QSR1838/3/5/10

Depositions and examination - Thomas Davis of Dunton, charged with robbing George Barratt (aged between 5 and 6) of a cap and handkerchief, the property of William Barratt

14 May 1838

From: 1838 To: 1838

William Barratt of Biggleswade - yesterday (Sunday) about 11am his little boy went out to meet his grandfather, whom they expected to come along the Baldock Road as he does every Sunday, being at work beyond Baldock. About 1pm his wife went out and returned with the boy. His wife said that George had lost his cap and handkerchief, and the child said a man with a straw hat on, with no coat and no smock, had taken them. The child said the man took him down a Lane, which from the boy’s description he thought was the land that led to Dunton. He and his wife took the child and went to Dunton. The child showed them exactly where he had been and told them what was done. As they went by Mr Winters’ farm the child said "here, when I was crying, the man said he would kill me if I cried". The child took them up Featherbed Lane into a field where the child said the man had taken his cap and handkerchief from him. They went to the constable’s at Dunton and told him what had happened. Simeon Lee, constable of Dunton parish - yesterday, about 4.30 William Barratt informed him that his child had been taken from the high road and robbed of his cap and handkerchief, and described the sort of cap. His son, who is about 7 years old, said that Davis had on such a cap. He went to the public house and found Davis with the cap on his head and the handkerchief round his neck. He took Davis into custody. Mary Larman - she lives at the Old Eagle Farm, which is on the high Baldock Road. Yesterday morning between 11 and 12 she was speaking to Thomas Davis of Dunton, where she used to live, who she knows very well. About 1pm she saw Elizabeth Barratt with the little boy. She seemed in distress and told her that some man had robbed her child of his cap and handkerchief. The child said the man had a straw hat on. She said it must surely be Thomas Davis, who had a straw hat on. Thomas Davis - "I did not say I would kill him if he cried so".

item

Davis, Thomas,
Barratt, George,
Barratt, William,
Lee, Simeon,
Larman, Mary

DUNTON, BIGGLESWADE, stealing, clothing, hats, handkerchief, CHILDREN