QSR1847/2/5/3/b

Depositions and examinations - James Thoroughgood charged with stealing 8 live fowls from William Adams

19 March 1847

From: 1847 To: 1847

William Burgess of Luton, labourer – on Monday 8 March he saw that his master Mr William Adams fowls were all right. There should have been 10 of them, though he did not count them that night. On Tuesday he did not see any of them. On Wednesday he went to the hen house to look for them and found 8 were gone, including a black hen. He does not think anyone could find the hen house if they did not know where it was – it is down a narrow passage. William Olney of Luton, labourer – he used to be employed by William Adams. He was in Adams’ employment for between 2 and 3 years. Thorogood came several times to assist his brother who was working for Adams. On Sunday 14 March PC Millard showed him some fowls. He can swear to the black hen with some white feathers on the top of its head and some read feathers on the breast and neck as Mr Adams’ property. On Tuesday afternoon 15 March Millard showed him some more fowls. He can swear to a dark speckled hen with a peculiar tuft on its head as belonging to Mr Adams. He left Adams’ employment before Christmas. John Millard of Luton, police constable – on Sunday 14 March he received information that William Adams had lost a number of fowls. He examined Adams’ premises and could see marks on a wall up the yard where someone had got over. On the other side of the wall there was soft earth in which were some footmarks. There were some feathers there. The hen house is at the bottom of a very narrow passage where a full grown man can only go down sidewards. It is in a position where no one unacquainted with the premises would look for a hen house. From information he received he searched a rick belonging to William Townrow on Winsdon Hills. Under the thatch he found 29 fowls. Two were identified by Olney as Adams’ property. The place was so high it would be impossible to reach without a ladder or standing on someone else’s shoulders. He apprehended Thorogood at Bedford on 15 March. Thorogood said he could soon prove where he was that night. Arktavious Walter Wooding Godfrey of Luton, labourer – on Wednesday 10 March about 9pm he was talking to James Thorogood who said he had 4 fowls hidden, 2 picked and 2 not, and asked him to go with him to fetch them and cook them. Thorogood said they were in Mr Townrow’s hayrick on Winsdeon Hills under the thatch. Thorogood said there must be two because one needed to stand on the other’s shoulders. The next Saturday morning Thorogood said Allen and Betts knew where they were. William Wilds - of Luton, labourer – last Saturday afternoon he was with Jonathan Munn opposite Mr Waller’s shop in Luton. Thorogood was standing opposite Pigotts. Munn had mentioned to him that he knew a young man who had got some fowls. Munn beckoned Thorogood over and asked if he could have some that night. Thorogood said he could and arranged to meet him at the Shoulder of Mutton at 7pm. Thorogood said if they wanted any he would fetch them. He asked Thorogood how many there were – he said 12 or 13 picked, and it would be best to have the picked ones as if they found any feathers they would be done. Thorogood said they had been there a day or two and wanted moving or they would be good for nothing. He saw Thorogood again between 11 and 12 at night at the Traveller’s Rest and said “what a liar you are Winny”. Thorogood said “it is a stale game there is no [haste?] now”. Jonathan Munn of Luton, labourer – on Friday 12 March he went into the Old English Gentleman public house in Luton. Thorogood lay on a form asleep. Thorogood woke up and asked him if he knew anyone who wanted any fowls. He said no. Thorogood said he had about 12 or 14 picked. He asked if they were all right. Throrogood said they were all square enough, nobody had found them. The fowls had laid there 3 or 4 nights. On 13 March he was going down the street at Luton with William Wilds and saw Thorogood talking to Godfrey opposite Pigotts. Thorogood asked if they had a mind to have some of them. He said it was a pity for them to lay there and spoil, so he could bring half a dozen and they would have a look at them. He said he would be at the Shoulder of Mutton at 7pm. He did not go there till past 8 and saw no more of Thorogood that night. Charles Maffey of Luton, police constable – on Sunday 14 March he went to William Townrow’s clover rick on Winsdon Hills with PC Millard. They took the fowls produced from under the thatch. 17 of the fowls are picked and the rest unpicked.

item

Thoroughgood, James,
Burgess, William,
Adams, William,
Millard, John,
Townrow, William,
Wilds, William,
Munn, Jonathan,
Maffey, Charles,
Olney, William

LUTON, stealing animals, fowls, police constable