QSR1856/1/5/18

Depositions of James Breed, baker of Luton, Elizabeth Johnston, Jane Johnston and George Smith, police constable of Luton. In the case of Susan Lamb, accused of unlawfully receiving a loaf of bread and a quantity of potatoes.

31 December 1855

From: 1855 To: 1856

James Breed: a baker of Luton. The little girl, Jane Johnston was in his employment up to the 8 December. Whilst she was at work for him he paid her no money for her work. The money was kept by him for the purpose of paying for the bread and flour which her mother had from him. On 14 December the girl came for a 4 pound loaf of bread and a pottle of potatoes, saying they were for her mother. He let her have them. On 22 December Jane Johnston came again for the same items. If she had not said they were her mother he would not have trusted her with them. He would not have let her have them if he knew they were for Susan Lamb. On 27 December Jane Johnston’s mother came to see him to settle her account. On making up the account Johnston’s mother found she had not been delivered all the items. Her mother left the shop and returned with her little girl and he asked her what she had done with the bread and potatoes. Jane Johnston said she had taken them to Mrs Lamb and who had told her to say the things were for her mother. He sent for Mrs Lamb and asked her if she had received the goods. At first she said she had not but then said she had part of them. Lamb left the shop for a little while and came back again in half an hour. He asked if she had come to pay for the bread and she said no, she could not, but would she when she could. She said she had had 3 or 4 loaves and 3 pottles of potatoes. Elizabeth Johnston: mother of Jane Johnston. On 27 December she went to Mr Breed’s to settle her account. He told her she was indebted to him for 8 quartern loaves and 6 pottles of potatoes. She told him that was more than she had but he said that her daughter had not worked for him since 8 December. Jane was called and asked what she had done with the potatoes and loaves. Jane said she had taken them to Mrs Lamb. Mrs Lamb was sent for and asked about the things. Jane said to Mrs Lamb that she knew she had them and Mrs Lamb said she had some of them. Mrs Johnston had not sent her daughter to Mr Breeds on 14, 22 or 26 of December. She used to have things from Mr Breed whilst her daughter worked there. She had sent her daughter for loaves on 8 December and 24 December but had not sent her for potatoes since the 8 December. Every day her daughter left to go to work and she had given her sixpence for her food. PC George Smith: he apprehended the prisoner on 28 December and charged her with receiving the bread. The prisoner said she had 5 loaves from Jane Johnston but no potatoes. She said Jane Johnston had been at work at her house and had part of the bread. Jane Johnston: she was in Mr Breed’s employment up to 8 December and afterward went to work for Mrs Lamb’s daughter at Mrs Lamb’s house. On 14 December Mrs Lamb sent her to Mr Breed’s for a loaf and a pottle of potatoes. Mrs Lamb told her to tell Mr Breed that they were for her mother but she took the bread and potatoes to Mrs Lamb not her mother. Mrs Lamb sent her again on 22 December and again on 26 December. Mrs Lamb knew that he mother used to have bread from Mr Breed. Statement of the accused: she would pay for it.

item

Lamb, Susan,
Breed, James,
Johnston, Jane,
Johnston, Elizabeth

LUTON, receiving stolen goods, bread, potatoes, baker