The proceedings of the home-circuit on the King's commission of the Crown side, at the several assizes, (viz.) Hartford, Brentwood, Croydon, East-Grensted, and Rochester. Being a goal delivery held for the several counties, &c. And in the fourth year of his Majesties reign. With allowance.

The Proceedings at Rochester, in the County of Kent, on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, being the 6th. 7th. and 8th. of August, 1688.

AT the Assizes held at Rochester, in Kent, on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, being the 6th. 7th. and 8th. of August, 1688. the Com∣mission was read before Sir Richard Allibon, Knt. and the Jury were Sworn, which were,

• ...William Morphew,
• ...Robert Goddard,
• ...Thomas Shores,
• ...Abel Pennell,
• ...Henry Tilby,
• ...James Mead,
• ...James Nott,
• ...Samuel Firmes,
• ...William Harvey,
• ...John Street,
• ...James Andrews,
• ...Daniel Creswell.

The Tryals of the Prisoners were as follows.

Elizabeth Nash was Indicted for the Murther of her Female Bastard Child, the 19th. day of March last past. It appeared by Mrs. Codd, the chief Evidence, with whom the Prisoner had some acquaintance formerly, that the night be∣fore the Child was found, the Prisoner came to the House where Mrs. Codd dwelt, in the Night, and having knockt at the door, she said she came from London, and was bit by a Dog, and desired some Drink, and Wood to light a Fire, with which when Mrs. Codd had supply'd her, she went to Bed,; but perceiving that the Prisoner had gone into some place where she was not di∣rected, Mrs. Codd rose again, and then the Pri∣soner asked her where the House-of-Office was; and being shewn, she went thither, and the next morning a Female Child was found. But there being no other Evidence to prove that it was the Prisoners Child, or that she did Murther it; and Mrs. Codd alledging that the Child was not full grown, the Prisoner was Acquitted.

Edward Stedwell was Indicted for Stealing a pair of Sheets of the value of 50 s. the 8th. of February, the Third of this King. The only Witness was Daughter-in-Law to the Prisoner, and she missing the Sheets, went to an Ale-house where she thought to find her Father,, and there did demand the Sheets; which her Father as readily denied to give her, but did not deny his ha∣ving them, but alledged that they were his Wives. So the Jury presuming that the Prisoner took them as his own, without any Felonious Intent, found him Not Guilty.

Richard Pulley Indicted of a Burglary in the House of Mr. Robert Goulet, the 17th. day of May last past, and stealing one Gown value 5 s. one Petticoat value 3 s. five Yards of Kirsey, value 5 s. seven Yards of Linsey-woolsey, value 7s. and two pair of Breeches, value 2 s. The Evi∣dence against the Prisoner proved that his House was Broke, and that he lost the Goods afore-men∣tioned, and presently he sent Hue and Cry, and

thereby the Prisoner was taken with the Goods about him. He made no defence, but that he found the Goods upon the Road, neither could he bring any Witness to prove his Reputation, and therefore was found Guilty of the Felony, and Acquitted of the Breaking the House.

Abraham Rodean, alias Rodon was Indicted of the Murther of one John Hornet, the 28th. day of April last. The Prisoner and the Party slain were left together in a Room by one John Delnael a Frenchman, about Ten a Clock that Night, and before Eleven, Murther was heard to be cried out by the next Neighbours; but all things being still again, and the door shut, the Neigh∣bours took no notice of it; but the next morning the deceased was found with his Throat Cut, and and several Wounds in his Breast, lying over a Threshold of an Inner-door. The Prisoner con∣fessed the Fact, before his Tryal to several, and appeared to be under a great remorse of Con∣science, a bloody Knife was found upon the Seat where the Prisoner was used to work (being by Trade a Shoemaker;) he had likewise confessed the taking of fifteen Shillings in Money, and some Farthings, out of the Deceased's Pocket, and told where he had hid it, and it was found accor∣dingly, in the Tiles of the Chamber where the Prisoner lay before he was taken, being asked what he could say for himself, he in Court Con∣fessed the whole Matter, and that he did it with the Knife there produced; and being ask'd why he did so Barbarous an Act, he answered, That he had left God, and God had therefore left him: He was under great Apprehension of Hanging in Chains, and therefore made it his chief request to be Buried after Execution; which the Court did not deny, and he was found Guilty.

James Philips was Indicted for the Murther of one William Beckton, the 18th day of April last past, by stabbing him with a Sword a little above his Navil. The Prisoner and the Deceased fell out, and went out of the House where they had been together, and being followed by some that would have prevented the mischief, they both drew at a Corner, so that it was not known who made the first Pass. The Prisoner Disarmed the Deceased, and after gave him his Sword again; but the heat not being over, they fought again at Fifty-cuffs for some time, and after∣wards drew their Swords again, and the De∣ceased was kill'd upon the spot. All which matter appearing upon the Evidence, the Pri∣soner was found Guilty of Manslaughter.

William Tongue was Indicted for stealing a Bay Gelding of five Pound price, from one William Randolph, Esq The Gelding was put out to Grass, and being missed for four days, Hue and Cry was sent after him with his Marks. The Horse was found at the Post-house in Canterbury, and the Constable left this Charge, That when any one came to take the Horse, that he might be sent for; and the Prisoner coming, was ac∣cordingly seized, and alledged that it was his Master's Horse, and giving a good Account of himself, and that his Master had one very like him, which he might mistake, the Prisoner was found Not Guilty.

Patrick Key was Indicted of the Murther of one John Smith, with his Sword, the 18th. day of April last. The Prisoner and Deceased were Drinking together, and the Deceased by threat∣ning, forced the Prisoner to go out into the Field. And one Vine another Soldier, would have parted them, but the Deceased told Vine, That if he would not stand clear, but interpose in this mat∣ter, he would run him through (having then his Sword drawn) and so Vine withdrew for a little space, and the Deceased made his Pass at the Prisoner, who then guarded the Blow, and gave the Deceased presently at the next pass, his Mortal Wound, which the Deceased perceiving, darted his Sword at the Prisoner, and cried out that he was Mortally wounded, and bid the Prisoner shift for himself. Upon this Evidence, the Prisoner was Acquitted of the Murther, and found Guilty of Killing the said John Smith in his own defence.

James Skiffe was Indicted for the Murther of one Richard Hither, the Fifth of July last past, by throwing him down upon a Sythe, which made a Wound half an Inch broad, and five Inches deep. Upon the Evidence it appeared, that they were at work, and were used to play together; the Prisoner thrust down the Deceased, and he fell upon the Sythe. It did not appear that there was any malice in the Prisoner, and so he was Acquitted, but confessed an Indictment for Killing the same Man by Misfortune.

William Stace was Indicted of Felony, for Breaking the Hou••e of one Richard Frencham, in the Day-time, the 28th. day of June last, no person being then in the house, and stealing Goods and Money to the value of Three and twenty Shillings, or thereabout. The Prisoner being very young, about Twelve years of Age, Confessed the Fact before the Justice of Peace, and that one Ʋnderwood was with him, who is fled, and stands Indicted for the same Fact. The Prisoner alledged in his Defence, that he was

under a great Indisposition for want of sleep, and being under great Threats, he Confessed it, to procure his Ease at present, and so the Jury consider'd the tender years of the Prisoner, and found him Not Guilty.

John Devereux was Indicted for throwing one John Baker into the Thames, with intent to drown him. It appeared that Baker was in a Lighter, and Devereux being in an Hoy, the Hoy fell foul upon the Lighter and split it, so that Baker was forced to get into the Hoy, where being found by Devereux, he was ordered by him to be put into the Lighter again, which being ready to sink, Baker was forced to commit himself to the Water, and had perished, had he not been taken up by a small Boat that came by when he was in the utmost extremity. The Prisoner was Con∣victed, and ordered to Stand upon the Pillory, at East-Greenwich, and Fined Ten Pounds, and to lye in Prison till he paid it.

The Tryals being over, the Court proceeded to give Judgment as follows.

• ...
  1 Received Sentence of Death, viz.
  • Abraham Rodon, alias Rodenn
• ...
  2 Were Burnt in the Hand, viz.
  • ...Richard Pullen,
  • ...James Philips.
• ...
  3 Pardoned Absolutely viz.
  • ...Hester Floyd,
  • ...John Merchant,
  • ...John Bakenham,
• ...
  9 Pleaded his Majesties Gracious P•••••• for Transportation,
  • ...Henry Shorter,
  • Isaac Badford, alias Bradford,
  • Robert Welsh, alias Shipmarsh,
  • ...John Baker,
  • ...Cornelius Hill,
  • ...Richard Pritchard,
  • ...Jonathan Davis,
  • ...Ricus Cole,
  • ...Henry Thompson.