THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE OLD BAILEY
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WILLIAM WILLIAMS, THOMAS FEATHERSTONE, ISAAC
ISAACS, theft: burglary, theft: receiving stolen goods, 05 Apr 1827.
The
Proceedings of the Old Bailey Ref: t18270405-63
Trial Summary:
Original Text:
Before Lord Chief Justice Abbott. 816. WILLIAM WILLIAMS and THOMAS FEATHERSTONE were indicted for burglariously and sacrilegiously breaking and entering the parish chapel of St. Luke, Chelsea, in Middlesex, about the hour of twelve in the night of the 1st of February, at the said parish of St. Luke, Chelsea, with intent to steal, and stealing therein 2 brass chandeliers, value 20l.; 3 brass rods, value 10s., and 2 cushions, value 20s., the goods of the parishioners of the said parish of St. Luke, Chelsea. 2d COUNT, charging ISAAC ISAACS with feloniously receiving, on the same day, at St. Clement Danes, the said brass candlesticks and the said brass rods, part and parcel of the said stolen goods, he well knowing them to have been stolen, against the statute, &c. 3d COUNT, charging the said Isaac Isaacs the same as the second count, only stating the goods received to be 156 lbs. of brass, value 5l. 4th COUNT, charging the said prisoners, William Williams and Thomas Featherstone as in the first count, only stating the property to belong to Thomas Hoblyn and Henry Wilmott. 5th COUNT, charging Isaac Isaacs with receiving the same, stating the property as in the second count.
7th COUNT, charging Williams and Featherstone as in the first count, only stating the property to belong to Mary Adams, widow. 8th and 9th COUNTS, the same as the 5th and 6th. 10th COUNT, charging Williams and Featherstone as in the first count, only stating it to be the property of a certain person or persons, whose names are unknown. 11th and 12th COUNTS, the same as the fifth and sixth. MESSRS. ANDREWS and BRODRICK conducted the prosecution. MARY ADAMS. I am a pew-opener at the old Q. On a Sunday afterwards did you see two men? A. A Sunday or two after the first robbery I did - it was neither of the prisoners; it was a Sunday or two before this robbery. I had the care of the church, and kept the keys- the property in it was under my care. Mr. Hoblyn and Mr. Willmott are the church wardens. HENRY WILLMOTT. I am one of the churchwardens of St. Luke, THOMAS WILLIS. I am a lamp-lighter. I know the prisoners Williams and Featherstone - I first knew them about three months ago; I knew Williams by the name of Dick - I became acquainted with him at the George and Ball public-house, Westminster; Dick introduced Featherstone to me there. I had known Dick seven or eight days before that. Q. What did he introduce you to Featherstone for? - A. I was in the habit of going to the George and Ball; Dick asked me if I would buy a set of carpenter's tools - Featherstone was not present - I said No, they did not suit me - he said, would I buy any thing that did suit me; I said I was out of work, and if I could earn 1s. I would; he did not know where I lived - I told him I occasionally came to my sister's, who lived in Church-lane, Strand, and I could be found there - her name is Lilley - her husband lives with her; I do not lodge there, but go backwards and forwards; Ursula Willis also lives there. When I called there once my sister delivered a message to me, and in consequence of that message I went to the George and Ball, Westminster - it was on a Friday morning, between ten and eleven o'clock - I found Featherstone standing at the door of the George and Ball - he asked if my name was Tom; I said "Yes, and where is Dick?" - Featherstone said inside; I said I had come in consequence of a message from my sister - I went in, and found Dick sitting on a bench in a little box on the right-hand side of the tap-room; I and Featherstone joined him: we all three sat in the box together, and had half-a-pint of gin and a pot of beer - we had it inside the house; I paid for it- while we were there Dick asked me if I would buy any brass - he did not say what quantity, or where it came from - I said I would try to sell it for him as well as I could; after drinking our beer I went away, and went to my sister's. The prisoner Isaacs came into my sister's shop, to buy a herring - I said to him, "Do you keep an old iron-shop?" he said Yes - I said, "Are you in the habit of buying brass, and how much will you give me a pound for it?" he said he would give 5d. if it was good, but if there was bell-metal mixed with it he could not give so much; this conversation was in the presence of my brother, sister, and mother; after he said he would give 5d. I looked at him; he said, "You need not be afraid, for if it was Jesus Christ I would by it, for it would go where hundreds have gone before" - he had not seen it then. Q. What did you say to draw from him that answer? A. I asked him the
price, and was looking at him rather dubiously - he said, "Is it
here?" I said No - "Well," said he, "when can I see it?"
I said I would have it brought there. Six o'clock that evening was fixed upon
for his seeing it, at that place. After this I went back to the George and
Ball, and found a horse and cart standing exactly opposite the door of the
house, on the other side of the street, where there is some palings; I found
Dick, and Featherstone there; I said to them, "It is all right bring
your horse and cart, and the brass to the Strand - they knew where I meant,
as they had been there in the morning (but I had not seen them there myself;)
Dick said, "We will be there" - I said, "Go on first, and I
will follow;" I went the back way, round Scotland-yard and
Northumberland-street, and came up with them and the cart at the corner of
Church-lane - the cart arrived first; both the prisoners were there with it;
nothing had been taken out of the cart. I told them to wait there till I went
and asked my sister's leave for them to put two sacks in the cellar - I went,
and my sister gave me leave; I went back, and told them to bring the sacks
into the place - they contained brass - they each brought one sack; they were
put into the cellar - I went forward with a light while they put them there.
When I got down stairs they asked 2l. 10s. for it - I agreed at last to give
them 1l. 15s. and 1s. I had spent - they were to be paid the same day. I told
them to go on, and I would follow them - after they were gone I borrowed two
sovereigns of Mrs. Lilley, my sister. I then went back to the George and
Ball, and gave the money to Dick; I gave him both the sovereigns -
Featherstone was present in the room; Dick gave me 5s. change - he gave
Featherstone a sovereign of it, and Featherstone gave him some change - I do
not know how much; I left them there, and went back to my sister's - it was
then between two and three o'clock - Isaacs came at six o'clock; I went down
stairs, and showed him the brass - he looked at it carefully, took a Q. On the Tuesday following did you hear some people in Church-lane talking about old Isaacs and the church? A. Yes - that frightened me, and I went to Dick's lodgings at Westminster, near the George and Ball, and told him what I had heard - he said, "I hope you will not take any notice - you know I have got a family, but I don't mind myself - I hope you will be as a man, and not say any thing about it?" I said I would not. I stopped at his lodgings seven or eight days - I cannot say which. Q. Did Dick's wife come backwards and forwards? - A. I cannot say that she
was his wife; Jane came there once or twice, and my own wife came there
sometimes. - When I left Dick's lodgings I went to Cross-examined by MR. BODKIN. Q. You did not know Featherstone before? A.
No. I paid Dick the money, and he gave me 5s. out of two sovereigns -
Featherstone gave Dick some change out of a sovereign. The cart was open,
like a chaise cart, and a very pale lead colour - Featherstone drove it -
they were both in it; Dick said nothing about paying Featherstone for the
hire of the cart; I do not know how much per day a cart lets for. - Our
second meeting at the George and Ball was between two and three o'clock - the
property was in two bags; I cannot say whether Featherstone could see what
was in them as they lay in the cart, as I did not get up into the cart. I was
taken into custody at Q. How soon afterwards did you think of becoming a witness here? A. I did not think about it; I was never examined before a Magistrate. I was questioned at Mr. Harmer's office five or six days ago - there were a good many people in the room; I do not know how many. I am giving evidence for the good of the parish. Q. Did you not once stand where the prisoners do now, in this Court? A. I am not obliged to answer that; I came here to tell what I am about now; I do not say but what I have stood at that bar. Cross-examined by MR. BARRY. Q. Perhaps you have been here oftener than once? A. You may say as many times as you like - I never was but once in my life. I knew Isaacs before by his coming to my sister's - he dealt there. Q. You first said to him, "Do you keep an old ironshop" - it was
your object to make a sale to him? A. Yes. I did not know the value of old
brass - it was broken brass in pieces; I thought he gave a fair price. I went
to Q. Do not you know that it was in consequence of what Isaacs said, that
you were taken at MARY ANN LILLEY. I am Willis' sister, and live at No. 2, Church-lane, Cross-examined. Q. Dick and Tom agreed that Isaacs should come next morning? A. No; Tom and Isaacs agreed; I said nothing about Dick. Cross-examined by MR. BARRY. Q. Did you know any thing of the bags? A. No. Nobody came to search for my brother at my place.
MR. BARRY. Q. The 2l. was paid at that time - you know nothing of a previous payment? A. No. JAMES LILLEY. I am husband of the last witness, and live in the same house - I saw Isaacs there; Tom Willis asked my leave to put some bags in the cellar - I gave him leave; I have seen Isaacs back wards and forwards there. When I came in one morning he was buying a herring. Q. Did he at any time go into your cellar with Tom? A. Yes: these bags were brought into my cellar - I afterwards saw Tom take them away; I believe Isaacs helped him - the brass was in two bags; I lent Tom a basket; I saw the prisoners, Williams and Featherstone, bring the bags into the cellar - they are the men. Cross-examined by MR. BARRY. Q. Were you ever here as a witness before? A. No; I was at the shop when Isaacs came, but was not there all the time - I was backwards and forwards, and talking to my customers outside; I might be five or ten minutes in the shop, but I cannot say; I saw Isaacs go out and leave the place - no customers came in the shop while he was there, that I recollect - I remained there after Isaacs went away; the customers came to the front of the shop, and I was serving them outside while he was there; I heard nothing particular between him and my brother, except that he said he would buy Jesus Christ if he would bring him in, and it would go where hundreds had gone before. URSULA WILLIS. I am Willis' mother. I happened to he at my daughter's house nursing, her, and remember Isaacs coming to buy a herring; and saw the two prisoners. Williams and Featherstone, bring two bags in on the same day. My son-in-law gave leave for them to be put into the cellar - they were taken away on the Saturday morning; Tom and Isaacs carried them away. HENRY HANSTEAD. My brother kept the George and Ball - after his death I sometimes went to help his widow; he died on the 17th of January. I know Featherstone and Williams, and have seen them at that house; I have seen Tom Willis there, in company with them, drinking in the tap-room - I cannot recollect what time of day it was. JANE RICE. I know Dick, that is him (pointing to Williams) - I never heard his surname; he lodged at the corner of the street the George and Ball is opposite. I saw Featherstone there on a Friday morning, as I came into the George and Ball; he and Dick were there, and called for a pot of porter, which I took them - Willis was also there; Dick just came in as I did. I took them two pots of porter, and half a pint of gin - I remember seeing a horse and cart there; I looked into it, and saw a bag - the cart stood five or six houses off, on the other side of the way; it was a middling sized horse, and had a sore on its back - I only saw one sack; I have seen a cart in possession of Pople, but do not think it is the same; I did not observe the colour, but it is broken; the cart I saw had no step to it. I did not hear Tom Willis say any thing about a Jew - I sometimes went to Dick's lodgings for some pots; I have seen Willis there. Q. While he was staying at Dick's lodgings. have you not heard him say something about a Jew? A. No; I have seen him there - I do not know what he was there for; I heard Tom say he was out out of the way, but I did not know what for. NICHOLAS CARTER MORRISON. I keep an oil-shop near the old Cross-examined by MR. BODKIN. Q. Is yours a considerable business? A. Yes; it was candle-light, but I knew him well before - he lived within two doors of me. JOHN BROWN. I am a private watchman near Battersea-bridge, which is two or
three hundred yards from the old JOHN WILLIS. I work for Mr. Ramsden, a carrier, and live in a yard in
Millman's-row, Cross-examined by MR. BODKIN. Q. Then there are three Featherstones? A. No, only two - they are very much alike; the cart was in my possession nearly a month, but was away for a week, having the shafts put on. GEORGE POPLE. I produce the brass. THOMAS JUMPSON. I live in Lawrence-street, Cross-examined by MR. BARRY. Q. How did you get the piece which is left behind? A. Mrs. Adams gave it me MRS. ADAMS. I gave JUMPSON that piece of the chandelier, which was left behind in the chapel. MICHAEL GASHION. I am a dealer in marine-stores, and live in Eagle-court, Cross-examined by MR. BARRY. Q. Were you before the Magistrate? A. Yes; Isaacs was there, and admitted that he had sold it to me; I bought it for 6d. and sold it for 7d. I saw him about it twice; he was at the public-house on Friday - I suppose six or more persons were present; he made no secret about it; it was weighed in the bags at the potatoe-shop; several persons were about; he made no secret of the matter; the bag was untied, but the brass was not visible. I told the master of the shop I had bought two bags of brass, and would be obliged if he would allow me to have them weighed - Isaacs heard that. I have known him attend different sales, and have known him from a boy. I never heard any harm of him, and believe he bore a good character. JOHN HEATH. I am Gashion's servant, and was present when he bought this brass of Isaacs - I took the same brass to Botton's. CHARLES BOTTON. I am a brass-founder, and live in Shoe-lane. On the 3d of
February I bought some brass of Gashion; he and his man Heath brought it. I
heard of the robbery at Cross-examined by MR. BARRY. Q. What did you give for it? A. 7d. per lb. GEORGE POPLE. I have brought the same brass here, and have had it ever since. Cross-examined by MR. BARRY. Q. Did you apprehend Isaacs? A. No; I saw him after he was apprehended, and in consequence of what he said I went to the place. JOHN CLARK. I apprehended Tom Willis at Liverpool, in Cross-examined by MR. BARRY. Q. Did you go to any place in consequence of what Isaacs said? A. No; I went with Isaacs' brother from the 6th to the 10th of February, in search of Willis, but could not find him; and after Isaacs was bailed, I saw no more of the brother. I offered to bail Isaacs on the 12th - I said if they wanted one bail I would - I know he was bailed. MR. ANDREWS. Q. Do you mean to say he was set at liberty after he was once taken up? A. He was bailed from Newgate on the 12th; he was charged with buying some brass, and I went with his brother to look after somebody. WILLIAMs' Defence. Willis says I brought the property to his brother's place - I never saw Willis till he was waiting at the George and Ball: and hearing people mention my name, he said to me, "Dick, have you got any place where I can slow myself out of the way?" I said, Yes, and took him to my room; he said the officer wanted him for a firkin of butter. I kept him in my room for a fortnight; his wife came backwards and forwards - she brought him a pair of pistols, and he said no officer should take him away alive. I then said he should not stop in my place any longer, and he went away in two days. FEATHERSTONE's Defence. On the Thursday evening I went to Mr. Morrison, and asked him for twopenny worth of bed-cord in one piece - he gave me twopenny worth; I said that was enough, and had twopenny worth, and then another twopenny worth - I untied them, and he tied all three pieces together for me. Willis says I carried one of the sacks into the cellar out of my cart - my cart was not out that morning at all. MR. MORRISON. I have no recollection of his tying them together; I know he undid them. ISAACS' Defence. I bought the brass of Tom Willis as honest goods, at 5d. per lb. - he did not agree to my price at first, but let me go; but on the following evening he agreed to let me have it. I said I would not take it away that night, as so many officers were about, and if it was wrong they would stop me, but I would come next morning, which I did - he brought it in two different loads to my house, No. 22, Houghton-street. I had no idea of its being come wrongfully by, or I should not have taken it to a public shop to have it weighed. I hope you will consider me as an innocent man, and the witness against me as guilty of the offence. WILLIAMS - GUILTY - DEATH. Aged 24. FEATHERSTONE - GUILTY - DEATH. Aged 19. |