The Proceedings of the Old Bailey

 

789.   MARTHA BATES was indicted for stealing, on the 19th of October , a child's linen shift, value 2 s. the property of   George Pratt .

(The case was opened by Mr. Knowlys.)

  GEORGE PRATT sworn.

I live in Portpool-lane, Gray's inn-lane; I lost my little girl on the 15th of October, she is between eight and nine; this is the child; I sent her to school the 15th, in the morning; I am quite certain she had a shift on; she was brought to me on the 20th, by   Thomas Lambert , the beadle of the parish.

  THOMAS FEATHERSTONE sworn.

I am master of St. Margaret's workhouse; I received the prisoner into our work-house, with this child as her own, with a pass from the parish of St. Mary, Islington; she produced the pass; I knew her before, but I never knew she had a child; she swore it was her own; it had no shift on.

  CATHERINE LOWE sworn.

I was one of the poor of St. Margaret's, I saw the prisoner on the 19th, she had a child with her; this is the child; it had no shift on at all; she said it was her own child; I found two duplicates in her pockets, in her huswife; Mr. Lambert has one, and I believe she tore the other.

(Produced by Lambert.)

I am one of the officers of St. John's, Westminster; I had it from the master of the work house.

  Catherine Lowe . This is the duplicate I took from the prisoner.

Lambert. With great difficulty I found out the man; he was in tears for his child.

THOMAS WELLS sworn.

I am a pawn broker; I know the prisoner; I took a shift of her the 19th; this child was with her; I am positive to the prisoner, though I never saw her before.

(The shift deposed to.)

Prosecutor. There is no mark on it, but the woman who made it is here.

ELEANOR M'GINNIS sworn.

This is the shift I made for the child; I know my own work, and my child put in one of the sleeves wrong.

Prisoner. I beg the mercy of the Court, and to go to Botany Bay.

GUILTY .

Transported for seven years .

Tried by the second Middlesex Jury before Mr. Justice HEATH.