George Hand

343

Maureen Withey on 28th January 2023

Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 28 January 2023), June 1813, trial of GEORGE HAND (t18130602-15). GEORGE HAND, Violent Theft > highway robbery, 2nd June 1813. 530. GEORGE HAND was indicted for feloniously making an assault in the Kings highway, upon Penniston Topper , on the 13th of May , putting him in fear, and taking from his person, and against his will, a watch, value 1 l. and a gold key, value 18 d. his property. PENNISTON TOPPER. In the first week of May, I do not recollect the day of the week; I was passing along Crown-street, Finsbury-square , about four o'clock in the afternoon; I met the prisoner and another man with him; the prisoner was on my right side, and the other man on my left. He accosted me with the name of Simmons, or Wiggins, something to that effect; I cannot charge my memory which. The prisoner put himself in a fighting attitude with his thumb to my throat, but not with violence. The other man pushed me with force against the prisoner, and when I came in contact with him, the prisoner took from my person my watch. Q. From what part of your person - A. I had it in my waistcoat pocket. Q. Did he do it with violence - A. No, he did not; I did not perceive I had lost my property until he left me, he did it so quick; I did not perceive him take it. I missed my watch; from the appearance of the men it struck me that I had lost something. I immediately gave the hue and cry of stop thief. I could have easily have taken the other man, but being pretty positive the prisoner had my property. I conceived it necessary to follow him; and when he found I followed him, I saw him throw it away. I picked it up myself. This is the watch; I am positive it is my watch. THOMAS BURN . I am servant to Mr. Miller. On the 13th of May, I was near the last witness at the time he has been speaking of. I heard the cry of stop thief; the prisoner was running; he passed me; I stopped him, and delivered him to Mitchell. DANIEL BISHOP . I am an officer. I was in Finsbury-square, in company with John Armstrong , at the time spoken of; I heard the cry of stop thief. the prisoner was stopped by the last witness and another man of the name of Mitchell. I took the prisoner in custody, and took him to Worship-street office. The prosecutor picked up the watch. In taking the prisoner to the office, I told him he was charged with robbing a gentleman of his watch. He said he should not have taken the watch if he had not been lushey, meaning drunk. I took him to the office; he was committed. Prisoner's Defence. I was tipsey; I did not know what I was doing off. GUILTY, aged 20, Of stealing from the person, but not with violence. Transported for Seven Years. Second Middlesex jury, before Mr. justice Grose. -------------------------------------------------- Colonial Secretary Index. HAND, George. Per "Marquis of Wellington", 1815. 1819 Dec 27 On list of prisoners sent to Newcastle per "Elizabeth Henrietta" (Reel 6007; 4/3501 p.131) 1820 Apr 11 Re remission of sentence (Reel 6007; 4/3501 p.339) 1820 Apr 18 Prisoner at Newcastle sent to Sydney (Reel 6067; 4/1807 p.89) 1820 Jul 3 Re permission to marry at Sydney (Reel 6007; 4/3502 p.108)

338

Penny-Lyn Beale on 22nd August 2021

1820 - 3 Jul. New South Wales, Australia, Colonial Secretary's Papers. Permission to Marry Hester Dobson. Convict. Per Ship; Marq. of Wellington George Hand, Convict. Per Ship; Northampton 1825 - New South Wales and Tasmania, Australia Convict Musters. Year - 1825 Name; Ester Dobson Age; - Class; A. P. Ship; Northampton - 1815 - Life Remarks\Assigned; WIFE; of Geo. Hand. Sydney