Christopher Rawlins , alias Thomas Rawlins proceedingsdefend , Isaac Ashley , alias Ashby proceedingsdefend , and John Rowden , alias Hulks proceedingsdefend , were indicted for assaulting Mr. Francis Williams proceedingsvictim on the Highway, putting him in Fear, and taking from him a Silver Watch, value 3 l. 2 Guineas and a Moidore in Money , on the 24th of Feb . last.

Mr. Williams depos'd, That on Saturday the 24th of Feb. last, in the Night-time, coming home in a Hackney Coach, between Watling-street and St. Paul's School in St. Paul's Church-Yard , he heard the Coachman commanded to stop, and immediately a Man came up to the Side of the Coach, and putting a Pistol into it, demanded his Money, and then four others came and presented Pistols at him, and one of them saying they had no Time to lose, put his Hand into his Fob and took out his Watch and Money.

Mr. Jones produced the Watch in Court and depos'd, That he had it of James Dalton < no role > This name instance is in set 3043. , which Watch, Mr. Williams depos'd, was the same that was taken from him as aforesaid.

James Dalton < no role > depos'd, (after he had received the Admonitions of the Court to keep up to Truth, and notwithstanding the Indulgence he had met with, as being admitted an Evidence, to be careful how he swore in a Matter of such Consequence) That he, in Company with the Prisoners at the Bar, and another Person not yet taken, attacked the Coach, that he himself went first up to it, and that Rowden took the Watch from Mr. Williams, and he took the Money, a Guinea of which he and Rawlins kept secret from the others, and the Watch they pawned for two Guineas, of which he inform'd Mr. Jones when he was taken into Custody, who setch'd it out of pawn by his Directions.

Mr. Thomas Willis < no role > This name instance is in set 3030. depos'd, That being in search of Disorderly Houses, they found Dalton, against whom he having Information, he seized him, who made an Ingenious Confession, and said, if he could be admitted as an Evidence, he could be of great Service to the Public, and naming the Prisoners at the Bar, he said, That he with them robb'd Mr. Williams, and shew'd them a Pistol, to which Rawlins, he said, had the Fellow, and directing him to a House in Chick-Lane, he, with his Brother Robert Willis < no role > This name instance is in set 30273016. , who confirm'd his Evidence, went and seized Rawlins and Rowden, Sword in Hand, Ashley made no Resistance, but got under the Bed; with them they found a Pistol the exact Fellow to that which Dalton gave them, and drawing it, they found a Slug therein, which exactly corresponded with the Slug taken out of Dalton's Pistol; for great Williams they had but very little Excuse, only pretended not to have any Knowledge of Dalton: But he produced one Wyatt, who depos'd, That they were very well acquainted, and frequently met and lodged at his House. The Fact being plainly proved upon them, the Jury found them all guilty . Death .

They were a second Time indicted for assaulting Mr. Downs near Snow-Hill , on the 20th of Feb. last, putting him in Fear, and taking from him a Purse, in which was Ten Guineas and 14 Shillings in Silver, (which they took out of his Pocket) and a Bunch of Keys .

The Prosecutor depos'd, That near Snow-Hill, on the 20th of Feb. about 12 o'Clock at Night, he fearing he might fall amongst Thieves, drew his Sword, when he was immediately attacked by several Men, who took his Money from him, but taking it they let it fall into the Mud; that the first who came up to him had a drawn Sword and a Pistol in his Hand, and that they swore if he spoke a Word they would shoot him; and that he having a Link-Boy with him they put out the Link, and one of them stood on his Right Side, and another at his Left, with Pistols, whilst a Third pick'd out his Money; and though a Watchman came by in the Interim they never fled, nor dare he call out whilst they stood in that Posture: After this they drove him down Fleet-Ditch, and went off.

James Dalton < no role > depos'd, That he and the Prisoner at the Bar attack'd the Prosecutor at the Time and Place aforesaid, and that he having a Sword, went up to the Prosecutor, and told him he would fight a Duel with him, but if he could not match him at Sword he could at Pistol, and drawing a Pistol, he obliged the Prosecutor to drop the Point of his Sword, otherwise he threatned to shoot him: Rawlins and himself, he said, held the Pistols at his Head, and Rowdens took the Money out of his Pocket, but filling down, they found only eight or nine Shilling and a Bunch of Keys, which he said, they flung into Fleet-Ditch; the Prosecutor remembring the Circumstances as Dalton related them, confirmed his Evidence; upon which the Jury found them Guilty . Death .