Old Bailey Proceedings:
Old Bailey Proceedings: Accounts of Criminal Trials
20th April 1726
Gabriel
Lawrence
proceedingsdefend
, was indicted for
feloniously committing with
Thomas
Newton
proceedingsvictim This name instance is in set 30123030.
, aged 30 Years, the heinous and detestable Sin of Sodomy
. Thomas Newton thus depos'd. At the End of last June, one
Peter
Bavidge
< no role >
(who is not yet taken) and - Eccleston (who dy'd last Week in Newgate) carry'd me to the House of
Margaret
Clap
< no role >
(who is now in the Compter) and there I first became acquainted with the Prisoner. Mrs. Clap's House was next to the Bunch of Grapes in Field-lane, Holbourn
. It bore the publick Character of a Place of Entertainment for Sodomites, and for the better Conveniency of her Customers, she had provided Beds in every Room in her House. She usually had 30 or 40 of such Persons there every Night, but more especially on a Sunday. I was conducted up one pair of Stairs, and by the Perswasions of Bavidge (who was present all the Time) I suffer'd the Prisoner to commit the said Crime. He has attempted the same since that Time, but I never would permit him any more. When Mrs. Clap was taken up, in February last, I went to put in Bail for her; at which Time, Mr. Williams, and Mr. Willis told me, they believ'd I could give Information, which I promis'd to do, and I went next Day, and gave Information accordingly. -
Samuel
Stephens
< no role >
thus depos'd. Mrs. Clap's House was notorious for being a Molly-House. - In order to detect some that frequented it, I have been there several Times, and seen 20 or 30 of 'em together, making Love, as they call'd it, in a very indecent Manner. Then they used to go out by Pairs, into another Room, and at their return, they would tell what they had been doing together, which they call'd marrying. The Prisoner acknowledg'd, that he had been several Times at Clap's House, but never knew that it was a Rendesvouz for such Persons. - He call'd several to his Character.
Henry
Hoxan
< no role >
thus depos'd. I have kept the Prisoner Company, and served him with Milk these 18 Years, for he is a Milk Man
, and I am a Cow-Keeper, I have been with him at the Oxfordshire Feast, and there we have both got drink, and come Home together in a Coach, and yet he never offer'd any such thing to me.
Thomas
Fuller
< no role >
thus depos'd. The Prisoner married my Daughter, 18 Years ago; She has been dead these 7 Years, and he has a Girl by her, that is 13 Years old. - Several others deposd, that he was a very sober Man, and that they had often been in his Company when he was drunk; but never found him inclinable to such Practices.
Guilty
.
Death
. He was a 2d. Time indicted, for
committing Sodomy with
Mark
Partridge
proceedingsvictim This name instance is in set 3011.
, Nov. 10
. But being Convicted of the Former, he was not Try'd for this.