Old Bailey Proceedings:
Old Bailey Proceedings: Accounts of Criminal Trials
6th April 1785
496.
JAMES
CLARK
otherwise
HOSIER
proceedingsdefend
was indicted for
feloniously stealing on the 18th day of March
last, one silver watch, value 40 s. one steel watch chain, value 5 s. one seal value 2 s. one other seal, value 2 s.
the property of
John
Meredith
proceedingsvictim
.
JOHN
MEREDITH
< no role >
sworn.
On Tuesday the 8th of March, I lost a silver watch; I was going from Colledge-hill to the London tavern, where I live, between nine and ten going past the Mansion-house-gate
I saw a number of people at the gate, I could not cross for carriages; a chair was coming the opposite way, I let it come by me, and I perceived two men coming past the chair, I thought they were going on the same way that the chair was; and when they came opposite me they stopped, and stood both up before me; they stopped, and I endeavoured to go on; they went before me, and I could not pass them; some stoppage ensued, and there was a pushing and justling about, and in that time I found my watch jerking two or three times in my fob, and the instant I put my hand towards my fob, I seized the prisoner by the arm, and I saw my watch chain hanging from his hand.
Where was his hand? - His hand was very near to me, very near my fob, he had got my watch out; I immediately seized him by the collar, I gave the alarm of pick, pocket and thief; then the prisoner said, he is going to rob me, he is going to rob me, or something of that sort; and two or three people got between me and the prisoner, to wrench my hand away from his collar; I was struck upon the face and bit upon the left shoulder by somebody, I cannot say who; the mark was there for a fortnight afterwards; at that interval I lost my hat, and likewise my pocket handkerchief; I secured the prisoner, I never loosed him till he was taken into custody.
Jury. Did you see enough of the chain and seals to be sure it was your watch? - I am sure of it.
WILLIAM
FORSYTH
< no role >
sworn.
I was within nine or ten yards of the prisoner; I saw the prosecutor have hold of him, and I took him into the Mansion-house, before Mr. Miller the City Marshal, who found a watch upon him, but not the prosecutor's, he was taken to the Compter.
WILLIAM
GOFF
< no role >
sworn.
I also helped to secure the prisoner.
Court to Forsyth. Had the watch that was found on him a chain to it? - I think it had a ribbon or string, I cannot say which.
WILLIAM
MILLER
< no role >
sworn.
I had this watch delivered to me, it had a yellow string, with two gold seals, one remarkable small one, and a very beautiful curious seal.
(The watch produced.)
Prisoner. I was wounded in the action of
Inigo
Jones
< no role >
, here is a pension signed by the Lord Mayor; I brought home above one hundred pounds, and went into partnership with my sister; I have been in town five years.
The prisoner called five witnesses to his character, two of whom said he lodged in Grub-street with his wife, and was in partnership with his sister at Chatham.
Mr. Miller. When I asked him to give an account of himself, he told me he was a journeyman to Mr. Wright, a butcher, in St. James's market, and had been so a long time.
Prisoner. I said I served my time there.
GUILTY
.
Transported to Africa for seven years
.
Tried by the first London Jury before Mr. Justice NARES.