QSR1860/3/5/21

Depositions of Ann, wife of Charles Clare, labourer of Chelsea in Linslade. Samuel Atterbury, butcher of Woburn and Elizabeth his wife. Alfred Ing, police constable of Woburn. In the case of Charlotte Barratt accused of stealing a purse containing 30 shilings, a chisel and a knife.

29 June 1860

From: 1860 To: 1860

Ann Clare: the prisoner was her sister and lodged with her up to 21 June. Her sister left in the afternoon without giving a reason for doing so. On 19 June she had a purse containing 3 half sovereigns, property of her husband, in a work box in a downstairs room. The box was locked. On 23 June she missed the purse and money from the box. The box had been forced open. On 18 June she missed a chisel off a shelf which belonged to her husband. She said nothing to the prisoner of it but her and her husband had looked for it in the prisoner’s presence. On 24 June she missed a white handled knife. Samuel Atterbury: a butcher living at Birchmoor Green. On 21 June the prisoner came to his house about 10pm and called him up. He let her in and she had a small basket with her. The prisoner said she had been to the Union house to spend the day and the governess had given her 12 shillings, 10 for herself and 2 to pay for lodging. The prisoner gave 2 shillings to his wife and slept at the house. Next more the prisoner showed his wife a purse but he did not notice it. She remained with them until 23 June when she was taken into custody. Before she was taken Charles Clare came and asked about some money he had lost from his box. Clare asked the prisoner for it and she produced the purse and some money. At first she denied she had taken money but when the policeman came she said there was only 15 shillings in the purse. Clare had accused her of taking 30 shillings. On the Saturday before the prisoner left he noticed a chisel and knife which did not belong to him. He said nothing to the prisoner and put both in her basket whilst the policeman was at the house. The prisoner had said she intended to stay until the Monday. His wife was the sister of Charles Clare. The prisoner had been to their house before but not to stop the night. Elizabeth Atterbury: wife of Samuel. On Thursday 21 June the prisoner came to their house after they had gone to bed. The prisoner had not been expected and remained with them until Saturday evening when she was taken into custody. On the afternoon of that day she had been going out of her room and saw a chisel and white handled knife at the end of a box. She had never seen them before. No one could have bought them to the house but the prisoner. She asked the prisoner if they belonged to her and she said they did. The policeman was in the house and she saw the purse in the prisoner’s possession. PC Alfred Ing: about 10pm on 23 June he went to the house of Samuel Atterbury. He found the prisoner and Charles Clare there. Clare gave her into custody for stealing 30 shillings, a chisel and a knife. The prisoner said she had only had 15 shillings. He later examined the work box and found the imprint of the chisel upon the wood. He had not doubt the box was broken open by the chisel. Statement of the accused: nothing to say.

item

Barratt, Charlotte,
Clare, Ann,
Clare, Charles,
Atterbury, Samuel,
Atterbury, Elizabeth,
Ing, Alfred

WOBURN, Chelsea, stealing, money, knife, butcher