QSR1845/4/5/34

Depositions, examination and character reference - William Carr of Woburn charged wtih stealing 11 lbs of lead value 1s from Ann Haynes of Woburn, blacksmith on 4 September 1845

5 September 1845

From: 1845 To: 1845

Henry Hall of Woburn, blacksmith – he is foreman for Ann Haynes of Woburn, blacksmith. Yesterday he employed Carr to carry some iron to Mrs Haynes’ workshop in Woburn. The piece of lead pipe produced by PC Wild belongs to Mrs Haynes and has been lying for some years in the back part of the workshop. He received information from John Petit that the lead was stolen. Pettit told him where it was and he gave information to PC Wild. He later went and saw the piece of lead lying in some nettles in a field at the back of the shop. William Whiffin – he is an apprentice to Mrs Haynes, farrier. Yesterday he was carrying some old iron from a sale to his mistress’s premises. Carr was also carrying some, which he carried into the workshop. He left, but finding that Carr did not follow he looked round and saw Carr come out of the workshop with the piece of lead pipe in his left hand. Carr crossed the gateway and placed it among some nettles. Carr could not see him. Carr kicked the nettles over it then went and fetched his barrow. He called to Carr to come along. About ¼ hours later he went to the place where he had seen Carr place the lead pipe, picked it up and took it into the shop to John Pettit. He then returned it to where he had found it. The lead pipe has been in the workshop all the time he has been there (one year). Nobody was at work in that part of the shop when Carr was there. Pettit was in the other shop. John Pettit – he is a smith employed by Mrs Haynes, farrier, at Woburn. He was working in the shop when Whiffin came to him with the piece of lead pipe. Whiffin laid it down and said “there, I’ll get Billy Carr into a row”. He asked where Whiffin got it from and Whiffin replied that he took it from the nettles where Carr put it. He told Whiffin to put it back and went and told his master. Whiffin came to him first and said that Carr had been hiding something in the nettles and he would go and see what it was. James Wild, police constable stationed at Woburn – he watched the piece of lead pipe until 12pm last night. As no one came to fetch it away he took possession of it. The pipe was hidden among some nettles about 20 yards from Mr Hall’s workshop. William Ralph Young, police superintendent for Woburn division – he apprehended Carr at his lodgings at about 1am. Carr said he did not know anything about the lead. William Carr – he does not know anything about it. He went backwards and forwards with the boy every time. He emptied Whiffin’s barrow first and then his own, and only waited while he was emptying his own barrow. ----------------------------------------------------------- Character reference for Carr from previous employers - they have always considered him an honest and upright man. He had been a widower for nearly 7 years with 3 children and is always willing to work.

item

Carr, William,
Haynes, Ann,
Whiffin, William,
Pettit, John,
Wild, James,
Young, William Ralph

WOBURN, stealing, lead, blacksmith, farrier, police constable, police superintendent, iron