James Williams

218

Dianne Jones on 23rd January 2022

FOOTNOTE: Newspaper coverage of the trial: From the "News of The World", November 2, 1856: "DESPERATE CONFLICT WITH A BURGLAR James Williams and William James Garnon were charged, at Worship-street Police Court, with breaking and entering the dwelling-house of Mr. William Rowlett, 5 Grange-road, Dalston, and stealing a quantity of plate, jewellery, and other items. Williams was also charged with wounding with intent to murder Mr. George Rowlett, the brother of the prosecutor, who gave his evidence with great firmness though manifestly suffering considerably from the injuries he had received. This witness said: I reside with my father at Glebe-cottage, which is nearly opposite my brother’s house. On Tuesday evening, I went to look after the premises; as I passed from our gate I observed the prisoner Garner standing near, and on returning for the key, which I had forgotten, I took particular notice of him. When I crossed the road for the second time, I perceived a light in the first floor front room of my brother’s house, and on unlocking the street door, saw the prisoner Williams descending, with a lighted candle in his hand. I seized him at the foot of the stairs. He dropped the candle and grasped me by the breast - we struggled for about ten minutes during which he threw me twice on my back, in the passage. Before I could rise the second time, he struck me three severe blows on the head, and once on the left shoulder, with something sharp, which I thought was iron. I became unconscious, but must have recovered speedily, for I perceived the prisoner passing out of the front gate, and followed him, calling “Murder!” I overtook, and again laid hold of him, then became exhausted from the loss of blood, and he disengaged himself, running off towards Kingsland-road cab-stand. The coat, waistcoat and shirt of Mr. Rowlett were here produced, saturated with blood. Mr. John Robins: I heard a cry of “Murder!” and running into the street saw Mr. George Rowlett, bleeding profusely from the head. I asked him “What is the matter?” and he replied, “My brother’s house has been robbed, and there is the man,” at the same time pointing to the prisoner Williams standing a few yards further off, surrounded by cab-men. I went up and collared that man, taking him, with the assistance of Mr. Gooch, to the station-house. On our way, I observed, "It is a pity you struck the gentleman”; he replied, “Wouldn’t you do anything for your liberty?” I received a jemmy (produced), as also a piece of candle, the wick of which was quite warm, from a cab-man. Mr. Frederick Gooch, who assisted in securing the prisoner having given substantive testimony, Thomas Warfall, a cab-proprietor and driver, deposed to having heard the cry “murder,” and to securing one of the prisoners, whom he believed to be Garnon. As he tried to escape through the cab-rank, the man, whoever he was, threw something from him, observing, "You shouldn’t have stopped me.” The two last witnesses then took charge of him. John Lloyd, another cab-driver, spoke to having found the “jemmy,” encased in a leathern sheath, and the candle under one of the cabs. [PC] Dermod, 7 N, produced fourteen silver spoons and other silver articles, a gold chain, three gold rings, a watch, and various valuable trinkets which he had found on Williams, and said he took Garnon at the doors of the court a short time before the case was entered upon; Mr. George Rowlett pointing out that prisoner among the crowd, as being the other party concerned. Garnon pertinaciously insisted that he was innocent of the charge, and could prove an alibi. Williams, in fact, confessed his guilt, and Mr. Hamill observed that it was clear the witness Warfall was mistaken in his identity, the prisoner Williams and not Garnon being the man he had secured. The worthy magistrate also commented on the fact of the prisoner being brought to justice, without the slightest aid of the police, it being worth notice, that during the whole proceedings not a constable was near to render assistance; the thanks of the public were due, and would doubtless be accorded to those gentlemen who had so promptly and so serviceably acted. The prisoners were then remanded. On the prisoners being again brought up, a labouring man named Peters deposed to having seen both of them at the rear of the prosecutor’s house in a yard belonging to Messrs Gooch. Williams was standing on a wall, and in answer to the question of what his business was there, he replied, that he had lost a fancy dog, and was looking for it. Garnon joining his companion and repeating the same, witness said it was impossible that he could be mistaken in the identity of either. A cloud of witnesses here pressed forward, asserting that Garnon was innocent, and could prove an alibi. Garnon himself fell back hysterically in the dock, calling upon Williams to clear him from the complicity, which the other bluntly did, admitting his own guilt, and expressing his hatred to witnesses giving false evidence. Mr. Abraham Shaw, a printer in Bishopsgate Street, said that Garnon was a compositor, who had worked for him for twelve months. Further, that he was honest and industrious, his hours being from eight o’clock in the morning until eight o’clock at night; but it so happened that on the day in question, he was from business after eleven o’clock. Mr. Hamill said: He would take two bail in £100 each for Garnon’s appearance at the sessions. Two persons had most positively sworn to his identity, and a jury must decide. Ultimately, the required sureties were obtained. Williams and Garnon were indicted on Friday, at the Central Criminal Court. Williams pleaded guilty, and a most perfect alibi was established for Garnon, who was wholly unknown to the other prisoner. The jury instantly acquitted Garnon, and William was sentenced to be transported for fifteen years."

218

Dianne Jones on 4th December 2021

From his Fremantle jail record: WILLIAMS, James; #4614, arrived 1 Jan 1858 per Nile Date of Birth: 1833 Marital Status: Married, 1 child Occupation: Boot maker Literacy: Literate Sentence Place: London, London, England Crime: House breaking Sentence Period: 15 years Ticket of Leave Date: 23 May 1861 Conditional Pardon Date: 23 Dec 1863 Comments: Trial in London Times, 1 Nov 1856 (https://fremantleprison.com.au/) --00--

218

Dianne Jones on 4th December 2021

TRIAL -- 27 October, 1856: Old Bailey #1009. JAMES WILLIAMS and WILLIAM JAMES GARNON, breaking and entering the dwelling house of William Rowlett, and stealing therein 1 watch, and other articles, value 20l.; his goods: to which WILLIAMS PLEADED GUILTY .— Transported for Fifteen Years. MR. ORRIDGE. conducted the Prosecution. GEORGE ELIJAH ROWLETT . I live with my father, in Glebe-cottage, Kingsland-road. On Monday, 27th Oct., my brother asked for the key of his house, and I went across the road—it was between half past 5 and 6 o'clock—I went across the road, and in going I saw Garnon standing at the end of my father's gate; that is about twenty yards from my brother's house, and I saw there was a light in my brother's house—I had not got the key the first time—I went back and got the key, and when I returned Garnon was standing there then—I saw a light in my brother's bedroom—I opened the door, and saw Williams on the stairs—I said, "What do you do here!"—he threw me down, and knocked me on the head with a crowbar—I got my clothes torn all to pieces—I was very much injured, and have been under the doctor's hands ever since—after Williams knocked me down became insensible—I know that Garnon had a cap on. Cross-examined by MR. ROBINSON. Q. You never saw Garnon before! A. Never—I passed him twice—I saw him the next day outside the police court—there were a great many people there—I pointed him out outside I the police court—I came there in a cab—my head was bound up. CORNELIUS DESMOND . (police sergeant, N 7). I took up a crowbar which was seen to be thrown away by Williams—I saw Garnon outside the police court—when he was taken, he said, "I was not there; I am innocent;" and again he denied it inside the court. Cross-examined. Q. What did the prosecutor say? A. He pointed to him, and said, "That is the man I saw outside the door"—he was within a yard of him at the time—he had come in a cab, and I came in another cab with the prisoner Williams. WILLIAM PETERS . I live near Kingsland-road. I know Mr. Rowlett's yard—it is next to mine—on last Monday evening I left work at half put 5 o'clock—when I left off work I saw two men in the yard—my master authorised me, if I saw any strange men in the yard, to turn them out; so, I went, and spoke to Williams, who was one of the men, and asked him what he did there—he said, "I have lost a little Spaniel dog"—I said, "You have no business here"—I then went and spoke to the other man, who was leaning against another wall, twenty or thirty yards off, who I believe was Garnon; I will not swear to it, but I could as nearly as could be; I never saw two peas more alike—I asked both him and Williams if I should hear anything about the dog, who I should let know—they both said they were going to the Swan public house—they went out of the yard, as near as I can say, together. Cross-examined. Q. Where did you first see Garnon after that? A. I saw him at the police court—he was in the dock—he was not pointed out to me—I was taken two days afterwards to the police court to recognize some one—I saw him at Worship-street—he stood in front of the bar, before some gentleman—it was last Monday night that I saw the two men leaning against the wall. MR. ORRIDGE. Q. Did you point out Garnon at the police court? A. Yes—I said I never saw a man nearer like the man in my life. MR. ROBINSON. called WILLIAM TURNER . I lodge with the prisoner Garnon, at No. 1, Helmet-court, London-wall; I am a waiter. Last Monday evening I came home at 6 o'clock—Garnon was there at that time, and his wife—that is about two miles from Kingsland-road—I was with him till half past 8 o'clock—I went out with him the next morning—I did not go with him to a place in Bishopsgate—I waited at the corner of Devonshire-street—we went then to the Curtain-road—I went after a situation—in coming from there we walked round to Worship-street, and we stood outside the court, I dare say, an hour, and a person came and recognized him—I heard a young man speak about this case that was coming on—he said he was waiting to hear the case—we listened to that conversation—we were waiting to see if we could get in to hear the trial—I was present when Garnon was pointed out by the prosecutor—he was taken into custody—he was kept in custody that day—he was bailed out on Wednesday, and has surrendered here this morning—I have known him about eighteen months—he was always a respectable man, hard-working and honest. Cross-examined by MR. ORRIDGE. Q. Have you lodged with him all that time? A. I have lodged with his mother and his wife's mother about ten years, when I have been out of a situation—he went to his work on Monday—I saw him about 6 o'clock in the evening, when I came home to have my tea—they had done tea when I came home—they generally have tea about 5 o'clock, but I was not at home—there is a clock in the room—I did not particularly notice the time when I came in, but I know it was as near 6 o'clock as could be—I know by where I had been—I had been in the City—I had been in Barbican about 10 minutes before 6 o'clock; I was not doing anything, I was coming home—I guessed it was 10 minutes to 6 o'clock by the time I got home—my friend was committed for trial; they would not allow me to go in—on the morning I went to the police court, I had been to Bishopsgate-street, and to the Curtain-road—we went down Old-street, and I called in the Curtain-road—Garnon went on forward while I went in—I did not succeed in getting a situation—I spoke to a man, named Ward, outside the police station—I did not know him at all, but Mr. Garnon did, I believe—we were not talking above fire minutes about this case before the cab came up—we had been waiting there about an hour—I have no further knowledge about it being 6 o'clock when I got home, but I think it was. MARIA GARNON . I am sixteen years old—I am the prisoner's sister. I recollect on Monday afternoon being in Helmet-court—I saw my brother from 4 o'clock in the afternoon till a quarter to 8 o'clock, he was in the house the whole time. Cross-examined. Q. Was it from 4 till 8 o'clock that he was there? A. Yes—I was having my tea with him, about 5 o'clock—before tea I was sitting in the house—I do not live with him—I live with my mother in Hoxton Old Town—I went to my brother's lodging, and got there at 4 o'clock—it was exactly 4 o'clock—there is a clock in the room, which stands up against the door, in the corner—I looked at the clock—it was 4 o'clock—I looked at it again at 5 o'clock—I looked again at half-past 5 o'clock—I looked at it when I left—my brother had asked me to come to tea with him on the Saturday—he had been out of work a long time—there were two lodgers at tea, and my sister, my brother, and myself—my brother does not give large tea parties, but there were five that night—I do not know the names of the lodgers—they were not there at 4 o'clock, they came in afterwards—they all sat down to tea at 5 o'clock, I, and my brother and sister, and the two lodgers—the last witness is a lodger there—he came in about 6 o'clock—I was asked on Wednesday morning to come here to-day—this took place on the Monday night. MR. ROBINSON. Q. You work close to their house? A. Yes—I know perfectly well that when I went on the Monday it was quite light. ELIZABETH GRINDELL . I reside in Green Arbour-court, Little. Moorfields, I know the prisoner's family—I have known him fourteen months, he has been married twelve months next Feb.—I was at the house in Helmet-court, last Monday night—I went there at twenty minutes to 6 o'clock—he was there, and his wife and brother and sister, and two of the lodgers, they were taking tea—I am frequently there—the prisoner was in the home at twenty minutes before 6 o'clock—it is his house, and he has the lodge—I remained till half-past seven o'clock—I left him there with his wife. Cross-examined. Q. Was Turner and all the others sitting round, taking their tea? A. Yes, taking their tea. HENRY PACEY . I am the brother of the prisoner's wife. I am seventeen years old—I lodge in their house—I went in there last Monday at half-past 5 o'clock—my sister and the prisoner, and Richard Titmarsh and Mr. Condon were there—I am in the habit of getting tea there in the evening; half an hour is allowed me to get my tea—on that evening I was there from half-past 5 till 6 o'clock. Cross-examined. Q. Who was there? A. Tidmarsh and Condon, and William Turner—I found him there when I went in. FREDERICK GARNON . I am the prisoner's brother. I was at his place last Monday—T went at half-past 5 o'clock and remained till half-part 8 o'clock—he was there during the whole time. Cross-examined. Q. Who else was there? A. His wife and the lodger—there were five in the room altogether—they were all there at 7 o'clock—Turner came there about 6 o'clock. RICHARD TIDMARSH . I work in a wine cellar at Botolph Wharf, Thames-street. I have lodged in Helmet-court for ten years—the prisoner has the house which his wife's mother had before she died—I have known him about nine months—I can give him a very good character—I am not in the habit of taking tea there every evening—I came home that evening about half-past 5 o'clock—the prisoner was there—Turner came just before I went out—I remained till 7 o'clock—I left the prisoner there when I went out. Cross-examined. Q. Who else was there? A. Condon and his sister-in-law and brother-in-law—that is all, I believe—I was there from half-past 5 till 7 o'clock—Turner was not there when I went in—I do not think I noticed him all the evening. MR. ROBINSON. Q. Do you know Grindell? A. Yes—I did not see her there, to my recollection—I will swear that from half-past 5 till 7 o'clock the prisoner was there. (The prisoner Garnon received a good character.) NOT GUILTY (https://www.oldbaileyonline.org/).