QSR1860/4/5/4

Depositions of Samuel Lisney, draper of Biggleswade. Alfred Mayes, police constable of Potton. Rebecca Cooper, wife of William a labourer of Potton. Mary Ann Bunting, spinster of Biggleswade. In the case of Mary Kefford, wife of Thomas, accused of stealing a skirt and a feather.

15 September 1860

From: 1860 To: 1860

Samuel Lisney: on 14 September the prisoner came into his shop and he sold her several articles for which she paid ready money and he gave her a bill. About half an hour later he missed a skirt and informed the police. He followed them to Potton and met the prisoner in the street with PC Mayes. Mayes produced a bundle which he said he had taken from Kefford and he saw the skirt he had missed. There was also a black feather which he identified as his property. The skirt bore his private mark. On returning to the shop he missed the feather from his stock. The skirt had not been in stock for more than a fortnight. PC Alfred Mayes: on 14 September he received information that some articles had been stolen from Mr Lisney’s shop at Biggleswade and he went in search of Mary Kefford. He met her on the Eaton Road. Kefford had a bundle under her shawl and he asked her what it contained. She said she had some good she had bought at Biggleswade. He took her into custody and took her to Potton to meet Mr Lisney. He asked Lisney, in the presence of the prisoner, what he had lost and Lisney said ‘a skirt’. He opened the bundle and found a skirt. He also found a black feather which Lisney identified as his. He searched the prisoner’s house and the prisoner said she had the skirt and feather about a fortnight. The prisoner said she had bought the skirt from Lisney a fortnight ago and later said she had bought it last Wednesday. Rebecca Cooper: wife of William and they lived next door to Mrs Kefford in Potton. On 14 September Mrs Kefford came to the house to fetch her little girl. Kefford had a bundle and basket with her which she opened and took out a black feather. Kefford said she had bought it for someone but if they did not like it she should keep it for her little girl. About 6.30am the prisoner can come to her house to say she was going to Biggleswade to buy some things at the shop. Kefford came to her house on her return and before she had gone home. Mary Ann Bunting: she kept the White Hart at Biggleswade. On the morning of 14 September Mrs Kefford came in about 9am. She invited her to take a cup of tea and Kefford stayed about three quarters of an hour. Kefford said she had been to Mrs Lisney’s shop and showed her the black feather which she was going to take to Potton. Statement of the accused: the feather did not come from Mr Lisney but the skirt did and she had bought it. She had given 2 shillings and 9 pence for it.

item

Kefford, Mary,
Kefford, Thomas,
Lisney, Samuel,
Cooper, Rebecca,
Mayes, Alfred,
Cooper, William,
Bunting, Mary Ann

BIGGLESWADE, POTTON, draper, stealing, skirt, Biggleswade White Hart