QSR1855/3/5/53

Depositions of William King, farmer of Studham, George Barnard, farmer of Studham, Ann Scott, widow of Studham and Thomas Hinds, police constable of Whipsnade. In the case of Frederick Scott, accused of stealing a set of plough chains.

18 June 1855

From: 1855 To: 1855

William King: a farmer at Studham. The prisoner worked for him in April 1854 and about that time he lost a set of plough chains. On 11 June he saw a horse at plough on Mr Barnard’s farm. His plough chains were on the horse. He told him he had got his chains and Barnard said he had bought them sometime last winter from Mrs Scott at Studham and gave 2 shillings for them. On 12 June the prisoner brought the chains to him and said he found the chains in a ditch at the bottom of his meadow. The prisoner begged pardon and said he had not been aware they were his chains. King gave the chains to PC Hinds. He had the chains for sometime but had not used them much. He would not positively swear they were his chains but believed them to be. George Barnard: a farmer at Studham. Sometime in February Ann Scott, the prisoners mother, had come to his house and asked him to buy some plough chains. She said that her son had found them a year or two ago and she brought the chains with her. He gave her 2 shillings for them. The chains broke and he sent them to the blacksmith shop for repair. The previous Monday he had been using the chains when King came and said they were his chains. He told King who he had bought them off and sent for Mrs Scott. Mrs Scott said her boy better take them to Mr King. The prisoner came afterwards to the house and gave back the 2 shillings. When he bought the chains they were rustier than they were now. Ann Scott: mother of the prisoner. Between 1 and 2 years ago her son brought her some plough chains. He said he had picked up some old chains in a ditch coming from work. In January or February she sold them to Mr Barnard for 2 shillings. The chains produced were those same chains. PC Thomas Hinds: a police constable of Whipsnade. On 16 June, Mr King gave him the plough chains and he took the prisoner into custody. The prisoner said he had found the chains in Mr King’s field when he worked for him. Statement of the accused: nothing to say.

item

Scott, Frederick,
King, William,
Barnard, George,
Scott, Ann,
Hinds, Thomas

STUDHAM, WHIPSNADE, stealing, chain