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Thomas Glanville 9 Jul 1740

James Haughton, Eleanor Haughton, Elizabeth Jemmet, theft: pick pocketing, 09 Jul 1740.
The Proceedings of the Old Bailey Ref: t17400709-5
Trial Summary: Original Text:
288,289,290.+ James Haughton, Eleanor Haughton his Wife, alias Eleanor Haughton, Spinster, and Elizabeth Jemmet, of St Paul Shadwell, were indicted for privately stealing a silver Watch, val.3 l.4 Guineas, and 2 Half-guineas from the Person of, March 5.
The Counsel having opened the Charge, the Witnesses were called.
Prosecutor. On Saturday Morning the 23d of February, I came from London,- I lay at a Friend's House on Friday Night, and next Morning walked as far as Haughton's House. I believe it was about 10 o'Clock in the Morning when I went in. I drank 2 or 3 Pints of Two-penny, and smoaked a Pipe or 2 of Tobacco, and not having eaten any thing, the Beer began to 'toxicate my Head. Upon that they asked me to go up Stairs, and when I was got up Stairs, they asked me what I would drink? I said, I did not care what. So they brought up Liquor called Bembow, and they supplied me with that, pretty much, whereof I staid there all Saturday, and all Saturday Night. I cannot say I was thoroughly disguised, but I was the worse for drinking, so I sat up all Saturday Night a drinking with them. I was drinking with them, from Saturday Morning to Sunday Morning, and the Prisoner Haughton, his Wife, and Elizabeth Jemmet were in my Company; Haughton's Wife supplied us with Liquor,- that great Woman in the middle there,- and there was another Woman with us,- one Susan Archer, but she is not here. I drank plentifully, and after I had drank plentifully, I began to be drousy, and being drousy on Sunday Evening I staid all that Night,- I staid till Monday. I began to be drousy on Sunday Night, and fell asleep in the Chamber, in my Chair,- I did not go to Bed, and so I saw Mrs Haughton give something to her Husband when I awaked,- but what it was, I cannot say. A little after that, I put my Hand in my Pocket and examined my Purse, whereof I found nothing at all in it. I had seen my Purse in Eleanor Haughton's Hand, and asked what Business she had with my Purse? She said nothing, but delivered it to me again, and I put it into my Pocket, without looking to see whether it was gutted or no.
Couns. Between the Time you put the Purse in your Pocket, after you had received it from Haughton, and your examining it, could any one else have taken it out of your Pocket?
Prosecutor. No. No body came between us, from the Time she delivered it to me, and my finding nothing in it,- but Jemmet.
Couns. How much Money was in your Purse?
Prosecutor. Four Guineas,2 Half Guineas, and a Shilling; but when I took out my Purse, the Money was - all gone. I asked Ellen Haughton about it; she said, she took nothing out,- they all denied taking the Money out. I told them I had so much Money in it, and would have it again: upon which they every one of them bid me not make a Noise, and I should have my Money again. Then Jemmet came up to me, and said, come, if you will go along with me, you shall go up with me into my Chamber. Accordingly I went with her, and with that she brought up a Quartern of Brandy, which we drank; and with that I began to be drousy again.
Couns. When was this?
Prosecutor. This was on the Saturday Night.
Couns. And after you had drunk the Brandy what then?
Prosecutor. Then I was drousy again, and then I missed my Watch. There was no body with me, when I drank the Brandy, but Jemmet; and when I wak'd, I missed my Watch, there was no body in the Room with me but Jemmet.
Couns. And what did you do upon this?
Prosecutor. I asked her where my Watch was: She said she had carried it down to James Haughton, without giving me any Reason for it. I am sure I had it in my Pocket, when I went to sleep in Jemmet's, Room. I asked her what Business she had to meddle with my Watch? She told me, it was to let Mr Haughton see what it was o'clock. I bid her fetch it me again; and she went down Stairs, but instead of That, she brought up another Quartern of Brandy, and then the Watch went out of my Head. After this, I sat a drinking, and asked after my Watch; and I asked Mrs Haughton, what was to pay? I had paid 2 or 3 Reckonings before,- I believe I had paid to the Value of 23s.6d.
Couns. When was it you asked Mrs Haughton what was to pay? And what Answer did she make you?
Prosecutor. I asked her what was to pay for the new Reckoning on Monday Morning, and she told me,- nothing at all. Indeed I had nothing to pay, for they had got all my Money. When I felt in my Pocket, and found all my Money gone, I told them 'twas very hard to be served in this kind.
Couns. Did you tell them what Money was in the Purse?
Prosecutor. Yes. I told Mrs Haughton, but she said nothing at all to it.
Couns. You say you told her how much Money was in the Purse?
Prosecutor. Yes; She told me she took it for the Reckoning. She did not deny that she took it, but said she took it for the Reckoning. I told her it was impossible that I could drink so much Liquor as came to all this Money,- for there was 4 Guineas, and 2 Half-Guineas in the Purse, but they told me I had had it all in Liquor.
Couns. What 5 Pounds 6 Shillings-worth of Liquor?
Prosecutor. Yes; they told me I had had so much.- and more.
Couns. Pray had you any Eatables?
Prosecutor. No,- none at all;- nothing at all,- nothing but Brandy and Bembow; and there was only I, and the 3 Prisoners, and one more.
James Haughton. Please to ask him how long I was in Company with him, and when I parted with him.
Prosecutor. He was there on Saturday till 6 o'clock; and then he was in Company on Sunday, and on Sunday Evening. On Saturday he was in Company from 10 to 6, and all Sunday - I can't say directly all Sunday, but he was there a pretty while on Sunday Evening.
J. Haughton. Where was I in Company with you?
Prosecutor. At the Kitchen Fire, and likewise up Stairs on Sunday Afternoon, and in the Evening.
E. Haughton. Was you in our House, or Jemmet's all this Time?
Prosecutor. At your House - She's a wicked Hussey,-'tis a wicked House.
E. Haughton. Then how came you to come into it? Where did you lie on Sunday Night?
Prosecutor. At Jemmet's House. Jemmet lives at next Door, and is one of their Plyers.
E. Haughton. Did you see my Husband, when you went from my House on Sunday Morning, at 11 o'clock?
Prosecutor. I did not go from your House then. I went from your House on Monday Morning.
E. Haughton. Did not you lie at my House on Monday Night?
Prosecutor. No; I went away on Monday Morning.
E. Haughton. Where did you go when you left my House?
Prosecutor. I went to Stepney, to the Sign of the Rose,(a Publick House,) on Monday,- no,- that was not the first House,- the first House I went to was the Green Dragon, at Stepney, that was in the Morning; the last House I was at was the Rose at Stepney; I went thither about 10 o' clock at Night.
J. Haughton. Did you make any Complaint at Stepney, of your having been robbed?
Prosecutor. No; What Occasion had I to tell them of it? Two or 3 Days after I had got home, I said I had been robbed.
J. Haughton. When did you get out a Warrant to take us?
Prosecutor. I can't tell the Day,- I believe it was about 3 Weeks afterwards: and then they were not taken up, for Justice Jones took Bail for them.
J. Haughton. After you went from our House, did not you lie at the Rose at Stepney, and was not you asked when you went to Bed there, whether you had a Watch, or any Money?
Prosecutor. Nobody asked me the Question; for I drank a Pint or 2 of Beer, and paid my Reckoning there, so they had no Occasion to ask me what Money I had in my Pocket.
E. Haughton. Ask him if he did not borrow 3 Shillings of me when he went away, because he had a dirty Shirt on, and did not care to go home 'till it was dark?
Prosecutor. I did borrow 2 or 3 Shillings of them.
E. Haughton. Did you not go out on Sunday Morning, before Mr Haughton was got up?
Prosecutor. I did not go out at all. I staid there all the Evening, and was not a-bed all the Time I was there.- I believe it might be about 10 o'clock at Night, when I went to Jemmet's.- I did go there, and I lay there that Night, and returned to Haughton's House next Morning(Monday).
Jemmet. Did not you tell Haughton that you had pawn'd your Watch for 2 Guineas?
Prosecutor. No: Jemmet took it out of my Pocket, at her House, about 10 o'Clock at Night, as nigh as I can guess.
Haughtons. Did not we tell you we would lend you Money to give her, that you might have it again, and did we not lend you Money for a Coach to go home?
Prosecutor. No,- no such Thing:-'tis a notorious House.
Haughtons. How long did you stay out upon the Ramble, before you went home?
Prosecutor. I staid out a Week,- I am sure I lost the Money in Haughton's House. I saw it in my Purse about 12 o'Clock on Sunday Noon, and missed it about 9 at Night. I had some Silver in my Pocket, besides the Gold, when I first went into their House, but that I paid them for Reckonings. I lay at Jemmet's on Sunday Night, but I missed my Money before I went there.
W - F -. There or 4 Days after the Prosecutor had been at Haughton's House, he complained to me, that he had been robbed, and had lost his Money there;4 Guineas, and 2 Half-Guineas. He told me, that Haughton and his Wife took the Money, and another Woman afterwards took his Watch from him. At his Desire, I went to Haughton's House, and found them both sitting by the Fire. How came you to be so wicked says I) to serve my Friend so?- To let him spend all his Money, and then take 4 Guineas, and 2 Half-Guineas from him? Says Ellen Haughton, I took his Purse and Money. What did you take it for? Why,(says she) to pay what he ow'd, and his Reckonings. Then presently she said,- No, I gave a Guinea to one Woman, and a Guinea to another. Yes, says James Haughton, my Wife had the Money, and she gave it me to pay Reckoning: She gave (said he) one Guinea to one Woman; another to another Woman, and the rest she kept for the Reckoning. She did not say from whence she took the Money, but she own'd she had it; that she took it from him, and gave him the Purse again. She likewise owned that she had given Jemmet one Guinea, and Susan Archer another; and she said farther,- D - mn him, if he had had 20l. in his Pocket, she would have taken it all, for he would be ashamed to prosecute.
Couns. Did she declare in what Condition the Prosecutor was, when she took the Money?
F -. She said he was between sleeping and waking, when she took the Money out of the Purse, for he had been drinking a great deal of Bembow, and was drowsy; and that he happen'd to see the Purse in her Hand, and asked her what Business she had with it, upon which she said nothing, but gave him his Purse again, and he put it up into his Pocket, after she had taken the Money out of it; and when he called for the Reckoning, she said, she told him he had nothing to pay. Why then, says I, if you had got his Money, and he had nothing to pay, what did you take his Watch for? It was not I,(said she) who took his Watch from him,- it was Jemmet, for he was up with her in her Chamber. I never spoke to Jemmet about it, but the Haughtons told me, she came down to them with the Watch in her Hand, and shewed them what it was o'Clock: that she fetched 2 or 3 Quarterns of Brandy, and then went away with the Watch.
Jemmet. Ask the Prosecutor if he did not leave the Watch with me for the Reckoning; for he was at my House 2 Days and a Night,- from Sunday Morning eleven o'Clock, till Monday Night about six.
Prosecutor. I was there from Sunday between 10 and 11 at Night, till Monday Morning about 8, and then I went away to the Green Dragon at Stepney. I did not leave the Watch with her for the Reckoning, she took it.
Jemmet. Did you pay me any thing?
Prosecutor. She belongs to Haughton; she was a Tender there, and brought up most of the Liquors in Haughton's House. She is a 'Tender there, and a wicked Gang it is.- No, I paid her nothing.
Jemmet. Did not I come with another Person, 3 Weeks after, to your House, and ask you whether you would redeem the Watch; and did not you say, you had ordered Mr F - to bring me the Money, and redeem it? Prosecutor. She did come, I believe, about the Time she speaks of ; but I told her, I owed her no Money, nor any Money would I pay her; nor did she say any thing about redeeming the Watch. There was a Man with her,- one of their Gang, who would swear a Cow is a Horse, for 'tis a notorions Gang - I did not say, I had ordered Mr F - to pay her any Money for the Watch,- I said no such Thing. Jemmet. He ask me,(when I went to him about it) how much the Watch lay for? I told him -3 l. odd Money. I'll give you two Guineas,(says he) and if you will not let me have it, I'll swear a Robbery; against you.
Prosecutor 'Tis all false.
Mr F -. Mrs Haughton told me the Watch was pawned for 50 s. That's false says I, for no Pawnbroker will lend above 2 Guineas upon it She told me, I had Money enough, and if I would let her have 2 Guineas I should have it again: but I told her I would not be concerned in compounding a Felony. They made their Brags, that the Great Miller had been with them, and that they had got his Money and Watch.
Ann Draper. I happened to be at Haughton's House, and she desired me to go to Mr F -'s, and tell him, if he would send 2 Guineas, his Friend's Watch should be redeemed. I went to him with this Message, and the same Day, and he told me he would not redeem it,- he would not do any such thing.
E. Haughton. Please to ask her, what brought her to my House that Day?
Draper. Indeed I can't justly tell.- I go out a Washing and Scowring, and Mrs Haughton knew I used Mr F -'s House. James Haughton in his Defence said, the Prosecutor came into his House on Saturday Morning, and called for a Pint of Two-penny; that he drank part of 6 or 7 Pints with him, and about 2 o'Clock went out to Limehouse, and did not come home till 12; that he then went to Bed, and saw no more of the Prosecutor till Monday Evening,6 o'Clock; and then he told him he had left his Watch as a Pawn, for 3l. odd Money, at Mrs Jemmet's, and desired him to lend him Money to redeem it because he thought it was not safe with her. That he refused to lend him so much Money, but offered to lend him Money to pay for a Coach, if he would go home. That when he went away he borrowed 2 or 3 Shillings to go to Stepney with, because he was too dirty to go home by Day-light. That he continued at Stepney 7 or 8 Days, and made no Complaint of this Robbery, &c.
Elizabeth Jettee. The Prosecutor came into Haughton's House about 9 o'Clock in the Morning, on Saturday the 23d of February, and called for a Pint of Two-penny. My Master came down Stairs and the Prosecutor asked him to drink with him; and they drank together till 12 o'Clock, at Noon, and then my Master went out, and did not come home till between 12 and one o'Clock, and then went directly to Bed. The Prosecutor went to Bed, up one pair of Stairs, about 9 o'Clock in the Evening;- I am sure he went into the naked Bed.
Couns. Who kept the Prosecutor Company?
Jettee. He was in his own Company a considerable Time;- with no Body but himself. From 9 o'Clock in the Morning till about 2 in the Afternoon, he sat below Stairs, with no body but himself, and had a considerable Parcel of Liquor. Between 4 and 5 he went up Stairs into the Bedchamber; I went up with him, and lit a Fire in the Room, and there he sat.
Couns. And who sat with him above Stairs.
Jettee. There was a young Woman with him, that lodges in our House; one Sue Archer.
Couns. Was not your Mistress, and Jemmet with him above Stairs too?
Jettee. No. About 8 o'Clock the next Morning (Sunday) he got up, and came down Stairs, and drank very considerably till about 11 o'Clock, then he went out, I don't know where, and it was before my Master was up. On Monday Evening, about Candle-light, he returned, and not before.
Couns. So you are positive he went out of the House before your Master was up?
Jettee. Yes; and he did not come back before Monday Afternoon;- no,'twas Monday Night, and then my Master was at Home, and the Prosecutor asked him to drink with him, but he refused it, because he was ill. He was very much in Liquor at this Time, and seemed very good natured; and said he had left his Watch at next Door, but did not tell us why he left it there, nor where he lay on Sunday Night. That Monday Night he lay at our House, and the next Day, (Tuesday) he went away between 3 and 4 in the Afternoon, and asked my Mistress to lend him 2 or 3 Shillings.
Couns. Was you there when he first came into the House?
Jettee. Yes; and he sat and drank, and smoaked several Pipes, and was very sober,(to my thinking,) when he came in; and no body came to him, but the young Gentlewoman who lodges in our House, and is a Sailor's Wife,- but I never saw her Husband in my Life. She has lodged in our House, between 4 and 5 Months, and was no Stranger to the Prosecutor, for he asked her, when she first came in (between 12 and one) to sit down and drink with him. She did not sit down with him at first, but went up Stairs, and staid in her own Room for about an Hour and a Quarter, then she came down, and he asked her again to drink with him. She accordingly sat down and drank with him for two or three Hours in the publick Room. Then the Gentleman ordered a Fire to be made in another Room,[the Kitchen.] The Sailor's Wife went and sat some Time with him, and then she went out of the House, and he sat a good part of the Time by himself. Between 5 and 6 he went up Stairs into the Chamber, and no one but myself went up with him, and he staid there till 9 o'Clock, then he went to Bed.
Couns. Did not Archer go up Stairs with him?
Jettee. Not till I went to shew him his Bed. From 5 to 9 he sat alone, and drank and smoaked above Stairs all alone.- I cannot say positively, whether he was, or was not alone, all the Time;- most part of the Time he was alone. I was in the Room when he went to bed, and took away his Candle.
Couns. And what Quantity of Liquor did he drink before he went to bed?
Jettee. About 30 or 40 s. in Punch.
Couns. Why he could not drink all this alone; Who drank with him?
Jettee. Mrs Archer.
Couns. You said just now she was not with him.
Jettee. He drank a great deal himself. My Master drank none, and my Mistress never sat down in his Company. As soon as he got up in the Morning,(Sunday) he had a 3 s. Tiff, and more Liquor after that. He went out that Day about 11 in the Forenoon, and between 8 and 11 he made up a Reckoning of 11 or 12 Shillings, which my Mistress brought on Sunday Morning: But then there was somebody or other drinking with him; for he asked every body that came in to drink. All this while, there was no Dispute at all; I neither saw, nor heard of a Purse; and as to the Watch, he told my Master where he had left it; and told him if he would take it into his Custody, he would call in 8 or 9 Days, and fetch it again. I was in the House when Mr F - came about the Watch, and my Mistress told him, she had none of it; and that it was not left there, nor did she offer him the Watch again for 2 Guineas.
Thomas Glanville.[The Landlord at Stepney.] The last Tuesday in February, Tuesday or Wednesday, the 26th or 27th Day of the Month,- I am sure it was one of those Days, the Prosecutor came into my House about Half an Hour after 10 or 11 o'Clock at Night, and setting himself down by the Fire-side, he called for a Pint of Beer. I scrupled drawing it, because it was late; but he desiring one Pint, I drew it him, and he drank it up at a Draught, and held out the Pot for another. I told him I would draw no more: then he begged I would let him have a Pint of Small Beer. I fetch'd him that, and he drank half of it, and desired me to mend it. I mended it, and we drank 10 or 11 Pints together;- In short, we both got drunk, and then the Prosecutor wanted a Fire to be lighted. I told him he should have one if he would pay for it; and a Fire being made, we both sat drinking till 7 or 8 in the Morning. After which I happened to see a Miller going by, whom I knew, and I asked him if he knew the Chap I had been drinking with? Yes, says he,-'tis 'Squire F -, let him have what he will: if he runs up 10 L. your Money is safe. About 10 o'Clock he pull'd off his Newmarket Coat, and laid down upon the Bed.- He staid at my House from that Night, to the Wednesday se'nnight following. When he had been at my House a day or two, I went and told his Miller where his Master was, and in the Evening a Man came, and would have taken him home, but he could not get him away: So the next Evening I went down to Madam F -, and told her, where he was.'Tis his Humour, said she,- I am glad he's in an honest House; let him have what he will. What he will! says I, Why then he'll kill himself!'Tis his Humour, let him have what he pleases, he'll pay you. While he was in my House, a Gentleman came to him, and they had some Discourse together; and when he went away, he told me the Prosecutor had been robbed; I asked him about it; He was in Liquor, and did not care to speak, but at last he told me his Watch was safe.
Thomas Littlewood. I saw the Prosecutor at Haughton's on Saturday the 23d of February, and spent 6d. with him there. Haughton is a Marshal's-Court Officer, and I am a Brewer, and serve him with Beer. I look upon him to be a very honest Man, and would trust him with 40 or 50 L. to-morrow. I have not heard a general ill Character of the House.'Tis not a bad House, as I know of,- any more than any other, that is a Publick House.
Frances Saunders, Mr Glanville's Wife's Nurse at Stepney, deposed, she heard the Prosecutor tell her Master, his Watch was safe.
Sarah Ainsworth. This Gentleman (the Prosecutor) came on the Sunday Morning to Jemmet's House, and asked if she sold any thing to drink. Yes, she said, he might have any thing to drink that he pleased. He called for Punch, and had a Bowl or two. I cannot tell how much he paid for a Bowl,- I believe it was 3s. a piece. Then he went up Stairs, and desired the Company of me, and another young Woman who was with me. We went up and drank with him; and he called for more Liquor, and drank plentifully - I believe to the Amount of 16 or 18 Shillings. He staid from Sunday, to Monday about 5 o'Clock in the Evening, and made a Present of Half a Guinea between the young Woman and me for keeping him Company. The Reckoning was high, before he went away, and Jemmet beginning to be uneasy about it, she asked him for Money. He told he had none, but desired her to take a Note of Hand. She did not care to do that; so he put his Hand in his Pocket, and bid her carry his Watch to pawn: She took it in her hand, and told him it was Sunday, she could not pawn it then, and gave it him again: But he gave it her back again, and bid her keep it in her Custody, and he would come in a Week or 10 Days to redeem it. He would have had more Liquor, but Jemmet refused him, and desired him to go about his Business, else he had no Desire to go away. Jemmet. Did not you score the Reckoning upon the Table before him.
Ainsworth. Yes; and it was not rubbed out a Week after.
Jemmet. What did the Reckoning come to?
Ainsworth. 3l.7s. and 1d.
Jemmet. And the odd Penny was for a Penny-worth of Tobacco. Did not you sit up all Night a drinking with him?
Ainsworth. He lay down upon the Bed, and drank as he lay down: he was a Beast of a Man,&c.
Couns. Pray does the Prisoner Jemmet keep a Publick House?
Ainsworth. No,- only a House to lodge in. She is poor, and sells Liquors, tho' she never keeps any in the House.'Twas Punch we drank;- I don't know what it was made of, but there were no Jellies in it, nor can I tell what House it came from. I know she never keeps any Ingredients by her to make Punch with,- except Sugar. Henry Blundell. Jemmet told me she had a Watch left with her for 3 l.7s.1 d. and I went with her to the Prosecutor's House about it. He was not at Home, but she told his Wife that her Husband had left his Watch with her for 3l.7s. and 1d. and she must have her Money, or must part with the Watch. The Gentlewoman desired her not to part with it, and sent us to a Place to enquire for him, We went thither and we saw the Prosecutor, who told us,- he thought Mr F - had been with her and had paid the Money. She said no, he had not, and she would not part with the Watch to any one but himself. The Prosecutor then told her, he would give her 2 Guineas if she would return the Watch. No, said she, I can't take that for 3l.7s.1d. Why then says he, I'll serve you as I did Moll Thomas, a little while ago; I'll swear a Robbery against you.
Couns. Pray where do you live?
Blundell. I live in Dirty Lane, by Blackman street,- I am a Dyer.
Prosecutor. There was a Man with me about the Watch, but it was not this Man;- I take him to be a very vile Fellow.
The Jury acquitted all the Prisoners.

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Benjamin Glanvill 14 Oct 1747

George Lancaster, deception: forgery, 14 Oct 1747.
The Proceedings of the Old Bailey Ref: t17471014-3
Trial Summary: Original Text:
380. + George Lancaster was indicted for feloniously causing and procuring to be falsly made, forged, and counterfeited, the Assignment of George Price, of the Will of his Father Hugh Price, with intent to defraud John Girling, and for publishing the same, knowing it to be false, forged, and counterfeited, against the Statute, &c. June the 12th.
Attorney General. Please your Lordship, and you Gentlemen of the Jury, the Prisoner at the Bar, George Lancaster, stands indicted for a Crime of a very high Nature, and if it is proved against him, will subject him to a great Punishment; and 'tis a Crime of forging of an Assignment, and a Letter of Attorney, for receiving certain Wages due to a Seaman, and the Case is as I shall now state unto you. - One John Girling was applied to by the Defendant, the Prisoner, upon the 6th, or 7th, of last June, as on the behalf of one George Price : The Prisoner, at the same time, shewed to this Mr Girling, a Letter that was signed George Price, where in Price is made to desire of the Defendant, to sell out thirty six Pounds, as Wages of his late Father, late a Mariner. This Hugh Price had been a Mariner in the Service of the Crown, and he died, and at the time of his death, there were Wages due to him to the amount of thirty-six Pounds; he had made his Will, as it is said, and probably true, whereby he had made his Son, George Price, his sole Executor; so that his Son, by that Will, became intitled to the whole Estate of his Father. The Prisoner at the Bar, I think he was Clerk of the Ship to which Hugh Price belonged, and he got into his Custody this Will of Hugh Price 's, and the Use he made of it I am now going to state unto you. He went to the proper Office of the Prerogative Court, in order to get this Will proved, and at the same time that he brought the Will, in order to be proved, he pretended that he himself was the Person named as the Executor in the Will; and therefore he took an Oath, which is necessary for a Person to take who pretends to be an Executor, therefore he prays that a Probate might be granted to him. The Proctor had no Suspicion whatsoever that he was not the real George Price, accordingly did that which was necessary for that purpose; accordingly a Probate was granted to George Price, the supposed Executor: When he had got the Probate of the Will into his Custody, he then applied to Mr Girling to sell him that, which if he was an Executor, he had a Right to sell; he applied to him in June last; he did not apply to him as the Executor; but pretending he was employed by the Executor, George Price, to procure that Money for him. Mr Girling not apprehending that which comes out now to be the case, not doubting but this Man had a proper Authority from George Price, his Business was to enquire whether George Price was Executor of the Will, whether there was this Sum of Money due to the Testator, thirty six Pounds; accordingly he sent into the Country, to the proper Pay-Office at Portsmouth, to know whether there was such a Person, and so much Money due to him; he received for Answer, there was; upon that, the Prisoner comes again upon the 12th of June, and then produced to him the Probate of this Will of Hugh Price. Mr Girling then apprehended every thing was right; upon that he agrees to purchase these Wages for the Sum of 27 l. 5 s. For this purpose a Bill of Sale was filled up; the Defendant took the Bill of Sale away, pretending he must take that to George Price, whom he pretended lived at Twickenham; accordingly the Prisoner at the Bar took it with him, in order, as he said, to carry it to Price to be be executed by him. Accordingly, two or three Days afterwards, he comes back, and brings the Bill of Sale, and said, Mr Price had executed that Bill of Sale, and executed it in the Presence of two Witnesses. Upon the Credit of these Witnesses, not having the least Suspicion of it's being forged, accordingly he paid 27 l. 5 s. and the Prisoner delivered to him that Bill of Sale, appearing to be executed by George Price, and signed by two Witnesses. Presently after this, Mr Girling heard that there was another Person claimed the Benefit for one Margaret Price, as the Wife of Hugh Price. This we may easily imagine alarmed Mr Girling, that he had been imposed upon; upon which he applied to the Prisoner immediately, and asked, How it came to pass that he should get a Bill of Sale, When these Wages belonged to another? Upon that, he desired to know where George Price lived? He then told him, that George Price had signed that Bill of Sale, and that he lived at Twickenham. Upon that Mr Girling went to that Place; when he came there, he could not get the least Intelligence of such a Person; he enquired also after those two Persons that were named as Witnesses, John Chapman and Thomas Stillard ; upon enquiry, he could not find out any one of the Witnesses; however he applied again to the Prisoner at the Bar, to know what was the real Truth of the Case, and where Price was to be found; upon that he said, he could not tell where Price was to be found; but then he told him, the Money that he received for this Bill of Sale he had paid to a Waterman of Twickenham for the use of Mr Price, but he could not tell the Waterman's Name. Upon that Mr Girling arrested him, and he was in Custody. He went to him when in Custody, to know what was the Meaning of his imposing upon him in this Way. He then confess'd, that he himself, had sign'd the Name George Price to the Bill of Sale. That he had transacted the whole Affair himself. Then he offer'd to give Mr Girling a promissory Note, but Mr Girling had too much Honour and Honesty to let such a Crime pass without Punishment. Accordingly he was laid hold of by a criminal Prosecution, and he is now indicted upon a Statute made in the Second Year of his present Majesty, for the Benefit of all Mankind, to secure them against such Villains. Forgery was always, by the common Law of Nature, as well as the Law of this Country, a very great Crime indeed; but the Common Law did not punish it, as in some other Cases, with Death; and 'tis more material that it should be subjected to such a Punishment, because 'tis a Crime of that secret clandestine Nature, that it becomes extremely difficult to find it out; and therefore to prevent these Crimes, it becomes your Province to do Justice to the Publick, where the Fact is prov'd as 'tis charg'd. - it is enacted, " That from and after the 9th of June, 1729 " in case any Person shall falsely make, or counterfeit, " or aid and assist in falsely making, forging, " or counterfeiting any Deed, Will, Bill of Exchange, " Promissory Note, or any Acquittance, for " Money or Goods, with an Intention to defraud " any Person; or utter the same, knowing it to be " false and counterfeited, he is to suffer Death, without " Benefit of the Clergy" He stands indicted by this Law, and in two Respects, upon the Foundation of this Law: The one is, as the Forger and Maker of this Deed; the other is, that he has publish'd this Deed, knowing it to be forg'd; both of which are made Death, without Benefit of Clergy. So that the Fact we are to prove to you is. Whether that Deed we are to produce to you is a forged Deed? And in the next Place, whether this Person did forge or assist in the doing of it; and then, whether he did not utter it, knowing it to be forged and counterfeited?
Besides what have been mentioned, there are these Reasons to confirm the Charge, for the real George Price is an Infant of seven Years old; and to this he acknowledged that he did the whole himself, without any Authority from George Price.
I need not tell you of how much Use it might be to have Examples made of Persons of this Kind, that where a little Pittance of Wages, got at the Hazard of the Lives of Persons; I say, to have that taken away from a Family, by the Hands of these Sort of People, who, by the Trust reposed in them, are bound to take Care of it for the Wife and Children. This Crime especially, I say, from these Persons, is highly aggravating, &c.
Attorney General to John Redman. Can you tell what Ship Hugh Price belong'd to?
Redman. The Dorchester. He entered as an able Sailor, and dy'd on Board of her the 12th of July, 1746.
Attorney-General. What Wages were due to him?
Redman. The neat Money was 36 l. 6 s. and 7 d.
Attorney General. Was the Prisoner an Officer on Board of that Ship?
Redman. He was the Captain's Clerk on Board the same Ship.
John Herring. I belong to the Commons. This is the Will of Hugh Price, I had it from the Bishop of London's Office in Doctors Commons. This Will was swore to by the Prisoner.
Solicitor General to Benjamin Glanvill. Do you know any Thing of proving the Will of Hugh Price?
Glanvill. I am Clerk to Mr Henry Parrant, Proctor in Doctors Commons.
Solicitor-General. Give an Account of what you know of proving this Will of Price's; who brought this Will to be prov'd?
Glanvill. The Prisoner brought it, I remember his Face very well.
Solicitor General. What did he call himself?
Glanvill. He call'd himself the Son and Executor of Hugh Price, and he was sworn by Dr Chapman in my Presence, by the Name of George Price. The Oath that the Surrogate administer'd to him, as near as I can recollect, is, " That he was the Son and the " Executor in this Will. That he would pay the " Debts. That he was the Son and Executor." Upon that I got the Probate of this Will out of the proper Office, and he came to me the next Day, and had the Probate, and paid me for it. The engrossing of the Will is all my own writing.
The Prisoner ask'd this Witness, how he could be certain it was him?
Glanvill. On the 8th of June he was sworn. He came the next Day for the Probate. I had taken a Guinea of him in part, and he came the next Day and paid the other. Soon after, as I was walking with a Friend in Cuper's Gardens, I said to my Friend, There is a poor unhappy Man, that apply'd to me to get Wages due to his Father, and now he is squandering of it away. I went into Newgate since, and I knew him as soon as ever I saw him.
Attorney-General to John Girling. Do you know the Prisoner at the Bar?
Girling. Yes, Sir, I know him very well, too well; I have known him for this Half-Year. About the 5th or 6th of June, I can't be sure, he comes to my House and ask'd for Benjamin Clap ; I told him he was in the House, and I sent him up to him, and I follow'd him. I went up Stairs, and he produc'd a Letter, that, he said, he receiv'd from George Price, directed to himself. The Contents of this Letter was, That George Price, who lived at Twickenham, that he had some Wages due from the Dorchester; and he desir'd him, that he would dispose of it. I said to Mr Clap, if he thought it was a good Thing I did not care if I had it. He told me, that he was a Witness to the Will himself. I told him, that I would write to my Agent at Portsmouth, and in case the Ticket was there I would deal with him. He produc'd the Probate of the Will. So accordingly I sent a Letter that Day or the next. Benjamin Clap wrote the Letter, and it was some time before I could have an Answer about it. I think the Bill of Sale was the 12th. The Prisoner brought the Probate of the Will. Mr Clap fill'd up the Bill of Sale, every Thing in order, all but executing, which the Prisoner said he would go that Day and get the Son to do. The Prisoner took the Bill of Sale, and the Probate along with him. In three or four Days he comes to ask me, if I had got an Answer from Portsmouth? I said, I did not care to buy the Thing. I told him I had no Answer. I did not say a great deal about it. So on the 23d or the 22d he came again, and I told him I had got a Letter from Portsmouth, and the Answer was, that the Ticket was in the office at Portsmouth, belonging to Hugh Price, and the Sum of Money was mention'd. Then I thought it was all safe. Then he produc'd the Bill of Sale, and the Administration, sign'd George Price. As he said, sign'd by George Price, and two Witnesses. So I thought myself very safe. And more than that, he gave me another little Paper, of his receiving the Money for George Price, sign'd George Lancaster. " Receiv'd of Mr John Girling the Sum of 36 l. " 5 s. for the Use of George Price, due from his Majesty's " Ship the Dorchester. "
Q. Did you pay that 27 l. to the Prisoner?
Girling. I did.
Q. Upon what Foundation?
Girling. Upon the Foundation of the Bill of Sale and Probate together.
Q. Where did he deliver this to you?
Girling. It was in my own House, in Crutched Fryars. The first Suspicion I had, was of the Handwriting being alike. I carried it up to Clap, and ask'd him, if he did not think so too?
Attorney-General. Given an Account of this Circumstance; of your Suspicion of a Similitude in the Hands. What gave you doubt about it?
Girling. George Price sign'd it, as he told me, but the main Thing that gave the Suspicion, that I received another Letter from Mr Stanniford, that there were two claimed these Wages besides me? then I applied to Lancaster, to know where this Son lived; he said at Twickenham. On Sunday I hired a Horse, and went there to see if I could find George Price. I enquired for George Price, or either of the Witnesses, but I could not find there was any such Person, or ever was, or either of the Witnesses; then the first time that I had an Opportunity, I applied to Mr Lancaster, and threatened him pretty sharply; I told his Mother, that I would advertise him, and Mr Clap sent him a Letter; he then would have given me a Note of his Hand; I told him, If he would bring me Security, I did not care if I did; but the Attorney I applied to, advised me to arrest him. When I was to have taken the Note, I had a Writ, and carried him to the Compter. The next Morning I goes to him, and I told him, Mr Lancaster, you have done so and so, you know best, let your Friends know the worst; I told him, if he could raise any Friends in any shape, I told him to make a Gathering among his Friends, and I would give him a Guinea towards it; I told him the thing was bad; he owned he had transacted this thing himself, and he really did not know any such a Person at Twickenham; but then he told me in particular, that this Man made his Will two or three Days before he died; and he said, when a Will is made aboard a Ship, in case we are not paid for it, we put it in our Pockets; he said he shewed it to several of his Friends, who said, he could but administer, he might return the Money at last. I was advised to acquaint the Navy with it, and they took the Prosecution upon themselves.
Q. Did he tell you to whom he had paid the Money?
Girling. He said to a Waterman of Twickenham, but he could not tell his Name.
[ Cross Examination ]
Q. Did you not promise that you would not prosecute in any shape, if he would raise the Money?
Girling. To the best of my Knowledge I did not.
Q. Did you not say, that for this 36 l. you paid 17 l. for it; I don't wonder that poor Sailors are taken in so.
Girling. As to that, Sir, it may not be paid this two or three Years.
Sollicitor-General to Benjamin Clap. Give an Account of what you know of this Affair?
Clap. About the 5th or 6th of June, the Prisoner came to Mr Girling, and produc'd a Letter that one George Price had sent him, in order to dispose of some Wages that was due to his deceased Father; I heard the Letter read, and I thought the Contents thereof seemed feasible; I acquainted Mr Girling, that there was an Offer of some Wages due from the Dorchester; upon the 12th, the Prisoner brought the Probate of the Will of the Deceased Hugh Price, he said he would agree for the common Premium for these things. We sent a Letter to Mr Stanniford, and on the 22 d he acquainted us, that the Ticket was there, and the Wages amounted to 36 l. Mr Lancaster said he had been at Twickenham, and he was ready for us. Lancaster came on the 23d, and we were satisfied of the contents, and we paid him that Morning 27 l. and he delivered to us the Probate, and the Bill of Sale; this is the Bill of Sale, I wrote it myself.
Sollicitor-General. What happened afterwards?
Clap. Then we sent the Probate down to Mr Stanniford in order to receive the Wages; in about ten Days afterwards we received a Letter to acquaint us, that there were two Administrations, one from the Widow of Hugh Price, and the other from Robert Parsons as the principal Creditor; I said, the Will seemed to be a good Will, but how far Lancaster may have deceived us, I said to Mr Girling, the best way for you is to get your Money of him; accordingly Mr Girling found him out in about a Week; and he arrested him for the Money, and he was carried to the Poultry Compter.
Sollicitor General. Do you know any thing material that passed there?
Clap. Nothing material passed before me.
Q. to Margaret Whithal, late Wife of Hugh Price. Have you any Son besides George Price?
Whithal. I never had any Son but George Price.
Sollicitor General. Do you know any thing of his executing any Deed?
Whithal. He is but a Child, he cannot read nor write; he lives at Haverick in Cumberland, near Millam Castle; I was in Cumberland all that Month.
Q. How long has Hugh Price been gone to Sea?
Whithal. He has been on board six Years; I have Letters from him.
Prisoner. I knew nothing of forging the thing laid against me; a Person brought the thing to me, and Mr Girling was to have five Shillings in the Pound.
Court. Where had you this Assignment from;
Prisoner. It was sent to me, in a Letter to Mark-lane, from Twickenham.
Q. to Issac Pinot. Do you know Mr Girling? Did you ever hear any Conversation pass between Mr Girling and the Prisoner at the Bar?
Pinot. I call'd to see the Prisoner when he was first in the Compter, and this Gentleman came in, and he said, if he did not pay him the Money he would prosecute him.
Q to Joseph Barnet. What do you say on the behalf of the Prisoner?
Barnet. I have known the young Man these five or six Years, and I never knew any Harm of him in my Life. I went to see him when he was in the Compter, and the Prosecutor told him, if he did not pay him his Money he would prosecute him.
John Hancock. I have known him for about a Year and a Half, and he has a very good Character. I never heard any Thing amiss of him.
Thomas Cock. I have known the Prisoner about six Months, and I never heard any Harm of him. The Prosecutor own'd, that he had arrested him for a Debt; but if he could raise the Money he would make it up.
John Marmuch. I have known the Prisoner about fourteen Months, and he always behaved very well.
Martha Crasley. I have known him very near four Years, he ever behav'd himself very handsomely; I never knew any Harm by him; he has lodged in my House, and he always behav'd very well.
Uriah Sutton. I have known him two Years. I never heard any Thing but a good Character of him.
Thomas Bushy. I have known the Prisoner nine Months. I have seen him every Day but Sundays. He behav'd very honestly; and I have heard Mr Girling and Clap offer to make it up.
Guilty. Death.

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James Glanville 13 Dec 1737

Front Matter from Old Bailey Proceedings; Sir John Barnard, Session II, Friday 13th December 1737(sic), 21-40
The Proceedings of the Old Bailey Ref: s17380113-478
THE PROCEEDINGS AT THE SESSIONS of PEACE,Oyer and Terminer, FOR THE CITY OF LONDON, AND County of MIDDLESEX, ON
FRIDAY the 13th, SATURDAY the 14th, and MONDAY the 16th of December,
In the 11th Year of His MAJESTY'S Reign.
BEING THE
Second SESSIONS in the MAYORALTY
OF THE
Right Honourable Sir John Barnard, Knight,
LORD - MAYOR of the CITY of LONDON.
For the YEAR 1737.
NUMBER II.
LONDON:
Printed for J. ROBERTS, at the Oxford-Arms in Warwick-Lane.
M.DCC.XXXVII. (Price Three-Pence,)
N. B. The Public may be assured, that (during the Mayoralty of the Right Honourable Sir JOHN BARNARD, Lord Mayor of this City for the present Year) the Sessions-Book will be constantly sold for Three-Pence, and no more; and shall contain the usual Quantity sold for Six-Pence for many Years past: And also that the whole Account of every Sessions shall be carefully compriz'd in One such Three-penny Book, without any further Burthen on the Purchasers.
THE PROCEEDINGS AT THE Sessions of the Peace, and Oyer and Terminer, For the City of LONDON, &c.
BEFORE the Right Honourable Sir JOHN BARNARD, Knt. Lord-Mayor of the City of London; the Right Honourable the Lord Chief Baron REYNOLDS, the Hon. Mr. Justice CHAPPEL, SIMON URLIN, Esq; Deputy-Recorder of the City of London, and others his Majesty's Justices of Oyer and Terminer for the City of London, and Justices of Goal-Delivery of Newgate, holden for the said City and Country of Middlesex.
London Jury: John Ash, Thomas Furnival, John Hickman, Richard Ebral, Brian Newman, William Soul, James Leeman, Samuel Horton, Richard Archer, James Glanville, John Bush, Elias Wilson,
Middlesex Jury: John Prater, William Gilmore, John Fortescue, William Blackwell, Thomas Low, Edmund Wren, Stephen Clark, William Bilson, Charles Hammersley, Joseph Quilter, John Girdler, John Warden,

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Benjamin Granville 15 Jan 1742

THE PROCEEDINGS AT THE Sessions of the Peace, Oyer and Terminer, FOR THE CITY OF LONDON, AND County of MIDDLESEX, ON FRIDAY the 15th, SATURDAY the 16th, MONDAY the 18th, and TUESDAY the 19th of JANUARY, In the 15th Year of His MAJESTY's Reign,
NUMBER II. for the YEAR 1742.
BEING THE Second SESSIONS in the MAYORALTY OF THE
Right Honble Sir Robert Godschall, Knt. LORD-MAYOR of the CITY of LONDON.
LONDON:
Printed and Sold by T. PAYNE, in Bishopsgate-Street, near the South-Sea-House. M,DCC.XLII.
(Price SIX-PENCE.)
THE PROCEEDINGS AT THE Sessions of the Peace, Oyer and Terminer, For the CITY of LONDON, &c.
BEFORE the Right Honourable Sir ROBERT GODSCHALL . Knt. Lord-Mayor of the City of London; Mr. Justice PARKER; Mr. Justice WRIGHT, Mr. Baron ABNEY ; Sir JOHN STRANGE, Kt. Recorder, Mr. Serjeant URLIN, Deputy-Recorder, and others his Majesty's Justices of Oyer and Terminer for the City of London, and Justices of Goal Delivery of Newgate, holden for the said City and County of Middlesex.
London Jury: George Pinkney, Thomas Parker, Stephen Pine, William Chamberlain, John Grudee, Benjamin Granville, William Whipham, John Buckland, Thomas Martin, Andrew Delancy, Richard Peat, Benjamin Blagdon,
Middlesex Jury: John Prater, William Gilmore, John Baker, William Wyat, Edward Wren, William Blackwell, William Bilson, John Girdler, Samuel Spencer, James Whittle, John House, William Brackley,