Catalogue description Examinations and depositions: Inf. of John Jefferis, Thurleigh; he and Thomas Asplin of...

Examinations and depositions: Inf. of John Jefferis, Thurleigh; he and Thomas Asplin of Thurleigh lost ten ferrets, a box, spud and dog. Suspecting Samuel Colgrave they went in search of him. They also knew that John Gale had lost a gun and decided to enquire for that as they went. The first day they went to Clapham, then to Bedford where they enquired at the Bear, then Sir William Long's brewery, one of his men telling them that a gun had been bought by the landlord of a public house in Fenlake. They identified the gun as the one stolen, in the Fenlake public house and the landlord gave it to them saying he had paid 10s. and a pint of beer for it. The next day they went to Barford and then on to Cardington but they could find nothing and returned home "& began to despair". Stephen Nottingham, a labourer, then told them that Colgrave had been at a public house in Colmworth. They decided to have another "trial" as there was some "ground to work upon". At Colmworth they found he had been drinking until 5 a.m.; at the Cock, Eaton Socon, he had a glass of gin and carried the missing articles; at St. Neots they received a clue which led them to Buckden, and there another one which took them to Huntingdon. He attempted to sell the ferrets at Huntingdon and staid that night at the Queen's Head. Also whilst in Huntingdon he had a new box made for the ferrets and destroyed and burnt the old one. They then followed clues to Godmanchester, Fenny Stanton, where they lodged for the night, and finally Cambridge. They hired a coach and started a tour of public houses and found at the Barley Mow that a man answering the description was there. The ferrets, box, spud, were produced from a cellar and two dogs from the stable. Colgrave was hauled from his bed in an upstairs room and after dressing was placed in the cage. After they had breakfasted Colgrave was taken before the mayor who gave him over into their custody to convey to Thurleigh.

Inf. of Ann Morris; looked up the old brewhouse belonging to her master Jn. Jefferis, from which the ferrets were stolen.