[List-Cumbria] Carlisle Patriot, 20 Jul 1816 - County Sessions (2)

[Petra Mitchinson]

Saturday 20 Jul 1816   (p. 2, col. 6 - p. 3, col. 2)

 

COUNTY SESSIONS. 

 

[continued] 

 

THOMAS BURKE, a coal-miner, of Whitehaven, was put to the bar charged with having stolen 30lbs. of butter in a firkin, about two
gallons of rum, and some pickled salmon value 10d., from the cellar of Mr. HEYWOOD, solicitor, of Whitehaven, on the night of the
7th of June last. 

 

Ann JOHNSON, a servant of Mr. HEYWOOD's, proved that the cellar was broken open, and that the beforementioned articles were stolen
on the night of the 7th of June. 

 

Geo. KISSOCK, a constable, of Whitehaven, searched the house of Mary LOGAN in that town, where he found a firkin with some butter in
it, an empty jar that had been washed out and was then wet, and a small quantity of pickled salmon. In consequence of what Logan
told him he apprehended BURKE, who denied any knowledge of LOGAN. 

 

Ann JOHNSON proved that the firkin and empty jar were the same as stolen from her master's cellar, and which were found in the house
of LOGAN. 

 

Mary LOGAN gave evidence:-Her premises were searched, and the articles produced found therein. She was then accused of stealing
them, but she accounted before the Magistrate how she became implicated.-The Prisoner, Burke, the night the robbery was committed,
came to her house and knocked her up about a quarter before twelve. He brought the articles in question, and desired her to take
them in. She asked him where he got them, but he said-"Never you mind that, I'll tell you to-morrow. They do not know that I am out,
and I must make haste home." Knowing the prisoner, who had been intimate with her son, she took the articles in, and afterwards
disposed of part of them at his desire. When the articles were discovered she immediately told how they came into her house, and who
brought them. 

 

John BURR, (an Irish coal-miner) was called on behalf of the prisoner, whom he has known for 14 years-never heard any thing bad of
him. Prisoner lodged at witness's house, and on the night in question, the 7th of June, was in by half-past nine, and if he had went
out again he must have known it, as his bed was close to the stairs. He remembered the time very well as it was the day after
Whitehaven fair. 

 

Wm. SHERDIN, sworn. Is an Irishman and a miner-worked in company with prisoner, in the James Pit. Lodged in the same house with
prisoner, and on the night of the 7th of June when he went home about half-past ten, found the prisoner in bed. Remembers the time
well, for prisoner turned his head out of bed and smoked a pipe with him. They lay together till three o'clock in the morning, and
then got up and went to work in company. 

 

The Prisoner denied any knowledge of the robbery, but the Jury found him Guilty, and he was sentenced to 3 months' imprisonment. The
evidence was clear against him, notwithstanding the attempt to prove an alibi. 

 

LOGAN was not prosecuted after this conviction, and having received a suitable admonition from the Chairman, she was discharged,
making many protestations that she would be more careful in future. 

 

---------- 

 

ISABELLA COATES and CATHERINE SKINNER were put to the bar charged with having, on the 20th of May last, at Wigton, stolen one muslin
gown the property of Mary SIMMONDS, daughter of Mrs. SIMMONDS, a widow lady, residing at Wigton. 

 

Belinda SIMMONDS sworn. Lives at Wigton. On 20th May last, hung some clothes to dry on a hedge in her garden. On taking in the
clothes in the evening. a spotted white muslin gown was missing, belonging to her daughter Mary. There are gardens near belonging to
several persons, and they adjoin a field with a foot path, which is parted from the garden by a wall in which there is a door. 

 

Sarah PATTISON sworn. Lives at Wigton-knows the prisoner at the bar. Was in her father's garden on the day above mentioned, and at
their request gave the prisoners leave to go through the garden because it was a nearer way to their home. She let them into the
garden from the field with the footpath, but did not see them out of it. They passed where the clothes were hung. 

 

Thomas HOLLIDAY.-Is a constable at Wigton. Was sent with a search warrant to COATES's house to search it. Found there the two
prisoners and Mary PORTER. Told them he was come to search for a gown, and was proceeding to search, when COATES, who was then in
bed said, if he would take hold of her hand, she would tell the truth. He did so. She said, then the gown is in the room, and she
immediately pulled it from under the bed-clothes-it was wet. [The gown was produced in Court and sworn to.] Took them into custody.
COATES upbraided SKINNER for bringing her into a hobble. SKINNER observed she would tell the truth, on which COATES rejoined, "for
God's sake don't, for you'll get me hanged." SKINNER and COATES both said that the gown was brought into the house by Mary PORTER,
who told them she found it at the kitchen door.-Witness could not tell why Mary PORTER was not prosecuted as well as the prisoners.
He apprehended all three, and if she was not prosecuted it was not his fault. 

 

The Jury found the prisoners guilty, and they were sentenced to six months' imprisonment in the house of correction at Whitehaven.
COATES was a fine looking respectable young woman and well dressed in a black silk gown, straw bonnet, &c. Affidavits of good
character were put in on her part. SKINNER made a very mean appearance, and was much older; the prisoners were a perfect contrast to
each other. 

 

 

[to be continued] 

 

 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://list.cumbriafhs.com/mailman/private/list-cumbria/attachments/20220906/3eae81ba/attachment.htm>