Henry and George Adams
On the 6th of July 1820, Henry and George, along with Robert Howard Riches, stole two
sheep and two lambs. George was also indicted for stealing another three lambs from
William Spurdens of Shottisham St Mary, and Henry was found guilty of receiving these. There was yet another indictment, against
George and Robert Riches, of theft against William Dunningham of Woodton. At the trial, Robert
Riches gave evidence against the Adams boys
Date Tried: July 1820, Norfolk Assizes
Sentence: To be transported
John Anstiss
On the 20th December 1830 Benjamin Jenery was working as a Carpenter at Britannia
Row, Islington. John Anstiss came into his shop at about midday, and later Jenery discovered
a plane of his was missing. At half past twelve, John Anstiss pawned the plane for a shilling at
Mr Goodburn's pawnbrokers, about five minutes walk away.
Date Tried: 6th January 1831, Old Bailey
Sentence: To be transported for seven years
Ellen Aymer
Ellen came to London from County Cork, and in February 1835 began lodging at
the house of Edward and Ann Godwin, at 2 King's Court in Pimlico. A week later, Ann Godwin
went out early, and when she returned found that Ellen had disappeared, as had five
of Ann's dresses, a handkerchief, and a blanket. Next day, Ann and a
constable found Ellen in Warwick Place, Pimlico. She was wearing the handkerchief
around her neck, and admitted taking the gowns, which she had pawned at Walton &
Miller's pawnbrokers in Westminster, for fourteen shillings. She said she wanted to get transported.
She got her wish.
Date Tried: 27th February 1835, Westminster Sessions
Sentence: To be transported for seven years
William Bailey
William Bailey, along with John Walker and two others, was accused of
stealing and killing a sheep belonging to George Blathway esquire, at Dyrham and Hinton, in
Gloucestershire. John Walker was found not guilty. The others were not so lucky, and were
transported
Date Tried: 29th March 1849 Gloucester Assizes
Sentence: To be transported for seven years
Thomas Barker
At the end of 1833, Thomas Barker, along with three others, were
muggers in Cheshire, demanding money with menaces. On the 3rd of December, they stole 4 shillings
and tenpence, and a knife, from one John Leech in Stayley. Just eight days
later, in Hyde, they stole 4 pounds from Thomas Booth in the same manner.
Date Tried: 5th April 1834, Chester Assizes
Sentence: Death, later commuted to transportation for life
Samuel Barsby
In early 1786 Samuel Barsby, along with Samuel Pigott, cut and stole two
pieces of woollen serge called Drugett, containing 50 yards of cloth valued at
40 shillings, from the racks of one George Hayman
Date Tried: 26th March 1786, Devon Assizes
Sentence: Death by hanging, later commuted to 7 years transportation
John Baxter
In 1820 John Baxter broke into the house of
William Ellis and his wife Elizabeth, and stole just over a pounds' worth of
goods
Date Tried: 13th March 1820, Nottinghamshire Assizes
Sentence: To be transported for fourteen years
John Thomas Beale
John Thomas Beale was indicted for embezzling 3 pounds 8 shillings and tenpence from
his master Samuel Hewes. He had a previous conviction for felony
Date Tried: 30th October 1845, Old Bailey
Sentence: To be transported for seven years
Nathaniel Beck
In March 1826 Nathaniel Beck stole a coat from a gentleman called Ryle Holme, and was sentenced to one month's hard labour. Unfortunately, Nathaniel did
not learn his lesson. On the 7th November 1830, he - along with Thomas Taylor and
John Trimble - stole two coats and three waistcoats from James Pollitt. When Nathaniel was
apprehended, running away from the scene, he said "Well, they can only give me fourteen
years". He was right.
Date Tried: 10th January 1831 Lancaster Quarter Sessions
Sentence: Fourteen years Transportation
David Benjamin
See Thomas Myers
Benjamin Berry
James Murgatroyd was on his way home from Bradford Market on the 1st of
October 1835, when he was set upon by six men. One put a cushion over his mouth, two pinioned
his arms, and the other three rifled his pockets, finding money and a watch.
Murgatroyd identified Berry and one of the other men. The testimony of
Berry's brother, that Benjamin had been at work with him that evening,
was not believed by the jury.
Date Tried: 27th February 1836 Yorkshire Quarter Sessions
Sentence: Death, commuted to Transportation
Elizabeth Ann Bickford
16 year-old Elizabeth Bickford had twice run away from working in service, and had spent time
in Plymouth Workhouse, before running away from home again, to live in a den of thieves in Stonehouse
Lane. Here, according to the Police, she "had lived entirely on plunder, and the wages of prostitution"
. She was joined here by her brother, Thomas Southwood Bickford, was also ran away from home to join
her. Together they stole a quantity of butter from one William Ellis, and it was this petty crime
which led to their transportation.
Date Tried: 10th April 1844 Plymouth Quarter Sessions
Sentence: Seven years Transportation
Arthur Blackmore
Arthur Blackmore had a previous conviction, and had served two years in prison,
before committing the offence that led to his transportation. On the 5th May
1840, Dr John Watkins was walking near Bow Church in Cheapside when he
felt his pocket being pinched. He turned around to find Arthur Blackmore
with the doctor's handkerchief in one hand, and his coat-tail in the other. This all happened in full view of a
policeman who was standing there, who promptly arrested Arthur
Date Tried: 11th May 1840, Old Bailey
Sentence: To be transported for ten years
Elizabeth Boardman
On the 20th August 1797 Elizabeth went into the shop of James Farish in Macclesfield,
along with Nancy Booth, also known as Elizabeth Jones. Together they managed to steal
sixteen yards of printed cotton, valued at one pound ten shillings
Date Tried: September 1797, Chester Assizes
Sentence: Death, later commuted to transportation for 7 years
Robert Bolton
On the 4th March 1801 Robert Bolton, along with his accomplice, stole a
ewe valued at 50 shillings from John Radway at Kemble.
Date Tried: 11th March 1801, Wiltshire Assizes.
Sentence: Death, later commuted to transportation for life. Held on the Hulks at Portsmouth prior to transportation
Nancy Booth (alias Elizabeth Jones)
See Elizabeth Boardman
Christopher Briggs
Robert Atkinson was a farmer at Kilham in Yorkshire who, on New Year's day 1831,
took a cart laden with corn to Doncaster Market, to sell. Taking one of the bags
into the corn exchange as a sample, he left his cart unattended. When he returned to it
at about half past twelve, two of the sacks were missing. Christopher Briggs had been seen
with them, and was caught and arrested. He was also charged with two similar offences, on the
9th of November and 11th of December.See also next entry
Date Tried: 17th January 1831 Doncaster Quarter Sessions
Sentence: To be transported for seven years
James and Charles Briggs
One of the witnesses in the above case was a gentleman called William Lyall. On the ninth of
February 1831, just three weeks after their brother had been convicted, Charles and James, along with
friend called William Marshall, ran into William Lyall at Hatfield, and beat him up. After hitting him
on the head with a stick, they laid into him with their feet, in what we presume was an act of revenge.
Curiously, after their conviction, an appeal for clemency was made on their behalf, the petitioner being..
....William Lyall, the man they beat up
Date Tried: Yorkshire Lent Assizes 1831
Sentence: Although found guilty at the Lent Assizes, and sentenced to be hanged, judgement was held up over a point of
law. At the summer assizes, they were sentenced to be transported.
John Brown (alias John Langston)
On the 22nd February 1836 John Brown was working on a ship, trading between London and Selby in
Yorkshire. On that day, George Lee - the captain - found that his pocket-book,
two silver watches and three £5 notes had been stolen from the fore-cabin.
He sent another waterman to look for John Brown, who, as the waterman approached,
threw something into the river. On searching the spot with a rake, they found the
captain's pocket-book, weighed down with a stone around it. They also found the remains of one of the £5 notes, chewed up,
inside Brown's mouth, where he had obviously tried to detroy the evidence.
Date Tried: 11th April 1836 West Riding Quarter Sessions
Sentence: To be transported for seven years
Thomas Buck
Thomas Buck was an apprentice Toothbrush-maker, working for Thomas Goodluck in Hatton Garden.
On the 3rd February 1817, he stole nineteen dozen toothbrushes, and materials from
his employer which he then sold to Thomas Milwood, a toothbrush seller of Saffron Hill.
Date Tried: 17th February 1817, Old Bailey
Sentence: To be transported for seven years
Mary Budd
See James Carley
