James Bishop

54

Phil Hands on 28th December 2017

Joseph, was tried and convicted at the Old Bailey on 15th April 1827, for theft, sentenced to transportation for life. Left England on 11th June 1827. Ship:- the 'Prince Regent' sailed with 180 male convicts 0n board, there were no reported deaths during the voyage. Arrived on 27th September 1827. Joseph was pardoned after 15 years and took up farming at Mullenderee Old Bailey Trial Transcription. Reference Number: t18270405-65 818. JOSEPH BISHOP was indicted for stealing, on the 26th of February , 3 canvas-bags, value 1s.; 5lbs. of volatile salts, value 5s. 9d.; 54 penny pieces, and 132 half-pence, the property of Elizabeth Eycott , from the person of Samuel Eycott . SAMUEL EYCOTT. I am fourteen years old, and am in my mother's employ - she deals in spice and grocery , and lives in Great Garden-street, Whitechapel-road. On the 26th of February, about half-past four o'clock, I was coming from Somers'-town with these things in a bag - I had collected the money from different shops; the money was in two bags, which was put into a third bag, containing the salts - as I was going up Long-lane, I had got about fourteen yards out of Smithfield, the prisoner accosted me, and asked if I could show him the way to Cripplegate - he was alone; I said I was going that way - he kept in my company for a quarter of an hour - I am sure he is the lad; when I got to Cripplegate he showed me a pocket-book - he laid his bag (which was a blue one) down, and I put mine down on it to look at the pocket-book; while I was looking at it, both the bags were taken away by somebody, not by the prisoner - there were three boys a little behind him, before we came to Cripplegate-buildings - I had not observed them before; I just turned round, and the prisoner was gone also; he did not complain of loosing his bag - a crowd assembled as I called out; I know that the prisoner, and the three all went away; he had the pocket-book in his hand before he went away; he desired me to look at some writing which was in it - my bag was entirely gone. On the 6th of March my mother and I were passing along Well-street, Mile-end, and saw the prisoner talking to another young person - he saw me - he touched the other one on the arm and said,"That is the cove we served last week;" my mother asked if I noticed him, and when I looked at him, I was certain of him - I went after him - he tried to make his escape, and hit me in the face; my mother assisted me in securing him; I told her what had happened as soon as I got home; I am quite sure he is the boy. Prisoner. Q. Did you say at Guidhall, that there were three more in my company? A. Yes. ELIZABETH EYCOTT. I sent my son to sell some goods for me - this money was the produce of the goods; he returned about half-past five o'clock, and stated what had happened; I was with him in Mile-end, about a week afterwards, and met the prisoner with another boy - as the prisoner passed he looked at my son, and said, "That is the cove we served last week;" this induced me to notice him; I told my son to look at them; he said the one with the blue bag round his neck (which was the prisoner) was the boy who had robbed him; we pursued - the prisoner ran away, but was at last secured; I held him till Pasque came up; he denied the charge; the other boy went away. JOHN PASQUE . I am a watchman of Mile-end. I was in Well street on the 6th of March, about half-past ten o'clock in the day, and found the prisoner in charge. Prisoner's Defence. I was at Mile-end; this boy ran after me, and said he knew I was the boy who had robbed him, because I had a blue bag. GUILTY . Aged 15. Transported for Life .