Elizabeth Johnson

135

C H on 21st February 2024

Old Bailey Online ELIZABETH JOHNSON. HANNAH WIGFALL. Theft; grand larceny (to 1827), Theft; grand larceny (to 1827). 23rd May 1787. Text type Trial account Defendants ELIZABETH JOHNSON, HANNAH WIGFALL Offences Theft > Grand larceny, Theft > Grand larceny Session Date 23rd May 1787 Reference Number t17870523-92 Verdicts Guilty, Not guilty Punishments Transportation 541. ELIZABETH JOHNSON, alias LEE , and HANNAH WIGFALL were indicted: the said Elizabeth for stealing, on the 6th of March , one wooden box, value 2 d. two printed cotton gowns, value 14 s. one printed callico gown, value 10 s. 6 d. two linen handkerchiefs, value 6 d. three aprons 3 s. two ditto, value 2 s. two checque ditto, value 1 s. ten other aprons, value 5 s. five pair of cotton stockings, value 2 s. 6 d. one worsted stocking, value 6 d. and one guinea and a half in gold, and 14 s. 6 d. in silver , the property of Ann Prichard , spinster . And the said Hannah was indicted for procuring, aiding and assisting her the said Elizabeth, to do and commit the said robbery . The witnesses examined separate. ANN PRITCHARD sworn. I lost the things on Monday week; they were in a wooden box. (The several articles enumerated by the prosecutrix that were in the box.) I saw the box and things the same day they were stolen; they were put down on paper at the Justices; the box stood by the bedside where I slept, I was a lodger; I went to bed about ten; I missed them in half an hour after I was in bed; they were found in the prisoner's possession the next morning, at seven o'clock under her bed, in Black and White Court, and a tub before the box; she was just getting up, and a young man who lived with her was dressing himself, when the patrol and I went in; Hannah Wigfall was not there. Whose lodgings were they? - I do not know; the box was locked, and I had the key in my pocket; the things were all in the box when the box was found; I lodged with Hannah Wigfall , and paid her one shilling a week; Johnson called on Wigfall that afternoon, and was in my apartment; Hannah Wigfall slept with me that night, and came last to bed, and left the door open; Wigfall was undressed as well as myself; I presently heard some body in the room, it might be half an hour; Wigfall was asleep, I awoke her, and got a light, and then went, and got a watchman; Wigfall said, to the best of her knowledge, she shut the door, and locked it, but upon getting up I found it wide open. RICHARD WILLEY sworn. I am one of the patrol of St. Sepulchre's parish; on the 6th of March, Hannah Wigfall was brought to our watch-house about eleven o'clock, on suspicion of robbing the prosecutrix; Wigfall was charged for assisting Johnson in the robbery; Wigfall was having words with the prosecutrix at the watch-house, which strengthened our suspicions; then she said Betty must have robbed her, meaning Johnson. (The box and things produced by Willey.) The box was broke open, and concealed under the bed, and a guinea and a half taken out, and some silver; I asked the prosecutrix if she had the key, she gave me her keys, and one of them opened the box; they have been in my possession ever since; the bundle, with a gown and coat lay by the box under the bed, which I afterwards put into the box, and locked it up. (The things deposed to by the prosecutrix.) Prosecutrix. I know the gowns by the pieces I mended them with, and by the trimming on one of them; there was a guinea and a half, and fourteen shillings and sixpence in silver; I have never seen any of the money since. Willey. She swore to the things at the Justice's; they are the same I found at Johnson's lodgings; I went to thirty or forty places before I could find her; I saw Darby there, who will appear here presently and the prosecutrix; I took the two prisoners to the Compter. WILLIAM DARBY sworn. I am a shoe-maker; I know nothing of the matter; I was going about my master's business, he lives in Blue-court, Old Bailey; the lodgings are mine. Why did not Johnson sleep there that night; did not she cohabit with you? - No, not constantly; she said, she was locked out that night; I know no more. Court. Did she never sleep with you before that night? - No, my Lord, she used to sweep my room and make my bed; she was a stranger to me. Then how came she into your room? - I gave her the key to clean the room; I left nobody in my room. Did you sleep that night with her, or did you not? - I was in bed with her; the key was hung on a nail on the outside of the door, for her to go in and clean the room; I know nothing of her else. Did she leave the room any time that night after you went to bed? - No, my Lord, I know nothing how the box came in my room; I never saw them till the officer came and took them away. WILLIAM PARRY sworn. I am a watchman; on the 6th of March. I was going my rounds, and I heard the prosecutrix crying, I am robbed and ruined; Wigfall was with her; I said, can you tell who robbed you? some women that was with Wigfall directed us us to Black and White Court; upon enquiry, Mary Leversuch informed me, she saw a woman go into a house in the court with a box; the patrol found the box, and took them to the watch-house; she said, that it was no such thing. MARY LEVERSUCH sworn. I live at No. 20, Fleet-lane; I was standing at my door, about ten minutes after eleven o'clock; I saw Johnson coming from Seacoal-lane; she had been in my shop about two hours before; I keep a chandler's shop; I know her person very well; she had a bundle under her arm; I could not tell whether it was a box or what it was; and I heard say, she was robbed; I told them I saw a woman go up the alley with a bundle. PRISONER JOHNSON'S DEFENCE. I was moving some things; going to leave my lodgings, and carried several things to William Darby 's, the shoemaker's room; but I never slept there though it was said I did. ELIZABETH JOHNSON , GUILTY . Transported for seven years . HANNAH WIGFALL , NOT GUILTY . Tried by the London Jury before Mr. ROSE.

ELIZABETH MARRIED ABRAHAM HUTCHINSON (CONVICT AND OVERSEER OF MILLS, SYDNEY). THEY HAD TWO CHILDREN CHARLOTT ELIZABETH AND JOHN ABRAHAM.