Mary Chafey

341

Maureen Withey on 1st May 2020

Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 01 May 2020), July 1787, trial of MARY CHAFEY ELIZA BETH CUNNINGHAM (t17870711-22). MARY CHAFEY, ELIZA BETH CUNNINGHAM, Theft > pocketpicking, 11th July 1787. 578. MARY CHAFEY and ELIZA BETH CUNNINGHAM were indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 4th day of July , one worsted purse, value 2 d. and six guineas, value 6 l. 6 s. the property of George Hewgill , privily from his person . GEORGE HEWGILL sworn. On Wednesday morning, the 4th of July, about one, I was met in Ratcliffe-highway, by the prisoner Cunningham, and she asked me to go with her to her room, and I went; after we were turned down Gravel-lane, she said her room was in New Gravel-lane; I had often seen her before, but never was at her lodging; we met the other prisoner in New Gravel-lane , and she asked me to go with her; I went into Chafey's room with the two prisoners, I did not go to Cunningham's room; I gave Cunningham a shilling to go and get some liquor, she stopped very long; and I being very hard at work all day, I was a little drowsy, and laid myself down on the bed with my clothes on, and fell asleep; in the morning when I awaked, about four, nobody was in the room with me, and my money was gone, which was six guineas in gold, and ten shilling in silver; I am sure I had it in my pocket after I went into the room, and I am sure I had it after I went to sleep; the door was not locked, I looked out at the window, and called the watchman, he said he could do nothing in it; he went down stairs and called Mr. Orange; I had been in company with Chafey before; I am quite sure of the persons of both the prisoners, having seen each of them twenty times; Mr. Orange took her the next day, and brought her down; in the morning there came a man into the room, and said it was his, and desired me to walk out of the room. But any body might have come into the room at any time of the night? - They might; Mary Chafey was in the room with me, the other was gone out for some liquor, whether she came back or no, I cannot say; I did not see her after; my purse was never found. JOB TYRRELL sworn. On the 4th of July I was coming off my duty, and I saw this prosecutor looking out of a chamber window, he called me and told me he had been robbed of a purse with six guineas and some silver; says I,by who? says he by two woman, and he knew them perfectly well; I went and called Mr. Orange out of his bed. JOHN ORANGE sworn. I was called up by the prosecutor and the last witness, he informed me he had been robbed by two women, he told me their names, I found them at the Ship in Denmark-street, in the afternoon, eating some salmon, and coming along with them, I perceived Mary Chafey going to throw something away out of her hand; says I, what is that? says she, only five guineas; I have properly spoke to him; say, she, you take two, and give me three, and say nothing about it. Court. What does properly spoke to him mean? - Meaning that she had robbed him; I said no, I shall take the money; here it is. (Five guineas produced, wrapped up in a piece of stuff.) I found nothing on the other prisoner. ELIZABETH BRADSHAW sworn. I appear for Mary Chafey , I keep a private house, my husband is a waterman, I live in New Gravel-lane. Does this woman lodge at your house? - No. You will be a little cautious what you say, because if you are found saying any thing but the truth, you know the consequence? - Yes. How came you to have any knowledge of this business? - I heard that she was taken up; I knew nothing of it till the Monday; her sister lives servant with me, I went at her desire to speak to the prosecutor, and he said, if in case that three guineas would be paid, he would make it up, and not appear; then he said if not, he would prosecute her, for Orange said he was sure of forty pounds. ANN CHAFEY sworn. I know no further than I went with my mistress to the prosecutor's house; he said if my sister had any friends belonging to her, that would pay three guineas, he would make it up. After the summing up, Elizabeth Bradshaw said, she knew the prisoner had ten guineas, a fortnight before, of a young man. MARY CHAFEY , GUILTY , Death . ELIZ. CUNNINGHAM, NOT GUILTY . Tried by the second Middlesex Jury before Mr. RECORDER. N. B. When sentence was passed, the prisoner pleased pregnancy; and a Jury of matrons was sworn, who declared her not to be with quick child. ---------------------------------------------------- National Archives. HO 47/9/4 1789 Apr 17 Report of James Adair, Recorder of London. Also includes a list from the Recorder of London enclosing a list of capital convicts respited but who cannot be removed until their pardons are confirmed, they are to receive sentence of transportation as set against their names: Middlesex Mary Chafey. Convicted in July 1787, recommended to 7 years transportation.