1827 : Constable Pluckrose of Wanstead


 
Title:    The New Times , 9,171 3e
Date: 8 December 1827
Place: Wanstead

 

WINTER ASSIZES

CHELMSFORD, THURSDAY, DEC. 6.

Jane Burns, an interesting looking and respectably dressed female, of only 22, was indicted for stealing, on the 14th of September, at Wanstead, she then being servant to one Abel Chapman, an enormous quantity of articles of wearing apparel, household linen, and trinkets, enumerated in the indictment, the property of her master and of different members of his family.

The principal witness on the part of the prosecution was Miss Chapman, who stated, that in consequence of her mother being in an infirm state of health, the management of the family devolved entirely upon herself. The prisoner had lived in the family about nine months in the capacity of lady’s maid, and had received a month’s notice of dismissal, which expired on the 14th of September, the day laid in the indictment. She had had the care of the clothes and household linen of the family, being entrusted with the key of the lower closet, and being frequently employed in mending and washing them. Previous to her departure, Miss Chapman, as an ordinary measure of precaution, and not from any suspicion she entertained, examined the stock of clothes and linen in the prisoner’s presence. Some sheets were then found to be missing; but as the prisoner stated that they had been sent to the town-house, which was thought possible, no suspicion was even then entertained. Shortly afterwards, Miss Chapman went to the prisoner’s room for the purpose of speaking to her, and was surprised to find the door locked. It was, however, speedily opened, when the prisoner was found sitting upon the bed, and near her a trunk, belonging to herself, upon the top of which was a gown belonging to Miss Chapman’s sister. She was asked how she became possessed of the gown, and she said it had been given her. Upon looking a little farther, two waistcoats belonging to the prosecutor were observed in the trunk; and upon turning out the contents of the trunk, which was quite full, and closely packed, the whole proved to consist of property belonging to one or other of the various members of the family. The room was then examined, and various other articles were found, packed up, evidently for the purpose of removal; and upon her person were found several trinkets belonging to the Misses Chapman. The prisoner was then given into the charge of a constable, upon which she earnestly begged that the property might be taken back, and that she might be forgiven. This, however, was not thought expedient, and the prisoner was committed.

Pluckrose, the constable, produced the property, the different articles of which were identified by the different members of Mr. Chapman’s family, as belonging to him and them respectively.

The prisoner said nothing in her defence.

Her cousin, Mr. Turnbull, a tailor, residing in Arundel-street, Haymarket, London, gave the prisoner an excellent character.

The Jury, without hesitation, found her Guilty, and the Learned Judge, after briefly commenting upon the enormity of her conduct, sentenced her to be transported for 14 years.

This case excited very considerable interest, and not the less from the circumstance of the celebrated Mrs. Fry, who is a particular friend of Mr. Chapman and the family, being present, and listening to the evidence with the deepest attention.

I can not find any record of her transportation.

 

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