John Maxfield

221

D Wong on 22nd April 2021

Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 7.2, 01 September 2017), October 1815, trial of JOHN MAXFIELD (t18151025-30). JOHN MAXFIELD, Theft > shoplifting, 25th October 1815. 1009. JOHN MAXFIELD was indicted for stealing, on the 5th of October, three silk handkerchiefs, value 18 s. the property of Thomas Walker, privately in his shop. THOMAS WALKER . I live at 49, Dawson-street, in the parish of Mary-le-bone ; I am a linen-draper . At about one o'clock, in the middle of the day, on the 5th of October, the prisoner came into my shop, and requested a pennyworth of white cotton balls. When he first came in, I was in the parlour, adjoining the shop; I went out into the shop to him; he seemed very much confused. I suspected all was not right. I told him we had no balls of cotton. I did not see him do any thing that created any suspicion, nothing but his being confused. During the that he was in the shop, a piece of stuff fell; I don't what occasioned it to fall; the prisoner was at least two yards from it and appeared very much frightened. I thought as he went out, I saw him take something from the door, but I was mistaken, and missed nothing thence. As soon as he had been gone about two or three minutes, I missed a piece of silk handkerchiefs; I asked Mrs. Walker if she had sold this piece of handkerchiefs, and she told me not. I immediately went to the corner of East-street, and saw the prisoner running: he then looked back, and I cried stop thief; he then turned along Blandford-street, into Manchester-street, and through a court, into a mews. the persons who were in the pursuit, as well as myself, made a motion for me to go along South-street, into which the end of the mews runs. I got to the end of the mews, and the prisoner ran into the side door of a pawnbroker's shop; I ran in at the front door, and so secured him. I searched him, but did not find any thing on him. I thought perhaps he might have thrown them away. I took him down the mews, in order to find the property, if he had; a few doors from the pawnbroker's side door, the handkerchiefs were picked up; a coachman picked them up, in my presence, and gave them to me immediately; the constable was present at the time they were picked up; they were delivered to him, as well as the prisoner; the constable's name is Hunter. WILLIAM HUNTER . I am a constable. I was sitting in my parlour on the day of the robbery, and saw the prisoner run by, with the prosecutor after him. I saw the prisoner taken just by the pawnbroker's. I also saw the handkerchiefs picked up; they were delivered into my charge, with the prisoner. Here they are. Prosecutor. They are my property. Prisoner's Defence. I went to my master's house, and he told me to call upon him at two o'clock for some work. I met a person I knew, he told me to go to Mr. Smith's; I went into the prosecutor's shop to purchase some cotton balls; he had none; while I was there, a piece of stuff fell down, and that made me jump. I was going along, and heard a cry of stop thief; I knew it could not be after me; I went into this mews, and made water; seeing the crowd come rushing along, I just put my foot on the threshold of the pawnbroker's side door, to button up my small clothes; whilst I was there, they took me for the handkerchiefs, and I declare I know no more about them than the child unborn. The prisoner called several witnesses, who gave him a good character. GUILTY - DEATH , aged 17. [Recommended to mercy by the prosecutor and jury, on account of his youth and good character.] 1824: Married Bridget Conobry at Parramatta. Children: 1822: Eliza 1827: Mary Ann Bridget died 1829. 1825 Census: Maxfield, John, convict, Mariner, 1815, government servant to his wife, Bridget 21/6/1830: Married Mary Shea (Brothers) - Mary was 19 and had a TOL - John was 33 and had a TOL. Children: 1831: John 1832: Kate 1834: Harriet 1836: Richard 1838: William (cannot account for the birth of William as John and Mary separated in 1836). 6/12/1836: 13/12/1836 The Australian NOTICE AND CAUTION TO THE PUBLIC, GENERALLY WHEREAS, a Mutual Separation has taken place between myself and Wife, MARY MAXFIELD, I hereby caution all and every person from paying any moneys upon my account, or giving credit in any way to the said Mary Maxfield; as I will not be responsible for any debts she may contract after this date, or sanction any moneys being paid to her. his JOHN x MAXFIELD his mark Witness to the mark of John Maxfield WILLIAM OWEN DAVIS, AND J.C. SELINTEFF Church Street Parramatta 6 Dec 1836 C1835: Married or partnered Sarah ?? - no surname found - they had 1 child in 1835, Jane Eliza. (No marriage registered on NSW BDM). 24/6/1839: John Maxfield died, aged 41, and was buried at St. John's, Parramatta.

338

Penny-Lyn Beale on 22nd April 2021

1825 - General Muster. John D E Maxfield. Ship; Mariner - 1815. Life. G. S. Richard Wall. Parramatta. D; 1823. 1828 - Census. John Maxfield. Ship; Mariner; 1815. Age; 30. Ticket of Leave. Sentence; Life. Harness maker. Parramatta. Protestant

338

Penny-Lyn Beale on 22nd April 2021

1824 - 28 Oct. Ticket of Leave. 461/1395. Native Place; London Trade or calling; Shoemaker Trial where & Date; Middlesex - 25 Oct 1815 Year of birth; 1798 Sentence; Life Height; 5 ft. 5 in Eyes; Grey Hair; Sandy Completion; Fair District; Parramatta