QSR1863/4/5/3

Depositions of John Inwards, groom in the service of Samuel Francis Cumberlege, clerk and resident of Woburn. William Ralph Young, superintendent of police for the division of Woburn. Thomas Clarke, basket maker of Long Slade in the parish of Wavendon, Buckinghamshire. William Chaplin, fruit seller of Bow Brickhill, Buckinghamshire. In the case of Thomas White, late of Woburn, accused of stealing a grey mare.

7 August 1863

From: 1863 To: 1863

John Inwards: on 24 July he turned a grey mare pony into his master’s field about a quarter of a mile from Woburn by the side of the turnpike road leading to Woburn Sands. He believed he padlocked the gate but did not check if it was fast. About 8.30am on 27 July he saw the pony safe in the field. He missed the pony about 6.30pm. He found the padlock of the same appearance but unlocked. He informed the police and looked for the pony. About 9.30am on 29 July he saw the prisoner riding the pony at Hogstye End. It had a halter on it and said he said a chap told him to take it to Woburn and he would get 6d. He told the prisoner he had thrown it down and the prisoner denied it. The pony’s knees were broken. He took him to the police at Woburn. William Ralph Young: the prisoner was given into his custody on 29 July. In answer to the question put to him, the prisoner said he worked bird keeping for Mr Horley of Bow Brickhill. White said that when he was going to work that morning a man he did not know, but who worked for his master making mortar at some new houses at Woburn Sands, had told him he had found the pony in the road near his masters farm at Bow Brickhill. The man said that the prisoner should take it to Woburn and he would get something for it. White asked his master and was let go and told to haste back. The prisoner got the halter from his master’s pony house. He told the prisoner to take him to his master and the prisoner took him to Mr Day’s farm. He found the prisoner had not been at work there and the tale he had told was incorrect. He took the prisoner to find the man he had mentioned and was taken by the prisoner to Woburn Sands. Before they got there the prisoner said that the man had told him he worked there. There was no person at Woburn Sands who belonged to Mr Horley or Mr Day. The prisoner said the chap was not there. When the prisoner was in custody he said he had the halter from his father. His mother was confronted with him and he then said he had the halter from Mr Bailey at the Weather Cock and afterwards from Mr Hatton at Woburn Sands. Thomas Clarke: on the evening of 28 July he saw a grey pony going by and the boy upon it was about the prisoner’s size. The rider had on a smock and cap. The pony galloped by. William Chaplin: on the evening of 28 July he was at Willen, Bucks returning from Newport Pagnell. He saw the prisoner on a grey pony. The prisoner asked him the way to Woburn Sands and rode with him for about 2 miles. The prisoner got up in the cart afterwards and tied the pony behind. The prisoner was riding with a halter. The prisoner said his name was White and his father worked for Mr Holmes at Aspley. The prisoner said he had been to Newport with the pony for Mr Mantle to see it to sell on Mr Alf Smith’s account. White said it was his pony and Mr Mantle was to have it for £8 and that Alf Smith had sent him. The prisoner said the gentleman refused to have it because it had been thrown down. He could see its knees were bleeding. The prisoner said he had thrown it down because he was almost asleep. The prisoner had said his master wanted to sell it to anyone and that he would sell it to him for £5. He refused to buy it. He was later offered it for £3 but refused. The prisoner said if he gave him 6 shillings he would come in 3 weeks and he could give him what he could spare. The prisoner said his master said he was to sell the pony at any price. The prisoner rode with him to Bow Brickhill where he put him on the pony. Statement of the accused: he had nothing to say.

item

White, Thomas,
Inwards, John,
Cumberlege, Samuel Francis,
Young, William Ralph,
Clarke, Thomas,
Chaplin, William,
Horley,
Day,
Hatton,
Holmes,
Mantle,
Smith, Alfred

WOBURN, Wavendon, Bow Brickhill, groom, clerk, basket maker, stealing animals, horse