Reference
QSR1824/399-400
Title
Examinations and depositions relating to the prosecution of Oliver Leech junior and Matthew Lilley of Kempston, labourers, for assault and theft of a hat.
Date free text
1824
Production date
From: 1824 To: 1824
Scope and Content
Information of William Coles, gamekeeper to Col. Kay of Bletsoe. Followed a man whom he had seen acting suspiciously, into Pippin Wood. When stopped, the man, Oliver Leech junior of Kempston, struck him in the face several times with part of the barrel of a gun and after scuffling for some time Leech called out 'Lilley' and another man came up and knocked his hat off. Coles then ran off to a farmer who was a short distance away who returned with him to help him look for his hat.
Information of Hannah Byng of Bletsoe. She was in Pippin Wood picking up sticks when a man came up to her and asked what she was doing, he ordered her out 'as the wood was full of gentlemen and nobody was to be there.'
Information of James Phillips. Mr Coles beckoned him and yold him how he had been assaulted. They then went back to look for the hat but cound not find it The next day he went with a 'kinsman' to look for the hat but still could not find it. It was eventually found the following week in a whitethorn bush, cut in several places.
Reference
Level of description
item