QSR1857/3/5/21b,22b

Depositions of Mary Smith, spinster of Potton and Thomas Hart, yeoman and parish constable of Hemingford Abbots, Huntingdonshire. In the case of John Scott and Susan Walker accused of stealing a boiler.

27 May 1857

From: 1857 To: 1857

Charles Smith: he lived at Potton and his mother and sister Mary lived in another house about a mile from him. He had a cooper boiler at his mother’s house in March. He went there ion the morning of 12 March and was told his boiler had been stolen. On 18 April he saw it at Hemingford Abbotts in the possession of Thomas Hart the parish constable. He had it a great many years. The boiler was worth about £1. Mary Smith: she lived with her mother at Potton. Her brother’s boiler was left in the house when he went away. She saw it safe on the night of 10 March and missed it on the 12 March. She was sure it was the same as that produced. Thomas Hart: a constable of Hemingford. During the night of 6 April he was watching the house of James Walker at Hemingford. About 1.30am John Scott came out of the house with a boiler on his back. Susan Walker, wife of James Walker, came out behind him. They went down the village together. He came up to them and asked what they had. Walker replied “nothing much”. He demanded it as he suspected it stolen. It was given up. He asked what they were doing with it and Walker said they were going up the road and intended to leave it there so anybody who wanted it may have it. Walker said David Young had brought it saying he had it for a debt. Walker then said they were going to throw it in a pond. He asked to search her house but she refused. Statement of the accused: Susan Walker – the boiler was not hers and she knew nothing about it. She knew nothing except Young said he had taken it for a bad debt. John Scott – he had nothing to say other than what he had said before. He had the boiler and gave it up to Mr Hart when asked.

item

Scott, John,
Walker, Susan,
Smith, Charles,
Smith, Mary,
Hart, Thomas

POTTON, Hemingford Abbots, stealing, boiler, parish constable