1. 2. 3. (M.) CHARLES ROGERS proceedingsdefend , WILLIAM OXTOBY proceedingsdefend , JOSEPH HORTON proceedingsdefend , and SARAH TAYLOR proceedingsdefend , spinster, were indicted the first three for that they, in the king's highway on John Gill < no role > , did make an assult, putting him in corporal fear and danger of his life, and stealing from his person a pair of silver shoe buckles, value 5 s. and a half guinea and 5 s. in money numbered, the property of the said John .

And Sarah Taylor < no role > for receiving the said pair of shoe buckles, well knowing them to be stolen , October 17th . +

John Gill proceedingsvictim , I am a plaisterer , and live in Cross-lane Long-Acre; I was going to Stoke Newington to see a young woman home on the 17th of October in the evening. We were attacked by three men on foot, between Ball's Pond and Kingsland turnpikes ; it was then about three-quarters after eight o'clock, one of them seized me by the collar of my coat and demanded my money, they had all bludgeons or sticks; I gave them 4 or 5 s. after that one of them came forward and took half a guinea out of my pocket, another struck me a very slight blow on the head with his stick, after which they took my silver buckles out of my shoes, then they left me and went to the young woman and robbed her, and then they all went over the style towards Newington. I saw no more of them till I saw them before justice Welch, which was three or four days after I was robbed; I immediately knew them all three.

Q. Consider the lives of these three men are at stake. Did you take sufficient observation of their persons to be able to swear to them?

Gill. I am very positive and clear that they are the persons: I took great observation of them while they were robbing me; it was a clear moon-light night.

Jane Wellsman < no role > , I was along with the last witness at the time he was robbed, he was going with me to Newington, where I lodge. As we were walking from Ball's Pond turnpike towards Kingsland turnpike, at about a quarter before nine o'clock, the prisoner Rogers came to me and demanded my life or my money; I jumped off the causeway into the road and told him I did not know what he meant, I had no money, and I called the watch; he told me if I called the watch any more he would knock my brains out: I told him if he would not hurt me I would give him all my money; he said he would not; I gave him some halfpence, he said this is not all, I told him if he would have patience I would give him all; he said he would take it out if my pocket himself, I said he should not do that, but I would give him all; I took out 4 or 5 s. he said he would feel whether I had not more, then another man came up and stood at my side or held me, I can't be sure which, while Rogers felt in my pocket, but he found no more; then he shook hands with me, said it was necessity had drove him to it, and wished me a good night. There were three men in all. Mr. Gill was a few yards from me at the time. I think I know all the prisoners, but I can't be positive to any but Rogers; I knew Rogers again as soon as I saw him, he was dressed in a darkish, reddish great coat with a velvet collar; he wore his hat cocked up on each side and flapped before.

John Lucas < no role > . I am servant to Mr. Mackaway a pawnbroker in Shoreditch; these pair of buckles (producing them) were brought to me upon the 18th of October, between seven and eight in the morning by Sarah Taylor < no role > and a man, who I think was Charles Rogers < no role > ; they wanted half a guinea upon them; I offered to lend 8 s. they were dissatisfied and went away, but Taylor returned again alone and took 8 s. Taylor produced the buckles.

Gill. These are my buckles.

William Lawrence < no role > and John Tubb < no role > deposed, that in consequence of an information they had received, they took Rogers, Oxtoby, and Horton, who were in company together at a public house, near Portland Square.

Rogers's Defence.

I am as innocent as a child unborn; I am a brick-maker , I lodge at Mr. Bucker's in Kingsland Road; I was at home and a-bed at the time.

For Rogers.

John Stevens < no role > . I have known Rogers about five years, he has worked very hard ever since I have known him for Mr. Adams, of the Adelphi.

John Levingston < no role > . I am Clerk to Messrs. Adams' brick-kilns at Totenham-court. Rogers and Oxtoby worked there great part of the summer: Horton has worked there near two years; I have known no other crime of them but being honest men.

Martha Upshot < no role > , Ann Kingsland < no role > , and Ann Smith < no role > , gave both Rogers and Oxtoby a good character, and John Smith < no role > , John Price < no role > , John Dennis < no role > , Francis Ferne < no role > , and Joseph Padmore < no role > , who appeared to have but a slight knowledge of Rogers, gave him a good character.

Oxtoby's Defence

I know nothing at all of the robbery. I bought them buckles of one John Kempton < no role > in Shoreditch, but I dont know where he is.

Horton's Defence.

I am very innocent of the affair.

Taylor's Defence.

I went with Oxtoby when he pawned the buckles, I thought he came honestly by them.

ROGERS, Guilty, Death .

OXTOBY, Guilty, Death .

HORTON, Guilty, Death .

TAYLOR, Acquitted .

*** They were recommended by the Jury to his Majesty's mercy .