192. JOSEPH PENTECROSS proceedingsdefend and SARAH, wife of THOMAS BOYD proceedingsdefend proceedingsdefend were indicted for feloniously stealing on the 20th of December last, one feather bed, value 16 s. one bolster, value 4 s. three blankets, value 3 s. one rug, value 2 s. and one tea kettle, value 3 s. the goods of James Russell proceedingsvictim , the said goods then being in a certain room, let to the said Joseph and Sarah, to be used by them as, and for a lodging room, against the statute .

JAMES RUSSELL < no role > sworn.

The prisoners lodged with me, as man and wife, on the 20th of December last; the man used to come in very late of a night; on the 21st I heard nothing at all of them, and I went up and opened the door, having another key that fitted it, and the things mentioned in the indictment, and the prisoners were all gone; the prisoners each of them have sent me letters, acknowledging to the theft, I have the letters by me.

Court. Do you know their hand writing? - The hand writing was acknowledged before Alderman Hart, and I have got a witness here.

GEORGE CRANE < no role > sworn.

I was officer of the night, when the prisoners was brought to me, and he acknowledged this letter to be his before Alderman Hart.

(The letter read, signed Joseph Pentecross < no role > .)

"Wood-street Compter, Jan. 10th.

Sir, I take this opportunity of writing to you, hoping you will comply with my request, so far as to take a note for the value of the lodging in a month; as to proceed against me will be of no service to you; but I will give you a note for 6 s. a week till it is paid; I hope you will comply with my request, or else I shall offend the good and generou s master which I work for: no more at present from your humble servant."

Court. This is an implied, but not an explicit confession.

Russell. I have two more of the woman's.

Court. Do you know her hand writing? No, my Lord.

Court. Did you ever hear the woman acknowledge, that she was not the wife of Joseph Pentecross < no role > ? - She said before Alderman Hart, that she was the wife of Thomas Boyd < no role > now at Sea, and that she was not the wife of Pentecross.

Court. Where were these two people taken? - In Smithfield.

Prisoner Pentecross. Was I with the woman, when she took the place? - I let you in with the woman prisoner.

Court. Did he pass as her husband? - Yes.

PRISONER PENTECROSS's DEFENCE.

This woman's husband, was a particular acquaintance of mine, his name is Thomas Boyd < no role > , he is a printer, she washed for me, and I went back and forward, for my linen.

PRISONER SARAH BOYD < no role > 's DEFENCE.

I was called out to nursing, and I left my husband with me in the room.

Court to Russell. Is that true? - No, my Lord, no man ever was with her, but that prisoner Pentecross; he has one leg, and one finger off, he told me he had 12 l. a year from his Majesty, and I thought I had him safe.

JOSEPH PENTECROSS < no role > , GUILTY .

To be Transported for seven years .

SARAH BOYD < no role > , GUILTY .

To be privately whipped and confined to hard labour twelve months in the house of correction .

Tried by the London Jury before Mr. RECORDER.