QSR1846/3/5/22

Depositions and examination - William Purser of Toddington charged with stealing 5 bushels of oats, 2 bushels of peas and beans, and 2 hemp sacks (value £1 8s) from Henry Martin at Toddington on 15 May 1846

22 May 1846

From: 1846 To: 1846

Henry Martin of Toddington, corn dealer – on Thursday 14 May he missed 3 sacks of white oats from a loft over some stables he occupies in Toddington. He had seen them 2 or 3 days earlier. There should have been 8 sacks but only 5 were left. The stable door was kept locked. There was no fastening to the loft door. He employed Purser to carry out corn with his [Martin’s] horse and cart. He or Purser kept the stable key. On Friday 15th Purser helped to move the 5 remaining sacks and oats to the stable below. He asked him about the missing sacks and he said he knew nothing about them. There were also 2 bushels of peas and beans in a sack in the stable. When he returned to the stable in the evening he missed one sack of oats and the sack of peas and beans. He had locked the door and left the key inside. Purser knew where the key was. He asked Purser about the oats, peas and beans, and he said he knew nothing about them. Purser said he had been in the fields with some other fellows. On Saturday Purser again denied knowing anything. Purser did not mention the loss of the first 3 sack to him, but when asked said he had missed them and intended to tell him. William Osborn of Toddington, tailor – on Friday 15 May he was working at James Powell’s house at about 3.30 or 4pm. He saw Purser go from the yard where Martin’s stable is towards the Queen’s Head public house. He saw Purser return soon after with Thomas Fletcher. They both went into Martin’s yard and came out with a barrow and two sacks, both partly full. He saw them go past towards Chalton. Purser followed Fletcher who was wheeling the barrow. Thomas Fletcher of Toddington, labourer – he has several times helped Purse to move corn from Martin’s stable in return for some beer. On Friday 15 May three of them (including Purser) were loading some bricks for Wildman at the Queen’s Head. They had some beer and Purser left. Purser soon returned saying he had a little job for him and would stand him some beer if he would help. They went to Martin’s stables. Purser brought a barrow and unlocked the stable door, and they pout 2 sacks into the barrow – on was of oats and one was a small parcel of beans and peas. He wheeled them out of the yard with Purser following. They went to Fancot, taking it in turns to wheel, and took them to William Marlow’s and put the corn into his barn. Marlow is a carrier of hay, straw etc to London. He left and Purser went to Marlow’s house and called out. He does not know whether Purser saw anybody. He assumed everything was right. Purser said he would have a “bright one” in the morning and would pay him. He assumed that Purser meant a half sovereign. He then did think there was something wrong and said he would not have gone with Purser if he had known. Purser said “never mind, I’ll see all right”. He did not tell anybody until the policeman asked about it. Percival Terry – from information he received he took Purser into custody last Tuesday on a charge of stealing from Mr Martin. Purser said “I am very sorry for it. Peach ought to have been taken into custody as well as me for I have sold him three sacks before at 5s each”. William Purser – he does not know anything about the oats or the peas and beans. He was not with Fletcher on the Friday any time after the morning.

item

Purser, William,
Martin, Henry,
Osborn, William,
Fletcher, Thomas,
Terry, Percival,
Powell, James,
Marlow, William

TODDINGTON, Fancot, stealing, oats, beans, peas, corn dealer, carts, carrier, tailor, Toddington Queens Head