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London Lives 1690 to 1800
Crime, Poverty and Social Policy in the Metropolis
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83, 84.
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GEORGE CHARLES PARSONS
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CHARLES DAVIS
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were indicted for that they
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in a certain field and open place near the king's highway in and upon
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James Dunbar
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did make an assault, putting him in corporal fear and danger of his life, and stealing from his person 5 s. in monies numbered, the property of the said
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James Dunbar
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,
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December 1st
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.
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JAMES DUNBAR
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sworn.
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As I was going from
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Islington
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, between 7 and 8 o'clock, upon the first of December, in company with a young woman, I was met by the two prisoners at the bar; the prisoner
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Charles Parsons
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presented a pistol to my breast and demanded my money; I gave him my money; he asked me if I had no more: I said, I had some half-pence; he demanded them; I gave them to him; then he demanded my watch; I said, I had none; I bid him search to satisfy himself; which he did: Davis was present; he stopped the young woman
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Mary Spratley
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at the same time, then he turned about and presented his pistol to me.
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<
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Was it moon-light? - No; it was star-light.
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How can you be sure to the persons of the men, as you say it was only star-light? - I know both their faces.
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How were they dressed? - I cannot be certain; they were taken 9 days after; I knew them when they were taken; one was dressed as at the time he robbed me, in a great coat; I did not make any observation upon the dress of the other; the voice of the prisoner resembled Parsons.
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MARY SPRATLEY
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sworn.
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I was stopped by Davis; I cannot speak to the person of Parsons; I think I observed sufficiently the face of Davis to be able to swear to him; after he robbed me he turned towards Mr. Dunbar.
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'
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Thomas Ward
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,
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Thomas Tapsell
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, and
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'
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Thomas Tracey
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deposed that they took the
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'prisoners under suspicious circumstances;
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'that upon
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Charles Parsons
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they found a
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'loaded pistol.'
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PARSONS's DEFENCE.
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I was at home when the robbery was committed.
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<
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DAVIS's DEFENCE.
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I was at home at my father's house a-bed.
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FOR DAVIS.
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DANIEL CLASS
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sworn.
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I am a watch-engraver: I have known Davis rather above a twelve-month; he has worked for me that time; I have entrusted him to receive different bills; I have such a good opinion of him that I would not refuse now to intrust him in the same manner I have before.
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JOHN FELBY
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sworn.
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<
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I am a musick-engraver; I live in Petty France, Westminster: I have known the prisoner Davis from his infancy; I always looked upon him to be a very tractable good boy, industrious in his business and a good workman.
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WILLIAM TABER
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sworn.
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<
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I have known Davis from his infancy; he bears a very good character.
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RICHARD BRIGGS
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sworn.
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<
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>
I am a watch-engraver: I have known Davis from his infancy; I always thought him a hard-working industrious lad.
</
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>
<
p
>
- BARNARD sworn.
</
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>
<
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>
I have known Davis 3 years; I lodged in the house with his father a year and a half; he worked very hard at home with his father.
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>
<
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>
FOR PARSONS.
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<
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ELIZABETH PEARSON
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sworn.
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<
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I have known Parsons about a twelve-month; he worked for my husband; he has a very good character; the very day he was taken he went with a note, and brought every thing right.
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SAMUEL SEDGWICK
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sworn.
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I am a joiner and house carpenter; I have known Parsons 6 or 7 years; he has a good character.
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JAMES DAVIS
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inst
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"t17770115-14-person191"
type
=
"surname"
value
=
"DAVIS"
>
</
interp
>
<
interp
inst
=
"t17770115-14-person191"
type
=
"given"
value
=
"JAMES"
>
</
interp
>
<
interp
inst
=
"t17770115-14-person191"
type
=
"gender"
value
=
"male"
>
</
interp
>
</
rs
>
sworn.
</
p
>
<
p
>
I am a carpenter; I have known Parsons about 8 or 9 years.
</
p
>
<
p
>
What is he by profession? - I cannot justly say.
</
p
>
<
p
>
How does he get his living? - I often see him at his father's very busy and industrious; his father is a carpenter and surveyor.
</
p
>
<
p
>
BOTH
<
rs
id
=
"t17770115-14-verdict71"
type
=
"verdictDescription"
>
<
interp
inst
=
"t17770115-14-verdict71"
type
=
"verdictCategory"
value
=
"guilty"
>
</
interp
>
GUILTY
</
rs
>
.
<
rs
id
=
"t17770115-14-punish72"
type
=
"punishmentDescription"
>
<
interp
inst
=
"t17770115-14-punish72"
type
=
"punishmentCategory"
value
=
"death"
>
</
interp
>
<
join
result
=
"defendantPunishment"
targOrder
=
"Y"
targets
=
"t17770115-14-defend171 t17770115-14-punish72"
>
</
join
>
<
join
result
=
"defendantPunishment"
targOrder
=
"Y"
targets
=
"t17770115-14-defend173 t17770115-14-punish72"
>
</
join
>
Death
</
rs
>
.
</
p
>
<
p
>
Tried by the First Middlesex Jury before Mr. RECORDER.
</
p
>
</
div1
>
View as Text
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