Joseph Long

342

Maureen Withey on 7th March 2026

Tried at the Old Bailey, 6 April 1826. Before Mr. Justice Park. 611. JOSEPH LONG and JOHN EADEN were indicted for burglariously breaking and entering the dwelling-house of John Froggett , about ten o'clock in the night of the 17th of February , at St. Mathew, Bethnalgreen, with intent to steal, and stealing therein, 2 coats, value 3s., and 1 blanket, value 2s. , his property. JOHN FROGGETT. On Friday, the 17th of February, I lived in Twigg-folly, in the parish of St. Mathew, Bethnal-green - I am a shoemaker - the house is let out in tenements - the landlord does not live there. About half-past ten o'clock at night I was up - I heard my child cry out - I went with a candle into the bed-room and found I was robbed; I found neither the door nor window open; I missed a blanket, two coats, and a counterpane. MARTHA FROGGETT . I am the prosecutor's wife. I put the children to bed about seven o'clock, in the backroom on the ground floor; the eldest is seven years old; this blanket, quilt, and two coats, were laid on the top of the bed; I brought the candle out of the room with me, and shut the room door - I bolted the back door in the passage leading to the garden, and the room window was shut; we were sitting in the front room - there is a room between that and the bed-room - the bed-room and street doors were shut. JOHN NORRIS. I am inspector of the Bow-street patrol. On Friday night, the 17th of February, about a quarter or half-past ten o'clock, I was standing at the corner of Devonshire-street and Globe-lane, and saw the prisoners coming in a direction from Green-place, Twigg-folly, about 400 yards from the prosecutor's, each having a bundle - I knew them before - I went up and took hold of Long - he had a bundle containing a blanket and counterpane; I tried to catch hold of Eaden but he slipped down, then got up and ran away, leaving a bundle and his hat behind him; I took them up and cried Stop thief! he was stopped in two minutes by a man who is not here, and both were taken to the watch-house; they made a most desperate resistance - Eaden's bundle contained wet linen - each of them had one of the prosecutor's coats on his back over his own. I am sure of Eaden - I knew him before. ROBERT CHRISTIAN . I am constable of the night. I found the prisoners at the watch-house; the prosecutor came in soon afterwards and mentioned his loss, and described the colour of his coats; I produced the prisoners to him and he claimed the coats, which they were then laying on. JOHN NORRIS . They had these coats on when I saw them. JOHN FROGGETT. I am certain both these coats are mine - I have had one of them eight years. MRS. FROGGETT. I know the quilt and blanket. LONG'S Defence. On this night a young man was about six yards before me - he turned round and asked which way I was going - I said to Bethnal-green; he asked me to carry two bundles to the Salmon and Ball, and he would pay us. EADEN. I have no more to say. LONG - GUILTY - DEATH . Aged 18. EADEN - GUILTY - DEATH . Aged 22.