MySource:Kerbent/Royal Cornwall Gazette

Reference number: NPB004

ROYAL CORNWAll GAZETTE 22ND APRIl. 1815 William Carbis, aged 49: William Carbis the younger, 24; and Francis Bassett, 30, were charged with stealing and carrying away three sheep, the property of Ann BorIase. Richard Marrock, sworn. - Says he was hind to Miss Borlase in 1812; there were two hinds; witness did not attend the care of the sheep; there were two missing on the 13th of December, 1812; witness found in a comer of the field a quantity of wool, apparently tom from the sheep by violence; there were appearances of their having been thrown over a hedge. He got a search-warrant and searched Francis Bassett's house the same day, at seven o'clock in the evening, accompanied by the Hind, and William Daw and John Garvosso, constables, and other persons. On searching a little room called the spence, they found a sheep's head; searched a bed-room up stairs, and found a fore-quarter, a hind-quarter, and some other parts, in a box unlocked, also some mutton tallow, about 5 Ibs. weight; on further search in aroom below the bedroom, they found two sheep-skins buried in the middle of the floor, and covered with about 6 inches of stone and brick. Witness perceived that one of the skins had a mark like many others of his mistress's flock; another had lost an ear. Witness then proceeded with the others to the house of William Carbis the elder, about a mile and a half distant. William Carbis was father-in-law of Francis Bassett. Found the family in bed; ordered them out, having a search warrant to search the house, was under the necessity of lifting up an old woman in the bed, she refusing to get out. Found 9 pieces of mutton under the tick of the bed; in a small pot by the side of the bed found a quantity of tallow; the mutton appeared to have been cut up by a person who was not a butcher, and looked as if lately flayed. They then proceeded to the house of William Carbis the younger, in the same town; admittance being refused, they broke open the door. William Carbis's wife would not get out of bed. In a cloaths' basket under a table, and covered with a cloth, they found a large quantity of mutton, which appeared like the fonne;. Witness compared the mutton found in the different houses, but it was cut in such small pieces, he could not make up all the sheep; he carried it to a Magistrate, who ordered it to be given to the poor; the skins were deposited in charge of James Garvosso. Other sheep were kept in the neighbourhood; there were about 7 Ibs of mutton at the house of Carbis the elder, and 10 1/2 Ibs. at Carbis's the younger. William Bennett was in Mrs. Borlase's service in 1812; he worked on the farm, knew Hoskin the hind, who is now dead; it was his business to mark the sheep, but witness always assisted; the sheep were missed on the 13th of December; he was sure that within a week there were 25 sheep, and when he counted them again there were only 23; the usuaJ mark was the tops of both ears being cut off, he went into the field at 8 o'clock in the morning of the 13th; found some handfuls of wool in the field, and a mark in the hedge where they were hauled over; went with the preceding witness to Bassett's house; did not find him at home; witness was present when the mutton was found; it appeared to have been just killed; he knew by the mark of one skin that it was Mrs. BorIase's; the ear being entirely torn off the others so he could form no opinion of it; knew no other farmers whose sheep were marked in that manner; Gould not tell how many sheep were marked: knew aii the prisoners before; they absconded after the 12th of December.

Cross-examined. Bassett was not at home; he lived about a mile and a half from Penzance; witness knew the prisoners to be mariners. If other people's sheep were marked in a similar way, it would appear the same in other people's eyes, but not in his.

James Garvosso produced a skin which he said was found in a room adjoining Francis Bassett's dwelling-house, and had been in his possession ever since. He had a warrant against the prisoners, but could not take them; they had lately gone to sea, and had been seafaring men ever since.

The Prisoner Bassett said that the man who brought the sheep to them was dead.

The Prisoners were all found guilty, and received sentence of death.