76. MARY BENNET proceedingsdefend was indicted for feloniously stealing on the 28th of October , a gown value 10 s. the property of William Higgins proceedingsvictim .

ELIZABETH HIGGINS < no role > sworn. My husband's name is William Higgins < no role > , he is a working man; we live at No. 2, Willow Walk . On the 28th of October last, I went out to get some beer, I left my little boy in the room and the prisoner at the bar; I left my white cambric muslin gown in my box, I was out about ten minutes, and when I came back I perceived my muslin gown under her gown through her pocket-hole; I did not tell her of it, she dined with us after she had the gown in her possession, she went out after dinner, and I went a little way with her, knowing her some time I did not like to tell her of it.

Q. What is the prisoner? - A. She lived in the family that my husband and I did before I was married. When my husband came home at night I told him of it, and he went after her the next day.

Q. Was your gown ever found? - A. No.

ELIZABETH PUTTIFORD < no role > sworn. I live at No. 3, Grub-street. The prisoner was with me a month, I looked in her bonnet-box, and saw the cambric muslin gown in it the day she was taken up; she took it away with her when she went away to her place; she brought it home on the over night.

Q. In the morning she took it away, and then after that she was apprehended? - A. Yes.

Prisoner's Defence. I am not guilty of this, it is only spite, she never saw a gown in my box.

GUILTY , aged 44.

Confined Six Months in the House of Correction , and fined One Shilling .

First Middlesex Jury, before Mr. Recorder.