The Express.
London, England, 1863-10-26 00:00:00

1863.

EXTRAORDINARY CHARGE,

At the Ashbourn (Derbyshire) petty sessions, on
Sagarday List, Mr. James Clifford, of Sbardlow, was charged
with having, in and about the year 1384, at the parish
church of Longford, feloniously stolen a leaf from the parish
register, containing thereon the *airy of the baptism of
William. sou of Mary Tatlow, of Bentley. dated flab
Nov., 1727. Mr. Clifford is • gentleman of independent
mains, having, along with others, become possessed of a
large frietitse amouetieg to 40,0001. Tb• case, from its ex-
traordinary nature, excited greet interest.
dimes Lipscomb, parish clerk of Loegford, said—l pro-
duce the regis+eobook of births, deaths, and baptisms for
the parish of Longford. The entries is it are from 1538 to
1812. There is • leaf extracted containing • register of
baptisms from 1724 to 1729.
Mr. Quarles here put in a duplicate copy of the
Longford registry, obtaioed from the court at Lich-
field. la it was the entry of the baptism of William,
son of Mary Tallow, on Bth November. 1727. When
the Archdeacon of Derby snarls his visitation dupli-
cates dell reristers were banded to him, and thus they were
enabled to obtain a oopy the original that was stolen from
Loagford Church.
illlam Ewart, of Darby, oat of business, rid—l knew
the late Mr. Thomas Sutton, of Shardlow. and have seen
him write his nacre. The certificate produced is in the hand-
writing of Thomas Sutton. I saw him sign it. I was the
attesting witness. I lodged with him at the time. The
cortitioate ran as follows :—" I hereby certify that James
Clifford, at the request of my brother, James Sutton, of
Shardlow. Derbyshire, did, about or in the year 1803, search
the registry of Longford, Derby. for the baptism of my
late uncle, Wm. Tatlow' which he found there duly regis-
tered, and in my proems' extracted the leaf containing the
same from the cook. After obtaining this document he, in
company with the late James Minton, of Shardlow, con-
Toyed it to my late brother, in Londoe, making claim for the
interested to the property left unto them by Wm.
parties
Witham my hand, this 12th day of August, 1E37,
THOMAS Burros.— Witness of the signature of Thos. Sut-
ton, WIC ZWART."
John Bramingthe said—ln 18161 was 18 years of age.
knew Elisabeth Swiedell ; else was daughter of Thorn's and
Mary Swindell. In 18161 accompanied Elizabeth Swindell
to James Suttee's, Broughtoa House, Shardlow. We were
shown into the hall. There was a mail mach at the door.
Mr. Clifford and Mrs. Suttee were there. I said to Clif-
ford, " Are you Mr. Clifford?" He retrial " I am." I
said, " Yon are the man that went to ord Church to
obtain the register of William w h register you
and Mr. Minton took to Loudon the next day, in order that
Mr. Sutton might prove his relatioaship." My remark
mused great consternation to Mr. Clifford, and he rank
down in a chair, and Mrs. Sutton was so alarmed that
she did not speak for • minute or two.
Thomas Brown rid—l am • bobbin-setter. I live at
Derby. In 1851 I went to Shaollow along with Mr. Gaskin
and Mr. Hill. We went to Mr. Suttou's, Shardlow-hall,
sad afterwards called at Mr. Clifford's, Broughton•house.
I asked Mr. Clifford whether he went with Mr. Sutton to
find William Tatlow's register. He answered, "We went
to Cublev, but I could not find it." I said," You an the gen-
tlemen that cut the leaf oat r' He replied it was a trick of
youth, and asked us to have something to drink.
Mr. Clifford also added that Xr. Settee, of Sbardlow-
hall, was • nice (enthuses, that he had done • deal of good
in the village, had given the pound for the church, and had
aliment up • bazaar for the church Block.
The Hoe. E. Coke—What Mr. Sutton do you refer to ?
Witness—The present Mr. James Sutton, Shardlowleff.
William Gaaltio, coal agent, 13elper. corroborated last
witness. Heard Brown say to Mr. Clifford, " You are the
psalm= that cut the leaf out of the register," to which
be replied, " If I did, it was only a trick of youth."
Anthony State —I live at Derby. I maw Mr. Clifford at
Sharillew about • year ago. Thomas Brown was with
me, and be said to Mr. Clifford, " Mr. Clifford, did you sot
go to Longford tocut a leaf out of the book r He replied,
No, I did not. I only went to Cubley." Mr. Brown
then amid, "You went forward to Loathed." Mr. Cliffoed
made no reply, and walked into his office.
Mr. Bristowe made an able defence to the bench.

TMbeach committed thelsi;;;clo;t;fciisi;l ea the
dune. agreeing to accept bail, Mr. Clifford in 5001. and two
auntie' iu `4501. each.
TM decision canoed the greatest excitement in wart,
TM bail was entered into, and the tribesmen bound over to
prceente.