Quarter Sessions Bundles (ERO Q/SBb100/21)

15.11.1727 (Wednesday 15 November 1727)

document 21000497

the examination of Robt Osborne of the parish of Earls Colne in the said county husbandman taken upon oath this 15.11.1727 who upon his oath saith that about the latter end of .8.last according to the best of his remembrance one Hen Clarke came to his this examinant's house in Earls Colne aforesaid and brought with him four pieces of hemping cloth containing about 12yd and desired this examinant's wife to make him two shirts with the said cloth and this examinant saith that he suspecting the said Hen Clarke had stolen the said cloth asked him he came by it who told this examinant he had it out of his grandfather's yard in the parish of Boxtead in the said county whereupon this examinant sent a letter to Jn Clarke of Boxtead who the said Hen Clarke told this examinant was his grandfather to know if he had lost any such cloth describing the same in his letter and the said Jn Clarke sent to this examinant desiring him to meet him at Colchester the saturday following and bring the said cloth with him and this examinant accordingly met the said Jn Clarke who declared the said cloth to be his maidservant's and that the same was taken out of his yard or field mark Robt Osborne sworn the day and year above written before me Nath Lawrence