664, 665. ROBERT HARLEY proceedingsdefend and EDWARD GEORGE proceedingsdefend were indicted for that they, with certain clubs and sticks, feloniously, wilfully, and of their malice aforethought did strike and beat Joseph Pierson < no role > in and upon his head, face, arms, back, stomach, belly, side, and legs, thereby giving him several mortal bruises in and upon his said head, face, &c. of which he languished from the 12th of April until the 10th of May, and then died .

WILLIAM ANCHOR < no role > sworn.

You are employed in collecting his majesty's customs? - Yes.

Did you know Joseph Pierson proceedingsvictim ? - Vastly well, he was a custom-house officer ; I was with him when the affair first happened; it was about one in the morning of the 12th of April last; we were upon Deptford road with an intent of seizing some smuggled goods; there were besides William Bacon < no role > and Richard Burr < no role > ; we went to the turnpike the upper part of Deptford road, waiting for the smugglers that we expected with the run goods; two men that appeared to be in liquor came, one of them cried, Halloo, what are you? I said, I was tollman, that night, How many are there of you? said they; Pierson replied, what is that to you, we have nothing to do with you, go about your business? they passed on through the turnpike, and then they gave three loud whistles or halloos.

Did they halloo or whistle? - What they call the war-hoop, I believe it is, and they halloo'd; then we went the road that leads towards Blackheath, expecting to meet the party coming down with the goods, a man followed us when he came up to the top of the road, one part of which leads to Lewesham, the other to Deptford; he turned to the right, and there gave two or three whistles more, that was the Lewesham road; he waited there for two or three minutes, and then returned and went up towards Blackheath; Burr, Bacon, Pierson, and I turned to the right, which leads to Lewesham, and from thence we turned round to Blackheath, and came back to the same place again; then we turned to the left to go to Deptford Lower Town; after which we came all the way up the road that leads from Greenwich to the turnpike; we waited there a little while and two men came up to the turnpike; they stood talking there about ten minutes, saying, Who are you, and how many are there of you? and such like; we told them it did not signify to them how many there were of us, we wanted nothing of them, they might go about their business; they said some rough words, I cannot recollect particularly what, and then went the space of forty or fifty yards from us; we followed and went down to Deptford Broadway , the place we were at first at; we lost sight of them; we waited there about twenty minutes; by-and-by a parcel of men came past to the number of eight or nine or thereabouts; two of the hindermost went and set their backs up against a butcher's shop, which was nigh hand in the Broadway; Pierson and I went over to the watchman that was on the opposite part of the way, and asked him who those people were that were passing; we did not see the men that stopped at the time they crossed the way, it was very dark; the watchman said that they were riggers, and that they came from Woolwich; we crossed the way to our companions, and waited there, I believe, for about twenty minutes or half an hour; when we returned we saw the men at the butcher's shop; one of them that is executed was one, the other is now at the bar; in about twenty minutes about twelve or fourteen came up, all armed with sticks and bludgeons, and said, B - t you, who are you all, what are you, and what do you do here? they knocked Mr. Bacon down first, then they knocked down Mr. Burr; we were all surrounded; Pierson and I went over towards the watchman again, thinking to get assistance; the watchman immediately took his lantern from the nail it hung upon, and walked away towards the partie and spoke to them; they asked us, what business we had there, b - t you, you are come to rob a man of his property? they continued to surround us; I told them to keep off or I would shoot them; they drew all up into a company together at about twenty yards from us; the deceased said, I am well acquainted with Deptford, follow me, I will go to the watch-house, I said with all my heart; I followed him; they kept following us, crying, B - t them, here are two of them, let us sacrifice them: then Pierson and I ran towards the watch-house, they ran after us; we made many halts and told them to keep back, or that we would shoot them if they made any attempt upon us; we ran down the road that leads towards Deptford Green; there are chains at the alms-house, I ran against the chain; Pierson was on the opposite side, he kept right strait on; one of them seeing me run against the chain, struck me a blow on my back with a stick or bludgeon; I got under the chain and ran on towards the top of the green near the old church, and Pierson kept running on; when we came to the old church, he said to me, I have missed my turning; I thought to have turned down Flaggon-row.

Which way does that lead? - Towards the turnpike, where the watch-house is; he said, but never mind it, come along; they kept very nigh us, we told them to keep back or we would shoot them; Pierson ran between the posts and the houses on the left hand side upon Deptford Green which leads down to Deptford Lower Water-gate; I kept in the middle of the green; he kept calling to me, come along; I said, here I come, my boy, for G - d's sake don't run so; he took the second turning that is on the right side, which leads into Hughes's field: he turned in there, they cried out, B - t them, here they are, let's sacrifice them: I heard Pierson cry out, O dear, one or two of the party followed him; there were five of them came down the green after me; I kept strait on, but I heard his voice.

How soon after? - When I heard him cry out O dear; I lost sight of him when he cried out, that was as he turned round the corner; he was then in the same part as I was; he went in between the posts and the houses, I was in the middle of the green on the other side of the rail, I was speaking to him at that time; he was then about twenty yards from me, I believe; I made the best of my way towards the green; they followed me, I ran under the chain; when I came to the corner two of them came and said, B - t them, here they are, just turned the corner, let's follow them: I got away, I did not see Pierson again till about two hours after; he was then going into a boat; he had many cuts in his head, his left arm was broke, and his legs much bruised; his left ear was cut in two, and he was all over blood.

Had you all pistols? - I had a brace of pistols, and he had one.

JURY. Did you see either of the prisoners strike the deceased? - No.

WILLIAM BACON < no role > sworn.

You were one of the custom-house officers that went out upon this 11th of April at night in search of smuggled goods? - I was.

Pierson the deceased was likewise another custom-house officer with you upon the same business? - He was.

There was likewise Burr and Anchor with you? - Yes.

Then you four went upon some information you had to find some smuggled goods? - Yes.

Did you meet upon the road any persons that attacked you? - Yes; about twelve or fourteen; we were all together, I received the first blow with a stick or bludgeon upon my forehead, which knocked me down; I got up again and ran the way they ran; I was intermixed with these people and obliged to go the way they went; I saw no more of the deceased till I saw him in the London Hospital.

JOHN ROLFE < no role > sworn.

Do you know the prisoners at the bar? - Yes, I know them both.

Do you remember being at Deptford in April last, the night that Pierson was killed? - Yes; I met five or six of them between three and four in the morning at the Tidemill.

How far is that from a place called Hughes's field? - About half a mile.

Who were the men you met? - The two prisoners were in company with them when I met them.

Was Gypsy George < no role > one? - Yes, he was.

Was Samuel Whiting < no role > in that company? - Yes.

Was one Thomas Henman < no role > This name instance is in set 216. there? - He was, and the two Harleys.

You know these men? - Yes.

And are certain they were all there? - Yes.

Had you any conversation with them? - They asked me where I had been to; I said to the Broadway to get some Gin, but there was nobody up; Gypsy George < no role > said, if we would go along with him, we should have some Gin; we went home to his house.

Who was with you at that time? - Greenrod; we all went to Gypsy George < no role > 's house; he gave us two drams all round; he gave all of them half a crown a-piece.

Did he give to the two prisoners half a crown? - They had, I believe, half a crown; I did not see what it was, but Gypsy George < no role > said it was half a crown a-piece.

Do you know whether there was any difference in the money given, was there more to one man than the rest? - Yes, Henman had 3 s. we had a glass before and a glass a-piece after the money was given them.

After you had drank the second glass was any thing said by Gypsy George < no role > ? - He said, Go down the town, and pick up the dead.

Were the two prisoners there at that time? - They were.

What time of the day was this? - Between three and four.

COURT. When this half crown a piece was given to these men, did Gypsy George < no role > This name instance is in a workspace. say any thing at that time? - He did not say any thing when he gave the money, only when we came out; he said that after we came out of doors.

He did not give you or Greenrod half a crown? - No, we had no money at all.

Name them again? - The two Harleys and Henman, Ned George < no role > , and Whiting.

JURY. Was any thing particular said to the man that received the 3 s.? - No.

Cross Examination.

You thought there was no harm in drinking Gin there, I suppose, or else you would not have gone? - No, we were neighbours.

When did you speak of this? - Not before they were taken up.

Is it not strange, if you heard Gypsy George < no role > bid people go and pick up the dead, that you should not speak of it? - I did not know what it meant.

When did you first mention it? - A month after.

Was it after or before the man died that you mentioned it? - Four or five days after he died.

Did not you at the same time make application to the prisoner George, and say, if he was any ways culpable in this business to confess it? - Yes, we spoke to him before we spoke to Whiting.

Had you not some authority to say that he should be admitted an evidence? - No; but I advised him to confess if he was at all guilty.

And he persisted in his innocence? - He said he was innocent of the affair.

I believe both the prisoners remained in their business after this, till they were taken up? - I believe so.

Counsel for the Crown. T he deceased died, I think, in May; what has become of the two prisoners from that time to the present? - They have been out of the way, I believe; I have not seen them a good while.

They have not lived at home from that time to this? - No.

Counsel for the Crown. They were taken up at Portsmouth in their flight since the last sessions? - Yes.

Counsel for the Prisoner. My question was, whether they did not remain at their place of abode a long time after the fact happened? - Yes.

Counsel for the Prisoner. How long after they spoke of picking up the dead, was it that you saw them backwards and forwards in their business? - Some time; but I did not see them after the man died.

Counsel for the Crown. You remember Whiting making an information at justice Sherwood's? - Yes.

Did you ever see the men at home after Whiting made that information? - Not to the best of my knowledge.

JAMES GREENROD < no role > sworn.

When you was in company with Rolfe the night Pierson was beat at a little after three o'clock by the Tide-mill, which comes out of the Broadway, who did you meet with? - Six men just by the Tide-mill, Robert Harley < no role > , Benjamin Harley < no role > This name instance is in set 3718. , Edward George < no role > , Gypsy George < no role > , Samuel Whiting < no role > , and Thomas Henman < no role > This name instance is in set 216. ; they asked us where we had been; we told them we had been in the Broadway to see if any body was up, that we might get some Gin, but found nobody up there; Gypsy George < no role > said, if you will come along with me, I will give you some Gin; we all eight went to his house, he opened the door, took out the bottle, and gave us a glass of Gin a piece; then he put his hand into his pocket, and said, Where are my men? he gave have half a crown a piece to four men, and he gave 3 s. to Thomas Henman < no role > This name instance is in set 216. : when we were going out of the house he said, will you have another glass? he gave us a second glass; as we were all coming out of doors, he said, Go down town and pick up the dead.

JURY. How do you know it was half-a crown a piece he gave to the parties? - I saw the money paid.

Did you know these men before? - I was bred and born in the same place they were; they were all people of Deptford, except Gypsy George < no role > , and he has been about there for these last eighteen years.

JURY. What are the prisoners? - They worked along with us as coal-porters, and at any labouring work; I never knew any harm of them.

JURY. Did not you ask Gypsy George < no role > the reason of making use of that expression, Pick up the dead? - No.

Nor did not you, upon your oath, ask either of the parties what they had been about? - No.

Cross Examination.

Did not you think it extraordinary that Gypsy George < no role > should give them half a crown a-piece and bid them Go down town and pick up the dead? - I did not know what it was for.

SAMUEL WHITING < no role > sworn.

Do you know the prisoners at the bar? - Yes.

How long have you known them? - We were all children brought up together.

How old are you? - About thirty-six or thirty-seven.

You did not know Joseph Pierson < no role > ? - No, I did not know him till after the affair.

You remember the time of his being wounded in April last? - I believe it was in April, it was a little better than four months ago; Edward George < no role > , the prisoner at the bar, came to my house about ten o'clock at night, and told my wife that he wanted me at the King's Head; I went down to the King's Head; I met the landlord of the house there, I don't know his name, he said they were in the stable; I went there and found Edward George < no role > , Robert Harley < no role > , Benjamin Harley < no role > This name instance is in set 3718. , Thomas Henman < no role > This name instance is in set 216. , and Gypsy George < no role > , and some more smugglers that I did not know; they were standing in the stable with sticks in their hands, ash sticks with large knobs to them (several sticks produced with exceedingly large knobs to them) they were such sticks as these.

Had you a stick? - Yes, one that I carried with me.

Had they any goods with them? - No, they had a tea bag which Gypsy George < no role > was lying up; it was stuffed with hay and straw; he tied it up for one of these parties to carry at his back.

What sort of a thing is what you call a tea bag? - He said, when the officers seized that bag, that the man was to carry at his back, the rest were to fall upon them and beat them; after he had tied the bag up, he went out of the stable to the King's Head, and fetched a quart bottle of Gin, and gave it to them to drink; they all drank round, and then gave it to me; they staid in the stable about an hour and a quarter; when Gypsy George < no role > thought it would be likely to meet with these officers, he said, when it was about eleven or a quarter after, Come, it is time, let us go, he unlocked the stable-door, and said, Come, my lads, follow me.

Did he say any thing of the purpose he was going upon? - No, no further than I tell you now.

Were the two prisoners by? - Yes, and others; there was one Long George, a butcher, and other smugglers whom I did not know; there were, I am sure, ten of us in the whole; we went into Church Street, Gypsy George < no role > was first, and the other smugglers, that I did not know, along with him, and we followed them; Gypsy George < no role > , and the rest of them, searched all up Church Street for those custom-house officers.

Was there any talk of meeting custom-house officers except what you have said just now about this bag of straw? - Not then, there were some old houses that were pulling down, and some new houses that are building, the doors were open, and we searched all about there; when we came to the Broadway, we waited about till about one o'clock, then Gypsy Georgesaid, It is too late to do any thing to night, we will go home and have a dram, and part; we went to his house; two men who belonged to a party of smugglers that were coming into town came, as soon as they tapped at the window, he let them in; we were about to part, they said, Gypsy George < no role > , we want some men; Gypsy George < no role > told them, that there were men enough; he gave them a glass of Gin a-piece; and then Gypsy George, Benjamin Harley < no role > This name instance is in set 3718. , Thomas Henman < no role > This name instance is in set 216. , Edward George < no role > , Robert Harley < no role > , Samuel Whiting < no role > , Long George < no role > the butcher, and the smugglers who were strangers, went out; we followed them, we all went together to the place where the two men said they had seen them over Deptford Bridge by the turnpike that leads to Blackheath; these two men said that the partie of smugglers which they belonged to was coming into town; when we came to the turnpike, we divided into two parties, one went towards Blackheath, the other towards Greenwich; I was of that partie which went towards Greenwich; we came back again to the turnpike, and waited till the other partie came round the lane to us; then we all came back together over Deptford Bridge, and all went down Church Street except two, who stopped behind; they came down to us afterwards, and told us that they had seen the four officers stand under the butcher's shambles at the top of the street.

Who were those two? - I do not recollect; the butcher's shambles were just at the top of Church Street, opposite where the watchman used to stand, but he was crying his hour; the other partie of smugglers went down town, Gypsy George < no role > stood by the Tide-mill in Church Street, while the other partie went down; I was with Gypsy George < no role > , we went to the butcher's shambles; Gypsy George < no role > said, Here are six of us, and there are but four of them; we are enough of us to beat them.

Who were the six? - The two Harleys, Edward George < no role > , myself, Thomas Henman < no role > This name instance is in set 216. , and Gypsy George < no role > ; he went towards them, and we all followed him; Gypsy George < no role > made a loud alarm, he halloo'd like some of your Irishmen, and then he knocked one of them down.

What time of the night was this? - About two o'clock; the others ran away, Gypsy George < no role > pursued them, and all his company followed him; he lost the other officers at Budd Lane, then he turned back again through the Broadway, till he came to Church Street; as he was going down the street, we heard some of the other partie of smugglers halloo; he said, Come along, there they are now; he went down the street till he came to the bottom near the old church, there he heard them halloo again, and he took down Hughes's-field.

Was there only one man knocked down in the Broadway? - Only one, that I saw.

JURY. Did Gypsy George < no role > , when he gave that first signal upon finding the officers, halloo or whistle? - He halloo'd; it was the two men by the turnpike that whistled; when he came to the bottom of Hughes's field, he saw the deceased, he ran and seized him by the collar.

Was you there? - I was.

Who else? - Gypsy George < no role > , the two prisoners, Benjamin Harley < no role > This name instance is in set 3718. , and Henman; Gypsy George < no role > seized Pierson with his left hand by the collar: he had a pistol in his hand; Gypsy George < no role > told him when he seized him by his collar, that if he did not tell his name, he would take his knife out of his pocket and cut his throat: I heard Pierson say that his name was Pearce or Pierson, or some name like that; Gypsy George < no role > knocked him down with his stick, then we all hit him with our sticks that we had in our hands.

How long did you beat him? - Gypsy George < no role > kept beating him about ten minutes or a quarter of an hour; the others did not hit him above one blow a-piece.

Did the two prisoners among the rest strike him? - Yes.

Did the man cry out, or make any lamentation? - Yes, he did.

And all this while the two prisoners were with you? - Yes.

What part of the body did they hit him on? - Somewhere about the shoulder, or thereabouts; we begged of Gypsy George < no role > not to beat him any more, but we were afraid to prevent Gypsy George < no role > , left the other smugglers should come up and use us ill; Benjamin Harley < no role > This name instance is in set 3718. , and Robert Harley < no role > , and myself, begged of him not to beat him any more.

After this did you leave the man? - We left him, and came away about forty or fifty yards; then Gypsy George said, He had not given him enough, he would go back and give him some more; Gypsy George < no role > went back, and we all followed him; Pierson had moved several yards towards some of the pallisadoes; Gypsy George < no role > heard him groan, and he gave him several more violent blows: after Gypsy George < no role > had himself hit him several more blows, upon his return, he said to us, Give him a blow a-piece for me; some of them did hit him, but whether they all did, I cannot say.

Upon your oath did the prisoners at the bar strike him? - I cannot say upon my oath whether they hit him again or not.

Did you go up to him? - Yes.

Did you give him another blow? - No; Benjamin Harley < no role > This name instance is in set 3718. and Henman gave him a blow each, I gave him none, and whether the prisoner did or no, I cannot say.

Counsel. I will read to you what you said on your evidence upon the last trial.

"Did Pierson say any thing more? - He cried

"and groaned; Gypsy George < no role > said, Come up,

"my men, and hit him a blow a-piece for me."

"Were any more blows given by any body?

"- They struck him again."

"After Gypsy George < no role > had been back and

"given him these violent blows, they accordingly

"did give him a blow a-piece *."

* Vide Number V. Part II. P. < no role > 272.

After Gypsy George < no role > had said come along, give him another blow for me, and you all followed him back again; who then struck the man? - Gypsy George < no role > and Benjamin Harley < no role > This name instance is in set 3718. hit him several violent blows, and Thomas Henman < no role > This name instance is in set 216. ; I saw them hit him; I was in a narrow place; these men had their sticks up, I saw them let their sticks down, but whether they hit him, or not, I cannot say; I cannot tell whether they light upon the deceased, or no.

Did the prisoner stay by all the while Gypsy George < no role > beat him? - Yes.

After they had done beating him, they came up Hughes's Fields and up Church Street as far as the Broadway, Deptford; then Gypsy George bid Long George the butcher go down the town, and pick up the dead.

Where was that expression made use of? - Both in the Broadway and in Gypsy George < no role > 's house in Mill Lane, which is just by.

Do you remember any company coming to you at Gypsy George < no role > 's? - Only Rolfe and Greenrod; we met them in the Broadway, and Long George < no role > the butcher; we had a parting glass of Gin at Gypsy George < no role > 's; and as we were coming out, Gypsy George < no role > said to Long George < no role > the butcher, D - n your eyes, go down town and pick up your dead.

Was you present at the distribution of any money by Gypsy George < no role > ? - Yes.

Where was that? - In his house he gave to Benjamin Harley < no role > This name instance is in set 3718. , Robert Harley < no role > , to Edward George < no role > , and myself, half a crown each; he gave three shillings to Henman.

Did he say what it was for? - No.

Had you bargained before for any Money? - No.

When did you make a discovery of this matter? - As soon as I heard that the man was dead, I surrendered myself up to an officer.

Cross Examination.

You know you are sworn to speak the truth? - Yes, I have done so.

It is true then that you are a person concerned in murdering this man? - Yes.

It is likewise true that Gypsy George < no role > had a bag stuffed with hay and straw at the stable of the publick house? - Yes.

Is it likewise true that Gypsy George < no role > said, it was time, after you had been there an hour and a half, to meet with the officers and beat them? - Yes.

And is it likewise true that he said to the officer, that if he would not tell what his name was he would cut his throat? - It is true.

And it is likewise true that he bid Butcher George go and pick up the dead before he went into the house? - Yes.

How came it then, if all these things were true, that you did not give evidence of them upon the last trial? - I gave evidence to all that I knew; they asked me if that was the truth that I had spoke, I said it was; what I have said is as nigh every word as it was before, as I can think, and it is the truth and nothing else.

Do you know one John Corne < no role > ? - There is a prisoner of that name.

And you was at prison there at the same time? - Yes.

Did not you say to him that Edward George < no role > was entirely innocent? - I never mentioned any such word.

COURT. Who took this tea bag? - Gypsy George < no role > afterwards said there was no signification for it, he could do without it.

JOHN DICEY < no role > sworn.

I am a watchman at Deptford.

Did you know Joseph Pierson < no role > ? - I did not know him, but I have seen the man: I live at the bottom of Hughes's field; I heard a great noise of beating some body, and a man crying out and begging for his life; I could hear the blows; it was about a quarter before three o'clock. I first heard them hallooing out; making a terrible noise, then I heard a man cry terribly, Oh! oh! oh! they went past my door, and came down towards my door again; I ran naked into the street; I came up to the people as they were beating the man; I cried out, You villains, are you going to murder the man? they ran away immediately and left him; I came up within about 10 or 12 yards of him before they quitted him, but it was so dark I could not see how many there were of them; I saw the man lying upon the ground; I asked him what he was, he said he was an officer; I asked him how he could venture in the town by himself where there were such a set of people that would murder him, or any body else they could come athwart; he said, there were three more besides himself, and he was afraid they had all shared the same fate. I passed him and went on to see if I could discover any body, but I could not; he was afterwards brought into my house; he was most terribly beat and bruised.

BARBARA DUDLEY < no role > sworn.

I live in Hughes's field at Deptford.

Do you remember the night in April last when the officer was beat? - Yes; I was waked with the groans of the person that was beat; I got up to the window, the poor man cried out, Oh! you'll kill me, you'll kill me, I have enough, and moaned sadly: as I was looking out of the window, I saw four or five men run down, when they came to the bottom of the place, the man that was beating the poor man said, My lads, give him every one a blow for me, and that will do for him.

Could you discern a man continue beating him? - I heard a man say, My lads, give him every one a blow for me, and that will do for him; I heard the blows given, one after another; after that, they struck him every one a blow that I saw go down; I imagine they did, because there were four or five went down; the blows that I heard were very distinct, as if given by different people.

JURY. Did you hear four or five blows distinctly? - I did.

Cross Examination.

You cannot say how many men went down exactly? - No.

Nor whether the blows were given by one person or several? - That I cannot say.

Mr. JOHN FRANKS < no role > sworn.

I am a surgeon at Deptford: I was sent for to the deceased between three and four o'clock in the morning; I found his head cut in a shocking manner; he was at Dicey's in Hughes's field; his skull was quite bare, his arms and legs were bruised in such a manner that he could not walk; I found him so bad, that I ordered him away directly in a boat to the hospital.

Mr. GEORGE NEAL < no role > sworn.

You are a surgeon of the London hospital? - Yes.

You attended one Pierson a custom-house officer, who was brought to your hospital, be so good as to describe to my lord and the jury the condition the man was in, and what you think was the cause of his death? - He was terribly cut in more parts than one of his head; he was universally bruised all over, his stomach in particular; he remained in the hospital about a month, when he died; he was brought in about the 12th of April. He was so extremely ill, that I desired the governors to let his wife remain with him the whole time he was at the hospital; he died in about a month after he came in.

What do you suppose in your judgment to have been the cause of his death? - Undoubtedly the blows that he had received: his forehead was laid bare; he was cut in a great many places in his head; his breast was quite yellow; he was beat exceedingly; he could not move a limb.

HARLEY's DEFENCE.

I never was at such a place as this in my life before; I am very innocent of what I am charged with; I hope the jury will consider of it before they take innocent life away.

GEORGE's DEFENCE.

I am innocent of this affair I am charged with; I have proof that I was at another place at the time.

FOR GEORGE.

- UPSTON sworn.

I have known Edward George < no role > about a dozen years, I never heard any harm of him in my life; I was coming from Greenwich the processioning night, my son was telling me what had happened of a custom-house officer being killed; I said I was very sorry to hear it; he said, I hear Mrs. George's son is concerned in it, I said I was sorry to hear it; Harley and Henman were in the cage; I went over to ask Henman whether Mrs. George's son was concerned in it.

COURT. That is not evidence.

WILLIAM POWIS < no role > sworn.

I am a baker.

Do you remember the night that this misfortune happened? - I remember such a thing transpired; I had been spending the evening at Deptford; coming home about twelve o'clock, as I was coming out of Church-street, upon the bridge I heard a man following me, I turned round and said, what do you want? he came up to me and looked very hard at me; I said, Are you going to Greenwich? he said, Is that Mr. Powis, I am not looking for you? and passed me: I thought the man had an intention to stop me, I had 14 or 15 pounds about me; as I found the man knew me, tho' I did not know him, I was determined to go back again; I heard some people talking, who were the people I had left; I went back; when I came into the Broadway, I saw four or five men stand that knew me; I said, I have met with a man I do not very well like upon the bridge, and I will give one of you a shilling if you will walk home with me.

Do you know who they were? - No; they said they would go with me for nothing; two men came along with me within 300 yards of my own house, and then wished me a good night.

Who were the two men? - I don't know.

JURY. What hour at night was it you met those men at the Broadway? - About twelve; it was after twelve when I got home.

JOHN CORNE < no role > sworn.

Do you know Samuel Whiting < no role > ? - Yes.

Had you any conversation with him in Clerkenwell Bridewell respecting Edward George < no role > ? - Yes; I slept with him in Clerkenwell Bridewell, we were both prisoners there six or seven weeks; our conversation was frequently upon the two unhappy persons at the bar.

How long ago was this that you was fellow prisoner with him? - Till < no role > the removal here last Thursday.

Whiting has been in custody ever since? -

WHITING. I have been in custody four months.

CORNE. It was the night I came in or the night after, July the 10th, that they went down to Portsmouth to take the two prisoners; Whiting declared to me, that the two prisoners never struck the man; he said that more that six times or ten times.

JURY. Had you frequent discourses upon this unhappy matter? - Almost every night; strangers are brought in there of a night, and people come in and are inquisitive of what they are charged with.

WHITING. I never told him any such thing, he has been bribed by George's mother; his mother came to me and offered me a guinea, and promised me 50 l. if I would say he was not concerned in it.

Cross Examination to Corne.

What led you to Bridewell? - I was committed upon suspicion of stealing a silver tankard; the person is found out that took it; there will be no bill preferred against me.

So you being a bed-fellow of this man, he used to tell you that the two prisoners were not guilty; how long ago was the first time that he told you that? - Three or four or five days after I was in there, as soon as he came back from Portsmouth.

What had he been at Portsmouth for? - To apprehend or to look at these men, or something of that purpose.

In order for their being apprehended? - I believe they were apprehended, in order for their being sent up here.

So he told you he went down to fix upon these two men, and he did fix upon these two men, and as soon as he returned he told you that they were not guilty? - He did, that they were not guilty of the murder; that they had not struck the man; the men were known by being advertised; he said, they were the men that were advertised.

You understood that he had been down to Portsmouth, in order to give some satisfaction about these men for the purpose of their being brought up; and then after his return from Portsmouth, these men being brought up to take their trial, he told you in Clerkenwell Bridewell, that these two men were not guilty of the murder? - He has told me so three or four times in a week.

Did he tell you what share the two men had taken in it? - He said they were not guilty of it, and he wished they might be acquitted.

May-be that was all he told you, he did not tell you the particulars? - He said, that one Gipsy George was the material man.

But did he tell you that these two men were of the partie? - He said they were there.

What did they do there, did he tell you? - They never struck him.

What did he tell you Harley and George did there? - He said they were not guilty of the murder.

But curiosity leads one to ask: if you talked of this no less than four times in a week, as you said just now, the conversation therefore must last longer than merely telling you those two men were not guilty of the murder; did not he tell you the particulars how these two men came to be there? - No; I did not expect to be called upon; he said something before Justice Sherwood, that if they were acquitted, he should be in perpetual imprisonment.

So he did not descend to particulars, what these men did in the business? - That they did not strike him.

What did he tell you that they did? - Nothing more.

Then he never mentioned their being there at all when the man was beat? - I cannot recollect every particular.

What share did he say they had in this business? - He said they were there during the time the man was killed, but they did not strike him at all.

Did he tell you what he had been down to Portsmouth for, or what he had said there? - He had been down to look at two men, and that they were the two men that were advertised.

WHITING. I never told him any such thing; I always told him, they were the two men that were guilty of the fact.

To CORNE. Did not you understand in July, that he had been here at the sessions, and had sworn, as he swears now, that Robert Harley < no role > and Edward George < no role > were present and did strike him? - No.

COURT. Did not you hear that there was an indictment found against Robert Harley < no role > and Edward George < no role > ? - I knew only that they were advertised.

SARAH BASSETT < no role > sworn.

I have known Edward George < no role > almost six years, he is a very honest labouring man.

What do you think of his humanity; do you think he would be capable of beating a man to death? - I always thought him a goodnatured hard-working man.

ISAAC UPSTON < no role > sworn.

I have known Edward George < no role > three or four years; he was always a very civil, good-natured young man.

Do you think he would be guilty of any act of inhumanity? - I do not think that he would.

SARAH HAWKINS < no role > sworn.

I have known Edward George < no role > eight years; he is a very honest hard-working man.

Is he a man of a tender disposition? - Yes.

Do you know Harley? - Yes; he is a very honest good-natured man.

Cross Examination.

Do you know Gypsy George < no role > ? - Yes.

He is a very honest good-natured man, is he not? - I don't know.

Another Witness sworn. I have known them both about five or six years; I never heard of their being guilty of any misdemeanor before this report.

GEORGE HAMPSHIRE < no role > sworn.

I have known both the prisoners from infants; I never heard of, or ever knew them to be guilty of a bad action in their lives.

SIMON ADDISON < no role > sworn.

I have known both the prisoners about six years; they are good-natured industrious hardworking lads.

PHILLIP HARMON < no role > sworn.

I have known both the prisoners about 18 months; they are good-natured, humane young fellows and honest in their principles, as far as ever I knew.

Cross Examination.

How came you to know any thing about these men? - I keep the Red Lion alehouse at Greenwich, they used to use my house, and changed their money when they worked at a lady's in the neighbourhood.

GEORGE HOUSTEAD < no role > sworn.

I am a dealer in corn and coals: both the prisoners have worked for me four or five years by times, they always behaved very diligent and honest.

What is their character with respect to humanity and good nature? - I know nothing amiss of them.

JOHN WHITEHAM < no role > sworn.

I know both the prisoners; we were all brought up children together; I have been in their company, I never saw any thing by them but what was honest; they were always well-behaved men.

Cross Examination.

How long have you known George? - We were brought up children.

What is his christian name? - Edward.

THOMAS FARMBOROUGH < no role > sworn.

The prisoners have worked for me these four years; I am in the coal trade; they were always honest sober men as ever I saw.

They don't get their bread in the smuggling way? - Not that I know.

Did you never hear so? - I never heard any thing concerning it.

SAMUEL GROOME < no role > sworn.

I am a coal merchant at Deptford; I have employed them six or eight years; they were always honest industrious men to me.

Cross Examination.

Did you ever employ Henman? - I have, at times.

He was an honest man? - He was, in turns to me.

You used to employ Benjamin Harley < no role > This name instance is in set 3718. too? - Yes.

He was a very honest man? - A very honest man to me.

Did you employ Gipsy George? - No; he was above my cast, he was a gentleman.

THOMAS SMALLWOOD < no role > sworn.

I have known Edward George < no role > from a child; he is an industrious young fellow; he always worked hard for his bread, as far as I know.

ROBERT ABETHEL < no role > sworn.

I have known both the prisoners these 20 years; they are very hard-working industrious young fellows as ever I saw.

ARTHUR HART < no role > sworn.

I have known them both these 20 years; I never heard any thing amiss of them in my life.

THOMAS PASCALL < no role > sworn.

I have known them both for upwards of five years; I never heard any thing but that they were very sober hard-working men; they have both of them worked for me.

JOHN ROWLAND < no role > sworn.

I have known them both these 15 years; they are very hard-working industrious young fellows; I never heard any harm of them.

THOMAS LAKE < no role > sworn.

I have known Edward George < no role > these 20 years; he was always a very honest sober young fellow; he has worked for me three or four years.

EDWARD STANLEY < no role > sworn.

I am a shipwright: I have known them both; particularly Robert Harley, he is a very sober honest man; I have known him these 14 years; he served part of his time with me, and worked with me; I never knew any thing amiss of George; he bears a good character.

MARY THORNHILL < no role > sworn.

I have known George < no role > some years; he is a very sober honest young man.

DELIVERANCE COLLINS sworn.

I have known them both six or seven years; they are very honest industrious young fellows; I live within two doors of them.

JURY. Don't you know that they do something in the smuggling way? - Upon my oath I don't.

ANN ROWE < no role > sworn.

I have known them ever since they were babies; one of them lodged at my house five or six months; I never knew any dishonesty by them.

JURY. What hours did he keep when he lodged at your house? - He used to come in at ten or a little after.

He was not frequently out till three in the morning? - No; I never knew him out to my knowledge.

BOTH GUILTY . Death .

Tried by the First Middlesex Jury before Mr. Justice GOULD.

They immediately received sentence, this being Friday, to be executed on the Monday following, and their bodies to be afterwards dissected and anatomized; which sentence was executed upon them accordingly .