QSR1848/2/5/1

Depositions and examination - John Woods of Sharnbrook

14 March 1848

From: 1848 To: 1848

Robert Bird of Sharnbrook, labourer – he is employed by Thomas Abbott Green esq of Pavenham Bury and works on the Toft Farm in Sharnbrook parish. Woods also works there. He feeds the oxen and the barley flour for their use is kept in a small granary in the yard, for which he keeps the key during the daytime. He gives the key to the foreman at night. About 12pm on Friday 10 March he locked it up and took the key with him. He left a sack there folded up. He returned in about 2 hours and saw the sack had been interfered with. The mouth of the sack had been opened. He saw some one had got over from the stable which adjoins the granary, divided only by a wooden partition. He saw dirt on the boards. He suspected some flour had been stolen. He went to a wagon under the cart hovel in which Woods’ coat was lying. On examining the coat he found in one of the pockets a small bag containing about a gallon of barley flour. He did not say anything until that night when Woods went for his coat. Woods took his coat from the wagon and the weight of the flour drew his coat onto the ground. Wood said it was the first time and he would not do it again, but took the flour with him and did not offer return it. John Pacey of Sharnbrook, bailiff – he is bailiff for Mr Green. Yesterday morning he heard from Bird that Woods had taken the flour. He asked Woods if it was true. Woods said “Yes, what a fool I am, I did take a little. I won’t do so any more”. The flour is worth 6d. Woods has got a feeding pig at home. John Woods – nothing to say.

item

Woods, John,
Bird, Robert,
Pacey, John,
Green, Thomas Abbott

SHARNBROOK, Pavenham Bury, Sharnbrook Toft Farm, stealing, flour, barley, farm labourer, bailiff, pigs, farm buildings