QSR1865/3/5/2

Depositions of George Street and his wife Sarah Street, farmer of Maulden. William Hillyard, police constable stationed at Ampthill. In the case of Cicely Parker, singlewoman late of Maulden, accused of stealing 7 yards of calico, a pair of drawers, linen collars and cuffs, braid, lining, thread and other articles whilst employed as a servant.

6 April 1865

From: 1865 To: 1865

Sarah Street: the prisoner was in her service since Michaelmas last. She had missed several things and had suspected Cicely as she had seen some of her own cotton in Cicely’s workbox. She believed all the articles produced to be hers and altogether they were worth 10 shillings. On 5 April she charged the prisoner with taking the calico and other things. The prisoner emptied her box before her and it contained some of her property. At first the prisoner denied taking them and then said she had taken them and pointed out the drawers from which she had taken them. The prisoner was taken into custody by the police. On 5 April the prisoner said she had sent some items to her mothers. She had missed a great number of items since the prisoner came into her service. The prisoner lived at Great Barford. George Street: he was informed by his wife that she had missed several things and suspected the prisoner. On 5 April he heard the prisoners boxes had been searched in the presence of his wife and other servants. The prisoner said she had taken the things and was sorry for it. He asked her what she had sent home and she replied a pair of old shoes, a news dress to be made up and a pair of drawers. He asked her if there was anything else and at first she replied no but when asked if she had taken some lining she hesitated and said yes. On 6 April he gave her into custody of the police. The goods were spread before her and the policeman asked if any if it was hers. She replied no and that they all belonged to the mistress. She said she had taken them out of some drawers. PC William Hillyard: on 6 April he took the prisoner into custody and told her the charge was of robbing her master and mistress. The prisoner made no answer. He received the articles from Mrs Street and showed them to the prisoner. The prisoner said none of them were hers and they all belonged to her mistress and that she had taken them out of the drawers at different times. She said she had sent home a pair of drawers to her mother and some lining of a dress. These were also Mrs Street’s. Statement of the accused: nothing to say.

item

Street, Sarah,
Street, George,
Hillyard, William

MAULDEN, Great Barford, stealing, servant, underwear, clothing, AMPTHILL