Margaret Wood

338

Penny-Lyn Beale on 25th February 2025

THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE OLD BAILEY Born; 1771 Grounds for mercy; youth (15 years), previous good character, first offence, and the detrimental effect it has had on her parents (her mother has since died). Judge's recommendation; Recommendations transportation for life 'to Botany Bay, where young women will be very much wanted'. Additional information; There is also a letter from Sarah Herrold (prosecutor's wife) describing catching Margaret and the ensuing search of her clothing. They found a chisel and large keys such as are used for street doors in her pockets.

342

Maureen Withey on 1st May 2020

Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 01 May 2020), April 1787, trial of MARGARET WOOD (t17870418-44). MARGARET WOOD, Theft > housebreaking, 18th April 1787. 373. MARGARET WOOD was indicted for feloniously breaking and entering the dwelling house of Edward Harrold , about the hour of three in the afternoon, on the 10th of March , no person being therein, and feloniously stealing therein, four linen sheets, value 5 s. two child's cotton frocks, value 2 s. three shirts, value 4 s. a tablecloth, value 1 s. two pair of stockings, value 2 s. a cheque apron, value 1 s. a child's corded dimity cloak, value 3 s. a ditto, value 6 d. a coat, value 6 d. his property . SARAH HARROLD sworn. I am wife of Edward Harrold ; I live at No. 22, Lambeth-hill ; I was in the upper part of the house where the robbery was committed, about three in the afternoon; I had locked the door and taken the key in my pocket; I was speaking to a neighbour in the upper part of the house; she informed me of a woman going out of the house, with some things in herapron; I have only one room in the house; I was not in my own room, I was moving out; upon that information I came down stairs, and found my doors open, and part of my things gone; my door was not broke, but had been undone with a key. What did you miss? - I went out, about 100 yards off, I saw a woman with some things in her apron; I caught hold of her and brought her back, and a man came up to my assistance with the alarm of the neighbours; there were in her apron, two pair of sheets, two cloaks, one tablecloth, one apron, two child's frocks, and one child's coat; that woman was the prisoner; I am sure of it; the man secured her, and took the apron with the things of her, and took her into the publick house, and examined her; the man has the things here. SAMUEL MAYNARD sworn. On the 10th of March there was a cry of stop thief; I was directed up the Old Change, and this prosecutrix had got hold of the prisoner, charging her with taking her things; she ned found to me, and let some of them said in the dirt; so I drew her apron strings, and tied them all together; I took her to the publick house, and in her pocket I found a bunch of picklock keys, about a dozen, and a chissel. (The things deposed to.) What is your husband's name? - Edward Harrold . Mr. Peatt, prisoner's Councel. You was in an upper room? - Yes, speaking to an opposite neighbour; I pursued the prisoner, in about ten minutes after, I saw her in the Old Change; she dropped some of the things and stooped to pick them up; I never lost sight of her from the time I saw her to the time I took her; I found the things in her apron. The prisoner called seven witnesses, who all gave her a very good character. GUILTY , Death . Tried by the London Jury before Mr. Baron HOTHAM. -------------------------------------------------- National Archives. HO 47/9/4 1789 Apr 17 Report of James Adair, Recorder of London. Also includes a list from the Recorder of London enclosing a list of capital convicts respited but who cannot be removed until their pardons are confirmed, they are to receive sentence of transportation as set against their names: London 2. Margaret Wood. Convicted in April 1787, recommended to 7 years transportation.