Forgotten Stories: “Women of Colour” in Newgate Gaol, 1817-1882

By John D Ellis

If ‘Newgate Gaol’ in London had been called ‘Newgate Hall’ and been a grand house in the home counties, it is likely that the individuals who appear in this article would have many a ‘champion’ willing to tell their stories. Even if they had been servants “of colour”, or perhaps companions to the wealthy and entitled rather than gaol inmates “of colour” someone might have shown an interest – perhaps a book might have been written or a TV series commissioned?

In “Untold Stories…” Kathleen Chater explored the problems historians faced identifying people of African and Asian origin in records dating between the seventeenth and early nineteenth century.^[1]Chater, K. “Untold Stories: Black People in England and Wales during the period of the British slave trade, c.1660-1807”. (Manchester University Press, 2011). pp.30-31. Whilst ‘Black’ is now used to mean being of African origin, in the past being described as having “a black complexion” or being “a black man” did not necessarily mean that someone was of African, or indeed Asian, origin. To confuse matters more, prior to the twentieth century both the Royal Navy and regiments of the British Army referred to men of African and Asian origin collectively as “Black” or “of colour” and as a result it is often difficult to ascertain ethnicity unless other information is provided. Records for various regiments of the British Army during the eighteenth and nineteenth century pose similar problems, and many a soldier described as having a black complexion would almost certainly have been White.^[2]In the ‘Regimental Records of Service, 1806-1817’ for the 2nd Battalion of the 67th (the South Hampshire) Foot, eighteen British and Irish born soldiers were described as having “Black” … Continue reading Consequently, the confirmation of the identification of Royal Navy ratings and British Army soldiers has to be made on a ‘case by case basis’ considering factors such as complexion, place of birth, distinguishing physical features and any other annotations. Additionally, in the absence of guidance from the War Office, the individuals responsible for recording descriptions had to decide who was “Black/of colour” and who was not. In Royal Navy records the annotations “a Black” or “Black” appear at times to be arbitrary, whilst some army regiments with longstanding traditions of employing Black soldiers were quite clear that describing an individual as “Black” or “of colour” meant that they were of African or Asian origin.

For the purposes of both brevity and to avoid confusion, the contemporary terms ‘Black’ and ‘of colour’ will be used in this article for people of African or Asian origin.

Identifying people “of colour” in Newgate Gaol 1817-1882

Between 1817 and 1882 the warders of Newgate Gaol admitted over 120,000 individuals through their infamous gates.^[3]TNA PCOM2. The phrase “as Black as Newgate’s’ knocker” refers to the heavy iron knocker on the main door to the prison between 1792 and 1902. Although described in 1770 as “a merciless race of men and, by being conversant with scenes of misery, steeled against any tender sensation”, they do appear to have been rather practical when it came to identifying inmates of African or Asian origin.^[4]Halliday, S. “Newgate: London’s Protype of Hell” (The History Press, 2007). Kindle edition. Being able to identify an inmate with certainty was an obvious requirement. Pre-printed admittance registers survive containing details such as name, place of birth, physical description (height, complexion), occupation, marital status (usually given in lieu of occupation for females), date of admittance, charge, trial date, verdict and sentence.

Although the hands undertaking the writing changed over the decades, the manner of recording did not. Until the 1820s the gaolers appeared to grapple with the problem of how to describe the complexion of individuals of African or Asian origin, sometimes referring to them as “Black”, with “mulatto”, “tawney” or “creole” being used for individuals of ‘mixed heritage’. However, by the mid-1820s they appear to have settled on the descriptions “man of colour/woman of colour”, although there were always exceptions to this ‘rule’. Whilst this has subsequently facilitated the identification of individuals “of colour” it does prove problematic. Firstly, because of the power dynamic involved, in that they were not requesting an individual to identify their identity but were imposing one, in effect an individual was being given a ‘label’ by a White male authority figure. Secondly, for those born in Britain, being “of colour” provides no indication whether they were of African or Asian origin, similar to the problem posed by the records of both the Royal Navy and regiments of the British Army. Thirdly, because they appear to have categorised individuals as being “of colour” depending on the perceived significance of their African or Asian origin. As such, the identify was being defined and diminished in relation to how ‘non-White’ they were judged to be by the Newgate gaolers. The Jamaica born radical Robert Wedderburn (1762-1835/1836) was commonly known to have been of ‘multiracial’ origin, yet when admitted to Newgate in 1819 charged with libel, his complexion was described as “dark”, a description frequently applied to White British and European men.^[5]TNA PCOM2/193. Similarly, whilst Magnus Booth, a Santa Cruz born veteran of the Battle of Trafalgar (1805) was described as a “mustee” by the captain of HMS Bellerophon (indicating that he was of 1/8^th African origin), on admittance to Newgate Gaol in 1825 his complexion was described as “dark”.^[6]www.historycalroots.com/magnus-booth-of-hms-bellerophon-at-the-battle-of-trafalgar/ Thus, the approximately 450 individuals identified by gaolers as being “of colour” (or a variant of that description) on admittance to Newgate Gaol, probably do not accurately represent all the people of African or Asian origin admitted.

Newgate Gaol

Newgate Gaol, just inside the City of London, was built in the twelfth century, extended and rebuilt at various times and was finally demolished in 1904. The people remanded into Newgate were charged with a wide range of crimes, many of which were capital offences (of which there were over 200 in 1800) and could measure their time in the institution in weeks. The courtrooms attached to the gaol, commonly referred to as ‘the Old Bailey’ processed people quickly. Many Newgate inmates never actually stood trial, as it was not uncommon for charges to be dropped or cases to be abandoned. Others did take the stand, only to be found Not Guilty. For those found Guilty, executions took place at Tyburn Gallows outside of the Gaol, until the 1860s (and thereafter within the grounds of the building). The toast “one for the road” is supposed to originate from the last drink a condemned convict would take prior to making the short journey from Newgate to be executed at Tyburn. Public whippings were carried out locally, short custodial sentences were usually served in either floating prison hulks or one of the local prisons. After 1788, longer sentences – 7 years, 14 years and Life resulted in transportation to Australia, with the more problematic offenders being sent to Van Dieman’s Land (Tasmania). Newgate was destroyed during the Great Fire of London, (1666), and rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren. It was stormed by a mob during the Gordon Riots (1780) and gutted by fire. Rebuilt by 1782, the building was based round a central courtyard, with separate accommodation for debtors, male felons and female felons, (including children).

Elizabeth Fry (1780-1845) first visited Newgate in 1813 and was appalled by the conditions she discovered: It was over-crowded, with many inmates being women and children. Gaolers (also referred to as ‘turnkeys’) earnt money by conducting public tours of Newgate, with the public being charged an admission fee to see the gaol’s more notorious prisoners.^[7]Halliday, S. “Newgate: London’s Protype of Hell”. (The History Press, Stroud, 2009). Fry’s subsequent agitation for reform, including an emphasis on education and rehabilitation did much to improve conditions in British prisons.

Notable inmates of Newgate included Giacomo Casanova, William Cobbett, Daniel Defoe, Captain William Kidd and Oscar Wilde. There were also prominent inmates “of colour”: The Jamaican born radical William Davidson (1781-1820), a participant in the ‘Cato Street Conspiracy’, was an inmate before being publicly executed for ‘High Treason’ outside the gaol in May 1820. In 1848, the Chartist leader William Cuffay (1788-1870) was held in Newgate when charged with conspiring to levy war against Queen Victoria. He was subsequently transported for life.

Newgate loomed large in the national psyche and has proved irresistible for many British authors: Geoffrey Chaucer (“Canterbury Tales – A Cook’s Tale” 1400); and Daniel Defoe’s “Moll Flanders” (1722) spent time in Newgate. Newgate appears in several of the works of Charles Dickens, notably Little Dorrit (1856), Great Expectations (1861) and Oliver Twist (1838). The latter including a scene in which Oliver visits the condemned Fagin in Newgate prior to his execution. Newgate Gaol also provided the backdrop for scenes in the recent (2023) ITV adaption of “The Confessions of Frannie Langton”, based on the book of the same name by Sarah Collins.^[8]Collins, S. “The Confessions of Frannie Langton”. (Penguin, 2019). Without giving away too many ‘spoilers’, Frannie, a ‘mixed heritage’ enslaved woman from Jamaica, finds herself incarcerated in Newgate in 1826, charged with murdering her ‘employer’ and his wife.

Inmates “of colour” admitted to Newgate Gaol, 1817-1882

One of the earliest references to a Black male inmate of Newgate dates from 1767 when Joseph Guy, a New York born former soldier and Royal Navy rating, was incarcerated in the gaol awaiting his trial and subsequent execution for highway robbery. Whilst the earliest reference to a Black female inmate is to Charlotte Gardiner, whose participation in the Gordon Riots of 1780, also led to her incarceration in Newgate and subsequent execution.^[9]www.historycalroots.com/charlotte-gardiner-a-black-woman-in-the-gordon-riots-of-june-1780/

Lest one be under the misapprehension that Black British history is defined by criminality, few of the hundreds of Black ratings and soldiers identified as serving in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries were involved in crime, and when they were, it was invariably as either victim of it or witness to it. However, nineteenth century newspapers appear to have referred to individuals as being “Black” or “of colour” if they were linked to crime (whether their ethnicity was relevant or not). In fact, the records of those admitted to Newgate belies that, and many of those admitted either never went to trial or were found Not Guilty.

In his study of over 200 Black convicts transported to New South Wales during the first half of the nineteen century, Ian Duffield eloquently and convincingly argued the case for them to be viewed, similarly to their White convicted peers, simply as ordinary people.^[10]Duffield, I. “Skilled Workers or Marginalised Poor? The African Population of the United Kingdom, 1812-1852”. In Killingray, D (ed.) “Africans in Britain”. (Frank Cass & Co. Ltd, 1996). … Continue reading

Clearly, comparing the details for the 450 people “of colour” with the 122,000 White people similarly admitted to Newgate Gaol, requires an extensive amount of time and is beyond the remit of this article. But ‘crunching the numbers’ reveals that the 450 individuals “of colour” were only 0.375% of the total population of Newgate Gaol between 1817 and 1882, with “women of colour” constituting 0.0225% of the overall population in the same period.

Kathleen Chater has suggested that in the eighteenth century 80% of the Black population in England and Wales were male and 20% female.^[11]Chater, K. “Untold Stories: Black People in England and Wales during the period of the British slave trade, c.1660-1807”. (Manchester University Press, 2011). pp.30-31. However, in Newgate Gaol, the twenty-seven women constitute only 6% of the approximately 450 individuals “of colour” admitted. How this compares vis-à-vis White male and female inmates is not known.

The relatively low percentage of inmates “of colour” is despite the fact that according to Pybus’s analysis of baptism records for 1770 to 1800, Black people constituted 1.3% of London’s overall population.^[12]Pybus, C. “Black Founders: The unknown story of Australia’s first black settlers”. (UNSW, 2006). pp.191. In addition to the fact that in the years 1820 to 1826 inclusive, the ‘Society for the Suppression of Mendicity’ “…concerned itself with approximately 400 black beggars…roughly one in 40 of the beggars who came to its notice…”^[13]Fryer, P. “Staying Power: The History of Black People in Britain”. (Pluto Press, 1984). pp. 230-231. Amongst the twenty-seven women “of colour” admitted to Newgate, there were indeed individuals who had fallen on hard times: Mary Ann Edwards had been reduced to begging; Fanny Kenyon had been born in a Foundling Hospital and was probably the victim of institutionalised neglect; Sarah Hart was described as “very badly off”.

Contextually, the percentage of inmates identified as being “of colour” is much lower than those of White inmates – or of what might be expected if they were to reflect either the Black population of London or the numbers reduced to begging. This may be because Newgate was somehow different from other gaols in London (perhaps other gaols had a larger percentage of inmates “of colour”), or because the Newgate warders had a rather rigid view of what constituted being “of colour”. Clearly, this issue requires further analysis. Paradoxically, in 2022, prisons in England and Wales contained approximately 57,974 White prisoners, 10,059 Black prisoners and 6,533 Asianprisoners^[14]http://www.statista.com/statistics/872053/prisoners-by-ethnicity-in-england-and-wales/ So, in 2022, and of a total prison population of 74,566 – 78% were White, 13% were Black and 9% were Asian.

The Appendix contains biographical entries for the twenty-seven females identified as being “of colour” on admittance to Newgate Gaol between 1817 and 1882. Their Newgate Gaol records have been supported by information found on ancestry.co.uk and findmypast.co.uk In the case of those who stood trial at the Old Bailey the online court transcripts have been included (from www.oldbaileyonline.org), whilst the details of those subsequently transported to New South Wales or Van Dieman’s Land have been identified in convictrecords.com.au 

Appendix

The largest number of the women were born in England, with London being most common, but individuals were born in Salisbury, Bath and Maidstone and one woman was born in Swansea, Wales (it has not been possible to identify whether these women were of African or Asian origin). One woman was born in Africa, one in Asia, two in St Helena and the others in the Caribbean and the USA.

The youngest inmate was Sarah David, aged 16 years and born in Maidstone, who was admitted in 1826. The oldest inmate was Mary Ann Edwards, aged 56 years and born in St Lukes (Chelsea), who was admitted in 1880.

Eight of the women had co-accused, and in seven of the cases the co-accused was White (including Susannah Thompson’s mother). Only one woman had a Black co-accused: Louisa Middleton.

Most of the women had their occupation defined by their marital status – with fourteen spinsters, two married women and one widow. When occupation was given, there was one ‘dealer’ (i.e. a street trader), one launderess and an ‘ayah’ (Caroline Periera from either Madras or Ceylon was a nursemaid/nanny). The court transcripts for three of the women imply that they were prostitutes.

Only three of the women had previous or later convictions identified.

The most serious charge faced was that of wounding a police constable. However, Mary Ann Wetherby was subsequently found Not Guilty.

Only eleven of the twenty-seven women were found Guilty of the offences with which they were charged, with five subsequently being sentenced to be transported (although Elizabeth Carpenter died in custody before the sentence could be carried out). Ultimately, most of the women either had the charges dropped or were found not Guilty.

Delphi Blackman was born in Oxford Street (London), c.1823. She was admitted to Newgate Gaol on the 5^th of December 1843, charged (alongside one White male co-accused, George Jones) with the burglary of the dwelling house and stealing 3 coats and 10 spoons. On admittance she was 4 feet 9” tall, “a woman of colour” and a spinster. She was tried at the Old Bailey on the 13^th of December 1843. The victim was Charles George Price Windsor of Victoria Road, St. Mary Abbotts, Kensington. Delphi Blackman, who was acquainted with a female servant employed by the victim, was charged with feloniously inciting her co-accused to commit the burglary. During the trial, it was mentioned that Delphi Blackman had a mother and brother. Delphi Blackman was found Not Guilty, whereas George Jones was found Guilty and transported for 15 years.^[15]TNA HO26/49. TNA HO 77/50/10. TNA PCOM2/208 and PCOM2/225. www.oldbaileyonline.org

Elizabeth Carpenter was born in New York c.1781. She was admitted to Newgate Gaol on the 17^th of April 1830, charged (alongside two White female co-accused) with stealing 1 jacket and 1 sheet from a clothes-shop in Brook Street, Stepney whilst intoxicated. On admittance she was 5 feet 0” tall, “a woman of colour” and married. It was noted that she had never been in custody before. She was tried at the Old Bailey on the 21^st of April 1830. Elizabeth Carpenter was found Guilty (one of her accused was also found Guilty and the other Not Guilty) and sentenced to be transported for 14 years. She is believed to have died in May 1832 – making it unlikely that she was transported.^[16]TNA PCOM2/200.ww.oldbaileyonline.org

Charlotte Clayton was born in St Andrews (there is a Church of St Andrew in Holborn) c.1812. Between 1835 and 1837 she was twice admitted to Newgate Gaol. She was first admitted on the 13^th of April 1835 charged with stealing 1 sovereign, 2 half-crowns and 5 shillings. On admittance she was 4 feet 11” tall, a “woman of colour” and a spinster. She was discharged “Bill not found”. She was admitted for a second time on the 14^th of March 1837 charged with stealing 5 sovereigns and 3 half crowns from a Peter Elisha. On admittance she was 4 feet 10” tall, a “woman of colour” born in Holborn c.1812 and a spinster. Charlotte Clayton was tried at the Old Bailey on the 7^th of April 1837. Peter Elisha was a straw salesman, who lived in Bennetts Place, Bethnal Green. Charlotte Clayton picked his pocket close to a brothel at the end of Tottenham Court Road. She was found Guilty and transported for 7 years. One of 140 convicts on the Henry Wellesley, she departed Britain in July 1837 and arrived at New South Wales in December 1837. Whilst onboard the Henry Wellesley whilst “at Sea” in September 1837, she was treated by the ship’s surgeon for a tumour on the right ear caused by a bile contracted in Newgate. It was also noted that she had recently informed the surgeon that she was pregnant – although not for how long. The tumour was treated, but no further reference to the pregnancy has been identified. In March 1843 she married Charles Langley (born c.1809). Her ‘Certificate of Freedom’ noted that she was born in London, a needleworker by occupation and the wife of Charles Langley. She was described as having an olive complexion (a “half cast”) with black hair, dark brown eyes, a large nose, several scars and tattoos on the inside of her left arm.

Charlotte and Charles Langley settled in Kent Street South, Sydney, however, their marriage was an acrimonious one and they separated. In November 1848 Charlotte Langley was admitted to Darlinghurst Gaol, although on what charge is unknown. She was described as a “female of colour” with dark eyes and “a cripple”.^[17]TNA PCOM2/203. TNA PCOM2 Piece 204. www.findmypast.com www.digitalpanopticon.org/life?id=obpdef1-1043-18370403 UK, Royal Navy Medical Journals, 1817-1856. ancestry.co.uk New South Wales Registers Of … Continue reading 

Leith Adelaide Cooper was born in Tobago c.1813. She was admitted to Newgate Gaol on the 21^st of May 1834, charged with stealing a nightgown and various other items, the property of her master. She had been employed as a cook but had been dismissed from her job in October 1833. The items were subsequently found at Elizabeth Carpenter’s lodgings at Globe Fields. On admittance she was described as a “Creole” and a spinster. She was tried at the Old Bailey on the 7^th of July 1834, found Guilty and sentenced to 3 months imprisonment.^[18]TNA HO 77/41. TNA PCOM2/203. TNA PCOM2/224. www.oldbaileyonline.org

Sarah David was born in Maidstone c.1810. She was admitted to Newgate Gaol on the 16^th of January 1826, charged (alongside a White female co-accused) with stealing 6 cups and saucers from her place of employment – a china shop in Marylebone Street. On admittance she was “a mulatto”, stoutish and a spinster. She was tried at the Old Bailey on the 20^th of February 1826, found Guilty and sentenced to 6 months imprisonment.^[19]TNA PCOM2/198. www.oldbaileyonline.org

Mary Ann Edwards was born in St Lukes (Chelsea) c.1824. She was admitted to Newgate Gaol on the 15^th of July 1880, charged with unlawfully wandering to beg. On admittance she was 5 feet 1” tall, a “mulatto” and a dealer by occupation. It was noted that she had a crooked little finger. She was discharged without standing trial.^[20]TNA PCOM2/220.

Amelia Francis was born on St Helena c.1799. She was admitted to Newgate Gaol on the 6^th of November 1819, charged with assaulting Joseph Owencroft on the King’s Highway and robbing him of a bank note and then cutting and maiming him with some sharp instrument. On admittance she was 5 feet 3” tall, a “woman of colour”, stoutish and a spinster. It was noted that she had been in custody before. She was discharged “by proclamation” on the 19^th of December 1819. Between 1819 and 1829 Amelia Francis waged a public and frequently violent vendetta against the Earl of Powis.^[21]TNA PCOM2/193. See also www.historycalroots.com/with-fury-and-violence-amelia-francis-a-black-woman-in-regency-england/

Ann Gilbert was born in St Pancras (London) c.1844. She was admitted to Newgate Gaol on the 8^th of October 1879, charged with neglecting a child. On admittance she was 5 feet 0” tall, a “woman of colour”, a Protestant and a laundress by occupation. The child in question was a 14-month-old girl named Elizabeth Woolcot. Her mother, Clara Woolcot, gave her to Ann Gilbert to take care of. Ann Gilbert cared for Elizabeth Woolcot for approximately two months. Clara Woolcot had initially paid Ann Gilbert 6s per week to care for Elizabeth, however, this was then reduced to 4s and was frequently not paid. When Elizabeth Woolcot fell ill she was taken to St Thomas Hospital, where she was found to be emaciated and severely bruised. Following her death shortly after admittance, Ann Gilbert (of 149 Chorland Street), was charged with manslaughter. It was subsequently discovered that the child had died from natural causes and Ann Gilbert was acquitted, being discharged from Newgate Gaol on the 28^th of October 1879.^[22]TNA PCOM2/219. Globe, 11th October 1879. London Evening Standard, 29th October 1879. findmypast.co.uk

Sarah Hart was born in Bristol c.1851. She was admitted to Newgate Gaol on the 23^rd of January 1878 charged (alongside two White male co-accused, Thomas and Harry Pickford of Bethnal Green) with stealing 11 shirts and 30 yards of Linsey cloth. The Pickfords were also charged with stealing a jacket. On admittance she was 5 feet 2” tall, a “woman of colour”, a Protestant and had scars on both arms, her head and cheek. The owner of the shirts and linsey cloth was John Kettle Paine (Payne), a draper of High Street, Woolwich. Hart was apprehended attempting to sell the cloth in the Duke on Horseback public-house, Woolwich. It was mentioned that Hart was known in the Duke on Horseback and described as “very badly off”. She was tried at the Old Bailey on the 14^th of February 1878 and found Not Guilty, as was Thomas Pickford. However, Harry Pickford was found Guilty.

This was not to be Sarah Hart’s last encounter with the judicial system. She was admitted to Wandsworth Prison in October 1878 for seven days after being convicted of being drunk and riotous. On admittance it was recorded: Female. Adult. 27 years of age. 5 feet 1” tall. Black hair. Black eyes. Mulatto complexion. Scars on the left cheek, upper lip and right arm. Occupation “none”. Could not read or write. Her weight on entry and exit was 8 stones and 13 lbs. Born in England.

The 1851 Census reveals something of Sarah Hart’s origins: In that year, the Hart family were residing at 9 Little Bridge Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire. The family was comprised of John Hart, a labourer born in Africa c.1821. Jane Hart, his wife, born in Exeter c.1831. Lewis Hart, born in Manchester c.1846. Sarah Hart, born in Bristol c.1851. The Harts were visiting Thomas Robertson, a French polisher born in the East Indies c.1823.^[23]TNA PCOM2/217. www.oldbaileyonline.org Register Of Prisoners. Wandsworth Prison, Surrey. TNA PCOM2/288. 1851 England, Wales and Scotland Census. 9 Little Bridge Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire. … Continue reading

Ann Jones was born in Salisbury c.1826. She was admitted to Newgate Gaol on the 5^th of June 1843, charged with stealing 1 sovereign from a Henry Brown. On admittance she was 5 feet 5” tall, a “woman of colour” and a spinster. She was discharged, “Bill not found”.^[24]TNA PCOM2/208.

Diana Jones was born in Jamaica c.1778. She was admitted to Newgate Gaol on the 21^st of August 1828, charged with maliciously throwing a knife at Amelia Smith with the intent to do her some grievous bodily harm. It was noted that the offence had allegedly been committed “within the Liberty of the Tower”. The ‘Liberties of the Tower’, or ‘Tower Liberty’ is a small neighbourhood in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, which includes both Tower Hill and the Tower of London. On admittance she was 5 feet 3” tall, a “woman of colour” and a widow. She was discharged (without standing trial) on the 13^th of September 1828.^[25]TNA PCOM2/200.

Elizabeth Jones was born on the Isle of France (Mauritius) c.1814. She was admitted to Newgate Gaol on the 21^st of July 1838, charged (alongside three White female co-accused) with stealing monies, 1 box and 2 gowns. On admittance she was 5 feet 2” tall, “a woman of colour” and a spinster. She was tried at the Old Bailey on the 23^rd of August 1838, found Guilty (two of her accused were also found Guilty and the other Not Guilty) and sentenced to be transported for 7 years.^[26]TNA PCOM2/205. www.oldbaileyonline.org

Mary Kendrick was born in Westminster c.1820. She was admitted to Newgate Gaol on the 8^th of July 1839, charged with stealing 1 watch and monies to the value of £9 from one Thomas Hughes, in the dwelling house of Sarah Taylor. On admittance she was 5 feet 5” tall, a “woman of colour” and a spinster. She was tried at the Old Bailey on the 11^th of July 1839. The reports implied that Mary Kendrick was a prostitute who had met Thomas Hughes (of Brick Court, Temple) and taken him to Sarah Taylor’s residence – “leading from Tothill Street”, St Margaret’s, Westminster. From the Court report:

Thomas Hughes: I live in Brick Court, Temple. I was going home, on the morning of the 30th of June, between one and two o’clock. In passing through Westminster, I was accosted by the prisoner – I had drank some wine and was weak enough to go with her to a house leading from Tothill Street. I undressed and went to bed; in a short time, she made an excuse to leave the room. I had my watch and guard-chain and five sovereigns, and about 15s in my pocket. Shortly after she returned, I went to sleep, and slept two hours. I awoke, and she was gone. I missed my watch and money. I raised an alarm, a young girl came up, and I told her to call the police. She went out, and shortly after the prisoner entered the room. She was very violent. I detained her till the police arrived. This is my watch, which I had left on the table, (examining it), it was found secreted behind a box near the wall.

William Cockerell: I live in Pye Street, Westminster, and am a general dealer. Between three and four o’clock that morning the prisoner came and asked if I would let her have something to eat. I said “Yes”, she had something, and threw me down a sovereign. I said I had not sufficient silver to give change. She went out, but came back in one minute after, and had some more. I saw from three to five sovereigns in her hand.

Ann Taylor: I am the daughter of Sarah Taylor; she keeps the house. It is in the parish of St Margaret, Westminster. I am not sixteen years old. I lighted the gentleman and the prisoner upstairs. I left the light, and she came down for some warm water. I made some warm, she took it in, and went away. I called her, she was not there. I went and looked in the street but could not see her.

James Fowler (PC B84): I was sent for and searched the room. I found this watch secreted behind two boxes. The house is in Little Deal Street, in the Almonry, it is a common brothel. S. Taylor is very ill, and the brothel is conducted wholly by the last witness.

Prisoner’s Defence: I am innocent. I had been to the same house with a gentleman, who gave me, as I supposed, 2s, but on examination I found one was a sovereign. I changed it at Mr. Cockerell’s. I had no other money in my hand. The prosecutor was awake when I went down.

Thomas Hughes – re-examined: I was aware she made an excuse for going down the first time, and I went to sleep.

Found Guilty, Mary Kendrick was sentenced to be transported for 10 years. One of 184 convicts on the Gilbert Henderson, she departed Britain in December 1839 and arrived at Van Dieman’s Land (Tasmania) in April 1840. Between May 1840 and February 1841, Mary Kendrick was charged five times, including disorderly conduct, being absent without leave and using obscene language. In February 1842, she was given permission to marry Henry Francis Heald (also a convict, born in Soho, c.1801-1867). They had eight children, and Mary Heald (nee’ Kendrick), died in Melbourne in 1896.^[27]TNA HO77/46/11. PCOM2/205. www.oldbaileyonline.org convictrecords.com.au stors.tas.gov.au/CON40-1-6$init=CON40-1-6p168 foundersandsurvivors.org/pubsearch/convict/chain/c40a3755 The Weldon Family Tree … Continue reading

Fanny Kenyon was born at the Foundling Hospital in Holborn c.1803-1804. She was admitted to Newgate Gaol on the 21^st of October 1822, charged with stealing purses to the value of 30s from her employer Joseph Gaskin of Michael Street, Hackney. On admittance she was 5 feet 3” tall, a “woman of colour” and a spinster.

Fanny Kenyon had been employed as a servant by Joseph Gaskin for five weeks prior to the offence, however, records revealed she had spent much of her time in care, and thereafter has been passed from employer to employer: “Brought up in the Foundling Hospital, and apprenticed by that Institution to Mrs. McKenzie Hadleigh, Herts, – with whom she lived six or seven years. She was then turned over to one Preston, 33 King Street Westminster, with whom she lived six months: again transferred to Mr Ward – 7 Great Smith street Westminster: again transferred to Mr. Sharpe, 9 Brunswick Square: again to Mr. Williams, Fountain Court, Strand: then to Mr. Cross, Whitcomb Street and lastly to Mr. Glaskin of Wick Street, Hackney, with whom she lived 5 weeks, and by whom she was accused of stealing some purses”.

Fanny Kenyon was tried at the Old Bailey on the 23^rd of October 1822 and found Guilty. She did not receive a custodial sentence, almost certainly because Joseph Gaskin had proved to be sympathetic to her plight, and she was instead sent to the ‘Refuge for the Destitute’ in Shoreditch.^[28]TNA PCOM2/196. www.oldbaileyonline.org and www.historycalroots.com/a-foundling-of-colour-fanny-kenyon/

Mary Ann Le Blanc was born in Walworth (London) c.1829. She was admitted to Newgate Gaol on the 17^th of November 1846, charged with stealing 1 shawl from Peter Le Blanc. On admittance she was 4 feet 11” tall, a “woman of colour” and a spinster. She was discharged, “Bill not found”.^[29]TNA PCOM2/210. 

Mary Ann Maria Lloyd was born in Salisbury c.1817. She was admitted to Newgate Gaol on the 26^th of March 1839, charged with the robbery of Henry Palmer Locke and stealing his goods and monies. On admittance she was 5 feet 4” tall, a “woman of colour” and a spinster. Mary Ann Maria Lloyd had picked Locke’s pocket as he passed through Birdcage Walk, however, he raised the alarm and she was apprehended immediately. Mary Ann Maria Lloyd was tried at the Old Bailey on the 11^th of April 1839, found Guilty and sentenced to 3 months imprisonment.^[30]TNA PCOM2/205. www.oldbaileyonline.org

Louisa Middleton was born in St George in the East (London) c.1813. She was admitted to Newgate Gaol on the 15^th of August 1842 charged (alongside her co-accused John Norman, a “man of colour” born in St Croix c.1801 and a sailor by occupation) with the robbery of a James Bunn. On admittance she was 5 feet 3” tall, a “woman of colour” and married. Louisa Middleton was tried at the Old Bailey on the 27^th of August 1842. John Bunn resided in Raven Row, Mile End. Louisa Middleton, a brothel keeper, resided in Vinegar Lane, (her mother and a son named Tom were mentioned as living with her). Bunn, (also rendered as Dunn or Dunne) was robbed in the brothel, although how he got there, visiting of his own will or pushed in by Middleton, was debated in Court:

James Bunn: I live at No. 8 Raven Row, Mile End Turnpike. On the afternoon of the 14th of August, I was crossing up Vinegar Lane, coming home, with my coat over my arm. I saw the prisoner Middleton and another woman. The female with her asked if I would stand some gin. Before I had time to speak, Middleton shoved me into the house where they live. I was seized by the throat by Norman, who pushed me down, put his hand to my throat, and grasped it so that I could hardly speak, and took from my right-hand pocket 4s/6d. He said if I said a word, he would cut my throat. As soon as I got from him I was shoved out into the street on the pavement, and my hat was thrown out after me. My neck was very much scratched.

Norman – Questioning: Can you positively swear you met me in the passage when you entered the house? A: I was shoved down into the passage by the women. I did not see you till you laid hold of my throat. I did not see you in the passage.

Norman: Nobody could have pushed him; Middleton was in the kitchen, and I ran upstairs when I heard the noise.

Bunn – being cross-examined by Mr Payne: What are you? A: A news vender. I was coming home from work. There were two women. It is a thoroughfare. I was pushed into the house. I never saw either of the prisoners before. I did not go into any house with a girl. I did not offer any girl any money to go upstairs with me. I did not go upstairs with one (looking at Elizabeth Wilson). I never saw her before, to my knowledge. I will swear I did not see her on that occasion. I did not see her standing at a window that day, nor did I say I would give her sixpence to go upstairs with me (looking at Jane Conley) That girl was close by the door. It was not her that pushed me down. I did not go anywhere with her. I swear that (looking at Martha Brown) that is the woman who asked me to stand treat. She was by the window. I had had a share of two or three pints of beer that day. I was not the worse for it. I was as sober as I am now.

Charles Potter (Police Constable K212): I accompanied that prosecutor and Pavitt to the prisoners’ house in Vinegar Lane. It is a brothel. Middleton keeps it. I went into the back yard, and another constable stood looking over. I got into the garden. I found Norman in the next garden, with this dinner knife. I asked why he ran away. He said he did not know. I took him into custody. The prosecutor charged him with robbing him of three shillings and three sixpences. He said he knew nothing of it, that the man had been upstairs with a young woman, (and) that they had been fighting up there and broken some of the chairs. I went upstairs. There were no chairs broken. There was a little graze on the wall. I cannot say whether that was fresh done.

Charles Potter (Police Constable K212) being cross-examined: Q: Did not he say he had been scraping potatoes with the knife? A: Yes—2d was found on him.

George Pavitt: I am a policeman. I went with Potter and the prosecutor to the prisoner’s house. I went to the Two Markers (possibly a public house), in the lane. and found Middleton. She said she would come with me. It was about three o’clock. The prosecutor had been drinking but was not drunk.

George Pavitt being cross-examined: Q: They said at the time he had been in the house with a girl, and offered sixpence? A: Yes—Middleton said before she saw the man, that the prosecutor had been up in a room with a girl, and offered her sixpence, that she came down to her with the sixpence, and that Middleton told her she bad better go up and get the man down out of the house.

Norman’s Defence: I was upstairs, lying down, and he entered the room with Jane Conley; I heard footsteps coming up stairs, but did not see them, and did not meddle with them. After entering the room, he presented sixpence to the female to go with him; she would not comply with his wishes, and he commenced abusing her. When I heard the expressions, I came forward. I stood at the door, and said, “Halloo, shipmate, what is all this?” I entered the room. He immediately got off his chair, struck me, and said, “I will knock your d—black head off”. I said, “That is impossible”. I struck him; he struck me again, and, in my own defence, I collared him, and no doubt scratched him in doing so. After I got him out of the door to the top of the stairs, I said, “Be off, you have no business in the house”. He walked downstairs, and in the passage, he met Middleton’s son Tom, struck him in the temple, and knocked him down. He walked out at the door. He was not thrown out. I never touched a farthing of his money.

James Bunn being re-examined: I did not go upstairs. I was not on a chair. I did not strike him, nor did I offer a woman sixpence. I was shoved out into the street. I saw Tom, as they call him, with some people, the other day, when they came and offered me £5 not to come here. Middleton’s mother was with them. The prisoner struck me three or four times in the face, and it was swollen.

Elizabeth Wilson: I live next door to Mrs Middleton. Between one and two o’clock on the day in question I was standing at Mrs. Middleton’s window, when the prosecutor came up. He said to me, “I will give you sixpence if you will go indoors with me”. I said, “Young man, you are not aware that I am a married woman”. He said, “Will you take anything to drink?”. I said, “No, Sir, I thank you, I drink with no mankind but my husband”. I was in the street at the time, standing against Mrs. Middleton’s window. Jane Conley was sitting outside on the window ledge. He then offered her sixpence to go in-doors, and he went into Mrs Middleton’s house with her. Mrs Middleton was in her own kitchen at the time, providing for her dinner. I could see her from the passage. I afterwards heard a noise but saw nothing happen. Mrs. Middleton was still downstairs in the kitchen.

Court Q: Did you hear the prosecutor offer Conley sixpence? A: Yes, and he told me he had no more than sixpence about him. I walked into the passage after Conley, and the prosecutor went upstairs, and anybody can see into the kitchen from the passage. Mrs Middleton was cutting up some meat. She had a mug of beer and asked me if I would drink a drop. I thought it no harm to drink with her as a neighbour. I heard a noise upstairs I did not wait to see the end of it. I did not see Norman. Middleton never came out of the kitchen while I was there. The prosecutor was there, I dare say nearly half-an-hour.

Jane Conley: I live at home with my father. I was sitting on Mrs. Middleton’s window-ledge. The prosecutor asked me if I would take anything to drink. I said, “No; I see you are intoxicated, so I won’t”. I walked off the window-ledge and said no more. He followed me upstairs, and when we got upstairs, he gave a sixpence into my hand. He stayed a quarter of an hour, as near as I can recollect. He sat on the chair a good bit talking to me. He kicked up a terrible piece of work and knocked the things about. Mrs. Middleton hearing the noise, came up stairs. He made use of very bad language, and offered to strike her, because she ordered him out of the room. Norman, hearing the piece of work, came, in, and went to part them. He (James Bunn) struck Norman three times. Norman never returned it till he was struck three times. He then struck him again.

Court Q: What was the quarrel about? A: About the sixpence. I refused to be with him, and then he wanted to strike me, and began knocking the things about. He said he would not go out till he had broken everything in the house. He did not break anything, but he would have done it, if they had not come and hindered him.

Martha Brown: I remember the prosecutor coming to Mrs Middleton’s house. She was sitting in the kitchen, cutting up some meat for dinner. He followed Jane Conley in. I was in the kitchen. I had come in to hang out some things to air. I am servant to Mrs. Middleton. Wilson came in and drank some beer. I afterwards heard a disturbance and went upstairs with Mrs Middleton. We found the prosecutor, Conley, and Norman there. The prosecutor struck Norman three times, and then there was a great scuffling between them. Middleton did not take a farthing of the prosecutor’s money, nor did she hold him down while any was taken from him. She did not push him into the house. She was in the kitchen.

Court Q: What became of Wilson? A: She went out directly she had drunk the beer. Mrs. Middleton gave it to her in the kitchen. This is a respectable house, girls and men lodge there. It is a common brothel.

James Bunn being re-examined: I work for my father and carry out papers. I had 7s in my waistcoat pocket. Norman only took 4s/6d out. I saved the remainder, by pulling my arm up to my pocket. It was all in one pocket. My pocket was torn. I was going home, after having delivered livered papers, and this was money I had received. I do not usually go down Vinegar Lane, but I had forgotten a paper at one place, and Vinegar Lane was a near cut for me. The witness Brown is the woman that assisted Middleton in pushing me into the house.

Martha Brown being re-examined: I was not near the door of the house; I was in the kitchen. He asked me how I was. I told him I was quite well and thanked him. He did not know me. I went into the kitchen for some pins, which I had left on the kitchen-table. I was at the back-yard-door when the prosecutor came in and asked me how I did. He came in and asked me how I did. He came into the kitchen.

Louisa Middleton was found Guilty and sentenced to three years imprisonment. John Norman was found Guilty and sentenced to be transported for 15 years. In 1843 Louisa Middleton petitioned to be pardoned but her petition was rejected.^[31]TNA HO19/10. TNA PCOM2/207. www.oldbaileyonline.org John Norman was one of 295 convicts on the Cressy, he departed Plymouth in April 1843 and arrived at Van Dieman’s Land (Tasmania) in August 1843. … Continue reading

Mary Ann Mitchell was born in America c.1813. She was admitted to Newgate Gaol on the 17^th of September 1838, charged with stealing a half crown. On admittance she was 5 feet 2” tall, “a woman of colour” and a widow. She was tried at the Old Bailey on the 21^st of September 1838, found Guilty and sentenced to be transported for 10 years.^[32]TNA PCOM2/205. www.oldbaileyonline.org

Charlotte Nicholls was born at Havannah (Cuba) c.1800. She was admitted to Newgate Gaol on the 18^th of December 1827, charged (alongside one White female co-accused; Elizabeth Law) with assaulting John Panton and stealing 1 half-crown, 6s and sixpence. John Panton was assaulted by four women and one man after leaving the Britannia public-house. Allegedly, Nicholls restrained him during the incident at the corner of Brackley Street, Golden Lane. The victim followed Nicholls and her co-accused to the back part of the Salmon and Ball public-house and she was then arrested. On admittance she was 5 feet 3” tall, a “mulatto”, stoutish and a spinster.  She was tried at the Old Bailey on the 14^th of January 1828, found Guilty (as was her co-accused) and sentenced to be transported for life.^[33]TNA PCOM2/199. www.oldbaileyonline.org

Caroline Periera was born in Madras c.1810. She was admitted to Newgate Gaol on the 12^th of June 1850, charged with larceny in a vessel in the Thames. On admittance she was described as a “woman of colour”. Caroline Periera was employed as an ‘ayah’ (nursemaid/nanny) to the children of a Doctor James Darwood during their return from India. Initially, she was a called as a witness when Patrick and Sarah Smith (fellow passengers) were charged with stealing from her 4 pairs of eardrops, 10 brooches, 99 sovereigns and other articles to the value of nearly £30. However, she was in turn charged with stealing them from the Darwoods. Caroline Periera was tried at the Old Bailey on the 18^th of June 1850 and spoke in her own defence:

I am a native of Ceylon; I was in the service of Sir Edward Barnes, the governor there, for twelve years, as head-nurse to his children. I embarked on board the Wellesley East Indiaman at Madras, as nurse to Dr Darwood, and lady’s-maid to mistress. There were five children and the lady. I have a brother at Ceylon. He comes to Madras to sell jewellery. He entrusted me with some jewellery before I left Madras. There was a diamond brooch, some ruby stones, four pairs of earrings, and other articles. They were put into a green box. A plum-coloured China satin dress was put in first; then the jewellery, with a piece of cotton put upon it; and after that came a thick black satin; and then another jewellery after that. The box was fastened up with white lead, so that nobody could open it. The box was tin inside and green outside. I am a Roman Catholic. My brother gave me two or three articles of jewellery as presents for gentlefolks; one was for Lady Barnes, one for her four children that I nurse. Sir Edward Barnes had put the money down, to set my brother up as a jeweller at Ceylon. I was to sell the rest of the jewellery, and with the money to buy English clothes and glass, knives and forks, and fancy things, to send out to Madras, to trade and make money by ____ I had 100 sovereigns with me to buy things. Those sovereigns I got; I had been with Mrs. Napier last year, I got 300 rupees wages to bring four children, I got 200 rupees, £20, for my passage, beside that. Mrs Morgan gave a lady for me, Mrs. Weatherspoon, whose children I take, she gave me £10. to wait on her and four young ladies, Mrs Antwell gave me £7 to wait for her, and Dr Ross’s lady, gave me £6 to wait for her. That is the way I make money. I had been in Sir Edward Barnes’s service twelve years, at £3 a month. I have left him some years. After that I went to Sir Wilmot Horton’s, at the Government-house at Ceylon, and Lady Barnes gave me one lady: Mrs Darwood. I put the sovereigns loose in the case, with my small watch and chain, which Sir Edward Barnes gave me. I kept them in my own separate chest, and four rows of pearl I put there, which cost me 100 rupees, which was a present to my master’s daughter, Miss Barnes, seven years of age. I went on board the Wellesley on New-year’s Day. I spent New-year’s Day on board the ship…”

Caroline Periera was found Not Guilty.^[34]TNA PCOM2/212. www.oldbaileyonline.org

Belinda Searys (Sears) was born in Marylebone c.1830. She was admitted to Newgate Gaol on the 28^th of June 1849, charged with stealing two £5 bank notes and gold and silver monies from Henri Charles Desire Parmentier (a school master), in the dwelling house of Elizabeth Russell. On admittance she was 4 feet 10” tall, a “woman of colour” and a spinster. It was noted that she had previously been in custody before for 4 months. Searys, who lodged at No. 6 Clement’s Lane, Strand appears to have been a prostitute who stole from her victim after he fell into a drunken slumber. Belinda Searys was tried at the Old Bailey on the 21^st of July 1849, and spoke in her own defence:

Prisoner’s Defence: I never took the money from him; I had £3/10s. It was given me by a gentleman to purchase a dress to go down to Greenwich, and meet him on the following Saturday, and to pay my passage. I had that money in my possession when the prosecutor met me.

William West (Police Sergeant F7): I produce a certificate, (which read “Belinda Searys, convicted Oct., 1847, of larceny from the person, confined four months”), she is the person.

One witness, Eliza Johnson from Greenwich, had known Searys from infancy. However, PS West’s revelation of a previous conviction (‘Bad Character Evidence’) seems to have influenced the case against Belinda Searys. She was found Guilty and sentenced to transportation for 7 years.

One of 207 convicts on the St Vincent, she departed Britain in December 1849 and arrived at Van Dieman’s Land (Tasmania) in April 1850. Convict records during her incarceration revealed more information about Belinda Searys: She had been born in Portland Place (a street in Marylebone) to “a Negro father by a white woman”. She was a house maid and needlewoman (although these skills might have been acquired after conviction), she could read and write and identified as a Protestant. Another description was recorded: A swarthy complexion, dark hazel eyes and black curly hair. The previous conviction referred to by PS West at Seary’s trial was revealed to have been the theft of £15 from “a foreigner”. The similarity between the two offences probably being sufficient to have convicted Belinda Searys in 1849. The year 1851 saw Belinda Searys charged with insolence and neglect of work, but also marrying Joseph Moon (born 1816) in Campbell Town, Tasmania (the former was a needlewoman and the latter a labourer). Belinda Moon, (nee’ Searys) was given her ‘Ticket of Leave’ in 1853 and a conditional pardon in 1854. A Belinda Moon, born in 1831, is known to have died in Victoria in 1874.^[35]TNA PCOM2/211. www.oldbaileyonline.org www.convictrecords.com.au foundersandsurvivors.org/pubsearch/convict/chain/ai62908 Tasmania Convict Records 1800-1893. Conduct Record CON41/1/25; Description … Continue reading

Diana Smith was born on St Helena c.1799. She was admitted to Newgate Gaol on the 9^th of May 1818, charged with stealing a handkerchief. On admittance she was 5 feet 4” tall, a “woman of colour”, stout made and single. She was discharged (without standing trial) on the 13^th of May 1818.^[36]TNA PCOM2/192.

Mary Ann Stevens was born in Bath c.1825. She was admitted to Newgate Gaol on the 15^th of December 1843, charged with stealing 1 sovereign from a Jessie Adey. On admittance she was 4 feet 6” tall, a “woman of colour” and a spinster. She was discharged on the 3^rd of January 1844, “Bill not found”.^[37]TNA PCOM2/208.

Susannah Thompson was born in Swansea c.1810. She was admitted to Newgate Gaol on the 27^th of March 1828, charged (alongside two White female co-accused: Elizabeth Smith and Susannah’s mother, also named Susannah Thompson – who was White, married and born in Ware c.1783), with stealing 3 shawls, 1 quilt and other items to the value of £50, the property of Valentine Batholomew. On admittance she was 5 feet 2” tall, a “mulatto” (she was described as a “Creole” in newspaper reports) and a spinster. Susannah Thompson was tried at the Old Bailey on the 10^th of April 1828 and found Not Guilty. Both of her co-accused were found Guilty and transported for life.^[38]TNA PCOM2/199. www.oldbaileyonline.org Public Ledger and Daily Advertiser, 11th April 1828. findmypast.co.uk Newgate Calendar of Prisoners, 1785-1853. Piece 35:1828. ancestry.co.uk

Mary Ann Wetherby was born in Lambeth c.1814. She was admitted to Newgate Gaol on the 11^th of September 1866, charged with wounding Abraham Deerling. On admittance she was 5 feet 2” tall, a “woman of colour” and a widow. Mary Ann Wetherby (nee’ Aguirra then Hussey) was the daughter of Private Joseph Aguirra of the 1^st Foot Guards (the Grenadier Guards) and his wife Ann. The former was a Guadeloupe born Black enlisted military musician. PC Abraham Deerling was attempting to arrest Mary Ann’s 12-year-old daughter for stealing a watch when the incident occurred just outside her residence in Gunn Street. She was accused of stabbing PC Deerling with the knife she had been using to shell walnuts when he, and two other police constables, arrived to arrest her 12-year-old daughter, Isabella, for stealing a watch. Mary Ann Aguirra was tried at the Old Bailey on the 20^th of September 1866 and found Not Guilty. Twice married, Mary Ann Aguirra had five children and died at Black Friars in 1878.^[39]TNA PCOM2/216. www.oldbaileyonline.org    www.historycalroots.com/mary-ann-aguirra-a-londoner-of-colour-1814-1878/

Elizabeth White was born in Africa c.1818. She was admitted to Newgate Gaol on the 21^st of May 1843 charged (alongside two White Irish co-accused; John and Sarah Neale) with stealing 1 jacket and 1 knife from a James Carter. On admittance she was 5 feet 0” tall, a “woman of colour” and a spinster. James Carter was a sailor lodging in Essex Street, Commercial Road. Elizabeth White lived with John and Sarah Neale, and the implication was that she was a prostitute. Elizabeth White was tried at the Old Bailey on the 10^th of May 1843, and spoke in her own defence:

“He went home with me; he said he had got no money, he had only just come home, but he would leave his jacket with me, and give me 4s. The next day he took it off and gave it to me. Between four and five o’clock in the morning he awoke me, and said he would murder me, if I did not give him his jacket. I said he gave it me; then Sarah Neale came in, and he began to ill-use her; he said he should leave his jacket with his girl for 4s; and I said directly, “You bring the 4s., and you shall have your jacket.” I heard “Murder” cried; I jumped out of bed, and said, “What is the matter?” he said he would have his jacket; he up with his fist, and struck me, and said if I did not hold my tongue, he would murder everyone in the house; he said, “I will have my revenge out of the Irish; for through the Irish I got twice into Newgate.”

Elizabeth White and Sarah Neale were found Guilty and sentenced to 4 months imprisonment. John Neale was found Not Guilty.^[40]TNA PCOM2/208. www.oldbaileyonline.org

Charlotte Williams was born in St Andrews (there is a Church of St Andrew in Holborn) c.1811. She was admitted to Newgate Gaol on the 28^th of August 1833, charged with stealing money. On admittance she was 4 feet 11” tall, a “woman of colour” and a spinster. She was discharged, “Bill not found”.^[41]TNA PCOM2/202.

Acknowledgement

As always, I am most grateful for the assistance and support of Megan Ellis.