William Hester

343

Maureen Withey on 2nd June 2026

Tried at the Old Bailey, 3 June 1789. 440. WILLIAM HESTER was indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 19th of May last, one silk handkerchief, value 2 s. the property of Caleb Whitford , privately from her person . CALEB WHITFORD sworn. On Tuesday, the 19th of May last, I lost a silk handkerchief in High-street, St. Giles's , I did not perceive it being taken from me at the time, it was taken privately; I have no reason to charge the prisoner on my own knowledge. JOHN SEGOE sworn. Between two and three in the afternoon, on Tuesday the 19th of May, I was in my own shop, in High-street, St. Giles's, and I saw the prosecutor pass my shop; I saw the prisoner and two others following him, and I suspected they had a design to rob him, and I went after them; the prisoner was close to the gentlemen; I ran in between him and the other man; he had picked his pocket, I cannot absolutely say I saw him take it; but he was the next person to the prosecutor; I pushed in and he threw down the handkerchief; I told the gentleman, and he said he had lost his handkerchief. (Produced and deposed to by the prosecutor.) Prosecutor. It was marked at the time when I lost it, and it was marked at the office with a pen and ink. Was it the same handkerchief that was produced to you by the witness Segoe, which was marked at the office? - Here is the office mark upon it. PRISONER. I have nothing to say, I have no witnesses. GUILTY, 10 d. Transported for seven years . Tried by the first Middlesex Jury before Mr. Baron PERRYN .

343

Maureen Withey on 2nd June 2026

NSW Records. Atlantic Digitised Indent: https://content.archives.nsw.gov.au/delivery/StreamGate?dps_pid=FL397580&dps_dvs=1780383185426~653 Ship Atlantic. William Hester. Digitised Indent: https://content.archives.nsw.gov.au/delivery/StreamGate?dps_pid=FL393351&dps_dvs=1780382951678~480 William Hester, tried at the Old Bailey, 3rd June 1789, beyond Sea seven years