Caroline Thomas

116

Tony Beale on 9th October 2021

Old Bailey Online 2160. CAROLINE THOMAS and JOHN KIRBY were indicted for stealing, on the 27th of September , 1 watch, value 4l.: 1 hat, value 5s.; 1 waistcoat, value 2s.; 1 watch-ribbon, value 2d.; 1 watch-key, value 6d.; 1 sovereign, 1 half-crown, and 1 sixpence, the property of Thomas Allan , from his person . THOMAS ALLAN. I am a painter . About twelve o'clock at night on the 27th of September, I was going home, and met the female prisoner in Gray's Inn-lane ; I went to her lodging, and slept there all night - in the morning I missed my hat, waistcoat, watch, and money: they were safe in the room the night before, and no other person had been there - I was sober; I know nothing of the man - I do not know that I ever saw him in my life; I dressed myself, went into Gray's Inn-lane, and told the patrol; we afterwards saw the woman going into the house - she was taken and searched, but nothing was found on her. ELIZABETH BURN . I keep the house. The prisoner Thomas lodged with me, but I never knew her to bring men there; Kirby lodged in the house that night, and as he went out in the morning I saw him stoop, as if to pick up something. WILLIAM ALDER . I am a watchman. The prosecutor gave me charge of Thomas; she was very drunk, and in about an hour afterwards, I saw Kirby with a small hat on his head, which answered the description given by the prosecutor - I took him to the watch-house; he said he had found it, and did not know the party; I said the hat answered the description given by the prosecutor, of a bow tied in a buckle; he said it was his own, and he knew nothing of the woman. JOHN COOPER . I am a patrol, and assisted in taking Kirby; I told him a hat was lost, and this answered the description - he said it was his own, and he had bought it - I asked where, but he would not tell me; he told the Magistrate he had picked it up - Thomas said she never saw Kirby, but he lodged in the room over her: this other hat and handkerchief in it, was found in Thomas' room; both the prisoners were drunk, but not the prosecutor. THOMAS' Defence. I understand that Allan has received 3l. from the young man's brother, in payment for the watch; I never saw him in my life. KIRBY's Defence. I know nothing of it; I lodged in the house - I came down that morning, and asked for a light: I stooped and picked up this hat in the passage. THOMAS - GUILTY. Aged 32. Of stealing only . - Transported for Seven Years . KIRBY - NOT GUILTY .

116

Tony Beale on 9th October 2021

New South Wales, Australia, Certificates of Freedom, 1810-1814, 1827-1867 (NRS 12210) Butts of Certificates of Freedom 30/8/1836. No 36/836. Tried 23/10/1828. 5' 1" ruddy freckled complexion dark brown hazel eyes NSW BDMs Marriages 1206/1835 V18351206 19 MYERS JACOB THOMAS CAROLINE CF (St Lukes Liverpool. C. of E) New South Wales, Australia, Registers of Convicts' Applications to Marry, 1826-1851 Granted 27/12/1834 Caroline Thomas 39 Bond (7yrs) per ship Princess Royal to marry Jacob Meyers 25 Bond (life) per ship Marquis of Huntly. Rev R Cartwright Liverpool

She came with her 9 year-old daughter Jane Thomas. Also cited in Babette Smith's 'A Cargo of Women', a story following the lives of the women of the Princess Royal.