QSR1844/4/5/37

Depositions and examination - George Dunton charged with stealing oats

12 October 1844

From: 1844 To: 1844

Baron Bunting of Sandy – George Dunton was in his service until last Thursday night. He discharged Dunton because he suspected him of taking some oats. Dunton used to feed his horses with oats he used to deliver to him himself. On Thursday morning he missed some oats from his bin. He thinks rather more than a bushel. Dunton kept the key of his chaff house and used to lock it up. No one else had the key. It appeared singular to him that Dunton should lock the chaff house up so regularly and he once asked why he did so. Dunton’s reply was that he locked the door because he could not otherwise find his tools as he left them. When he missed the oats from his bin he got a ladder and examined the chaff house by getting over the top. He found some oats in a bag in the corner. He believes the oats are part of the oats he had in his bin. He told George Dunton that evening that he had found oats in the chaff house and Dunton said he knew nothing about them. He never sent any other servant into the stable under the roof of which the chaff house stands between missing the oats and finding them in the chaff house. Dunton had the key in his possession the whole of this time. [Cross-examined by Dunton] He will not swear Dunton put the oats in the chaff house. He used to lock up his oat bin – there were two keys to it, the key of the barn opening the oat bin as well as the barn door. George Dunton – he did not take the oats or know who did.

item

Dunton, George,
Bunting, Baron

SANDY, stealing, oats, horses