Mary Harnett

Level 347

Maureen Withey on 23rd June 2026

Tried at the Old Bailey, 14 Jan 1824. 309. MARY HARNETT was indicted for stealing, on the 15th of December , seven handkerchiefs, value 10 s.; eleven shirts, value 2 l. 10 s.; three sheets, value 16 s.; five shifts, value 10 s.; nine bedgowns, value 18 s.; two pairs of stockings, value 4 s.; three pillowcases, value 6 s.; three frocks, value 1 s.; three tablecloths, value 4 l.; three habit-shirts, value 6 s.; a cap, value 1 s.; and seven skirts, value 14 s. , the goods of Edward Hardy Adams ; and THOMAS BUDD , was indicted for feloniously receiving the same, well knowing them to have been stolen . ANN PLATT . I am servant to Mr. Edward Hardy Adams , who lives in Cloudsley-terrace, Islington . Mrs. Knowles, of Somer's-town washes for the family. On the 15th of December, about half-past two o'clock, the prisoner Harnett called, and said she came for the linen, if it was ready. I asked where she came from, as she was a stranger to me; she said from Mrs. Knowles. I said, "I had just come from Mrs. Knowles's," she said Mr. Knowles had fallen down and broken his leg. I said, "I saw him half an hour ago at home" - she said he was gone to Middlesex Hospital; my sister came up and said she knew her, and I gave her the articles stated in the indictment. HANNAH KNOWLES . I wash for Mr. Adams. The prisoner was eleven weeks in my employ, and had left me thirteen months before December last. I did not send her for this linen - she never brought it to me. GEORGE ODDY . I am an officer. On the 15th of December, I went with Mr. Knowles, and apprehended Harnett about nine o'clock that night - she denied the charge, but next morning told me she had pawned the things, and burnt the duplicates. LEWIS HARRIS . I am a pawnbroker, and have two shirts, and a bedgown, pawned on the 15th of December, by a woman. THOMAS PACEY BIRTS . I am a pawnbroker, and have eight shirts, pawned by Harnett, on the 15th of December. THOMAS ROGERS . I am a constable. I apprehended Budd, and found a shirt on his back - he said his mother bought it, and gave 15 d. a yard for the cloth. JOHN MAPLESON . I assisted in apprehending Budd, in Hungerford-market. He said as he was going to Bow-street, that the female prisoner had collared the linen found in the possession of Bulley, and given it to him. Collar is the slang word for stealing. He attempted to escape, but Rogers came to my assistance. THOMAS HOPKINS . I am a watchman of Hungerford-market. On the 15th of December, about half-past eight o'clock at night, I was told a bundle had been left under Bulley's rails - I fetched it; it contained a quantity of linen; some claimed by Mr. Adams, and some by Mrs. Hanson. SARAH BULLEY . I live in Hungerford-market. I do not know the prisoners. I think I know the man - to the best of my knowledge, Budd is the man who laid this bundle under my railings, at half-past nine o'clock, and at half-past ten I called the watchman. I think I have seen Budd several times about the market - he came next day to demand it, and was secured. Prisoner BUDD. Q. Did you not swear to another lad at the office - A. Yes, but I was mistaken. I really believe the prisoner to be the man - but am sure he is the man who came for it. RICHARD CARPENTER . I have two table-cloths, pawned by Harnett. I stopped them till she brought a note from her mistress, to say she sent her. WILLIAM COOMBS . I am a pawnbroker, and have five sheets pawned by Arnett. (Property produced and sworn to.) HARNETT - GUILTY . Aged 17. BUDD - NOT GUILTY . --------------------------------------------------------------- 310. MARY HARNETT was again indicted for stealing, on the 15th of December , a shirt, value 6 s.; a neck handkerchief, value 1 s.; two sheets, value 8 s.; two pillow-cases, value 2 s.; a habit shirt, value 2 s.; a tucker, value 6 d.; two shifts, value 10 s.; an apron, value 1 s.; and two caps, value 1 s., the goods of William Hanson ; and three shirts, value 18 s. , the goods of James Horn Hanson and THOMAS BUDD was again indicted for feloniously; receiving a shirt, part of the said goods, knowing it to be stolen . MISS FRANCES HANSON . I am sister to James Horne Hanson , who lives in Bentinck-street, Manchester-square . On the 15th of December, about eleven o'clock in the morning, Harnett called, saying she came from Knowles for the linen. I gave her the articles stated in the indictment, and found them at Bow-street on the Thursday after. WILLIAM WOTTEN . I am an officer. I went to Budd's lodgings, in Church-lane, and found a quantity of this linen. JOHN MAPLESON . I apprehended Budd on the 16th, and found a shirt on his back. MISS HANSON. This is my brother's shirt - the rest of the property is his. BUDD'S Defence. I gave that woman 5 s. to buy me a shirt - she brought me this. HARNETT - GUILTY . Aged 17. BUDD - GUILTY . Aged. Transported for Seven Years .

Level 7

Louise Riles on 22nd June 2026

Mary Harnett was identified as convict number 37 on the Grenada muster taken on the 24/1/1825, a day after the ship arrived in Sydney Cove. However she was not on board the ship, having disembarked before the journey began. Accordingly the record is noted as 81 convict women, while there are in fact 82 on the list.