Emma Farrow

343

Maureen Withey on 18th April 2021

Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 18 April 2021), April 1826, trial of EMMA FARROW (t18260406-20). EMMA FARROW, Theft > theft from a specified place, 6th April 1826. Before Mr. Serjeant Arabin. 596. EMMA FARROW was indicted for stealing, on the 26th of March , at St. Margaret, Westminster, 1 shawl, value 30s.; 1 veil, value 50s.; 1 pair of stays, value 20s.; 2 petticoats, value 2s., and 1 shift, value 2s., the goods of John Leggatt ; and 1 pair of stockings, value 8s.; 1 bonnet, value 10s.; 1 pair of shoes, value 2s.; 1 silk dress, value 2l., and 1 neckerchief, value 1s., the goods of James Williams , in the dwelling house of the said John Leggatt . JANE LEGGATT . I am the wife of John Leggatt - we live in South-place cottage, Knightsbridge, in the parish of St. Margaret, Westminster - he rents the house. The prisoner was in our service for a fortnight - I hired her by the month - she left me suddenly on the 26th of March, without giving any notice whatever. When she was gone I missed a shawl, worth 30s.; a veil, worth 50s.; a pair of stays, worth 20s.; two petticoats, worth 2s., and a shift, worth 2s. of mine - Mrs. Williams also lost some things; she was apprehended next day. THOMAS LARKING . I am a constable. I had information of the robbery, and met the prisoner at Greenwich on Monday, the 27th of March, about four o'clock, and took her into custody - two gentlemen were with her; I said the property she had on belonged to her mistress. I took a bonnet off her head, a cap, a veil, a pair of silk stockings, a shawl, and handkerchief, from her person. HEBE WILLIAMS . I lodge at Mr. Leggatt's. About a quarter of an hour after the prisoner went away I missed a silk dress, a necklace, a bonnet, and a pair of shoes - the handkerchief found on the prisoner is mine, and the bonnet is my daughter's. WILLIAM RAVEN . I am a Bow-street patrol. I took some property from the prisoner on the 27th of March - she had the clothes on her back. I produce a pair of stays, two petticoats, a shift, a silk dress, and a pair of shoes. MRS. WILLIAMS. The silk dress is mine, and worth 2l. MRS. LEGGATT. The shawl and petticoat are mine. Prisoner's Defence. The under-clothing is not mistress's. JURY to MRS. WILLIAMS. Q. Did she leave her clothes behind her? A. She left a shawl, bonnet, and pair of shoes - her box had not come - she said they were to come in a few days - the property she left behind was of but small value. GUILTY - DEATH . Aged 18. Recommended to Mercy, believing it to be her first offence . -------------------------------------------------- National Archives. Criminal Petitions. HO 17/67/41826 Mar 1 - 1826 Apr 30 1 Collective petition (the prisoner's parents and the prosecutors) on behalf of Emma Farrar [Emma Farrow] convicted at the Old Bailey in April 1826 of theft of a quantity of wearing apparel belonging to John and Jane Leggatt of South Place Cottage Knightsbridge on 26 March 1826. Letter dated April 10 1826 from John Leggatt advising on the convict's bad record. Grounds for clemency: Influenced to commit the crime by an abandoned woman called Wright. Wright received the stolen goods and kept them for her own use. Convict only sixteen. Wright was a notorious character a keeper of a common brothel and convict was fascinated by her. Drawn in by Wright to commit the offence. Initial sentence: Death. Annotated: Considered at the Report in Council 3 May 1826. ML4