Old Bailey Proceedings:
Old Bailey Proceedings: Accounts of Criminal Trials
16th April 1729
Samuel
Maidman
proceedingsdefend
, of St. Paul's Shadwell
, was indicted for
feloniously stealing 2 Hundred Weight of Sugar, value 50 s. in the Ship Wiltshire
, the 10th of May
last, the Property of Persons unknown.
The Evidence depos'd, That the Ship came from St. Christopher's, and lay at Ratcliff-Cross
; that the Prisoner keeping a Victualling-House there, at the Sign of the Royal-Oak, came on board the said Ship, and ask'd the Men to have Provisions at his House; that he brought with him an Iron Hammer in his Boat; that by the Connivance of the Officers he open'd 3 Hogsheads, and took out 2 Hundred Weight of Sugar, and having headed them up again, the Sugar was put into his Boat, carry'd off, and sold for 2 d. per Pound; and that the Prisoner told them, If they would get Sugar, he would take it off their Hands.
He was also indicted a 2d Time for
feloniously stealing two Hundred Weight of Sugar, value 50 s. out of a Lighter belonging to the said Ship Wiltshire
.
-
Pearse
< no role >
depos'd, As the Lighter was going from the said Ship, the Prisoner came on board in his own Boat, and ask'd Leave to get a little Sugar; that he open'd 2 or 3 Hogsheads, and took out that Quantity of Sugar, and it was put into his Boat, and that he went away with it, and one Lamp, brought this Evidence half a Guinea, and said it was for him, the Merchants Watchman, &c. The Prisoner call'd divers Persons to his Character; but the Facts being plainly prov'd, the Jury found him
guilty to the Value of 4 s. 10 d
.
[Transportation. See summary.]