QSR1845/2/5/2-3/a

Depositions and examination - John Brazier of Eversholt, charged with stealing half a peck of field peas value 6d from Joseph Gibbons of Tingrith, farmer on 20 March 1845

22 March 1845

From: 1845 To: 1845

John Gibbons of Tingrith, labourer – he lives with his grandfather, the prosecutor, who occupies a farm at Tingrrith. Brazier has worked for Gibbons for 2 or more years and was a weekly labourer. Last Thursday Brazier and Benjamin Taylor were at work in a barn in the Home Farm yard chaff cutting. About 1pm he saw them go towards another barn in the same yard which they call the Wheat House. Something in their manner made him suspect them and he remained concealed. He heard Taylor say to Brazier “There’s a girl coming out of the door – but never mind go on in”. They were within 5 yards of him. They went into the Wheat House. The key was in the door and he heard it unlocked. He saw them go in. They each had their dinner baskets in their hands, which did not appear to contain anything of weight. They both came back out, one turned the lock very gently and they went back to the barn where they had been working. They each carried baskets which he could see were full of something. He told his grandfather. About 4pm he went into the barn where the baskets were and opened them. He found a quantity of peas in bags in each, about ½ a peck in each. The men were not then in the barn. There were threshed peas of the same kind in the Wheat House. William Hill of Tingreth, parish constable – from information received he watched for Taylor and Brazier as they left Mr Gibbons’ after work in the evening. Taylor came first. He stopped him and examined his basket and found a quantity of peas in it. He later stopped Brazier and examined his basket. Brazier seemed much frightened. He asked wher he had the peas from. Brazier said from Daniel Gurney. Has said 2were they garden peas”. Brazier said they were maple peas. He asked where Daniel Gurney grew them. Brazier did not answer. Joseph Gibbons the son of the prosecutor had come up to them and asked similar questions. Brazier scarcely answered, but began to ask pardon and said it was the first time and cried. He took the basket of peas away and went with Brazier and Taylor to the prosecutor. The baskets are those now produced. The peas are in a bag in the basket. Robert Henry Taylor of Eversholt, police constable – he took Brazier into custody yesterday and has been searching for Taylor but cannot find him. Taylor’s mother, at whose house he lives, informed him Taylor had gone away. He produces the two baskets with the bags and peas. John Brazier - "I can't say anything any ways. I know I am guilty. I hope my master will be favorable with me".

item

Brazier, John,
Taylor, Benjamin,
Gibbons, Joseph,
Gibbons, John,
Hill, William,
Taylor, Robert Henry

TINGRITH, EVERSHOLT, stealing, peas, farmer, parish constable, police constable