William Martin

221

D Wong on 15th September 2019

Old Bailey: CHARLES WILLIAM WATTS, WILLIAM MARTIN. Theft: burglary. 29th October 1817 Verdict Guilty > lesser offence Sentence Transportation CHARLES WILLIAM WATTS and WILLIAM MARTIN were indicted for that they, about in the night of the 28th of September, being in the dwelling-house of John Allfor , did steal therein, two pillow-cases, value 1s., five prints, value 3s.; two sheets, value 12s.; and one waistcoat, value 5s., his property-and afterwards, about the same hour of the same night, burglariously did break the said dwelling-house to get out of the same. SECOND COUNT. The same, only stating them to have been in a lodging-room. ELIZA ALLFORD. I am the wife of John Allford, we live in Featherstone-street, City-road , and let lodgings. On the 27th of September, between five and six o'clock in the evening, the prisoners came to our house, asked if we did not let lodgings, and desired to look at them. I said, I did not like to shew them at night, but they might see them in the morning. Between twelve and one o'clock next day, Watts came, and I shewed them to him; he said they would do very well, and asked if they could come in that evening? We came down to my husband-the prisoner, Watts, said they were carpenters, and had got a job for four months, in the Curtain-road. Court. Q. Was the lodging to be taken for the two - A. Yes, it was a joint taking. My husband said he was very particular who he let them to, and asked for a reference - He referred him to George-walk, Vauxhall. My husband said it was Saturday, and he could not go there that day. Watts said, he was going there on Sunday, and they could walk together. He said he would bring a chest of tools in, which would satisfy us for more than a week's rent-my husband agreed to take them in. They came between eleven and twelve o'clock that night, I let them in - They had each a bundle; I gave them a light - They were to pay 5s. a week-my husband was not at home; the windows were all shut. About eight o'clock the next morning, my child was coming from over the way, saw the windows were open, and the curtains blowing about-my husband went up. JOHN ALLFORD. I am the husband of the last witness. I saw the prisoner, Watts about the lodgings; he referred me to Vauxhall; we were to go there the next morning together - I agreed to let them. I came home about twelve o'clock, and fastened the door. The next morning I received information, went up stairs, and tapped at the door; no answer was made. I went in, found the window open, the prisoners gone, and the articles stated in the indictment - They never returned. I saw Martin at the watch-house at one o'clock that day. About three weeks after, Watts was taken. GEORGE WILD I am a watchman in Baltic-street, in the parish of St. Sepulchre. On the 28th of September, about one o'clock in the morning, I heard the cry of Stop thief! about 150 yards from the prosecutor's house, and stopped the prisoner, Martin, who was running; he had two sheets and a bed curtain, round his body, under his clothes. JOHN USTONSON. When Wild brought Martin into the watch-house, I found two pillow-cases in his hat, and two pictures in his pocket. WILLIAM TURNER. I am an officer. I received information, and went to a house in Water-lane, Fleet-street, to inquire for Watts, his sister was there, and denied him. I took a child off a turn-up bedstead in the room, and found him under it. I asked him why he went there? he said, he understood there was a warrant against him for bastardy. I found nothing upon him. THOMAS VANN. I am a constable; I was with Turner. (Property produced and sworn to.) MARTIN'S Defence. The other man said the things were his. WATTS - GUILTY. Aged 24. MARTIN - GUILTY. Aged 28. On the Second Count only. Transported for Seven Years. Charles William Watts arrived NSW per 'Morley' 1818. William Martin was listed as 29 years old on arrival. Native Place: Sussex. William was 5'6½" tall, fair pale complexion, dark flaxen hair, grey eyes. Colonial Secretary Index: MARTIN, William. Per "Isabella", 1818 1824 Jul 27,30: Re permission to marry Margaret Carroll at Castlereagh (Reel 6013; 4/3512 p.126) 1824 Oct 31: On return of convicts discharged from the Establishment, Emu Plains; free (Reel 6028; 2/8283 p.203) 1824 Nov 2: Of Sydney, Margaret Carroll, per "John Bull", assigned to Martin, her husband (Reel 6013; 4/3512 p.660) 1/11/1824: COF 1824: Married Margaret Carroll at Castlereagh, NSW. No children listed on the NSW BDM