QSR1836/3/5/30

Depositions and examination - James Culahan charged with stealing one drake belonging to George Peter Livius on 19 April 1836

22 April 1836

From: 1836 To: 1836

William Brigstock of St Paul Bedford – about 4pm on 16 April he was in a field by Cox’s pit and saw Culahan throw stones at two ducks swimming in the river. He then sent a dog after them. The dog went into the river, caught one of the ducks and brought it out. Culahan took the duck away from the dog and carried it away with him towards Cox’s pit. Culahan carried the duck in his hand. The duck was white and black. The dog belonged to a person named Swale. No one was with Culahan at the time. William Bettles of St Paul Bedford, labourer – last Saturday about 2.30pm James Culahan and the other men working in Cox’s pit sat down to dinner. After dinner they went to their work. Culahan continued at his work until about 6pm. He was at work with him the whole day and did not see him leave the pit. He knows Culahan did not leave the pit that afternoon. Ebenezer Ward of St Paul Bedford, labourer – he was at work with Culahan and did not see him leave the pit the whole day. Culahan went to the stone stack with is close to the pit. He never lost sight of him at any time that day. James Culahan – “I am innocent. I was never there.”

item

Culahan, James,
Livius, George Peter,
Brigstock, William,
Bettles, William,
Ward, Ebenezer

BEDFORD, Bedford St.Paul, Bedford Cox's Pits, stealing animals, ducks, dogs