29. Margaret Hobbs , alias Copper proceedingsdefend , and Hester Hobbs , alias Lewin proceedingsdefend , were indicted for stealing a Guinea, and 7 s. the Money of Thomas Gray , alias Mac Creagh proceedingsvictim This name instance is in set 3438. , Octob. 10 .

Prosecutor. Going about Noon from the Castle Tavern thro' Colston's Court , at the Corner of the Court next Wild-street, the old Woman Margaret Hobbs < no role > was standing at her Door, and asked me to give her a Dram. I said I don't care if I do; and so I went in, but knowing it to be an ill House, I thought it prudent to take care of my Money, and part the Gold from the Silver. I had a Guinea, and 7 s. 6 d. I put the Guinea in this Pocket, 7 Shillings in this, and 6 Pence which I intended to spend I put in my Mouth. I found the young Woman Hester Hobbs < no role > in the room, I sat down by her, put one Hand round her Neck, and t'other - down her Bosom, and her Arm-way about my middle; and while I was kissing her, the old Woman put her Hand in that Pocket where the Silver was, and her Hand was shut when she pulled it out again. I felt, and mist my 7 Shillings: I presently examined t'other Pocket, and the Guinea was gone too - I suppose the young one got that - What says I, Do you rob me? Ye Dog, says the old one, Do ye breed a Riot in my House? I got up, and threatned to make 'em suffer for it; and just as I was going out, the old Woman offer'd me the Silver, and said, Here, take your Seven Shillings; but I refused it, and went to Mr. Kelly, and told him how I had been rob'd: He said I was rightly serv'd, for he did not know what Business I had in a Bawdy-house.

Council. What Business do you follow?

Prosecutor. I practice the Law - 'tis What I was bred to.

Council. Where you never in that House before?

Prosecutor. Once I was.

Margaret. O the Villain! I was in the Fleet with my Husband that Day as he says he was rob'd - He and William Obrian < no role > , and Charles Macdonnel < no role > had sworn my Husband into the Fleet for 100l. Now this Fellow comes to my House the Day after Michaelmas, and says, Ye Bitch! ye Irish Bawd! Do you maintain that Bug your Husband? D - ye, I'll have you, and the young Whore your Niece in Newgate; and from that Day to this I have never seen his Face.

Mrs. - The Prisoner Margaret keeps a Brandy-shop which I kept before she came into it. On the 30th of September, as I was drinking Tea with her and her Niece (the other Prisoner) a Man came in with a slopping Hat - this Man looks something like him, for he had Pimples in his Face, and they called him Tom Graham - And tho' they gave him no Provocation, he fell upon them and beat them both; and said that before that Day Sen'night he would have both the Aunt and the Niece in Newgate.

Ann Burbidge < no role > . I keep a Fruit-Cellar under the King's-Arms Tavern, and hearing a Noise at the Prisoner's Door I went over, and there was one Macgray, I think they call him, abusing them. Margaret Hobbs < no role > asked him what he would have, and he swore, D - ye, I have your Husband in Goal, and I'll have you ye old Baud, and the young Whore your Niece in Newgate before a Week's at an End.

James Sharp < no role > , Headborough. I keep a Grocer's Shop facing the Prisoners. I never knew any Noise or Disturbance in their House, and they have the Character of very modest Women.

Thomas Pass < no role > . I am a Peace-Officer. I went to their House one Night to keep the Peace, and sent the Prosecutor - I believe it was he - about his Business, for he was calling all to naught - Bitch and Whore, and Baud - and he told' em that he never stole the King's Plate - But for all that the Prisoners have a very good, fair, just and honest Character.

Mary White < no role > . I knew the Prisoners 6 Years in Ireland, they have been about a Year and a half in England, and live in Love with their Neighbours.

The Jury acquitted the Prisoners.