QSR1857/4/5/10a

Depositions of John Benson, farmer of Wootton, Henry Ison Jebbett, superintendent of police of Bedford, Benjamin Gilbert, poulterer of Wilshamstead and George Burnage, marine stores dealer of Houghton Conquest. In the case of James Jeffs accused of stealing 7 tame fowls.

26 September 1857

From: 1857 To: 1857

John Benson: a farmer living in Wootton. He lost 6 chickens and a hen on 12 September from a shed in his rick yard. The next morning he found some feathers lying in the field. On 20 September from information received he went to Wilshamstead and went to Mr Gilbert’s. They saw 5 chickens at Mr Gilberts. The chickens are 9 or 10 weeks old. He did not breed them. The chickens produced were the chicken he missed. He had had them for 5 weeks. He knew the prisoner by him coming to his house everyday for milk. Henry Ison Jebbett: deputy chief constable of Bedford. He apprehended the prisoner on 19 September and took him into custody. He asked him if he had disposed of any fowls lately and he said he had not for about a month. The following morning he went to Wilshamstead and there saw 5 fowls produced by Mr Gilbert. Mr Benson identified the chickens as his property. Benjamin Gilbert: a poulterer at Wilshamstead. He bought the chickens and an old hen from a person named Burnage in Bedford. Mr Jebbett fetched away the 5 chickens. George Burnage: a marine stores dealer of Houghton Conquest. He had met Jeffs at Wootton and Jeffs has said he had a hen and 10 chickens to sell. He gave sixpence a piece for them. He took them to Bedford and sold them to Gilberts, he said he had 110 that season. Statement of the accused: the hen which was with the chickens hatched 7. He sold 6 and 1 was at his home. The other 4 belonged to the other hen he had all Summer.

item

Benson, John,
Jebbett, Henry Ison,
Gilbert, Benjamin,
Burnage, George,
Jeffs, James

WOOTTON, HOUGHTON CONQUEST, WILSHAMSTEAD, stealing, fowls, farmer, poulterer, marine stores dealer