William Godden

343

Maureen Withey on 12th October 2023

ld Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 12 October 2023), September 1814, trial of WILLIAM GODDEN CHARLES WILLIAMS (t18140914-19). WILLIAM GODDEN, CHARLES WILLIAMS, Theft > grand larceny, 14th September 1814. 714. WILLIAM GODDEN and CHARLES WILLIAMS were indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 31st of July , two brass legs, value 2 l. six sets of twisted string, value 2 l. 9 s. ten pair of brass hinges, value 6 s. forty-nine screw-drawer nobs, value 13 s. the property of William Rolfe ; and one writing-desk, value 5 l. the property of James Rolfe . WILLIAM ROLFE . I am a manufacturer of pianofortes . I live at 112, Cheapside. I have a manufactory, No. 28, London Wall . It has a private entrance and a carriage entrance into it. On Sunday the 31st of July; the prisoners (at about half past nine in the evening) they were surprised at my son's calling in his way home to Islington. I did not see the prisoners until they were in custody. They are quite strangers to me. JAMES ROLFE . I called at the manufactory about twenty minutes after nine on Sunday evening, the 31st of July. We have two entrances to our manufactory, one a carriage entrance, the other a private entrance for the men to enter the workshop, about two yards from each other. The moment I put the key into the lock of the door where the workmen enter. I heard a great noise; I did not go in; I enquired who was within two or three times, and receiving no answer I called out for assistance. In a short time two men came up; one informed me he was an officer; he begged me not to open the door until he got farther assistance, conceiving they were desperate characters within. He went for assistance; the other remained with me. A few minutes after he was gone two men rushed out of the carriage entrance. We pursued them. The prisoner Godden I secured in Fore-street, about one hundred yards from the manufactory; we lodged him in the Compter; and on our returning we met the prisoner Williams custody; he was taken in Moorfields. Q. Do you know they are the same men you saw come out of the manufactory - A. I do not; I have every reason to believe they are. I lost sight of Godden, for a moment; he was walking when I stopped him she was pointed out to me by every one that knew him. When I stopped him all the things in the indictment were missing. The property was found on the staircase, ready to be taken away. It consisted of a portable desk: that was mine; it contained brass work and and wire, my father's property. I believe the prisoners to be the persons. JOHN FOSTER . I was coming down London Wall; I heard Mr. Rolfe call for assistance; I assisted him. I was the first man that came up to him While I was standing with him the officer came up; he said we had better stop until he got other assistance. When he was gone, two men rushed out of the gate; Mr. Rolfe ran after him, and called stop thief; I called stop thief likewise I ran after them; I lost sight of one of them; he turned into Moorfields. Godden I kept sight of I was close behind him when he turned out. I ran by the side of him in Fore-street. I never lost sight of him. I pointed him out to Mr. Rolfe; he took him into custody. JOHN LINNET. I am a constable. Mr. Rolfe gave me charge of Godden; I took him to the Compter. I took this padlock out of his pocket, and these keys. JOHN LENCH . I am an officer. On Sunday night, the 31st of July, about twenty minutes after nine o'clock; I heard the cry of watch. I immediately ran to the spot where the voice came from; young Mr. Rolfe said there was somebody in his premises. I went immediately to get another officer. As I was returning with the officer there was a cry of stop thief. The prisoner Williams was running towards Moorfields. I got sight of him just as he turned round Moorgate. Williams is the man I pursued. A man after him on horseback. I am sure Williams is the man I was pursuing. Another man stopped him in Moorfields; I came up just as he was stopped. When I got up, he said do not hurt me, I wish I had not taken to this way. I took him to the watchhouse, and searched him; he had only a few halfpence about him. I took him to the Compter, and returned back with Mr. Rolfe to search the warehouse. When we opened the door, there were a great many things tied up in different bundles. This chisel was laying against the bundles; here are two skeleton keys that laid close to the bundles. This key opens the warehouse door; this opens another, and here is a handkerchief; he had no handkerchiefround his neck when I stopped him; this handkerchief contained some doe skins. Godden's Defence. I was at home at half past five in the evening; I had occasion to go towards the Tower. On my return home I came through the Church-yard, and up Fore-street, in my way home to Golden lane. Williams's Defence. On my going round London Wall, I heard the cry of stop thief; I followed the thief; he made his escape; he kept crying out stop thief. Some gentleman stopped me: he said, he must take me back, and see, he had no doubt I was the man. Godden called nine witnesses, who gave him a good character. GODDEN, GUILTY , aged 17. WILLIAMS, GUILTY , aged 18. Transported for Seven Years . London jury, before Mr. Recorder.