QSR1893/3/5/4

Deposition Rebecca Smith wife of William Henry Smith the landlord of the Fox and Hounds beerhouse at Clapham; Frederick Barrett Police Constable stationed at Clapham;Charles Poole, Wheelwright. In the case of Henry East and John Ashley charged with feloniously did steal take and carry away one ham of the value of Fifteen shillings the goods and chattels of William Henry Smith.

11th May 1893

From: 1893 To: 1893

Deposition Rebecca Smith wife of William Henry Smith the landlord of the Fox and Hounds beerhouse at Clapham; Frederick Barrett Police Constable stationed at Clapham. Charles Poole, Wheelwright. In the case of Henry East and John Ashley charged with feloniously did steal take and carry away one ham of the value of Fifteen shillings the goods and chattels of William Henry Smith. This Deponent Rebecca Smith on his Oath saith as follows: I am the wife of William Henry Smith the landlord of the “Fox and Hounds” beerhouse at Clapham. About 2.30 on the 10th instant the two prisoners were in my taproom. No one else was there. I went out the back way leaving the two prisoners alone. After I had been out a few minutes Ashley came out to me in the yard Ashley was out with me two or three minutes. I left Ashley out in the yard and went into the tap room and found East was gone. I looked round the room and missed a ham from the wall near the fireplace. I had last seen it about half an hour before. No other customers had been in the room in the meantime. I had been in and out and my son. When I missed the ham I went out the front but could not see the prisoners. I saw a man coming up the rod and from what he told me I sent Charles Pool after the Defendants. The ham produced is my ham I know it by the cord and nail. The value is about fifteen shillings. This Deponent of Frederick Barrett on his oath saith as follows: I am a Police Constable stationed at Clapham. From information I received I at 2.45 pm on the 10th instant I went up the road in the direction of Clapham Folly I met Mr Chapman driving a trap - A man named Charles Poole and the Prisoner East walking beside the trap. Mr. Chapman said this man, pointing to East has stolen a ham East said “I am guilty of the charge, I was on the verge of starving what was I to do” I took East to the Police Station at Bedford and there charged him with stealing a ham from the “Fox and Hounds” beerhouse at Clapham the property of William Henry Smith. He said “That is quite true” I went back to Clapham and found Ashley about 5.30 pm asleep in the first field this side Clapham. I awoke him. He said “I know what you want this come of doing a chap a good turn but I suppose I shall have to put up with it” I said “Where is your cost” He said “I have got it on” I said “But you had another” He said “I have lost it” I brought him to Bedford and in the presence of East I charged him with being concerned with East in stealing a ham from the Fox and Hounds beerhouse the property of William Henry Smith. Ashley said “I know nothing about it” East said “I tool the ham I said to Ashley “There is a ham hanging up here if we can get it away it will fetch a shilling or two” I took it down and wrapped it in my handkerchief but it was not large enough to cover it so I asked you to lend me your coat to put it in I said “I will walk of down the street and when I have been gone abit you follow me” Ashley said “Didn’t I say I should not have anything to do with it” East “yes but you were there with me all the time” Ashley said “ yes that’s about it” I then showed Ashley the coat produced, that was in the possession of East when I apprehended him and Ashley said “Yes that is mine” This Deponent Charles Poole on his Oath saith as follows: I am a wheelwright on the 10th May I was at work for Mr Smith at the Fox and Hounds at Clapham. From what Mr Smith told me I went after the prisoner. I saw the Prisoner East on the Clapham Road coming towards Bedford. This was about a quarter of a mile from the house. When he saw me he got over the gate and walked up the field. I went after him and caught him up in Mr Bosworth’s field. He had a bundle under his are. I brought him on the road. He untied the bundle and gave me the ham produced Mr Chapman was there. Police Constable Barrett came up and took Prisoner into custody. The depositions of Charles Poole were taken and sworn before me at Bedford on the 20th day of May 1893 the depositions of Rebecca Smith and Frederick Barrett being at the same time severally read over and resworn in the presence and heating of the before named Prisoners. Statement of Accused Henry East I do not wish to say anything I do not want to call witnesses. Letter from Halliley and Stimson Solicitors, 26 Mill Street Bedford 13th June 1893 Reg v East We are instructed to act for the prosecution in this case at the next Quarter Sessions. We understand from the Clerk to the Magistrates that the Depositions have been forwarded to you. We shall be glad therefore if you will let us have copy for trial. We are instructed that there is a previous conviction against the Prisoner for felony at Hertford Assizes on 31st March 1892. We are not sure whether it is customary for the prosecuting Solicitors to obtain the Certificate from the Clerk of the Peace for Hertfordshire or whether you do so. Will you kindly let me know in due course Yours Truly Halliley and Stimson Mr [W] Marks Esq. Shire Hall Bedford

9 pages

item

East, Henry,
Ashley, John,
Poole, Charles,
Barrett, Frederick,
Smith, William Henry,
Smith, Rebecca

stealing, Clapham Fox and Hounds, wheelwright, police constable, CLAPHAM, stealing