QSR1835/1/5/17

Depositions and examination – William Betts charged with stealing a great coat from Samuel Wright at Luton

10 December 1834

From: 1834 To: 1834

John Sudbury of Luton – last Monday Mrs Davis of the Bell at Hockliffe asked him to take a greatcoat to Luton. He was driving Mr John Brown’s cart. She told him the coat belonged to Samuel Wright and he was to take it to Luton and give it to him. It was between 1 and 2pm. When he got to Dunstable he saw William Betts who was driving Mr Adams’ cart. Betts came with him to Luton. When he got to Mr Wright’s he missed the coat which had been laid on top of the load. The coat now produced by James Brown is the missing coat. It had a green lining when he saw it before. James Brown – he was sent yesterday morning by Mrs Wright to William Betts’ father’s house to ask for a great coat which is was supposed Betts had got. He saw Betts at the next door. Betts said he had not got it and had not seen such a thing. He went back again and went to Mr Adams and asked James [Fusom?]if he had seen a coat. He said Betts took it home the night before. He went out again to Betts and met him in the street. He denied it at first but then said he [Brown] might fetch it himself. He went there, saw Betts’ mother and asked for the coat. She asked if Betts had sent him. He said yes. Betts’ mother gave him the coat. Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Wright – the coat now produced is her husband’s, but it was lined with green baize all the way through except the sleeves which were coarse linen cloth. The lining has been cut away and is gone. William Betts – as they were going up Fox Hill he saw the sheet of Gray’s cart was over the coat. He picked it up and put it on his cart and took it home.

item

Betts, William,
Wright, Samuel,
Sudbury, John,
Brown, James (d),
Fusom, James,
Wright, Elizabeth,
Davis (d),
Adams

LUTON, HOCKLIFFE, DUNSTABLE, Luton Fox Hill, stealing, coat, carts, carter, Hockliffe Bell