QSR1835/1/5/13

Depositions – Thomas Field charged with obtaining 5s from Benjamin Thomason, assistant overseer at Moggerhanger, by falsely pretending he could not get work and was in distress

3 December 1834

From: 1834 To: 1834

Benjamin Thomason of the hamlet of Moggerhanger in the parish of Blunham, assistant overseer – Thomas Field, belonging to the hamlet of Moggerhanger but living at Baldock, has at various times applied to him for relief which he has given to him. The last time he received relief was 5s on 22nd November. He was absent from home and Field told his wife that he was out of work. On former occasions when he relieved him Field invariably told him he was out of work. As the burden of the Poor Rates became heavy and were increasing he was ordered to go to Baldock in search of Field. He went there on Monday 24th November and met with him. He asked “where now Tom?” Field answered “I am going to look for you”. He said “No Tom, you are going to look for your Master and I got there first,” as he had seen Field’s master Mr Parrington who keeps the White Swan public house before he met Field. He told Field he was a pretty fellow to apply to their parish for relief when he had been constantly employed, as Field’s master had told him. Field said he had not been down to the parish for relief for more than four weeks and would bring the money back. He said Field might please himself about that and that he would acquaint the parishioners of what had passed. The next day Field’s wife tendered 25s to him on Field’s behalf. He refused to receive this. [Further information] Field applied for relief and received 5s from him from the Poor Rates on 10 October, 25 October, 8 November and 15 November. On all those occasions Field told him he was out of work and had been so during the previous week. Thomas Parrington – he keeps a beer house called the Swan at Baldock (Herts). Thomas Field was in his employment during all the month of October and from the end of October to the 24th November. He was employed in thrashing barley at 2s a quarter, for he thinks about 9s a week. Field was not a lazy man. He worked well and received his money weekly.

item

Field, Thomas,
Thomason, Benjamin,
Parrington, Thomas

Moggerhanger, BLUNHAM, Baldock, false pretences, Overseers, POVERTY, unemployment, threshing, barley, beerhouses, Baldock White Swan