24, 25. * George Stacey proceedingsdefend and Matth.ias Dennison proceedingsdefend , of St. Martin's in the Fields , were indicted (with Arthur O Hara and Thomas Cullin < no role > , not taken) for assaulting Benjamin Parish proceedingsvictim on the King's Highway, putting him in Fear, &c. and taking from him a silver Watch, a Pair of Cloth Breeches, a Pair of silver Knee Buckles, a Hat, a Holland Shirt, and 18 s. in Money, the Goods and Money of the said Parish , Oct. 8 .

* Stacey was convicted of Felony last Sessions, by the Name of Lacey, and ordered to be whipp'd. See Sessions Book, No. 1. p. 18.

At the Prisoner's Desire, the Witnesses were examin'd a-part.

Benjamin Parish. I am a Gingerbread-Baker and Confectioner in Oxfordshire , and came to Town the 18th of October last, in order to buy some Grocery . I had a Brother-in-Law in Town, whom I had not seen for 6 Years, and my Wife desired me to enquire after him; I was directed to enquire for him at one Thomas Fulman < no role > 's , a Journeyman Carpenter , in Windsor-Court , Drury-Lane . I accordingly went thither, and the Woman of the House happened to be a Country-Woman of mine; - it is a private House; we drank a Tankard of Beer together, and Fulman desired me to stay all Night, least any ill Consequence might attend my going, for it was past Eleven of the Clock. I thought it was impossible I should be robb'd in the Street, and I went out of the House designing to go to my Inn; but when I got to the Corner of the Court, I was obliged to go close by Keogh's House; immediately two Men and two Women laid violent Hands on me, and pull'd me into the House, and shut the Door. There were *Ruggaty Madge, (who was executed) Catherine Lineham < no role > , and the two Prisoners, Dennison and Stacey ; they pulled me down on my Back, and the Woman that was executed, by the Assistance of Stacey and another, tore open my Breeches Pocket, and took out my Gold, to the Value of 23 Guineas, in Guineas and Portugal Pieces, and likewise my Watch. After this they brought in Cherry-Brandy in Pint Mugs, and swore if I did not drink, they would stab me or cut my Throat. I was forced to drink till they thought I had lost my Senses, and then they carried me out of that Room into another, and laid me on a Bed. When they found I began to slumber, they jostled me, and made me drink again. I had a Pair of Spurs which appeared like Silver, and Stacey took one of them off, but put it on again. I made a great Noise for my Money and my Watch; upon which Stacey, some how or other, slipped my Watch into my Great Coat Pocket, and bid me search myself, for I had lost nothing; accordingly I put my Hand in my Pocket, and felt some Money, which I hop'd was my Gold, but I dar'd not pull it out, for fear they should get that from me.

* See Sessions-Book, 1740, No. 8. p. 271.

Councel. In what Pocket was your Watch, when you went into the House?

Parish . I am positive it was in my Fob, and he put it into my great Coat Pocket. - There were a great many People in the House, that did not come into the Room where I was.

Councel. What did they do to you after this?

Parish . They forced me out of Doors, pretending to carry me to my Inn, and led me into Long-Acre , where Stacey kick'd up my Heels, and Dennison held me, while he rifled me; I could see several People by me at the same Time. He took a pair of Breeches, and a pair of silver Knee-buckles, which were ty'd up in a Bundle, a Holland Shirt, my Watch , with the rest of my Money, and my Hat; I lost my Wig, but I can't charge them with that. After this they left me, and I roll'd into Drury-Lane, where I fell asleep. I am positive the Prisoners are the Men, for I saw them very plain when they forced me out of Doors, and they led me into the Street, one on one Side, the other on the other, and never quitted me till they had robb'd me.

Dennison . Did you see me in the House before you had drank the Brandy?

Parish . Yes, he sat facing the Door when I came in, and I saw him afterwards, for the Watch convey'd me to the Cart and Horse in Broad St. Giles's, and he and Stacey came to me there. Dennison talked Irish with the Landlord, and told me, it I sat there a Fortnight it should cost me nothing.

Councel . How long did you stay there?

Parish . I staid till Day-light, and the Ostler of my Inn came and took me away. The Prisoners brought a Violin, and we were very merry, for I was in Liquor, and had no Thoughts of my Misfortune. Sometime afterwards, I not knowing how to proceed, a Fellow, one Baker, offer'd me his Assistance as an Attorney, and got a Bill of Indictment drawn according to his own Way of Thinking; I paid him 2 s. for it, and he has dropp'd me, and keeps the Indictment. If I was to see him here I should know him. I have met with just such another Affair, one Lloyd offer'd himself as an Attorney, he would have made Dennison an Evidence, and would not let me see the Justice upon any Account .

Councel. When had you the first Information of the Parties concern'd in this Street Robbery?

Parish . I had an Information from the Justice, that one of them had made himself an Evidence; I was in the Country, and was very sorry when I received the Letter, to be taken from my Business.

Stephen Macdonnel < no role > This name instance is in set 3578. . I have not a great Acquaintance with Stacey, but I knew Dennison in Ireland .

Councel . Did you know one Keogh ?

Macdonnel. Yes, he lived in Holford's-Alley , the Corner of Windsor Court .

Councel . Do you remember any Thing of one Parish's coming to Keogh's?

Macdonnel. Yes, on the 8th of October, about 12 at Night, I was a Bed, and hearing Murder cry'd, I got up, and came down Stairs , and saw the Prosecutor on his Back ; there were Catherine lineham, Stanton , Margaret Massey < no role > , Kate Butler < no role > , and the Prisoner Stacey, all upon him. He was lying on the Broad of his Back on the Ground, in one Corner of the Room; and Arthur O' Hara < no role > held him while Stanton that was hanged, tore open his Pocket, and took his Gold and his Watch. The Gentleman made a great Noise, and said, he was robb'd; upon that, Keogh lock'd the Street Door, and Back Door, and made Signs to Stacey to give him his Watch again; accordingly he came close by the Prosecutor, and I saw him put the Watch into his great Coat Pocket . After this, they brought in Cherry Brandy in Pints, and made him drink it by Glasses till he was Drunk; then they kept him in till 2 o'Clock, and after that, Stacey, Dennison , O < no role > 'Hara, William Shields < no role > , Thomas Cullin < no role > , and I went out with him; Stacey and Dennison took hold of his Arms, and some went before, and some behind him, and we told him we were carrying him to his Inn. In this manner we led him a little belo Dirty-Lane into Long-Acre, till we came to a silent Place, and then Stacey put his Foot before him, and down he fell on the Broad of his Back; then they took away his Watch, about 18 or 19 s. in Silver, a Bundle, in which were a pair of Breeches, a pair of Knee Buckles, a Shirt, and an empty Cannister, and likewise his Hat; when this was done, we all went back to the House, and Keogh asked where we had left him? Stacey reply'd, we had left him in Long-Acre, and he knew no more what was doing to him than the Man in the Moon . Stacey shewed Keogh what they had taken, and he cast up the Money that was taken in the House, and it amounted to 20 l. all in Gold: I can't tell what Money it was, but it was to be equally divided among all the People that were in the House.

Councel . Was it divided?

Macdonnel . No, there was another Robbery committed in the House, and Keogh is run away with the Money.

Councel . When did you make an Information of this?

Macdonnel . I was taken up in the Sessions that Margaret Stanton < no role > was tryed, and a Week afterwards I went to the Justice, and told him the whole Affair.

Stacey. Ask him whether he was not in Custody before the Bill was found against Stanton ?

Macdonnel . I was taken the very Day she was found Guilty, or the Day after, I can't tell which.

Defence.

Stacey. I have no Defence to make but to plead my own Innocence, and I shall call Witnesses to prove it.

- Lyon . I am a Sawyer - .

A Gentleman . He keeps a Lodging-House in St. Giles's.

Lyon . The Evidence was taken for rescuing Margaret Massey < no role > , and afterwards charged for rescuing Margaret Newel < no role > from the Constable; I ask'd him before the Justice, whether he knew any Thing of the Robbery at Keogh's , but he said he knew nothing at all of it.

Mrs. Fulman . I live in Windsor-Court, Drury-Lane. Mr. Parish came' to my House the Night he was robb'd - I have a young Woman that lodges in my House, and he had picked her up: I found he was my Country-Man, and advised him to stay with me all Night. and he would have staid, but the young Woman did not like him, and would not be with him; so he went away about 11 or 12 at Night. On the Friday following he came again, and said he had been robbed of all his Money, by Two Women at the Corner House. He staid with me till he had taken the Woman that was executed, and he had no Money afterwards but what I lent him. While he was at my House, one Mary Riley < no role > , who lives in the same Court, came to him, and said, she did not know but she could help him to his Money, but she put him off from Time to Time, and at last brought the Prisoner Stacey; and Parish said, he would give them Five Guineas a-piece to help him to his Money.

Richard Baker < no role > . I am an Attorney of the Court of Common-Pleas.

Mr. Parish. This is the honest Attorney that assisted me.

Baker . I served my Clerkship with Sir Samuel Hartshorne < no role > , of Northampton . While I was attending on Mr. Parish in October Sessions, in order to prosecute Margaret Stanton < no role > , we were at a Public House together, and Stacey came in to us several Times, and the Prosecutor had no Pretension to the Knowledge of him, or said any Thing of the Robbery. I have the more Reason to believe so, because while we were there, a Woman passed by, and he said, Mr. Baker , I verily believe that Woman to be Catherine Butler < no role > , one of the Women that robbed me, and I have a great Mind to take her up this Minute; I advised him not to do so, for (said I) it may be she is come to treat with you, and pay you back Part of your Money.

The Court severely reprimanded Baker for his Conduct in this Affair.

Henry Williams < no role > . Stacey is a Neighbour of mine, and has done Business for me as a Marshal's-Court Officer; but I have not known him for the last Year.

Henry Robinson < no role > . He has employed me to make Cloaths for him, and paid me honestly.

Christopher Eoklin < no role > . I have known Stacey about two Years, and never heard that he was Guilty of any Thing, 'till his Consinement .

Stephen Banks < no role > . I have employed him as an Officer, and he always did my Business faithfully.

Dennison's Defence.

Margaret Richards < no role > . I live at the Red-Bull in Vine-Street , Bloomsbury, and have been acquainted with Dennison almost Twelve Months. On the 8th of October, he and one Rowland Kendal < no role > , sat down to play at Cards at our House; they began between 6 and 7 o'Clock, and left off playing just at Two in the Morning, I was backwards and forwards, and can be sure the Prisoner was there till two o'Clock.

Councel. How can you be so exact as to the Hour?

Richards. Because my Master came in at Ten o'Clock, and desired me to bid the People leave off.

Rowland Kendal < no role > . I am an Old-Cloaths-Man, and keep a small Shop. I have known Dennison between 5 and 6 Years; his Business is selling Cloth. On the 8th of October I play'd at Cribbidge with him at the Red-Bull in Vine-street , from half an Hour past 6, to almost 2 in the Morning, and then my Wife came for me, and said, if I did not come Home, I should stay out all Night. The Landlord took away the Cards, and I went up Stairs with Dennison , and saw him undress himself, in Order to go to Bed.

Mary Kendal < no role > . I went for my Husband to the Red Bull, at Ten o'Clock on the 8th of October, and found him playing at Cards with Dennison ; I went again at Twelve, and at One o'Clock, and they were together; and when the Landlord took the Cards away, my Husband went up Stairs to see Dennison to Bed, and then we went Home ogether . I should not have remembered this, but it happened on my Child's Birthday.

John Whittaker < no role > . I have known Dennison Ten Years; he listed in the Earl of Albermarle's Company , and continued in it about five Years, and did his Duty as a Soldier; but for the last Five Years, I have known nothing of him.

William Quin < no role > . He was in the same Company with me 5 Years, and behaved well.

Philip Hickenbottom < no role > . He lodged in the same Street with me about ten Years ago, and behav'd well.

William Fenn < no role > . I keep a Public House in Windmill-Street , and have known him Ten Years; he was a Soldier in the 2d Regiment of Guards; I have bought Cloth of him, and never heard any thing laid to his Charge.

Ann Green . I have known Dennison 5 Years, he lived within three Doors of me in Vine-Street , Bloomsbury . I keep a Chandler's Shop, and he used to be my Customer. - I never saw any Harm by him in my Life.

Mary Harrison < no role > . I have bought Cloth of him, and never knew any Ill of him.

Barbara Biggs < no role > . I live in Litchfield-Street, St. Ann's. I have no other Acquaintance with Dennison , than by his coming in visit a Grenadier, who lodged in my House.

Both Guilty . Death .

26. George Stacey < no role > and Matthias Dennison < no role > , a second Time, and Catherine Lineham proceedingsdefend , of St. Martin's in the Fields , were indicted (with Arthur O Hara < no role > , Thomas Cullin, William Shields < no role > , James Gough < no role > , Redman Keogh, Catherine Butler < no role > , and Margaret Mossey < no role > , not taken) for assaulting Benjamin Parish , in the House of Redman Keogh , putting him in Fear, &c. and taking from him 3 Portugal Pieces, value 7 l. 4 s. one Moidore, and fourteen Guineas, the Money of the said Parish . Oct. 8 .

Benjamin Parish . On the 8th of October, between 11 and 12 at Night, I was coming from Fulman's in Windsor-Court , and was forced into the House of Redman Keogh, by George Stacey < no role > , Mr. Keogh, Kate Butler < no role > , and Ruggaty Madge , who was executed.

Councel. Was Catherine Lineham < no role > there?

Parish. Yes, I am positive she was, for she held me while Stanton tore down my Pocket, and took my Money. I lost the Value of three and twenty Guineas in Gold, out of my Breeches Pocket, and I cry'd, Murder! Robbery! at the same Time. After this they brought in Cherry-Brandy in Pint Mugs, and swore they would kill me, if I did not drink it.

Councel. Who were the Persons concerned in robbing you?

Parish. George Stacey < no role > , Kate Butler, and Catherine Lineham < no role > , helped to hold me, while Stanton rifled me.

Councel. Are you sure that Lineham was there and assisted in robbing you?

Parish . Yes; I am very well satisfied of it.

Councel. Did you observe that she was there before you had drank the Brandy?

Parish . Yes, I'm sure I did.

Lineham . Was I in the House when he came in, or did he go in with me?

Parish. She was in the House when they forced me in.

Lineham . I have been a great while in Goal, why did not he come and see whether I was one of the Persons that robb'd him?

Parish . A very good Reason. - I was 60 Miles from London

Stephen Macdonnel < no role > . I have known Lineham better than a Twelve month.

Councel. Was you ever with her at this House?

Macdonnel . Yes, I used to see her there almost every Night.

Councel. Was you there when Mr. Parish was robbed?

Macdonnel . I was a-bed, and heard a Cry of Murder, so I put on my Coat, and came down Stairs, and saw Mr. Stacey, Dennison, Lineham, and Massey, the Woman I keep Company, all on the Gentleman at once; Stacey kept him down with his Knee , and did what he could to prevent his crying out.

Councel. Did you see any Money taken from him?

Macdonnel . Yes, 20 l. all in Gold, and Keogh said, in two or three Days Time it should be divided among us.

Councel. On your Oath was Lineham there?

Macdonnel . I am sure she was; for she helped to keep him down, while the other robb'd him.

Lineham . I went to see him in New-Prison, and why did not he tell me that I was concerned in this Robbery?

Macdonnel . She and the Woman I kept Company used to bring me Victuals, and tell me they would get People to appear for me, and bring me off.

Lineham . How often did I come to him?

Macdonnel. She came to me twice a Day, till she was taken up for another Robbery, and put into Bridewell.

Lineham I think it is a very hard Case if he knew me to be guilty, that he did not detain me when I went to him in Prison.

Dennison acquitted , Stacey and Lineham , Guilty Death .