432. Thomas Shakespear proceedingsdefend , was indicted for stealing eight yards of scarlet hair-shag, value 24 s. the property of George Farmer proceedingsvictim and company, in the shop of the aforesaid , June 13 .

George Farmer < no role > . On Wednesday the 13th of June last, I was sent for to one James Dickson < no role > , servant to a pawnbroker in Hounsditch ; he shewed me a bit of hair-shag, and asked me if I dealt in them, or dyed any. I said, I did. He said, a servant of mine had brought a quantity to his house to pawn, and he had stopped him.

Q. Was the prisoner your servant ?

Farmer. He was, my lord, the prisoner confessed to me he had taken about eight yards in all from me.

James Dickerson < no role > . I am a journeyman pawnbroker. I live at the cannon in Hounsditch. On the 13th of last June the prisoner brought a remnant of scarlet shag. I asked him, if I had not taken such another remnant from him about three months ago; he denied it, but I was very certain I had; I told him I would go home with him, and if I found it to be his property I would lend him money upon it, but in going along he took an opportunity to escape from me. I made it my business to enquire after him, and was at last directed to him at Mr. Farmer and company's dye house.

Q. to Farmer. Have you any partners in your business ?

Farmer. Yes, my Lord, there are John Pippen < no role > and Chamberlain Goodwin < no role > .

To his Character.

Gyles Readhouse. I have known the prisoner about a year, I took him to be a very honest man.

Abel Bingham < no role > . I have known the prisoner up wards of two years, he is as honest a man as ever broke bread, he is careful and industrious to provide for his family.

Richard Mason < no role > . I always took him to be a sober man, I never saw him out of the way in my life, and never heard any thing ill of him before this.

John Pearne < no role > . I looked upon the prisoner to be as sober, discreet a man as any I know. I have known him a year and a half, I never heard an ill action of him till he was guilty of this.

Guilty .

[Branding. See summary.]

[Imprisonment. See summary.]