QSR1831/2/5/6

Depositions of William Maddock, labourer of Dunstable. Eliza Neale of Dunstable. In the case of Abel Burgess accused of stealing a silk handkerchief.

18 March 1831

From: 1831 To: 1831

William Maddock: Abel Burgess came to his lodgings in Dunstable and took a silk handkerchief out of his hat and carried it away. The next day he went to Burgess in a loft where he saw burgess and Thomas Webb. He asked Burgess for his handkerchief and he said he had sold it. He saw a handkerchief lying in the window and desired the boy Webb to throw it out. Webb did so and he took it away. The next night Burgess came to him and demanded the handkerchief he had taken. He told him he should have it when he gave him his. Burgess seized a handkerchief which was lying about his neck and united it and took it off. He resisted and cried out. Burgess threw him down and in the struggle knelt upon him and threatened to cut his throat. Burgess had a case knife in his hand at the time which he had taken off the table. Eliza Neale: William Maddock lodged at her house. Maddock was at home on Wednesday. Abel Burgess came in and asked Maddocks to give him his handkerchief. Maddock said he would not unless he would give up his. Burgess said that he had sold it. A knife lay on the table. Burgess took the knife off the table and swore that unless Maddock gave up the handkerchief he would cut the handkerchief from his neck. They struggled and she went to fetch her husband. When she came back the handkerchief was off Maddock’s neck. Burgess cut it in 2 with the knife and took part of it away.

item

Burgess, Abel,
Maddock, William,
Neale, Eliza,
Webb, Thomas

DUNSTABLE, stealing, handkerchiefs, knife