Robert Freeman Thompson

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Penny-Lyn Beale on 21st April 2021

Old Bailey Proceedings Online Born; 1760. Tried; 9 Sept 1818. Age; 58 ROBERT FREEMAN THOMPSON, Theft > animal theft, 9th September 1818. 1082. ROBERT FREEMAN THOMPSON was indicted for stealing, on the 3d of August , at St. Pancras, one bridle, value 2s., and one mare, price 15l. , the property of James Wilson and John Wilson . JOHN WILSON . I am a farmer , and live at Deaton Hall, in the parish of Deaton, near York , and am in partnership with my brother James. On Monday night, the 3d of August, I lost a bay mare out of the paddock before the hall; I saw her that evening at seven o'clock, and the next morning I missed her. On the 22d I received a letter, giving me information where she was; I came to town on the 24th, and saw her in Hart-street, Covent-garden, in possession of Mr. James Dean , a livery-stable keeper, and knew her to be ours. We had had her two years and a half; she had always been in the family, my father bred her. She is eight years old. I have recovered her. GEORGE CHAPPELL . I am servant to Mr. Edwards, who keeps the Basing House, in Kingsland-road. On Friday the 7th of August, the prisoner came into the stable with a bay mare; he said he had come up with some cows and calves, for Mr. Laycock, of Islington. He said he came to put the horse up there. After he had been there a little time, he said he wanted to part with her, and authorized me to take her to Dixon's Repository, in Barbican, to be sold by auction. I took her there, but could not sell her; I brought her away, and took her to Smithfield the same day; I could not sell her there, and took her back to the stables. The prisoner came next morning, and asked me if I had sold her? I told him I had not. He told me to take something less, and make the best I could of her. He did not come again until the Wednesday following. I bought the mare of him myself for six guineas, I paid him the money, and my master wrote his name and address down for me. He said he came from Deaton Hall, near York, from his brother's - He went away. I sold her the next morning to George Walker , for eight guineas and a half. JOHN WILSON re-examined. The prisoner did not live near me. In March, 1817, I saw him there, not since. He was born about four miles from York. JOHN JAMES SMITH . I am a Bow-street officer. On the 14th of August I apprehended the prisoner in consequence of a letter which was brought to me. I took him in York-street, Pentonville; I told him I took him for stealing Mr. Wilson's mare, of Deaton Hall - He denied it. I told him he must go to the office with me; he then said he would show me where the mare was; he said he had sold her to the hostler at the Basing House, Kingsland-road - I went there, leaving him in custody. I found she was sold to Walker, Baker's-row, Clerkenwell. I went there, the mare was out, it was afterwards brought to the office; I put it up at Dean's livery stables-the prosecutor claimed it, and took it back. The hostler gave me the bridle, which, he said, the prisoner delivered to him with the horse. (Bridle sworn to.) Prisoner's Defence. I met a man coming to town, riding the mare, and bought her of him, at Doncaster, for 10l. GUILTY . - DEATH . Recommended to Mercy. Second Middlesex Jury, before Mr. Baron Graham .

338

Penny-Lyn Beale on 21st April 2021

New South Wales, Australia, Settler and Convict Lists, New South Wales. 1820 Trial; London. Sept 1818. Noted against name; DIED; In G. G. 14 Feb 1820. Dead