John Thompson

342

Maureen Withey on 23rd April 2026

Hulk Records. HO-9-7_2 (page 41/48) Retribution Hulk at Sheerness. Received from Lancaster, 12 May 1826. Jno. Thompson, alias Williams, age 21, Burglary. Tried at Middx, 16 Feby 1826, Life, To NSW 31 July 1826.

342

Maureen Withey on 17th April 2026

Tried at the Old Bailey, 16 Feb 1826. 470. JOHN THOMPSON, alias WILLIAMS , was indicted for burglariously breaking and entering the dwelling-house of Thomas Curry , about nine o'clock in the night of the 16th of January , at St. Matthew, Bethnalgreen, with intent to steal, and stealing therein 3 pillows, value 5s.; 2 blankets, value 5s.; 1 counterpane, value 2s., and 1 sheet, value 1s. , his property. THOMAS CURRY. I am a broad silk weaver , and live in St. John-street, Brick-lane, in the parish of St. Matthew, Bethnal-green - the first and second floor are occupied by me; the other part of the house is empty. I rent half the house of the landlord, who does not live in it. - The room which was broken open is on the first floor - in which I heard a noise about half-past eight o'clock on the night of the 18th of January, - it was something like a chair falling in the room under me, as I was in the second floor. I took the light in my hand, and went down; I found the prisoner standing at the door of the first floor room, which was broken open; it was the door of the room where the noise came from; I asked what he wanted - he seemed flurried, and said, "Does Mr. Thompson live here?" seeing the door open I immediately collared him, and said, "I'll Thompson you." He then struck me a violent blow on the left eye, which was black for a fortnight; I struck him again, and we had a hard fight together on the stairs, from the landing to the bottom - when we got to the bottom some one opened the outer door - I did not see the man who opened it, for he escaped. I kept hold of the prisoner, got into the street, and called out Murder! when several people came to my assistance, and took him to the watch-house. I then went back with the officers to examine the premises, having left the street door on the latch. The prisoner must have entered through the front door. About half an hour before I heard the noise I went down to see if the children were asleep, and I put out the light and went up in the second floor again to work, leaving the two children fast asleep. I knew the street door was on the latch. I found the bed clothes and pillow had been removed from the bed, but I missed nothing from the place; the bed clothes were drawn aside, and part lay on the floor, and part remained on the bed. The counterpane and all together had been partly pulled off; the children were in another bed in the same room; I cannot exactly swear whether the pillow was on the floor or not. The prisoner had no right to be in my house. EDWARD JONES . I heard the cry of Murder! about half-past eight o'clock, near the Fighting Cocks public-house, in St. John-street, and about one hundred yards from Curry's house; I saw the prosecutor laying on his back, and the prisoner punching him as hard as he could. I immediately took hold of him, and threw him on his back. THOMAS REID . I am an officer. I was sent for, and took the prisoner to the watch-house - I was the officer of the night - I also conveyed him from one watch-house to another. I went to inspect the premises, when I found the lock of the room had been forced from its place, and part of the bed clothes were withdrawn from the bed; there was a hat found on the premises, and when I went the next morning I asked the prisoner whether it was his - he said, "Yes, that's mine" - he had no hat on when taken. ROBERT FOWLS. I am a special constable. I was sent for by Reid, to assist in removing the prisoner from the town watch-house to the green watch-house; after I had put him into the latter I went with Curry to examine the premises; upon examination I found the catch of the door had been forced - a small knife might have done it, it was so weak. I have had the hat in my possession ever since it was found. GEORGE NORMAN . I am a bricklayer. I heard the cry of Murder! and ran as fast as I could. When I got in the street I saw the prisoner on his back - I assisted in taking him to the watch-house; I went down to Curry's house, and got in at the back door; I saw a hat laying on the stairs, which I picked up. When I got up stairs I saw the bed clothes in the state described by the other witnesses. ROBERT FOWLS re-examined. I cannot say whether I received the hat from this person, but I had it from some one in the house. Prisoner. Q. When you went up stairs did you see the bed clothes lay on the floor? A. Partly so, and the pillow had been removed from the top of the bed to the bottom. Prisoner. I have nothing to say in my defence, nor have I any friends. GUILTY - DEATH . Aged 21. -------------------------------------------- National Archives. Criminal Petitions. HO 17/72/106. Date: Mar 6 1826. Prisoner name: John Thompson alias John Williams. Prisoner age: 21. Prisoner occupation: Labourer. Court and date of trial: Old Bailey February Sessions, 1826. Crime: Burglary in house of Thomas Curry in St John Street, Bethnal Green. Initial sentence: Death. Annotated (Outcome): Considered at Report in Council, 3 May 1826. Petitioner(s): The prisoner, undersigned by Thomas Curry, the prosecutor, John Roger of Pearl Street, the prisoner's landlord, and George English. Grounds for clemency (Petition Details): Youth; respectable connections; poverty; prosecutor recommends mercy. Additional Information: Prisoner held in Newgate gaol.