QSR1847/3/5/3

Depositions and examination - Susan Phipps charged wtih stealing 3 lbs of butter, value 3s 6d, from William Bailey at Hockliffe on 15 April 1847

16 April 1847

From: 1847 To: 1847

Caroline Gillman, single woman – she is sister to William Bailey’s wife and was at his house yesterday morning. She was upstairs with her sister and they were about to make up a bed that was not usually occupied. Phipps came into the room and her sister told Phipps to go to her work. Phipps remained and wanted to interfere in making up the bed. Her sister again asked her to go, but Phipps went forward to her own room which was beyond the room where they were. Phipps said there was a blanket on her bed which belonged to the other. Her sister said she would get it herself and went to Phipp’s room. Phipps went to. Her sister said she smelt something disagreeable and would search the bed. There was a struggle. She saw a bundle fall from between the bed and the bedstead. Her sister picked it up and carried it into the next room. Inside was some cooked meat, some raw meat and some butter. They were wrapped in a rag and in an old apron belonging to Phipps. The meat smelt bad. Her sister accused Phipps of stealing it. Phipps said her sister gave her the meat. Phipps went downstairs but soon came back and begged for pardon. Her sister had Phipps’ boxes searched. She saw a basket with some rubbish in the room and said she would search it. Phipps turned the things out and tried to secrete a pocket. She got it away and found in it two small parcels of tea (very little), a very little sugar, and a half crown. She asked Phipps for the key of her box. Phipps said she had not got it. She and her sister lifted the box to carry it into the next room. They dropped it and some brine ran out. PC Clough came, searched the box, and took out a basin containing about 3 lbs of butter. She heard Phipps say to her sister and Mr Bailey that she had taken it from the churn at different times. Phipps gave her a key she said was the key of her box. She gave it to PC Clough. William Clough, police constable stationed at Hockliffe – he went to Bailey’s house and asked Phipps for the key of her box. Caroline Gillman gave him a key. He tried it on the box but it would not open it. Phipps gave him another key but that also would not open the lock. He broke it open and found the butter in the basin. Phipps said she had it at different times out of the dairy. William Bailey of Hockliffe, farmer – Phipps has been in his service since last Michaelmas. He was informed of what happened yesterday afternoon. He did not speak to Phipps but she came out of doors to him and begged forgiveness. He asked her her motive, but she cried and did not answer. He asked if she took it for any of the men, but she gave no answer. Susan Phipps – the meat was what she had for her dinner and more than she wanted. It was all cooked meat, only not quite done. She was going to put it back again yesterday. This is the first time she has ever done so.

item

Phipps, Susan,
Bailey, William,
Gillman, Caroline,
Clough, William

HOCKLIFFE, stealing, butter, farmers, police constables, meat, tea, sugar, servants