Monday 19 May 2008

A curious case

Some days you just get lucky.

When I was in Wells earlier this year I started browsing through copies of old newspapers on microfilm. I wasn't really looking for anything in particular, and the first one I looked at was The Shepton Mallet Journal, Wells Reporter & County Advertiser, Friday January 3, 1890. Imagine my surprise when I come across an article about one Joseph Webb of Croscombe. This I am sure is my great great great grandfather. He is the only Joseph Webb living in Croscombe at the time of the 1891 census, and his son of the same name is no longer there. So here is the story. Not exactly something to be proud of, but possibly the only time any of my ancestors made it into the press.

A CURIOUS CASE

Joseph Webb of Croscombe was charged with stealing a pair of boots, value 7s 6d, on the 24th of Dec., the property of Joseph Badman.

Prosecution who lives at Pilton with Wm. Green, a thatcher, gave his evidence through the latter, as an interpreter, the prosecutor being deaf and having an impediment with his speech.

Joseph Badman is a wood-worker. On Tuesday last he bought a pair of boots of Mr. Stephenson, giving 7s 6d for them. He went to the Hare and Hounds tap, where he saw the defendant. Prosecutor had two pints of ale and went outside the door. He left the boots on the table, telling the defendant to keep them till he came back. He went out a second time, and when he came back the defendant and the boots were gone. He waited about for an hour, but the defendant did not come back.

Defendant said that the prosecutor gave him the boots, and went out; and as he did not come back for two hours, he took them home with him, to send them on to his family the next day.

Mrs. Webb, wife of an ostler at the Hare and Hounds, said that between one and two, she took her husband's dinner to the Hare and Hounds Tap. The old man and the defendant were there. The parcel was in the settle, between them. She heard the prosecutor Badman say he had lost his boots. No one but Webb had gone out.

P.C. Colmer, stationed at Croscombe, said that on the evening in question, he was on duty in Old Wells road, and near Natchet House the prisoner passed him. A parcel fell out of an old coat he was carrying. Witness questioned him as to what it was, and he said it was a pair of boots which he had got from Mr. Chard's at Shepton Mallet. He seemed a little worse for beer. He repeated the story twice.

P.C. Marshalsea proved going to the prisoner's house at Croscombe, and obtaining possession of the boots. His wife said "I knew there was something wrong about them." Prisoner said "I got them for old Joe Badman. He is going to call for them to-morrow morning." On charging prisoner he said, "I didn't steal them; he gave them to me."

Defendant said that the man was tipsy, and witness wasn't much better. He only took care of the boots, at the prosecutor's request. He said that he would call for them the next morning.

P.C. Colmer, recalled, said the defendant was drunk when he met him.

The Bench dismissed the case.


It's hard to tell who was telling the truth isn't it? If anyone knows the other players in this story, do let me know.

The Hare and Hounds was on the cross roads in the middle of Shepton Mallet, opposite the Nat West Bank. It was pulled down in the 1960's.

7 comments:

Nikki - Notes of Life said...

I have found a couple of ancestors mentioned in the Shropshire Quarter Sessions so ordered the files wondering if we'd got a criminal or 2 in the family. However, on each occassion my ancestor/s have been either the victim or a witness. Nothing too exciting!

Ian Foster said...

I wonder if they are related to me?
Marion/Marian/Marianne Webb born c1873 possibly Waterlip shop owners family member
if so I have loads of info on her after around 1889/90
ianfoster24@aol.com 01977 663242

Derek Andrews said...

Ian, I don't recall seeing Waterlip mentioned in any of my research. Most of my Webb's are from Croscombe, with some ties to Wells and Dinder. No Marion's either, though there is a Mary Ann.

Angie said...

From the Western Gazette, Somerset, England on Fri 03 Jan 1890 it is reported that it was 9 pairs of boots to the value of 7s 6d. Found in British Newspapers Archive.

Derek Andrews said...

Thank you Angie! I wasn't aware of the British Newspapers Archive website. I shall treat myself to a subscription when I have more free time! Having looked at the article though, I think that 'nine' is a mistake as it mentions "a pair" several other times in the article.

However, this article, unlike the one in the Shepton Journal, gives his age, and 69 is just about right for my ancestor - I don't have a firm birthdate for Joseph Webb yet, just c.1822.

John Bray said...

Could this be him?

County Somerset
Place Croscombe
Church St Mary the Virgin (Bt)
RegisterNumber 258
DateOfBirth 17 Jun 1824
BaptismDate 11 Jul 1824
Forename Joseph Plumbley
Sex M
FatherForename Joseph
MotherForename Selina
FatherSurname WEBB
MotherSurname
Abode Croscombe
FatherOccupation Hatter
Notes
FileNumber 12682

from freereg.org.uk

I'm actually trying to trace back the Collins family from Croscombe. One of them married a Hannah Webb on 23 Jul 1795.

Derek Andrews said...

Alpujarran, I think that this is a different family of Webbs. Another researcher told me that he had found 3 quite distinct lines. I have come across these names before and discounted them; IIRC their other children didn't tie into my family at all. But thanks for taking the time to comment anyway and good luck with your search.