QSR1838/4/5/9

Depositions, examination and character reference - Mary Ann Tomlin, wife of George Tomlin, charged with stealing a cheese (value 7s) from Joseph Bates at Cockayne Hatley

22 August 1838

From: 1838 To: 1838

Sarah Bates of Cockayne Hatley, spinster - she is the daughter of Joseph Bates who is a shopkeeper at Cockayne Hatley. On Saturday morning Mary Ann Tomlin came into the shop to buy some things. As soon as Tomlin had gone she suspected she had stolen a cheese and told her mother. At her mother’s desire she followed Tomlin across one field and overtook her in the next. She charged her with stealing cheese. She denied it and refused to let her look into her basket, but agreed to go back with her to her mother. As they were going back the cheese fell out of Tomlin’s basket. Tomlin admitted it was her cheese. She took the cheese away and Tomlin went home. That afternoon Tomlin came to their house and wanted to make it up, but her mother told her she could do nothing without her father’s consent. Joseph Bates of Cockayne Hatley, shopkeeper - the cheese produced is one of 6 he saw in his house on Saturday morning. Mary Ann Tomlin - she is guilty of it. Character reference from parish officers and inhabitants of the parish of Little Gransden, which was the place of residence of Mary Ann Tomlin from her birth to her marriage. They believe it to be her first offence and recommend her to the mercy of the court.

item

Tomlin, Mary Ann,
Tomlin, George,
Bates, Joseph,
Bates, Sarah

Cockayne Hatley, stealing, cheese, shopkeeper