QSR1835/1/5/21

Depositions and examination – Joseph Selby charged with assaulting John Powers at Northill and robbing him of twelve £5 bank notes, 15 sovereigns and 10 shillings and a canvas purse.

17 December 1834

From: 1834 To: 1834

John Powers of Girtford in the parish of Sandy, baker – on Wednesday 3 December he was returning in his cart from Biggleswade to Girtford. A little before 9pm about ½ mile from Biggleswade some men stopped his cart on the road. He got out of the cart and the men robbed him of his money which was in a purse in his breaches pocket. He was not sober at the time and does not remember how many men there were nor whether they pulled him out of the cart or not. The money they took amounted to about £98, with £60 of Biggleswade Bank notes and the rest sovereigns and half sovereigns. When he found they had got his money he left the gig and came back towards Biggleswade for some distance. He later turned back towards his gig, got into it and went home. The purse containing his money was also taken. It was a single canvas purse he had had for a year or two, very like the one now produced although he can not swear to it. William Edwards of Langford, yeoman – he lives in Langford but happened to be in London last Thursday (11 December). He had heard of the robbery of Mr Powers and he met Joseph Selby in Long Lane. He had known Selby before when he lived at Langford. He was dressed much better than usual and he suspected him of the robbery. He spoke to Selby and asked him to come to his lodging on the Friday morning, which he did. Selby showed him a brace of pistols he said he had bought. On the Sunday morning Selby came to his loding again and told him his cousin had a £5 not which he thought had been “prigged”. Selby asked whether he knew the “Flash Smashers” in London which he said he did. Selby said if he could get the note changed he would give him a shilling in the pound. Selby gave him the not he now produces and said “Don’t say anything, it is a prigged note”. It was a £5 Baldock and Biggleswade note No.831. He then took Selby to the Red Lion in Aldersgate Street and sent for an officer. John William Harrison came and searched Selby, finding eleven £5 Biggleswade Bank notes, 15 sovereigns, 2 half crowns, 8 shillings and a sixpence in the two bags now produced, and also a brace of pistols, a powder flask and a bullet mould. They kept him in their custody all Sunday night. On the Monday they took him to Guild Hall and got an order to lock him up that night in the Counter. On the Tuesday they brought him to Biggleswade. On the Sunday he told them he did not know where he got the money from, but as they were coming down from London on Tuesday he said that the money was Mr Powers’. Although they made no threat or promise and cautioned Selby not to convict himself, Selby gave the following account: He was going along the road on the night of the robbery and came up to Mr Powers who was then out of the gig. There were three men standing by, one of whom had hold of Mr Powers. He and the three men left Mr Powers in the road and came on towards Biggleswade. One of the three men put the money into his pocket, but when he was apprehended and taken to Mr Powers he dropped the money so as not to be found with it about him. After he was released he went back and fetched it. John William Harrison, constable of St Botolphs Aldersgate (Middx) – he was sent for by Edwards last Sunday. When he arrived at the Red Lion Edwards gave Selby into his custody. He searched Selby in Edwards’ presence and found the money on him and the two purses Edwards has mentioned. He brought him to Biggleswade and he heard Selby make the confession as stated by Edwards. Thomas Powers of Biggleswade, yeoman – he is the son of John Powers who was robbed. He heard of the robbery on the morning after it happened. His father and brother came over and told him. A little before they came he had seen John Selby in the street in Biggleswade. As he passed by Selby he was standing and talking to two or three young men. Selby said “Good morning Mr Powers”. Selby seemed a little flushed and confused, turned away his face and went down the street. When his father told him of the robbery he suspected Selby. He and one of his brothers went to look for him. They asked for him at Selby’s sister’s house. She seemed much confused and changed colour, first red and then as white as could be, and nearly dropped a baby which was in her arms. She asked what they wanted him for. She said he was close at hand but would not tell him where and went herself to find him. As soon as he went back he told his father that his suspicions were confirmed by the sister’s behaviour. They found Selby the same day at Girtford at his [Powers’] father’s house and examined him as to the robbery. Selby denied it and they discharged him. Joseph Selby – he was going from Upper Caldecot to Biggleswade on the night of Mr Powers robbery, from James Rawson’s beer shop. Just as he got over the stile Mr Powers’ gig stood in the road. Three men were standing round the gig and one of them stood against mr Powers. He recognised the gig and asked Mr Powers if he might drive him home. Mr Powers said no, he did not want him. He then went on towards Biggleswade. The three men came after him and caught him on the [Bei..?]. They said he should have part and they took what they liked. They put the cash into his great coat pocket and said they would see him at Wightman’s at the Coach and Horses in the morning. They stopped there and he came on towards Biggleswade. The money the officers took from him in London is the money the men gave to him that night.

item

Selby, Joseph,
Powers, John,
Edwards, William,
Harrison, John William,
Powers, Thomas,
Rawson, James

NORTHILL, Girtford, SANDY, LANGFORD, BIGGLESWADE, Aldersgate, assault, robbery, highway robbery, money, baker, constable, carts, beerhouses, Biggleswade Bank, Baldock & Biggleswade Bank, bank notes, Biggleswade Coach & Horses