QSR1867/1/5/11

Depositions of William Travell, builder of Eaton Bray. In the case of John Shilton, late of Eaton Bray, accused of embezzling the sum of 40 shillings from his master, William Travell.

27 November 1866

From: 1866 To: 1867

William Travell: he was a builder at Eaton Bray and the prisoner was a labourer living there. The prisoner had been in his service. On Tuesday 25 September he sent the prisoner with a load of cabbages to sell for him. The prisoner had come into his service on the preceding day. It was not stated what he would pay a day. His other labourers received 2 shillings. He employed the prisoner for 4 days and the load of cabbages was worth 40 shillings. The prisoner went away with the cabbage and a horse and cart. He expected the prisoner to return on the Thursday. A man by the name of Pearson brought home his horse and cart on Thursday evening. He went in search of the prisoner and found him at the Fountain public house at Eaton Bray. The prisoner was the worse for drink. The first words he heard the prisoner say were “I have not got a dammed farthing”. The prisoner was so drunk that he did not say much to him and left him at the beer house. The prisoner did not come the next day. Some days afterwards he saw the prisoner at the Chequers and he was half drunk and he could make nothing of him. He had not received anything for his cabbages. About a fortnight later he saw the prisoner who said he had sold the cabbages part on trust. The prisoner was to sell them for ready money. He had ascertained that the prisoner had not sold them on trust to the party the prisoner mentioned at the time. He had told the prisoner to take the cabbages and make what he could for them. The prisoner said he could make a good price. He had sent beans for his horse and the prisoner had said he had enough money to see him through. Statement of the accused: he had no money to start with and was obliged to sell the cabbages at such a price as he could get maintenance for himself and the horse. He made 4s 2d on the first day from the cabbages, 8s 4d the next and 3s 8d on the third day. He paid 1s 2d for corn and 3s 8d for lodgings for himself and the horse. He spent 1s 3d on eating and beer. Then 1s 9d on breakfast, 1s 6d again and 9d on the Wednesday. [?] and beer was 1s 2d and corn 2s 4d. He made these expenses come to 16s 5d. He told Mr Travell he had no money at all. He gave a man some cabbages for bread and meat.

item

Shilton, John,
Travell, William

EATON BRAY, embezzlement, builder, Eaton Bray Fountain, Eaton Bray Chequers, cabbages