William Hamilton

342

Maureen Withey on 15th February 2026

Tried at the Old Bailey, 11 April 1810. 324. WILLIAM HAMILTON was indicted for feloniously breaking and entering the dwelling-house of Sir William Beechey about the hour of seven in the forenoon on the 15th of April , Sir William Beechey and others being therein, and feloniously stealing therein three silver table spoons, value 30 s. a silver desert spoon, value 5 s. and six silver forks, value 3 l. the property of the said Sir William Beechey. WILLIAM SAUNDERS. I am a servant to Sir William Beechey, No. 13, Harley-street, Cavendish-square . On Sunday morning the 15th of April, about a quarter before seven o'clock, the prisoner came down the area steps, slipped up the sash, pushed open the shutters, and took the silver spoons and the silver forks out of the window as they laid upon the water cistern in my pantry. Q. Could he reach them when he opened the window - A. Yes, he took three table spoons, two desert spoons, and half a dozen silver forks. Q. I suppose they can see when they go along the things laying there - A. When the window shutters are open in the day time. Q. Did you see him do this - A. Yes. I was in the pantry, it was done momentary, I directly hollowed out stop thief, and followed the man naked as I was; I lost sight of him by reason I had to go round to the door; one of the witnesses here pursued him and collared him Q. Where did you overtake him - A. Just by Portland chapel. Q. When you got out of the house did you see him again - A. Yes, after he threw the property away, one of the witnesses saw him throw the property away. Q. Are you sure this is the man - A. Yes. PETER KELLEY . I am a gentleman's servant, I saw the man run out of the area, I took no notice of it, I turned into the Mews into my own stable, I heard the cry of stop thief; I ran out of the Mews again, and I saw the prosecutor in his shirt, I could not see the prisoner; then I ran out of the short Mews across the street, the prisoner came in my sight then in Dutchey-street; I cried stop thief, and within a few yards of me he laid down the property on the pavement; I picked the property up, and still pursued the prisoner till I came to Portland-chapel, Chapel-street. I seized him and held him till more assistance came, and then brought him back to Sir William Beechey 's house with the property in my hand, I delivered it to Sir William's Servant. JAMES VICE. I am a sawyer. As I came along Harley-street I saw the prisoner come up the area steps with the property in his hands, and directly Mr. Saunders sang out stop thief, and I followed him up Portland-street there I got hold of him along with the gentleman's servant, and brought him back to the house, I never lost sight of him. Q. Did you observe him put the spoons down - A. Yes, I saw him lay them down on the pavement, they were picked up before I came up. I kept on after him. WILLIAM CHESTERMAN. I am a constable, I was on duty about seven o'clock, the prisoner was delivered to me, I found a key on the prisoner; the young man at the house kept the spoons. Saunders. These are the spoons that he took and the forks, they are my masters property. Q. Was the area gate open - A. No, it was locked. Q. How he got the area door open you do not know A. No, I am sure it was locked the over night, and none of the family were up. Q. What are the value of these things, they are worth more than forty shillings are not they - A. A great deal more than that. Q. What parish is your house in - A. Mary-le-bone. Prisoner's Defence. On Sunday morning about a quarter before seven, as I was coming up Harley-street I heard a cry of stop thief; I saw a man go by me; at the corner of Portland-chapel there were a number of people pursuing of him, some were riding and some on foot; one of the men came up and said, you are the man; some said I was not the man, and some said I was the man; that gentleman came up and said he was almost sure I was the man; directly I said, if you are sure I am the man I will go back with you. The key that I had found on me was the key of my lodging, every lodger in the house gives the landlady a shilling for the key to open the door themselves if they stay out late. Jury. Q. to Saunders. Had none of your servants been out - A. None at all, all the doors were on the lock. GUILTY - DEATH , aged 21. Second Middlesex jury, before Mr. Recorder.