QSR1863/3/5/2

Depositions of William Byers Graham, Superintendent of Police of Saint Cuthbert, Bedford. Elizabeth Seaberry, wife of John, at Stagsden. Mary Singer, wife of David. Alice Carr, wife of John, of Stagsden. PC John Tatman. Albert Seaberry, son of John Seaberry. James Glidwell, father of the accused. Ann Glidwell, mother of the accused. In the case of Martha Glidwell accused of stealing 16 yards of ribbon , 3 yards of muslin, 2 chemises, a piece of green baize, a piece of embroidery, 2 pairs of stockings, a portmonnaie and a pocket handkerchief.

13 April 1863

From: 1863 To: 1863

William Byers Graham: he apprehended the accused and told her the charge. He asked she may be remanded to the Petty Session on 18 June. Elizabeth Seaberry: she was the daughter of Mrs Odell, wife of George Odell. She used to attend his house 3 or 4 days a week to help manage. The accused had been living with Mr Odell for 12 months last Michaelmas. The prisoner went home on 28 March. On 1 April she examined her box at Mr Odell’s and in it found 2 chemises, a night gown, 2 pairs of stockings, a piece of calico, a piece of muslin made into an apron, a piece of muslin, some embroidery, a piece of print, a pocket handkerchief, some black ribbon a green baise cloth, part of a pillow case, some sheeting and a towel. Some of the things were in a chest which had been lent to her and some were tied in a dirty apron. She gave them up to Mr Graham. On 2 or 3 April Martha Glidwell went to her mother, Mrs Odell. She told Glidwell of the things they had found. Glidwell said that if they would not send her to gaol she would agree to anything. She told her she would not agree to pay her any of her wages but would she would want her to tell her which of her mothers things. She had put the things back as she had found them before she sent for Glidwell. Glidwell out the things out of the chest and box one by one and said they were all Mrs Odell’s except for a purse, apiece of ribbon and a piece of calico. Glidwell said she had put them out of the way on Saturday morning before she had left. Glidwell hung around her mother’s neck and said that if she forgave her she would agree to anything. She said she would not pay her any wages and she considered the matter settled. Glidwell asked for her father not to be told. Mrs Odell left it all to her. Mary Singer: on 29 March she went to Mrs Odell’s. She went with Mrs Seaberry to the prisoner’s room. She had made up one of the chemises produced. In her presence, Mrs Seaberry took some things out of Glidwell’s box. She saw Mrs Seaberry and Glidwell the next afternoon and heard Mrs Seaberry say she had found her mother’s things in Glidwell’s possessions. Mrs Seaberry said that unless she gave up her wages she would send Glidwell to prison. Ann [Martha Glidwell] said she would give up her wages and would agree to anything if they would forgive her. Mrs Seaberry laid out the items and Glidwell told her which were Mrs Odell’s. Alice Carr: she saw Mrs Seaberry take some things out of the box in the girls bedroom on 2 April. Glidwell was there and said which items were hers and which Mrs Odell’s. Glidwell said she would give up her wages if they would not prosecute her. PC John Tatman: he searched the prisoner’s father’s house on 13 April. There were 2 purses here and Glidwell said the purse produced was hers. In a box upstairs he found ribbon and calico. Albert Seaberry: son of John Seaberry. The purse was Mrs Odell’s. The previous Monday he had pieces of calico and some black ribbon fro his grandmother’s drawers. Evidence on behalf of the defence: James Glidwell – the accused was his daughter. He went to the prosecutor’s house the same day as his daughter. Her box came home the next morning. Mrs Seaberry was there. Mrs Seaberry said she was sorry it was happened. He took his daughters bundle home. Mrs Seaberry allowed him to take it. Mr and Mrs Odell were there. They all said they would forgive her. The previous Tuesaday he asked Mr Odell if it was settled and he said it was. Anne Glidwell – mother of Martha Glidwell. Her daughter went to Mr Odell’s and saw Mrs Seaberry. She saw Mrs Odell first and she said had found some things in Ann’s box. Mrs Seaberry said some things was to be left from her box[?]. Neither Mr or Mrs Odell said anything but were present.

item

Glidwell, Martha,
Graham, William Byers,
Seaberry, Elizabeth,
Seaberry, John,
Seaberry, Albert,
Singer, Mary,
Singer, David,
Carr, Alice,
Carr, John,
Tatman, John,
Glidwell, James,
Glidwell, Ann,
Odell, George

STAGSDEN, St. Cuthbert Bedford, stealing, cloth, ribbons