Thomas Pinkney

341

Maureen Withey on 9th April 2026

Tried at the Old Bailey, 15 Feb 1827 573. THOMAS PINKNEY and JOHN CAIN were indicted for stealing, on the 1st of February, 156lbs. of lead, value 1l., the goods of James Page, and fixed to his dwelling-house, against the statute. JAMES PAGE. I am a grocer , and live in Mile-end-road - I have a shop there, covered with lead; there is some here, which I believe to be my property; it was fixed at the top of my shop; I missed it on the morning of the 1st of this month - it was safe on the evening before; it had the appearance of being cut away. DANIEL PALMER . I am a watchman of Mile-end Old-town; I was calling the hour on the morning of the 1st of February; I passed Mr. Page's house, and saw two rolls of lead - it was rolled up, and laying there; I sent for Falconer - he had not been there three minutes before he called for assistance; I saw two men making their escape- we followed them till we got to Globe-lane, and then they ran across the field; I knew one of them - I had never seen Cain before that morning; I am sure he is one of them. I saw the lead before they came for it - when I came back it still laid there. JAMES FALCONER . I am a watchman at Mile-end. I was with Palmer on the morning of the 1st of February, about one o'clock; I saw some lead in the corner; I was not there more than a minute before the two prisoners came to the place where it was placed; I had a full opportunity of seeing them; I looked round by the shop window, and saw the lead taken up; when I got near them one looked over his shoulder; I was about to take them both, but they ran away - I took my cutlass, and struck Cain on his hat; before I could get up close to him he made his escape; I called to Palmer - they ran up Globe-lane, and escaped into the fields. The next morning I saw them, and knew them to be the persons - as such I took them up. ROBERT CHRISTIAN . I am a constable of the night. The watchmen brought some lead to me; I fitted it to the prosecutor's house. I found a hat, which was left behind. On searching the prisoner Cain I found a chissel and two bundles of matches in his pocket. When I went my rounds at twelve o'clock I saw nothing particular - I did not miss the lead then. PINKNEY's Defence. I bought the chissel going down Whitechapel-road. CAIN's Defence. The watchman cut my hat. PINKNEY - GUILTY . Aged 18. CAIN - GUILTY . Aged 18. Transported for Seven Years . Leviathan Hulk Records. HO-9-8_6 page 13/54. Received from Bermuda, 25 May 1830. Thomas Pinkney, age 18, Felony, Tried 15 Feb 1827, Old Bailey, 7 years, To NSW 26 June 1830, R. Admiral. Thomas was sent to Bermuda, as a convict, to labour on the public works there, the main work being the construction of the dockyard at the harbour. Around 9000 convicts were sent there to work, between 1823 and 1863. They were not allowed to settle in Bermuda after the termination of their sentence, but were returned to Britain, and often sent on the Australia. The death toll in Bermuda was very high, and the work very hard and physical, quarrying the limestone and building the dockyard and public building, while living on board convict hulk ships in the harbour. On his return from Bermuda, he was sent on to New South Wales to complete his sentence, on the ship Royal Admiral in 1830. NSW Convict Index. Thomas Pinkney, per Royal Admiral, 1830, Certificate of Freedom, 7 Mar 1835. No 35/0107.