Letter received by Banks from Thomas Walker, 29 September1803 (Series 72.196) - No. 0007

[Page 7]

Spikens Case

Mr Shawlen tells me that Compton did not only know that the Ewe in Question was in Spikens Flock before She was Clipd but that he told 3 or 4 persons of it, Atkins Stennit & a few Shepherd.  He told Mr Shawlen that She had Spikens brand on when She was Clipd.  He will swear that Compton told him that the Ewe had Spikens brand on her before She was Clipd.

The Shepherd Swore to the Ewe being his masters property.  Query, did he swear to the Pitch brand.

He says that Mr Spiken has always held a Respectable Character among his Neighbours & never been suspected of Stealing in any Shape whatever

Mr Spiken
Compton said he had two Earmarks.
Spiken had bought several Ewes with different Earmarks.
The Ewe was in a Thoroughfare Close.
Compton admitted to Spiken that the Ewe had Spikens mark on her before clipping.
Spiken has Several Earmarks no other like this, he says that the mark on the Ewe is more like the [indecipherable] of a Dog than an Ear mark.

Mr Compton
This Ear mark is upper fitted on the for [fore] Ear - [Diagram of mark]
2 were taken from him in June 1802
2 from home in Spring 1803
5 from the farm Novr. 1802
Chapman Bailey & Walker, Fox & Small advised him to wait till the Sheep had been clipd before he challengd him