QSR1845/4/5/29

Sophia Hemmings charged with stealing half a bushel of turnips from James Fossey at Toddington on 5 October 1845

6 October 1845

From: 1845 To: 1845

James Fossey of Toddington, labourer – he had some turnips given to him about 10 days ago which were grown on Moor Ground. He kept them to replant for seed and cut them in a particular manner for the purpose of planting. Last Thursday he took them to his allotment ground but had no time to plant them. He laid them down and covered them lightly over. There were 34 turnips all cut alike. That morning he missed all except four of them. He saw the tops of some turnips cut as his were near the prisoner’s door. He went to the house with PC Hornal. In a cupboard they found 7 turnips he knew to be his and the tops of 11 turnips which he knew to be his cutting. Samuel Hornal, police constable stationed at Toddington – he went with Fossey to Hemmings house. She is a married woman but her husband has been transported. He was sentenced at the last March Assize at Bedford. They found the turnips and tops of turnips as stated by Fossey in the house. There were more outside. He asked Hemmings how she came by them. Hemmings said to Fossey “can you swear to them?” Sophia Hemmings – she found the turnips. She saw them lay just over the stile above her house and took them home.

item

Hemmings, Sophia,
Fossey, James,
Hornal, Samuel

TODDINGTON, stealing, turnips, horticulture & market gardening crops, transportation