QSR1845/4/5/33

Depositions, examination and character reference – Jabez Adams charged with stealing one silver table spoon value 9s from John Purser at Leighton Buzzard on 16 July 1845

18 July 1845

From: 1845 To: 1845

John Purser of Leighton Buzzard, plumber – he has a shop in the yard behind his house, reached through a passage out of which a door opens into the front room of his house. He always takes his breakfast in that room and has for many years used a particular silver table spoon at his breakfast. After breakfast he leaves it on the table and goes to his business. The door to this room into the yard is generally open in the summer time. About 3 weeks ago the spoon went missing. About the same time he remembers Adams coming to his shop for putty. He informed Charles Page and Alfred Matthews – both dealers in silver at Leighton – of his loss. When he told Matthews he took from the drawer the bowl of a spoon which he knew to be the one he had lost. On Wednesday 16 July Mr Page brought him the top part of the spoon. Later on the same day Matthews showed him the middle part of the stem of a spoon which he also believes to be his. There were two sets of initials on the spoon – one on the top and one on the part that is still missing. Alfred Matthews of Leighton Buzzard, silversmith – about a fortnight ago a boy answering Adams description brought a piece of silver spoon to him for sale. The boy said he had found it, he thinks near Mr Flemon’s mill. He weighed it and gave the boy either 6 or 7 shillings for it. He did not know the boy, even by sight. About 10 days ago he showed the bowl to Mr Purser and later showed him the stem. It was in one piece when it was brought to him. Only the top and upper parts of the stem were then broken off. On Wednesday he gave the pieces to PC Chapman. Charles Page of Leighton Buzzard, silversmith – on Wednesday 16th Adams came to his shop and offered him the top of a silver spoon. He recognised the marks Purser had described to him. Adams said he had found it near the furthest Hockliffe Turnpike gate. That is in a different direction to and over 2 miles from Flemon’s mill. Adams said he found it in a piece of paper. He took Adams to Mr Purser’s and gave the piece of spoon to PC Chapman. John Chapman, police constable stationed at Leighton Buzzard – he received Adams into custody from the parish constable and received the pieces of spoon from Matthews and Page. Adams said today that he sold the part of the spoon to Matthews. Jabez Adams – on 1st July he bought a piece of spoon to Mr Matthews and said he found it near Flemon’s Mill. Matthews gave him 4 shillings for it. He found the other part on Tuesday near Hockliffe Toll Gate. Character reference for Jabez Adams from previous employers. Signed by William Mead of Leighton, carpenter; Robert Samuell of Leighton, carpenter; William Hickinbottom of Leighton, carpenter; William Dimmock and John Shepard

item

Adams, Jabez,
Purser, John,
Matthews, Alfred,
Page, Charles,
Chapman, John,
Mead, William,
Samuel, Robert,
Hickinbottom, William,
Dimmock, William,
Shepard, John

LEIGHTON BUZZARD, stealing, cutlery, silversmith, plumber, police constable, carpenter