Catharine Burke

41

Roger Churm on 11th May 2019

Old Bailey Proceedings September 1782 Catharine Burke,Theft,burglary 11th September 1782 574.Catharine Burke was indicted for feloniously,and burglariousy breaking and entering the dwelling house of Richard Neville,on the 7th of August last,and stealing nine aprons,value 9s.Two yards of linen cloth,value 2s.six yards of calico wrapper,value 3s.three silk handkerchiefs,value 3s.two damask table cloths,value 5s.one silver table spoon,value 6s.two small table cloths,value 5s.two diaper table cloths,value 5s.two diaper table cloths,value 3s.two damask napkins,value 4s.one mahogany tea chest,value 7s.one silver table spoon,value 6s.one silver tea spoon,value 1s a black cloak,value 5s.one man's hat,vale2d.and 7s in monies,numbered,the property of the said Richard Richard Neville sworn My house was broke open on Sunday the 4th of August,I live at No.44,in Skinner street,I believe my wife was the last person up,she is here,I was up the first in the morning,about half past six,I found that yard door broke open,and in the force of breaking it open,a piece of pannel of the door post split off, I did not observe anything disturbed when I first went through;only observed the door in that situation,I heard my neighbour in the yard,I told him I believed there had been thieves among us,he said he believed so,for his shop door had been broke open;I went into my kitchen,I said,I believe I have lost nothing,I found the drawer of the bereau set in the middle of the room,then I went to look and found the things missing mentioned in the indictment;about an hour after I was up,a person brought me word,that a woman was taken with some goods on her,I went to view them,and found my property. Mary Neville sworn I went to bed between twelve and one,I fastened the door,and the windows. George Gilbert sworn I saw the prisoner at the bar,as I was standing within twelve yards of my own door,about three o'clock in the morning,go by with a man,and some things in her apron,she said she would be damned if she would go any more to help them to move,and about a quarter of an hour after,there came by the same man that was in her company,and another with him,and one of them had a stick in his hand,I spoke to them,suspecting them to be thieves,and they damned me,and said if they were thieves they did not rob me,about four she came again with another man with her,with things in her apron,and we went after her,and took her,the man that was with her laughed and sniggered,and made use of language I was not used to,I went after her,and took her to the watchhouse Court.Are you a watchman.or anything?.No sir How came you up at that time in the morning?-I was intending to go to work,I am a weaver,but I get my bread by lamplighting,we took her to the watchouse,the constable examined hy,and she would not tell her name,nor where she got the things;in going along I examined her how she came by the things,and she told me,the man that I saw run from h,gave them to her,she damned me,and asked me if I wanted blood money. Prosser sworn I brought her to my heart,and charged her.(the things produced and disposed to by the prosecutor) Prisoner.Somebody said there was a fire,and they threw down two bundles,and I picked them up,one of the young men turned back,and said he would give me sixpence if I would carry them a cross the way. GUILTY. Transported for Seven Years Tried by the First Middlesex Juy,before Mr.Justice Ashurst