James Martin

341

Maureen Withey on 13th March 2026

National Archives. Hulk Records. HO-9-1_3 Chatham Hulks, Ganymede and Dolphin Hulks. Page 15/44. Received from Newgate (London) 14 Aug 1826. Jas. Martin, age 22, Stg in a Dg. Ho. Tried Old Bailey 22 June 1826, 14 years To NSW 17 Sept 1826.

341

Maureen Withey on 6th March 2026

Moreton Bay Convicts. James Martin, per Albion, Tried Middx G.D. 22 June 1826, Privately stealing, Life. Trade, Rope maker. Colonial Conviction: Parramatta Gen Sess. 26 April 1828, Robbery, 3 years, Returned to Sydney, 18 July 1831. -------------------------------------------

341

Maureen Withey on 5th March 2026

Tried at the Old Bailey, 22 June 1826. SECOND DAY. FRIDAY, JUNE 23. Middlesex Cases, Second Jury, Before Mr. Sergeant Arabin. 1087. JAMES MARTIN was indicted for stealing, on the 29th of May , at St. Martin in the Fields, 3 sovereigns, the monies of William Watts , in the dwelling-house of Henry Eade . WILLIAM WATTS. I am a gentleman's servant . and slept at the King's Head public-house, in the Strand, on the 29th of May. I lived with Mr. Alderman Christopher Smith , and left my situation on the 22d; I slept at the King's Head that night, as I knew the landlord; I went to bed about half-past eleven; another person was in another bed in the same room when I went to bed; I cannot say who he was; I had four sovereigns loose in my trousers pocket when I went to bed - I laid my trousers at the foot of the bed; I got up at half-past eight - the person was then gone from the other bed, and I immediately missed my money - I informed the landlord. HANNAH EADE . I am sister to Henry Eade, who keeps the King's Head, in the Strand . I do not know in what parish the house is. Watts had a bed there on the 29th - there were three beds in the room - the prisoner slept in one of them - the other was unoccupied - I and the servant made up Watts' bed after the prisoner was in bed; he had slept there for a month or five weeks; he got up about six o'clock and went away; he knocked at my door and called me and the servant up; he never returned but was apprehended about two o'clock that day. Watts complained of losing his money, and when the prisoner was taken a silk handkerchief of mine was found in his pocket - I believe I had left it in the bar a few days before - nobody could have been in the room without our knowledge. Prisoner. Q. Was the street-door open or shut when I got up? A. Shut; the servant was down stairs before me; I made the bed about half-past twelve o'clock - I think it might be as late as that. WILLIAM COUSINS . I am an officer. I had information of this robbery, and apprehended the prisoner at Mr. Barclay's, No. 381, Strand, at work; I said I must search him, and asked if he had any money; he said "No, only a few halfpence;" I searched him and found no money, but he had no coat or waistcoat on; I asked him where his halfpence were - he said in his waistcoat pocket; he went to a cupboard and gave me his waistcoat, in which I found some halfpence; he was then fumbling about his coat pocket, in the cupboard, with his back turned towards me, and putting something into his trousers' pocket; he then gave me his coat - I found nothing in it; I said"What have you got inside your shirt?" and I there found this handkerchief, in which was a purse with three sovereigns; I said I thought he had no money - he made no answer; I took the money, and he said "Ar'n't you going to give me the money?" I said No; he said "I will soon make you return it;" I took him out - he knocked me down and ran away - I followed him to the corner of Bow-street, where a patrol stopped him. The King's Head is in the parish of St. Martin's-in-the-fields. HANNAH EADE . This handkerchief is mine. Prisoner's Defence. There are other lodgers in the house; when I got up I left the street door open - the bed-room door was open all night - the money is my own- I have no friends in town. GUILTY - DEATH . Aged 22.