The Proceedings of the Old Bailey

 

1539.   ANN PARKINS was indicted for unlawfully receiving, on the 5th of October , three shirts, value 2 l. 10 s.; one dress, value 6 l.; one frock, value 30 s.; one

pelisse, value 1 l.; two petticoats, value 1 l.; two nightgowns, value 16 s.; one cap, value 25 s.; two pinafores value 4 s.; eight pair of stockings, value 16 s.; one pair of stays, value 2 s.; nine handkerchiefs, value 26 s.; two sheets, value 3 l.; two pillow-cases, value 6 s.; one shift, value 12 s.; two night-caps, value 2 s., and one waistcoat, value 30 s., the goods of   James Cowie , well knowing them to have been stolen .

MR.   JAMES COWIE . I am a wine merchant - and live in Sherborne-lane. Our linen is sent into the country to be washed. On the 5th of October, the carrier's boy brought the clean linen - and said he would call in half an hour for the dirty; it was put into a box, which in about half an hour another person called for, and took away. We supposed that he came from the carrier; this was about four o'clock - and about six o'clock the boy came, and we found the trick out.

  THOMAS SAPWELL . I am a constable. On Sunday, afternoon, the 6th of October, about half-past two o'clock, in consequence of information, I went to a chandler's shop, No. 6, Petticoat-lane, and found the prisoner in the passage, with two large bundles by the side of her, containing the articles stated in the indictment; which Mrs. Cowie afterwards claimed. I asked how she came by them; she said she had a bundle from a gentleman at Temple-bar, to sell for 15 s. for him - and the other was linen she had to wash; but all the things had Mrs. Cowie's initials on them. I understood her to say, she brought it from Mrs. Hall, of Camomile-street. I took her into custody. I turned her handkerchief aside, and saw she had a clean shift on, marked J. C. or C. C. She endeavoured to make her escape - and while I left her in charge of Morris, she bit the mark out of the shift.

MRS.   CATHERINE COWIE . I am the wife of   James Cowie . The prisoner is a perfect stranger. I have seen all the property - it is ours, and worth 20 l. I saw the clean linen brought back, and put the articles stated in the indictment, in the box myself, and saw them again at the Mansion House, on Monday.

  RICHARD MORRIS . I am a constable. Sapwell left the prisoner in my charge. I took her into a public house, and while I was attending to the mob, I looked round, and she was biting the linen at her breast; I caught hold of her - she kept pulling at the shift with her teeth, and bit part of it out. I asked why she did that? she said it was nothing to me.

Prisoner's Defence. I had to take linen to Camomile-street, and Whitechapel. A person gave me a bundle of linen to wash, and said he would send for or fetch it. He left me in Petticoat-lane, for three-quarters of an hour - then brought the small bundle, and said he wanted 15 s. for it; a Jewess stood at the door, and asked if I had any thing to sell - I shewed it her. I was stopped, and a constable sent for.

  THOMAS SAPWELL . The small bundle contained four handkerchiefs, a lady's dress, a waistcoat, and two shirts.

MRS.   CATHERINE COWIE . The dress alone, is worth 6 l.

GUILTY . Aged 37.

Confined One Year .

London Jury, before Mr. Recorder.