James Main

343

Maureen Withey on 22nd April 2025

Tasmanian Records. Conduct Record: https://libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON31-1-29/CON31-1-29P125 No 363. Jas. Main. Per Phoenix, tried 18 July 1821, 7 years. Tried for Felony. Gaol Report, Unknown. Hulk report: Orderly. Stated F. 4 bird in hand Court Long Acre, a china painter, worked with a Man named Adams. Entries: See record for details. Dec 28 1830 F.S. Wilful & corrupt perjury- committed to Gaol in default of finding sureties for his appearance at the Supreme Court to answer the charge.

343

Maureen Withey on 22nd April 2025

Tried at the Old Bailey, 18 July 1821. 1019. JAMES MAIN and HENRY YAMAN were indicted for stealing, on the 21st of June , one time-piece, value 30 s., the goods of Mary Hooper ; and one snuff-box, value 7 s. , the goods of John Harman . JOHN HARMAN . I am servant to Mr. Hooper, of No. 45, Baker-street, Portman-square . On the 21st of June, I went out, and, at eight o'clock in the morning; found the prisoner in custody. I missed my snuff-box off the mantle-piece in the housekeeper's room - it was safe the night before. JAMES HENLEY . I am a bottle-dealer, and live in East-street, Manchester-square. On the 21st of June, about half-past seven o'clock in the morning, I was going to No. 46, Baker-street, and saw the prisoners standing between there and No. 45. I went in, and on coming out they still stood there. I went on towards Dorset-street, turned my head round, and saw Main going down the area steps of No. 45. I turned back, and found him coming up, but doing something up in his bosom. I tried to lay hold of him, but he ran back down the area passage, and into a little room in the house. I ran down, and called out "House!" The cook came, and we secured him coming out of the room - he said he had nothing, and we might search him. I said, "Perhaps you have nothing now, but I am sure you had something" - he said he had not, he had been to ask for Mrs. James. The cook locked him up, and I went home. Yaman passed me before I took Main. They were close in conversation when Main went down, and on seeing me turn back, ran off. I rather doubt whether Yaman is the other, as I now perceive that he squints. ELIZA WILTSHIRE . I am cook at the house. I heard Henley call out, and found Main in the room. He said he came for Mrs. James - no such person lived there. I found the time-piece removed from the middle of the mantle-shelf, towards the end, and laid on its side. The snuff-box was found on the ledge of the room over-head. The servants were not up. (Property produced and sworn to.) MAIN - GUILTY . Aged 16. Transported for Seven Years . YAMAN - NOT GUILTY . First Middlesex Jury, before Mr. Common Sergeant. National Archives. Criminal Petitions. HO 17/34/40 1 individual petition (James Mayne, 34 years, of 4 Bird in Hand Court, parish of Saint Paul, Covent Garden, Middlesex, china painter, prisoner's father and undersigned by 10 people, from London (trades and addressed given)) on behalf of James Mayne, convicted at the Old Bailey Sessions in July 1821, for stealing a timepiece. Grounds for clemency: youth (15 years), attempted to steal a time piece with another boy which was not taken off the premises of the prosecutor, first offence, has respectable, honest and industrious father and wishes the sentence to be commuted to imprisonment in the penitentiary at Millbank where he may be taught a trade. Initial sentence: 7 years transportation. Annotated: nil. EH40 Date: 1821 July.