Reference
QSR1824/91
Title
Justices of the peace presentment that Benjamin Allen of Leighton Buzzard, fellmonger and parchment maker has been convicted and fines 36 17s 6d for taking skins out of alum and replacing skins drying on frames, without informing the officers of excise.
Date free text
1824
Production date
From: 1824 To: 1824
Scope and Content
William Allen of Amersham, Buckinghamshire informed the justices of the peace. Benjamin Allen was summoned to answer the charge in front of the following witnesses:
James Bradding of Tring, Hertfordshire, labourer,
George Robinson of Leighton Buzzard, supervisor of excise,
John Shrimpton of Leighton Buzzard, officer of excise.
James Bradding was employed in the yard of Benjamin Allen; he saw William Flemons, a parchment maker for Benjamin Allen, cut about a dozen parchment skins out of the frames and replace them with skins out of the lime pit. Flemons then divided the skins taken from the frames into pieces approximately thirty inches long by nine inches wide; he then wrapped each into a cloth and took them out of the yard. He also took the key of the stable which was usually kept 'in the stove.' Benjamin Allen was in the yard during the whole operation, as were John Clarke and others.
George Robinson and John Shrimpton did not receive notice that it was intended to take the skins 'out of the allum, wooze, liquor of other materials in the tan yard.'
John Clarke was employed pulling skins in the yard but that afternoon was in the shop at the top of the yard and could not see what Flemons was doing although he agreed he had a perfect view of the lime pits and some of the frames.
William Flemons denied the charge and says that anyone employed in pulling skins as James Bradding was 'has his head down and cannot therefore see what passes about him.'
Level of description
item