DIVISIONAL SESSIONS

[at Hemel Hempstead]

June 25th

Before T. Gooch, Esq., in the chair; J. Marnham, Esq., and Captain Cooper.

STEALING MONEY

Henry Hamilton, who described himself as a painter of Northampton, was charged with stealing the sum of £9 2 0, the property of Samuel Stevens, grocer, of Tring, on the 24th inst.

Mrs Stevens, wife of the prosecutor, said that on the previous day, about 1 o'clock, she was in a room at the back of the shop when she heard the shop door open. She went into the shop and saw the prisoner, who ran out. She called to him but he would not stop. She went to the till, which was partly open, and the money was gone. She saw it in the till a short time before. It consisted of £8 10 0 in gold, four half crowns and a 2/- piece. Witness called her husband, who went out and looked for the man, but could not see him. Witness then went out and saw him opposite the Green Man. She procured the assistance of the landlord, Mr Woodman, and the prisoner was apprehended.

Mr Stevens related what he knew of the circumstances of the case.

P.s. Hill said he was called to the prisoner, and he asked him for the money. Prisoner said he knew nothing about it. Witness found the gold sewn up in prisoner's waistcoat collar. Witness asked him where the silver was. Prisoner replied "I see it is of no use. Wait a minute," and he took the silver from his trousers.

The 1881 census shows that Samuel Stevens, grocer, and his wife Fanny, lived at 2 Brook Street Tring. John Woodman was a brewer and publican at 5 High Street - which was demolished in the 1890's by Lord Rothschild to improve the view from the Mansion.

If you can add to the information given above tell me.

Page spring cleaned August 2006