295. JOHN STEVENS proceedingsdefend This name instance is in set 1375. This set is in the group(s): GarrowsClients . was indicted for feloniously assaulting Elizabeth, the wife of John Frederick Hutchins proceedingsvictim , on the King's highway, on the 15th day of February , and putting her in fear and danger of her life, and feloniously taking from her person and against her will, one piece of silver coin of this realm called a half-crown, value 2 s. 6 d. seven copper halfpence, value 3 d 1/2 and one piece of silver coin of this realm called a shilling, value 1 s. and one linen handkerchief, value 6 d. the property of the said John Frederick < no role > .

ELIZABETH HUTCHINS proceedingsvictim sworn.

I was robbed on Saturday night, the 15th of February, between nine and ten coming with a pot of beer from the Ben Johnson's-head , to a place called the World's End ; the prisoner at the bar met me, I was alone, he took the pot of beer out of my hand and set it down; he said nothing at that time; he then held a pistol in his righthand to me, and said, damn you, you bitch, stop! he put his hand in my pocket, and took out a red linen handkerchief, a half-crown, a shilling, and seven halfpence; that was exactly the money I had in my pocket, except five farthings, he went off directly, rather in haste to the Ben Johnson < no role > 's Head.

How long was he with you? - I suppose about two minutes, not longer.

Was it dark or moon-light? - A starlight night, and the snow laid thick on the ground; I went directly home, and told my husband I had been robbed, and he asked me who I thought it was, whether I should know the man again, I said it was that man that lives over the way, John Stevens < no role > This name instance is in set 1375. This set is in the group(s): GarrowsClients . ; I knew the prisoner before, and he knew me, but I fancy he did not know me then, as I was wrapped up for the tooth ach, or else I imagine he would not have robbed me.

Were you certain at that time that it was Stevens? - I am positive in it, knowing him before.

You had but an indifferent light to see him by? - It was a very light night, I was going to speak to him and call him by his name, but seeing the pistol frightened me, he was taken up on the Monday morning, my husband went to the office and gave information.

Mr. Sylvester, Prisoner's Council. How was you drest? - With a round-eared cap on, and a clout pinned over my head.

How far was it from the prisoner's own door? - About twenty or thirty yards.

You had the appearance of a person that lived in the neighbourhood, for you was without a hat or cloak, and a pot of beer in your hand? - Yes.

What hat had he on? - A round hat, I did not speak to him, he said to me, damn you, you bitch, stop!

Not give me your money? - No.

How long had you been with this thing over your face? - About a week.

Then your neighbours had seen your face wrapped up in that manner? - I do not know that he knew it, I had not seen him all the week.

Why you live opposite to one another? - Yes.

JOHN ORANGE < no role > sworn.

I apprehended the prisoner on the information of Mr. Hutchins; when I went to him in his mother's apartments opposite the prosecutor's, I said, Stevens, I want you, he said directly, I suppose it is about that woman last night, yes, says I, it is, says he, I heard something about it.

Mr. Sylvester. She had applied to the watch-house, and made it public? - I do not know.

He was at home at his own house? - Yes.

To Prosecutrix. You had given in the prisoner's name then? - My husband had.

Court. What is your husband? - A caulker .

What is the prisoner? - I do not know whether he is any trade or no.

How long have you lived there? - I came there at Michaelmas, I believe the prisoner lived there before, after I came to lodge there, I knew him by going to the house.

Was there no quarrel between you and the prisoner, or your husband and the prisoner? - No; I told my husband immediately that it was John Stevens < no role > This name instance is in set 1375. This set is in the group(s): GarrowsClients . , before he went to the watch-house; the watch-house is at the top of Mile-end Green, Mr. Sutherland and two more men came to me on the Sunday night, and asked me if I was sure of the prisoner.

RICHARD GLENTON < no role > sworn.

I am constable of the night, I remember the woman coming to me that night, it was a tall man, that I believe is a relation of the prosecutor's, and two men, (sailors) with cutlasses, they described the person to be a tall thin man in a white coat.

Court. We cannot receive this evidence. - They wanted me to go search the house, whether Jack Stevens < no role > was at home, they said, if he was at home it must be him, they did not say enough to justify me to go to take up a man.

MARY JOHNSON < no role > sworn.

I am the prisoner's mother, married to a second husband, I live at the World's End, my son lives with me, he is in no calling .

Where was he on the Sunday night before he was taken up? - With me all day, he spent the evening with me till nine o'clock, then I have a little boy, a grand child and my daughter; we went to bed, and left him half undressed; if he had gone out, I could not be off hearing him, I left him in the room where he sleeps, I never shut my eyes till past eleven, and I heard my son in the room divers of times, he kept coughing continually.

MARIA STEVENS < no role > sworn.

I live with my mother, we went to bed just after the clock went nine, my brother had not been out that afternoon, not once.

Did you hear him after you went to bed? - Yes, till the watchman came ten and half past ten, there is not a window or door in the house, but makes such a noise, he could not go out without being heard.

NOT GUILTY .

Tried by the second Middlesex Jury before Mr. RECORDER.