QSR1845/3/5/5-6

Depositions and examinations - George Russell and Thomas Russell, charged with stealing one fowl from Nelly Morris at Holcut on 30 March 1845

25 April 1845

From: 1845 To: 1845

Nelly Morris of Holcut – she occupies a farm at Holcut and employed George Russell who lodged in the house. On 30 March she sent G Russell with a fowl (killed) wrapped up in a cloth in a basket to the house of Rev Edward Orlebar Smith in Holcut and desired him to give it into the cook’s hands. She is sure she said nothing which could make him think it was given to him. About a week later she was informed that the fowl had not been taken to Mr Smith’s. She did not turn George away, but he got away without her knowledge and was absent for a good while. She never gave him a fowl before or gave him anything but money. It was a fine, well fatted fowl. William Morris of Holcut, farmer – he lives with his mother, the last witness. He inquired at the house of Thomas Russell (George’s father) and found his wife at home. She said the boy brought the fowl home and said his mistress had given it to him. They had eaten it. He went to Thomas Russell in the field who said he met George in the village and George said he had a fowl in the basket which his mistress had given him. Thomas had taken the fowl from his son and carried it home and eaten it. He [Morris] also spoke to George about it who said his mistress had given him the fowl. Three or four days afterwards the boy went away and was absent for some time. George Russell – Mrs Morris gave him the fowl and told him to take it home. When he came back in the afternoon she asked him how he liked it. Thomas Russell – he was going to his brother’s in Salford His son called him back and said “here’s a fowl my mistress gave me to take home”. He said 2 or 3 times “had you any orders to take it anywhere else?” and his son said his mistress gave it to him. His son said he was going to Emmertons to tell the little boy to go birdkeeping. He caught hold of the basket and went home with it. His son caught him and carried the basket. His wife put the fowl into a pudding the same day. The fowl was wrapped in a clean white cloth and was in a wicker basket. They live about a mile from Mrs Morris. His and his wife both asked the boy many times if he was sure his mistress gave it to him. The fowl was picked. He thinks Mrs Morris once gave him a fowl before but it was not picked nor quite so fat.

item

Russell, George,
Russell, Thomas,
Morris, Nelly,
Morris, William,
Smith, Edward Orlebar

Holcott, stealing animals, fowls, farmer