George Gibson

341

Maureen Withey on 7th April 2021

Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 07 April 2021), May 1822, trial of GEORGE GIBSON JAMES EDWARDS JAMES FLAWN (t18220522-50). GEORGE GIBSON, JAMES EDWARDS, JAMES FLAWN, Theft > theft from a specified place, 22nd May 1822. 815. GEORGE GIBSON , the said JAMES EDWARDS , and JAMES FLAWN , were indicted for stealing, on the 18thof April , at St. Martin in the Fields, four copper plates, value 2 l. the goods of Joseph Matthews , in his dwelling-house . JOSEPH MATTHEWS . I rent a house in the parish of St. Martin in the fields . I lost four copper plates about the begining of April; none of them were worth less than 5 l. Edwards lodged in my house with his father. I think I have seen Flawn in his company. The plates were kept in a place adjoining the kitchen. I found these four at the office. JAMES BEACHEY . I have four plates which I got from the prisoner Gibson, in Dartmouth-street, Westminster. I first saw him on the 19th of April, about half-past seven o'clock at night, standing under an archway in Dartmouth-street, with Flawn and Edwards - I asked what they were doing, they immediately got up - Gibson and Flawn ran away; they had nothing then. I suspected and watched them, and as I came up the street, about eight o'clock that evening, I saw Gibson offering these plates for sale at a shop; I went in and asked what he had in the bag, which stood by his side; he hesitated, and then said it was copper. I found it contained four copper plates of Morland's works; he said his father had sent him to sell them; that his father was a cabinet maker, and lived at No. 9, Great Compton-street - I found he did live there. I asked how his father came by the plates, he said he took them for a bad debt of one Jameson - I asked where Jameson lived; he said it was no use to look for him, he was gone to America. I took him in custody. ALEXANDER MITCHELL . I belong to the Police Vessel. Gibson was brought there on the 19th of April - I went to his father, and next morning his father came on board. I asked Gibson in his father's presence, whether the story he told the night before of his father's sending him to sell them, was true; he said No, it was not - that his father knew nothing of the transaction - that he would tell the truth; that himself and two boys, (whom he named) had got them out of a house on Thursday, where the father of one of those boys lived; they all three took them to George-street, St. Giles's that night, and next morning all three took them to Westminster, and were waiting for the money when the officer took him. I apprehended Edwards in consequence of information, and told him I took him for stealing a quantity of copper plates; he at first said he knew nothing about them, but afterwards, that he was in company with the boys when the plates were got, but he did not steal them. He was speaking of these four plates; he named Gibson as one of the two boys. He said they were taken on Thursday night to George-street, and they were all waiting at Westminster, when they saw the officer pass. CHARLES GREEN . I am an officer. I apprehended Flawn on the 22d of April, and told him it was for stealing copper plates; he said Edwards and the other boy knew all about them, but he knew nothing. MR. MATTHEWS. They are mine. The four would cost 20 l. engraving; they would now sell for 5 l. each. I do not think Gibson was ever in the house, he might have been in with Edwards. One witness gave Gibson a good character. GIBSON - GUILTY - DEATH. Aged 17. EDWARDS - GUILTY - DEATH. Aged 49. FLAWN - NOT GUILTY. The Jury and Prosecutor recommended Gibson to Mercy, on account of his character and Youth, and believing it to have been his first offence. First Middlesex Jury, before Mr. Justice Bayley. --------------------------------------------------- National Archives. Criminal Petitions. HO 17/107/7 Description: Prisoner name: George Gibson. Prisoner age: 15 years. Court and date of trial: Old Bailey May Sessions 1822. Crime: Stealing in a dwelling house. Initial sentence: Death. Annotated (Outcome): Considered at Report in Council 22 June 1822. Petitioner(s): George Gibson, the prisoner, and undersigned by 28 others. Grounds for clemency (Petition Details): Youth, good character, respectable family, jury and prosecutor recommends mercy. Additional Information: In Newgate Gaol. Date: 1822

174

Iris Dunne on 5th September 2020

Indents: aged 17, conviction 22 May 1822, Trade Errand Boy, TL 31/763, Cert. 41/201 Ticket of Leave dated 31/763 dated 29 Sep. 1831 in district of Sutton forest Conditional Pardon No. 41/201 dated 1 Oct. 1840, aged 34 Conditional Pardon No. 283 dated 4 June 1841