Charles Webb

341

Maureen Withey on 29th October 2025

UNION HALL—DARING ROBBERY, AND STOLEN GOODS DISCOVERED.—Yesterday, Henry Reading, and Charles Webb, two juvenile thieves, were brought to the office and examined before L. B. ALLEN, Esq. charged with  having stolen a cake of wax and other articles, from the shop of Mr. Watson, Grocer, No. 2, North-place, Lambeth.  Mr. Smith, of No. 22, Princes-place, Kennington, said, that he was passing Mr. Watson's  shop on Wednesday evening last about six o'clock, when he observed a boy standing at the door, and he heard him say to another who went in “Make haste”; this attracted the attention of the witness,  who soon observed the boy who went into the shop, come out again with a cake of wax, which he attempted to run away with, but was secured by the witness, and proved to be the prisoner Reading, who was given  into custody of Smith and Edge, two constables of Lambeth. The other boy, Webb, escaped them, but was apprehended on Thursday by Smith, and taken to the watch-house, where he confessed to Smith that he was the pall of Reading; that they lodged at a fence house, and that he had received regulars out of all the property they had stolen. In consequence of this information, a warrant was issued to Smith for the purpose of searching the house where the prisoners had lodged, and where a great quantity of property, supposed to be stolen, was found, consisting of hams, bacon, cheese, three great coats, a number of fine linen shirts and cambric neckcloths, &c.; the linen bears various marks. The owner of the house, and another suspicious person found upon the premises, were apprehended and remanded for examination.—Reading and Webb were fully committed for trial. English Chronicle, 13 Nov 1819. Both were later sentenced to transportation. Henry Reading was transported on the Claudine to VDL in 1821, when he was aged 15.

338

Penny-Lyn Beale on 2nd January 2022

1820 - New South Wales, Australia, Convict Indents. Age; 17 years. [1802] Native Place; London Trade or calling; Chimney Sweep Height; 4 ft 7 in Trial; Surry - 6 Dec 1819 Hair - Dark Brown. Eyes - Hazel. Complexion - Dark Ruddy. Remarks; 1402 1826 - Certificate of Freedom. Date; 14 December 1826 Age; 24. Year of Birth; 1802. Height; 5 ft 2 inches Noted across the Ticket. CLEARED OUT in the Ship; Boyne and was transported gain in the Ship; Albion as Wm. Johnson. 1828 - New South Wales, Australia, Convict Indents. Indent No; 131 Name; William Johnson alias Charles Webb ** 2 by same name on board ** Age; 26 years. Read & write. Married Native Place; Trade or calling; Brickfield Labourer Offence; Robbing Person & Picking Pockets Trial; 22 Feb 1828 - 7 years. 2 previous convictions Height; 5 ft 1 3/4 in Hair - Brown. Eyes - Brown. Complexion - Ruddy Remarks; WIFE; here as Ann Webb, Native of Gloucester out about 11 years ago. Came here Neptune. Went home in the Boyne 1835 - Certificate of Freedom. C35/503. Date; 2 May 1835. Age; 33 years ** Indents; Date of conviction; 22 Feb 1828 - Australian Convict Transportation Registers; Convicted Date; Middlesex - Westminster Q S - 2 April 1828 - 7 years **