Bridget Bright

43

Peter Fox on 3rd January 2024

Bridget Bright was convicted at the Old Bailey, London in November 1790 of an unspecified offence and transported for 7 years. In the 1821 she was noted working for William Jay

338

Penny-Lyn Beale on 15th April 2021

1790 - Old Bailey Proceedings Online, October 1790, trial of BRIDGET (wife of John) BRIGHT (t17901027-22). BRIDGET BRIGHT, Theft > theft from a specified place, 27th October 1790. 710. BRIDGET (wife of John) BRIGHT , was indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 15th of October , one agate box, set in gold, value 5 s. one small silver box, with a Queen Ann's shilling set in the lid, value 2 s. one plain gold ring, value 2 s. one topaz ring, value 5 s. two shirts, value 2 s. three pair of silk stockings, value 3 s. and one five guinea piece, value 5 l. 5 s. the property of Richard Yates , Esq . in his dwelling house . (The witnesses examined separate.) RICHARD YATES , Esq. sworn. The prisoner was my servant , hired in my absence, and served me some time after I came town, as a servant; she was not the servant I originally left, when I left town; she was put in by other people, and continued till about a fortnight ago; the first of my missing my property, I believe was last Monday was se'nnight; I went to look for some paper to settle an account and I missed the things in the indictment. THOMAS DENHAM sworn. I am a constable. I searched the prisoner in Sir Sampson's office, and found under her left arm, in the sleeve of her gown, a silver box with a few pieces of silver; I did not observe what they were; I took no observation of the box; I put it on the table at Sir Sampson's; I also found three pair of silk stockings on her, one pair under the gown of her right arm, and two pair under her stays; I put the stockings with the box. JOHN BROWNE sworn. I went with them to Bow-street. She had been servant to Mr. Yates, but was then discharged; I helped to search her; I found in the cuff of her right sleeve, an agate box, set in gold, and a diamond ring inside it, a topaz ring, with diamonds, set in gold, and a five guinea piece, in the skirt of her gown, pinned up; I found nothing else; I am certain to the prisoner; all the things were sealed up in a paper, and given to Mr. Yates. THOMAS BROWN sworn. I am a pawnbroker; I have known the prisoner a year and a half: I have seen her more than once; on the 18th of October, she pawned with me two shirts, a spoon, and a plain gold ring; I gave her duplicates; I lent her half a guinea on the whole: they are here; I have had the things ever since; the ring is of very little value, would not fetch more than 4 s. the shirts are old left-off shirts; one is not worth above a shilling; the magistrate paid me the half-guinea out of the money they found in her pocket. Prosecutor. This agate box is mine, it is set in gold; this small silver box is mine, with a Queen Anne's shilling in the head; this plain gold ring I cannot swear to, but I missed one; this topaz ring is mine, I have no doubt of it, it wants a spark: the two linen shirts are marked R. Y. the three pair of silk stockings I cannot speak to; the five guinea piece is of Charles the IId. I have had it above forty years. (The things shewn to the Jury.) Prisoner. How did I behave? - Why, as most servants do: some times very good-natured and well: and some times otherwise. Prisoner. I have nothing to say. The prisoner called one witness to her character. GUILTY. 39 s . Transported for seven years . Tried by the first Middlesex Jury before Mr. RECORDER.

338

Penny-Lyn Beale on 15th April 2021

New South Wales, Australia, Convict Indents. Mary Ann - 9 Jul 1791 Name; Bridget Bright Trial where & Date; Old Bailey - 27 Oct 1790 Sentence; 7 years