QSR1846/3/5/10

Depositions and examination - James Halsey charged wtih stealing one duck from Henry Woodman at Stanbridge on 22 April 1846

30 April 1846

From: 1846 To: 1846

Henry Woodman of Stanbridge, farmer – there are no houses or farm buildings within ½ mile of his farm. On 22 April he had 5 white feathered ducks in the orchard near his house. Halsey was working in a field adjoining the orchard which is occupied by William Olney. His ducks often lay in the hedge between his orchard and the field. On the evening of 22nd he was informed one of the ducks was missing. From some information he received he suspected Halsey and asked PC Chapman to make inquiries. Yesterday Chapman brought him some duck’s feathers which were of the same kind as the duck he lost. That morning (30th) Halsey came to ask his pardon for taking the duck and hoped to settle the matter as he had a family. Halsey said he would not have taken the duck, but it was dead. Halsey also said there was an egg under it and that he took it out of the hedge. John Chapman, police constable stationed at Leighton Buzzard – he went to Halsey’s house yesterday and asked Halsey’s wife how she came by the duck she cooked for Sunday’s dinner. She paused a little and then said she did not know how her husband came by it. She then said he found it but she did not know where. Halsey came and spoke with his wife. Halsey told him he found the duck in a field belonging to Mr Olney in a hedge with an egg under it, and said he ate the egg and took the duck home. His wife said she had burnt the feathers with some straw, then said she had saved some of its long feathers. She gave him the feathers now produced. James Halsey – asked for forgiveness. He had never wronged anyone or been before the magistrates before.

item

Halsey, James,
Woodman, Henry,
Chapman, John,
Olney, William

STANBRIDGE, stealing animals, ducks, farmer, police constable, farm labourer