Ephraim Whiting

Level 41

Roger Churm on 13th May 2019

Old Bailey Proceedings June 1829 James McDougall,Ephraim Whiting,Theft,pocketpicking,11th June 1829 1062.James McDougall and Ephraim Whiting were indicted for stealing,on the 28th of April,1 watch,value 21.;1 seal,value 1d;1 key,value 1d;1 watch guard,value 1s;15 shillings and sixpence,the property of Thomas Faulkes,from his person. Thomas Faulkes.I am a cordwainer and a watchman- the prisoners are privates in the 3rd Foot Guards.I have seen McDougall about Christmas last,when,he came upon my beat drunk and disorderly.On a 28th of April I went into the Star and Crown public-house at Westminster,about half past ten o'clock-the prisoners were there murmuring one with another;McDougall said they should be too late for duty-I immediately said"Don't let that get your into trouble,the first coach that comes by the door press it and I will pay for it,"a coach came up,and we all got into it-I did it with a view of taking them to the barracks,and preventing them from getting into trouble;McDougall ordered the coach to stop at the Queens Head public-house,where we all got out-they said they would not go into the barracks without a pot of beer;we had a pot of beer and a glass if gin and water-I had payed for the coach;I then laid down a half a crown to pay the waiter;McDougall took up the half crown ,and went to the waiter-I did not think he meant regards to take it away,and called out "Come my man bring the half crown back" he made no answer-Whiting said"Your half crown is all right"I was very heavy and sleepy,and sat back on the settle and fell asleep -I had five half crowns,a shilling,and a sixpence in my pocket;I had a watch,seal and key a guard to it,and a guilt brooch in my pocket -when I awoke the landlord said"What has become of your watch?"I was quite sober,but U had been up the whole night at work at Shoemaking -I am sure the money was in my trousers pocket,the watch in my fob and the guard round my neck;I went to the barracks,and told the serjeant;I saw McDougall in the ranks,and accused him of having my property-this was two or three hours after I lost it Joseph Guilty,I am a serjeant in the 3rd Regiment of Foot Guards,the witness came to me about five o'clock in the evening and stated that he has today-he appeared to me as if he had been drinking,but from what I had seen of him I believe it to be of his manner;he pointed McDougall out in the ranks,and said he had robbed him of half a croy,which he could swear to-the serjeant ordered him into the guard room,and I found upon him 2s3 1/2d;I asked him who had been in company with him-he said Whiting ;about ten o'clock at night Whiting returned to the guard room -I found on him four or five penny pieces,and two or three small pieces of glass which appeared to be the glass of a watch;I said"What have you done with the watch" he said I have no watch-the next morning he was taken before Captain Phipps,and said "I know where the watch is,but I have not got it"-the adjutant said he would send a non-commissioned officer to get it,but he would send for it himself;I said about in the evening,"If you have the watch why not give it up" he then gave it to me,and said"Here it is,I have had it some time" James Selby.I am an officer,and have the watch. Whitings Defence.When we got into the coach he pulled his watch out,gave it into my hand and said "I have not money enough to keep up the spree,we will pawn this watch"-he said so a dozen times,but I would not have it;a soldier,named Barnett,gave it to me at six o'clock in the evening. Thomas Faulkes.There is no truth in this-the waiter saw it safe in my pocket;this is my watch. WHITING-GUILTY.Aged 25 Transported for fourteen years. McDougall -Not Guilty