QSR1838/3/5/31

Depositions and examination - George Tiplady charged with stealing bank notes

15 June 1838

From: 1838 To: 1838

William Hunt the younger of Luton – he was employed as solicitor for Thomas Warren the purchaser and George Tiplady the vendor of certain premises in New Town Street Luton. The purchase money was £230. There was a mortgage on the premises for £100 and interest due to Ann Barnett – Mr Chase was her solicitor. They met today at Leagrave Marsh for the purpose of completing the purchas. The conveyance was produced signed by Ann Barnett, who was not present. His clerk enquired if Mr Warren or Mr Tiplady wished to have the deed read over – Mr Tiplady said no. The subject of the money was introduced and Mr Warren handed over to him two £100 Bank of England notes and also a £50 note. They sent to Luton to have one of the £100 notes changed. The accounts were adjusted and agreed upon with the exception of a few shillings in Mr Chase’s bill, making a total due from Tiplady to the mortgagee and to the assignee of George Barrett and Mr Chase’s bill of £174 12s 8d, and the odd 12s 8d was agreed to be returned. Mr Chase’s servant returned with the change for the £100. The £230 for the purchase was placed on the table, being the amount of the purchase. Tiplady enquired what was to be done next. He told him the deeds must be signed by him. Tioplady said he would not sign the deeds until he had the money. He then told Tiplady the sums agreed upon must be deducted. Tiplady said he should like to have hold of the money just to count it. He told Tiplady the money was delivered into his hands on behalf of Mr Warren. Tiplady took hold of the money and partially counted it, then put it all into his pocket, dividing it part in one pocket and part in another. Not suspecting felonious intent at the time he got Tiplady to sign the deed. Tiplady did so. At first Tiplady objected to siging a [script?] on the deed for £130, but at last did sign it. Tiplady then said he would pay Mr Chase tomorrow morning or when it suited him. He then said “now Tiplady, I demand the money of you as it was given to me for distribution”. Tiplady refused to pay it and said he wished to leave. He said they must have a settlement before Tiplady left, and that if Tiplady refused to give him the money he would send for a constable. He distinctly told Tiplady it was his money and he was personally liable. After he sent for a constable Tiplady said he did not mind paying the £100 but would pay no more, and if he was bothered at all we would pay nothing. Tiplady put £100 down on the table. After the constable came and was searching him the constable was obliged to get assistance. Tiplady held the money in his clenched hands but finding he was likely to be mastered he said “let me go and I will settle”. He said “no, this is not the place to settle, you must now go before a magistrate as I have given you in charge”. Frederick Chase of Luton, gentleman – he was employed by George Tiplady and George Barrett to prepare an agreement for the sale and purchase of a house in New Town Street Luton. Tioplady purchased the house subject to a mortgage which was then existing to Mrs Ann Barnett for £100. He held the deeds for the benefit of both parties until the purchase was completed ant the purchase money paid. Yesterday he attended the settlement of a purchase made by Mr Thomas Warren from Tiplady of the same premises, as solicitor for Ann Barnett the mortgagee. He produced an account to Mr Hunt, Tiplady’s solicitor, of the claims he had on the estate on behalf of the mortgagee and assignees of George Barrett. He explained the different items in the account to Tiplady, with which he expressed himself perfectly satisfied, at the same time requesting him to throw him off something. He agreed to deduct the odd 12s 8d from the total of £174 12s 8d. Tiplady calculated the interest money and repeated asked Mr Hunt what was the balance coming to him. Both Mr Hunt and himself told him it was £55 odd. Tipleady then desired Mr Hunt to pay over the £174 to him, expressing a wish that he should first like to see the money or count it as he had not seen so much money for a long time, or words to that effect. Mr Hunt laid the £230 on the table which Tiplady partly counted and put into his pockets. Mr Hunt repeatedly asked Tiplady to give up the £174 which he refused to do. Mr Hunt sent for a constable and gave Tiplady in charge. The constable searched him and took £100 from him which had got clenched in his hand. Another £100 had been laid on the table when he heard the constable was coming. Tiplady was perfectly sober and he has not the slightest doubt but that he took the money with felonious intent, although he did not at first think that was the case. Richard Hill, constable of Limbury cum Biscott – he was sent for yesterday to the Horse Shoes at Leagrave Marsh. Mr Hunt sent for him and gave Tiplady in charge. He asked Tiplady in a civil way to give up the money. Tiplady refused. Mr Hunt then told him to take the money from Tiplady, saying there was £74 due to him. He was forced to get two men to help. When they had hold of Tiplady he said “Gentlemen you are robbing of me. You will break me thumb” and said that three to one they must have it, and if they let him go he would settle. He got Tiplady’s hand open and took the money out. He gave it to Mr Hunt, saw it counted, and counted it himself afterwards. There was £100. Mr Hunt gave him back £26 to give to Tiplady, but Tiplady refused it. Mr Hunt then ordered him to put it in his pocket. He took Tiplady into custody. The magistrate remanded him until this morning for the examination. After he was in custody Tiplady took nothing to drink except about 3 half pints until the time he took him to his own house at the magistrate’s direction. Tiplady and his wife and himself sat up all night. They had some tea about 2.15am but nothing else. After they had had tea they chatted and Tiplady asked what would become of his poor children if he were sent away. After a while, about daylight, he fell asleep and was woken by Tiplady brushing by him – Tiplady could not pass him without touching him. Tiplady went away without his hat. He jumped up and finding Tiplady was gone he went out to look for him, but could not find him or hear anything of him, and has not been able to find him since.

item

Tiplady, George,
Hunt, William,
Warren, Thomas,
Barnett, Ann,
Barnett, George

LUTON, LIMBURY, Leagrave Marsh, Luton New Town Street, stealing, banknotes, solicitors, mortgages, constable, Leagrave Horseshoes, absconding