QSR1845/3/5/4

Depositions and examination - Charles Toone charged with stealing 2 metal table spoons, 2 metal teaspoons, a pair of worsted gloves, a wood snuff box, 2 pieces of carpet and a piece of soap from William Johnson

24 April 1845

From: 1845 To: 1845

William Johnson of Ampthill, shoemaker – Toone has lodged at his house for about 10 weeks. Yesterday he missed several things from his house – he only missed them when he found them at the house of his wife’s father, William Wilson. He looked over his things and besides the items at Wilson’s he missed some metal spoons, a quantity of soap and many more articles – he saw the house was very much cleared but scarcely knew what was gone. His wife had gone away from him the day before (Tuesday) and Toone had gone away the same evening. On Wednesday he had reason to suspect some of his property had been taken. Yesterday he went to Mr Robinson’s the saddler’s due to a message. Robinson told him there was a hamper in his loft which he thought contained some of his property. He went up into the loft and found the 4 spoons produced, the snuff box, a piece of soap, a pair of worsted gloves, a brush, a small box (containing pins), 3 pieces of carpet, a silk scarf which his wife used to wear, 2 gowns, a cloak and many other things in the hamper, all of which he knew or believed to be his. The small box produced is his as are the bonnet and cap which were worn by his wife. He took the box and the cutlery from George Virgins on Wednesday. He has never said to his wife she might go away and take what things she pleased. His wife left on Tuesday night. He did not tell the police. He did not tell his wife she might take what was her own. He said to her if she liked Toone better than himself she might go away with him. On Sunday she said she would go away with Toone. They had a few words. Nothing was said about property. He does not know who took it. He believes Toone and his wife had left Ampthill before he missed it. William Negus Robinson of Ampthill, saddler – Toone has worked for him for about 10 weeks as a journeyman. Yesterday morning (23 April) Toone asked him to lend him a hamper for a day or two. Toone said he was going out for a holiday for a day or two and wanted it to pack some clothes in. Thomas Britten his man got a hamper from the loft. Toone took it from his yard and about an hour or less letter he saw John Mann bring the hamper back into his yard. Toone was with him. Toone put the hamper, which appeared heavy, into the loft and asked him to take care of it until he came back to work. In about ¼ hour Toone left. Toone asked when he [Robinson] thought the shop would be finished and he should come again to work. He was making an alteration in his shop and said Toone was to come the next day or might stop till Monday next. About ¼ hour after Toone left Johnson’s sons came and asked if he had had a box or trunk come into his yard. He sent for Johnson who came and was shown the hamper. Inside the hamper he saw some of the items produced. Johnson took the hamper and its contents away. Toone was engaged to work for him for the whole of the summer and had some unfinished work in hand. John Mann – he is in service with Mr Robinson. Yesterday he was at George Roberts’ house. Toone was there and had a hamper with him. Toone asked him to carry it down to Robinson’s. He did so. It was heavy. Toone walked with him and carried it up into the loft. He does not know what was inside it. Johnson’s wife was not there at the time. He did not see her at all yesterday. If he had seen her he would have known her. The hamper produced is the hamper he carried for the prisoner. Thomas Brittain – he is a journeyman to Mr Robinson. Yesterday he gave the hamper to Toone at Robinson’s direction. He heard Toone ask for it to pack his things. Toone said it was not large enough and he replied “It is big enough for your clothes I should think”. Toone said “what do you know about it”. He said “I know pretty well what clothes you have but I suppose you want to pack up another person’s clothes as well”. Toone said “that’s my business”. Toone took the hamper away and returned with Mann carrying it. Toone put it up into the loft and asked if it would be safe there. When the hamper was opened by Johnson he saw several things similar to those that are now in it. On Tuesday night between 10 and 11 he was with Toone. He [Brittain] lodges at Johnson’s house. When he went home on Tuesday night he saw Johnson’s wife packing up some things. Toone was present, Johnson was not. Johnson’s wife said she was going away. He said to her “don’t be silly”. He asked Toone to go out. While he was speaking to Toone Johnson came up and went into the house. He followed. Johnson said to Toone “Charles, what do you intend doing?” Toone said “I intend going and your wife with me”. Johnson said to his wife “I’ll give you a chance – If you can live happy and comfortable with me you shall stop”. The wife said “No, I have fixed my affections on Charles and I shall go”. Toone then asked him to help him carry his things down. He carried down Toone’s bag and a bundle he supposed to contain clothes. Toone carried a trunk like the one now produced which he took to George Virgin’s. Johnson was present when the things were carried away. Johnson’s wife came away at the came time and carried a bundle. Johnson said to her “if you like Charles better than me you may take your things and go”. Charles Toone – he was unconscious of what was in the hamper. Mrs Johnson packed it up. He carried the hamper to her and after she had put some things in it he took it away. Johnson had said she might go away and take what things he liked. He did not think of doing anything wrong.

item

Toone, Charles,
Johnson, William,
Robinson, William Negus,
Mann, John,
Brittain, Thomas,
Virgin, George

AMPTHILL, stealing, cutlery, gloves, carpets, household goods, shoemaker, saddler, separation