Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    QSR1848/1/5/25
  • Title
    Depositions and examination - Kitty Emery of Blunham for stealing a box and contents (value £10) belonging to Mary Jane Parnell at Chawston (in parish of Roxton) on 2 December 1847
  • Date free text
    9 December 1847
  • Production date
    From: 1847 To: 1848
  • Scope and Content
    Mary Jane Parnell of St Neots (Hunts) – she is governess at the school of Mrs Baynes at St Neots. On 2 Dec she sent a box to the Cross Key Inn at St Neots to go by Curwen’s van to Huntingdon. She has heard it did not reach its destination. The box produced is the box she sent. It was packed with linen, dresses, books and articles of clothing. The value of the box and its contents is about £10. The portfolio with the drawings and patterns now produced was in the box. William Freeman of St Neots, porter – he was employed to get the boxes and parcels together that were to go on Curwen’s van. He received the box at Mrs Baynes’ from Miss Parnell who paid him for the carriage to Huntingdon. He took it to the Cross Keys and put it under the van on the ground. He was absent a short time and when he returned the box was gone. He made enquiries but could not find out anything about it until he heard yesterday that the box was found. When he put the box under the van there was a woman in the yard close by. He said he thought the box would be safe there and she made some reply which he did not mind. He is sure the woman now in custody is the same woman. Charles Powell of Tempsford, labourer – he was coming from St Neots on 2 Dec in a cart belonging to Mr Ashford of Tempsford. George Key was driving. He saw Kitty Emery at Chawston standing by the side of the road with a box and basket. He invited her to ride as she appeared heavily laden. He helped put the box into the cart. He swears it was the box now produced. It was very heavy. Emery left them with the box and basket at the Anchor at Tempsford. She offered him 2d to take the box to Blunham where she lived but he refused. George Key of Tempsford, labourer – [as Powell’s evidence above] The box was not broken then and was full of something and very heavy. George Lucas of Tempsford – he is the son of Henry Lucas, gamekeeper at Tempsford. He found the box produced in Mr Allen’s close near the footpath that leads by the meadows to Blunham. The box was broken as it is now and was empty. James Bone of Tempsford, labourer – he found the portfolio and the drawings and other things Miss Parnell has sworn to in the plantation that grows round Tempsford Park. It was about 30 yards from where the box was found. Kitty Emery – had nothing to say but hoped the lady would not be hard with her.
  • Reference
  • Level of description
    item
Hierarchy browser