Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    QSR1890/4/5/2
  • Title
    Depositions of George James Webb, watchmaker and jeweller of Biggleswade, Mary Ellen Webb, singlewoman of Biggleswade, Peter Thorburn, tailor of Biggleswade, John James Leonard, pawnbroker's assistant, Austin Bemrose, painter of Biggleswade, Fanny Blake: wife of Alfred Henry Blake, a jeweller of Biggleswade and George Daniels, police inspector of Biggleswade. In the case of George William Elverson accused of stealing a pair of gold eyeglasses, a silver english hever watch, an 18 carat gold belcher ring, 3 silver brooches, a white metal necklet and 1 silver albert chain.
  • Date free text
    17 Septmeber 1890
  • Production date
    From: 1890 To: 1890
  • Scope and Content
    George James Webb: a jeweller living on Market Hill, Biggleswade. The prisoner was employed by a painter to paint the inside of his shop. On 26 September, about 8pm, a person called Thorburn came into the shop and produced a pair of gold eyeglasses. The prisoner had been at work on the premises more or less every day for a fortnight or three weeks and was in the living room on the afternoon of 26 September. The prisoner went through the shop to get to the living room. Webb had in his counter showcase a pair of gold eyeglasses. He was certain they were safe in the case 3 weeks ago and he missed them on 26 September. He had not sold them. They were worth 16s 6d. In his absence his sister would sell in the shop. On 16 September he saw a plain 18 carat gold belcher ring on the bench in his shop. About midday on 18 September he missed it. It was worth £2. He handed the eyeglasses to Inspector Daniels on 26 September and the following day Inspector Daniels showed him a watch, 3 brooches, reading glass, necklet and a silver chain. All of which he valued at £7 3s 6d and must have been taken from his premises in the past 3 weeks. The prisoner had been employed by Mr Bemrose to paint the shop and house during that time. He had not sold any of the articles to the prisoner or anyone else. Mary Ellen Webb: a single woman living with her brother. During his absence she would attend the shop. She knew the prisoner and had never sold any of the articles to him. Peter Thorburn: an assistant to Mr Walker, a tailor at Biggleswade. He knew the prisoner and he called at his shop on 26 September and offered a pair of eyeglasses for sale. The prisoner asked 4 shillings for them and left them with Thorburn for approval. The same evening Mr Webb identified them as his and he handed them to him. John James Leonard: an assistant to Mr Page, a pawnbroker of Biggleswade. He remembered the prisoner calling at his master’s shop on 6 September and pledging 2 brooches and a reading glass. He stated they had belonged to Miss Jane Bemrose and took them in. On 20 September he pledged a silver lever watch. He handed the articles to Inspector Daniels on 27 September. Mr Page was present when the watch was pledged. Austen Bemrose: a painter residing at Biggleswade. The prisoner was his nephew and worked and lived with him. He had no daughter named Jane Bemrose nor did he know anyone by that name. He was present when Inspector Daniels searched the clothes belonging to the prisoner, which were in his bedroom, and saw him taken the brooch and chain from them. George Daniels: Inspector of Police and on 26 September he went to the prisoners lodging house about 11.15pm and saw him. He said he had come to see him about a ring which had been offered for sale to Mr Bennett, a Biggleswade jeweller. The prisoner said he knew nothing of it but Daniels told him not to give that tale as he had proof. The prisoner admitted he did offer it for sale but did not sell it as he had lost it at the fair. Daniels charged him and the prisoner admitted he had taken the eyeglasses from Mr Webb’s shop and he was very sorry. The following day he received 2 brooches, a reading glass and a watch from the witness Leonard. The same day he searched the clothes of the accused and found a brooch, necklet and chain. Mr Webb identified them all as his property. Fanny Blake: wife of Alfred Henry Blake, a jeweller of Biggleswade. On 23 September the prisoner called at her husband’s shop and presented a gold watch for repair. The prisoner also offered 2 silver watches for sale. The watches were left with Mrs Blake pending her husband’s return from his holidays. They were handed to Inspector Daniels on 7 October. Statement of the accused: the ring was not taken out of the shop, it was picked up of the chamber floor.
  • Reference
  • Level of description
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