QSR1848/1/5/41

Depositions and examination - George Rayner charged with stealing 4 oz of beef and pork (value 3d) from Thomas Lucas Clayton at Potsgrove on 24 December 1847

31 December 1847

From: 1847 To: 1848

Thomas Lucas Clayton of Potsgrove, farmer - he has employed Rayner for nearly 2 years as a common labourer. Rayner had nothing to do in the house. On Friday Dec 24 about 6am he found Rayner in the dairy cutting some meat. Rayner could not see him and he watched for some time. Rayner first cut part of a round of beef then a “griskin” of pork. He then asked Rayner what he was doing there. Rayner said nothing, then later begged his pardon and asked forgiveness. Rayner ate the beef he cut off and left the pork on the dish. William Pain who lives in the house is generally up first. Pain goes out to milk the cows between 5 and 6am and leaves the door unfastened. When he had finished speaking to him Rayner picked up a jug standing on the milk lead and carried it out of the dairy. It was a yellow jug with white stripes usually used in the stable not in the house or dairy. It holds two quarts. Two quarts of milk are worth 4d. He had previous received information that caused him to go down that morning and see what Rayner was about. He had for many weeks heard steps go past his window after Pain the cowman had gone out. John Holland of Potsgrove, labourer - he has worked for Mr Clayton for nearly 3 months. He gets there by 6am. He has seen Rayner go into the dairy about 6am with a great jug and come out again with the jug full of milk. It is a yellow jug with white stripes. About a fortnight ago he went to the dairy door and saw Rayner fill the jug using a mug. He never saw Rayner take anything but milk except the morning he looked in when he took a bit of butter. He told his mother and father the same day. The last time he saw Rayner come out of the dairy was on Wednesday Dec 22nd. He had the jug of milk and came out of the churn yard door. He was in the kitchen and saw him unbolt the door. He carried the jug to the stable. George Rayner - “I never went in for no meat before that time. I put the milk I took out into the dogs tub a good many mornings. I have nothing else to say.”

item

Rayner, George,
Clayton, Thomas Lucas,
Holland, John

POTSGROVE, stealing, meat, beef, pork, farm labourer, dairy, milk