689. ANN DUFF otherwise Fielding proceedingsdefend , was indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 4th of January last, one silk gown, value 10 s. two linen bed gowns, value 5 s. a silk petticoat, value 15 s. four dimity petticoats, value 15 s. a pair of stays, value 5 s. seven shifts, value 14 s. a satin cloak, value 10 s. five handkerchiefs, value 10 s. one linen laced handkerchief, value 2 s. five pair of silk stockings, value 10 s. a pair of stuff shoes, value 2 s. a pair of base metal buckles, value 2 s. nine napkins, value 3 s. a table cloth, value 2 s. three pair of woman's laced ruffles, value 2 s. a calash, value 2 s. a black silk muff, value 1 s. one umbrella, value 10 s. one japan tea-board, value 2 s. one pair of snuffers, value 2 s. one snuffers stand, value 2 s. one tea spoon, value 12 d. one pair of base metal tea tongs plated with silver, value 12 d. one apron, value 10 s. and one printed bound book, called the Review, value 12 d. the property of Harriet Langrish proceedingsvictim , widow , in the dwelling house of Thomas Cook < no role > .

HARRIET LANGRISH < no role > sworn.

I lived at the time of the robbery in Margaret-court, Bow-street , at the house of Thomas Cook < no role > , on the 4th of January last, I lost the things mentioned in the indictment and much more, which they said were too tedious to mention.

What is the value of the things that are mentioned in the indictment? - I valued them at five pounds, they told me I must make a value; the prisoner came into my bed chamber at six in the morning, I asked her what she wanted, she told me she wanted a scrubbing brush and flannel, which she had left there the night before, I told her to take it; I got out of bed immediately and I said it was very dark, she said yes, it was but six o'clock: the night before she said to me, Madam I am very short of clothes, I wish you would give me leave to wash my gown to night, I told her by all means, she seemed rather confused and threw the gown across the table; I returned to my bed and left her to go on with her work, and at eight I got out of bed to ring the bell, I missed nothing; she was not there, I returned to bed and thought she was gone out somewhere, but in turning my eye towards the bureau, I found the drawer where I had placed my linen that came home from wash the night before, open and empty; that alarmed me, I jumped out of bed and went to the dining room, and found the place compleatly stripped, I screamed out that I was robbed, I left the dress I wore the evening before, and that I missed also.

When did you find any of your things again? - Never till I found her, I believe it is a month yesterday since she was taken; I offered a reward for taking her, and about nine o'clock on Wednesday morning I was informed she was in Vine-street, I went into the house where she was and several more women, the constable said to me Mrs. Langrish look which is your servant, I turned up her bonnet, she downed of her knees immediately, and said for God's sake have mercy upon me, I asked her what mercy she could expect, and I told her the only way she could have mercy upon me, was to discover what things she had got.

Court. Now we cannot hear what she told you? - The constable then took a coach, and we went to several pawnbrokers before we came to the right, at last we went to Mr. Jarvis in Fetter-lane, and the trifling things that were found were found there, only two pictures and an umbrella; the other things were found by taking up a woman that was servant to her after it seemed.

JACOB FREEMAN < no role > sworn.

I apprehended the prisoner and I examined her and at Mrs. Jarvis's in Fetter-lane, I found these two pictures, a table cloth and the umbrella, her man is here, his name is Dupree, I then went into Fleet-lane, and at a pawnbroker's named Pearson, I found a laced handkerchief and a bound book, I went to one Morell's in the same lane, and there I found a japan waiter, they had no other property, I went to Snow-hill where the gown was that is mentioned, but I did not hear of it, there is an affidavit that is made, the prisoner herself took it out and sold it.

Court. We cannot look at the affidavit.

SARAH EATON < no role > sworn.

Do you know the prisoner? - She is a little acquaintance of mine, she lodged at Mr. Fletcher's in the Bailey here; I know nothing of the robbery, I shall tell you God's truth and no more, she came to lodge at Mr. Fletcher's one pair of stairs, and I lodged in the garret.

When did she come to lodge there? - About five or six months ago.

Do you know the month? - I am not quite sure whether it was January or February she got me to be as a servant and gave me a shilling a week, and she was taken very ill indeed, and by that means she got me to pawn some clothes which I thought was her own property; in Fetter-lane I pawned them two prints, and a pair of snuffers and stand, which were not found; I pawned a table cloth and umbrella in Fleet-lane, I pawned a book and handkerchief, and I pawned a little tea board for 6 d. at Morell's.

JOHN DUPREE < no role > sworn.

In January last I took in of the prisoner, an umbrella for four shillings, and on the 5th of the same month, I took of this woman Eaton, this table cloth and two prints.

(These things deposed to.)

PRISONER's DEFENCE.

I am a stranger, and she promised to forgive me, if I would tell her where the things were, and I did tell her.

Court. Gentlemen of the Jury, in consideration of the manner in which this discovery was made, it will be for you to consider, whether you will find her guilty of stealing any thing but what is found, which is under the value of 40 s; on the other hand if you are truly satisfied and choose to find your verdict in the most penal manner that you are authorized to do from the evidence, you may in that case find her guilty of the whole indictment.

GUILTY. Of stealing to the value of 39 s .

To be confined to hard labour six months in the House of Correction .

Tried by the second Middlesex Jury before Mr. Justice ASHURST.