Elizabeth Clark

71

Robin Sharkey on 25th August 2021

Elizabeth Clark, aged 24 and called "Betsy" by witnesses in her trial, was tried with Mary Weston (aged 22 and called "Poll" by witnesses) for stealing a range of silver goods (2 watches, 2 teapots, various spoons), a gold watch, 8 handkerchiefs and a shawl, from the widow they lodged with, one Johanna Witts. The girls, and a third girl (Susannah Blake who gave evidence for the crown), lodged in Mrs Witts' rented room with her for about two weeks before the theft. All four shared the one bed together. Mrs Witts gave evidence that Elizabeth Clark was a girl of the town, who had lodged with her because she had no lodgings. Mary Weston came to stay the second might Mrs Witt had her lodgings, and although she said she was a bookbinder Mrs Witts admitted to knowing that she was "an unfortunate girl" whose husband was away at sea. Weston had brought Susannah Blake with her to stay as well, who was also an "unfortunate girl" and admitted that she "used to see company" and Mrs Witts knew this. On 18th March 1806, Mrs Witts was drunk on gin and when she lay down on the bed Mary Weston took the keys to her trunk from out of her pocket. Weston & Clark removed the goods, seen by Susannah Blake, and pawned various items in different places, getting about in a hired coach to do so with Susannah waiting in the coach, and another woman called "Mrs Mary Wilts" who seemed to give them advice. Betsy Clark pawned two watches for a guinea & a half. They then all went in the coach to Holborn and each bought a black beaver hat, or bonnet. Both girls together pawned one of the teapots for 2 pounds. Betsy Clark pawned the handkerchief with a different broker on 20th March, and he gave evidence. On information given by Johanna Witts's son, Elizabeth (Betsy) Clark was taken from the lodgings to the Bow Street Office on 21 March and charged, admitting to a black beaver bonnet she was wearing being bought with proceeds from the watches pawning. The other woman involved, Mary Wilts, was not found with any stolen goods on her and she never pawned anything so she was not charged. Elizabeth Clark and Mary Weston were found guilty, sentenced to 7 years transportation and transported on the convict ship "Sydney Cove" arriving in NSW in June 1807.