QSR1868/1/5/9

Depositions of Eliza Farrer and her husband Daniel, baker of Clapham. In the case of Ann Betts accused of stealing 5 candles.

23 November 1867

From: 1867 To: 1868

Eliza Farrer: wife of Daniel and lived in Clapham. On 18 November about 11.15am the prisoner Ann Betts came into the shop and paid a shilling and a penny, 3 farthings. She went to her slate on a small shelf in the room and wrote down what Betts had paid her. Betts asked her for some salt, which was just inside the bake house door. As she was going she heard the candles rattle and they were hanging over the counter. She turned her head and saw the prisoner raise her arm and take 5 candles down and put them in her pocket. She accused the prisoner of taking them. The prisoner asked what candles she meant and she replied those taken from the hook. The candles were hanging partly in and partly out of the prisoner’s pocket. The prisoner said her little child had knocked the candles down. Farrer said this was not the case. The prisoner said that she wanted candles and seeing that the baby had knocked them down and she had thought she would take them as Farrer would not be able to sell broken candles. She said she would have paid. The prisoner gave her the candles and said she hoped the matter would not be talked about. [cross examination] she had known the prisoner for 2 years and could see what was going on from where the salt was kept. The child was on the counter sitting with the candles. The child was about 2 years old. The child could not have reached the candles. The prisoner said she hoped that she did not think she had meant to take the candles without paying for them. Daniel Farrer: on Monday night Ann Betts if she was done for it, it would be the noose for her [?]. He had not offered to settle it.

item

Betts, Ann,
Farrer, Eliza,
Farrer, Daniel

CLAPHAM, stealing, candles, bakers