John Batten

221

D Wong on 2nd October 2015

Old Bailey: WILLIAM EARL, JOHN BATTEN, Royal Offences > coining offences, 12th April 1820. Reference Number: t18200412-141 Offence: Royal Offences > coining offences Verdict: Guilty; Guilty Punishment: Transportation WILLIAM EARL and JOHN BATTEN were indicted for a like offence . MARTHA STOCKHAM . I live with my brother William, who is a baker , and lives in St. John-street, Smithfield . On the 10th of February , between eight and nine o'clock at night, the prisoner, Earl, came and bought a quartern and a half-quartern loaf, which came to 1 s. 1 1/2 d. He paid me a 1 l. Bank note. I gave him change, and asked his address. He said "Johnson, No. 10, Wilderness-row," which I wrote on it - (looks at one) - this is it. He went out, and was brought back in about ten minutes with Batten, in custody of Morgan. I gave Morgan the note. HENRY MORGAN . I am a patrol of St. Sepulchre's. On the 10th of February, between eight and nine o'clock at night, I saw the prisoners and three others lurking about Stockham's shop, talking together. I saw Earl go into the shop, the rest were about five yards off. Then one of them went up to the door of the shop, and the others went down the street - the shop door was open. I stood on the other side of the way, and saw Earl offer a piece of paper to the last witness, and saw him receive the change. He took up the bread and came out. He went towards Wilderness-row, in a direction that Batten went. I ran into the shop, came out, and saw the prisoners going up the street together. I overtook them in Wilderness-row, and met Read. He secured Batten, and I took Earl. Batten then had the bread. I found 18 s. 10 1/2 d. on Earl. CHARLES READ . I met Morgan, and assisted in taking Batten, who had the bread in his apron. JAMES ARIELL . I live at No. 10, Wilderness-row, and have lived there fourteen years. No person named Johnson lived there. I know nothing of the prisoner. THOMAS GLOVER . The note is forged in every respect. WILLIAM WADLE . I am a signing-clerk. The signature to the note is not mine. EARL's Defence. I was coming down St. John-street, a young man in a flannel jacket put the note into my hand, and asked me to go and get the bread. I asked why he could not get it himself. He said he lived at Mr. Johnson's, a bookseller, No. 10, Wilderness-row - I have been to that shop twenty times. He said he had had some bread in trust for his master, and did not like to go himself. I went in, came out, and put the bread into his lap. We went and got some porter, and before I gave the man the change, I heard the cry of Stop the boy! I stopped and was secured. I believe the man sold the bread to this prisoner. The girl did not put her address on the note till I was brought back. MARTHA STOCKHAM re-examined. I wrote the address before he left, but put my own name on it when he was brought back. HENRY MORGAN . I am sure they were in conversation together, and Earl went into the shop. I saw no person with a white jacket. I called at Mr. Johnson's, No. 37, Wilderness-row, they had sent no person there. I saw him give Batten the bread. JAMES ARIELL . There is a Mr. Johnson, a stationer, at No. 27, he lives there now. BATTEN's Defence. I never had the bread from this lad in my life. I bought the bread of a man in the street, and in about three-quarters of an hour the gentleman said I must come back to the shop the bread came from. I know the man by sight. HENRY MORGAN . When I came out of the shop, they were in my sight directly. MARTHA STOCKHAM . When the bread was brought back I knew them to be the same loaves. EARL - GUILTY . Aged 18. BATTEN - GUILTY . Aged 24. Transported for Fourteen Years. William Earl was also on board ‘Maria’ John Batten was supposedly 24 years old when convicted but according to his birth date he was 28 – listed as 22 on arrival in VDL. John was 5’6” tall, brown hair, dark brown eyes, scar left cheek bone, crucifix left arm, J B heart and darts right arm. 12/2/1830: TOL 28/5/1840 married Emme Felicite Gabrielle Chardonnez Malhomme, they had 4 children. 17/7/1877: John died aged 81 of Senilis at Launceston. Listed as a labourer. The Cornwall Chronicle, Launceston, 3/8/1877: BATTEN.—On the 17th July, at the residence of his son-in-law, Mr George Moore, Tamar street, Mr John Batten, in the 81st year of his age.

9

Vicki Burns on 1st October 2015

Before being transported, John was a Lamplighter in Middlesex London England.