Simon Solomons

116

Tony Beale on 16th January 2021

Old Bailey Online (noted as Simon in the Bailey records) 503. ISAAC JONAS and DAVID SOLOMONS were indicted for feloniously assaulting Richard Shaw , in the King's highway, on the 8th of May , and for putting him in fear, and taking from his person, and against his will, one pocket-book, value 2s. one gold watch, value 20l. one piece of ribbon, value 6d. three seals, value 1l. and nineteen five-pound bank notes, his property . RICHARD SHAW . I am a merchant . On the 17th of May last, I had been passing the evening with some friends in Hungerford-street, in the Strand; it was nearly eleven o'clock when I left them; I drank nothing but ale all the evening; I came directly down the Strand, and Fleet-street, and up Ludgate hill, in my way home. When I got to the top of Ludgate-hill, I was going to cross to get to the left hand side of St. Paul's Church-yard, when an elderly gentleman, with either grey or powdered hair, ran against me; a few words ensued, and the two prisoners came up to me; I have no doubt of them. They said, the old man was in fault; they said they would stand my friends, and they each took hold of my arms, and took me out of the crowd which had collected. We then proceeded up St. Paul's Churchyard, and got into Friday-street, and met a watchman there, and asked him if any house was open in the neighbourhood where the prisoners and I might have a friendly glass together; it was I that proposed to take a friendly glass. The watchman told us that they were up at the White Horse, in Friday-street; we went there, and got a glass each, I and the two prisoners; I had a glass of brandy and water, and they had each a glass of rum; one of them paid for it. We all went out together; we were not in the house ten minutes; we all left it together. I then asked them the way to the Belle Savage Inn, on Ludgate-hill, as it was so late, and they said, they would tell me. We then turned down to the right into Fish-street; I was a stranger to that neighbourhood, and have learned since that that is the name of the street. We then turned down Lambeth-hill , and going down the hill, one of the men hit me a violent blow over the head; that was given me with his hand; I can't exactly tell which of them did it; I was hit, and tripped up by the heels at the same time. The effect of the blow was that I fell. I was a good deal stunned. Q. Do you know what happened to you while you were on the ground - A. I was robbed while I was on the ground; my pocket-book and watch were taken from me while I was down; I missed them when I came to myself. Q. Did you feel any body taking them - A. No; I did not. I was stunned by the blow or fall. I had my pocket-book and watch immediately before. Q. What was the last time you felt your pocketbook and watch about you - A. In Fish-street; when I had left Mr. Mountain's, then I had them safe. When I got up, Jonas was with me, and he only. The watchman came up just at that moment, and I told him, I was robbed of my pocket-book and watch. Jonas was present when I told the watchman this. He said, you don't think I have robbed you, do you, if you do, I will go with you to the watchhouse. We then proceeded down the hill altogether; when we got near to the bottom, Jonas asked the watchman how far it was to the watchhouse. The watchman told him it was close at hand, when he immediately ran off, and the watchman after him; he See originalClick to see original got clear off. I went down to the watchhouse. I saw them again in about a fortnight after; not before; I can't exactly say. I had given a description of them. I knew the notes, and the numbers of them; I went to the Bank of England the next morning; eleven of them came into the Bank of England, but they have all fictitious addresses on them; I had nineteen five-pound bank notes, and eleven of them have been stopped. WILLIAM MOUNTAIN . I keep the White Horse Inn, in Friday-street. On the night of the 7th of May, the last witness came into my shop, at about a quarter before twelve; the two prisoners came in with him; they had each a glass of rum, and he had a glass of brandy, to which I put some water; they were in company at my house together, and stood together; they stood about ten minutes together; they went out together; I am positive the prisoners are the men. JOHN OFFORD . I am a waiter at the White Horse. I remember the prosecutor coming into our house on the 12th of May; Mr. Shaw came in, and the two prisoners came in with him; I think the prisoners are the men. THOMAS BUTLER . I was a watchman on Lambeth-hill. On the 7th of May, I heard a scuffle and noise between twelve and one; I made up to the spot as quick as I could; when I got there, I found a little man, but can't swear to the prisoner Jonas. I found Mr. Shaw and that little man arm in arm; Mr. Shaw stood a little, and then said, he was robbed of his pocket-book; then he said, he was robbed of his watch. The little man said, if he thought he had robbed him, he would go with him to the watch-house, and he searched. I laid hold of the gentleman one side, and he on the other; we were alls going to the watchhouse together, and when we got a little distance from the watchhouse, the little man asked me how far it was off, and I told him not far, and he immediately loosed the gentleman, and ran away from him, and I after him, crying stop thief; but he got clear away, and was not stopped. JOHN BROWN . I am an officer. I received information of this robbery from Richard Shaw; I think that was about Friday, the 10th; I received a description of the prisoners two or three days after the robbery, from Mr. Mountain; I did not know Mr. Shaw. In consequence of that description, I desired the two prisoners, whom I knew, to meet me at the Mansion House coffee-house; they met me there on the 21st. I did not tell Mr. Shaw that they were in the room; but I immediately went to Mr. Mountain, and requested him and his waiter would step down, and go into the parlour, and see if there was any body there they knew; the waiter came first, and I sent him into the room, and he came out into passage, and said he believed the little one to be one. I then desired him to go back and fetch his master. Mr. Mountain then came, and pointed out the little one. I then went up to the Mansion House; but found the Lord Mayor was gone. I locked them up in the Compter for that night; the next morning I brought them before the Lord Mayor. I suppose there were at least seven or eight persons in the room where the prisoners were, when Mr. Shaw went in; it is a back room; I had seen the two men at the bar the day before. Jonas's Defence. On Saturday I was told that Simon Solomons and I were to come up to the Mansion House, for there was something against us, and we went twice, and could not see Mr. Brown; Tony Harrison told us he was gone round by St. Martin's le-grand, and we went after him; but could not find him; and on the Monday evening I saw Mr. Brown at the Red Lion, and he said, Jonas, you are wanting, and you must come up to me at the Mansion House public-house, and if the people don't say it is you, you shall go; and I went where he told me, and I was taken into custody, and locked up, and I know nothing at all of the robbery. Solomons's Defence. I saw Tony Harrison, and he told me we were wanted, and I went with Isaac Jonas in search of Mr. Brown, and could not find him. At last we saw him on the Monday, and he told us to come up the next morning, and on the Tuesday morning we went to the Mansion House public-house, and asked for Mr. Brown; Mr. Matthews here knows that. JONAS, GUILTY - DEATH , aged 16. SOLOMONS, GUILTY - DEATH , aged 17. London Jury, before Mr. Recorder. Australian Convict Transportation Registers – Other Fleets & Ships, 1791-1868 1810-1817 Known as Simon Solomon and record is next to co-conspirator Isaac Jonas