Southeastern Gazette, 15 March 1853.

COUNTY COURT.

Saturday. (Before J. ’Espinasse, Esq., Judge.)

There were but few cases for trial, and of these none were of much public interest. In the case Grundy ("Blue Anchor") v. Tennant ("Elephant's Head"), the Court was occupied some considerable time. Mr. Phelp, a solicitor, from London, stated the case of plaintiff, which was for the sum of £17 17s., the assumed value of a watch and appendages.

It appeared that plaintiff, a licensed victualler at North-fleet, had been drinking on the 12th January at the house of defendant who is also a licensed victualler at Rosherville, in the same parish. On plaintiff’s leaving the house he was persuaded to leave the watch in question for safety in the hands of the defendant, of whom he had borrowed two half-sovereigns, and to whom he owed for some beer and gin. On the 19th a man called as from plaintiff, with a letter (produced), desiring the defendant to give the watch to bearer, who said he was to pay the money borrowed as well as the score, naming the precise amount of each. The money was paid, the watch given up, and the man remained more than a quarter of an hour in the house afterwards. On the next day plaintiff called for his watch, and was told that it had been given up to his order; he declared the order to be a forgery, and the present action was brought to recover the value. Plaintiff’s evidence was that at the time he left the watch he stated he should call for it in a few days; defendant's, that he should call or send for it in a few days.

Witnesses for the plaintiff declared the order not to be in his handwriting, while Mr. Dobson, who was called for defendant, thought the signature was plaintiff’s.

It also appeared that the watch actually cost plaintiff only £9, though he valued it at 17 guineas, but then he bought the ticket and took it out of pawn.

His Honour, having gone through the evidence, gave a verdict for defendant.