Reference
QSR1823/402-403
Title
Information of Joseph Pearson and William Curtis, regarding theft of ducks from of Edward Peacock of Oakley.
Date free text
1823
Production date
From: 1823 To: 1823
Scope and Content
Information of Joseph Pearson of Bedford, shoemaker. He was at the Anchor ale house in Rushden and a 'higgling [a pedlar] named Groom of Wilstead came in. They left the house and went towards Bedford; they soon overtook the waggon and the waggoner allowed them to ride. There was a woman in the waggon and Pearson was made to go out of the waggon three miles short of Bletsoe for teasing her. He saw the waggon stop at the Falcon, Bletsoe but carried on towards Milton but lost his way as the night was so dark and stormy. He eventually found it again and got to Milton Ernest just as the waggon came through; he asked the waggoner the way to Bedford but he directed him the wrong way; there were two young men talking to the waggoner and they put him on the right road. The waggon passed him again and the two young men were by the waggon, the waggoner asked him if he knew who they were; when he replied in the negative, the waggoner remarked that he thought they were up to no good. He asked Pearson to drive the waggon on, giving him the whip. After being away for five minutes the waggoner came back and said he had lost sight of the two young men. The candle 'then went out, or was put out - and I drove the waggon about 1/4 of a mile. Then the waggoner came back and took the whip again and went on.'Information of William Curtis, servant to Mr Peacock. Similar to QSR1823/400.Furrther information of Joseph Pearson. Identified Joseph Hart and William Smith as the two men he saw talking to the waggoner.
Reference
Level of description
item