QSR1836/1/5/10

Depositions and examination - John Whalebone charged with stealing a watch from Francis Sale

27 & 28 October 1835

From: 1835 To: 1836

27 October ------------------------ Thomas Poole of London – he is the driver of a Lincoln coach from Caldecott to London. Yesterday 26 October he was getting his dinner at Caldecott at the Wellington Inn. He was called out from dinner by Kit Cross a postillion of the Inn who offered him the watch now produced, saying it was the property of John Whalebone, that it had belonged to Whalebone’s son, who had been killed, and was a very good watch. He said he did not want it, but Cross said that Whalebone was much distressed and persuaded him to buy it. He then agreed to buy the watch for £1 and paid him a sovereign. He took the watch with him to London last night. On his return this morning he saw Francis Sale who came into the coach office at Caldecott and claimed the watch as his. John Whalebone – declined to say anything and was remanded until next morning. 28 October ---------------------- Francis Sale of Biggleswade, shoemaker – he lives in the High Street in Biggleswade. On Monday 26 October he left his house to go next door about 4pm and left his watch hanging over the mantlepiece. He was not gone more than 5 minutes. When he returned he missed his watch. He received information which made him suspect Whalebone. He found Whalebone yesterday, apprehended him and charged him with stealing his watch. Whalebone denied it, but when he said that if Whalebone would give it back he would not follow the law on him Whalebone said he sold it to the coachman of the coach then standing in the yard of the Wellington Inn at Lower Caldecote. He went to the coachman Thomas Poole and received the watch from him. Mary, wife of John Cooper of Biggleswade, shoemaker – she lives opposite Mr Sale in Biggleswade. On Monday afternoon she was standing at her window ironing. Soon after 4pm she saw Whalebone go into Sale’s house. He came out again after 2 or 3 minutes. John Whalebone – nothing to say

item

Whalebone, John,
Sale, Francis,
Cooper, Mary,
Cooper, John,
Poole, Thomas

BIGGLESWADE, stealing, watches, shoemaker, coachman, Lower Caldecote Wellington Inn