| Reference Number | t17870110-22 |
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| Verdict | Guilty |
| Sentence | Transportation |
| Related Material |  |
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| Actions | Cite this text Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 28 May 2023), January 1787, trial of ELIZABETH BRUCE ELIZABETH ANDERSON (t17870110-22). | Print-friendly version | Report an error |
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181. ELIZABETH BRUCE and ELIZABETH ANDERSON were indicted for stealing, on the 3d of January , three linen table-cloths, value 15 s. two aprons, value 5 s. the property of Francis Hayward .
I live in John-street, Golden-square ; I am a victualler ; on Wednesday, the 3d of January, the prisoner Anderson came into my house; I never saw her before; I saw both the prisoners standing in the street, before she came in about ten minutes; they were looking over a basket of wet linen that stood on the curb, before a gentleman's door; I passed by them twice; I saw the prisoner Bruce give Anderson something out of the basket, and she put it into her apron, and wrapped it up on one side; I was then in the street passing by; Anderson came into my house about two minutes after; the other stood on the outside; Anderson called for a quartern of gin, and desired it might be brought to the door; I saw the spout of a gallon pot under her gown; I knew it to be mine; taking it away, I saw in her apron, two wet check aprons; I took them from her, and took her into the house; I kept her, and told her she should not go; Bruce came in a few a minutes after with three table cloths in a basket, wet; she called for a pint of beer, and I took charge of her, and the table cloths, and basket, and sent for a constable: Bruce wanted much to go and leave the basket behind her; she said she sold soap about the street for a gentleman at Wapping, and those cloths were given her to wrap it in: Anderson did not say a word: Bruce was the person that gave Anderson the aprons.
I am the constable; I received these things from the last witness, in his parlour; I have had them ever since; I took them to the public office in Poland-street, and had them advertised, and the prosecutrix came and claimed them.
I live in Poland-street, in St. James's parish; my husband's name is Francis; I lost two aprons, and three table cloths out of my garden, on Wednesday, the 3d of this month; it was near three when I missed them; the Justice's man who lived in the street, came on Saturday following, and asked me, and I told him; I went to the office, and saw the things; they were mine.
(Deposed to.)
PRISONER ANDERSON'S DEFENCE.
I had the aprons of this woman, and if you will be so good to question her how she came by the entire of the property, I will be obliged to you.
PRISONER BRUCE'S DEFENCE.
I found the things, and sold the two aprons to this woman.
BOTH GUILTY .
Each to be transported for seven years .
Tried by the first Middlesex Jury before Mr. Justice WILSON.