George Davis

338

Penny-Lyn Beale on 24th June 2021

Burials in the Parish of St Johns, Launceston in the County of Cornwall, Port Dalmyple in the Year 1826 No; 5 Name; George Davis alias G. Fisher Abode; District of Mor? When buried; 1 Feb 1826 Age; 23 Ship’s Name; Richmond Quality or profession. Prisoner By Whom Ceremony was preformed; John Youl, Chaplin No; 251 Middlesex - 11 April 1820 - Life Place of origin: Pimlico, Middlesex Married, Wife and 1 child with her mother. Lambeth ****************

343

Maureen Withey on 10th April 2021

HO 17/25/171821 May 8 Prisoner name(s): George Davis (or George Fisher). Court and date of trial: Old Bailey Sessions, 15 April 1821. Crime: Stealing books from shop of John Alloway of Rathbone Place, book seller and book binder. Initial sentence: Death. Annotated (Outcome): Considered at Report in Counsel, 30 June 1821. Petitioner(s): George Davis, the prisoner, undersigned by John Allaway, the prosecutor, three other people and ten members of the jury. Grounds for clemency (Petition Details): The prisoner is of previously good character; his mother is dependent upon him for support. Additional Information: Prisoner held in Newgate gaol.

343

Maureen Withey on 10th April 2021

National Archives. Criminal Petitions. HO 17/25/161821 Apr - 1821 Nov Prisoner name(s): George Davis (or George Fisher). Court and date of trial: Old Bailey Sessions, 15 April 1821. Crime: Stealing books from shop of John Alloway of Rathbone Place, book seller and book binder. Initial sentence: Death [commuted]. Annotated (Outcome): Nil. Petitioner(s): Two petitions from Frances Davis at Mr Anderson's, bookbinders, Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, the prisoner's sister. George Davis, the prisoner, with annexed note from J Williams. Grounds for clemency (Petition Details): The prisoner was the dupe of a known offender; he cannot afford counsel; the prosecutor will recommend mercy; he has a widowed mother to support; he has promise of employment. Other papers: There is a note attached to the prisoner's petition from D Williams. Additional Information: Prisoner held on board Retribution hulk at Sheerness.

343

Maureen Withey on 20th February 2021

Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 20 February 2021), April 1821, trial of JABEZ PICKERING GEORGE DAVIS (t18210411-44). JABEZ PICKERING, GEORGE DAVIS, Theft > burglary, 11th April 1821. 532. JABEZ PICKERING and GEORGE DAVIS were indicted for burglariously breaking and entering the dwelling-house of John Allaway , at St. Marylebone , about seven o'clock in the night of the 7th of March , with intent to steal, and stealing therein thirty books and 15 l. his property . JOHN ALLAWAY . I am a bookseller , and live at No. 53, Rathbone-place , in the parish of St. Marylebone. On Wednesday, the 7th of March, about half past six o'clock in the evening - it was rather dusky - I found my shop window either cut or broken, and about thirty volumes of books stolen. There were three volumes of Lord Byron's Works, octavo, bound in green morocco, gilt leaves, which cost me 4 l. 4 s.; one octavo, and two minion Bibles, bound - the first worth 1 l. and the two others 7 s. each; also part of a set of Lord Bacon's Works, six volumes, worth 3 l. 3 s.; - four were left; I lost other books. I do not suppose they could carry away all at once. I was in the shop at the time, and heard a noise, but as it rained I thought it was the umbrellas knocking against the window. I was alarmed ten minutes after, they were all taken, at one time, I had seen them safe, and the window quite perfect, about half past four o'clock. Next day I saw part of them at Bow-street. They had my mark in them, in my own writing. I have recovered all but one Bible. I received the octavo Bible, and Hoyle's Games, from Ackerman on the night of the robbery. Cross-examined by MR. LAW. Q. What part of the window was broken - A. All the pane was out, except a small bit - the books could not have fallen through - they did not rest on the glass. JOHN DAVIS . I am a Bow-street officer. On Wednesday evening, the 7th of March, between seven and eight o'clock, I saw the prisoner Davis in Oxford-street, near Chapel-street, on the opposite side to Rathbone-place, near the Pantheon, coming from that way - he had some bound books under his arm - he passed me. A short time after I saw him again without them. I passed on and spoke to two brother officers - I then crossed over the street, and saw Davis come from Chapel-street again. He crossed the street, as if going towards Rathbone-place. He was hardly out of my sight a moment, before he returned with Pickering. They both ran into Chapel-street again - they had nothing with them then. We followed them, and saw them go into Ackerman's, which is a rag shop - and as soon as he went in, the door was pulled to, and Ackerman stood outside of it. Read rushed by him, and got into the shop, and there we found the two prisoners. Ackerman said to me, "Take these fellows away, and them books," pointing down to the same books, which laid on some rags, all loose on the counter. We then secured the prisoners. I produce the books. Pickering denied any knowledge of them, and Davis said, he had been employed to bring them there, at three different times, by a man on the other side of the street. Cross-examined. Q. Davis was alone when he had the books - A. He was. CHARLES READ . I have heard the account of the last witness, and confirm his statement. I did not see the books. Pickering said he had been there in the morning, to buy a coat, and he came to fetch it. I saw no coats at Ackerman's - he keeps an old rag shop. THOMAS VENIS . I am an Officer. I was with Read, and confirm his statement. I saw no coat in the shop - there were different articles there - rags and vials. THOMAS ROBERTS. I am a carpenter - I was with Davis, and saw the prisoner, with a parcel of books under his arm. I afterwards saw him and Pickering cross from Rathbone-place way. They ran across - Davis was first, and Pickering followed him to Chapel-street. They were about half a yard apart - they appeared together. I saw them both go into Chapel-street. Cross-examined. Q. Davis was alone when he had the books - Yes, it had been raining, and looked heavy, when they were running. I saw them together in the shop. (Property produced and sworn to.) DAVIS'S Defence. I was going down Oxford-street, about six o'clock, and met a genteel looking man, who asked me to carry the parcel. I carried it to this house as he told me. I untied the handkerchief, and took it back to him. He gave me another parcel - I took three in all. I then went back, but could not find him - I returned back to the shop, to know where I was to be paid - the officers came in and took me. PICKERING GUILTY . - DEATH . Aged 22. DAVIS GUILTY . - DEATH . Aged 22. Of stealing in the dwelling-house, but not of burglary. Second Middlesex Jury, before Mr. Justice Park. -------------------------------------------------- A petition was made on behalf of Jabez Pickering: National Archives. HO 17/2/501821 June Prisoner name: Jabez Pickering. Prisoner age: 20. Court and date of trial: Old Bailey Sessions held on 4 April 1821. Crime: Stealing books worth £10 from the shop of John Alloway of Rathbone Place, London. Initial sentence: Death commuted to transportation for life; considered at Report in Council 30 June 1821. Petitioner(s): The prisoner undersigned by 18 others of Oxford Street area including prosecutor; the prisoner. Grounds for clemency: Davis admitted his guilt, Pickering was not guilty; only evidence against Pickering was that he seen with Davis; first offence; good character; has learned his lesson. Other papers: Character references from Michael Dent, sword cutter, Reuben Dear, Edward Cureton and Matthew Banks all addressed to Alderman Waithman. Additional Information: Convicted with George Davis; in Newgate Gaol.