Mary Ward

Level 346

Maureen Withey on 18th September 2024

Colonial Secretary Index. WARD, Mary. Per "Glatton", 1803 1812 Jan 15 Sent to Newcastle as prisoner per "Lady Nelson" (Reel 6003; 4/3492 p.89) 15 Jan 1812, List of prisoners sent to Newcastle per Lady Nelson. Mary Ward, per Glatton, free, Tried by Bench of Magistrates, 1 year sentence.

Level 135

C H on 10th March 2024

Old Bailey Online MARY WARD. MARY MOORE. Violent Theft; highway robbery. 17th February 1802 Text type Trial account Defendants MARY WARD, MARY MOORE Offences Violent Theft > Highway robbery Session Date 17th February 1802 Reference Number t18020217-57 Verdicts Guilty > Lesser offence Punishments Transportation 230. MARY WARD and MARY MOORE were indicted for feloniously making an assault, on the King's highway, on the 15th of February , upon Robert Staggels , putting him in fear, and taking from his person a purse, value 1d. a seven-shilling-piece, a piece of foreign silver coin, value 2s. 3d. and a sixpence , the property of the said Robert ROBERT STAGGELS sworn. - I am a postchaise driver , and a married man : On the 15th of February, I was sober, and going along Newgate-street , about a quarter before eleven at night, with a bundle under my arm, the two prisoners took hold of me, and wanted me to go with them; I am sure they are the women; I found Mary Ward endeavouring to take my purse out of my right-hand breeches-pocket, and I said, don't go to do me in this kind of way; then Moore kept hold of me, and Ward went into Horseshoe-passage; I felt the purse go out of my pocket; I went into the passage and halloaed after her, upon which a gentleman came out with a candle, and then the purse was dropped; it contained a seven-shilling-piece, a French half-crown, and a sixpence, all of which I had seen in the Borough not long before. Cross-examined by Mr. Knapp. Q. You are sure you felt the purse go from you? - A. Yes, I had no power to help myself. Q. You had not been drinking? - A. I had had a little beer; I had been at home all day, except going to the Borough to pay my club, and returned to the Old-Jewry, where I had a little beer, and something to eat, but nothing else. Q. Had you any conversation with these women? - A. No, I had never seen them before to my knowledge. Q. It was dark, was it not? - A. It was moonlight. Q. Do you mean to swear that? - A. I will not swear it. Q. If it had been moon-light, you were so sober you must have observed it? - A. I did not mind about the moon. Q. I think it must be pretty dark? - A. Neither light nor dark. Q. Do you know that you have indicted these women for a highway-robbery? - A. Yes. Q. How long have you been a post-boy? - A. Eight or nine years. Q. Have you not heard of forty pounds reward upon each, if you convict them? - A. I did not think any thing about that; I have heard of it, but did not think about it. Q. You say, you lost a seven-shilling-piece, a French half-crown, a sixpence, and your purse? - A. Yes. Q. Do you mean to swear you lost it? - A. I have not got it. Q. Don't you know it is to be produced? - A. Yes. Court. Q. Ward run up the court, was she stopped at the time? - A. Yes; the watchman met her. Q. Where was the other woman? - A. She kept hold of me. JOHN PLUSH sworn. - I keep an oyster warehouse in Horsethoe-passage, Newgate-street; I heard the prosecutor hallon out, and say, she was robbed of his purse; I took a candle and run out; then I saw the two women and he together; I called the watchman down, and told him to take hold of one, and I would lay hold of the other; I went to take hold of Ward's hand, and the purse fell out of her right-hand; I picked it up, and they were taken to the watch-house; the prosecutor said, there was a seven-shilling-piece, a French half-crown, and sixpence in it, which I found when I opened it. Cross-examined by Mr. Knapp. Q. These were women of the town? - A. Certainly. Q. What had passed between them and that man, you don't know? - A. No. Q. Or whether any money had been given to them? - A. No. Q. Was the prisoner agitated when you first saw him? - A. Yes, he seemed to be so. Q. Did he appear to be in liquor? - A. No, but in a slurry. HENRY BERRY sworn. - I am a watchman; last Monday night, about a quarter before eleven, I went down Horseshoe-passage, and found the prosecutor, the two prisoners, and Mr. Plush together; he said, there is the watchman, and bid me take them to the watch-house, and be careful they did not drop any thing; I took Moore, who went very quietly; he was going to take Ward, and I saw, at her feet, the prosecutor's purse. JAMES PEDDER sworn. - I am a constable; the charge was brought against these two girls for picking a pocket of a seven-shilling-piece, a French half-crown, and a sixpence; Plush gave me the purse. (Produces it.) Cross-examined by Mr. Knapp. Q. The charge was made forpicking a pocket? - A. It was against his inclination. Q. That he said, did he? - A. He told me so. Q. Did you not say it was for picking his pocket? - A. I did say so. Court. Q. (To Staggels.) Has your money got any mark on it? - A. The half-crown has a notch on it, and I am sure this is my book. Ward's defence. I leave my case to my Counsel. Moore's defence. I know nothing about it, I am innocent. Mary Ward , GUILTY, aged 25. Mary Moore , GUILTY, aged 35. Guilty of stealing, but not violently . Transported for seven years .