Court Proceedings 1767 - James Alefounder

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Transcript from The Whole Proceedings on the King's Commissions of the Peace, Oyer and Terminer, and Goal Delivery held for the City of London, &c. [1767]. Held on Wednesday 3rd to Saturday 6th of June at Justice-Hall in the Old-Bailey.

Judge: the Hon. Sir Richard Adams, Knt. one of the Barons of his Majesty's Court of Exchequer.

Jury: John Blakesley, William Bamford, Luke Graffley, Thomas Grape, Richard Ringwood, John Blake, Samuel Wilkinson, Thomas Smith, John Stanton, Thomas Mould, Peter Langthorne, William Portall.

Daniel Turner was indicted for stealing 15 yards of couton velvet, value 6 l the property of Samuel Richardson and Co. May 22.

Samuel Richardson. John Slack, Samuel White and William White, and I, are partners ; we keep a Manchester warehouse in King street, Cheapside. On Friday night was se'nnight we sold eight pieces of Manchester velvet ; they were not delivered, and one from the parcel was missed the next morning from off th. counter ; I went to Sir John Fielding, and got bills dispersed about ; the piece was brought home that very evening ; I did not see it till the Monday, before my Lord Mayor ; there were two yards and a half cut off it, which was made up into a waistcoat ; (produced and deposed to.)

Esther Moses. I live in Petticoat-lane ; I sell oil and lemons about ; Daniel Turner came to my house with a gentlewoman last Friday was a week, about seven o'clock, and asked if I knew any body that would buy a piece of velvet ; it came into my head to carry it to Mr. Alefounder, a pawnbroker ; I carried the piece, and told him there was an acquaintance at my house, that has got this velvet to dispose of, and I asked him 8 s. a yard ; I said it was a very honest man ; he offered 6 s. a yard ; I said, I'll take it to him again, and if he is agreeable, I'll bring it again ; I went and told the prisoner I was offered 6s. 6d a yard for it; he said he gave that for it himself, but he wanted money ; he agreed to take it ; I went back again, and brought him the money.

James Alefounder. I live in Petticoat-lane ; I believe this is the same velvet which I bought of Mrs. Moses, last Friday was se'nnight, for 6s. a yard, and I sent it on; by Jane Boulton, who sold it to Mr. Blaney, a publican, for 6s 6d a yard ; I bought it for damaged goods by the colour. The next day I received a bill from Sir John Fielding, giving an account it was stolen ; then I sent the woman that sold it, with the money back, and to bring the velvet again I went and got an officer, and took up Mrs. Moses, and sent a letter to Sir John Fielding, to let him know I had bought it, and where it was, for the publican would not let the woman have it back again ; he kept it, in order to have the two guineas reward ; he went and made information to Sir John Fielding, and brought two men to my house to take charge of me, I sent for a neighbour ; he passed his word as far as a thousand pounds, for my appearing the next morning.

Jane Boulton. Mr Alefounder sent for me to sell this velvet for him ; he employs me, when any goods are out of date, to sell them ; I knowing Mr. Blaney was a taylor, carried it to him ; he bid me 6s. 6d. a yard for it ; I sold it him for 7s. and brought the money to Mr. Alefounder, and at night he sent for me, and told me the velvet was stole, and sent me back with the money: but Mr. Blaney said he had disposed of it.

Mr. Blaney deposed to that of buying the velvet of the last evidence, as she had given account ; and when he found it was stolen, he carried it to Sir John Fielding.

John Slack. I am a partner with Mr. Richardson; there was a piece of velvet taken off our counter ; we missed it about seven or eight o'clock the next morning ; I know nothing of the prisoner, nor how he came to take it.

Timothy Archey. I made a velvet waistcoat for the prisoner, of this sort of velvet, last Monday was se'nnight.

William Harris. The prisoner came to me on Saltpeece-bank, last Friday was a week, with this velvet, and asked me the name of it ; I said it was Manchester velvet ; he asked the price of it ; I said I should not trouble myself about it, I should not buy it, because I knew the man.

Prisoner's defence.

I bought that velvet of a man that had several other things to sell. Guilty. T.

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Last updated 8th June 2004 by Peter Alefounder

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