John Hedger

221

D Wong on 21st September 2019

Old Bailey: JOHN HEDGER. Theft: theft from a specified place. 30th November 1814 Verdict Guilty Sentence Death JOHN HEDGER was indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 17th of November, six silk handkerchiefs, value 2 l. 2 s. the property of Joseph Drake, in his dwelling house. JOSEPH DRAKE. I am a linen draper in the Strand, in the parish of St. Clement's, Danes. Q. On the 17th of November did you lose any handkerchiefs - A. On the evening of the 16th I lost some handkerchiefs, how many it is impossible for me to say; several I lost, I do not know how many. Q. From what part of the shop - A. From off the counter. The prisoner and another man came into my shop on the 16th, about ten minutes before nine o'clock, and asked the see some silk handkerchiefs; the prisoner was looking at some silk handkerchiefs as well as the other. Q. Did the prisoner say he wanted to see silk handkerchiefs - A. Yes, he asked as well as the other; I heard him speak; I was in the middle of the shop; I went up to the top of the shop; I saw his companion take the handkerchiefs off a bundle, and put them under his coat, and run out of the door; I immediately called and said, stop thief. I laid hold of Hedger; I said stop, your companion has stolen some handkerchiefs, Q. Had the prisoner Hedger offered to run away - A. He had offered to run away, his back was towards me; the other saw me coming. Hedger just made a move nearly before I seized him; he had not got one pace, he had only just made a move. I told him his companion had stolen some handkerchiefs; he was as bad, he had some handkerchiefs about him. He had none when the officer came in and searched him. He had been there a week before with his companion; I had seen him there. I suspected him the week before, they bought nothing. We were very busy; then they said, there was nothing that suited them. They had not an opportunity of suiting themselves, I suppose. Q. Did he make any answer to you when he said he was as bad as his companion - A. He said he did not know him, he was a young man that he had met by chance, unfortunately he said, that evening somewhere at the west end of the town. I asked him what he was; he said, a chair stuffer. I went in pursuit of him, it was dark, I could not find him. I missed several handkerchiefs from the parcel; I am sure he took some handkerchiefs, I missed two pieces, one with four handkerchiefs in it, the other I do not know how many. Q. Did you examine them before they were lost - A. I had not counted them. Q. The man who took the handkerchiefs escaped - A. Yes. Q. The prisoner had nothing upon him - A. He had not; his companion, when he went out, said to him, I shall see you in the morning. Q. You did not, count the single handkerchiefs, did you - A. No, I did not; I am certain I missed two pieces, one had four, and the other not less than two. The prisoner said nothing in his defence. GUILTY, DEATH, aged 20. John Hedger was listed as 20 years old on arrival. Native Place: London. John was 5'5½" tall, ruddy complexion, brown hair, hazel eyes. Colonial Secretary Index: HEDGER, John. Per "Ocean", 1816 1816 Feb 5: On list of convicts disembarked from the "Ocean" and forwarded to Parramatta for distribution (Reel 6004; 4/3494 p.337) 28/9/1817: Arrived VDL per 'Pilot'. 1830 Muster: Public Works 1832-33 Musters: TOL 1835 Muster: CP 28/8/1835 6/10/1836: Free Pardon. 31/8/1832: Permission to marry Jemima Small (Mary 1831). 22/10/1832: Married Jemima Small at Hobart. 25/6/1833 Colonial Times, Hobart: JOHN, HEDGER, Elizabeth-street, respectfully informs his Friends and the Public that he has received, by the late arrivals from Sydney, a quantity of the finest Oranges and Lemons ever yet imported into this Colony, which he offers for Sale on the most reasonable terms. N.B.-ALL sorts of Confectionary, Fruits, Lozenges, Marmalade, &c.&c. of the very best quality, always on hand. 332 Wellington-bridge, June 20,1833. 1842: Sold the Confectionery store, and took over the Black Snake Hotel, Bridgewater. 1850: Declared Insolvent. 13/5/1867: John Hedger, a pastrycook, aged 71, died at the General Hospital, Hobart, of Senilis. 18/5/1867 The Cornwall Chronicle, Launceston, Tasmania: At Hobart Town, on the 13th May, Mr. John Hedger, late of the Black Snake, Bridgewater, in the 71st year of his age.