Benjamin Hitchcock

338

Penny-Lyn Beale on 2nd October 2024

1812 - The proceedings of the old Bailey 228. BENJAMIN HITCHCOCK was indicted, and the indictment states, that at the time of committing the several felonies herein mentioned, he was a person employed in a certain business at the general post office, that is to say, in sorting letters and packets brought to the general post office; that a certain letter brought to the said office, and containing therein one bank post bill, and three promissory notes, each of them made for the payment of one pound each, came into your hands, you being a person employed as aforesaid, and that you afterward, having the said letter containing the said bank post bill and promissory notes, feloniously did secrete the said letter, containing the said bank post bill and promissory notes, the property of Edward Child . And also stood charged with feloniously stealing and taking out of the said letter, the said bank post bill and the promissory notes, instead of secreting the letter, stating the bank post bill and the promissory notes to be the property of John Francis Spenlove . Again indicted, for that he, being employed as aforesaid, a certain letter brought to the post office, in the parish of St. Mary, Woolnoth, a certain letter was brought to the post office to be delivered to Sarah Barrington , that he, being such person so employed as aforesaid, the said letter did secrete, containing the two one-pound bank notes. SECOND COUNT - for feloniously taking out of the said letter the said bank notes. THIRD AND FOURTH COUNT - charged in like manner, stating the bank notes to be the property of Thomas Barrington ...... Prisoner's Defence. I have been in town I suppose about a twelvemonth, I obtained my situation at the Post-office about ten or eleven months ago, during that time I have had very severe fits of illness, which the inspectors know to be true; I certainly have been very much distressed, and to add to my misery, I was threatened with an arrest on the part of my physician, and the consequences I knew if I was arrested I must lose my situation; I am willing now to make restitution to the best in my power, for property that has been purloined in that way; upon these considerations I hope you will take my case into consideration, and spare my life if it is possible. I throw myself on the mercy of the court. GUILTY DEATH , aged 33. London jury, before Mr. Baron Wood. Sentence respited; 11th March 1812. Age 33. New South Wales, Australia, Convict Indents, Age 33 Trial; 19 Feb 1812 Native Place; Leichester Trade; Lace Maker 1822 - Noted in the District Constable's Notebook. Parramatta (Baulkham Hill), 1822, (Book 3)