Eve Surname Pages


Crime and Punishment


Trial of John Harris

Charged with theft - shoplifting, 14 May 1719.

John Harris of Hampstead was indicted for privately stealing a Drawer and 5 s. in Money in it, out of the Shop of Mr. Eve, on the 9th of April last. Mary Eve deposed that as she came out of her back Room into her Shop she saw the Prisoner take her Money-Drawer from the Compter and go out with it. William Waters deposed, that he being in the Prosecutor's Shop two or three Days afterwards, the Prisoner went by the Door, and Mrs. Eve said that was the Man that robb'd her. The Prisoner denyed the Fact, and called the following Evidence, viz. A Woman who deposed that the Prisoner's Mother desired her to go down to Mrs. Eve, and ask her if her Son had robb'd her of any thing; that she went accordingly, and Mrs. Eve told her that she could not take her Oath that the Prisoner, was the Person, nor would not for she World. John Page deposed, that Mrs. Eve told him she did not see the Person's Face who robb'd her. Thomas Grist deposed, that Mrs. Eve said it was one in a white Coat and Black Stockings, and that the Prisoner had not wore Black Stockings these 6 Years. His Master whom he was bound Apprentice to in London, deposed, that while he was with him he behaved himself very well, but not having his Health he went into the Country again. It further appear'd that this Prosecution was not carry'd on till a Quarrel happen'd between the Prosecutor and the Prisoner's Father, who where Neighbours; and that there were two Warrants taken out, one on Suspcion only, on Mr. Eve's Oath the last positive on his Wife's Oath. The Jury considering the whole Matter Acquited him.

Verdict - Not guilty


Trial of John Eve , William Tippet & Thomas Riley

Charged with theft - 15th September 1756.

John Eve, William Tippet and Thomas Riley were indicted for stealing one hundred weight of lead, value 10 s. the property of John Chambers , fix'd to a certain building, belonging to the said John Eve, &c. July 16th 1756.

Verdict - John Eve guilty, Tippet and Riley acquitted.

Sentence - John Eve was sentenced to 7 years transportation to the Americas.


Richard Eve

Charged with theft - 4th December 1745.

Richard Eve , was indicted for stealing a Basket of Bread, the Goods of William Pagett , October 24th.

William Pagett . My Lord, on the 24th of October I sent my Man out with Bread, one Half-Peck, 11 Quarterns, five Thee-Penny and two Two-Penny Loaves. About One o'Clock my Man comes Home, and told me that he had lost his Basket and Bread, but, says he, I have found the Thief; and I went into Duke's-Place, where the Prisoner was, and he said that he had bought the Basket and Bread for 18 d. and that he bought them of one in the Street; but after that he said, if I would not prosecute, he would give me what Money he had sold them for.

Thomas Basset . I found the Basket and Bread upon this Man the 24th of October.

Q. How came you to lose it?

Thomas Basset . I met with a Friend and went to drink a Pot of Beer, and left my Basket of Bread upon a Bulk in the Street, and I miss'd it in a very little Time; and as I knew Duke's-Place is a Place where they often sell Bread, I went down into Duke's-Place, and I found it upon him there, and I took him up, and charged a Constable with him; and then I came home for my Master.

Prisoner. Duke's Place is a common Market for Bread; and I saw him there, and said to him, what shall I give you for this Bread? There were four Quarterns, Three-penny and Two-penny Loaves. He said 20 d. but afterwards he took 18 d. for Basket and Bread, and I sold the Quarterns for Three-pence a Piece, and the Three-penny Loaves for five Farthings a Piece.

John Heart . This young Man and I went to drink at the Bull Head, and the Basket was pitched upon a Bulk; In a little Time he missed his Basket, See original and he knowing that there was oftentimes Bread sold in Duke's-Place, he says to me, let us strike down there, to see if we can't find it; and we went, and he saw him: This young Man challenges it, and lays hold on him, and he says that he bought it of one in the Street for 18 d.

Prisoner. Said in his own Defence, That he bought it at a Market Price.

Verdict - Richard Eve - guilty

Sentence - Transported to the Americas for 7 years.


Patrick Lambert

Charged with theft and receiving stolen goods - 22nd May 1735.

Patrick Lambert , was indicted for that whereas at the Sessions held here in February last, Thomas Jenkins was convicted of stealing a Pestle and Mortar, the Goods of Michael Merchant , January 16, and a fourteen Pound Weight, the Goods of Charles Anterack , January 18. He the said Patrick Lambert did afterwards receive the same Goods knowing them to be stolen.

The Record of the Conviction of Thomas Jenkins was read.

Mr. Merchant. I lost a Pestle and Mortar, and it was brought home again, but I neither know who stole it, or who brought it back.

Morgan Jenkins. I was at the Prisoner's House in Compton Street, when his Kinswoman Mary brought down the Pestle and Mortar, and delivered them to a Man to carry to Mr. Merchant's House, which was about two hundred Yards off; and in about three Minutes I saw the same Pestle and Mortar at Mr. Merchant's - And I saw a fourteen Pound Leaden Weight carried from the Prisoner's Shop to Mr. Anterack's - The Prisoner's was not present when either of these Goods were delivered back; for there being a Warrant against him he absconded.

Mr. Anterack. I lost a fourteen Pound Leaden Weight; and Edward Saxon who was an Evidence against Thomas Jenkins in February last, swore that they stole the Weight and sold it to the Prisoner. In two or three Days after this, a Leaden Weight was brought to my House, but it was not mine.

Mr J. Deveil. Jenkins was convicted on Saxon's Evidence. The Prisoner absconded, and was not to be found in four Months. Saxon being very sick in Prison, I discharged him. But he afterwards came voluntarily to me, and I bound a Person in forty Pounds for Saxon's Appearance - There lies the Recognizance.

William Barly , Constable. The Bail for Saxon told me yesterday, that the Prisoner had sent a Man from Newgate to bribe Saxon to keep out of the way - I took up the Prisoner with Justice Deveil's Warrant, and carried him to the Justice's House. The Justice not being at home, I went to fetch Saxon, and when I returned I found Major Barnwell there. He took me into the Justice's Parlor, and putting his Hand into mine, he said, Be easy, be favourable, let the Man go, and I'll give ye what ye will, and be a Friend to you as long as you live - I charg'd him with this before Mr. Justice Deveil's Face.

Court to M. Barnwell. What do you say to this, Sir? You ought to know 'tis a great Offence to endeavour to screen any Person from Justice.

Major Barnwell. I never intended it, but thought the Man was innocent.

Court. Sir, You have been too busy - You ought to be indicted.

William Barly . As I was carrying the Prisoner in a Coach to Newgate, he said to me, If I did receive a Pestle and Mortar knowing it to be stolen, it's hard to be transported for one and twenty Pence. I went the same Day to the Prisoner's House, and found a Thief selling Lead there - The Prisoner was convicted about five Years ago for receiving a Leaden Pump that was stolen, and was to have been transported.

Dideric Hindson . A dud leef two, tree Year in his Neighbourhood, and I know no wrong of him. De People I am acquainted vid give him a good Character - and some give him a bad Character, but I no wonder at dat, for da give me a bad Character too.

Caleb Jones . I have known him seven Years, and know no ill of him. His Character is honest.

George Eve . He's an honest Man for ought I know, for he paid me honestly - Tho' I See original can't say but I have heard he was once ordered to be transported.

Paul Desumble . I know no ill of him.

Major Barnwell. He worked for me at my House, and behaved extraordinary well, but there's no Man without Enemies.

Verdict - Not guilty