George Smith

342

Maureen Withey on 22nd April 2026

George Smith was committed for burglary in the house of Mr. Hinks, a farmer, residing Ariey, near Coleshill, on Wednesday night, the 19th of October last. Mrs.Hinks deposed, that the above night she was awoken about three o'clock by noise on the stairs, and saw a light on the staircase, and immediately saw two men coming up, the bed-room being open. She instantly awakened her husband, and said to him, you see ? you see ?” when they entered the room. One of the men, who was much taller than his companion, held a gun in his band, and pointed it towards the bed ; the other was armed with case-knife, and also  had lighted candle; they were both without their coats, hats, and shoes. The tall man, whom she identified as the prisoner Smith, said, on pointing his gun to them, *' what do you think of us now - give us your money we'll shoot you.” Mr. Hinks in reply said, ” How in the name of God came you to think of doing this when .Mrs H,  who kept her presence of mind, answered, Nay, God has nothing to with them. Mr Hinks gradually got out of bed, the prisoner continued pointing his gun towards and threatened to shoot him if he came any nearer. The fellows asked Mr.H where kept his money  and he pointed to a box, which the short man examined; but it contained nothing but clothes. Mr. H. then shewed them another  box, and while the man was examining it, he suddenly darted upon the prisoner, and threw him down; while they were scuffling  the candle went out, and Smith called to his companion to go and light it. In the mean time the struggle continued in the dark, and Mr. Hinks contrived to let the gun off. Smith then exclaimed there, where are you now and having gained the mastery of the struggle, he held Mr. Hinks down upon the floor by the throat. The short man, when he returned with the light, went to Mrs. Minks and asked for the money. The children, who had been alarmed, were at this time screaming in the next room, and Mrs. H. begged the man not to hurt them. He replied that money was all they wanted,  and the children should not be hurt. Mrs, H. then drew box from underneath the bed, where the money was deposited; the man opened it, and poured about twelve sovereigns from jar into i his hand; and took quantity of bank notes from a pocket-book. He then opened some small boxes containing  the children’s money, when Mrs. Hinks desired him not to take that, as the children had counted it over so often.  The man emptied one ot the boxes into his hand, but finding they contained only sixpenny pieces, did not take them. Smith then liberated Mr. Hinks, and the same time said to Mrs. H. if they made any alarm they would murder them. They then went downstairs, shut the house door after them, and locked it on the outside, It was some time before Mr, H. recovered the effects of the man's grasp. Mrs. H. went down stairs, and searched for her husband’s gun ; but it was taken away, and all the drawers were ransacked. The casement had been taken off its hinges, and a large shawl was hung over the window to prevent any light from being perceived without. It appeared that on the Monday previous to the robbery, Smith had called at Mr. Hinks's house enquire the road to Coventry, and another man was seen lurking about the premises at the same time.—A young man named Badkin, apparently not more than 17, was charged as being the companion of Smith, but neither Mr or Mrs. Hulks could swear positively to him.—Smith committed. The same prisoner  together with Badkin and two women named .Jones and Davis, were charged with another burglary, the 31st of January last,  in the house of Mrs. York, York's Wood, near Coleshill.  Birmingham Chronicle, 4 March 1826 George Smith, (2i) Batkin (l7) Elizabeth Davis, and Jane Jones, (19) were indicted for burglary at house of Mr. Luke York, at Coleshlll,  on the night 21st of January. that night Mr. York’s house was woken into by several panes of glass being taken out of kitchen window, and a large quantity of linen, a watch, other property were stolen, amounting in value to £35. The prisoner, George Smith, had formerly lived with Mr. York, as his servant, for three or four years, and consequently had perfect knowledge of the premises- prisoners were apprehended by Gideon Taylor,  with large quantity of property in their possession. They were committed, but ordered kept in Birmingham, in case further charges should be brought against them. understand Smith some time since escaped from Lichfield gaol. Birmingham Journal, 1 April 1826 Burglaries. —George Smith, Thomas Batkin, Elizabeth Davis, and Jane Jones. Acquitted. —George Smith —pleaded guilty a burglary Birmingham Chronicle, 30 March 1826. Hulk Records. HO-9-7_2 (page 40/48) Retribution Hulk at Sheerness. Received from Warwick, 4 May 1826. Geo. Smith, age 26, Ho. Breaking, Tried at Warwick, 25 March 1826, Life, To NSW 31 July 1826.