QSR1844/4/5/31

Depositions and examination - David Sharpe charged with stealing wheat in the straw from Thomas Street

31 August 1844

From: 1844 To: 1844

Thomas Street of Renhold, farmer – on 21 August about 11am he saw Sharpe in a wheat field of his. He desired Sharpe to leave. Sharpe was not doing anything when he saw him. Sharpe said he would not leave the field, that he came to glean and would glean. He said if Sharpe did he would prosecute him. Sharpe said “you do as you like I’ll run the risk of that”. Sharpe went on and picked up wheat and carried it away. The field was clear just at that time. There were many other persons gleaning in the same field at the same time. He did not order any of them out. [Cross-examined by Sharpe] Sharpe asked him why he should not glean as well as others. He did answer “you shan’t you damned rogue”. Charlotte Hart, wife of George Hart of Renhold, labourer – she heard Mr Street order David Sharpe out of the field but he would not go. Sharpe stopped and gleaned and carried the wheat away with him. He should think he had about ½ peck of wheat. David Sharpe – he went gleaning because he had nothing else to do. Street said “you damned scamp you could get work if you pleased”.

item

Sharpe, David,
Street, Thomas,
Hart, Charlotte,
Hart, George

RENHOLD, stealing, wheat, straw, farmer, gleaning