QSR1837/1/5/29

Depositions and character references - Thomas Lawford

26 December 1836

From: 1836 To: 1837

Francis Field of Luton, dealer in straw plait – on 20 November he missed a trowel which was his property which he had seen the day before in the hands of the bricklayer John Sear. Sear said he had left it in the back house. Last Saturday he ascertained that Thomas Lawford had sold a trowel to Samuel Barrett. Barrett showed him the trowel which is the one he lent to Sear. Samuel Barrett – he was going to Mr [Tomson’s?] at the Breach on Sunday morning 4th December. Lawford met him with the trowel in his hand, which he said he picked up in the church yard. Lawford asked 6d and a pint for it. He said he thought it was Taylor’s but would give him 6d for it, and if he found the owner he should have it back again on repayin him. Robert Mileman – he has been in the habit of working at Francis Field’s and has used the trowel now produced. He saw Josiah Sear the bricklayer’s boy lay it on the shelf in the back house. The bricklayers have not been at work on the premises since. Lawford worked for Mr Field at the same time and he helped him. Character references -------------------------------- (1) John Gray – when Thomas Lawford, carpenter of Luton, was employed by him he considered him an honest individual (2) Thomas Cox, carpenter; Thomas Leper; William Clark; Edward Taylor; Richard How; Thomas Hawkes, bricklayer – certify that Thomas Lawford, carpenter, has been employed for several years by different Masters and has always borne an honest and upright character.

item

Lawford, Thomas,
Field, Francis,
Sear, John,
Barrett, Samuel,
Mileman, Robert,
Sear, Josiah,
Gray, John,
Cox, Thomas,
Leper, Thomas,
Clark, William,
Taylor, Edward,
How, Richard,
Hawkes, Thomas

LUTON, stealing, tools, straw plait dealer, bricklayer, carpenter