James Corbett

116

Tony Beale on 26th April 2021

old bailey online Before Mr. Justice Park. 630. JAMES CORBETT was indicted for burglariously breaking and entering the dwelling-house of Sarah Sanders , widow , about eight o'clock in the night of the 28th of February , at St. Mary-le-bone, with intent to steal, and burglariously stealing therein, a gown, value 2 s.; a pair of drawers, value 6 d.; ten towels, value 10 d.; a napkin, value 6 d.; a piece of calico, value 1 s.; a bed-gown, value 1 s.; three shifts, value 3 s.; two petticoats, value 2 s., and three aprons, value 18 d., the goods of John Nelson ; and a picture, value 1 s. , the goods of the said Sarah Sanders. ROBERT ENNEVER . I live in Seymour-place, in the parish of St. Mary-le-bone. On Monday, the 28th of February, between half-past eight and nine o'clock at night, I was going down Edgware-road - it was quite dark; I was about two yards from Mrs. Sander's house, in Portman-place , and heard a shrill whistle, and saw two young men run across the road, directly opposite to Sanders's, and saw the prisoner jump out of her parlour window, into the front garden; I took hold of him as he came out of the garden gate, and he dropped a bundle. I took him into the house; the bundle was brought in; the watchman was sent for, who opened the bundle in our presence - it contained different articles of female apparel, and a picture. Q. How did you get into the house? A. I got in at the parlour window, by Mrs. Sanders's desire, to see if anybody else was there - the parlour door was locked outside - the street door was not open. Cross-examined by MR. BRODRICK. Q. What was done with the prisoner while you got in at the window? A. He was in charge of a watchman, and not out of my sight. SARAH SANDERS. I am a widow, and live at No. 28, Portman-place, in the parish of St. Mary-le-bone - I rent the house, and sleep there. Mrs. Nelson lodges with me. THOMAS ROGERS . I am a watchman, and produce the property - I have had it ever since. CLARA NELSON . I am married to John Nelson, but we have been many years separated - the last time I heard of him was six years ago; I do not know whether he is alive - he was butler in a gentleman's family. I lodge in this home; here are several things here which are all mine; they are marked with my name, and I made them; here is a silk gown, ten towels, and other property, all of which are mine; I occupied the parlour, and slept there. I went out at two o'clock in the afternoon, returned about ten in the evening, and found this had happened; I locked the parlour door, and left the window down, but am not sure that it was quite down, for I have observed since that unless it is quite down it will not latch, and I recollect that I did not latch it - I could not have left it quite open, but it might not be quite down. Q. Can you say whether you had left it open wide enough for the prisoner to get in? A. No, I certainly did not - it must have been lifted up for any one to get in, I am certain. Cross-examined by MR. BRODRICK. Q. How long is it since you and your husband parted? A. We have been quite separated for twelve years - I saw him six years ago last June. All the things were bought with my money. SARAH SANDERS. Here is a picture of mine among the property - it hung in the parlour. MR. BRODRICK contended that if the window was not quite down a burglary had not been committed. The Court over-ruled the objection. GUILTY - DEATH . Aged 17.

116

Tony Beale on 26th April 2021

New South Wales, Australia, Registers of Convicts' Applications to Marry, 1826-1851 Granted 22/10/1844 sarah James 29 ToL (14yrs) per ship George Hibbert granted to marry James Corbett 36 ToL (life) per ship Marquis of Huntly rev Charles Woodman