QSR1835/1/5/26-27

Depositions – George Woodham and George Roberts charged with breaking open the hen house of Francis Davis at Streatley and stealing two fowls

5 January 1835

From: 1835 To: 1835

Francis Davis of Streatley, farmer – he was called up a little before 12 on Saturday night by William Clark who told him there were rogues in the hen house. He got up and took a gun and stick and went to the hen house door. He found Samuel Clark and his brother standing with their backs against the door. They said they were in the hen house. He opened the door and found Woodham and Roberts in a corner of the henhouse and two hens lying dead. They were quite warm and had just been killed. The prisoners were taken into custody. On the Saturday afternoon he went into the hen house and all was right. When he came out he locked the door with a padlock and staple. When he went to take the prisoners he found the staple had been drawn out. Samuel Clark of Streatley, labourer – on Saturday night at about 11.30pm he saw Woodham and Roberts go round to the back of Mr Davis’s farmyard. Directly afterwards they appeared in the yard. He watched them and heard them break open the hen house door. He called his father and brother. His brother James and he then went into the yard and shut them in the hen house. His father called Mr Davis up. They then went into the hen house and found two fowls lying dead. They took the prisoners into custody. The door was wide open when he first went to the henhouse. James Clark – he was called up by his brother on Saturday night and went with him to Mr Davis’ hen house door. He found the door standing open. He heard somebody moving inside. They shut the door and kept it shut until Mr Davis came. Mr Davis went in and took the two prisoners into custody and found the two fowls lying dead.

item

Woodham, George,
Roberts, George,
Davis, Francis,
Clark, William,
Clark, Samuel,
Clark, James

STREATLEY, stealing animals, fowls, farmer, guns