QSR1855/4/5/12

Depositions of Thomas Dewberry, licensed victualler of Kempston, his wife Sarah Helen Dewberry and John Barber, licensed victualler of Ridgmont. In the case of George Stokes, labourer of Kempston, accused of stealing money to the sum of 20 shillings.

10 September 1855

From: 1855 To: 1855

Thomas Dewberry: the landlord of William the Fourth public house. On 6 September the prisoner came to the cellar door and asked if he would sell him his hay. Dewberry asked for £30 and Stokes offered £20. Stokes left the cellar and went to the bar and took his dinner at the house. He heard the Stokes ask his father-in-law to change a sovereign. His wife fathers said if he gave him the sovereign he would take it to his daughter and bring back the change. Dewberry said he would give the change and went to the table and pulled out some silver. As he was counting the silver, Stokes popped out of the room. He counted a pounds worth of silver and left it on the table with his wife’s father. He never had the sovereign. John Barber: father-in-law to Thomas Dewberry. On 6 September he was at his son-in-laws house and the prisoner asked him for change for a sovereign. He saw his son-in-law lay down the silver on the table and leave the room. Stokes was with him and when his son in law went out he put the silver in his pocket. Stokes afterwards came and said “now for the change for the sovereign”. He gave Stokes the silver and Stokes told him he had been buying onions. Stokes put the silver in his pocket and said he was in a hurry and would come in again with the sovereign. Stoke left the house and did not return. Stoke did not pay the sovereign. Stokes had represented himself as James Stokes. He knew James Stokes. Whilst sitting together the prisoner had told him that his brother George had cost him and his father £100. Stokes sent down to Wrestlingworth and got half a crown. His daughter said, in the presence of the prisoner, that she thought James Stokes to be lustier. The prisoner said his name was James or he would not have allowed him the silver. Sarah Helen Dewberry: wife of Thomas. On 6 September, George Stokes came to the house. She told him she knew his brother and he asked who. She replied James Stokes and the prisoner said that was him. She said he was not the James Stokes she used to know as he was very stout. The prisoner said he had a very bad fever and had lost his tallow. Her father came in and she asked the prisoner where his brother George was. The prisoner replied he was somewhere about. Statement of the accused: he wished to pay the pound he had the silver for. He should have gone down that night but he had got a ride home with the Kempston miller. He drove a man to the White Hart at Ampthill on Thursday and could see him nowhere.

item

Stokes, George,
Dewberry, Thomas,
Dewberry, Sarah Helen,
Barber, John

KEMPSTON, stealing, money, victuallers, RIDGMONT