John Whitford

Level 116

Tony Beale on 25th April 2021

Old Bailey Online (dob from here) 10. CHARLES GOGERLY , WILLIAM GOGER-LY , and JOHN WHITFORD were indicted for stealing, at the parish of St. Martin in the Fields, on the 20th of November , two handkerchiefs, value 7s. 6d., the goods of Thomas Boswell , privately in his shop . JOSEPH HAMMON . I am servant to Mr. Thomas Bos well, who lives in the Strand . On the 20th of November, the prisoners, William Gogerly and John Whitford came into the shop together, about nine o'clock in the morning; they asked to look at some cheap silk handkerchiefs; I reached a bundle out of the window- William Gogerly said they were not large enough, I reached some larger out - He took off his handkerchief to measure against them, they were the same size; he said they were not large enough, and asked for some of a figured pattern-both of them went out to point out some in the window, but they did not return. I missed one handkerchief, told Mr. Boswell immediately followed them, and came up with them - I found them talking to Charles Gogerly - They parted. I overtook Charles Gogerly, and saw him take two handkerchiefs from his hat. He tried to throw them down an area-this was before I took him; I picked them up, and secured him; I found our shop-mark on them, and gave him in charge to the officer; they are worth 7s. 6d., the selling price is 10s.; they were two of those I had shown to William Gogerly in the first parcel. Cross-examined by MR. ANDREWS. There were no other persons in the shop-Gogerly dealt for them. I watched Whitford as he went out; he saw me, and did not attempt to run away. Cross-examined by MR. ADOLPHUS. Charles Gogerly was not in the shop, he was in Bedford-street, which is about twenty yards from the shop. THOMAS BOSWELL. I keep the shop and rent the house. On the 20th of November William Gogerly and Whitford came in. I went forward; Whitford said there were some patterns in the window, which he would go and shew me. He went out, Gogerly followed, but neither returned. My shopman immediately missed an handkerchief; we followed them, and found them standing at the corner of Bedford-street, which is about twenty yards off; I secured Whitford, who was in Bedford-street with Wil liam Gogerly -my shopman had passed them to pursue Charles Gogerly . Whitford said he had done nothing, and would go with me - I took him to the shop and sent for an officer. While my young man was gone, I saw William Gogerly at the door, looking in at the two prisoners - He ran away when he saw me; I pursued, and secured him about twenty yards off; he ran away when he saw me. They were searched, and not a farthing was found on either of them. (Property produced and sworn to.) CHARLES GOGERLY 'S Defence. My brother asked me to go with him to buy the handkerchiefs. We met Whitford, who went into the shop, and came out and told me to put the handkerchiefs in my pocket, which I did. WILLIAM GOGERLY and WHITFORD made no defence. C. COGERLY - GUILTY . Aged 18. Judgment Respited . W. GOGERLY - GUILTY . - DEATH . Aged 17. WHITFORD - GUILTY . - DEATH . Aged 18. Recommended to Mercy. First Middlesex Jury, before Mr. Justice Bayley.