Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    QSR1838/4/5/23
  • Title
    Depositions and examination - John Leggitt charged with stealing a hat from Joseph Pilgrim
  • Date free text
    6 October 1838
  • Production date
    From: 1838 To: 1838
  • Scope and Content
    Joseph Pilgrim of Old Warden, plough machine maker - last night (5 October) between 5 and 6 he was in the Horse and Jockey Public House in St Mary, Bedford waiting for his master. He sat down and had a pint of beer. He had a new black hat with him which he placed on a seat by the side of him. Leggitt was sitting in the same room opposite him. About 7 o'clock he went into the yard leaving his hat and Leggitt in the room. He returned in about 20 minutes and found both his hat and Leggitt were gone. He suspected Leggitt had taken the hat and gave information to the Henlow constable as Leggitt lives at Henlow. This morning he brought him the hat now produced, which he believes to be the one he lost. He bought the hat yesterday morning from Mr Walker the hatter in the High Street, St Pauls. He paid 8s 6d for it. The hat he lost was covered with white paper tied on with string. John Watts of Henlow, constable - this morning he went to Leggitt's house with Leggitt whom he met on the road. When he met him he said "I want you". Leggitt said "what for?". He said "wasn't it you at Bedford yesterday?" Leggitt said it was. He said "then of course you know what you have done at Bedford". During this conversation they were walking towards his [Watts'] house. He said "Do you know this young man", pointing to Pilgrim, "he has lost a hat and has suspicion that you have stolen it". Leggitt answered "I wish I had never seen the hat. I should not have taken it". Leggitt later fetched some paper and gave it to him, saying it was the paper that came off the hat. James Homnor of Kempston, shepherd - yesterday evening between 5 and 6pm he was going into the yard of the Horse and Jockey Public House. He saw Leggitt coming out of the yard with a hat covered with white paper. John Leggitt - "I should not have taken it if a man from Shittington had not persuaded me."
  • Reference
  • Level of description
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