QSR1835/1/5/16

Depositions – Henry Williams charged with stealing at Luton a hat, a fustian frock, a waistcoat, a pair of high shoes and a trowel from William Higgins, a neck-handkerchief and a pocket-handkerchief from Thomas Hammond, and a new pair of high shoes from John Haddon

9 December 1834

From: 1834 To: 1834

William Higgins of Luton, bricklayer – yesterday morning he was called at about 5.30pm by Thoams Hammond who told him he thought Williams had stolen some things of his. He got up and when he got downstairs he missed his high shoes and his hat. They started in pursuit of him. After enquiring in several roads they split up. He went up Market Street Road with Charles Barton. He was told by two gentlemen they met in Market Street that they had seen such a person going towards Hemel Hempstead. They followed and caught Williams at Water End. Williams had his (Higgins’) hat on his head, his fustian frock and waistcoat on his back, his high shoes on his feet and his trowel in the pocket of his frock which he missed a week earlier. Williams had a bundle under his arm which they found contained several articles belonging to his labourers Thomas Hammond and John Haddon. Thomas Hammond of Luton, bricklayer’s labourer – yesterday morning at about 5.30 when he awoke he heard Williams (who had slept in the same bed with himself and John Haddon) going downstairs. He heard Williams striking a light. When he got out of bed he missed his neck-handkerchief and pocket handkerchief. He called for a light and heard Williams immediately leave the house. He called his Master who slept in the next room and told him. His master missed his high shoes and hat and John Haddon missed a new pair of high shoes. They all went in pursuit of Williams. When he got home he found Williams in custody with his (Hammond’s) neck-handkerchief on his neck and his pocket handkerchief tied round the bundle. John Haddon of Luton, bricklayer’s labourer – yesterday morning 8 December he missed a pair of new high shoes which he later found in a bundle taken from Williams.

item

Williams, Henry,
Higgins, William,
Hammond, Thomas,
Haddon, John,
Barton, Charles

LUTON, Market Street, Hemel Hempstead, Great Gaddesden Water End, stealing, clothing, shoes, handkerchiefs, hats, tools, bricklayers