291. + Henry Simms* proceedingsdefend This name instance is in set 3447. , was indicted for stealing two perriwigs, val. 30 s. the goods of Joseph Spence proceedingsvictim , three perriwigs, val. 7 s. the goods of Talbot Waterhouse proceedingsvictim , one perriwig, val. 2 s. the goods of John Demaine proceedingsvictim , one perriwig, val. 20 s. the goods of Robert Scott proceedingsvictim , one perriwig, val. 2 s. the goods of John Seaaton proceedingsvictim , a cloth coat, val. 2 s. the goods of William Anthone proceedingsvictim , a cloth coat, val. 2 s. and a cloth waistcoat, val. 6 d. the goods of Gabriel Stewart proceedingsvictim , in the dwelling house of William Anthone < no role > , Aug. 20th. in the 16th year of his Majesty's reign .

* Henry Simms [who we have hitherto called Sims,] otherwise Young Gentleman Harry, made an information before Sir Thomas De Veil < no role > , against William Gibbs < no role > , Richard Swift < no role > , and William Cavenagh < no role > , that he, together with the aforesaid persons, Samuel Baker < no role > , and Samuel Smith < no role > , otherwise Black Sam, broke, and entered the dwelling house of Nathan Smith < no role > in Southwark; and stole money and goods to a great value; for which the three first mentioned persons were tried, at the last assizes held at Croydon, for the County of Surry; on which trial the Prisoner swore that he was perjured in his information before Sir Thomas De Veil < no role > , and that every thing he had swore therein, with relation to that burglary, was false. See the proceedings at last Croydon assizes, in which are contained the information of Henry Sims < no role > relating thereto, and the aforementioned trial &c. Published by M. Cooper, in Pater-noster Row. He was evidence against William Bailey < no role > , who was tried in Feb. sessions, for robbing the Duke of Bolton's stables, and acquitted, page 94. trial 179. He was tried himself in January Sessions, for stealing a gold watch, &c. from William Margerum < no role > , and acquitted, page 68. trial 140.

William Anthone < no role > . I am a barber and perriwig maker , I keep a shop at the corner of the Bell Inn, in the Hay Market ; and a boy lies in the shop: but my house is in Panton Street. About two or three years ago, upon a Sunday evening my apprentice came home fuddled; the shop was broke open and robbed, and he was found lying upon the bed drunk, and his buckles taken out of his shoes, and the hat off his head, and the goods mentioned in the indictment were lost. One opera night, a chairman came to me, and asked me for something for bringing home my boy; said I, I suppose you are the man that robbed the shop; if you want any thing, here is a broomstick for you, that is the best way of paying you, I have paid enough already. About a fortnight or three weeks before last sessions, some gentlemen came, and asked me what I was robbed of, I told them, and went to Sir Thomas De Veil < no role > , and gave him an account what I was robbed of.

Q. What gentlemen were they, that came to enquire of you?

Anthone. I can't tell.

Simms. They are thief takers, my Lord: pray did you ever see me?

Anthone. I never saw you. You sent to me to desire me to make it a single felony.

Gabriel Stewart < no role > . About three years ago, I was pretty much in liquor, and two men, as they told me, brought me home in a chair. The next morning about four o'clock, I awaked, and I found my self upon the bed in my clothes, and the boxes all about the shop, the shop was broke open and my master was robbed of nine wigs and a coat; and I lost a coat and waistcoat, a pair of breeches and a hat.

Mr. Joshua Brogden < no role > , clerk to Sir Thomas De Veil < no role > , deposed, That on the 20th day of Feb. last, Henry Simms < no role > , otherwise young gentleman Harry, the Prisoner at the bar, was brought before Sir Thomas De Veil < no role > by a Constable of Covent Garden parish, for an assault which he had committed the night before, in the house of one Mrs. Coggin: That upon examination it appeared, he had broke out of New Prison Clerkenwell the same night; and it being fully proved upon him, he then desired to speak to Sir Thomas and his clerk in private, for he could make large discoveries: upon which Sir Thomas told him, he would hear what he had to say, and therefore desired all the people to withdraw, which they accordingly did. That Sir Thomas advised him to be very cautious what he was doing, for if he declared any false thing it would turn upon himself. That he took his information, which was made voluntarily, and without any promise of pardon or reward, and then Sir Thomas swore him to it: t hat after he had taken his information, which he signed voluntarily, he took his confession, which was also signed freely and voluntarily.

Simms. A man can't swear against himself.

The following is the information, and consession of Henry Simms < no role > , which were produced and read, viz.

Middlesex and Westminster,

to wit,

The information of Henry Simms < no role > , taken before me this 22d day of February, 1744.

Who being upon oath, says, That about two years ago, he, together with Christopher Miller* < no role > , Benjamin Mccoy+ < no role > , Robert Scott < no role > , and Roger Allen < no role > , broke open a barber's shop next door to the Bell in the Hay-market between ten and eleven o'clock at night, and took out ten wigs, two coats and one waistcoat; says, that he sold two wigs to a barber in Field Lane, two to John Bunce < no role > , two more to Richard Bunce < no role > , and kept one apiece for themselves; and likewise sold the two coats and one waistcoat in Field Lane to an old clothes man; and the money which they had for all the before-mentioned things was equally divided among them.

*He was tried in January sessions in the Mayoralty of Sir Robert Westley < no role > Knight, for stealing four gowns, and transported.

+ He was tried last October sessions for stealing two shirts, &c. that were hanging out to dry and transported.

And this Informant further says, That about two years ago he, together with Robert Scott < no role > , Roger Allen < no role > , and William Bailey < no role > , went between nine and ten o'clock at night to the Duke of Bolton's stables in Hanover Square, and burglariously broke open the coach-house door with an intent to get into the dwelling-house; but says, that whilst they were attempting to get near the house, they heard a servant shutting the window of a room where the linen was hanging to dry, which prevented their going any further, though most of the family were out of town; but says, they broke a door open adjoining to the hay-loft, in which they found a box, which they likewise broke open, containing a white waistcoast with a piece of silver lace in one of the pockets, two pair of stockings, one white and the other grey, a hat and a coat: Says, that they sold the coat, waistcoat, hat, and piece of lace, to an old clothes man in Frith Street, Soho, and the stockings they tossed up for.

Says, that about two years ago, he, together with William Bailey < no role > , about twelve o'clock at night, knocked down a man the corner of St. Martin's Lane, and robbed him of one shilling, a silver pocket piece, a hat and wig, which they shared between them.

Says, That in September last was twelvemonths, he, together with one Thomas Cafey < no role > , since gone to sea, robbed a gentleman in a chariot at the bottom of Shooter's Hill, of a gold watch, four guineas in gold, and about seventeen shillings in silver, and then rode away towards Eltham, and the gentleman towards Dartford : Says, that this Informant clapped a pistol to his breast, whilst the said Casey robbed him: and this Informant says, that he sold the gold watch to one Basingstoake, at the Lady Mordington's gaming-house, for nine guineas.

Says, That about the same Time, he, with Thomas Cafey < no role > , went upon Black Heath about three o'clock in the afternoon, and robbed a gentleman of about seventeen pounds: Says, that he was immediately pursued by five or six persons on horseback, who knocked him off his horse, upon which he left his horse and run over the fields towards Eltham, and hid himself in a hedge till it was dark, and then came to London.

Says, That between three and four years ago, he, together with one John Eagle < no role > , went from London to Shrewsbury, and being in company with some persons in that town, heard them say, that the collector was coming to town with a great deal of money, it is well if he is not met with, and robbed.

Says, That hearing them say he had a great deal of money, they immediately took their horses, and met the collector between Newport and Eversey Bank, and robbed him of 300 l.

Says, That after that two men were taken up and hanged for that robbery.

Henry Simms < no role > .

Sworn before me this 22d day of Feb. 1744.

Thomas De Veil < no role > .

Middlesex and Westminster,

to wit,

The voluntary consession of Henry Simms < no role > .

Who says, That he acknowledges himself to be a party in all the foregoing robberies, which he has voluntarily discovered.

Henry Simms < no role > .

Taken before me this 22d day of Feb. 1744. Thomas De Veil < no role > .

Mr. Anthone's shop not being proved to be his dwelling-house, the Prisoner was acquitted of stealing in the dwelling-house, and found guilty of the Felony .

[Transportation. See summary.]