Jane Mortimer

Level 347

Maureen Withey on 13th April 2025

Devon and Exeter Assizes.  Robbery at Modbury.— Charles Medley 22, James Stepson 17. Jane Mortimer 11, John Gadon 23, and his wife, 28, were charged with breaking and entering the shop of Mr. John Pownall  Williams, linen-draper, at Modbury, on the morning Wednesday, the 6th of May last, and stealing therefrom quantity of goods  the value of £60. Harriet Wilson, 30, was charged with receiving part of the said goods, knowing them to have been stolen. Alter the evidence had been gone  through, the learned Judge said, with respect to Elizabeth Gadon, as she was the wife of the prisoner, John Gadon,  the law considered that she was acting under his control, and therefore she must be acquitted. His Lordship then summed  up the evidence, and returned a verdict of Guilty against all the prisoners except Elizabeth whom they pronounced Not guilty. The learned Judge then pronounced sentence in the most impressive manner, as : —John Gadon,   Charles Medley, James Stepson, and Jane Mortimer, you have been severally of stealing property of very large value, from Mr. Williams, from his dwelling-house. This appears to have been a robbery very artfully planned, and very successfully executed, and you probably expected that, by your contrivances, you should escape conviction, but in this you have been disappointed.  As to you, John Gadon, you have had previous experience in the ways of wickedness, and, notwithstanding the lenity of  of your punishment, it has had good effect upon you; the sentence upon you is, therefore, peremptory have no power to mitigate it, and had, consistently with my duty to my country, j I could not, because where persons are associated in gangs, and go about perpetrating such crimes, it is necessary for the safety of society, that they should be removed, that they may be prevented from continuing their depredations. The sentence of the court  upon each of you four is, that you be severally transported for the term of your respective lives. And as to you, Harriet  Wilson, you stand convicted receiving part of these goods knowing them to have been stolen, and the case as against you is very clear, for you must have known that such property as that you received was stolen. [Here the prisoner protested her innocence ] you think your protestations of innocence will be believed by me, or will have any effect, you are quite mistaken  for they will only cause me think the worse of you. The sentence of the court upon you is, that you be imprisoned twelve months, and kept to hard labour.  Sherborne Mercury, 3 Aug 1835.

Level 338

Penny-Lyn Beale on 5th April 2021

New South Wales, Australia, Convict Indents. Indent No; 50 Age; 19 Unable to Read & write, Protestant, Single Native Place; Somersetshire Trade; Nurse maid & laundry maid Height; 5 ft. 2 1/2 in Complexion; Ruddy, Fair Hair; Brown Eyes; Hazel