Leigh Butcher – Prosecuted (May 1869)

Leigh Butcher – Prosecuted

The Maidstone Telegraph reported on Saturday 1 May 1869 that a Leigh butcher – newly arrived in the village – had been prosecuted.

LEIGH.  Edward Outram butcher of Leigh was summoned by Mr Francis, inspector of weights and measures, charged with having two weights and a pair of scales incorrect.  Defendant did not appear when the case was called, and the service of the summons was proved.

Henry Francis stated. “I visited defendant’s shop and found one 36lb weight 5 ½ oz short and another 2 oz short.  I also found a pair of scales 5 oz against the purchaser.  I do not believe there was any intention to defraud.  Hooks were attached to the scales to adjust them but when they were hung on the scales were on ounce incorrect.  I have cautioned the defendant’s wife before.  The hooks could be easily taken off.” 

Defendant entered the court and said he “did not know anything about the matter.  He took the shop about 9 or 10 weeks ago and thought the scales and weights were all correct.”

Mr Francis:  “Defendant’s son in law had the business before.” 

Defendant:  “I put my daughters there to make them a home and it was not my intention for the weights to be incorrect.” 

The Bench, Mr Goldsmid, ordered defendant to pay 10s and costs, and told him he must be more careful for the future.

Defendant: “Can I have my weights back?”

Mr Francis: “The weights are forfeited.”

Defendant.  “I ought to have them back and put them right.”

Mr Francis:  “He does not forfeit the scales.”

Mr Goldsmid: “Then the inspector ought to visit the house shortly after the conviction in order to see if the scales are put right.”

 

Mr Outram’s shop in Leigh at this time was at Church Hill House.  Built in 1856, it contained 8 rooms, with a shop, washhouse, and garden.  An undated leaflet distributed to his customers shows a list of the cost per lb of his meat.  By the time of the 1871 census, Edward Outram was no longer in the village but had moved to Hever where he had lived for at least twenty years before his move to Leigh.  He is given as a grocer and beer retailer.   He continued as a grocer and beer keeper until his death in 1891.

 

There are fuller details about the Outram family and a list of some of the Leigh butchers between 1827 and 1938 on the Leigh website.

 

Chris Rowley/Joyce Field  (Parish Magazine article March 2025)