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				<div style="font-family:serif;"><i>Old Bailey Proceedings Online</i> (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 08 December 2023), January 1740, trial of                      Thomas                      Dennis                                                                                (t17400116-1).<hr/><h2>Thomas Dennis, Theft &gt; grand larceny, 16th January 1740. </h2>                                                                                                   <p>80.                                                      Thomas                      Dennis                                                                                                           was indicted for                                                          stealing a Man's Beaver Hat, val. 15 s.             the Goods of                                                       William                      Brownjohn                                                                                                                                , in the Parish of St. Andrew Holborn                                                      , December 17                  .</p>               <p>William Brownjohn. I can only say, the Hat charged on the Prisoner in the Indictment, is mine. I took it upon this Witness. (                                 Benjamin                   How                                                                                        ) who told the Prisoner in my hearing, that he had brought him into a Premunire. He said, he could not help it, and own'd he sold it, to How. Did not I buy it of you, says How? Yes; and I had it of a Boy in Chick-Lane, said the Prisoner, who asked me 3 d. for it; but I snatch'd it from him, and ran away with it. The Hat hung up against the Side of a Press in my Shop, and I miss'd it from thence, the Night before.</p>               <p>Benjamin How. The Prisoner came up into my Room one Night, - I can't remember the particular Time, and told me he had a Hat in pawn for a Shilling, and if I would give him Money to fetch it out, I should have it for a Shilling more: So I gave him one Shilling to redeem the Hat, and he sold it me out-right for another. I believe this is the same Hat I bought of the Prisoner.</p>               <p>                                                William                   Legg                                                                                        , Constable. The Prisoner and How were both brought before me the Night they were taken. How said in the Prisoner's hearing, He bought the Hat of him, - and the Prisoner did not contradict him at all.</p>               <p>Prisoner. I bought it of a Boy in Chick-Lane, who asked me 3 d. for it. I gave him 3 d. and carried it to                                  Jemmy                   Birt                                                                                         at Com-Cross; he pawn'd it for me, and brought me a Shilling. The next Night I happened to be at this Ben How's, and he wanting a Hat to wear on Christmas-Day, I offer'd him this Hat, for a Shilling more than 'twas pawn'd for. I can't tell where the Boy is, who sold it to me, - but I am as innocent as the Child unborn.                                     Guilty            .</p>               <p>                                                                                                [Transportation. See summary.]                                                </p>            </div>
				
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