William Crawley

110

Ron Garbutt on 20th March 2020

Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 20 March 2020), September 1819, trial of THOMAS CLARK JOHN AMOS WILLIAM CRAWLEY (t18190915-178). THOMAS CLARK, JOHN AMOS, WILLIAM CRAWLEY, Theft > grand larceny, 15th September 1819. 1251. THOMAS CLARK , JOHN AMOS , and WILLIAM CRAWLEY were indicted for stealing, on the 31st of August , two coats, value 5 s.; two pair of breeches, value 7 s.; one pair of trowsers, value 2 s.; one waistcoat, value 6 d.; one pair of stockings, value 6 d., and one handkerchief, value 6 d. , the property of James Steel . JAMES STEEL . I live at Tottenham , on Mr. Brigg's premises - he allows me a room there for me and my wife to sleep in. On the 31st of August, about five o'clock, I left every thing safe, and went to work, returned at seven o'clock in the evening, and all my property was gone; on the 6th of September I saw Amos and Clark before the magistrate - Amos had my waistcoat on; I had had it fifteen years, He said he changed it with Crawley for a black one. I afterwards found my trowsers on Clark, who had turned them up at the knees to appear like breeches; my property was worth 4 l. It was all I had in the world. SARAH STEEL . I am the wife of the last witness. I left my apartment about half-past five o'clock in the evening. I discovered that we were robbed. When Clark and Amos were before the magistrate, Clark had my husband's waistcoat on - we afterwards found that Amos had the trowsers tucked up like breeches. THOMAS WARD . I was employed to take care of some cows at Tottenham, near Steel's house. On the 31st of August, about twelve o'clock, I saw the prisoners Crawley and Amos, a third person was looking out on the watch about a field off. They asked me if the people were gone out? I said No (though they were out), as I thought they were after no good. They said, if I told such a lie as that they would beat me. They then went and looked in my tent, there was nothing there but an old coat - Crawley said that was not worth taking. They knocked my tent down, then went towards the house, and I lost sight of them. I afterwards saw them in custody. WILLIAM BYGRAVE. I am a hay-binder, and live at Tottenham. On the 31st of August, about two o'clock in the afternoon, I saw Crawley and Clark, with another man, whom I do not recollect - they were about three-quarters of a mile from the prosecutor's - Crawley had something like a cloth under his arm, the other had a white bag at his back - they were coming towards Islington. WILLIAM GOODMAN . I am beadle of Tottenham. Amos and Clark were given into my custody. I took them before the magistrate. Next morning Crawley was taken and delivered to me. As I took him to the House of Correction, I told him Amos had a waistcoat on, which he said he had from him in exchange for a black one. Crawley said, "He is a fool for putting on that waistcoat, for he was sure to be known. Amos said he would put a pair of sleeves in it, and then nobody will know it - but since they have gone so far as that against me, have you examined Clark's trowsers?" I said I had not. He said, "He has now got on part of the stolen property, and the coats and breeches are pawned at Islington." I found them at a pawnbroker's at Islington. I went and found the trowsers on Clark. GEORGE STOWELL . I am shopman to Mr. Drew, who is a pawnbroker, at Islington. On the 31st of August, about four o'clock, Amos pledged a coat and a pair of breeches with me. (Property produced and sworn to.) CLARK'S Defence. I gave Crawley a pair of breeches for the trowsers. CLARK - GUILTY . Aged 17. CRAWLEY - GUILTY . Aged 23. Transported for Seven Years . AMOS - GUILTY . Aged 16. Confined Six Months , and Whipped . First Middlesex Jury, before Mr. Common Sergeant. https://www.oldbaileyonline.org/print.jsp?div=t18190915-178