QSR1859/1/5/5

Depositions of Thomas Abbis, blacksmith of Ampthill, George Everett, labourer of Ampthill, Henry Billington, carrier of Ampthill and William Hillyard, police constable stationed at Ampthill. In the case of George Stokes alias John Brown accused of stealing 3 bushels of potatoes.

2 December 1858

From: 1858 To: 1859

Thomas Abbis: he had a field in the parish of Ampthill with a pit of potatoes in it. They were safe on 29 November. On going to the pit on 1 December he found the pit was open and the potatoes gone. There had been about 3 bushels of potatoes in the pit. He advised the police of the loss and gave them a sample of the potatoes. The potatoes in the pit were mixed; painted ladies and another sort. The potatoes produced were similar to those he had lost. He had not sold the potatoes in the pit to anyone or offered them to anyone. The value of the potatoes was about 5 shillings. The prisoner lived in Maulden. George Everett: the prisoner came to his house and asked if he wanted to buy any potatoes. He bought 7 peck from him and paid him 3 shillings. The prisoner said he had sold 36 bushels to Mr Chapman and had a few left and had not wanted to take them home. He delivered the potatoes to PC Hillyard the same day. Henry Billington: he met the prisoner on 1 December and the prisoner asked him if he wanted to buy any potatoes. He bought a bushel and paid 20d. The prisoner took them home for him. He gave the potatoes to PC Hillyard. Statement of the accused: he went to the Red Lion and Abbis knocked him on the arm to go out to the back yard with him. Abbis said he had 3 or 4 bushels of potatoes and he could have them for 5 shillings. He bought the potatoes and paid him for them. Abiss treated him with 2 pints of beer and asked him to buy some carrots. He said he didn’t want any. Abbis told him the potatoes were pulled in the turnip ground. When he went to fetch the potatoes he called at Abbis’s house but he was not at home. He had a pint of beer. When he bought the potatoes Abbis told him he did not want his Mrs to know anything about them.

item

Stokes, George,
Brown, John,
Abbis, Thomas,
Everett, George,
Billington, Henry,
Hillyard, William

AMPTHILL, MAULDEN, stealing, potatoes, blacksmiths, Ampthill Red Lion