QSR1835/4/5/13

The depositions of Anne Horton, daughter of Thomas Horton; John Sharman; John Pope, ostler of Sarah Cox, of St Neots; Thomas Haughton/Horton; and Elizabeth Cox, wife of Christopher Cox alehousekeeper of St Neots. In the case against Daniel Nightingale, blacksmith of St Neots charge with felony

13 August 1835

From: 1835 To: 1835

Anne Horton said: I remembers the rioting and robbing at my fathers House at Duloe on the last day of February last – the four men came to the House I drawed them some beer, when I called the reckoning they would not pay me. When my father came I called again for the reckoning, they would not pay, Nightingale had my fathers hatchet, my father had been cutting fire wood, my father bid him lay it down – he did not lay it down. In the dispute about the reckoning we did not again miss it till after the men ran away – no other person could have stolen it, there was no other person on the Ground but my brother and father that day – I lost a leg of pork and several other things, a pair of scissors and other little things. Cross-examined at the request of the prisoner: says that the prisoner said he would not lay down the hatchet till he pleased and that she fully believes he carried away the hatchet. Cross-examined: why she thinks him the worst – she says because he brought the rest to the House the rest did not know the House before. John Sharman said: I remember the night when Lucas and Palmer and Nightingale were at Mrs Coxes door and that I then saw a leg of pork in that Lucas’s hand, Nightingale was talking together with them, they were tried for it and I gave evidence against them – Nightingale ran away. John Pope said: I remember the night when the thirst was amongst Lucas and Nightingale and Bosworth and Palmer at Mrs Coxes; I saw them drinking together. Some of them were trying to get something out of Lucas’s pocket and they did get it out. We thought it was a hare. Some woman, I rather think it was Mrs Cox said mind you don’t cut him meaning Nightingale with that hatchet, the hatchet was then in Lucas’s possession. I went afterwards into the stable, and in tethering the horse I found a leg of pork and carried it to my mistress, my mistress first sent it into the cellar and Lucas came in and demanded it. Mistress gave it to him. I gave evidence against Lucas and Palmer when they were convicted. Thomas Staughton said that on the last day of February last one Saturday the prisoner Nightingale, Lucas Bosworth and Palmer were drinking on the road at Duloe in the Parish of Eaton Socon in the County of Bedford outside the premises I saw them there, they were drinking my beer. On my coming in I says to my daughter (in the hearing of the prisoner) have you got your reckoning look to it the men refused to pay till they had had another quart they did not then pay. They bought of me two or three penny worth of meat and bread. I carried it out for them, they then would not pay. they would not pay at all. I saw my hatchet in Nightingale’s hand, I was in the house, he was out of doors I said to him lay down the hatchet I had a leg of pork hanging in the chimney corner I missed it after I knew they had got other things. The last time I asked for the reckoning the prisoner said he would sooner pay my carcass, the prisoner took a walking stick of mine and they all ran away as hard as they could go they walked afterwards. I never saw the hatchet or the leg of pork again I prosecuted Lucas and Palmer to conviction at the April Sessions. The prisoner Nightingale was the worst of the whole. Elizabeth Cox said: I remember the night of the last day of February a Saturday, I appeared as a witness against Lucas and Palmer, I was examined before the Justice about their taking the ham and the hatchet – On that night the prisoner and Lucas and Palmer and Bosworth came into my house I had a pot of beer – a scuffle arose between Palmer and Lucas – some person cried out they have got a hatchet in one of their pockets and I said for God’s sake take care they will cut themselves. Someone said it was in Lucas’s pocket. It was about what Lucas had in his pocket that the scuffle took place – something, I believe the leg of pork found in the stable by my son was taken from the jacket of Lucas and thrown down, I had expected it was a hare from what Lucas said before. That same night John Pope my ostler and Thomas Cox my son brought me a leg of pork. I ordered the leg to be put in the cellar till enquired for. Afterwards Lucas and Palmer came in and I gave Lucas the leg – I saw nothing of the hatchet. Daniel Nightingale said: It is true that Mr Staughton did tell me to lay down the hatchet, and I did lay it down as he told me.

3 pages

item

Horton, Anne,
Sharman, John,
Pope, John,
Cox, Sarah,
Haughton, Thomas,
Horton, Thomas,
Cox, Elizabeth,
Cox, Christopher,
Nightingale, Daniel

St Neots, alehouse keeper, ostler, blacksmith, stealing