Ann Wilson

Level 338

Penny-Lyn Beale on 29th December 2024

1835 - Australia Convict Musters, Tasmania. Residence; House of Correction No; 31. DEAD: 17 September 1836

Level 346

Maureen Withey on 16th February 2020

Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 16 February 2020), October 1819, trial of ANN WILSON (t18191027-70). ANN WILSON, Violent Theft > highway robbery, 27th October 1819. 1447. ANN WILSON was indicted for feloniously assaulting Hendrick Hoffman , on the King's highway, on the 10th of October , putting him in fear, and taking from his person and against his will, one watch, value 2 l.; one pocket-book, value 1 s.; one 5 l., and five 1 l. Bank notes , his property. HENDRICK HOFFMAN. I am a sailor . On the 10th of October I left my ship, which laid at Millwall, went ashore, and went up Ratcliff-highway, about seven o'clock in the evening, to pay some money to a man. I went into a public-house with him and my shipmate, and staid there about three-quarters of an hour; I was not in liquor. I could not drink any thing as I had got the toothache. I went out, and sat on a step opposite the house, holding my face; a woman came up, who asked me if I was ill, and if she could help me? I said it was no business of her's, and she went away - it was then near ten o'clock; we were close to a gas lamp. I looked at her, she came back again to me, and said my shipmate wanted me - I had left him in the house. I stood up, and supposing I might have missed him, I said, "Where is he?" She said, "Come along," and laid hold of my right arm; we walked a little way. I said, "I don't see him, I dare say he is in the house." She said, "Come along, and you will soon see him." We did not walk much farther before she laid hold of my watch-chain, pulled my watch out, and ran away with it as fast as she could. I sung out, "Stop thief! she has robbed me of my watch." I had hardly sung out, before I received a severe blow on the left side of my head, from a stick behind me. I twisted round, and received another on my shoulder, which broke my collar-bone - I have been in the hospital ever since. I fell down, rose again, and received another blow on the left side of my ribs; I fell again, and could not sing out or draw my breath. Two or three men came up, pulled my pocket-book out of my waistcoat-pocket, took all the silver I had, and dragged me round the corner of Old Gravel-lane - only the men were there then. Q. Is the prisoner the woman who robbed you of your watch - A. Yes, my Lord, I have no doubt of it - I did know her before. There were a 5 l. and five 1 l. notes in my pocket-book, which I lost. Prisoner. Q. Will you swear that you was not tipsy - A. I was not - she forced my watch out. It was not with my consent that she took hold of my arm. WILLIAM PAXMAN. I am a watchman of New Gravel-lane. On Sunday evening, the 10th of October, I was turning from Elbow-lane to New Gravel-lane, and heard the cry of, "Stop thief! I have lost my watch." I went towards the cry, and found the prosecutor lying in the middle of the road. I saw two men run away, sprang my rattle, and the watchman on the next beat stopped one of the men; we took him to the top of the lane, and the prosecutor said a woman had taken his watch - the prisoner was then standing at the top of the lane. I took hold of the man, and the other watchman took her; we took both to the watch-house, but found nothing on them. There was a third person, whom we did not catch. WILLIAM STEVENS . I am a watchman in the neighbourhood. I heard the cry of of Stop thief! and saw the man, Strickbury, close at my elbows. He saw my lanthorn, and tried to pass me. I caught him, and gave him to Paxman; a boy pointed the prisoner out to me, and I took her. JOSEPH M'CARTHY. I am near thirteen years of age, and live in King-street, Gravel-lane. On Sunday night, about ten o'clock, I was sitting at my mother's door, heard this man cry Stop thief! and saw the prisoner pass the door; she stopped on the other side of the way. I saw her give a watch into a man's hand. and heard her say, "Don't cry, dont say any thing;" the man went down the lane, and she remained there - this was after the watchman had sprung his rattle. I saw Stevens, and told him what I had seen; he took her to the watch-house. I am sure she is the woman who gave the watch to the man, for I saw her face. PETER PAGE . I saw the prosecutor sitting on the step of a door, and saw the prisoner speak to him - I am certain it was her; I took particular notice of her - I thought she was his wife. I saw him after he had been robbed, and the side of his head was bloody. I saw her take hold of his arm, and persuade him to go with her; the streets are lit with gas. I am sure she is the woman. Prisoner. Q. Was the prosecutor drunk - A. He was leaning on his hand. I at first thought he was drunk, but afterwards found he had the toothache. Prisoner's Defence. I was returning from the Fox and Grapes, public-house, saw the prosecutor sitting on a step, very sick, and the watchman told him to go on, but I persuaded him to take a coach. Several men came up, and said if I did not go away they would knock my brains out. HENDRICK HOFFMAN re-examined. She pulled my watch out in a moment. I strove to get hold of her arm, but she got off. GUILTY. Aged 22. Of stealing from the person, but not with force and violence . Transported for Life . Second Middlesex Jury, before Mr. Justice Park. https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON13-1-2$init=CON13-1-2p56 and following pages. List of female convicts from Morely (3), Master, Brown, in 1820, who landed at Hobart, not Sydney. Ann Wilson, Convicted at Middlesex G.D., 27 Oct 1819, Life.