QSR1856/3/5/29

Depositions of Thomas Wildman, labourer of Keysoe, Ephraim Cook, labourer of Keysoe, Prudence George, wife of Samuel a beerhouse keeper, Thomas Page Snow, constable of Keysoe and PC William Snell of Keysoe. In the case of Samuel Jones accused of stealing 2 shillings.

21 June 1856

From: 1856 To: 1856

Thomas Wildman: about 9am on 14 June he was at the beer house of Samuel George in Keysoe. Samuel Jones of Little Staughton was there. He remained there until about 3pm. Having paid some money at 10am he had half a crown left and in the course of the morning had changed it with Mrs George for 2 shillings and some copper. He put the money in his outside left coat pocket. Samuel Jones was sat to his left hand side. He did not recall if anyone else had been in the room. During the time he was there he felt drowsy and went to sleep. Jones was sat near him when he went to sleep. When he woke there was no person in the room. He felt for his money and it had gone. He had treated Jones to some tobacco before he had gone to sleep and then had 2 shillings and a penny in his pocket. He complained to Mrs George. He had been drinking all morning. Ephraim Cook: on 14 June he was at Mr George’s at Keysoe. Wildman and Jones were there. Wildman bought some tobacco and in passing it to him he saw he had a shilling and some coppers which he put in his outside coat pocket. Jones was sat close to Wildman. They were sat on chairs. Mrs George said she had given Wildman 2 shillings in change. Wildman became drowsy and went to sleep. He had been sitting on the opposite side of the table. He went out with Mr George’s son and sat in the Tap Room. After they had seen Samuel Jones leave, they woke Wildman who discovered him money was missing. He went for Snow, the constable. Prudence George: she recalled Jones and Wildman being at the house. Between 12 and 1pm she changed a half crown for Wilson, giving him 2 shillings and 3 pence. He later gave her 2 pence for a pint of beer. She saw Wildman’s brother Edward turn his pocket inside out and they was no money in the pocket. She had left Wildman and Jones together in the room when her son and Ephraim Cook went out for dinner. About 1pm Jones asked for some beer and some bread and cheese, saying he only had 3 pence and wanted her to treat him. She refused. He gave her the 3 pence and no more was said about it. Jones went away whilst Wildman was sleeping. Jones was brought back to the house between 5 and 6pm. Thomas Page Snow: he went after Jones and found him at the Horseshoe at Brookend. He asked Jones several questions. He asked Jones if he had told Mrs George he had no money and Jones said he had said so. He charged Jones and told him they must return. Jones refused at first but afterwards they met with Snell and they returned. Jones was searched and he had a shilling, a sixpence and 3 pence in coppers. Jones said he had denied having money was because he intended to go to the hay country and was not going without a shilling or two in his pocket. Jones said he had taken the money in the road but did not mention any person from whom he had received the money. PC William Snell: he met with Samuel Jones and Ephraim Cook between 4 and 5pm going towards the George’s. They told him the nature of the charge. He apprehended the prisoner. The prisoner said if Wildman could swear to the money he would give it to him. He searched Jones and found had a shilling, a sixpence and 3 pence in coppers. He afterwards made enquiries at Mr Jones’ public house. Mrs Jones told him the prisoner had been there between 3 and 4pm and had taken 3 pennyworth of bread, cheese and beer for which he had rendered a shillings. She had given him sixpence and 3 pence in coppers as his change. He told the prisoner this and the prisoner acknowledged he had done it. Whilst in custody Jones said he would rather five him 5 shillings than have any bother about it before the magistrates. He told Jones he would do nothing of the sort and he must go before the magistrates. Statement of the accused: he would rather have it settled.

item

Jones, Samuel,
Wildman, Thomas,
Cook, Ephraim,
George, Prudence,
George, Samuel,
Snow, Thomas Page,
Snell, William

KEYSOE, Little Staughton, stealing, money, beerhouse keeper