QSR1847/4/5/8/b

Depositions and examination - William Paternoster

2 August 1847

From: 1847 To: 1847

Henry Whitbread of Gamlingay – he is employed by Mr George Waldock of Astwick Mill to superintend the men who are digging the river. He is in the habit of buying spades to supply to the men. A fortnight ago last Monday he received a dozen spades from Mr John Waldock of St Ives. He sold all but three. On Thursday morning he took the three spades out with him to work. In the evening he covered them up with a bag and left them as usual in the field where he had been working. The next morning he found one of the spades had been taken. He can swear to the spade now produced by the name of John Waldock on the handle and also by the grazing on the handle. Thomas Link – on Saturday evening he took Paternoster into custody. He searched Paternoster’s house and amongst his tools found the spade now produced. He took the spade to the public house and left it with the landlord George Ayre. Francis Fowler – on Thursday evening 29 July about 8.45pm he saw Paternoster coming under the hedge across his barley field from the direction of Astwick. As soon as Paternoster saw him he dropped into the ditch. He went under the hedge and hid himself in the ditch in the next field. He did not know who the person was until he went up to him. He asked Paternoster what he was doing – he said nothing that he need be ashamed of. Paternoster got out of the ditch, held up a spade and said he had nothing but that tool which he said he had bought that day. He walked with Paternoster across the field. He saw that the spade was a new one that had never been used.

item

Paternoster, William,
Whitbread, Henry,
Waldock, George,
Waldock, John,
Ayre, George

Gamlingay, St Ives, Astwick Mill, stealing, spade, tools, foreman