QSR1836/4/5/40/b

Depositions - Job Whittamore charged with obtaining money from Elizabeth Wood by false pretences and with stealing cheese from William King

19 October 1836

From: 1836 To: 1836

Sarah Joy of Hawnes, singlewoman – on Tuesday 6 September Whittamore came into the house of William King of Hawnes between 11 and 12 o’clock. She was in the room making lace. Whittamore sat near the cupboard drinking beer until between 3 and 4 o’clock. She then saw him open the cupboard door, take out a piece of cheese and put it into his hat. Whittamore then got up and went away. Mrs King came into the room just afterwards. She told her what the prisoner had done. Mary Ann King – confirms Sarah Joy’s evidence. Elizabeth Wood, wife of John Wood of Cardington – last April Whittamore came to her husband’s house with the letter she now produces and said his name was John Heywood, and that he had lent half a crown to her son John Wood who was then in Gaol and had brought the letter from her son to be repaid. She took the letter to her neighbour who read it to her. She borrowed one shilling and gave it to the prisoner. She also gave him some bread and meat. She told him she could not borrow more than a shilling and had no money by her, but would pay him the rest as soon as she could if he would tell her where to send it to him. Whittamore said he lived out of the way six miles “side-hand” of Hitchin. She has not seen him since. John Wood of Cardington – last April he was confined in the New House of Correction under sentence for snaring. Whittamore was there also and went out before him. He never borrowed any money from Whittamore, nor did he tell him to ask for money from his father or mother, nor did he get anyone to write the letter now produced. He cannot write himself.

item

Whittamore, Job,
Joy, Sarah,
King, William,
King, Mary Ann

HAYNES, false pretences, stealing, cheese, lace maker, lace making, imprisonment, poaching, illiteracy