QSR1855/1/5/28

Depositions of Edward Twelvetrees, builder of Biggleswade. In the case of James Coburn, labourer of Dunton, accused of stealing pieces of timber.

30 December 1854

From: 1854 To: 1855

Edward Twelvetrees: a builder of Biggleswade. He was building a new homestead at Dunton Lodge. The prisoner James Coburn had been working there as a foreman of the bricklayers. He left there about 5pm on 29 December but before he had got far he had occasion to return and on his way to the house he heard the sound of a saw. The prisoner his son, David Coburn and William Gower were in the house and he called to the prisoner giving him some instructions. He asked what the prisoner was sawing and Coburn replied “oh nothing”. Coburn went away and after they had gone he procured a light and looked about. He found basket containing 4 pieces of deal board. The basket belonged to James Coburn but the pieces of wood were his. They had been in one piece a day or two previous and he knew them from paint marks on the back. There were worth about 8 pence. He had not authorized anybody to take these pieces away. Statement of the accused: all he had to say was that he was very sorry for what had happened and it was his first offence. He hoped they would be as [?] as they could.

item

Coburn, James,
Twelvetrees, Edward

BIGGLESWADE, DUNTON, stealing, timber, builder, Dunton Dunton Lodge Farm, bricklayer