656. MARY otherwise FRANCES OWEN, otherwise MARY DICKS proceedingsdefend was indicted for feloniously stealing on the 20th of September , one feather bolster, value 3 s. one feather pillow value 2 s. one linen pillow case, value 6 d. one linen sheet, value 2 s. one blanket, value 3 s. one base metal candlestick, value 1 s. and one iron sender, value 6 d. the goods and chattles of Robert Syrett proceedingsvictim ; the said goods and chattles being in a certain lodging room in the dwelling-house of the said Robert, let by him to the said Mary, to be used by her as a lodging, against the form of the statute .

ROBERT SYRETT < no role > sworn.

The prisoner at the bar took a ready furnished room of me, when we took her up, she had had it about six days.

Mrs. SYRETT sworn.

When the publican's boy came for the pots, I went up stairs with him, the prisoner gave me one, I said, the landlord says there is another, when she went for the other, I said to her, I must beg leave to look whether my property is on the premises; she got into bed immediately; there was the bolster wanting, a pillow and a pillow case, a top sheet, a top blanket, a brass candlestick, and an iron sender; they were in the room on the Saturday before; this was on the Friday evening following; she said I had no business in her premises till the morning, and the next day I should have every thing in their places, and likewise the rent; I charged the watch with her; I told her I would not hurt a hair of her head if she would let me have my property, or let me know where they were I would get them myself; she would not; she said she did not value staying in prison about twelve or fourteen days; it was privately taken, and all that I could do to her would be to be privately whipped; she told me at the Justice's that she had as much in gaol as I could have out, and I might go and be damned. I never got any of my property.

LAWRENCE ROBINS < no role > sworn.

I was in my own apartment, I lodge in the same house, I heard this Mrs. Owen (as I was informed) with the landlady, and I heard her promise if she would wait till morning, she should have her things again.

ANN ROBINS < no role > sworn.

She said in the morning they should have their property; and she was taken to the watch-house: I was there when she took the place.

PRISONER's DEFENCE.

I went out on the Friday morning; I buy and sell old cloaths; I had a child not six weeks old; I left my door locked, and found it so; I counted 5 s. 6 d. and five farthings, to put on the chimney piece; the things were so full of vermin and bugs, it was impossible for any body to lay in them, they lay on the top of the drawers in the room, I went to bed; my landlady came up to ask me for some pots, and she took me up; here is a gentleman that she wanted to extort 12 s. of; I said, if she wanted to make a property of me, I would submit to be tried by the laws of my country.

JOHN WOODWARD < no role > sworn.

I belong to Clerkenwell Bridewell; the prisoner was examined before Mr. Justice Girdler, she promised to put the things in the place, and she was very pert to us.

GUILTY, 10 d .

To be privately whipped , and confined six months in the house of correction .

Tried by the First Middlesex Jury, before Mr. RECORDER.