Elizabeth Jones

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C H on 18th February 2024

Old Bailey Online ELIZABETH JONES. ELIZABETH CUMMINS. Theft; shoplifting. 24th October 1787. Text type Trial account Defendants ELIZABETH JONES, ELIZABETH CUMMINS Offences Theft > Shoplifting Session Date 24th October 1787 Reference Number t17871024-21 Verdicts Guilty > Lesser offence, Not guilty Punishments Transportation 832. ELIZABETH JONES and ELIZABETH CUMMINS were indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 5th of October , one piece of muslin containing three yards and a half, value 23 s. the property of Peter Leyburn , privily in his shop . THOMAS BELL sworn. I am shopman to Peter Leyburn , in Houndsditch ; on Friday the 5th of October, between three and four in the afternoon, the two prisoners came to the shop of Peter Leyburn together; I am sure it was them, they asked to look at some muslins, I shewed them different kinds, each party seem to take great pains in saying, some were too coarse, some too dear, till I had shewn a number of pieces, but one was fixed on, the quantity agreed on, was half a yard, at 2 s. 6 d. per yard; I turned round to look for the measure, and not finding one at hand, the two or three pieces that I opened, I laid on the remaining part of the wrappers that were not opened, and then I went to another part of the shop for a measure; immediately on my return, I cut the half yard, a shilling was laying on the counter, but they desired me to take seven-pence, abating the halfpenny; they both spoke; I opposed it, saying, which laid down the shilling, but at the time the change was offered, they both claimed the change; each saying, they laid down the money, and it was a considerable time before I could satisfy them with the change; I do not know which of them laid down the shilling; immediately upon giving the change, the prisoners both went toward the door; I laid the change on the counter, and Elizabeth Jones took the change. Which took the muslin? - Elizabeth Cummins ; as Jones went to the door, I perceived her step somewhat singularly; she could not walk, but shuffled along; this gave me some suspicion that she had something; and also from their behaviour in taking particular pains in tumbling the muslins, tho' I endeavoured to prevent it by giving a watchful look out; they both went out of the shop together; I looked carefully over the muslins, and missed one that I had seen that morning; I immediately followed them, at the distance of four or five doors I overtook them; they were walking and talking to each other; I took each by the arm, and requested them to return, and wait in a part of the shop, distant from the counter, and from the other customers till a peace-officer came, which I sent for; Elizabeth Jones , while the boy was gone for the officer, rushed out of my hand; I attempted to keep hold of them; they tried to rush out of a door that was fast; some customers were standing near the door close to the counter, the shuffled round them to a different part of the counter where there was no customers; I saw her immediately drop the muslin, it was concealed under her coats, she had dropped it without any difficulty; I am clear I saw it drop; I took up the muslin from the ground, and required them to stand aside till the constable came; Jones immediately went down on her knees and ask'd forgiveness; I told her she could not expect forgiveness, as it was not the first offence in our shop. What did the woman say? - They each of them wanted a quarter of a yard of muslin, but the muslin did not suit her to have a quarter of a yard, that was the defence the other one made; the other said she had no knowledge about Jones's taking the muslin. Court. Did you see this muslin taken? - No. Who else was in the shop besides you? - There were several customers. Who else belonging to the shop? - There were Mr. Leyburn, and two other assistants in the shop at the time. Are any of them here? - No. THOMAS WITHERS sworn. I took charge of the prisoners, and the piece of muslin; I have had it ever since. Prosecutor. This is the piece I saw drop from Jones, it is my master's property, it has our private shop mark, marked by me. PRISONER JONES's DEFENCE. I had but just done selling my fruit ; I went to Rag-fair to buy me an old gown; I know the prisoner by selling fruit; she asked me to go with her, and she bought the muslin for 7 d. the man came out, and he found a piece of muslin on the ground; I never took it, there were three women with bedgowns just by the windows. PRISONER CUMMINS's DEFENCE. I had been out with fruit in the morning; I met this young woman, and asked her to go with me; we went and bought this quarter of a yard of muslin, and paid for it; I looked over none. Court to Bell. Were any of the other customers near the place where she dropped the muslin? - No. Are you perfectly sure you saw her drop it? - Yes. To Prisoner. Have you any witnesses to your character? - I have none but God Almighty and you. ELIZABETH JONES , GUILTY Of stealing, but not privately . Transported for seven years . ELIZABETH CUMMINS , NOT GUILTY . Tried by the London Jury before Mr. RECORDER.

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Harper Hughes on 25th February 2017

Elizabeth was convicted at the Old Bailey for stealing a pair of silver shoe buckles.