Mary Gee

341

Maureen Withey on 29th January 2023

Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 29 January 2023), November 1808, trial of MARY GEE (t18081130-19). MARY GEE, Theft > grand larceny, 30th November 1808. 19. MARY GEE was indicted for feloniously stealing on the 19th of November , twenty one yards of calico, value 2 l. the property of Walter Foy . WALTER FOY . I live in Beech street, Barbican , I am a linen draper . On the 19th of this month, about five o'clock in the evening, the prisoner came into my shop with a woman with her; they asked me to shew them some silk handkerchiefs; I shewed them the whole I had; one of them - I believe it was the prisoner, told me that her friend wished to buy a bed-gown: I shewed them several pieces of print; among them was the one I have in my hand. After they had looked over the goods I had shewn them, they told me there was none that would do, the price was too high; they went out of the shop; upon their going out my wife saw there was something under the prisoner's petticoats, it stood out on her left side; I immediately jumped over the counter and ran to the door; I saw a man taking this print from under the prisoner's petticoats; he immediately ran towards Golden lane, and I followed him. When he came to the end of Golden lane I believe I was not more than three feet from him. He saw me behind him, he sprang from the pavement to run across the street; as he was jumping a horse and cart was coming down the lane, he jumped against the horse's head, the horse turned his head, and the prisoner passed and went round behind the cart; I was at that time near enough to put my fingers on his shoulder, but not near enough to hold him; he at that moment threw the print out of his right hand under the cart that was passing; I turned round immediately and picked up the print. On my picking up the print I saw the man who had got the print from the woman was gone some distance, that I thought my pursuing him was useless. When I returned home the young man told me that the two women were not out of sight, he pointed them out. I immediately ran over and caught the prisoner; I brought her to my house, got a constable, and had her taken to the Poultry compter. Q. Are you sure the prisoner is the woman you saw in your shop - A. I am confident of it. Q. Had not she time to have gone away - A.There were near three or four minutes had elapsed from the time I went out to the time I came back; I am certain, and will swear to the woman. SARAH FOY . Q. You are the wife of Walter Foy - A. Yes. Q. What did you see of this transaction - A. I saw something of a large bulk under her petticoats as she went out of my shop, which gave me suspicion. I mentioned it to the young man in the shop, he perceived it likewise; he went to the door, he said she was about giving it to a man; my husband ran out directly and brought the print in with him. ROBERT HARRISON . I am shopman to Mr. Foy. Mrs. Foy told me the prisoner had got something away, as she was bulky; I observed that the prisoner had got something under her petticoats. On looking out of the door after her, I saw her give a man the print. I immediately told Mr. Foy of it; he went after the man and took the print. I watched the woman which way she went. Immediately Mr. Foy came back I told him. Q. Is that the same woman - A. I will swear to the woman; I never lost sight of her, I am sure of it. Prisoner. Did you see me stand by the counter, or touch any of the goods in the shop - A. No. Pris. I never laid hold of any of the goods; it was my gown sticked out behind, which the lady saw. I never was suspected in my life. The property produced and identified. Prisoner's Defence. When I went into the shop I asked to look at a silk handkerchief; I said I would give six shillings and sixpence, or seven shillings, that was the most I could afford to give; I did not like the pattern, they were too large; the woman that was with me is every morning down at Billingsgate; she went out full five minutes, when the gentleman pme and ran after somebody; I made a full stop, and said to the woman, her name is Kitty, this is the way to Chiswell street. I was going after my husband the same time. Jury to prosecutor. Had you shewn that print at the time she was there – A. This print I will be upon my oath I had in my hand, shewing to the friend of the prisoner, not two minutes before the prisoner went out. GUILTY , aged 24. Transported for Seven Years . London jury, before Mr. Recorder. -------------------------------------------------- Colonial Secretary Index. GEE, Mary. 1811 May 21 Sent to Newcastle per "Governor Hunter" (Reel 6003; 4/3492 p.9) 1812 Sep 18, Dec 14 Prisoner at Newcastle. Wishing to visit Sydney (Reel 6066; 4/1804 pp.117, 121) 1813 Jun 2 Prisoner at Newcastle. Remainder of sentence remitted. To be returned to Sydney per "Estramina" (Reel 6003; 4/3492 p.231) -------------------------------------------------- NSW Convict Index. Mary Gee, per Indispensible, 1809, Ticket of Leave, No 11/199. -------------------------------------------------- Sent to Newcastle per "Governor Hunter" From Secretary’s Office, Sydney, 21 May 1811. The Colonial Schooner, Gov. Hunter is now dispatched for the Coal run, and carries two women, namely Mary Gee and Elizabeth Watkins, who are to be kept at labor for twelve months, being the period to which they have been sentenced by the Court here. -------------------------------------------------- Prisoner at Newcastle. Remainder of sentence remitted. To be returned to Sydney per "Estramina" 2 June 1813. Extract from Letter to Commandant at Newcastle, Lt. Skottowe, 73 Reg. from J.T. Campbell, Sec. By return of the Estramina you will please to send hither the following five Persons, namely, 1. Carman Rigs. 2, Ann Barry. 3 Mary Gee. 4. Rose Lovatt. 5, John Milligan. The remainder of their sentences being now remitted by the Governor and ... --------------------------------------------------