Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 02 April 2023), September 1785, trial of MARY GEE ALICE FRIZEN (t17850914-28).

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MARY GEE, ALICE FRIZEN, Theft > theft from a specified place, 14th September 1785.

752. MARY GEE and ALICE FRIZEN were indicted for feloniously stealing on the 15th of August last, fifteen pillow cases, value 30 s. two table cloths, value 4 s. four napkins, value 6 s. three blankets, value 3 s. one sheet, value 5 s. four flat irons, value 3 s. one waistcoat, value 2 s. two handkerchiefs, value 3 s. one neckcloth, value 1 s. 6 d. the property of Thomas Pritchett , in his dwelling house .

THOMAS PRITCHETT sworn.

I live in Titchfield-street ; I have at many times lost things out of my and in particular some time in August, I think on the 13th, and I took out a warrant against the prisoners; I said to the prisoner Gee, Mary, I have lost a damask napkin, and nobody can have it but you, or by your knowledge; she said, she was very sorry, and could not think how it could go; the bureau was in the middle room; I always gave her the key of my room whenever I went out; I never went out but if I left a neckcloth it was gone; I began to suspect Mary Gee , who was frequently drunk, and by the advice of my friends I took out a warrant against her who was my servant; I told her, if she would tell me where the things were I would redeem them, but she never informed me; the other prisoner lived servant up stairs, and she having pawned her mistress's things; I came at the knowledge of my own; I found them at Mr. Jones's, a pawnbroker.

Did you ever get any of your things from there? - Yes, some pillow cases, and several other things.

THOMAS JONES sworn.

Do you know the prisoner Mary Gee ? - Yes, she used our house for these five months past.

What did she pawn at your shop? - A waistcoat, fifteen pillow cases, a tablecloth, three napkins, seven towels, and sundry other things.

Were they all pledged separately by Mary Gee ? - No, some by Alice Frizen ; they were all pledged in the name of Ann Dyer ; Gee came as often as the other, but I cannot swear to any thing that she pledged but that handkerchief; they said it was one and the same thing; I thought her name was Ann Dyer then; they never pledged but one thing at a time from February to August.

Prosecutor. There is no mark on the linen, they are mine and nobody's else.

ELIZABETH SAUNDERS sworn.

I have frequently gone to Mr. Pritchett's house, and I have frequently seen his maid very much in liquor, that is the prisoner Gee, and on one day I saw her take down the key and open the closet door where he kept his liquors, but where she got the key from I do not know, and she took out a bottle with liquor, and put it there again and locked the door, but what she did with the key I do not know.

Prosecutor. This false key I found in my cellar wrapped in the tail of a woman's gown, and put under a pail, I have tried it, and it opens all the drawers of my bureau but the top, the top being the mother key it will not open that.

Prisoner Gee. When I was hired to Mr. Pritchett, I was informed he was a broker and auctioneer, then I found he got his living by giving false characters to servants, to get them into houses to rob their masters and mistresses, and things are brought to his house; that woman is his daughter in law, and her mother is his wife.

Prisoner Frizen. What Jones has sworn against me is false.

RICHARD GETLING sworn.

I have known Mary Gee for eight, nine, or ten years, she has lived with me at different times, and always behaved very honestly.

MARY WATTON sworn.

I am a watch-maker's wife, I come to speak for Alice Frizen , I have known her almost three years, a very good character as far as I know of her, here was another gentleman with me, but he is lost in the croud.

Court to Jury. Gentlemen, these things to make it a capital offence, must be all taken at one time.

MARY GEE ,

GUILTY, Of stealing to the value of 39 s.

To be privately whipped and discharged.

ALICE FRIZEN , NOT GUILTY .

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