QSR1837/4/5/24-25

Depositions and examinations - Sarah Goodman, Eleanor Perkins and William Goodman charged wtih stealing wood belonging to Charles Brown [William Goodman discharged]

14 August 1837

From: 1837 To: 1837

William Coombs, chief constable of the Town of Bedford - on Saturday 12 August he received a warrant and went to the house of William Goodman to search for some wood. When he got into Goodman’s yard Sarah Goodman was standing at her street door. As soon as she saw him she went in and locked the door. Finding the door fast and the window open he got into the window and told Mrs Goodman he had come to look for some wood which had been taken from Mr Brown. She said he would not find any. He searched the coal hole and found 4 pieces of wood which he now produces. Mrs Goodman then said the 4 pieces were all she had from Mr Brown. From some further information he went to the house of George Perkins and saw his wife Eleanor Perkins. He told her he was looking for some hammers that had been lost and asked if she took them up when she had the wood. She denied taking either the hammers or the wood, but on taking a piece of wood from the fire which was burning he turned to Mr Henry Brown who was with him and said it looked something like his. Eleanor Perkins then said she did have 2 or 3 little pieces, but her husband knew nothing about it. He did not bring the wood away as it was only a small piece and burning. Charles Brown of St Paul Bedford, carrier - he is building a barn on his farm on the Clapham Road. The 4 pieces of wood now produced are part of some wood which was placed at his farm for building. They have been sawn off from others. He never gave either of the prisoners or any other person leave to take wood. Abraham Thomas of St Paul Bedford, labourer - last Saturday 12 August he was coming down the Clapham Road and saw 2 women go into Mr Brown’s barley field round the hedge until they came to a place where Mr Brown is building a barn. He was about 100 yards away and did not know who they were. They had a dog with them which he took notice of. He came into the town and told Mr Brown Jr he had seen 2 women go up to his wood. He then went to the house of William Goodman and saw the dog he had seen with the women. He asked Sarah Goodman if it was her dog and she said it was. He told her he knew she had been to Mr Brown’s wood. She said she had been up to Mr Brown’s farm and brought away 3 or 4 pieces to light her fire. Sarah Goodman and Eleanor Perkins - decline to say anything in their defence

item

Goodman, Sarah,
Perkins, Eleanor,
Goodman, William,
Brown, Charles,
Coombs, William,
Thomas, Abraham,
Perkins, George

BEDFORD, Bedford St.Paul, stealing, wood, carrier, Chief Constable