John Bishop

341

Maureen Withey on 9th May 2025

The following prisoners then took their trials:— John Bishop was arraigned on a charge of stealing silk handkerchief, the property of Thomas Lilley, cottager, of Spalding. The singular decision of the Jury in this case, as well the interesting and collected evidence of a child who was examined as the principal witness, renders it necessary to publish the details. Mr. Lilley said that on the evening of August 22d he discovered that while himself and wife had been toiling in the harvest field, some villain had broken into his cottage, which is situated in rather a lonely spot, and stolen several articles, among which was the handkerchief mentioned in the indictment He subsequently, in consequence of information, charged  the prisoner with the robbery; in fact, the latter was at that time wearing the handkerchief on his neck Prisoner declared  that he purchased it on Friday at Spalding. Ann Belton, the very interesting child above alluded to, in answer to questions by the Court, said she was not twelve years old: her delicate appearance would justify the belief that she was not near that age, but her firm and collected account, combined with the respectful demeanour she manifested would indeed do credit to a person twice her age. She said that she regularly read the Holy Scriptures  and that she knew a considerable portion of the Catechism heart. Upon being asked the ninth commandment, she readily and distinctly repeated it, and explained her belief that she gave false testimony she should be punished  for ever. Her engaging manner and clear evidence excited the utmost attention and admiration of a very crowded Court She said that about eleven o'clock in the morning of August 22, she met the prisoner on the Hawthorn Bank, near the cottage occupied by Mr. Lilley. Prisoner asked her if she lived there, and she replied in the negative. He then asked if she knew where the residents were, and she answered him that she did not. They then took opposite directions,  he going from, and she toward the cottage, but when she had passed prosecutor's house, she accidentally turned round and then observed the prisoner following her, and making up to the cottage. On the following Sunday she pointed out the prisoner Mr. Lilley —The constable produced the handkerchief, which was taken from the prisoner's neck and it was duly Identified the prosecutor from certain marks. In his defence, the prisoner said he met with man named Martin Lister, who invited him to his lodgings, which he said were on the Hawthorn Bank, somewhere near the spot occupied by the prosecutor. This prisoner declined, but afterwards altering his mind followed Lister until he met the little girl of whom inquired respecting the persons residing there. He then returned to Spalding, where he met Martin Lister again, who gave him two handkerchiefs to sell a watch for him : one of these handkerchiefs he afterwards sold, but the other he wore until he was taken into custody. He then left Lister, who went into a public-house. The Chairman in summing up, remarked upon the improbable story of the prisoner : the Jury, after some deliberation in their box, requested leave retire, and they were accordingly ushered  into a private room adjoining the Court, an officer being duly sworn keep them without meat, drink, fire, or candle. When they had retired, It was distinctly evident, from the high tones which reached the Court, that stormy, if not intemperate discussion was going on; and after being absent for about ten minutes the foreman came into the Court, and with a grave face enquired they ... giving their verdict until the other man was tried. other man they meant, it more easy to conjecture, ... they could so easily imposed upon. They were answered the negative, and again retired, when ...  wisdom finally  determined to acquit the prisoner.— astonishment ran through, the Court at this .. decision, but the prisoner was ordered to be detained on ... outage. Stamford Mercury, 24 Oct 1828. On Tuesday last, the following convicts were removed from Lincoln Castle to Hull, to be forwarded by the London steam-packet:—William Hollis, John Christopher, Wm. Goodliffe, Mordecai Taylor, Thos. Tumor, George Flint, John Bishop, Edw. Thompson, Thos. English, and John Hodgson, to the Justitia hulk at Woolwich; ... Stamford Mercury, 21 Nov 1828.