Tales of theft and accidents
1835 – Turkeys Stolen
In early January, Walter Meek was convicted of stealing three turkeys from Francis Hollings of Evesbatch, and sentenced to twelve months imprisonment and hard labour.
Given the time of year, it is not hard to imagine why Walter stole the turkeys.
1847 – Theft of two cabbages
Esther Bannister of Evesbatch was pregnant, and on 25th September she was seen cutting two cabbages from the field of James Hodges, a farmer, which he valued at 6d each.
Esther tearfully admitted to the “crime”, but said that she had asked an employee of James Hodges if it would be okay. It was not clear what his reply was, but she cut the cabbages anyway and ate part of them raw there and then, which was put down to her state of pregnancy.
The Bench were not particularly sympathetic, and fined her 1s for the value of the cabbages, plus 6d penalty and 10s 6d expenses – all of which was paid.
1857 – Fined for not having Name and Address on Cart
Mrs. Mary Purton, the gatekeeper at Stoke Lacy, summoned James Parker of Evesbatch for allowing his car to be used on the turnpike road without his name and address being painted thereon in full according to the law.
James was ordered to pay a fine and costs, and he duly settled the bill.
1863 – Coal Cart Accident
James Perigo aged 18 whilst working for Mr. Phillips a farmer of Evesbatch, was trying to put in the slide of the wheel of a car laden with coal that he was driving.
He slipped and fell, and the car wheel went over his right hand severely damaging it. He was taken to Worcester Infirmary after the surgeon, Mr. Shelton, attended to the wound, and eventually it was deemed necessary to amputate the hand.
James recovered well.