Somerset Heritage Centre Archives Documents
Depositions and Witness Statements for trial
9th Jul 1838 Wells, Somerset
Transcribed by Veanne Treasure - 27 March 2012
(John TREASURE b. 1815 d. 1891 & Jane EMERY (nee TREASURE) b. 1812 d. 1892)

Calendar or Prisoners Midsummer Adjourned Sessions, held at the City of Wells, on Monday, the 9th day of July 1838. No. 42 John TREASURE Age 23. Read ? N. Write ? N. Trade Labourer. No. 43 Jane EMERY the wife of Robert EMERY From Shepton. Age 25. Read ? Imp. Write ? N. Trade Labourer. By Whom Committed. R Strachey, Esq. Date of Warrant June 13. From what Division Shepton Mallet. Offence charged with. Assaulting John VESEY on the Queen?s Highway & taking from his person one Half Crown & other articles.

Document number (?)

Statement of John VESEY of Bristol, Hawker, taken before me one of H. M. Justices of the Peace for the County of Somerset this 11th day of June 1838.

On Saturday the 9th instant I was passing thro a field in the Parish of Stoke Lane between 5 & 6 o?clock in the afternoon, Jane EMERY came up to me & asked me to sell her some Brandy which I then had with me. I refused to do so. Immediately after I heard voices on the other side of a hedge & in less than a minute I was surrounded by several persons. They said they would have the Brandy. They threatened me. I was alarmed & turned back to go towards the houses & they followed me. I showed them four half Crowns & said they wanted to rob me of that. I put the money into my waistcoat pocket. On coming near a gate Jane EMERY laid hold of me behind. John TREASURE seized me before. I cried murder & robbery as loud as I could. While they were pinning me against the gate, I saw TREASURE?s left hand in my waistcoat pocket. I said you are picking my pocket. He replied ?I hayn?t? going to do it. Jane EMERY forced my bag from me. The bag was tied up very close. I saw her open it. She rummaged it & left it on the ground. The persons who had attacked me then all went away. There were about a dozen in a cluster about me when I was at the gate. I can swear to Stephen JAMES & Joseph BUDGET/otherwise DAVIS/ being present. They were both close to Jane EMERY & John TREASURE when I was pinned & robbed. I picked up the bag, & when I examined the contents, half a gallon of Brandy & one shirt which was tied up in paper were missing. One half Crown was also gone from my waistcoat pocket. Passing Mr CLAVEY?s door, I told him I had been robbed & he directed me to the Constable.

Taken on oath before ) Signed Jno VESEY
me on the day abovementioned )
Signed R. STRACHEY

Document number (?)

Statement of Charles SAGE of the Parish of Stoke Lane, Constable, taken before me one of H. M. Justices of the Peace for the County of Somerset this 11th day of June 1838.

On Saturday the 9th instant about six o?clock in the evening, John VESEY came to my house & told me that he had been attacked by Jane EMERY & John TREASURE & others, that he had been pinned against a gate, near Three Ashes, that he had been robbed by Jane EMERY of some Brandy, & that John TREASURE had rifled his pockets & had taken ? a Crown out of his right hand waistcoats pocket. I went with VESEY to the house of Levi TREASURE, the father of John TREASURE & Jane EMERY. I there found John TREASURE, Jane EMERY, Stephen JAMES, & Joseph BUDGET, otherwise DAVIS. They were sitting in the room with others of Levi TREASURE?s family, & some children. The place smelt very strong of Brandy, as did John TREASURE when I took him into custody & Brandy seemed to have been spilt on the floor. VESEY was perfectly sober.

Taken on oath before me on ) Signed Charles SAGE
The day abovementioned )

Signed R. STRACHEY
Document number (19)

Statement of Jane EMERY of the Parish of Stoke Lane, married woman taken before me one of the Justices of the Peace for the County of Somerset this 11th day of June 1838.

I never was near VESEY. I did not touch him nor the bag. Elijah WALLEN & Joseph BUDGET said ?damn it take it from him if he won?t give it up?. He had rec?d a shilling for ? a pint of Brandy.

Taken & signed before me ) Mark of Jane EMERY

Signed R. STRACHEY


Document number (20)

Statement of John TREASURE of the Parish of Stoke Lane, Coal Haulier, taken before me one of the Justices of the Peace for the County of Somerset this 11th day of June 1838.

I put my hand on VESEY?s shoulder, who had Hannah REEVES on his knee and said my good man what be ye going at with the woman? Near the gate, which is about a ? of a mile from where I before saw VESEY with REEVES, I said nothing to him & I did not touch him.

Taken & Signed before me ) Mark of John TREASURE

Signed R. STRACHEY