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THE NARRATIVE Of the Proceedings at the SESSIONS For London and Middlesex, Begun at the Old-Bailey, on Wednesday the 10th of December, 1679. GIVING An Account of all the material Tryals there, &c. With the Number and Names of the several persons condemn'd to die, and their particular Crimes. As also how many burnt in the hand, &c.
THe Sessions beginning at the Time and Place above-mentioned, where were present the Right Honourable the Lord Major, the Lord Chief-Justice of England, Sir Robert Atkins, Mr. Recorder, &c. After the Jury were Impannell'd and Sworn, they proceeded to the Tryal of several Malefactors; the most remarkable are these that follow.
A Fellow for stealing of a Silver-Tankard from the Adam & Eve, a Victualling-house in Jewen-street, on the Munday before the Lord Major's day, the manner thus: In the Evening he came in and called for Drink; but seeming to hide his Face, the Maid-servant of the house had some mistrust of him, and gave an Item thereof to her Master: but bringing the Drink in a Silver-Tankard, took more particular notice of him, which 'tis supposed he perceived, and therefore resolved to hasten his Exploits: For pulling a paper of Tobacco out of his Pocket, he bid her fetch Pipes, and as soon as she was gone, poured out the Drink, and with the Tankard got out of the Window; but made more haste than good speed: for he forgot and left his Tobacco on the Table, and the Paper it was in was a Petition to a Person of Quality, for some Pay due to him in such a Captains Troop, where∣by his Name and those Circumstances being discovered, upon enquiry they found him out in the Strand. He stoutly denied that he was ever in the house, or so much as in Jewen-street these six years; and as to the Paper, that six weeks be∣fore this Theft he lost his Almanack, wherein was this Petition, and that some Rogue had found it, and stealing the Tankard, left it there to bring him into trouble. But the Maid swearing positively that he was the man, he was found guilty, and burnt in the hand.
Two women were indicted for stealing a Coat out of a shop, where she preten∣ded to buy, and being pursued and taken, charged the next Woman she saw, that she had it from her, who thereupon had the trouble of a Tryal, as being sup∣posed her Confederate: but appearing now to be a stranger, she was acquitted; and the other found guilty not onely of this, but another Indictment likewise, for stealing a Gown.