QSR1845/1/5/5

Depositions and examination - Henry Johnson

14 November 1844

From: 1844 To: 1845

William Manton, son of Thomas Manton – last night 13 November he found Johnson in his father’s yard in Water Lane, in the parish of St Paul at about 7pm. Johnson appeared to be asleep. He asked what Johnson was doing there. Johnson followed him into his father’s barn in the yard, where onions and other things are kept. Johnson remained there about 5 minutes. When he left the barn he looked round the yard for Johnson but could not find him. He did not hear Johnson go out of the gate. He locked the barn door and the door of the yard and left. He then sent to his father. At about 9pm he went back to the yard with his father and found the yard door and gate as he had left them. They went to the barn door and found a piece of board broken off and put inside leaving an opening large enough for a man to get through. The barn door was locked. The straw in the barn looked as if someone had been lying on it. A little later he saw Johnson coming down the Leg of Mutton yard in the parish of St John. His father brought Johnson back to his house and pulled some onions out of his pocket. Johnson asked for forgiveness. The onions were like his father’s. Thomas Manton of St John Bedford, fruiterer – he went with his son to his yard and saw the piece of board broken off the barn door. He went home and between 9 and 10pm saw Johnson near his [Manton’s] house in St John. He caught Johnson and told him to come back to his house. Johnson said “I ain’t the first one as robbed you, I’ll own the onions are yours. I’ll give them to you if you’ll forgive me. He took him to his house and gave him into custody. The policeman pulled the onions out of Johnson’s pocket. Johnson said if he would forgive him he would never do it again. He believes the onions are his property. John Paviour, police constable – he apprehended Johnson and searched him at Manton’s house. He found a quantity of onions in Johnson's pockets, which Johnson acknowledged to be Manton’s. Henry Johnson of St.Paul Bedford - he went into the barn and they got talking. While they were all talking, Bill said "you can't sleep here tonight". He sat on the straw and when they locked the door he got up. Some pigs rushed against the door and broke it open. He put a few onions in his pocket and left the place. He put the board inside the barn.

item

Johnson, Henry,
Manton, William,
Manton, Thomas,
Paviour, John

BEDFORD, Bedford St.John, Bedford St.Paul, Bedford Water Lane, stealing, onions, fruiterer, police constable, Bedford Leg of Mutton