British Executions

Benjamin Jones

Age: unknown

Sex: male

Crime: burglary

Date Of Execution: 14 Jan 1702

Crime Location:

Execution Place: unknown

Method: hanging

Executioner: unknown

Source: http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/browse.jsp?id=t17020114-34-punish189&div=t1702011

Richard Morris , Benjamin Jones , Francis Turnley , and Jane his Wife , Thomas Wagstaffe , and John Hodges , were indicted for a Burglary, (the 4 firsts as Principals, and the other 2 as Accessarys before the Fact) for breaking the House of the Lady Susan Carew Widow , on the 23d of December last, about 12 in the Night, with intent to Steal the Goods; and also did put one James Beril in fear of his Life . The first Evidence was the Foot-man, who said, That he was assaulted by 3 Persons, who broke in about 2 or 3 a Clock in the Morning at a Window, when he was a bed: He said that their Faces were blackt; and did endeavour to break his Neck, and cried out, Murder him; upon which he strugled from them, and put out the Candle: Then they got a Napkin about his Neck, and dragged him about the Room; but he crying out Thieves, the Watch heard it; and said, that when the Rogues came in, they brought a Pair of Pistols, and a Case-knife, and he strugled with them a good while; then they thrust something into his Mouth to strangle him, but making a noise, and the Watch coming to the Door, they left him; then he let in the Watch who found Jones and Turnley in a Vault under ground, where were Vizards, a dark Lantern, Gaggs, Chissels, Cords, and other things. But Morris was knockt down as he was coming out of the Window, leaving his Coat and Shoes behind him. Morris confest, that he was prevailed upon by one George Hare , that was a Foot-man in the House, who made him swear, that he might never see the Face of God, if he divulg'd it; then he told him, he would keep his secret; upon which he said, that there was to the value of 3000 l. in the House; then the time was prefixt when it should be done, and told him, that he had sawed a Bar out of the Window, and said, that he should be with him all Night, and had provided a Bottle of Wine, and some Derby-Ale for him; after that was done, they pulled off their Shoes, and walked all over the House and shewed him his Ladies Chamber, and the Window where he had placed Clay upon the Bar, and as soon as it was toucht it fell down: And he let him out the next Morning; afterwards there was a meeting at the Goat-Tavern by Bloomsbury, where Wagstaffe, Hodges, and his Brother Hare were; when they were gone, he told him, that there was too many to be concern'd in it, but he reply'd, that he was a trusty Friend, and would never betray him; then they made another Appointment to meet at the Cock and Hoop in Fetter-lane, where Hare was to bring Wagstaff, and Hodges to them: He declared, that the Woman was innocent, and knew nothing of it. Jones and Turnley owned, that they met Morris at the Sun in the Wood, who told them. if they would go with him to such a place, the Butler would giv'em a Bottle of Wine; upon which they went into the Kitchen, and were no further when the Watch-man took them. They all denied the Burglary; but the Foot man proved that the Glass was up when he

went to Bed but it was found down when the Watch-men came. The Jury found Morris, Jones, and Turnley guilty , but there being no Evidence against the rest, they were acquitted .

Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 6.0, 10 October 2011), January 1702, trial of Richard Morris Benjamin Jones Francis Turnley , and Jane his Wife Francis Turnley Thomas Wagstaffe John Hodges (t17020114-34).