. He does not remember speaking to Ensor in the house. They both left about the same time He, Ensor and 3 others walked along for about 50 or 60 yards when Ensor came behind him, took the fork off his shoulder, and walked away with it. He called to Ensor to stop and return it but he would not. He gave information to George Sparks. They went down to the boats on the canal and found the fork standing in a boat. Sparks took Ensor into custody. He is sure the fork produced is the one taken from him and sure it was Ensor that took it. He never took any money from Ensor for the fork or offer it for sale. He did not ask Ensor to pay for a pot of beer. George Sparks of Leighton Buzzard, parish constable – he went with Messenger to a boat on the canal in Linslade. He went into one of the boats and found the potato fork standing in the cabin and Ensor lying down exactly opposite where the fork was standing. Messenger said it was the fork that was taken from him and identified Ensor. He took charge of the fork and took Ensor into custody. Ensor said he had given Messenger 1s 6d for the fork and one of his mates could prove it. Francis Ensor – he gave Messenger 1s 6d for the fork. He said to Messenger he would go home and go to bed and if Messenger like to give him his money when he came up again he should have the fork back. He is a boatman on the Grand Junction Canal. His native place is Measham (Derbys).

item

Ensor, Francis,
Messenger, Thomas,
Sparks, George,
Parrott, Daniel

LEIGHTON BUZZARD, stealing, fork, horticultural implements, parish constable, carpenter, beerhouses, canals, boats, boatman, Grand Junction Canal