Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    QSR1861/1/5/17
  • Title
    Depositions of Charlotte Emily Martendale, wife of Thomas, blacksmith of Milton Bryan. Frederick Bodley, draper's assistant of Leighton Buzzard. Jospeh Collins, victualler of Leighton Buzzard. William Champkins, police constable stationed at Leighton Buzzard. In the case of William Spacey accused of stealing 8 yards of cotton print, 2 and a half yards of calico, a childs hat and a feather.
  • Date free text
    11 December 1860
  • Production date
    From: 1860 To: 1861
  • Scope and Content
    Charlotte Emily Martendale: on 4 December she went to Ridgeways shop in Leighton and purchased 8 yards of cotton print, 2 and a half yards of calico, a child’s hat and a feather. The bill was 16s 7d. She left the parcel at the shop and said she would call for it but went home and forgot it. She told her husband of the parcel and that she had forgotten it. The prisoners stood by and heard what was said. Next day she went to Ridgeways for the parcel but was told they had delivered it to a man that morning. She suspected the prisoner and on getting home found no parcel. She went to the prisoner’s house about the parcel and was informed the prisoner had gone to Leighton. Next morning she heard the prisoner was in custody for taking the parcel and endeavouring to sell it for 2s 6d. Frederick Bodley: an assistant to Ridgeways shop in Leighton. On 5 December the prisoner came into the shop about 11 o’clock and asked for the parcel for the Martendale’s of Milton. He fetched the parcel and gave it to him. The prisoner went off. He knew Mrs Martendale had been in the shop the previous day. Joseph Collins: on 5 December the prisoner went to him and offered to sell him a parcel of goods for 2s 6d. The prisoner said they belonged to a relation who had given them to him that morning. He refused to buy the parcel and the prisoner went away. He informed the police. PC William Champkins: on 5 December he went to the prisoner and asked him what he had in his arms. The prisoner said he had a print which his cousin from Scotland had given to him. He took the prisoner into custody. The prisoner later said that the devil had tempted him to take it. Statement of the accused: he did not wish to say anything.
  • Reference
  • Level of description
    item
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