Henry Richards

341

Maureen Withey on 2nd June 2024

Henry Richards and Charles Roberts were indicted for assaulting and robbing John ?cale of his watch and nancy. The prosecutor stated stated that he was labouring servant, living Wick and Abson, under Lansdown, and came to Bristol fair to buy few things, Tuesday, the 7th of September; was at the Rose and Crown in St. James’s churchyard, in the evening, and went got some beer; was with him; they had a they had a pint of beer only, and he had not been drinking before; between eleven and twelve night the prisoners came up stairs; it was turning out time, and as was going down stairs, Richards put put his hand in the witness’s pocket; did not know them before; there was a light at the bottom of the stairs; he told the Landlord of it, who went out after him he did not miss any thing; he went out with the young woman; she told him stop, and she would fetch some one to home with her; she brought the prisoner, Roberts, who she said was her brother-in-law; a woman was with Roberts, who said was his wife; they went to the Crown in the ropewalk, where they had some rum and shrub, for which paid 6d., and Roberts paid Roberts asked him what time it was; witness took out his watch and said it was half-past twelve; as they were going along the Rope walk, Roberts took out bill, saying it was a 10l one, and he and he would treat the witness with any thing; the woman said she should be afraid to carry so much money about her, least she should robbed, and immediately Richards came running with white hat ou, which he had on before, and knocked the witness down; Roberts stopped his mouth, and Richards took his watch and twenty-five shillings in money, consisting of eight half-crowns and a crownpiece; they then run away; slept that night the Rose and Crown, in the Churchyard, and pointed the prisoners out the next day to the constable. Win. Bedell, a constable, apprehended the prisoners the next day, at the Rose and Crown, St. James's churchyard; he found a crownpiece and a shilling on Richards, and two half, crowns and some halfpence Roberts; had seen Richards with white hat on during the whole time of the fair, and had it on when was apprehended; the prosecutor had described the prisoners to him in the morning, and recognised them on their coming into the public-house, when witness immediately apprehended them. The prisoner, Richards, stated that he was a stranger in Bristol; he had been in his Majesty's service eight years, and was as innocent of the offence a child; the landlord the Rose and Crown had said that he was not in the house all on Tuesday evening. Mr. Allen, the landlord, who happened in Court stated that he had said did not see the prisoner there, but such number of persons came in that it was impossible could say who was there. Roberts gave account of the manner in which had spent the evening of the robbery. The Jury found both the prisoners Guilty, and sentence of Death was recorded against them. Bristol Mirror, 6 Nov 1830.

10

Leanne on 13th March 2024

Born Cullompton,Devon about 1807. Married Margaret Cullen, convict per the ship Pyramus.