QSR1831/4/5/3,4

Depositions of Benjamin Turvey, William Smith, Thomas Arnold and Henry Jarvis. In the case of William Cooling and George Brown, accused of stealing a female ass, the property of Henry Jarvis.

3 August 1831

From: 1831 To: 1831

Benjamin Turvey: apprentice chimney sweeper of Henry Jarvis of King’s Sutton, Northamptonshire. On 27th July he was ordered by his master to go and sweep some chimneys at Aynoe, Northamptonshire, and afterwards to sweep some chimneys in Attonbery, Bedfordshire. He was forcibly threatened by the prisoners, George Brown and William Cooling, that if he did go along with the prisoners and let them take his donkey, then the prisoners would kill or murder him. In consequence to these threats he complied to follow the prisoners to Heath and Reach. Here the prisoners were committed to the custody of Thomas Arnold, constable of Heath and Reach on 1st August. William Smith: Chimney sweeper of Heath and Reach. On Monday night he was called by one of the prisoners who stated to him that a boy the town was an apprentice belonging to Henry Jarvis and that there was a donkey in possession of the prisoner, George Brown, which had been stolen from Henry Jarvis. He went with the boy to inform the constable who accompanied him to the Public House. The constable then took the Prisoner, Brown and the other prisoner into custody. Thomas Arnold: Police constable of Heath and Reach. On Monday 1st August he was called by William Smith between 9 and 10pm to go to a beer shop. Mr. Smith told him that there was a man there who had stolen a donkey. He went to the beer shop where Mr. Smith pointed out to him the prisoner, George Brown. He then went to a hovel belonging to John Venel, who kept the beer shop and found the donkey with a halter on. The halter has since been identified as the property of Henry Jarvis. Henry Jarvis: Living at King’s Sutton, Northamptonshire. On Wednesday 27th July he sent his apprentice, Benjamin Turvey, to sweep chimneys for Mr. Scotts of Aynhoe and some chimneys in Atterbury. He gave his apprentice a female donkey and tools for the chimney sweeping. He did not see Mr. Turvey again until 3rd August. He had seen the donkey and tools again on 3rd August in the possession of his apprentice. William Cooling: Living in Luton. Benjamin Turvey said that if had not gone away with him he would have gone away with the other lad who was with him when he fled from his master. Benjamin Turvey told him that whilst his master was out drinking and he had taken with him the best tools, the best cloth and the best donkey to escape. He swept 4 chimneys with Mr. Turvey and the prisoner, George Brown after he left the public houses. George Brown: Living in Bicester. Benjamin Turvey told him that he had fallen out with his master on Sunday and that his master had locked him in the barn. Mr. Turvey told him that his master could do very well without him as there were plenty of other boys, and the first time Mr. Turvey got out of the barn he fled.

item

Turvey, Benjamin,
Smith, William,
Arnold, Thomas,
Jarvis, Henry,
Cooling, William,
Brown, George

Northamptonshire Kings Sutton, heath and reach, Atterbury, Aynhoe, chimney sweep, donkeys, Public House