QSR1857/2/5/2

Depositions of Ann Burrows, single woman of Milton Bryan and Margaret Cotching, wife of Charles Cotching, a farmer of Milton Bryan. In the case of Francis Spacey accused of obtaining 2 pounds of biscuits by false pretences.

23 March 1857

From: 1857 To: 1857

Ann Burrows: she lived with her mother, Elizabeth Burrows, who was a widow and kept a shop at Milton Bryan. She generally served in the shop and knew Francis Spacey well. On 4 December Spacey came to the shop and had a half quartern loaf saying it was for Mrs Cotching, who lived in the village and was a customer with an account. She gave him the loaf and he went away without paying. Mrs Cotching was in the habit of sending boys to the shop for goods. On 5 December Spacey came again and had a pound of biscuits. On 10, 12, 25 and 31 December he had a half quartern loaf each day. On 1 January he had another half quartern loaf and on 12 January he had 2lbs of biscuits. On 13 January he had 1lb loaf sugar. The prisoner always represented himself as coming from Mrs Cotchings. The prisoner was a native of Milton Bryan and she knew he had been employed by Charles Cotching. Mrs Cotching’s bill was sent after Christmas in the usual way and the day after it was delivered Mrs Cotching complained that goods were not had on her account. Margaret Cotching: she knew the prisoner well. He had been discharged by her husband as a bird keeper about the time of the last Harvest. Since then she had not asked him to go to Mrs Burrows shop for any goods. About 3 weeks or a month previous her husband had taken him as a bird keeper out of charity. When Mrs Burrows account came after Christmas she saw there were several items which she knew nothing about. She managed matters herself and complained to Ann Burrows on the subject. She was told the prisoner had the items on her account. Statement of the accused: he had never been except when his mistress sent him.

item

Burrows, Ann,
Burrows, Elizabeth,
Cotching, Margaret,
Cotching, Charles,
Spacey, Francis

MILTON BRYAN, farmer, false pretences, biscuits, shopkeeper