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London Lives 1690 to 1800
Crime, Poverty and Social Policy in the Metropolis
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449.
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WILLIAM BILLINGS
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was indicted for
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feloniously assaulting
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John Dutton
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, on the King's highway, on the
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26th day of February
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last, and putting him in corporal fear, and danger of his life, and feloniously taking from his
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person and against his will, three yards of flannel, value 6 s. the property of
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William Wilson
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.
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JOHN DUTTON
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.
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Court. How old are you? - Going of twelve.
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Do you know the nature of an oath? - Yes, I know so far as this, that if I tell a lye, I shall go to hell.
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JOHN DUTTON
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sworn.
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Was you robbed at any time, and when? - Yes, on Monday the 26th of February, between seven and eight, the corner of
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Long's court
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Where was you going? - I was going to No. 4, in Saint Martin's street, to my master; I had three yards of flannel for him; my master sent me for it to Messrs. Birch and Simpson's, and Mr. Williams served me.
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Who attacked you and took this flannel from you? -
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William Billings
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.
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Where is he? - The prisoner is the man.
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In what way did he take it from you? - He took it from under my arm, the corner of Longs-court.
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What, did he take it from you by force? - No, he snatched it from under my arm.
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Did you know him before that time by sight? - Yes.
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Did you tell any body who the person was after you had been robbed? - Yes, I told Mr. Simpson.
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Was it late? - Yes, it was between seven and eight.
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You are sure the prisoner is the man? - Yes, I am sure of it.
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What is your master's name? -
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William Wilson
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.
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WILLIAM WILSON
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sworn.
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The last witness lives with me as my
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servant
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; on the 26th of February, about six, I sent him to Messrs. Birch and Simpson's, in May's-buildings, for three yards of flannel; I received information that my boy was robbed; and I went to the Justice's and the flannel was produced.
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WILLIAM SELLER
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sworn.
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On the 26th of February, I was going down Castle-street to my lodgings, in Hemming's-row; I heard the cry of stop thief; I run down, and the prisoner ran out with his arm up, hallooing stop thief.
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<
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>
Other people had cried first? - Yes, several; the prisoner ran across Castle-street, to Hemming's-row, and I ran after him, and kicked at him, to fall him down, but he did not fall; I kicked at him again; he was the only man that came out of the street first, therefore I suspected him; I caught hold of him; I told him, I believe you are the man that has done the robbery; he said, he had not; I kept him till the constable came up to my assistance, and he was taken to the Justice's; I found nothing upon him.
</
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<
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Prisoner When you came across the square, did not you ask me who it was that was along with me? - I was not in the square at all.
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<
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Did not you ask me who it was that was in the square with me, in the boots? - I was not in the square at all.
</
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>
<
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Did not you say it was good bread for you, and it would bring you a hat full of guineas.
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Court. Did not any such conversation pass? - No, I was not in the square at all.
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JOSEPH THOMPSON
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sworn.
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<
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About a quarter before eight in the evening, on the 26th of February, I was standing at the door of the Feathers publick-house, in Saint Martin's street, with Fitzwater, and the prisoner came running out of Long's-court; the little boy was running after him, crying, stop him, stop him; I immediately said to Fitzwater, that man is the thief, and ran after him, and cried out, stop thief.
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Had he any thing with him? - Yes, he had this flannel; he immediately cried out stop thief as loud as he could; he
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turned out at the top of Saint Martin's-street, into Leicester-fields, and through Green-street; about the middle of Green-street, he threw this down, and out of Green-street, turned to the right, down Castle-street, and turned towards Hemming's-row, there I found him in the custody of Sellers; I picked up this flannel; this is the same.
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Prisoner. Did not you ask me who it was that was along with me in boots? - No, I did not.
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JAMES WILLIAMS
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sworn.
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<
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On the 26th of February, a little after seven in the evening, I remember selling some flannel to Dutton; there were three yards.
</
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<
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>
Look at that flannel? - I cannot certify this to be the same, but I believe it to be so.
</
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>
<
p
>
Does it answer in quantity and quality? - Yes, to the best of my judgement; I think it answers exactly in quality.
</
p
>
<
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>
Measure it and see whether it is three yards.
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<
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>
(Measured in Court.)
</
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<
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>
- There is just three yards.
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<
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>
What is the worth of it? - We sold it to Mr. Wilson, at two shillings and three-pence a yard.
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>
Prisoner. My Lord, I have nothing to say but that I am quite innocent of the affair.
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GUILTY
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,
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DEATH
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.
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<
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Tried by the first Middlesex Jury before Mr. Justice ASHURST.
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