Richard Allen

Level 352

Maureen Withey on 25th October 2026

Tried at the Old Bailey. 14 Jan 1818. 176. RICHARD ALLEN and JOHN NIGHTINGALE were indicted for breaking and entering the dwelling-house of Henry Kater, Esq. about the hour of one in the afternoon of the 9th of January, with intent to steal, and feloniously stealing therein one box-coat, value 4l. his property . WILLIAM HUNT . I am servant to Henry Kater. I lived with my master, in Union-place, Marylebone . On Friday the 9th of January, about two o'clock, Purday called and said something to me, in consequence of which I looked for my master's coat, and missed it from the hall, where it had been hanging. The hall-door was latched, as usual, the last time that I saw it before the coat was taken. RICHARD PURDAY . I am toll-collector at the turnpike near Mr. Kater's house; I saw three men near the house, the prisoners, who were two of them, went into the front garden together; Nightingale then came out of the garden into the road, and Allen went into the house, he stopped there about ten minutes; both the gate and door were shut - He opened them, and went in; he had nothing with him when he went in, but when he came out he had the tail of his coat up-the other prisoner was loitering outside. They then both went in to the middle of the road and ran up Nottingham-place; I immediately gave information to the servant. I have seen both the prisoners often up that road, selling wood, with a donkey. They were pursued but not taken at that time. I gave a description of them to the gentleman, as well as to the constable; I went with him in the evening, and saw them both drinking in a public-house, between eight and nine o'clock. BARNARD GLEED . I am an officer. I took the prisoners into custody. I had received a description of them from the last witness. JOSEPH GEARY . Purday has spoken correctly. CAPTAIN CATER. It was my driving coat, made in the usual manner, with large capes; the hall where it hung is not far from the door. ALLEN'S Defence. I know nothing at all of the robbery. I went down Nottingham-place, calling bare-skins all the way; my father is a witness that I never was up that road selling wood in all my life. NIHGTINGALE'S Defence. I own I went in at the gate, but I did not do any thing; I came out again, and saw Purday - He laughed at me, and I laughed at him. ALLEN - GUILTY. Aged 14. NIGHTINGALE - GUILTY. Aged 19. Of stealing to the value of 39s. only, but not of breaking and entering . Transported for Seven Years . First Middlesex Jury, before Mr. Justice Abbott. -------------------------------------------------------------- Colonial Secretary Index. ALLEN, Richard. Per "Dick", 1821 1822 Jul 11 Convict mechanic assigned to John Blaxland at Parramatta (Reel 6009; 4/3506 p.49) -------------------------- NSW Convict Index. Richard Allen, per Dick, 1821, Certificate of Freedom, 4 Jan 1825, No 061/3057.