515, 516, 517. Thomas Rowland proceedingsdefend , Richard Hutton proceedingsdefend , and Benjamin Mason , otherwise Ben the Coleheaver proceedingsdefend This name instance is in set 3571. , were indicted, for that they, together with James Dormer < no role > not yet taken, on William Harsel proceedingsvictim did make an assault, putting him in corporal fear and danger of his life, one hat lac'd with gold, val. 5 s. one silver hatband buckle, val. 2 s. 6 d. and 2 s. in money, the goods of the said William, from his person, and against his will, did steal, take and carry away , Aug. 1 .

William Harsell < no role > . I was robb'd in Red-Lion-street , Holborn, at past 12 o'clock, Aug. I. of a gold lac'd hat, and a silver hat buckle, and 2 s. in silver. One person held a pistol to my head; another had a hanger or a cutlass. They damn'd my eyes and limbs, and swore they would blow my brains out, if I would not give them my money. I had a javelin screwed on the end of my walking stick (it went on with a socket, the blade about nine inches long) but the scabbard happen'd to be on. I made a resistance, and swore I would not give them one shilling. Then one of them said, Fisk him. They took 2 s. and my hat, and went off. I preserved my watch the string being withinside, a guinea, and a ring.

Q. Do you charge this to the prisoners, or either of them?

Harsell. My lord, I will not swear to either of them, but I do believe Hutton and Rowland to be two of them that robb'd me.

Luke Ball < no role > . I was in company with the prisoners, when we robb'd the prosecutor, there were five of us; there was one James Dormer < no role > . We met together at the King's-head, Gravel-lane, and met the prisoner in Red-Lion-street. Ben the Coalheaver had a pistol; he held it up at him. Rowland had another and fired it at him, but it missed.

Q. to Harsell. Was there a pistol fired?

Harsell. There was one snapp'd, but it missed fire.

Ball. Then he turn'd round to Ben the Coalheaver, and said, d - n you, why don't you fire? mine has missed. Hutton had a hanger. James Dormer < no role > took two Shillings out of his pocket. I took him by the nose, and told him if he spoke a word I wou'd cut his nose off.

Q. to Harsell. Do you remember any thing of this?

Harsell. Yes, my lord. I called out watch, and thieves directly; one of them took me by my nose, and told me, if I spoke a word he wou'd cut my nose off. The watchmen were very near me, but none came to my assistance. I believe them to be as big rogues as these; had they come I could have taken them then.

Q. to Ball. Who took away the prosecutor's hat?

Ball. I did.

Q. to Harsell. Is it upon the account of what Ball said, that you believe two of these to be the men, or from your own knowledge?

Harsel. From my own knowledge. There was alamp within two doors where I was robb'd One of them had a green waistcoat on with gold button-holes (such as Rowland has on now.) I judge by the size of the men; they are the size of two of them. When I went into Bridewell, Ball pulled off his hat to me as soon as I came into the place; I ask'd who he was? I was told he was one of the men who robbed me; then I went to see the rest of them.

Q. to Ball. Did you make an information against any of these three prisoners before you was taken up?

Ball. No.

To their characters.

John Day < no role > . I have known Hutton five months; I worked with him at Mr. Wells's and Loe's. He had the trust of several hundred pounds worth of goods while I was there. I know nothing to the contrary, but he is an honest man.

John Chamberlain < no role > . I have known Hutton six or seven years, he is a cloth drawer. I cannot say I ever heard much amiss of him. I never heard he was guilty of robbing.

William Middleton < no role > . I know Hutton, he bore a very good character. I believe him to be an honest man, as far as I know. I don't think he is guilty of this crime.

Richard Ashley < no role > . I know Hutton, he is of a very honest family; and I really think he is an honest man.

Jos. Brumley. I have known Rowland from two years of age; I believe he is as honest a man as ever was born in the world. I am a malt-distiller; I trusted him with every thing it is possible a man can mention. He was a servant of mine for five years. He has took money for me; I believe 30, 40, 50 pounds at divers times. I never knew he wronged or cheated me of a farthing. I don't think he ever robb'd man, woman, or child, in the world.

Mr. Bilson. I am partner with Mr. Brumley. Rowland behav'd well in our service. I don't think him guilty of this robbery.

Mr. Vernon I know Rowland; I never heard he ever defrauded any person of a shilling; I don't believe him to be a wicked man.

Thomas Brown < no role > . I never heard any ill of Mason before. All three acquitted . See No. 70. in Sir Samuel Pennant < no role > 's mayoralty.