Thomas Woodford

Level 346

Maureen Withey on 30th August 2025

Thomas Woodford, stealing three shirts, the property of William Mathias, his master, at Chatham ; Also stealing watch, one chain, and  one key, the property of Robert Allan Cox, at Chatham ; Also stealing one jacket, the property of Hans Thomas Fell White, at Chatham ; ... Kentish Independent, 5 Oct 1844. ROBBERIES OF OFFICERS IN CHATHAM BARRACKS. —On Friday, Thomas Woodford, a private of the 62d Foot, and servant to Captain William Matthias, of that regiment, was brought before the bench of County magistrates sitting at Rochester, charged with robbing his master and other officers. The prisoner had been servant to Ensign R.A. Cox, of the 62d, son of Colonel  Sir W. Cox, who embarked, in the latter part of May last, for India. He afterwards went into the service of Captain  Matthias, in whose quarters he had, during the day, the use of a kitchen and a store-room adjoining, in conjunction with Sergeant Barnes, of the 51st, and his wife, the latter of whom acted as female servant to Mrs. Matthias. Shortly after Mr. Cox embarked, a report was made to Captain Matthias, through another officer, that he had lost his watch and inquiries were made of the prisoner, but he denied all knowledge of it. The watch was forgotten until Sergeant Barnes's wife saw a watch in the drawer of a looking- glass belonging to the prisoner, and mentioned the circumstance to Captain Matthias.  This aroused suspicion, which the following singular circumstance tended to strengthen :—One day, as Sergeant Barnes and his wife were in Captain Matthias's kitchen, they heard a noise in the adjoining room, and on going in found a paper parcel containing an officer's shell jacket, which  which had fallen from the chimney and broken a lamp-glass in the grate. On the  20th of September, Captain Matthias, accompanied by Sergeant- Major Redman, of the 62d, questioned prisoner as to Mr. Cox's watch, but he denied having it ; however, on Captain Matthias telling him he should search his box,  prisoner went to his box in the kitchen, and gave the watch, with chain and key attached, to Captain Matthias. The box and a carpet bag belonging to the prisoner were then emptied, and in them found a forage cap of the officer of the 62d, three shirts with Mr. Cox's name upon them, three shirts belonging to Captain Matthias's sea-stock, a church service with Lady Cox's name on the clasp, and the shell jacket, with other articles. The shell jacket was owned by Ensign White, of the 40th, who had lent it to Captain Ebrington, of the 78th Highlanders. The latter officer embarked for India whilst Mr. White was on guard, and the jacket on being inquired for could not be found. Three distinct charges of ' felony were taken against the prisoner, one for Captain Matthias's shirts, another for the jacket, and a third for Mr. Cox's watch and shirts, on all of which he was committed to take his trial at the ensuing quarter sessions at Maidstone.  Sun, 30 Sept 1844. Thomas Woodford, soldier, stealing three shirts, value 7s., the property of William Mathias, Esq., his master, at Chatham. Seven years’  transportation. Kentish Mercury, 26 Oct 1844.