QSR1845/1/5/9

Depositions and examination - William Brain

18 November 1844

From: 1844 To: 1845

Frederick Whitelock of St Paul Bedford, postboy – he is a postboy in the service of Mr Higgins of the Swan. In April he was living at Yardley (Northants). He left at the beginning of April. He packed up his clothes at Yardley – some silk handkerchiefs, 2 pairs of white cord small clothes, a pair of knee caps and a skirt. About a week later he came to Bedford and went to the Red Lion in the High St for his clothes which were all in one box. He saw his box in the stable of the Red Lion. He went to his box at different times up to the 5 August when he missed his box. He saw Brain in the yard of the Red Lion a day or two before. He has since seen some of the missing clothes in the possession of Mrs Holding. He has since seen his box in the possession of Mr Gascoine of the Ram Yard. He took the box from Mr Gascoine’s house. Rebecca Holding, wife of Benjamin Holding of St Paul Bedford, carpenter – about 3 months ago Brain came to her house. He brought the pair of white cord small clothes, the knee caps and the silk handkerchief now produced and asked her to buy them. She gave him a pair of black cloth trousers, a waistcoat and 3d. They remained in her possession about 2 days then were taken away by Mr Coombs. Brain said he bought the clothes at Stamford. Sarah Gascoine, wife of James Gascoine of St Paul Bedford, carter – on 4 September Brain came to her husband’s house with a small wooden box which he left there that night. In the morning he came and unlocked the box and left it. The box was at her house until 10 September when Whitelock and Mr Coombs took it away. Brain asked if he could leave the box for the night but never came for it. William Coombs, chief constable of Bedford – he went with Whitelock to Benjamin Holding’s house on 9 September and received the things now produced. The next day they went to Gascoine’s house and found a red painted box which Whitelock claimed as his property. He apprehended Brain on 17 November. Frederick Whitelock (further deposition) – he saw the clothes in Mrs Holding’s possession in the early part of September. They are some of the clothes taken from his box and are his property. William Brain of St Paul, Bedford – he was helping the hostler at the Red Lion two Saturdays and when he wanted him in the week. He was always about the yard. One Friday he asked if he was wanted the next day and the hostler said no. He continued to help him and said he hadn’t got any clothes. He started to London the same afternoon.

item

Brain, William,
Whitelock, Frederick,
Holding, Rebecca,
Holding, Benjamin,
Gascoine, Sarah,
Gascoine, James,
Coombs, William

BEDFORD, Bedford St.Paul, stealing, clothing, postboy, carpenter, carter, ostler, Chief Constable, Bedford Red Lion, Bedford Swan