Thomas Weller

341

Maureen Withey on 7th March 2026

Extensive Robbery. UNION-HALL.--In consequence of an application having been made to the Magistrates of this Office, by the firm of Burnett and Co., distillers, Vauxhall, on Saturday last, Mr. Hall, the chief constable; and Richard Pople, were dispatched  to search the servants of that establishment, if necessary. Mr Burnett stated, that they had reason to believe that a great quantity of raw spirits was at different times stolen from their premises, and it was his wish that no person should be charged with it but the guilty. The result was, that Thomas Weller was placed at the bar to answer the following charge. He h a d filled the situation of distiller, his business was previous to leaving work every evening to inspect all the cocks on the premises. In the execution of this duty he contrived to carry on a most extensive system of robbery. The evidence of Hall and Pople was in substance as follows.  On Saturday evening, about seven o'clock, Hall took his station a short distance from the distillery gate, and minutely observed every one that came out. From the bulky appearance Of the prisoner, he took. him into custody, searched him in the porter's loci, while Pople searched his residence in Vauxhall-terrace. On his person were found two bladders, containing about three gallons of raw spirits, 55 degrees above proof; and at his house was found a great quantity of casks, jars, &c., some of them were full, and an Immense number of bladders. The prisoner's stock was sufficient to load a large cart; he seemed fully aware of his situation, offered nothing in his defence, was fully committed for trial, and the parties bound over to prosecute. Representative 1826, 28 Feb 1826. Surrey Sessions Yesterday, the Adjourned Quarter Sessions for the County of Surrey was held at the Sessions-House, Horsemonger-lane, before the Chairman (J. Scriven, Esq.), and full Bench of Magistrates. Thomas Weller was indicted for stealing a quantity of rectified spirits from the premises of Messrs. Burnett and Co. distillers, of Vauxhall.  Hr. C. F. Burnett, one of the partners in the distillery, ...; sworn, proved, that the prisoner had been upwards of five years in their employment, as rectifier. Very great Confidence was remised in him, particularly on account of the length of time he had been in their service. Lately, however, quantities of spirits were  missing from part of the concern, over which the prisoner had control, and from which it would have been impossible to take liquor without his connivance. Consequently he was suspected, and information given at Union-Hall, when the chief constable of that office preceded to the premises, on the 10th of last month, and, in the evening, on examining the prisoner’s person, he discovered two large bladders of full proof spirits. One the bladders was concealed in his trowsers, and the other in the crown of his hat. Having taken him into custody, the officers proceeded to his residence, a short distance from the distillery, where, in a cellar that seemed to have been excavated by the prisoner himself, several casks containing spirits were found, besides numerous pans and bladders, which were adapted  for conveying the spirits away. At the conclusion of Mr. Barnett’s evidence, one of the Magistrates on the Bench inquired what wages the prisoner received while in the service of the prosecutors Mr. Burnett replied, that he had 25s. a week, besides some .. perquisites attached to his situation. The prisoner, on being called on for his defence, declared  that the spirits found in his possession had not been taken out of the distillery. the Jury, without the slightest hesitation  returned a verdict of Guilty—and the Chairman remarked, that the Case was from the fact of the high wages was receiving from those whom he was robbing. And it was necessary for the ends of justice to make an example, order to deter servants from robbing their masters, the Court now felt it duty to pass the severest sentence, which was, that the prisoner be transported for the term of 14 years. Morning Advertiser, 2 March 1826. ------------------------------------------------------- National Archives. Hulk Records. Dolphin Hulk, Chatham. HO-9-1-3 page 12/44. Received from Horsemonger Lane Gaol, 11 March 1826. Thos. Weller, age 30, Stg spirits, Tried Newington Q.S. 1 Mar 1826, 14 years. To NSW 17 Sept 1826.