QSR1857/4/5/18a,19

Depositions of James Harding, labourer of Whipsnade, William Adams the younger, farmer of Whipsnade and Samuel Pope, superintendent of police of Luton. In the case of Charles Horrowell and William Chalkley accused of inciting James Harding to steal wheat, where James Harding has been convicted.

12 October 1857

From: 1857 To: 1857

William Adams the younger: he resided with his father at Whipsnade Hall. A lad by the name of James Harding was in his father’s employment since Michaelmas 1856. On 1 October he found wheat in 3 sacks in his father’s gig house. They were 6 bushels altogether. The information was given to the police, who watched for 7 nights until 8 October. On that day Harding was taken into custody. In consequence of what he said the 2 prisoners were taken into custody. The wheat was in the corner of the gig house covered in hay. The value of it was 43 shillings. He had not doubt the wheat in the gig house was is father’s wheat; it was Bostock Wheat. The 3 sacks in which the wheat was found was his father’s property and bore his father’s name. There were some men employed in the barn dressing the wheat and the barn was not locked in the day. Chalkley had been in his father’s employment since harvest and Harrowell had also been employed but had been discharged. James Harding: he had been employed by Mr Adams at Whispnade Hall since Michaelmas 1856. He met Chalkley and Harrowell about a fortnight before at Whipsnade Green. They told him they would like some of the corn out of the master’s barn and asked him to get some. He said he did not know if he dared but he would see. They told him if he could get any out to put it in the gig house. He took the wheat from the barn in 3 lots and put it in the gig house covered in hay. He afterwards saw the prisoners on Whipsnade Green and told them. They told him they would fetch it away and he should have some money. He had taken the wheat whilst the men were at dinner and put the wheat in 3 of his master’s sacks. They told him they had gone to fetch it on the Wednesday night but were drunk. He saw Harrowelll asleep in the stable. Superintendent Samuel Pope: on 9 October he took Chalkley into custody and took him to the police station. Harding and Harrowell were both in custody. He told Chalkley and Harrowell they were charged as accomplices before the fact. For a short time they said nothing but afterwards said they had not seen Harding. Harding said in their presence that they had seen him on Whipsnade Green and told him to take the corn and put it in the gig house. They said they would fetch it away and give him some money. Harrowell and Harding made no reply and did not deny this. Statements of the accused: William Chalkley – he had nothing to say Charles Harrowell – he had not seen the boy a fortnight ago.

item

Harrowell, Charles,
Chalkley, William,
Harding, James,
Adams, William,
Pope, Samuel

WHIPSNADE, stealing, wheat, Whipsnade Hall, farmer