QSR1834/2/5/10-11

John Kidman, bailiff Rebecca Caton of Hawnes. Samuel Harradine, farmer of Hawnes. In the case of William Bolster and William Green accused of stealing a quantity of wool.

24 March 1834

From: 1834 To: 1834

John Kidman: on 19 March he employed William Green and William Bolster, the prisoners to shear Mrs Caton’s sheep. He was giving them 2s each per day and their board. He forewarned them both not to take any wool to wind their shears. They both had said "very well". He was sure that they both heard him. When the sheep were all sheared he helped the 2 men to carry the wool into the house and then sent them to supper. He then saw their shear bags lying in the kitchen with their coats. he saw they stuck out and he had before seen Bolster was putting in this shears that he could scarcely get them in. He suspected they had been stealing some wood and took the bags into the hall to show them to Mrs Caton. He called Bolster into the hall and asked him which of the bags he owned. Bolster owned the larger of the 2 bags and he accused him of robbing his mistress and he emptied the bag. The shears were there and about a pound and a half of wool. Bolster did not say anything except that a piece of wool he took out was not Mrs Caton’s but Mr Harradine’s. He let him take that piece away with him. There was at least 2 and a ¼ pound more of wool, which was worth 2s 6d. He had no doubt that it was Mrs Caton’s wool and could see a difference between Mrs Caton’s wool and Mr Harradine’s. He then called in William Green and asked him to own a bag. Green owned the smaller bag and he accused him of stealing Mr Caton’s wool. He took the wool from the bag. There was at least ¾ of a pound, worth a shilling and sixpence. Green did not deny the theft but asked for his bag, which he told Green he would keep. He let the men go and said he would submit the case to Mr Cooper, his mistress’s brother. [cross examination] Green did not say to him that he had bought a bit of wool with him in his bag that morning. Samuel Harradine: he knew both prisoners. Bolster had worked for him as a sheared for 2 or 3 years and Green also. On Friday Bolster had worked for him hedging. Bolster said to him "I am in a good deal of trouble" and he asked him what it was about. Bolster said "That Foreman of Mrs Caton’s (meaning John Kidman) has found wool in my bag". Bolster say he did not know how much. Bolster said it was Mrs Caton’s wool and he also said that Kidman had Green’s bag as well. Statement of the accused - William Bolster: he hoped he would be dealt with mercifully as it was the first time he had been before anyone for an offence. Statement of the accused - William Green: all the wool was not Mrs Caton’s.

item

Kidman, John,
Caton, Rebecca,
Harradine, Samuel,
Bolster, William,
Green, William

Hawnes, bailiff, farmer, stealing, wool