James Rice

342

Maureen Withey on 5th March 2021

Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 05 March 2021), February 1817, trial of JAMES RICE (t18170219-46). JAMES RICE, Theft > burglary, 19th February 1817. 408. JAMES RICE was indicted for burglariously breaking and entering the dwelling-house of Robert Gibbs , the elder , about eight in the night of the 27th of January , with intent to steal, and burglariously stealing therein, two waistcoats, value 5s.; three images, value 6d.; the property of Robert Gibbs, the younger ; one bed, value 40s.; one bolster, value 4s.; one pillow, value 1s.; three blankets, value 5s.; two sheets, value 4s.; and one counterpane, value 1s, the property of the said Robert Gibbs, the elder . ROBERT GIBBS, jun. I am the son of Robert Gibbs . I live in Long-alley, Moorfields . I have the bottom room of Mr. Bishop's house. My father hired the room, and always paid the rent - I always kept the key. On the 27th of January about a quarter past seven o'clock in the evening, I fastened my door and window, there was a bed and bedding in my room, which belonged to my father, some of the things were mine; I returned about half-past ten o'clock, and found the asp of my padlock out, and the padlock on the floor. I missed the articles stated in the indictment. The bed, bolster, pillow, three blankets, two sheets, and a counterpane belonged to my father, and the rest were mine. The prisoner had worked for my father five or six years, off and on. Bishop did not live in the house. THOMAS HEAD . I am a patrol of Spitalfields. I was on duty on the 27th of January, I saw the prisoner at the bottom of Fashion-street, Spitalfields, between eight and nine o'clock, he was walking with a bundle on his back; I stopped him, he said he was going to his brother's in Long-alley; he said, he had got a bed; I asked him where he brought it from; he said, from Spitalfields; and then said, he was going to his brother's in Half-Moon-alley, and that I might go with him; I asked him again, where he brought it from; he said, from the Loggerheads, which is a very different place from Spitalfields. Andrews came up, and asked him if he knew who kept the Loggerheads, he said, no; he then said, he brought it from the Bird-cage, which is near the Loggerheads; we secured him. When we came near the watch-house, he threw the bundle off his back, and ran off; I took it up, and Andrews secured him. He was brought to the watch-house about five minutes after. I am sure the prisoner is the man. WILLIAM ANDREWS . I saw the prisoner in the custody of Head, he said, he brought the bundle from the Loggerheads, he ran away and threw it down; I pursued him, and he was taken in Spitalfields-market. I am sure, the prisoner is the man, he was not out of my sight more than a minute. (Property produced and sworn to.) Prisoner's Defence. A man gave it to me to carry. GUILTY . - DEATH . Aged 26. Second Middlesex Jury, before Mr. Justice Burrough. --------------------------------------------------- Medical Journal of Ocean for 21 June 1817 to 16 Jan 1818, by George Fairfowl. ADM 101/57/8/21818-1819 Folio 11: James Rice, Convict, aged 26; disease or hurt, umbilical hernia, from a kick received three years previously. Taken ill, 18 October 1817. Dismissed cured 24 October 1817.