Robert Way

Level 346

Maureen Withey on 27th February 2024

lllegal Coining at Somerton.— Robert Waif was charged with issuing a counterfeit half-crown, &c. at Somerton. The prisoner, it appeared, had k-ipt an Inn at Yeovil, and afterwards the Bear Inn at Somerton. Charles Caines—Am a labourer, living at Yeovil knew Thomas Holt, the constable; also Lucy Paull. December the prisoner lived at Somerton, , landlord of the Bear Inn. Dec. went to the Bear Inn Somerton, prisoner asked where was going. I said Bristol, to see about some shuffle; prisoner said he would make me plenty. Shuffle means base coin. Prisoner said would make plenty 5s. per lb. would show me the way for a sovereign. He said, Sam, go in and have some dinner, and after that I will make your mould. After dinner he desired his family leave the room except the servant girl, me and the prisoner. asked who had it in Bristol, I said Smiler Poole; did not know any such person. Prisoner then said, he only did that to me. Way then said, if l had some mettle he would make me some coin before I left, and desired to buy some at Mr. Hanbain's, Yeovil, and bring it to him - the old mettle of teapots, teaspoons, &c. paid for what I had in Way's house. Went back ... .... Prisoner desired me get a horse and ride back to Yeovil for mould let have. Told him I had met with misfortune, that my hat had fallen off, and had broken the mould, and that I threw it into Itchester river. Prisoner then inched the metal brought, and he had no plaster of Paris than, he said he would get some I came on the 23th, and make a mould. I returned to Yeovil and mentioned to Thomas Holt what had happened ; my father went to Somerton with me to Way's house, and remained there from Tuesday to Monday following. A mould was made the Wednesday. Way ; I saw it made; it was to cast half crowns. The servant girl came in while the mould was making. Prisoner took good half-crown from his pocket, laid it on a glass something like looking glass had a piece of paste board and put round the half-crown, and poured out some plaster of Paris the top it. A nail was put in over the lock the door Prisoner, there was latch. Wednesday, fire was made stairs, and prisoner fastened the door as did down in the parlour. Friday evening the coin was made up stairs in the room the mould was placed in. The prisoner, my father, and Mrs. Way, were present. Mrs Way melted the metal, prisoner held the mould, while his wife poured the metal in ; after several were cast she trimmed them. The wife helped to make 12 or 13. She did not please the prisoner in her way of doing it, and desired her to go down and send up the servant maid; she did so. 'The servant then melted the metal and poured it into the mould, Mrs. Way had done before, and also trimmed them after the halfcrowns were cast; were now made altogether; the prisoner counted only, because my father had before taken up one and put it into his pocket: prisoner then took the mould down into the bar, and placed it under the beer engine. The money that was cast, prisoner took into the bar, and put it into the drawer. Saw Holt on the Monday following at the Red Lion, Fletcher Rosekclley was with him. Both halves of the mould were made. The prisoner, to throw suspicion on the testimony of the witness, a boy, about 15 years of age, charged him (witness) with not only not being labourer, but associate gypsies; and that he had also been guilty of a gross attack upon a attack upon a young woman the highway, for which was fined one sovereign. In reply to the charge of having stolen from her umbrella also, the witness said he only borrowed it of her, and intended to return it when he should be at church the following Sunday. [ This apology produced considerable laughter in the Court.] The evidence of—Cains, sen., father of the former witness, tended to support the evidence of the son and he also produced half crown, one of the counterfeited pieces. Thomas Holt—ls a constable; upon information given, I proceeded to Somerton, and, under the authority of warrant, searched Way's house, and gave him into custody. went the dresser and found in the drawers, seven half-crowns. (Produced in court.) On searching further, found something resembling lime, in the cellar part. Way was left in the custody of Roskelley, while he (witness) went up stairs to search further, but the prisoner escaped. found more counterfeit half crowns in the head of the bed. (these also were produced in court.) Observed on the floor of the room up stairs marks as plaster of Paris, or chalk, and also picked a piece metal. again saw Way on the 5th of January, at Sherborne, at his brother-in-law's. Henry Fletch—Went with Holt to Somerton, and received the prisoner in charge; kept him for about an hour, and was then relieved by Roskelley. (witness) then searched the bed-room also, and four half crowns. (Produced.) found them in the tester of the bed in the back room. Was also present the second search with Holt; heard a noise below stairs, and, on going down, found the prisoner had escaped. Found four more half crowns at the head the bed in which Holt found his. Thomas Roskelley—Also found some counterfeit halfcrowns, which were produced. Way, while in his custody, said he must have a clean collar, for he wanted to go to Yeovil. 'The wife of the prisoner went to fetch a collar; prisoner followed her, ultimately made his escape. Ann Dunkerton—Lived servant with prisoner and his wife at Somerton. Was custody of the gaoler, not to answer the present charge, but as witness in the case. [On enquiry by the Judge, the girl admitted she was in custody on the subject some stolen goods, and that she was committed on the charge. Remember Charles coming to Somerton the first occasion. His father and he came often. Saw them with master in the front room making a mould mixed something after, but don't know 'twas on the same day. Saw the mould after 'twas made, at the fire to dry. Did not see who made the mould, but saw Mr. Way mixing the stuff for the mould. The next day they were in a spare room, where there was bed. I was ordered by mistress to up into the room to help ; I did go; found the two Caineses and master there; melted the mettle for them, and poured it into the mould which my master held; let it stay for minute or so, and then took out the half crown. The Assistant-Solicitor to the Mint, and inspector counterfeit coin, was here called to examine the halfcrowns produced. They were (he said) counterfeits, cast from the pattern of a good half crown, such a mould as he had heard described by the witnesses. Verdict— Guilty. Transportation for life. Sherborne Mercury, 11 April 1836. ------------------------------------------------------------- The following sixteen convicts were removed Thursday last to the Leviathan Hulk, Portsmouth, and ? Hulk, Gosport, prior to their transportation to New South Wales, viz. … Also the following sixteen to the same Hulks, on Tuesday, the 3rd instant, Robert Way, John Venn, Collings, John Charles alias Winter, John Calway, Edward Nurden, John Haynes, Cable Bartlett, Philip Billets, James Humphries, James Podger, James Clement, Wm Cook, John Wyatt. Taunton Courier, 11 May 1836. --------------------------------------------------------------- Hulk Records. HO-9-9_6 page 53. (York, Laurel and Hardy Hulks) Ilchester, 4 May 1836. Robt. Way, age 31, Counterfeiting half crowns, tried Taunton, 2 April 1836, Life. VDL 27 July 1836