Records 1701-1800 (texts)

From International Robin Hood Bibliography
{"pagename":"1709 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey","Century":18,"Decade":1701,"Year":1709},{"pagename":"1722 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey (1)","Century":18,"Decade":1721,"Year":1722},{"pagename":"1722 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey (2)","Century":18,"Decade":1721,"Year":1722},{"pagename":"1722 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey (3)","Century":18,"Decade":1721,"Year":1722},{"pagename":"1723 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey","Century":18,"Decade":1721,"Year":1723},{"pagename":"1727 - Little John of Bristol","Century":18,"Decade":1721,"Year":1727},{"pagename":"1727 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey","Century":18,"Decade":1721,"Year":1727},{"pagename":"1731 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey (1)","Century":18,"Decade":1731,"Year":1731},{"pagename":"1731 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey (2)","Century":18,"Decade":1731,"Year":1731},{"pagename":"1732 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey","Century":18,"Decade":1731,"Year":1732},{"pagename":"1734 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey","Century":18,"Decade":1731,"Year":1734},{"pagename":"1734 - Treasury Warrant","Century":18,"Decade":1731,"Year":1734},{"pagename":"1739 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey","Century":18,"Decade":1731,"Year":1739},{"pagename":"1740 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey","Century":18,"Decade":1741,"Year":1740},{"pagename":"1742 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey","Century":18,"Decade":1741,"Year":1742},{"pagename":"1743 - Treasury Warrant","Century":18,"Decade":1741,"Year":1743},{"pagename":"1747 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey","Century":18,"Decade":1741,"Year":1747},{"pagename":"1750 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey (2)","Century":18,"Decade":1751,"Year":1750},{"pagename":"1751 - Robin Hood (Bedford)","Century":18,"Decade":1751,"Year":1751},{"pagename":"1757 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey","Century":18,"Decade":1751,"Year":1757},{"pagename":"1761 - Robin Hood (Hockley)","Century":18,"Decade":1761,"Year":1761},{"pagename":"1762 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey (1)","Century":18,"Decade":1761,"Year":1762},{"pagename":"1762 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey (2)","Century":18,"Decade":1761,"Year":1762},{"pagename":"1767 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey (3)","Century":18,"Decade":1761,"Year":1767},{"pagename":"1768 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey","Century":18,"Decade":1761,"Year":1768},{"pagename":"1769 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey","Century":18,"Decade":1761,"Year":1769},{"pagename":"1772 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey","Century":18,"Decade":1771,"Year":1772},{"pagename":"1776 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey","Century":18,"Decade":1771,"Year":1776},{"pagename":"1780 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey (2)","Century":18,"Decade":1781,"Year":1780},{"pagename":"1782 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey","Century":18,"Decade":1781,"Year":1782},{"pagename":"1785 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey (1)","Century":18,"Decade":1781,"Year":1785},{"pagename":"1785 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey (2)","Century":18,"Decade":1781,"Year":1785},{"pagename":"1785 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey (3)","Century":18,"Decade":1781,"Year":1785},{"pagename":"1786 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey (1)","Century":18,"Decade":1781,"Year":1786},{"pagename":"1786 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey (2)","Century":18,"Decade":1781,"Year":1786},{"pagename":"1790 - Court Rolls of Manor of Wakefield (1)","Century":18,"Decade":1791,"Year":1790},{"pagename":"1790 - Court Rolls of Manor of Wakefield (2)","Century":18,"Decade":1791,"Year":1790},{"pagename":"1791 - Court Rolls of Manor of Wakefield (1)","Century":18,"Decade":1791,"Year":1791},{"pagename":"1791 - Court Rolls of Manor of Wakefield (2)","Century":18,"Decade":1791,"Year":1791},{"pagename":"1791 - Court Rolls of Manor of Wakefield (3)","Century":18,"Decade":1791,"Year":1791},{"pagename":"1791 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey","Century":18,"Decade":1791,"Year":1791},{"pagename":"1793 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey (1)","Century":18,"Decade":1791,"Year":1793},{"pagename":"1794 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey (2)","Century":18,"Decade":1791,"Year":1794},{"pagename":"1795 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey","Century":18,"Decade":1791,"Year":1795},{"pagename":"1796 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey","Century":18,"Decade":1791,"Year":1796},{"pagename":"1798 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey","Century":18,"Decade":1791,"Year":1798},{"pagename":"1799 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey","Century":18,"Decade":1791,"Year":1799},{"pagename":"1800 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey (1)","Century":18,"Decade":1791,"Year":1800},{"pagename":"1800 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey (2)","Century":18,"Decade":1791,"Year":1800},{"pagename":"1800 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey (3)","Century":18,"Decade":1791,"Year":1800},

By Henrik Thiil Nielsen, 2014-05-04. Revised by Henrik Thiil Nielsen, 2021-01-07.

The following 47 records are found for the period 1701-1800:

1709 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey

[7 Dec. 1709:]
Henry Rout, Thomas Evans and S—, of the Parish of Pancrass, were all 3 Indicted for assaulting Isaac Cook upon the Queens Highway, and taking from him a Silver Watch value 7 l. a steel Snuff Box 10 s. a Raisor 2 s. 2 silver Medals 5 s. and 15 s. in Mony, the Goods and Mony of the said Cook, on the 14th of October last. The Prosecutor depos'd, that Riding to Kentish Town, between Grays-Inn-Lane and Pindar of Wakefield, was met by 3 Men, 2 of them, (viz.) Rout and Evans assaulted him with drawn Swords, and took from him the Goods mention'd in the Indictment: These 2 the Prosecutor swore positively to, having had a perfect view of them. It further appear'd that they were afterwards seen with part of the Goods, some of which were taken upon them, and produc'd in Court. The Evidence being positive against the said Rout and Evans, and they saying nothing for themselves, the jury found them guilty of the Indictment . But nothing more being prov'd against S—, than that he was seen soon after the Robbery, in the Company of the other 2, the Jury acquitted him.[1]

1722 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey (1)

[12 Jan. 1722:]
William Colthouse, was indicted for assaulting Robert Hale on the Highway (on Hounslow Health) putting him in fear, and taking from him 3 Guineas and a half, and 3 s. in Money, on the 20th of September, in the 5th Year of the King. He was a 2d time indicted for assaulting Benjamin Burrows on the Highway, putting him in fear, and taking from him a Silver Watch, val. 3 l. 2 Gold Rings, value 30 s. and 4 s. in Money, on the 20th of September, in the 5th Year of the King. Benjamin Burrows depos'd, that riding on Hounslow Heath, between 5 and 6 in the Evening, the prisoner and another came up to him, and bid him stand; the prisoner took his Watch, and the other took the 2 Rings off his Fingers, and 4 s. out of his Pocket. He then saw the prisoner and the other ride up to 3 other Gentlemen, and take away one of their Horses. That coming to London, he apply'd himself to Jonathan Wild, who told him that it was Colthouse and Sinnament that had rob'd him. Upon Wild's Information they soon took Sinnament, who was convicted of, and hang'd for the same Fact. Sometime afterwards he heard the prisoner was committed at Oxford, by the Name of Sanderson, for picking of Pockets; upon which he wrote to Mr. Plater, his Friend in Oxford, giving him a Description of the prisoner, and desiring him to examine and enquire if Sanderson was not the same Person: Of which being satisfied by Mr. Plater, the prisoner was brought to London. Mr. Harle depos'd, that he, Mr. Metcalf, and Mr. Squib, riding out together, he and Mr. Metcalf, on Hounslow Health, outrid Mr. Squib; that near Butchers Grove they saw a Chaise; and on each side a Man on Horseback; and thinking they belong'd to the Chaise, when they met, as he was turning his Horse aside to give 'em way, the prisoner catch'd hold of his Bridle and clapping a Pistol to his Breast, said, D---n ye, I'd rob ye altogether — be expeditious; then taking from him the Money mentioned in the Indictment, and his Bridle, he rob'd the Chaise and Mr. Metcalf. Mr. Squib depos'd, that being left behind Mr. Harle and Mr. Metcalf, the prisoner came up to him, and taking 17 s. from him, bid him dismount, lest he should follow him; Squib told him he would not; the prisoner reply'd,I wont trust ye, exchange is no robbery, and then cut his Bridle, and exchang'd Horses with him. Caeser (Servant to Mr. Metcalf) depos'd that he saw the prisoner follow his Master; that his Master was dismounted, and that he saw the prisoner change Horses with Mr. Squib. They were all positive that the prisoner was the Man. The prisoner in his Defence said, that there were but two Men committed the Robberies he was then indicted for, and two Men (Sinnament and the prisoner's Brother) had already been hang'd for the same: That his Brother and he were so much alike, that they could hardly be distinguish'd when they were seen together; that his Brother and Sinnament were seen together in a House the same Night; and at the time the Robbery was committed, he was lame of the Rheumatism, and could not go abroad. An Evidence for the prisoner depos'd, that she being at a House in Robin Hood's Court in Shoe lane, saw Sinnament and the prisoner's Brother come in together, and bring with 'em a Saddle and 2 Swords, John Coppen depos'd, that 3 Years ago, about the 13th or. 14th of August, the prisoner was taken so ill of the Rheumatism, that he was forc'd to have a Nurse, and kept his Chamber for about 3 Months, in his House. Being askt how he came to remember the Day of the Month so nearly. he said he remember'd it, in that the Day before the prisoner came to his House, Mr. Lewis sent him in ten Chaldron of Coals, for which he paid him 12 l. 17 s. To prove this, he produc'd a blind Receit, which he himself could not read; but it being view'd by the Court, they at last found it bore Date May 7. and he having sworn to about the 13th of August, the Court ordered him to be taken into Custody. He likewife called two other Wirnesses, who testified nothing material. The Jury found him guilty of both Indictments. Death.[2]

1722 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey (2)

[12 Jan. 1722:]
James Shaw, alias Smith, alias Thomson, and Richard Norton, alias Watkins, of St. Pancras, were indicted for assaulting Charles Hungate on the Highway, and taking from him a black Gelding. value 10 l. a Bridle and Saddle. 5 s. the Goods of Robert Adams, and 8 s. in Money, the Money of Charles Hungate, on the 27th of December last. It appear'd that Mr. Hungate was rob'd by two Men, between Highgate and Kentish Town, of a Horse, which was Mr. Adams's, and 8 s. in Money: That the Horse was found in a Pound, and the Bridle and Saddle at Norton's Father's House, and that Norton own'd he turn'd the Horse loose in Tothill Fields. That Norton brought the Horse to the Cross Keys Inn in St. Martins Lane, on the Thursday after the Robbery, and carried it on Saturday to the Boar's Head, Kingstreet, Westminster; whence he and Shaw fetch'd it the Monday following, and rode out together. That when Shaw was taken, there was found upon him a Pistol charg'd a Masque, a Flint, and some loose Powder. Norton in his Defence said, he knew nothing of the Robbery, but was hir'd by Shaw to carry the Horse to the Inns. Shaw confest the Fact, and said Norton was innocent. The Jury acquitted Norton, but found Shaw guilty. Death.

Shaw was a 2d time indicted for assaulting Philip Potts on the Highway, putting him in fear, and taking from him a Silver hilted Sword, value 3 l. a Silver Watch, 5 l. on the 24th of June last. He was a 3d time indicted for the Murder of Philip Potts, by giving him one mortal Bruise on the Forehead, near the Left Eye, with a wooden Staff, on the 24th of June last, of which mortal Bruise be languish'd till the 26th of the same Month, and then died. He was a 4th time indicted on the Coroner's Inquest for the said Murder. Isaac Drew depos'd that he, the prisoner, and James Reading, committed that Robbery near the Tile Kilns at Pancras; that the prisoner knock'd the Deceased off his Horse with a Staff; that they soon got him under 'em and rob'd him. Reading took his Sword, and struck at him with it several times, as Shaw likewise did with the Staff; that he saw him bleed at the Head, and went away. Peter Green and John Pritchard depos'd, that hearing a Gentleman was rob'd, they went out and met the Deceased, who told them he was rob'd about a quarter of a Mile off by 3 Men, and that the least of the three knock'd him off his Horse. That they led him along to Battle Bridge, where he said, Lord have mercy upon my Soul, I can go no further, and then fell down. Pritchard then carry'd him on his Back to the Pindar of Wakefield, where he dy'd the Monday following. Mr. Moore the Surgeon depos'd, that being sent for to the Decea'd, he found he had a large Contusion (from a blow) on the Left side of his Forehead, which he believ'd was the cause of his Death. The prisoner at his Trial, confest he had been concern'd in a great many Robberies, not only with Drew and Reading, but others; yet said, he was innocent of what he was now charg'd with, and that he never committed violence on any that he rob'd: That Drew had been prov'd perjur'd in Court before, and that now he swore his Life away, for the sake of 140 l. Reward. The Jury found him guilty of all the Indictments. Death.[3]

1722 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey (3)

[8 Feb. 1722:]
1. JAMES SHAW, otherways Smith, &c. was found Guilty of Assaulting Charles Hungate, on the 27 of December last, between Highgate and Kentish-Town, and taking from him an Horse value ten Pounds, and eight Shillings in Silver. He was also Convicted of Robbing Philip Potts, on the 24 of June last, of a silver Watch, value five Pounds, and a silver Hilted Sword, value three Pounds, near the Tile-Kilns at Pancrass; and likewise found guilty of the Murthering of the said Philip Potts, by knocking him off his Horse, and then striking him with a large Staff over the Head and Body, while one of his Companions struck at him several times with his own Sword; insomuch, that being carryed to the Pindar of Wakefield, as able to go no farther, he there languished from the Saturday till Monday, and then died.

The Malefactor, was about 28 Years old, and born of Parents who he said, would have given him a competant Share of Learning, had not his Temper been too Unfix'd and Unsettled; which Roving Humour appear'd in his being unable to continue in any 'Prentiship, being tryed at a Forgers of Gun-Locks, and other Trades. Yet he would not own that his Inclination was naturally Vicious, but endeavour'd to cast the whole of his Vices and Calamities upon his Wife, asserting, that one while he acquired by his Industry 9 Shillings per Week when first married, but returning weary from his Work, he constantly found his Wife from home, and all things in a melancholly Confusion, which made him (as he said) resolve no longer to labour to so little purpose. And so deep was his inveterate Hatred engrafted in him against his Wife, that no Threats of Hell Fire, no Assurances of being Forgiven, if he heartily forgave Others, could ever abate this settled Eternity; nor could the Sight or Speech of her be supportable; saying also, that the Child which she had, was nothing related to him.

He said, that he perform'd all that was in his power to obtain God's Pardon for the vast Number of Robberies he had committed: That these Assaults were chiefly made between Hamstead and London, upon those who went to, or return'd from the Wells or Bellsize; and that the Soldiers were but little Hindrance to them: He owned that he had sometimes taken 60 or 80 Pounds at a time; adding, that he had often robb'd both on Horseback on Hamstead-Heath, Finchly-Common, &c. and often on Foot, but that the most Cruel and Savage, was the way of Robbing on Foot, Murther being commonly committed, they having no other method on Foot of escaping from a Horseman, but by striking him down from his Horse, and then either Binding or else Disabling his Body. But he was firmly of Opinion, that, as it is more sinful to rob a poor Man or the Church of God, so it was less sinful to rob those who would have spent the Money taken in Gaiety and Luxury, or those who perhaps had unjustly acquired it by Gaming.

He at first denyed very peremptorily, that he had any hand in the Murther of Philip Potts; asserting, that in all his Robberies he never us'd Violence to any Man, except one who lives at Islington, and whom they rob'd by the Men who hang in Chains at Holloway, and that he only gave him a slap on the Head after he had bawl'd out Rogues! Highwaymen! Murther! for a very long time without any one touching him. But afterwards he began to acknowledge that he was acquainted with all the particulars of the Murther, which Circumstances could by no Method have been so precisely known, but by an actual Survey and Cognisance of the Performance.

He said, that he did not know of anything that had ever touch'd his Heart with Concern or Grief, but the Death of one Barton, who was executed a short time ago, for that he himself ought then to have died, that he robb'd the Lord Viscount Lisbon, as he was going from Hamstead, adding, that he found true, what he could not then keep out of his Mind, to wit, that he should quickly follow to an untimely end.

As Jonas Burgess had declar'd, after he had cut his own Throat, that one of the Pistols which were taken from under his Coat, was design'd for this Prisoner, to dispatch himself withal, he was examin'd about it, but would acknowledge nothing, nor own the barbarous Intent he had of killing those who should oppose the Escape of these 4 Malefactors. He said that Burgess had of late declar'd that his Enemies should never see him go to be hang'd, but if he could not escape, he would die; but the Prisoner said (if true I know not) that he advis'd him to beware of Self-Murther; That as he heard the sad Groans he remember'd how he beg'd him not to say that his Enemies had hindered his getting Pardon; for even, if they had destroy'd his Body, it would be no recompence for himself therefore to destroy his Soul.[4]

1723 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey

[16 Oct. 1723:]
Ann Mortimer, of the Parish of Pancrass, was indicted for privately stealing five Guineas, from the Person of Richard Richardson, the first of this present October. The Prosecutor depos'd, That he being very much in drink, he went into the Pindar of Wakefield, in Grays-Inn-Lane, and the Prisoner came in, and there he lost his Money. The Landlady's Daughter depos'd, the Prosecutor came in with the Prisoner, and they had three Quarters of Brandy, and were there about an Hour; that he threw his Money about, and afterwards he said he had lost six or seven Guineas; and she found a Guinea in her Hand. The Landlady depos'd, That her Daughter came and told her, The Gentleman was in Liquor, whereupon she went in, and he charg'd the Prisoner with having taken his Money; that she search'd her, and could find none; but her Daughter coming in, said, Mother, look in her Hand; and she said her self did, and found a Guinea in her Hand, which she said the Prosecutor had given her in stead of a Shilling, to buy some Pork. After a full hearing of the Matter the Jury acquitted her.[5]

1727 - Little John of Bristol

[30 Sep. 1727:]
[The 70 ton vessel Little John of Bristol, owned by Samuel Day and with William Barry as master, made a voyage to Africa, bringing slaves to Barbados and 20 tons of redwood to Bristol, to which it returned on 30 Sep. 1727.][6]

1727 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey

[5 Jul. 1727:]
Samuel Denison, of St. Pancras, was indicted for assaulting Hamiton Howit March, on the Highway, taking from him 2 s. in Money, and four Knives, on the 4th of April last; it appeared that the Prosecutor had heard a Report that there was some Highwaymen and evil disposed Persons at a Publick House near the Pindar of Wakefield; and to secure them he raised the Country, and proceeding so far in his Suspicions as to bring himself into a Broil, and not to make his Assertions evident, the Consequence was a Quarrel, and some Blows, in which he said he lost the Goods mentioned in the Indictment; but the Fact not appearing plain, the Prisoner was acquitted.[7]

1731 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey (1)

[13 Oct. 1731:]
Thomas Rayner and Robert Smith, of St. Andrew's Holborn were indicted for feloniously stealing 4 Brass Dog-Collars, a Bell, some Metal Buckles and Buttons, the Goods of John Moreton, the 1st of this Instant October.

The Prosecutor depos'd, That he keeping a Stall, and selling Cutlery Ware in Holbourn, found his Stall broken open in the Morning, and miss'd his Goods, but knew not who had stolen them, till he saw them, and the Prisoners in the Round-House.

Hugh Farnsworth depos'd, That he seeing the Prisoners (who were two young Boys) about 8 o'Clock in the Morning coming from the Brick-Kiln-Yard, and Robert Smith ringing a Bell, he asked him, If he would sell it? To which he reply'd Yes, Master, and I have other Things to sell, shewing him a Box with some Buttons, &c. in it, that examining how they came by them, they pretended they had bought them for 6 d. at the Pindar of Wakefield, but he suspecting them, went to enquire, and not meeting with any Confirmation, he went into Holbourn, and put them into the Custody of an Officer, Smith at last owned he had broken open the Prosecutor's Stall, but said that Thomas Rayner was not with him at stealing the Goods. The Fact being clearly proved against Robert Smith, the Jury found him Guilty to the Value of 10 d. but there not being sufficient Evidence against Thomas Rayner, he was acquitted.[8]

1731 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey (2)

[13 Oct. 1731:]
I went out from Mr. Morris's, I met his Father, and from thence I went to Mrs. Pritchard's, who keeps the House called the Brill (near the Pinder of Wakefield) and there I din'd and staid till after Four, and from thence took a Walk thro' the Park, and so to Mr. Morris's again.[9]

1732 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey

[5 Jul. 1732:]
Buck. He was senseless with the Blows and Wounds: This is the Hat, and Plumridge took his Wig to the best of my Remembrance, tho' the Prisoner since told me, that he took it himself. We stript his Coat off, and the Prisoner bid me put it on and wear it, which I did; but first they knock'd him down, and would have murder'd him if I had not begg'd his Life. How can ye serve a Man so villainously? says I, sure you will not be such vile Men as to kill him! For God's Sake spare his Life. And so as they were going I listed him up, and bid him run for his Life; upon which Plumridge and the Prisoner turn'd back to kill me, but I made 'em easy. This is the Coat, and here are the 2 Cuts in the Back. Then we came on foot to Newgate-street, and there we took Coach between 12 and 1 in the Morning, and drove to Mr. Pember's, at the Pindar of Wake-field, where we all three went to bed together. Pember married one of my Sisters. Next Day we went to the Two Brewers by the Church in Old Bedlam, where we spent most of the Money, and at Night I and Plumridge went to Cow-Cross, where we pawn'd the Coat for 7 s. and from thence to Ralph Dobson's in the Old Bailey, where we met the Prisoner, and spent the Night together. I voluntarily surrender'd myself to Justice Robe the same Week (but I forget the Day) and gave Information against the Prisoner, who was taken immediately; then I went, and 3 Men with me, to see for Plumridge in Old Bedlam, but he was gone before we came; and after that I went by myself to New Prison [...]
Buck. One of my Sisters kept a Brandy shop, and t'other kept an Alehouse at the Pindar of Wakefield, but they have both met with Losses, and so have left off Trade.
Ralph Dobson. I live in the Old Baily, I am a Cooper by Trade, and sell Liquors and Earthen-ware, Buck, and Plumridge, and the Prisoner were drinking together at my House last Monday was a Fortnight, between 11 and 12 at Night; they had a Bottle of Dorcheste Beer, and a Bottle of Perry.
William Pomber. I lately kept the B[???] Tree Alehouse at the Pindar of Wakefield, but have since left it. On Monday the 19th of April, about one in the Morning, Buck, and Plumridge, and the Prisoner came in a Coach to my Door, and knock'd me up; I told 'em I had no Fire, nor Candle in the House; they said they were very dry; says I to Buck, You know the way into the Cellar, fetch up some bottle Ale; so he went down, and brought up 3 Bottles. I groped about for a Mug, but not finding it readily, they drank out of the Bottle; then they all 3 went to the Pump to wash themselves; I went up to Bed, and they follow'd me; my Wife was not with me, and so we lay all together, for it was a very large Bed. I got up at 5, and opening the Window-shutter, saw their Cloaths which lay on the Bed, and their Linen were very bloody: Plumridge call'd for some Water, and a Towel, which I fetch'd, and he began to wash one of the Coats, which was more bloody than the rest; says I you'll spoil your Coat, you had better do it with a dry Brush; he desir'd me to help him to one, which I did, and then he began to rub the Blood off his own Coat, for he said the other was Buck's, and when he had done, the Prisoner took the Brush, and clean'd his Coat [...][10]

1734 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey

[2 Oct. 1734:]
He, with some other of his Companions, broke open a Sale Shop in St. John's-street about Christmas was 12 Months last, from whence they took about 30 Suits of Cloaths, old and new, besides other Things; but in going by St. John's Pound, were stop'd by two Watchmen, but they being arm'd with Pistols, oblig'd the Watchmen to light them into the Fields as far as the London Spaw, when they sent the Watchmen back, and made the best of their Way to the Pinder of Wakefield, where they made a Survey of their Booty; and from thence sent for a Woman who used to pawn their stolen Goods for them, who came accordingly, and carry'd them away to some of her Accomplices, and converted them into Money presently, so that they shared about 12 l. each amongst them for that Night's Work.[11]

1734 - Treasury Warrant

[6 August 1734:]
John King, additional assistant to the surveyor of the warehouses, London port, loco Charles Carkess, junior, preferred to be searcher at Gravesend, loco Wm. Parker, superannuated; Jonas Tettlay, riding officer at Robin Hood's Town, Whitby port, loco Thomas Medd, deceased.[12]

1739 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey

[6 Dec. 1739:]
After her [Edward Joines's first wife] Death I went to work at Bromley, and being likely to continue in Business there, I unfortunately went to the lower End of Poplar, to see for a Lodging nearer my Business, and happened to fix in the House of the Deceased, who was a Widow and had one Daughter. I had not liv'd above a Week in the House, before we grew so well acquainted, that we agreed not to make two Beds, and I was to pay half Charges. In this Manner we liv'd about a Year, and then she began to take too much upon her, and threatened to turn me out of the House. To prevent this, and to appease her, I proposed to marry her, thinking she then could not turn me out of Doors. She consented, and we were married about Twelvemonths ago at the Fleet; but after this she grew more and more uneasy, and whenever People ask'd her for Money she ow'd them, She bid them go to her Husband. I never had any great Inclination to marry her, but I thought the House would then be mine, and she would be more quiet and easy; and after I had once mention'd it, she worried me without Intermission till the Thing was done. Her Daughter was then out at Service; but since the Death of her Mother she has liv'd in the House, and is now in Possession of all our Goods in Robin-Hood Lane, at the lower End of Poplar.[13]

1740 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey

[3 Sep. 1740:]
George Holden, I know nothing of the matter; I keep a House in Robin-Hood's-Court, in Shoe-Lane, and take the Toll in Smithfield for that Gentleman, - Mr. Leigh. [14]

1742 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey

[7 Apr. 1742:]
[...] Tom Easter and I committed another Robbery near Sir George Whitmore's at Hoxton, on a Gentleman, from whom we took a silver Watch, which I pawn'd for 2 Guineas and eight Shillings in Money.

The next Robbery I committed, was with Easter's Assistance, on a Gentleman near the Pindar of Wakefield, whom we robbed of 15 Guineas and 30 s. in Silver.[15]

1743 - Treasury Warrant

[6 December 1743:]
Robert Hughes, tidesurveyor at Chester, loco John Poynton, deceased; John Fox, riding officer at Robin Hood's town, in Whitby port, loco Jonas Tetlay, deceased; John Woodill to succeed Pox as waiter and searcher at Reighton, in Scarborough port.[16]

1747 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey

[17 Jun. 1747:]
The Manner of Committing the Robbery was, that he [William Simms] and William Bullimore, Thomas Casey, and John England, on the 20th of December met together in the Mint, and agreed that Night to break open the House of Mr. Nathan Smith, in the Borough; and between Twelve and One, being provided with a Jacob, i.e. a Ladder of Ropes, artfully contrived and fixed to a long Pole, which opened by a Spring, that by it they could ascend so high as Two Pair of Stairs, Bullimore mounted first, and entred the Chamber where Mrs. Smith lay (Mr. Smith being then out of Town) whom he ordered to get up or he would Murder her; which she did, and put on her Things; he then demanded her Money, and made her unlock her Drawers, which he examined; carried her into another Room; where he obliged her to unlock a Press, which contained some Goods, from behind which he pulled out two Bags of Money, which contained upwards of Four Hundred Pounds, and a Twenty Pound Bank Note: He asked her if that was all the Money in the House, she told him Yes; and he swore Bitterly, if she told him a Lie, and he found any more, he would absolutely Murder her; he all this while, had a large drawn Cutlass in his Hand, after he had taken the Money, he demanded all her Keys, then obliged her to go down Stairs, at the Foot of which was a Door, which he opened, made her immediately go in and bolted it after her; then came up Stairs, and let in his Companions, when we immediately began to rifle the Shop, and cramed [sic] such Goods as we could find into Bags, and carried them to a House in the Mint, where we lodged our first Parcel, and came back a second and third Time for more; we found likewise in the House some Plate, a Pair of Salts, some Silver Spoons and a Pepper Box, the Cash we equally divided at the House in the Mint, but the Goods we carried to a House near the Pinder of Wakefield by Pancras, where they remained some Days; and then my Companions proposed going to Ireland to sell them, promising to remit me my Share, which I consented to, and from that Day have never seen or heard of them.[17]

1750 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey (2)

[17 Oct. 1750:]
Thomas Reynolds, was indicted for inlisting and detaining John Carnes for the French king's service as a soldier, without leave or licence before obtained, &c.
John Carnes. I became acquainted with the prisoner about the first of June last, he lived at the Robin Hood and Little John in Broad St. Giles's, and kept what we call in the vulgar tongue, a bawdy house, a night house for all sorts of people whatsoever. The first time I went in tansiently as I passed by to have a pint of beer, I knew nothing of him at that time; I happened (to tell the truth, my lord) to meet with a sweetheart there, so I went there several times after that; sometimes I staid all night, as he furnished me with a bed and female bedfellow. There were ladies of all tastes, both for soldiers and sailors. One time I had but a shilling, and some halfpence about me. I told him I did not want to wrong him, telling him what I had about me; he said, don't mind that, you shall not want liquor; there came in a young gentleman, about 5 feet 11 inches high, dressed well, with velvet breeches, a large hat, with a feather in it, silk stockings turn'd up his knees; he was pleas'd to call me a clever young fellow; I did not think I was, till such time he told me so.
Q. Was this the first time of your going there?
Carnes. No, sir, this was after I had been there several times; about the 4th or 5th of June the prisoner ask'd me how I lik'd the guards; before I belong'd to the guards, I belong'd to the regiment lately commanded by General Ponsonby; said he, I remember when any of the guards get into trouble, they stand a chance to be whip'd by a cat o'ninetails; said I, so they do very often, but I never was whip'd with a cat o'ninetails yet; said he, I can put you into a better way of living; 4 s. 6 d. per week does not go a great way in London, without a man has a trade, or some other way of getting money, besides his pay; said he, you had better take a little of my advice, and go where I desire you to go, it will be to your profit. Said I, I'll go; where is it? said he, if you'll go into the French service, you cannot be liable to any punishment, without you be a thief, or a rogue; but for getting drunk, or a little small fault, he is never punish'd. I went to bed then; the next morning he ask'd me some more questions; said he, I'll tell you how it is, I can get you out of these guards; said I, if you put me into a better way I'll hear it; he shew'd me about 14 or 15 different coats, some marines; some soldiers, of marching regiments ; said he, go down to Dover, to the sign of the city of Calais, and I'll send a guide along with you; there you shall be kindly receiv'd by two persons, Russel, and Purcel, but the principal was this Purcel; Russel kept the house, and Purcel was one that was prosecuted last Assizes; said I, I cannot go out of London with my regimental cloaths on; said he, I'll give you a frock, and a hat; leave your's with me; which I did.
Q. Did you agree with him to go?
Carnes. I did, I was to have 25 crowns paid me at this sign of the city of Calais.
Q. Did you upon this set out?
Carnes. Yes, sir, I did, and a guide which he sent along with me.
Q. Who was this guide?
Carnes. It was a lady; I deliver'd my coat, waistcoat, and hat, to him, and we set out pretty early in the morning, the 13th of June; she had money plenty of the prisoner, to carry me down.
Q. How do you know that?
Carnes. She told me so.
Q. Did you see the prisoner give her any?
Carnes. She shewed me gold, and I saw him give her money for that purpose.
Q. Did he give you any?
Carnes. No, he did not; he gave me victuals and drink in plenty. She went down along with me as far as Sandwich in Kent. The prisoner gave me advice, when I went out of London, not to pass any of the great towns but in the night, for he said he had several times gone down there with the French ambassador's livery upon him, and passed back in the night time with persons to go to serve in lord Ogleby's regiment in the French service. When I got to Sandwich, then I began to think of the evil I had done; I left my female guide there, and went right on to Dover-Castle, where there were two companies of Scotch Fuzileers, and I went to a relation of mine, whose name is Hope, and told him what I had done.
Q. Did you not go into the town of Dover?
Carnes. No, I did not, the Castle is out of the town; I went also to a serjeant-major of the Scotch Fuziliers, and told him I belonged to the third regiment of foot-guards commanded by the earl of Dunmore. I desired him to write back to the regiment.
Q. Consider well; did you agree with the prisoner to go and enter into the French service?
Carnes. I did agree with him so to do.
Q. You say he gave you liquor? did he give you that to encourage you to undertake this?
Carnes. It was for no other intent. The woman bore all my expences, I was not one farthing out of pocket.
Q. How long were you in going to Sandwich?
Carnes. We lay three nights by the way; one place where we lay was about half way betwixt this and Rochester, 15 miles from London.
Q. What is the woman's name?
Carnes. I don't know that, she was one of his ladies that attended the house.
Q. Do you know whether she had the money, she bore your charges withal, of the prisoner?
Carnes. His intent of giving her the money was in case I had been taken up, then I might say I never received a farthing of money from him; this was to keep him free of the law. He told me on our setting out she had plenty, and I should not want either victuals or drink.
Q. Are you sure he told you this?
Carnes. He told me so a great many times, and when we went out of his house in the morning, after we had drank two hot pots together, he opened the door, and wished all good fortune, and said don't be afraid, this woman has money enough, and when you come there you shall have money enough; so we went on together, and passed as man and wife.
Q. Did you agree with him, or was you to agree with Purcel?
Carnes. I agreed with the prisoner.

Cross examined.
Q.' How happen'd it you went first into the prisoner's house?
Carnes. As I might in any other house in London.
Q. Did not you know it was a bawdy house?
Carnes. No, not at first going in.
Q. Did he begin this conversation, at your first going there?
Carnes. No, not till I had been there three or four times.
Q. Was it for the sake of your nymph, or the prisoner's conversation, you went there?
Carnes. It was to lie with the several young women that were there, that made me go three or four times.
Q. At whose expence was you entertain'd there?
Carnes. The first time it was at my own expence; the second and third times, it was at part my own, and part some of the female sex, that were there; and after that by his expence.
Q. Did you never run on tick there?
Carnes. No, I never did in my life.
Q. Had you any letter of recommendation to Purcel?
Carnes. No, none at all; I had no writing, but the woman had.
Q. Had you been conversant with her before you set out?
Carnes. Yes, sir, I had 5 or 6 times before; but I was as free with other women at his house, as with her.
Q. Where is she now?
Carnes. I don't know.
Q. Had you ever your own regimentals again?
Carnes. Yes, sir, the serjeant of the company that I belong to, went to the prisoner's house, and brought this coat I have on; he had my ammunition waistcoat there, out of the bar.
Q. Have you a wife?
Carnes. Yes, sir, I have.
Q. Did not you pawn your hat?
Carnes. No, sir, I never did in my life.
Q. Did not your wife pawn it?
Carnes. That wife was one of the prisoner's own producing; I deliver'd it into the prisoner's hands.
Q. What did you do with your arms and accoutrements?
Carnes. I left them in my quarters; the prisoner said, suppose you should meet any soldiers on the road, you had better cut your hair off. He also desired me to bring my firelock, arms, and accoutrements to him, and he knew a safe way to send them over; said I, that is death without mercy, I'll never dispose of his Majesty's arms; he called me fool, saying, he knew which way to convey them safe over, and that he had conveyed pieces of the Tower arms over before then.
Serjeant John Templestone. I know the last witness, he is a soldier in the company I belong to. I inlisted him myself.
Q. Did you ever miss him from your regiment?
Templestone. He went away for some time. We began to enquire after him; we had intelligence by some people who had seen him at the prisoner's house; I went there and took two or three more people with me, and enquired if he knew John Carnes a soldier; (the prisoner seemed very much confused, he went and talked to his wife) yes, said he, I do know him; pray, said I, do you know any thing of his leaving any cloaths here? said he. I would have sent them to the people they belong to had I known where to send; so he went and brought me Carnes's coat and waistcoat, the hat he denies. Carnes said he left the hat there, and I believe I have an evidence here that knows it was left there; the prisoner said Carnes lodged some nights in his house, and told me he was gone out a hay-making with a woman.
– Riley. I have known John Carnes ever since the 5th of June last; I saw him at the Robin Hood and Little John in Broad St. Giles's; I found a regimental hat in the bed where I lay up one pair of stairs backwards, and delivered it to the prisoner's wife, it was a new one; I was going to crop it for myself. The prisoner was then asleep.
To his Character.
William Johnson. I never saw any thing by the prisoner but what was honest, I lodged in his house about two months before his confinement; I came home in the Eltham man of war between five and six months ago; when I came to London I happened to lodge in his house.
Q. Did he ever endeavour to intice you abroad?
Johnson. No, never.
Q. Did you ever hear him talk in this nature to any others?
Johnson. No, I never did.
Q. What sort of company is there in that house?
Johnson. There were people came in and out, who called for beer.
Q. Were not there women resorted there very frequently?
Johnson. There were, but whether they lay there I cannot tell.
Sarah Barker. I have known the prisoner between seven and eight months; I never was in his house but when his wife lay in; he bore as good a character as any man in the world for what I heard.
Q. Did you ever hear he encouraged people to go abroad?
Barker. No, Sir, I never heard he did.
Q. Do you live near him?
Barker. I live about a quarter of a mile off his house; I nursed his wife.
Q. Had he many people come to his house?
Barker. He had a neighbourly share of customers, but I was very seldom down stairs.
Q. Was you ever at Sandwich?
Barker. No, sir, I never was.
Guilty Death.[18]

1751 - Robin Hood (Bedford)

1751
27th September. Ale-house Recognizances, giving the names of the various Inns in the Town of Bedford and elsewhere, viz.: — The Boat, the Wheatsheaf, the Chequer, the Blue Lion, the Dolphin, the Rose, the Sun, The Green Dragon, The Bakers Arms, the Sun in St. Pauls, the Castle, the Crown and Thistle, the Bachelors Arms, the Horse-shoe, the Bull, the Cock, the "Flower de Luce," the Duke of Cumberland's Head, The Saracen's Head, the Christopher, the Globe, the Golden Pot, the Cherry Tree, the Rose and Ch'own, Horse and Hound, The Crown, the Bell, the Ship, the Ragged Staff in St. Paul's, the Cross Keys, the Bell and Swan, the Checjuer in St. John's, the Saddle, the Angel in Cawdwell Street, the White Lion, the Red Lion, the Star, the George, the Crow, the Boat, the Bear, the Fox, the Royal Oak, the Nag's Head, the Black Swan, the White Hart, the Falcon, the Old Nags Head, the Blue Bell, the Spread Eagle, the Swan, the Currier's Arms, the White Hart, the King's Arms, the Sergeant's ? Head, the Maiden Head, the Rugged Staff, the Golden Lion, the Chequers in St. Mary's, the "Flower de Lis" in St. Paul's, the Unicorn, the White Horse, the Three Tuns, the Red Lion in St. Paul's, the Boy and Oar, and the Robin Hood.[19]

1757 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey

14 Sep. 1757:]
Q. from Price. What day was this, or what time of the day ?

Bell. To the best of my knowledge it was between ten and twelve. I do not know the day of the month. We went to a publick house near the edge of the town, I think it was the Robin Hood in Holbourn, just by Little Queen street. We found some half crowns, some shillings, some halfpence, and a silver groat. I can't be positive to the sum, because those that took the money out of the prosecutor's pocket, sunk some of it; we had each of us about half a crown. Then we went to our lodgings. I then lodg'd in Bolton-street, at a coach-maker's.[20]

1761 - Robin Hood (Hockley)

26 May 1761.
ALEHOUSE KEEPERS' RECOGNISANCES: 1760-1
1761. May 26
A[t] the General Licensing Day held at the Guildhall . . . every Person having such License was bound in Recognizance to our Lord the King with Sureties as Underwritten & upon the Condition following to wit Upon Condition that A: B: shall not during the continuance of a License now Granted to him (or her) for keeping a Common Alehouse within the Town & County of the Town of Nottingham Neglect to keep duly the true Assize in his (or her) Bread Beer Ale & other Excisable Liquors And shall not Use or Suffer any Unlawfull Games Drunkeness or disorder in his (or her) House Yard Garden or Backside but Maintain & keep good order & Rule therein according to the Laws & Statutes of this Realm in that behalf made & Provided . . .2 [...] 105. Wm. Kestevens at the Robin hood in Hockley.3[21]

1762 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey (1)

[17 Sep. 1762:]
Mr. Pierce. I live at the Robin-hood, in Charles-Street, St. James's-square. Mess. Mason and Co. are my brewers; when casks are empty, I put them out into the stable-yard, because we want room in the cellar.

Mr. Mason. There are three partners of us; Wm Mason, Wm Lake, and Hen. Mason.

Thomas Earle. I am cooper to Mess. Mason and Co. I was at Mr. Clark's, in order to search, and found some butt staves with our mark upon them (produced in court); I found some staves, where it plainly appeared the marks had been cut out; I also saw whole butts with the marks cut out: On his cross examination, he said, he had known brewer's butts sold by auction, when a person had left off trade; but then it was not usual to cut the old marks out; that he never knew his masters to sell casks; that he remembered two being missing at the Robin-hood, in Charles-street, and that they had Mr. Mason's mark on them. [22]

1762 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey (2)

[20 Oct. 1762:]
Heusch. This was on the 10th of December, the first time that I saw him after his father-in-law's death. Immediately after that, citations were served. It rested for some time, to, I believe, the 22d of last June. Mr. Bellas's clerk sent a person to our house to let us know, two witnesses had been in the commons and examined on the execution of this will. I I went to Mr. Bellas's to know who they were, which I found to be the prisoner Biddle and Hannah Frankland, and that the attorney concerned was Sparry. I found Frankland had been a servant to Sparry, but then resided with one Thomas Morvil in Blackfriars. Then I went to Mr. Bellas's to get his clerk to see Frankland, to know whether she was the same woman, that had been in the commons; he said, she was the very same person. After that, I and Mr. Hamlen went to Greenwich, and took Sparry in an alehouse, and brought him to town; it was very cold weather; we came up by water, and went to a tavern and dined. I do not now recollect whether it was in the boat or in the tavern, but he declared to us that very day, that Farr was taken by Oliver, who was going to carry him to the Marshalsea-prison, at the suit of Mountstephens, that then he should have given us notice that we might have taken him up, and he believed it to be a'bad affair, and if I would admit him a witness, he would give me all the assistance in his power; he said, Farr brought him a draught of an old man's will, (I will not be sure to the time when he said he brought it) and desired him to dictate a will to him for his father-in-law. That Farr told him, that the testator had an utter aversion to a lawyer making a will; and that he, at Farr's request, dictated a will, which Farr wrote; I think he said this was at the King's head in Broad St. Gile's, that after the will had been wrote by Farr at that house, he went with him to the next house, called the Robin-hood, at Farr's request, in Charles-street; that Farr desired him to wait there, while he went in to the testator his father-in-law, and upon Farr's not returning immediately, he went away; nor was he at the execution of the will; and that it was the same will that was produced in the commons. As we were in Guildhall-yard, just before we went before Mr. Alderman Blunt, I said to him, As you say you are innocent of this affair, I should be glad to know who wrote the will? He said, as Mr. Farr wrote the body of the will, you may easily guess who wrote the name; he likewise declared, he did intend to let us into the secret, and did send his brother once or twice to have given information; that he had a letter wrote by Mountstephens, which he said was either two or three sheets of paper, and Mountstephens had no concern in the affair, and desired to know if I had any thing against Mountstephens; I told him, I had not, and that instead of desiring Mountstephens to keep out of the way, I desired him to get him to come to me, that I might know what he had to say on that affair. [...]

Q. Do you remember what conversation you had with him?

Hamlen. I do. After we took him we had him before a magistrate. The magistrate ordered us to take him to London: he was a little obstinate at first, and wanted to go home; but the constable said, he should go before a magistrate. We brought him from the magistrate's by water to London. Coming along, he said, he had no occasion to come to London to throw himself into our hands; that he had kept at Greenwich some time, and if we had sent to him he would have surrendered: and if we had not come down to day he intended to have surrendered himself; that he knew the will to be a forged thing himself, and that he dictated the will at a public house in St. Giles's and Farr wrote the will; he said, Mr. Farr said to him, I should be obliged to you if you will do this thing for me, because my father-in-law always said no lawyer should make his will; and that he dictated it, and Farr wrote it; then they went to the Robin Hood, and there, at Mr. Farr's request, he staid some time, in order for Farr's coming back to let him know whether his father-in-law was ready for him to come to be a witness to the will; finding him not coming immediately, he went away; he said several times, he was concerned for Mr. Farr in such an affair, and that Farr had such an estate left him by his father-in-law, a taylor in Charles's square, and he was going to mortgage an estate which Mr. Farr had at Crookhorn, in order to carry on this affair, and he had no manner of doubt but they should succeed. And coming along, and afterwards at the Queen's Head in Tower street, on Tower-hill, where we dined, he mentioned it; and there he begged we would admit him an evidence, and he would give us all the assistance he possibly could; that he knew it to be a forgery, and had several papers relating to this will, and if we would call at the Counter in a day or two after, he would deliver the papers up to us. While coming by water, he several times said, he knew the thing was forged. We asked him, if he knew who signed the name Jeffery Henvill? Said he, Mr. Farr wrote the body, and who do you think signed the name? He said, he hoped we would be as favourable as we could to him, and he hoped we would not take up Mr. Mountstephens: he said, he had a letter from him as long as my arm, wherein he sets forth the thing; and said, he as well as myself knows it to be a forgery. He said, Mr. Farr had given him a note of 50 l. and he was to make out a bill of cost for the business he had done to that amount.[23]

1767 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey (3)

[19 Sep. 1767:]
[...] Thomas Bird was indicted for stealing a sattin cardinal, value 20 s. the property of Mary Kirby, widow, Aug. 6.

Mary Kirby. I live at the Robinhood, Leather-lane; I lost a sattin cardinal out of the parlour; I did not miss it till the 7th of August; the prisoner was in the house on the 6th in the morning, but I did not see him; he was taken up the same day three doors from us, upon suspicion of robbing a room at Dobney's; I missing my cardinal, and knowing the prisoner had been before Justice Girdler, and a cardinal had been brought there, and no body owned it, I went to the pawnbroker, named Careless, in Fox-court; there I found my cardinal in pawn.

William Cullen. I am servant to Mr. Careless in Fox-court; the prisoner pledged a cardinal with me on the 6th of August, in his own name for 7 s. about seven in the morning; (produced and deposed to by prosecutrix.)

John Woolse. I keep the Robinhood in Leather-lane; the prisoner came to my house between six and seven in the morning of the 6th of August, along with two more; they called for some bread and cheese and beer; I heard the prisoner own, before the Justice, the cardinal was taken before the second pot was drawn, but did not say he took it.

Prisoner's defence.

I had been out, and coming back, I met two men, one had a bundle; they wanted to get some beer; I took them in at Mr. Woolfe's; we had some beer: I went home, which is but two doors off; when I came to them again, the beer was almost cut; one of them beckoned me to the door, and asked me if any pawnbroker was up; I told him yes; I took him into Fox-court, Gray's inn-lane; there he asked me to go and pledge either a cardinal or a gown; I took the cardinal, and pledged it for 7 s. and gave him the money; he went back and paid the reckoning, which came to 1 s. and a halfpenny.

Woolfe. The prisoner went out three times, but they did not all depart the house till the reckoning was paid; one of the others went out once.

Martha Pain. He lodged at the Gridiron, Gray's inn-lane, four years and a half, where I am servant; he always behaved himself very well there.

Guilty. T.[24]

1768 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey

[18 May 1768:]
Elizabeth Perkins. I am wife to Thomas Perkins, and live in Robinhood's-court, Shoe-lane. On Saturday the 23d of April in the morning, my husband was gone out to work, he opened the window before he went out; I soon heard the cry, stop thief, it awaked me; the prisoners were brought up to the window to me as I was in bed, and my cloak was brought with them, it was in my room when I went to bed.[25]

1769 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey

[22 Feb. 1769:]
Thomas Hibert. I am a brush maker. I live in Boswell-court, Charterhouse-lane. I have known him twenty years. I took him apprentice. He has been out of his time about ten years. I can give no account how he has lived since. I have often seen him at work: it is not above three weeks ago since I saw him at work in Robinhood's-court, Shoe-lane, where he lives. I never heard any ill of him.[26]

1772 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey

3 Jun. 1772:]
Q. Do you know the nature of an oath? what will become of you if you take a false oath, is it a good or a wicked thing.

Ingram. A wicked thing. I was going along in Bow lane, near Bromley, last Saturday about five o'clock; I was walking on one side of the way, and the prisoner on the other side. He said, my dear, I have not seen you a long time; I thought I knew him at first, afterwards I found I did not; then he said again it is a long time since I saw you; I said, sir, I do not come home but once a week, I live at my master's.

Q. Where is your home?

Ingram. My parents live in Robinhood lane. He asked me to come over the hedge into the field, I did not go over; he said he would give me six-pence; I said I did not want any of his money, I wanted to go home to my grand-mother; then he said he would give me a shilling; I said I did not want his shilling, I must go home to my grandmother; he got over the hedge and stooped down, he saw me run away, and ran after me.[27]

1776 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey

[21 Feb. 1776:]
JOHN FEAST sworn.

I lost two pint pots on the 21st of January. I saw them taken from the prisoner at the Robin Hood and Black Boy, in Leather-lane.

WILLIAM BAILEY sworn.

I lodge up two pair of stairs in Leather-lane. I had been out last Sunday morning was a month; when I returned, I met the prisoner coming down stairs; when I got up stairs I missed the pots, which I had put on the outside of the door before I went out: I asked my wife if the people had been for the pots? she said, No: I immediately suspected the prisoner; I followed him, and brought him to the Robin Hood; there I found a quart pot, and two pint pots in a bag; and there were two pints in his pockets, and two under his coat.[28]

1780 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey (2)

[18 Oct. 1780:]
ISAAC WALTON sworn.

I live in Robinhood-court, Milk-street. On the 8th of October, at a little past seven in the evening, I returned home from Islington; while I stopped at the bottom of the court to make water I perceived a man jump out of the parlour window of my house; immediately after that I perceived another jump out; as he came past me he gave me a wheel round; then I saw a third jump out, which was the prisoner. I catched him by the throat and said, I would hold him if he was the Devil. I seised him by the collar and cried out thieves and murtherers! and I held him till some neighbours came; then my wife, who was behind me, came up and opened the door; there was nobody in the house. I went out about half after one; she came to me about an hour and an half after, and we walked up to Islington; when my wife had opened the door I took him in; when I came into the parlour I saw a table-cloth spread upon the oil-cloth, and the sundry things, mentioned in the indictment, laid upon it; they had been taken out of a drawer in the same room.[29]

1782 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey

[20 Feb. 1782:]
JANE SWEATMAN's DEFENCE.

I had been all the afternoon in Robinhood's court, I was going along by this place, and saw this woman, Humphries, I asked her where she was going, she said, to Mrs. Topham's, I am sensible she is acquainted with her, I said, I had not seen her a good while, and I would go and treat her, she went with me; as I was going by this place, I said, I wanted to go and ease myself, we went to the necessary together; I never saw any person in the alley but Mary Stebbings , and no person ever met us in the alley but that woman.[30]

1785 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey (1)

[12 Jan. 1785:]
RICHARD MATTHEW sworn.

I am servant to the prosecutor, I saw the prisoner come out of my master's cart in Milk-street, and he went towards the market, instead of going into the market he turned to the left, and went into Milk-street, and then turned up Robinhood-court, and I came back to Milk-street, and there I found him, he had a carcass of mutton on his shoulders, between five and six in the evening, I suspected him, and asked him where he was going with it, he said it was his master's, I asked him where his master lived, he said, it was no business of mine, I took the mutton off his shoulders, and gave it to an acquaintance of mine, and we brought it into the market, that is all the account I can give of it.[31]

1785 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey (2)

[14 Sep. 1785:]
HENRY CLARE sworn.

On Sunday in the afternoon, I came home very near four o'clock, I live at No. 7, Robinhood-court, Shoe-lane, and they said there was a thief run in there, and that he was gone into the Eagle and Child; I went in for the paper, I went backwards, and the prisoner was sitting having part of a pint of beer, and according to the description this was the man, I said nothing to him, I went out of the door, I did not take notice whether any thing was besides him; I told the constable and the people that I thought he was within, and said I will stay at the door, I had the paper in my hand the mean time; I went in and said to the mistress of the house, these gentlemen are come in to see if that is the man; the prisoner came to the bar, and said what is the matter, he pushed by me, and ran as fast as he could, and I called to them that were backwards, and they came out directly after, and they followed him home to his own lodgings, where he run in, and I followed him up stairs, I never lost sight of him till he ran into the house, I heard somebody running before me up stairs, and I called to the constable to come up stairs, and he was taken there; the constable burst the door open, he had locked himself in, they knocked several times at the door, but he did not answer; when the constable began to burst open the door, he said what is the matter, I'll open the door, and he opened the door, and the constable said, you have a thief in the house, says he, I have no thief in the room; I looked at him, and said this is the person that was at Mrs. Brown's, take down the pistols from the mantle-piece, there were pistols over the mantle-piece.

NOAH DELFORCE sworn.

I live in Blackhorse-alley, Fleet-market, I was standing at master's door, on Sunday in the afternoon, and two men came running up the court, there was a gentleman in a blue coat and red cape, running after them, that was Mr. Chitty; he said he saw the two men come out of the tallow chandlers, they ran up the court, and they had a bundle under each of their arms, and a stick in their hands, they ran up Fleet-street, we ran after them, there we lost one of them, we ran up King's-head-court, there we met one of them coming by the King's Printing Office, with a bundle under his arm, I am quite sure that is one of them; a man in half mourning cried that is the gentleman, then he ran back through Robinhood-court, and I saw him go into the Eagle and Child in Shoe-lane.[32]

1785 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey (3)

[14 Dec. 1785:]
WILLIIAM HANCOCK sworn. What age are you? - About eighteen, I live in Mint-street, No. 14, with Mr. Millington; this woman brought me up when I was a child; my master is the son-in-law of this woman, he maried her daughter.

Who brought you here to-day? - Mr. Russel.

Who is Mr. Russel? - A coachman in Robinhood yard.

Who applied to you to come here? - He, himself.

What connection has he with the prosecutrix or the prisoner? - He came to me, and told me I was to come here and speak the truth.

Then take care you do? - I know nothing at all about it, she brought down a summons to me at night, on Tuesday night, which Lord Mayor's day was on Wednesday, and told me I must come to her house to breakfast on Wednesday.

What summons did she bring you? - A summons from Justice Blackborough.

Did you go? - Yes, I went, then we had a breakfast; then she sent me out for a quartern of gin, I drank a part of it with her, then she got ready to go away; and going down Saffron-hill we had part of another quartern; and when we had done there, we went to Turnmill-street, to Mr. Chambers, and there we had another quartern; and with that she told me I was to take this false oath, to say that I saw this young man take these clothes, in a sheet under his arm.

Upon your oath, did she tell you to say so? - Yes, your Worship, she did.

What else did she tell you to swear? - To swear that I saw him take them out of a white sheet, and take them up to the stable that was in the corner; she said to take that oath before the Justice, and that would commit him to gaol.

Did she bid you say nothing else? - No, she told me to stand to that.

Was that all? - Yes.

Recollect yourself again as well as you can, whether she told you any thing else? - No, she told me nothing else that I can remember, but I was very much in liquor when I came away from the Justice's; that I could hardly tell what I said, or did.

Who was present when this conversation passed? - Nobody, but herself, and me.

Where was Mr. Chambers? - He was not come into the room at that time.

How came she to pick you out for this particular business? - Because she thought I was one that she reared up, and she thought I would do, or swear any thing in the world for her; and she took it upon that circumstance, she thought I would swear any thing for her.

Had you been at her place the day that she lost her things, at all? - No, I had not.

Upon your oath you had not? - Upon my oath I had not.

You are sure of that? - I am certain sure of that.

Did you never tell her that you had, before this time? - No, Sir, never.

You never told her that you had been there, or had seen any thing about it? - No.

Upon your oath, young man? - Upon my oath.

Court. Is there any body here from Mr. Blackborough's?

(Mr. Blackborough's clerk was sent for.)

Hancock. I really ask the Court's pardon with all my heart for what I have done, and will never do the like again; but it was very wrong in her to take an apprentice, and one that hardly knows a letter in a book.

Mr. Silvester. If there is any doubt about the case, I will call two witnesses.

Court to Hancock. Did your master keep you at home? - He could not spare me.

Court. Is any body here from Mr. Blackborough's, this is a very black business on the one side or on the other, and I am determined to get to the bottom of it.

WILLIAM BRACHNEY sworn.

I belong to Mr. Blackborough's office, I cannot positively say whether I was at the office at the time of the examination; but I know something of the business: this lad came with the prosecutrix, I do not recollect any body else; he had got a good story when he did come, I believe it was the morning of Lord Mayor's day, I am not positive; I believe they were together before they went into the Justice's, and had been drinking at the public-house; the first I knew about the business, Mr. Isaacs and I had a warrant to apprehend the prisoner; we went to look for him the first time, and could not find him; then the man came, Isaacs took him, I was not by; he came before Mr. Blackborough, and they took his master's word to bring him the next day; then they got a summons for this lad, it was either the day that the prisoner came to Mr. Blackborough's, or the day before; when he came before Mr. Blackborough, he seemed to tell a very good story; but to the best of my opinion, I think, he was learned that story first; because, I thought the woman was a very bad woman; I heard no conversation between the woman and the boy, before they went into the Justice's, I was in the office when they came in; I cannot pretend to say particularly, whether any body particular stood by the boy; when the woman went in, the boy seemed to be sober, but she was rather in liquor, for she was full of jaw.

Then the boy was not so drunk, as not to know what he said, or did? - I do not believe he was so drunk.

Who took the examination? - His clerk.

What is his name? - Edward Lavender; I believe the boy went in after this examination, to have his examination taken, but I cannot be positive.

Mr. Silvester. Was Chambers there? - Yes, he was concerned in the business, he was concerned for this, he came with them, and was with them I believe before they came in.

Court. You do not think the boy was drunk? - I do not think he was, he did not seem drunk, I never saw him till he was brought in by Mr. Chambers and the woman, I never saw the woman before I went with her to serve a warrant on the prisoner, my reason for saying he was instructed is, I thought there was some people with them that might give them a little education, you know as well as I do, I do not like to mention people's names, but I thought so I assure you.

You thought this woman had got into bad hands in plain English? - I thought she had got into hands that would give her a good lesson; but this I am sure, the place where Hancock said he saw the man, it is impossible he should see the lock broke off, for it is in a hay loft, and you are obliged to look down, he said he had been in sleep in this hay loft or straw loft, but they are obliged to stand and look as if they were looking underneath this desk, it is a place so dark, in my opinion, that it is impossible to see the door without leaning over.

Could he, in the hay loft, see the door without leaning over? - He could not, I am sure of that, because I was in the hay loft, it is the same as standing at this bench and leaning over to look under it; at the time he was examined I think, to the best of my remembrance, it was said, that it was a thing impossible that a man could see the lock brok open with a knife or any thing of that kind.

Court. Step for Lavender: and in the mean time examine the prisoner's witnesses apart.

MARY WOLFE sworn.

I keep a public-house in Leather-lane, the Robinhood and Black-boy, I have known the prisoner these three years, he lives in the yard adjoining to the house, that is, he works in the yard, Mr. Beach keeps coaches in the yard; on Wednesday, the 2d of November, I very well remember the prisoner coming to my house about ten minutes before two, he was not out till five, the old-clothes woman came in at nine in the evening, and said she had been robbed, she said nothing to him about it, he was in the house at the time.[33]

1786 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey (1)

[22 Feb. 1786:]
 WILLIAM TILL sworn.

 Do you remember being charged with robbing the prisoner? - Yes.
 What day did she charge you with robbing her? - On Saturday the 5th of November.
 I mean, on what day did she say you robbed her, when she gave her evidence in this Court? - I do not know the day of the month.
 Do you remember the day when this woman first came, and said in your hearing that she had been robbed? - She came in about nine o'clock in the evening; she said she had been robbed between the hours of two and four.
 Are you sure she fixed that time? - Yes, I am.
 Do you know where you were that day, between the hours of two and four, will you tell us upon your oath? - I was in at Mrs. Wolf's, when she came in to complain of this robbery; I had been there from seven till nine, I did not go out till eleven, when I went home to bed.
 Then from that were you in Robinhood-yard at any time between nine and eleven that evening? - No, I went home to-bed at eleven. I did not go out of Wolf's house from seven till eleven that evening; I live in Robinhood-yard with Mr. Russel, coach-master.
 Do you live over the stables belonging to Robert Beach? - No.
 Then in fact, any time between seven and eleven, were you in Robinhood-yard with any bundle of woman's clothes? - No, Sir, I never was out of Mr. Wolf's house.
 I need not ask you, if the prisoner called to you between that time in the yard? - No, Sir, she never saw me till she came to Mr. Wolf's.
Court. Did the prisoner know you before? - Yes; she was a lodger of my master's.
 Then, she knew your person before? - Yes.
 Was she a lodger at this time that she charged you with this offence? - Yes.
 Previous to this offence, had you had any quarrel with her? - No, Sir.
 Never have had a word with her? - Not a word.
Mr. Keys, Prisoner's Counsel. How long have you been employed in that yard? - Upwards of five years.
 Has Dorothy Handland lodged in that yard all the time? - No, Sir, she has not been a lodger to my master so long as that; she left my master's apartment about a year ago, and then she came back again.
 How long have you been acquainted with her? - Ever since I have been in the yard, and longer.
 That is five years and a half? - Yes.
 What business is she? - An old clothes woman.
 When she goes out about her business, her room is left locked up? - Certainly; there have been several people after her, and she has told me to take their names, and to deliver messages, and she should be at home at such a time; but I never shewed any goods for her in my life; when I have been in the yard doing my horses, she has come down in the yard, and said she should be at home soon.
 You knew her little stock was there? - I cannot tell.
 Is this alehouse, the Robinhood, close to the yard? - It joins the yard.
 What distance is it between the Robinhood and that stable-door, where she swore she saw you pass? - I suppose, a hundred yards.
 When you was in this public house, what time did you go there? - At seven in the evening.
 What time did you go there at dinner-time? - Before two.
 What time did you leave the house? - About five, my master came home.
 What is your master's name? - Beach.
 Then you went into the yard? - Yes; I was there about half after six.
 You swear, these four hours, from seven till eleven, you was not out of the public house? - I was not.
 What part of the house did you sit in? - I went to the chimney, to the box next to the jack-weight, where I always lay down.
 How long did you stay there? - Why, I suppose till about eight in that box.
 Was you alone in that box? - No, Sir.
 Who was with you? - Three or four people; there were two Mr. Goffs, and two Quakers, one of their names is Meredith.
 What is the other's name? - Charles Tippy, and one of Mr. Giles's men, his name is Thomas; and there was one Mr. Trott, a watchmaker.
 How was you employed at this time from seven till eight? - In drinking two pints of beer; I had one pint of beer alone.
 Who did you drink with afterwards? - with Mr. Trott and the other.
 How much had you with them? - One pint of beer.
 How much had you in all? - I was two pints, and they was a pint a piece.
 Had you any liquor besides beer? - No.
 And all that time you sat in that box? - At eight o'clock, I went next to the fire, and said there till eleven; Trott and I went away together; two of them that lodge in the house went to-bed at ten, Tipping and Trott were there the whole time.
Mr. Knowlys. Have you any doubt that you was there from seven till a considerable time past ten? - I have no doubt of it.
 Have you many more men in the yard? - Yes.
 Is there any man like you in the same yard? - There is one about my bulk, he is a gentleman's coachman.
 Does he wear his hair round as you do, without powder? - Yes.
 Mr. Keys. Pray, does this public house admit disorderly people, all sorts of company? - I never saw any in my life.
Court. Were there any lamps in the yard? - There was not, nor has been these two years.
 Is there any lamp near the loft-door? - No, nor any under the gate-way.
 Do you recollect, on that evening, whether there was any moon? - I brought the watchman's lanthorn to light my candle; there was no moon, it was very dark, I am positive of it.
 Do you think there was light enough that evening at half after eight, to discover the person of any body? - No, Sir.
 Do you think you could have discovered any body you had known? - No, Sir.

  MARY WOLF sworn.

 What house do you keep? - The Robinhood and Black Boy in Leather-lane.[34]

1786 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey (2)

26 Apr. 1786:]
JOHN BEVAN sworn.

I am a tallow-chandler, I live in Red-cross-street, I have known the prisoner about three years: On the 21st of March, I met the prisoner near the end of Aylesbury-street, Clerkenwell-green, he asked me if I did not buy a good deal of stuff, meaning kitchen stuff and dripping; I told him I had, but markets was down; he said he had a friend that had some halfpence, and put his hand in his pocket and pulled out two or three; he said they went undeniable at Wapping, and if I would buy any of him, he would sell me 30 s. for a guinea. I told him I was going to Wapping, and would enquire whether or no they went there, if they did, I would buy some: this I told him, in order that I might bring him to justice, I thought it a duty incumbent on me, if possible, to bring him to justice. I went once or twice to Clerkenwell-green to tell the affair the next day, on the 23d I went again, Justice Girdler was there, and a young gentleman his son; I related the story to them, and young Mr. Girdler directed me to the Solicitor of the Mint, Mr. Vernon, and he directed me to Mr. Clarke at Bow-street; I told Mr. Clarke the story, and the prisoner's name, and he knew him by the name of the Cheap Butcher; Mr. Clarke told me to buy half a guinea's-worth of halfpence; on the 27th I met the prisoner, I did not see him till then, I told him I would take half a guinea's-worth of halfpence, if he would bring them at four o'clock; he appointed the Robinhood in Holborn, as I was going there, I met the prisoner, and he told me he could not possibly come till five, I waited there, and the prisoner made it eight, when he came, there was another person waiting for him, he went out with the other man, and returned in two or three minutes; he then came to me, and said, how many do you want? I said half a guinea's-worth, he brought some halfpence from the other man, and laid them on the table, and received silver for them; the prisoner then came and sat down by me; he gave me a paper that was done up square; this has been open since, which I gave him half a guinea for; there were three five-shilling papers of halfpence; there were three hundred and sixty in the whole, I counted them the next morning.

Did you know they were bad? - No, Sir, I do not know, of my own knowledge; Mr. Clarke has seen them; I carried them to Mr. Clarke directly, when I received the halfpence, he pulled out a shilling out of his pocket, and said he was queered; I likewise asked if he had any silver to sell; I met him again at the Robinhood, in Holborn; Ting and another attended there to apprehend him, but he was taken at the Magpye in Middle-row, with two separate half guinea's worth of half-pence, and some silver, which I was to buy.[35]

1790 - Court Rolls of Manor of Wakefield (1)

[1790:]
18 Hipperholme, surrender by the hands of James Pearson, 28 Aug
ELIZABETH BOTTOMLEY of Shibden, spinster, to herself for life without impeachment of waste, then to MARY BOTTOMLEY of same, spinster, her natural daughter, for life without impeachment of waste [...] mess at the Lees in Northowram with garden, barn, cottages, a dye-house converted into cottages and with 11 acres of land, called the Ing, [p. 11:] Little Ing, First and Second Lower Field, Lee Wood, Lower, Middle and Upper Brow, Star Field, Robin Hood and Field Next to Robin Hood, by estimation 31 days' work; all now in the occupation of ELIZABETH. Consideration: in indenture of even date herewith produced in court, between: 1) ELIZABETH, 2) MARY, 3) John Holt of Northowram, farmer. Fine: 6s. Rent: 2s compounded.[36]

1790 - Court Rolls of Manor of Wakefield (2)

[1790:]

Stanley, First Proclamation

Seized by the Deputy Grave:

(i) capital mess at the Outwood Side called the Lodge with barns, stables, dovecote, granary, outbuildings, gardens, orchard, foldstead and appurts and with a nearby or adjoining close of meadow or pasture, formerly used as one close called the Ox Close, now divided into 5 closes called the Ox Close, Ponds Close, Calf Croft, the Paddock and Willans Close, by estimation 9 acres; (ii) 2 closes, formerly called Eddish Close and Calf Croft, which are now laid with the Ox Close and called the Park, by estimation 16 acres including the gardens and orchard of the mess, now in the occupation of Edward D'Oyley, esq, formerly of Samuel Armytage, esq, since dec, then of Mr Hardman; (iii) 3 closes of meadow or pasture called the Great Ing and Upper and Lower Walton Close, by estimation 13 acres, and a like close or parcel of meadow or pasture formerly called Robin Hood Near Stile Close, now laid with Upper Walton Close and called Waterhouse Close, all now in the occupation of Ely Midgeley; (iv) a close or parcel of arable, meadow or pasture called Robin Hood Farr Stile Close, by estimation [blank], now in the occupation of William Green, late of Joseph Battye; (v) a close of meadow or pasture called Upper Robin Hood Close, by estimation [blank], now in the occupation of Joseph Sidebottom; (vi) mess near the Lodge, adjoining Brag Lane, with outbuildings, croft, appurts and closes or parcels of meadow or pasture called Laith Close formerly Robtree Royd, Square Close formerly Robin Royd, and Seel Close formerly Lower Robin Hood Close, all now in the occupation of William Blakeley otherwise Blakely, formerly of Sarah Wilson, widow, and William, her son; (vii) 4 closes of meadow or pasture called Savile Close formerly Pasture Close or Great Pasture, Boardman Close and Near and Far Beckett Close, by estimation [blank], now in the occupation of John Gowland, formerly of Sarah and William Wilson; (viii) a like close called the Long Tongue, by estimation 2 acres, Kelshaw Close formerly Green Close, by estimation [blank], Lower Ing, now laid with the Bottom of Ox Close, by estimation [blank], all being now in the occupation of Robert Sidebottom and, except for the Long Tongue, formerly of Sarah and William Wilson; (ix) a close of meadow or pasture called the Little Field or Middle Field, by estimation 3 acres, now in the occupation of James Ledger, formerly of Richard Boys, then of John Gowland. The several closes above all lie together or adjoining each other; (x) a parcel of land called Butler Car, by [p. 32:] estimation 1 acre, in or near Ouchthorpe in Stanley, now in the occupation of Ely Midgeley, formerly of John Bramham; (xi) mess called Cutt Yard House with an adjoining close or parcel of land now used as a garden or orchard, by estimation 1 rood, near a place called Snow Hill now in the occupation of John Roberts, formerly of Gervase Roberts, then of Joseph Powell; (xii) a close or parcel of arable, meadow or pasture called Lower Robin Hood Close, formerly in 2 closes called the Flagg Closes lately called Cow Close, by estimation 8 acres, now in the occupation of William Blakeley, formerly of Sarah and John Wilson, adjoining the 3 last mentioned closes of William Blakely; (xiii) a like close called Cobler Close formerly Square Close by estimation 4 acres, lying between Boardman Close and Savile Close, now in the occupation of John Gowland, formerly of Sarah and John Wilson; (xiv) a like close or parcel of land called the Three Nooked Close, by estimation 4 acres, adjoining Boardman Close, Far and Near Beckett Close and Little Field, now in the occupation of James Ledger, formerly of Gervase Roberts, then of John Gowland; (xv) all other mess, cottages, lands, hereditaments, premises and appurts in the Manor of Joseph Armytage, esq, of the Lodge. Rent: [blank]. All compounded.[37]

1791 - Court Rolls of Manor of Wakefield (1)

[1791:]

Stanley, Second Proclamation [verbation repetition of 1790 - Court Rolls of Manor of Wakefield (2)]

Seized by the Deputy Grave:

(i) capital mess at the Outwood Side called the Lodge with barns, stables, dovecote, granary, outbuildings, gardens, orchard, foldstead and appurts and with a nearby or adjoining close of meadow or pasture, formerly used as one close called the Ox Close, now divided into 5 closes called the Ox Close, Ponds Close, Calf Croft, the Paddock and Willans Close, by estimation 9 acres; (ii) 2 closes, formerly called Eddish Close and Calf Croft, which are now laid with the Ox Close and called the Park, by estimation 16 acres including the gardens and orchard of the mess, now in the occupation of Edward D'Oyley, esq, formerly of Samuel Armytage, esq, since dec, then of Mr Hardman; (iii) 3 closes of meadow or pasture called the Great Ing and Upper and Lower Walton Close, by estimation 13 acres, and a like close or parcel of meadow or pasture formerly called Robin Hood Near Stile Close, now laid with Upper Walton Close and called Waterhouse Close, all now in the occupation of Ely Midgeley; (iv) a close or parcel of arable, meadow or pasture called Robin Hood Farr Stile Close, by estimation [blank], now in the occupation of William Green, late of Joseph Battye; (v) a close of meadow or pasture called Upper Robin Hood Close, by estimation [blank], now in the occupation of Joseph Sidebottom; (vi) mess near the Lodge, adjoining Brag Lane, with outbuildings, croft, appurts and closes or parcels of meadow or pasture called Laith Close formerly Robtree Royd, Square Close formerly Robin Royd, and Seel Close formerly Lower Robin Hood Close, all now in the occupation of William Blakeley otherwise Blakely, formerly of Sarah Wilson, widow, and William, her son; (vii) 4 closes of meadow or pasture called Savile Close formerly Pasture Close or Great Pasture, Boardman Close and Near and Far Beckett Close, by estimation [blank], now in the occupation of John Gowland, formerly of Sarah and William Wilson; (viii) a like close called the Long Tongue, by estimation 2 acres, Kelshaw Close formerly Green Close, by estimation [blank], Lower Ing, now laid with the Bottom of Ox Close, by estimation [blank], all being now in the occupation of Robert Sidebottom and, except for the Long Tongue, formerly of Sarah and William Wilson; (ix) a close of meadow or pasture called the Little Field or Middle Field, by estimation 3 acres, now in the occupation of James Ledger, formerly of Richard Boys, then of John Gowland. The several closes above all lie together or adjoining each other; (x) a parcel of land called Butler Car, by [p. 32:] estimation 1 acre, in or near Ouchthorpe in Stanley, now in the occupation of Ely Midgeley, formerly of John Bramham; (xi) mess called Cutt Yard House with an adjoining close or parcel of land now used as a garden or orchard, by estimation 1 rood, near a place called Snow Hill now in the occupation of John Roberts, formerly of Gervase Roberts, then of Joseph Powell; (xii) a close or parcel of arable, meadow or pasture called Lower Robin Hood Close, formerly in 2 closes called the Flagg Closes lately called Cow Close, by estimation 8 acres, now in the occupation of William Blakeley, formerly of Sarah and John Wilson, adjoining the 3 last mentioned closes of William Blakely; (xiii) a like close called Cobler Close formerly Square Close by estimation 4 acres, lying between Boardman Close and Savile Close, now in the occupation of John Gowland, formerly of Sarah and John Wilson; (xiv) a like close or parcel of land called the Three Nooked Close, by estimation 4 acres, adjoining Boardman Close, Far and Near Beckett Close and Little Field, now in the occupation of James Ledger, formerly of Gervase Roberts, then of John Gowland; (xv) all other mess, cottages, lands, hereditaments, premises and appurts in the Manor of Joseph Armytage, esq, of the Lodge. Rent: [blank]. All compounded.[38]

1791 - Court Rolls of Manor of Wakefield (2)

[1791:]

Stanley, Third Proclamation [verbation repetition of 1790 - Court Rolls of Manor of Wakefield (2)]

Seized by the Deputy Grave:

(i) capital mess at the Outwood Side called the Lodge with barns, stables, dovecote, granary, outbuildings, gardens, orchard, foldstead and appurts and with a nearby or adjoining close of meadow or pasture, formerly used as one close called the Ox Close, now divided into 5 closes called the Ox Close, Ponds Close, Calf Croft, the Paddock and Willans Close, by estimation 9 acres; (ii) 2 closes, formerly called Eddish Close and Calf Croft, which are now laid with the Ox Close and called the Park, by estimation 16 acres including the gardens and orchard of the mess, now in the occupation of Edward D'Oyley, esq, formerly of Samuel Armytage, esq, since dec, then of Mr Hardman; (iii) 3 closes of meadow or pasture called the Great Ing and Upper and Lower Walton Close, by estimation 13 acres, and a like close or parcel of meadow or pasture formerly called Robin Hood Near Stile Close, now laid with Upper Walton Close and called Waterhouse Close, all now in the occupation of Ely Midgeley; (iv) a close or parcel of arable, meadow or pasture called Robin Hood Farr Stile Close, by estimation [blank], now in the occupation of William Green, late of Joseph Battye; (v) a close of meadow or pasture called Upper Robin Hood Close, by estimation [blank], now in the occupation of Joseph Sidebottom; (vi) mess near the Lodge, adjoining Brag Lane, with outbuildings, croft, appurts and closes or parcels of meadow or pasture called Laith Close formerly Robtree Royd, Square Close formerly Robin Royd, and Seel Close formerly Lower Robin Hood Close, all now in the occupation of William Blakeley otherwise Blakely, formerly of Sarah Wilson, widow, and William, her son; (vii) 4 closes of meadow or pasture called Savile Close formerly Pasture Close or Great Pasture, Boardman Close and Near and Far Beckett Close, by estimation [blank], now in the occupation of John Gowland, formerly of Sarah and William Wilson; (viii) a like close called the Long Tongue, by estimation 2 acres, Kelshaw Close formerly Green Close, by estimation [blank], Lower Ing, now laid with the Bottom of Ox Close, by estimation [blank], all being now in the occupation of Robert Sidebottom and, except for the Long Tongue, formerly of Sarah and William Wilson; (ix) a close of meadow or pasture called the Little Field or Middle Field, by estimation 3 acres, now in the occupation of James Ledger, formerly of Richard Boys, then of John Gowland. The several closes above all lie together or adjoining each other; (x) a parcel of land called Butler Car, by [p. 32:] estimation 1 acre, in or near Ouchthorpe in Stanley, now in the occupation of Ely Midgeley, formerly of John Bramham; (xi) mess called Cutt Yard House with an adjoining close or parcel of land now used as a garden or orchard, by estimation 1 rood, near a place called Snow Hill now in the occupation of John Roberts, formerly of Gervase Roberts, then of Joseph Powell; (xii) a close or parcel of arable, meadow or pasture called Lower Robin Hood Close, formerly in 2 closes called the Flagg Closes lately called Cow Close, by estimation 8 acres, now in the occupation of William Blakeley, formerly of Sarah and John Wilson, adjoining the 3 last mentioned closes of William Blakely; (xiii) a like close called Cobler Close formerly Square Close by estimation 4 acres, lying between Boardman Close and Savile Close, now in the occupation of John Gowland, formerly of Sarah and John Wilson; (xiv) a like close or parcel of land called the Three Nooked Close, by estimation 4 acres, adjoining Boardman Close, Far and Near Beckett Close and Little Field, now in the occupation of James Ledger, formerly of Gervase Roberts, then of John Gowland; (xv) all other mess, cottages, lands, hereditaments, premises and appurts in the Manor of Joseph Armytage, esq, of the Lodge. Rent: [blank]. All compounded.[39]

1791 - Court Rolls of Manor of Wakefield (3)

[1791:]

83 Stanley, admission of

JOSEPH ARMYTAGE of the Lodge, par Wakefield, esq, took from the Lord of the Manor premises lately seized into the hands of the Lord of the Manor because ARMYTAGE by his indenture of demise of 26 Oct 1790 had demised, granted and let them to farm to John Lee of Wakefield, gent, from [25 Oct 1790] for the term of 21 years without a fine, without a licence from the court, in contempt of the Lord of the Manor and contrary to the custom of the Manor. This was found by a sworn inquest at a Court Baron of Wakefield on 26 Nov 1790 and presented and on proclamation published in three Wakefield courts [see Stanley Proclamations, 17 Dec 1790, 7 and 28 Jan by custom that should any person acknowledge he holds the premises of the Lord of the Manor and pay and perform to him the rents and services then they should come in and be received. ARMYTAGE did so and was admitted as tenant to:

(i) capital mess at the Outwood Side called the Lodge with barns, stables, dovecote, granary, outbuildings, gardens, orchard, foldstead and appurts and with a nearby or adjoining close of meadow or pasture, formerly used as one close, called the Ox Close, now divided into 5 closes, called the Ox Close, Ponds Close, Calf Croft, the Paddock and Willans Close, by estimation 9 acres; (ii) 2 closes, formerly called Eddige Close and Calf Croft, which are now laid with the Ox Close and called the Park, by estimation 16 acres including the gardens and orchard of the mess, now in the occupation of Edward D'Oyley, esq, formerly of Samuel Armytage, esq, since dec, then of Mr Hardman; (iii) 3 closes of meadow or pasture called the Great Ing and Upper and Lower Walton Close, by estimation 13 acres and a like close or parcel of meadow or pasture formerly called Robin Hood Near Stile Close, now laid with Upper Walton Close and called Waterhouse Close, all now in the occupation of Ely Midgeley; (iv) a close or parcel of arable, meadow or pasture called Robin Hood Farr Stile Close, by estimation [blank], now in the occupation of William Green, late of Joseph Battye; (v) a close of meadow or pasture called Upper Robin Hood Close, by estimation [blank], now in the occupation of Joseph Sidebottom; (vi) mess near the Lodge, adjoining Brag Lane, with outbuildings, croft, appurts and closes or parcels of meadow or pasture called Laith Close formerly Robtree Royd, Square Close formerly Robin Royd, and Seel Close formerly Lower Robin Hood Close, all now in the occupation of William Blakeley otherwise Blakely, formerly of Sarah Wilson, widow, and William, her son; (vii) 4 closes of meadow or pasture called Savile [p. 52:] Close formerly Pasture Close otherwise Great Pasture, Boardman Close and Near and Far Beckett Close, by estimation [blank], now in the occupation of John Gowland, formerly of Sarah and William Wilson; (viii) a like close called the Long Tongue, by estimation 2 acres, Kelshaw Close formerly Green Close, by estimation [blank], Lower Ing, now laid with the Bottom of Ox Close, by estimation [blank], all now in the occupation of Robert Sidebottom and, except for the Long Tongue, formerly of Sarah and William Wilson; (ix) a close of meadow or pasture called the Little Field or Middle Field, by estimation 3 acres, now in the occupation of James Ledger, formerly of Richard Boys, then of John Gowland; the several closes above all lying together or adjoining each other; (x) a parcel of land called Buttler Car, by estimation 1 acre, in or near Ouchthorpe in Stanley, now in the occupation of Ely Midgeley, formerly of John Bramham; (xi) mess called Cutt Yard House with an adjoining close or parcel of land now used as a garden or orchard, by estimation 1 rood, near a place called Snow Hill now in the occupation of John Roberts, formerly of Gervase Roberts, then of Joseph Powell; (xii) a close or parcel of arable, meadow or pasture called Lower Robin Hood Close formerly in 2 closes called the Flagg Closes lately called Cow Close, by estimation 8 acres, now in the occupation of William Blakeley, formerly of Sarah and John Wilson, adjoining the 3 last mentioned closes of William Blakeley; (xiii) a like close called Cobler Close formerly Square Close, by estimation 4 acres, lying between Boardman Close and Savile Close, now in the occupation of John Gowland, formerly of Sarah and John Wilson; (xiv) a like close or parcel of land called the Three Nooked Close, by estimation 4 acres, adjoining Boardman Close, Far and Near Beckett Close and Little Field, now in the occupation of James Ledger, formerly of Gervase Roberts, then of John Gowland; (xv) all other mess, cottages, lands, hereditaments, premises and appurts in the Manor of Joseph Armytage. Fine: £2 5s Od compounded, £50 uncompounded.
Rent: [blank] part compounded.

Note: the lease and warrant were enrolled with the surrender.

Annex: warrant [last five pages] to seize, 16 Dec 1790, [sig] Robert Lumb with a note that the precept was executed, [sig] John Senior, Deputy Grave of Stanley, George Goodyear, Joseph Carver, Abraham Bedford and Robert Pearson, copyholders.[40]


1791 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey

[12 Jan. 1791:]
JONATHAN BRANE sworn.

I was a workman to Mr. Leader: I was coming out of the shop, and I overtook the prisoner with a piece of timber on his shoulder, about two or three hundred yards on the road: I followed him to the Pindar of Wakefield's, and down a little passage where he went in, and took it up stairs: that was his lodging: it seemed like a piece of timber about four foot long, more or less, and four or five inches thick: he had nothing else but his lanthorn: it was near six in the evening, and dark: it was the 17th of December, on a Friday.

Mr. Garrow, Prisoner's Counsel. I understood you, it was a piece of timber, or something like it? - It was a piece of timber represented: I cannot swear it was: I think it was.

JAMES WINTER sworn.

I am a baker and constable of St. Andrews, Holborn. I went with a warrant, and told him my business, and asked him what he had done with that piece of timber that he lately brought home out of Mr. Leader's premises? he said, oh, here it is, in a very careless unconcerned manner: says I, fetch it out, and he brought it out of his room, at the first door in a narrow passage behind the Pindar of Wakefield's: he acknowledged it to be Mr. Leader's property: I neither threatened nor promised him: it was on the 17th of December, about half past eight the same evening: the man was very sober, and in bed: he is a watchman whom Mr. Leader kept to protect his premises: Mr. Lucas was with me: I could not be certain whether it was the first or second door.[41]

1793 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey (1)

[20 Feb. 1793:]
JOHN CURTIS was indicted for not having the fear of God before his eyes on the 28th of March, in and upon Sarah Tipple, spinster, violently did make an assault, and then and there the said Sarah Tipple violently and feloniously did Ravish and carnally know.

(The witnesses examined separate.)

SARAH TIPPLE sworn. I am a single woman, I go to service; at the time of this assault I lived servant with Mr. Curtis; I lived with him three weeks; I am nineteen next August.

Mr. Curtis is a publican, he keeps the Robinhood and Little John in Bishopsgate-street. I came up to London on Saturday; I came from Wyndham in Norfolk; I went to my place to Mr. Curtis's on Monday, this affair happen on tuesday. I was up three pair of stairs making of the beds, and my master came up stairs and bolted the door, he insisted violence upon me immediately.[42]

1794 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey (2)

[16 Jul. 1794:]
[...] CHARLES PRITCHARD and JOSEPH SMITH were indicted for stealing, on the 6th of July, eighteen guineas, a half guinea, two hundred shillings, three hundred and twelve copper halfpence, and ninety-six copper farthings; the goods and monies of Charles Turner, in his dwelling house.

The case opened by Mr. Knowlys.

THOMAS DAVIS sworn.

I was the waiter at the Robin Hood at the time of this happening; Mr. Charles Turner keeps that house; this happened on Sunday the 6th of July, to the best of my knowledge, between eight and nine o'clock; I have no perfect knowledge of the prisoners; I saw them that day, they came up stairs, and ordered a jug of ale, there were three in company, they came into the public tap room up stairs. The Robin Hood is at High Hill Ferry, Clapton, near Hackney.

Mr. Knapp objected to the indictment saying, St. John's, at Hackney.

Witness. They called for a jug of ale; I asked if they chose some biscuits? they said, yes, bring three. In consequence I brought three up. When they first came into the room, Pritchard came down stairs, there was a gentleman and three ladies in the room, but they quitted the room half an hour before Pritchard came down stairs.

Q. Do you know where the gentleman and three ladies went to? — No, I never saw them afterwards. Pritchard met me at the bottom of the stairs, and said, you are wanted up stairs, waiter; they want some more ale; with that I went up; they found fault with the ale, and desired to have some milder if there was any; and I brought them up a jug of milder.

Q. Who was the person who asked for the milder? — I believe it was Mr. Smith, but I don't know exactly recollect.

Q. Who were in the room when you went up in consequence of Pritchard's direction? — There were no others in the room then, then these two; the man who is absent, and Mr. Smith. When I brought up the milder ale, Mr. Smith he did not find it better than the last; but Pritchard he tasted it and thought it was very good. After that I went down stairs and walked about the garden, and I came up again about some things that were to be carried down, and I found that one of them was absent from the room

[...]

CHARLES TURNER sworn.

I am sole master of the Robin Hood. On Sunday the 6th of July, I lost thirty pounds sixteen shillings, in gold and silver, and halfpence; eighteen guineas and a half in a silk purse, in gold; the silver was in a canvas bag, and fifteen shillings of halfpence, tied up in five shilling parcels.

[...]

JOHN LOCKEWOOD sworn.

[...]

Q. How far was this from the Robin Hood? — I cannot say that, three or four fields, better than a quarter of a mile. Hearing the cry of stop thieves from several voices, when I got into the lane I see several people running up this lane, and still crying stop thief! I concluded they might be drinking or joking; I said, are you joking or in earnest in calling out stop thief? the answer was, sir, we are in earnest, they have robbed my master's house. Immediately these two prisoners jumped out of the ditch, went through the fence, and ran into the corn field; one of them, Pritchard, attempted to pass me, and I said, you cannot pass me, I must secure you till the people come up; sir, says he, I am no thief, don't touch me; says I, if you are no thief, why don't you stand? after some little altercation I endeavoured to lay hold of him, I secured him, and in the course of three or four minutes some of the pursuers came up, Davis came up and said, that is one of the men; and I said, there he is for you; and he was taken back to the Robin Hood.

[...]

WILLIAM PERRY sworn.

[...]

I am a labouring man; I found one key last Monday was a week, in the morning, the Monday after this robbery was committed; it is a double key; this is it; I found it in the horse road, pretty near the Robin Hood , about twenty-eight or twenty-nine yards; directly as I picked it up Mr. Turner's man was rolling a walk in the garden, I gave it him; Mr. Turner had it that morning; I see Mr. Turner have it afterwards.

Q. What is the name of the road? - It is a little bit of a lane that leads from the Robin Hood, into the fields, into Clapton.

Mr. Knapp. Whereabouts in the road did you find it? — Next the hedge by the side of the road.

Q. What is there on the other side of the hedge? — Gardens.

Court to Davis. What do you call this lane? — It is a coach road that leads up to Clapton.

Q. Is there a garden by the side of that road? — Yes, a garden belonging to my master.

Q. Which way did he throw the keys from him? — By the left hand side.

Q. Is there any garden on the left hand side going from the Robin Hood? — Yes, there is.

Q. How is that garden separated from the lane? — By an hedge and ditch.

Q. To Perry. Which side of the road was it you found the key? — The left hand side going from the Robin Hood.

Mr. Knapp to Davis. The pick lock keys were thrown by the man that escaped? — Yes.

Court to Turner. What do you call the parish? — St. John's, Hackney.

[...][43]

1795 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey

[16 Apr. 1795:]
DANIEL CARTWRIGHT sworn.

Q. Was you sent for on this occasion? - No, I was coming down Milk-street between seven and eight o'clock, and hearing the cry of stop thief! I ran as fast as I could, and seeing a concourse of people running in the court, I immediately made round the other way, and catched the prisoner in the court, Robinhood-court.

Q. Was he running? - He was hardly running, when I came up to him there was so many people that he was partly stopped; I brought the prisoner back to Mr. Stevens and Nicholson's, and they gave charge of him, and I took him to the Compter; after that I went to Messrs. Neale's and Wright's, with Mr. Nicholson, and brought the shawls into his house.

Q. Were they dirty or clean? - Two parcels I believe were dirty, the others were not, they are here in court.

Q. What has been done with these shawls? - After that I then sealed them up, and left them at Mr. Nicholson's house.

Q. They were carried I suppose to the magistrate? - Yes.

Q. Did you seal them again there? - Yes, I sealed them at the Mansion House, before the Lord Mayor.

Mr. Knapp. You say the prisoner was running, and you stopped him? - Yes.

Q. He was running towards you? - Yes.

Q. You know Robinhood-court? - Yes.

Q. One end of Robinhood-court leads into Honey-lane-market? - It does.[44]

1796 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey

[22 Jul. 1796:]
SARAH WILLIAMSON sworn. I live in Robinhood-yard, Leather-lane, I keep the Robinhood; I have known Brown all his life-time, he is a very honest sober youth, as far as I know; he served his time to a printer.[45]

1798 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey

[14 Feb. 1798:]
JOHN HICKSON sworn. - I keep a lodging house, No. 1, Robinhood-Court, Shoe-lane, in the parish of St. Andrew: My wife and I let the lodgings to the prisoner, about the 24th of November, I cannot be positive to the day; she came to me, and asked the rent of the room, I had a bill up; I told her it was three shillings a week, it was a furnished lodging; she went up to look at the room with my wife; she said she liked the room very well, she agreed to take it; she offered a tea-pot, which she pulled from under her long cloak, as earnest; I told her it was usual to have a character from the last place where she lodged; she paused for some time, and appealed to a woman close to her elbow, who came with her; she said, this is my aunt, she will answer for my character; I told her that would not do; I told her I preferred having a character from the last place where she lodged; after some hesitation, she gave me an address to a Mrs. Chevis, in Suffolk-street, behind the Mint, between that and the King's-Bench; it was a very dark night, I went over notwithstanding the darkness of the night, I found the house with much difficulty, Mrs. Chevis opened the door; in consequence of a conversation between Mrs. Chevis and me I let her the lodgings; she called, soon after I came home, to know if her character answered, and I said, yes, and she came in that same night; I let it to her as a married woman, she said, her husband worked on Snowhill, at a watch-maker's, that his name was Johnson; this was one Wednesday, and she told me she would pay me the half week on the Saturday night; she said, Mr. Johnson was out of town, she expected him home on Saturday.[46]

1799 - Proceedings of the Old Bailey

[11 Sep. 1799:]
WILLIAM BROADFOOT sworn. - I am a journeyman tailor. On Sunday the 30th of June, I was robbed in a field, near Primerose-hill, about three o'clock in the morning; I was late going home to my lodging; I rapped at the door once, and found I was locked out, and being a fine morning, I thought I would take a walk in the fields, among the hay; I lodged at Mr. Hambler's, No. 7, Charlton-street, Fitzory-sqare; I came home between twelve and one, I did not leave the shop till eight o'clock, and then I went to receive my wages at the Black-horse, in Swallow-street; from there I went to the Robin-hood, in Windmill-street, and staid till twelve o'clock; I then went to my lodgings; I was not perfectly sober, but I knew what I did very well; I then went down Portland-road, by the Queen-and-Artichoke, till I got to the third field; I walked about for some time, I suppose about an hour, and then I laid down upon the hay, but did not sleep; when the prisoner at the bar came up to me, I was as sober as I am now; he and another man came up to me, I had never seen either of them before to my knowledge; they came up in a hurrying manner, and the prisoner speaking like an Irishman, asked me, what I belonged to? I said, I belonged to nothing, but I saw what he belonged to; then he began throwing hay over me; he asked me what countryman I was; I said, suppose I came from Newcastle; he kept throwing hay over me, and cried out to the other man, Tom, bring me some more hay.

Q. What countryman are you? - A. I was born at Limerick; he kept throwing the hay over my head, and was like to smother me; I got up and told him to be quiet, I was not disturbing them, and I did not know what right they had to disturb me; then the prisoner knocked me down with his fist; he struck me on the side of my head; I was a little stunned; he then took the handkerchief from my neck, and said, d-n you Tom, take that; I did not resist, because I was afraid they would kill me; the prisoner threw the handkerchief to the other man; he then told me to take off my coat; he took hold of the cuff of the right sleeve, and tore it across; he got both my coat and waistcoat off; then he went a yard or two from me to the other man; he took the coat and waistcoat with him, and took every thing that was in the coat out of it, except a small button that was left in the corner of the pocket; there was a pocket-handkerchief, a pair of scissars, and a silver watch; I had put my watch in my coat pocket, because I thought it was safer there than any where else; he also took three shillings, two thimbles, and some half-pence out of my right hand waistcoat pocket; they took also a woman's huslif, that had the duplicate of a watch in it, which I had brought of a man of the name of Downer, who worked at the same place with me; it was pawned at Hill's in Brewer-street; one of them, I cannot say which, threw my coat and waistcoat back to me; the prisoner laughed at me, and said, that would learn me not to come out so soon in the morning again, and then they went away with the property. (Produces the coat torn across the sleve.)

Q. Do you mean to swear positively that it was the prisoner who tore that coat? - A. I do. On the 12th of August, I made an affidaved at Marlborough-street, and took out the watch, that the duplicate related to, which I lost. On the Wednesday morning after I had been robbed, I met with the prisoner upon the parade at St. James's, they were both soldiers, and were dressed in the uniform of the light company, the first regiment of Guards; I had been in the Park that same Sunday and Monday morning; on the Wednesday morning, the soldiers passed me once, and when they came up again, I saw the prisoner and knew him immediately; I had two officers with me, Treadway and Mumford; he was taken to Bow-street and searched, but nothing found upon him belonging to me; I first applied to Bow-street, on the Sunday morning, and from there I went to the Park; I am perfectly sure the prisoner is the man.

Q. Who was with you at the Robin-hood? - A. Mr. Johnson, he is here, and the foreman of the shop is here.

Cross-examined by Mr. Alley. Q. Who do you work for? - A. Messrs. Sitlers and Mathews, in Little Vine-street.

Q. Where is your pay-table? - A. The Blackhorse, in Swallow-street; I was there about an hour before I got paid.

Q. How came you to go to the other public-house, and leave your comrades? - A. I did not leave them, they went when I did; I drink at the other public-house every night; I left the Robinhood about twelve o'clock, and I did not leave the Black-horse till night eleven.

Q. Are there any other lodged in this house? - A. No.

Q. Were you ever locked out before? - A. No.

Q. How came you not to rap at the door a second time? - A. I had lodged there but a week, and it was a very fine morning.

Q. You were robbed of three shillings; what money did you receive at the pay-table? - A. One pound five shillings: I had a one pound note, but I cannot swear that I was robbed of it, because I did not see it; and I only speak to that I am certain they did take.

Q. Had you no stile, or ditch to get over, in the fields? - A. Yes.

Q. And you thought your watch safer in your coat-pocket than any where else? - A. Yes; I had often done so before.

Q. The watch you lost was a silver watch with two cases? - A. Yes.

Q. What sort of watch was it you got out of pawn? - A. A silver watch with two cases.

Q. Upon your oath, did you not swear before the Magistrate that watch was your own? - A. I swore that I had lost the duplicate.

Q. Is Downer here? - A. No; he was an apprentice at the shop I worked at, but he is gone away; he lives at No. 44, Cross-street.

Q. You did not think it necessary to bring him here to-day? - A. I did not know whether it was or not; and I could not afford to see Council to know what was right.

Q. These men came up to you when you were upon the ground, and began to throw hay over you? - A. Yes; and they felt all over me to see whether I had any thing in my breeches.

Q. Why did not you run away? - A. They could run after than me; and I had no thought that they meant to rob me.

Q. Not when they felt about your breeches? - A. No.

Q. Upon your oath, what did you think they meant? - A. I did not take much thought about it till they took my handkerchief.

Q. Was it day-light? - A. Yes; and they were both dressed in their uniforms.

Q. I take it, was only from the clothes that you knew the man again? - A. Yes, by his face and his speech.

Q. Then you did not know him till you heard him speak? - A. Yes, I did; but that made me the more certain; I went to the Orderly-room on the Sunday, and they told me to come on Wednesday, for the men would be all out that morning, and if I could see him I was to take him; I went on the Wednesday, and they were marching up to the Queen's guard, at Buckingham-house; he was apprehended in the ranks.

Q. How many shillings did you receive at the pay-table? - A. Five shillings and four-pence, and I paid my beer score for the week; I had about two shillings in my pocket before I received my pay.

Court. Q. Perhaps you have heard of such a thing as a reward of forty pounds? - A. Yes.

Q. Had you heard of it before you were robbed? - A. Yes.

Q. When they took away your coat and waistcoat, did you see the things that they took out? A. No; I know I had the watch in my coat-pocket when I came past the Queen and Artichoke to go into the fields.

JOHN JOHNSON sworn - I am a tailor: I was at the Robin-hood on Saturday night, with Broadfoot, he did not appear to me to be intoxicated; I went away between eleven and twelve, and saw no more of him that night.[47]

Notes

  1. Proceedings of the Old Bailey: Henry Rout, John Long, Thomas Evans, Violent Theft > highway robbery, Violent Theft > highway robbery, Violent Theft > highway robbery, 7th December 1709.
  2. Proceedings of the Old Bailey: William Colthouse, Violent Theft > highway robbery, Violent Theft > highway robbery, 12th January 1722.
  3. Proceedings of the Old Bailey: James Shaw, Richard Norton, Violent Theft > highway robbery, Violent Theft > highway robbery, Killing > murder, 12th January 1722.
  4. Proceedings of the Old Bailey: Ordinary's Account, 8th February 1722.
  5. Proceedings of the Old Bailey: Ann Mortimer, Theft > pocketpicking, 16th October 1723.
  6. Richardson, David, ed.; McGrath, Patrick, gen. ed.; Ralph, Elizabeth, assist. gen. ed. Bristol, Africa and the Eighteenth-Century Slave Trade to America. Vol. 1: The Years of Expansion, 1698-1729 (Bristol record Society's Publications, vol. XXXVIII) ([s.l.], 1986), p. 157, and see p. xii
  7. Proceedings of the Old Bailey: Samuel Denison, Violent Theft > highway robbery, 5th July 1727.
  8. Proceedings of the Old Bailey: Thomas Rayner, Robert Smith, Theft > grand larceny, 13th October 1731.
  9. Proceedings of the Old Bailey: Joseph Paterson, Joseph Darvan, Theft > housebreaking, 8th December 1731.
  10. Proceedings of the Old Bailey: Daniel Tipping, Violent Theft > highway robbery, 5th July 1732.
  11. Proceedings of the Old Bailey: Ordinary's Account, 2nd October 1734.
  12. Shaw, William H., compil. Calendar of Treasury Books and Papers, 1731–1734. Preserved in the Public Record Office (London; Edinburgh and Glasgow: Dublin, 1898), p.685.
  13. Proceedings of the Old Bailey: Ordinary's Account, 21st December 1739.
  14. Proceedings of the Old Bailey: 3 Sep. 1740.
  15. Proceedings of the Old Bailey: Ordinary's Account, 7th April 1742.
  16. Shaw, William H., compil. Calendar of Treasury Books and Papers, 1742–1745. Preserved in the Public Record Office (London; Edinburgh; Dublin, 1908), p. 438.
  17. Proceedings of the Old Bailey: Ordinary's Account, 17th June 1747.
  18. Proceedings of the Old Bailey: 17 Oct. 1750.
  19. Hardy, William John, ed.; Page, William, ed. Bedfordshire County Records: Notes and Extracts from the County Records comprised in the Quarter Sessions Rolls from 1714 to 1832, vol. 1 (Bedford: C.F. Timæus [printer], 1907), vol. I, p. 80
  20. Proceedings of the Old Bailey: 14 Sep. 1757.
  21. Stevenson, W.H.; Raine, James, transl.; Baker, W.T., ed.; Guilford, E.L., ed.; Gray, Duncan, ed.; Walker, V.W., ed. Records of the Borough of Nottingham, Being a Series of Extracts from the Archives of the Corporation of Nottingham (London; Nottingham, 1882-1956), vol. VII, p. 21, and see p. 17.
  22. Proceedings of the Old Bailey: 17 Sep. 1762.
  23. Proceedings of the Old Bailey: 20 Oct. 1762.
  24. Proceedings of the Old Bailey: Thomas Bird, Theft > grand larceny, 9th September 1767.
  25. Proceedings of the Old Bailey: 18 May 1768.
  26. Proceedings of the Old Bailey: 22 Feb. 1769.
  27. Proceedings of the Old Bailey: 3 Jun. 1772.
  28. Proceedings of the Old Bailey: 21 Feb. 1776.
  29. Proceedings of the Old Bailey: 18 Oct. 1780.
  30. Proceedings of the Old Bailey: 20 Feb. 1782.
  31. Proceedings of the Old Bailey: 12 Jan. 1785.
  32. Proceedings of the Old Bailey: 14 Sep. 1785.
  33. Proceedings of the Old Bailey: 14 Dec. 1785.
  34. Proceedings of the Old Bailey: 22 Feb. 1786.
  35. Proceedings of the Old Bailey: 26 Apr. 1786.
  36. Brent, Andrew, ed.; Barber, B. J., introd.; Fraser, C. M., gen. ed. The Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield, from 1790 to 1792 (The Wakefield Court Rolls Series of the Yorkshire Archaeological Society, vol. X) (Leeds, 1994), pp. 10-11
  37. Brent, Andrew, ed.; Barber, B. J., introd.; Fraser, C. M., gen. ed. The Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield, from 1790 to 1792 (The Wakefield Court Rolls Series of the Yorkshire Archaeological Society, vol. X) (Leeds, 1994), pp. 31-32
  38. Brent, Andrew, ed.; Barber, B. J., introd.; Fraser, C. M., gen. ed. The Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield, from 1790 to 1792 (The Wakefield Court Rolls Series of the Yorkshire Archaeological Society, vol. X) (Leeds, 1994), pp. 31-32
  39. Brent, Andrew, ed.; Barber, B. J., introd.; Fraser, C. M., gen. ed. The Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield, from 1790 to 1792 (The Wakefield Court Rolls Series of the Yorkshire Archaeological Society, vol. X) (Leeds, 1994), pp. 31-32
  40. Brent, Andrew, ed.; Barber, B. J., introd.; Fraser, C. M., gen. ed. The Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield, from 1790 to 1792 (The Wakefield Court Rolls Series of the Yorkshire Archaeological Society, vol. X) (Leeds, 1994), pp. 52-53.
  41. Proceedings of the Old Bailey: Adam Ward, Theft > grand larceny, 12th January 1791.
  42. Proceedings of the Old Bailey: 20 Feb. 1793.
  43. Proceedings of the Old Bailey: Charles Pritchard, Joseph Smith, Theft > theft from a specified place, 16th July 1794.
  44. Proceedings of the Old Bailey: 16 Apr. 1795.
  45. Proceedings of the Old Bailey: 22 Jul. 1796.
  46. Proceedings of the Old Bailey: 14 Feb. 1798.
  47. Proceedings of the Old Bailey: 11 Sep. 1799.