| Stepney Folk |
A Miscellany of Malefactors In 1613 John Hopkinson of St Katherine, victualler was charged with 'tippling'. Presumably the word has the same meaning today. Ellis Prewe, also a victualler of St Katherine was one of his sureties. On 25 December 1614 Robert Griffin of Lombard Street, draper, gave evidence against Henry Corbet of St Mary Mattfellon otherwise Whitechapel, gentleman, for stealing parcels of holland (linen) cloth and other goods worth 40 pounds from his shop in Fenchurch Street. John Pannell of Ridgewell, Essex, a gentleman, and John Curd of Middleton, Essex, yeoman stood as surety that Henry would appear when called. On the 11th January 1614/15 Robert Whitacres of Whitechapel, a gentleman draper, was before the court and Edward Wheler of London, a linen draper and Daniel Lancaster, a victualler of Rosemary Lane appeared for Robert and Dusabel Harmon, wife of Harmon, a mariner of Wapping and were ordered to keep the peace towards Thomas Corbett of St Katherine's, a tailor. Joan Reynolds of Hackney, spinster appeared at sessions on 12 January 1614/15 and was charged for stealing a smock worth 5d. She was found guilty to the value of 11d and having no goods to pay this fine was ordered to be whipped. On the 16th of the same month Thomas Pickerell and William Cowse, brewer of St Katherine next the Tower, appeared before the court for Thomas to keep the peace and for beating Richard Corbett a gardener of Hackney and Robert Richmond, victualler, also of St Katherine's appeared on behalf of William. At the Middlesex Sessions held on 11 and 12 of April 1616 Richard Seelye (Seele) of Hackney was indicted for breaking into the house of William Russell at Hackney at about 10 am and stealing a woman's gown worth 30s, a doublet worth 10s, a hat worth 6s, nine pewter dishes worth 26s, one basin worth 2s, one ewer worth 12d, one bottle worth 6d, six saucers worth 12d and a blanket. One wonders how he managed to carry all these items. Perhaps he wrapped them up in the blanket. He was found guilty and having no goods was sent to be hanged. In the September 1616 William Hollingworth of Hackney, Thomas Darby (Darbie) of Bethnal Green and John Payne of Holywell Street appeared for stealing 3 heifers each worth 46s 3d belonging to John Grubb of West Ham, Essex from Hackney where he kept them. Darby was also accused of stealing a red heifer worth 50s. All were found guilty and having no goods asked to read the book (the Bible) and being able to read were sent to receive the punishment of branding. John Tippinge a butcher of Wapping had his house broken into at 1 o'clock in the morning in the September of 1616 and had a hog worth 40s, a side of veal worth 10s, a loin of veal worth 2s 6d, two knives worth 12d and three joints of pork worth 18d stolen. The miscreant was found not guilty of burglary but guilty of felony. He had no goods and asked to read the book but could not do so and was sent to be hanged. During the eighteenth century a coal merchant tried to sell 5 bushels of coal in Billingsgate, saying there were 8 bushels. He left everything behind and did not wait for payment, taking to his heels. He ran from Billingsgate to Wapping to escape an irate housewife who threatened to report him to the Lord Mayor. ROBBERY
DURING A GREAT STORM JOHN
GORDON, PICKPOCKET VIOLENT ASSAULT AT FUNERAL The following are from: www.oldbaileyonline.org (This is an excellent website - these few are just a few examples of what the website holds - go there and make a search for yourself.) Proceedings at Old Bailey
22 February 1716: John Sparrow , and
Sarah Sparrow , of the Parish of St. Dunstans at Stepney,
were indicted for feloniously stealing 12 Yards of blue
Ribbon, value 12 s. 1 Suit of Headcloths, several Yards
of Lace, a Mocon Stone set in Gold, and other Goods, from
Martha Hudson , on the 16th of Jan.last. Mrs. Hudson
depos'd, That having lost the goods abovementioned, she
had informed her. Acquaintance of it, and in a little
Time some of the Goods came to a Friend of hers to be
made up who thereupon inform'd her of the Prisoner whole
House was searched, and other Goods were found in it that
belonged to the Prosecutor, but the Man jumped out at
Window, however he was pursued, and at last taken with
the said Macok Stone in his Pocket. The women had the
Headcloths mentioned in the Indictment upon her, and
other Goods belonging to the Prosecutor. There was also
found a Chiffel coloured with Brickdust, a Gimlet, and a
Dark lanthorn in the same Room. The Prisoners denied the
Fact; the Man saying he had them of his Wife, and she,
that she bought them of a Woman, whose Bussiness it was
to buy and sell about Streets, as her self used to do but
could not prove it; upon the Whole, the Jury found the
Woman Guilty of Felony, but acquitted the Man. Proceedings at Old Bailey
22 February 1716: Robert Hayes of
the Parish of St. Dunstan Stepney was indicted for
breaking the Dwelling house of John Triquerne, on the 9th of Feb last, and stealing
thence 43 Pound Weight of TinValue 100 l. When the
Prisoner was taken, he confess'd the fact which being
fully proved upon him by the Evidence the Court the Jury
found him Guilty. Proceedings at Old Bailey
22 February 1716:Thomas Hunter alias Thorpe, John
Onion, John Wilkinson, Elizabeth
Payne alias Cotterell alias Scott, Elizabeth
Askit and Christine Styles, of the Parish of St. Mary Whitechappel,
were indicted the Men as Principals, in breaking the
House of Edward
Juby in the Night-time, and
stealing thence 120 Hats, Value 50 l. and other Goods;
and the Women as Accessories in receiving the same,
knowing them to be stole. One Marshal, who was concerned
in the Fact, made himself an Evidence that Hunter, Onton,
and Wilkinson, were with him and took away the Goods, and
that Payne bought several of them for 1s. 6d. a piece,
and knew where they had stole them. There were a great
many circumstances to .which but weakly affected Ascit
and Styles, who were acquitted, but the other Prisoners
were all found guilty of the indictment. Thomas Hunter alias Thorpe,
Elizabeth Payne alias Cotterell, alias Scott, Elizabeth
Askit and Christine Styles of St. Paul Shadwell were a
second time indicted for breaking open the Dwelling-house
of Thomas Bayly
in the Night-time, and taking
thence thence of 80 Yards of Checque Linnen, Value 8 l.
22 Pair of Stockings 5 l. several Handkerchiefs, Drawers,
Shirts, Pieces of Muslin, and other Linnen, on the 10th
of Jan. last. Hunter was taken with some of the Goods
upon his back; and Marshal swore he was concern'd with
him in the Fact, and that Payne bought the stockings for
and was privy to the Robbery. Given the whole evidence,
the Jury found Hunter Guilty of Burglary, Payne of
Felony, and acquitted the other two. Proceedings at Old Bailey
before Sir James Bateman, Wednesday 1st May 1717: Thomas Spooner of St Mary, Whitechapel, was
indicted for feloniously stealing 9 ducks and 5 geese ,
out of the stable of Thomas Bigs, the 20th of October last. The Prosecutor
deposed, he lost the fowls out of his stable and found
them in the Prisoner's house. The Prisoner pretended he
had bought them coming from Kensington. It appeared the
Prisoner was the Prosecutor's son-in-law, and used to
make bold with his father-in-law's goods, as well as
other peoples. Whereupon the Jury found him guilty to the
value of 10d. Proceedings at Old Bailey
before Sir James Bateman, Wednesday 1st May 1717: Elizabeth Knolls , alias
Derrick, alias Duscoby, of the
parish of St. Dunstan's Stepney, was indicted for picking
the Pocket of Francis
Longepee of 10 Guineas, the
25th of April last. The Prosecutor depos'd, That having
been at Limehouse, and coming home, near Stepney, the
Prisoner fell into his company, and pretended she wanted
to buy gold-colour'd Silk, which he, being a Weaver, was
willing to sell her; That she came with him near his own
house, and then he bid her go into a neighbouring
Ale-house and he would go fetch her gold-colour'd Silk;
whereupon he went home and put a purse with 20 Guineas
into his Wast-coat pocket, but did not go to the
Ale-house to show it her, but sent his boy for her to
come home to see it; That she being with him in the
Chamber, took his Purse out of his pocket, and taking out
a Guinea bid the Boy fetch a bottle of Cyder and a
quartern of Brandy, and then put his Purse again into his
pocket; that afterwards examining his Purse, expecting to
find the remaining 19 Guineas, he found but 9. Whereupon
he sent for a Constable to apprehend her, but in the
interim she desir'd to go to do her Occasions, and before
the Officer came made an Elopement. The Prosecutor's Boy
depos'd, That his master came home at the time
beforementioned, and put the bag of Guineas into his
pocket, and seat him to the Sugar Loaf in Coverlays
Fields to call the Prisoner to him; that she was admitted
into his chamber, and there was very familiar with his
Master, taking his Purse out of his pocket, and thence a
Guinea, bidding him fench a bottle of Cyder and a
quartern of Brandy; which he refusing to do, and not
willing to go out of the room and leave them together,
because he said he suspected her to be a very ill person,
and his master not to be very capable, therefore he would
not go out of the room; so the Liquors were fetch'd by
another. And that the Prisoner desir'd his absence,
threating that if he offer'd to speak a word against
their Conversation she would kill him upon the spot. And
that when his mistress came in, he inform'd her what sort
of a Companion his master had gotten with him; whereupon
she went in and interrupted their Conversation, and
examining her Husband's purs missed 10 Guineas. The
Prisoner in defence gave an account of the matter to this
purpose: That as she was selling Oranges the Prosecutor
bought a dozen of her, giving her a, Shilling for them;
that he liked his bargain and her so well, that he
carried her to a Publick house, and treated her and
another Woman very generously with Beer, Cyder and
Brandy; staying out all night, that they were at several
places, and particularly at Stepney; that he was very
sweet upon her, courting her, telling her he was a single
Man, importuning her to go home with him and be his
Housekeeper; that she was prevail'd upon by his
Importunity and fair Offers: At length he sent for a
Coach, and making use of that conveniency, convey'd her
into Coverlays Fields near his own house, gave her money
to go into the Sugar Loaf Ale-house to stay there till
she heard further from him. Accordingly she attended at
the Ale-house as he directed, till his Servant came to
call her home, whither she went, was well receiv'd, and
kindly admitted into his Chamber. That the former
civilities were repeated; he puiling out a Guinea and
sending for a bottle of Cyder and quartern of Brandy,
showing her his cupboard of plate: and that while she was
pleasing her self with the thoughts of what she was
brought to be mistress of, the Prosecutor's Wife, to her
great surprize, came in, and made such a noise in her
Ears, that she not sustaining the storm any longer, got
away as soon as she could, to her no small mortification
at the great Disappointment she had met with, incoming to
a Nest so well feather'd. The Court putting the question
home to the Prosecutor, whether in truth he did not pick
up the Prisoner? he frankly acknowledg'd he did pick her
up, but not to pick his Pocket. But was answer'd, that
considering the Years he always bore abroad, and that he
had a Wife at home, him loss of 10 Guineas (were they
lost) was not too great a punishment for his scandalous
Practices, tho' that would not excuse her could the
Felony be proved upon her. Tho' there was one thing
remarkable, that she treated the Prosecutor with a
modesry unusual to such Practitioners, in that she took
no more than 10 Guineas out of 20, when they commonly
take all if they can get it, and only leave their Cully
the rest. It plainly appearing the Prosecutor was so very
much in drink that he might possibly mistake as to the
number of his Guineas, the Jury acquitted her. Proceedings at Old Bailey before Sir James Bateman, Wednesday 1st May 1717: Richard Reynolds, of St. Dunstan's Stepney, was indicted for feloniously stealing 10 Rings, value 50 s.23 Guineas,6 Broad Pieces of Gold, and other Mony, out of the Dwelling-house of Richard Hubbard, the 7th of December last. The Prosecutor depos'd, That the Prisoner being a Carpenter, was employed to help her remove; had taken the Money out of a private place in the Floor under the bed: That having a Search-Warrant she found two of her Rings on his Wife's finger, and one in a Chest of Draws, and a remarkable Silver penny, all which she swore to be hers; but as for other Mony she did not swear to that. The Prisoner deny'd the Fact, and several appear'd who gave him a good Character, so that 'tis probable it was his first Fact: but it appear'd he had before made some Acknowledgment. The Jury found him guilty to the value of 4 s.10 d. Proceedings at Old Bailey
before Sir James Bateman, Wednesday 1st May 1717: Martha Sutton , and John Webb , of St.
Mary Whitechappel, were indicted for privately stealing
11 Yards of Callico val.24 s. out of the shop of William Austin , the 12th of March last. The Evidence
depos'd, That the Prisoners came to his shop under
pretence of buying a Night-gown, and took the opportunity
of taking the Calliko and went away; that they missing it
called the Prisoners back, and saw it drop from under
Sutton's Ridinghood. John Webb pleaded he went to buy a
Gown for his Wife, who was sick, and took Sutton with
him, but knew nothing of her taking the Callico. It was
not proved he was privy to her taking it, so he was
acquitted: but the matter being plain as to Dutton she
was found guilty to the value of 10 d. JOHN MEFF, A HUGUENOT WEAVER'S SON JOHN
LANCASTER HUNG FOR
THEFT 1726 SENTENCED TO STAND IN THE PILLORY GEORGE
SNELL OF SHADWELL PATRICK
KNOWLAND ATTACKED BY FOOTPADS In 1751 John Drinkwater, an hour glass maker, was hung and his body buried at St George's in The East. He had been imprisoned at Newgate. A SHOULDER OF MUTTON BAWDY HOUSES DISORDERLY WOMEN MURDER OF BASTARD CHILD CORNELIUS
SAUNDERS HUNG 1763 LOSS OF LIFE IN BAD HOUSE HIGHWAY ROBBERY & HORSE
STEALING A NOTORIOUS BAWDY HOUSE GEORGE
CANT ELEPHANT
STAIRS MAYHEW'S
MALEFACTORS In Shadwell the most notorious houses were The White Swan, (commonly called Paddy's Goose) and in the High St The Three Crowns and The Grapes. Bluegate Fields, he continued, was 'nothing more or less than a den of thieves and ruffians of the lowest description'. He described Spitalfields as 'one of the most notorious rookeries in the metropolis'. This area comprised a space of about 400 square yards and was bounded by Church St, Whitechapel, East Brick Lane and West Commercial St and 'contains 800 thieves, vagabonds, beggars and prostitutes' many of whom came from the extinct Essex St and Old Rose Lane. Going up an alley called George Yard, he found four brothels. Proceeding further he found several lodging houses. Near Union St he 'came to one of the most dangerous thieves' dens' he had ever visited. Leaving there he proceeded along Fashion St and through a skittle-ground entered a public house and another gang of thieves, many of whom were, he said, pickpockets. Mayhew goes on to describe
his journey along Church Lane, Wentworth St, George St,
Thrall St, Church St. To Lower Keat St, Lower George St,
Flower and Dean St.
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