James Armitage

341

Maureen Withey on 12th March 2026

National Archives. Hulk Records. Sheerness Hulks, Retribution. HO-9-7_2. page 41/48. Received from Newgate, 17 May 1826. James Armitage, age 18, Horse stg, Tried Middx, 6 April 1826, Life, To NSW, 16 Sept 1826.

341

Maureen Withey on 11th March 2026

James Armitage's Trial at the Old Bailey (above) took place on the 6 April 1826. ------------------------------------- National Archives. Hulk Records. Sheerness Hulks, Retribution. HO-9-7_2. page 41/48. Received from Newgate, 17 May 1826. James Armitage, age 18, Horse stg, Tried Middx, 6 April 1826, Life, To NSW, 16 Sept 1826. ----------------------------------------------- National Archives. Criminal Petitions. HO 17/87/98. Date, 1826 May. Prisoner name: James Armitage. Prisoner age: 17. Court and date of trial: Old Bailey April Sessions 1826. Crime: Horse stealing. Initial sentence: Death commuted to transportation for life. Annotated (Outcome): Nil. Petitioner(s): James Armitage of Old Brentford, Middlesex, a fisherman and the prisoner' father, with 18 signatories. Grounds for clemency (Petition Details): Youth; first offence; could become industrious member of society if granted mercy. Additional Information: On board convict hulk at Sheerness.

116

Tony Beale on 7th October 2023

Date of birth is correct to year only as per Old Bailey record 646. JAMES ARMITAGE was indicted for stealing, on the 13th of March , at St. Anne, 1 gelding, price 3l. 10s. , the property of John Gunn . WILLIAM MONK . I am a licensed slaughterer of horses, and keep a slaughter-house in Buck's-row. Whitechapel. On Monday, the 13th of March, between 5 and 6 o'clock, the prisoner came to my premises with a gelding, and asked if I would purchase it; I said, Yes, and asked his price; he said 2l. I walked round the horse, examined it, and put several questions to him, where he got it, and whose it was - he said it was his own, that he had brought it from Brentford that morning. I said it was a long distance to come so early, and this circumstance excited my suspicion, for the horse was cool, and if it had come that distance it would have been warm. I then asked why he wished to part with it, as it did not ail any thing - he said, because it would not draw. I detained him - advertised it, and on the Friday following had it led about Smithfield, with a label on its forehead, stating that the owner might have it. Gunn saw it, and claimed it. JOHN GUNN. I am a carman , and live at Limehouse. This gelding is my property. On Sunday, the 12th of March. I turned it out in the field at Limehouse - the gates were fastened. I saw it safe at seven o'clock in the evening, and missed it next morning, the 13th. I found it at Smithfield with a label on its head, and knew it to be mine - and Monk shewed it to me in his stable afterwards. I know nothing of the prisoner. It is worth 3l. 10s. Prisoner's Defence (written). I came on shore from Mr. Kates' barge at the Regent's-canal-basin, and in the road to Whitechapel I was accosted by two men, one dressed in a woollen cap, smock-frock, and trousers, and the other in a brown coat and top boots; they asked where I was going - I said towards home, Brentford; the one in the brown coat asked where I lived; I said, "With my father, near the Salutation public-house, at Brentford"- he asked if I would assist the other man to dispose of the horse, as he had another to dispose of, and as he was coming towards Brentford he would pay me. I was desired to ask 40s. for it, and say I brought it from the Salutation. I assure you I am totally innocent. Four witnesses gave the prisoner a good character. GUILTY - DEATH . Aged 18. Recommended to Mercy, on account of his character .