QSR1844/4/5/36

Depositions and examination - Thomas Pendred charged with stealing a hat

14 October 1844

From: 1844 To: 1844

James Baker of Great Barford, innkeeper – Thomas Pendred of Great Paxton (Hunts) was at his house at Great Barford yesterday morning. He keeps the Anchor Inn. Pendred was there about 1 hour. He missed a hat ¼ hour after Pendred left. He suspected two men who were with Pendred. He went to the policeman at Barford. Mr Beach, the policeman, later brought him the hat which is his property and is worth 1s. William Beach, policeman stationed at Great Barford – he overtook the three men mentioned at Tempsford Lock and found a hat lying in one of the boats in which Pendred had been taking bricks to Bedford. He asked Pendred if he knew anything of the hat. Pendred said he knew nothing about it, then afterwards said he took it and that it was old Baker’s. He took Pendred into custody and returned the hat to Baker. Thomas Pendred – “I am sorry such a thing has happened. I never was before a magistrate before. I took the hat in a joke and meant to bring it back when I went up the river again, which would have been tomorrow or Monday”.

item

Pendred, Thomas,
Baker, James,
Beach, William

Great Barford, Great Paxton, BEDFORD, TEMPSFORD, stealing, hats, innkeeper, policeman, Great Barford Anchor, water transport, boats