Joseph Flowers

342

Maureen Withey on 13th November 2019

Joseph Flowers was tried at the Old Bailey. (online) WILLIAM ROYSTON, JOSEPH FLOWERS, Theft > burglary, 19th May 1825. Before Mr. Baron Hullock. 915. WILLIAM ROYSTON and JOSEPH FLOWERS were indicted for burglariously breaking and entering the dwelling-house of Elizabeth Harlow , widow , about ten o'clock in the night of the 16th of May , at St. John the Evangelist, Westminster , with intent to steal, and stealing therein thirty-six penny pieces, and twelve half-pence, her property . ELIZABETH HARLOW. I live at No. 8, Duck-lane, Westminster , which, I think, is in the parish of St. John; I am a widow - the house is let out in tenements: I rent one room of Mr. Watson, who does not live in the house. On Monday night, the 17th of May, at half-past ten o'clock I went home, after selling cakes in the street ; I took out 3 s. 6 d. or 3 s. 8 d. in halfpence and penny pieces, and put them altogether on the table; I went out to get a roll: I padlocked the door, leaving the money on the table, and took the key with me; my room door opens into the passage. I returned in ten minutes, and found the door open - the padlock hung on the hasp; it had been forced; the halfpence were all gone. I ran to the door, and gave an alarm - Hunt gave me information. I knew the prisoners by seeing them about Duck-lane, but I had not seen them that night. RICHARD HUNT . I am a baker, and live at No. 43, Duck-lane, opposite to the prosecutrix. On Monday night Harlow told me what had happened; I had seen the prisoners come out of her passage door, about a minute and a half before; I knew their persons before, but not their names; I did not see them go in, only come out; Royston held his coat, as if he had something heavy in it: I went after them in consequence of what Harlow said; I lost sight of them. I shut up my shop, and went after them again, and found them sitting on the pavement in Orchard-street; the watchman took them: I went to the watch-house, and saw 2 s. 4 d. is halfpence and pence found on Royston, some in his breeches, and some in his coat pocket; he said he got the money in St. James's, by holding gentlemen's horses - nothing was found on Flowers. Harlow's house is in the parish of St. John the Evangelist, Westminster. CHARLES WATERS . I am a watchman, and knew both the prisoners before this. On the night in question I was calling eleven o'clock, and just by Cat's-head-court I saw them sitting on the curb stone, eating sheep's head and bread; I crossed over, and asked what they were doing there; they said they would get up and go directly: I told them to go instantly. One got up, and threw the bread and sheep's head into the other's lap; in about half a minute Hunt called out, "Stop those two boys;" I stopped Royston first, and the other ran away; I left Royston with Hunt, then followed, and took Flowers - I searched them at the watch-house, and found 2 s. 4 d. in Royston's trowsers and coat pockets; the constable of the night asked how he came by the halfpence - he said he got them in St. James's-street, by holding horses. WILLIAM BISHOP . I was constable of the night. The prisoners were brought to the watch-house. Twelve penny pieces and twenty-eight halfpence were found on Royston - he said he got it by holding horses in St. James's-street. ROYSTON'S Defence. I went to her house to buy a 1 d. pie - nobody was there; the door was open, and I walked out. FLOWERS'S Defence. I never saw this lad till he was eating sheep's head on the ground. ROYSTON - GUILTY - DEATH . Aged 15. FLOWERS - GUILTY - DEATH . Aged 19.

Joseph Flowers was 19 when indicted for stealing 36 six penny pieces and 12 half pennies the property of Elizabeth Harlow of No.8 Duck-lane, westminster. He was in the company of William Royston(florentia 1827) both were sentencened to death. 22/1/1829: Absconded: 23, 5'2.75" tall, blue eyes,flaxen hair, pale pock pitted complexion, from No.2 Iron Gang. 18/8/1829: On list of Runaways apprehended. 1838: TOL Windsor district. 1849: Recommended CP.