QSR1837/2/5/3

Depositions and examintion - William Swain of Langford charged with stealing one ewe from James Kemp

22 March 1837

From: 1837 To: 1837

Thomas Kemp of Langford – his father is a farmer at Langford and he assists him in his business. Last Saturday (18 March) there were about 50 ewe sheep in his father’s yard. About 8 or 9pm that night he heard a dog barking in the Home Close adjoining the yard. He went into the close and saw Swain standing close to a ewe sheep which was lying on its back. He asked what Swain was doing there and Swain ran away. He ran after him down Langford Street and called out to stop him. A man did stop him. He collared Swain and told him he would take him to the constable. Swain said it was not him, but he said he had him in sight all the while and knew it was. He took him into the custody of William Street the constable. He then went back to the Close and found the sheep still lying flat on her back as she could not get up. He took the sheep back to the yard. He is sure it was one of his father’s, with their red mark on the near hip. There were no sheep in the close so he is sure it must have been taken out of the yard that night. There is a foot path in the yard, but not where Swain was, about 20 yards from the gate. William Swain – he was going home from Biggleswade with George Hanscombe and William Roberts. He got over into the close to do a job for himself. It was about 8.30.

item

Swain, William,
Kemp, James,
Street, William,
Hanscombe, George,
Roberts, William

LANGFORD, stealing, stealing animals, sheep, farmer, footpaths