Strouds in the London Courtroom

Proceedings of the Old Bailey London 1714 to 1799

The following material has been painstakingly gleaned from a fully searchable online http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/ edition of the accounts of over 45,000 criminal trials held at London's central criminal court. Included here are all of the cases in which Strouds were plaintiffs, witnesses, jurors or--yes, unfortunately--the criminals on trial! Due to the time involved in transcribing the material, only a few of the Stroud cases appear below. More will be added in the future.

Perhaps the most intriguing trial herewith recorded is that of Henry Stroud, and his dastardly companion in crime, Robert Campbell. They were "capitally convicted" of murder and "executed near Bethnal-Green on Monday the eighth of July" . Not only were they executed, but in recognition of the seriousness of their crime, "their bodies [were] delivered at Surgeon's-bail to be dissected and anatomized."

Much of the material below is more mundane, but it is certainly of historic interest to those of us who share the Stroud surname.

William Stroud: Juror

THE PROCEEDINGS ON THE KING'S commission of the Peace, AND Oyer and Terminer, and Goal Delivery of Newgate, held for the CITY of London, and COUNTRY of Middlesex, at Justice-Hall in the Old Bayly, On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, being the 11th,12th, and 13th, of April,1716. In the Second year of His MAJESTY's Reign.

Before the Right Hon. Sir CHARLES PEERS , Kt. Lord Mayor of the City of London; Thomas Lord Parker, Lord Chief Justice of the King's-Bench ; Mr. Baron Bary , Mr. Justice Tracy, Sir William Thompson , Kt. Recorder; with several of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the City of London, and County, of Middlesex.

The Jurors were as followeth:

Edward Hilliard, William Norris, Joseph Jacobs, William Sherborne, John Willmott, William Marsland, Paul Knewstub, Jesoph Grimstead, Thomas Dawell, William Bigsby, Samnel Bangbton, Christopher Fincbivedd, Giles Riddle, William Stroud, Thomas Bavand, Jereiny Levin, Edward Cross, Edward Prior, Wiliam Clements, John Prater, James Rigby, Thomas Bates, Lowrence Andrews, Edward How,

William Stroud: Juror

THE PROCEEDINGS ON THE KING's Commission of the Peace, AND Oyer and Terminer, and Goal-Delivery of Newgate, held for the CITY of London, and COUNTY of Middlesex, at Justice-Hall in the Old Bayly, ON Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday, being the 6th, 7th, 8th, and 10th of this Instant September, 1716. In the Third Year of His MAJESTY's Reign.

Before the Right Hon. Sir CHARLES PEERS , Kt. Lord Mayor of the City of London, Sir William Thomson , Kt. Recorder, and several of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the City of London, and County of Middlesex.

The Jurors Names were as followeth:

Jeremy Immins, John Sprint, Edward Humsreys, Thomas Tidmarsh, Thomas Wilmerr, William Wilkins, Daniel Jones, Christopher Parkinson, Jonathan Roberts, Robert Upp, John Fletcher, Edmund Stephens, William Stroud, Jeremy Lewin, Edward Prior, George Langton, Nicholas Parker, Robert Dix, Nathaniel Ravenor, Marmaduke Bramley, John Marsh, John Ilford, John Page, James Odell

William Stroud: Juror

THE PROCEEDINGS ON THE KING's Commission of the Peace, AND Oyer and Terminer, and Goal Delivery of Newgate, held for the CITY of London, and COUNTY of Middlesex, at Justice-Hall in the Old Bayly, ON WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY, being the 17th and 18th of this Instant JULY,1717 In the Third Year of His MAJESTY's Reign.

Before the Right Hon. Sir JAMES BATEMAN , Kt. and Bart. Lord-Mayor of the City of London; the Worshipful Mr. Justice Blencoe, and Mr. Justice Pratt; Sir William Thompson , Kt. Recorder; with several of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the City of London, and County of Middlesex.

The Jurors Names were as followeth:

John Cooper, Bezaleel Knight, Richard Ward, Edmund Merryweather, William Marsland, William Mills, John Johnson, Matthew East, Philip Nightingal, James Cossey, Timothy Colson, John Tant, William Stroud, William Smart, Richard Saunders, George Langton, Edward Tompkins, Daniel Croker, Thomas Hull, John Kinch, James Harrison, John Bush, Edward Williams, Jacob Pullen

Joshua Stroud: Victim

Elizabeth Low , theft with violence: highway robbery, 14 Oct 1719

Elizabeth Low , of St. Magnus by London Bridge, was indicted for assaulting Joshua Stroud on the High Way, and taking from him, a Silver Snuff-Box, and Six Guineas, on the 17th of September last. The Prosecutor deposed that as he was going down Fish street-hill in order to take Water at Billinsgate to-go to Deptford, one came up to him and told him, there was a Gentleman at the Tavern would speak with him, and he having a Friend thereabouts thought it might be him, that he followed her through a Brandy Shop into a Room where the Prisoner and several others, Men and Women, were drinking; that he asked her what she brought him there for, and the Prisoner said he was a Green Horn, and should pay for a Noggin of Gin ; which he refused to do; and went out; that they followed him and set upon him, one held his Hands behind him, the Prisoner stopt his Mouth with her Hand (and he bit her Fingers) whilst the others risted him; that then they fleet, and he purso'd 'em; that he kept fight of the prisoner all the while, and followed her into the House and Cellar where she was taken. Five others deposed they saw her run into the House, and that they took-her in the Cellar. The Prosecutor was positive she was the same Person whose Fingers he bit. The Prisoner owned that her Fingers were bit; and in her Defence said, that she was drinking at the Brandy Shop an Hour before, and the Prosecutor came in with a strange Woman, took her about the Neck and forc'd her to drink a Dram; but this trifling Excuse did not avail her; the Jury found her Guilty. Death.

Henry Stroud: Accused

Henry Stroud , killing: murder, 05 Dec 1750.

75. (M.) Henry Stroud , was indicted for the murder of Richard Chamberlain , December 1, and he also stood charged on the coroner's inquisition for slaving the said Richard.

William Barnwell . The deceased lived in Kingsland Road, and I lodged at his house.

Q. When did he die?

Barnwell. Last Saturday was se'nnight, my lord; I happened to come in about nine o'clock that night; he wanted some victuals ; I said he had no occasion to go out for any. I had a piece of a hog's face, so he and I sat down to it; I went and fetched a full pot of beer; after that there were words between his wife and he, but I don't know upon what occasion; at first he threw the candlestick at her, then he took up the box iron, I cannot say he threw that; he rose up in a passion, knock'd her down, and then knock'd her daughter down; the prisoner came in at that time, and endeavoured to prevent him beating his wife; then Chamberlain struck the prisoner several blows with his fist, and tore his coat.

Q. Did Chamberlain appear to be in liquor?

Barnwell. He did, my lord, he was disguised when he and I sat down to eat; then Mr. Fishook came in, who is the deceased's wife's brother, and lives at the next door; he struck the deceased over the eye; then he went home again; Chamberlain stripp'd himself to fight Fishook, and went to his house; Fishook's wife was standing by her fire side ; she said, pray, Richard, don't strike my husband, for he has a wound on his head already (that was done a night or two before) then Mr. Stroud came in and said to the deceased, Dick, you have hit me several blows, now I have a great mind to hit you one, so he struck him two or three blows with his fist on his breast, upon which the deceased fell down and never spoke more.

Martha Harris . I was up stairs at this Fishook's house, and heard a great scuffle betwixt Fishook and his brother in law; Mr. Fishook bid him get away, saying, he had got a broken head already; he did not go directly; then the prisoner came in and swung the deceased out of Fishook's arms, saying to him, if you can't manage him, I can; then he clapp'd him up against the closet door, and going to strike the deceased, the deceased ran his head into his bosom; Stroud gave him a blow, and he fell down directly.

Q. Where was you at this time?

M. Harris. I was standing upon the stairs; I saw but one blow.

Mary Chamberlain . I am widow to the deceased; he was a coleheaver; he had some money in his pocket, which I wanted to make up my rent; I shut the door fearing he would spend it, so he struck me over the head; my girl came up and he struck her; then Stroud came up and took him away; he took up a box iron to fling at me, but was prevented by a woman who took it from him; he slung a candlestick but it did not hit me; Fishook my brother came in and they had a hustle at the table, but cannot say there were any blows: my husband pulled off his cloaths after my brother was gone, and ran to his house to fight him: Mrs. Fishook said, for God's sake take care of my husband's head, because that had been cut the Sunday night before; then Henry Stroud came into Fishook's and said to my husband, you have struck me many a blow, I'll now strike you, and went up to him, but indeed I can't say I saw the prisoner strike him, or my husband strike the prisoner; I believe there was no malice between them, not any design for mischief.

Mary Wake . I was in Chamberlain's house, and saw Mr. Fishook beat the deceased over the face; after that he went into his own apartment ; the deceased stripp'd himself in a minute, and swore he would fight him; Mrs. Chamberlain said to the prisoner, for God's sake, don't let him go out for he is mad, and Henry Stroud followed him in order to part them. I saw no more.

Elizabeth Millet . I was in Mr. Chamberlain's house between seven and eight o'clock that night, his wife came in and set herself down by him; he beat her so that she fell down, and the candle went out; Mr. Stroud came and took him off from her ; Mr. Fishook came in, but I can't say I saw any blows, except what were between the deceased and his wife; when Fishook was gone, Chamberlain stripp'd himself and went out at the door; I did not follow them, so saw no more.

Hannah Perry . I live in the same house the deceased did, and saw the beginning of it; I was by when they fell out, and the deceased attempted to fling a box iron at his wife; I took it out of his hand ; Mr. Stroud did whatever lay in his power to keep peace between them. I saw no blows at all.

Mr. Simpson. I am a surgeon. The accident was on the Saturday, and on Monday I saw the body of the deceased, and there seemed several bruises on his head and his face, but nothing of consequence, they were only in the skin ; I examined the lungs, the heart, the stomach, and all the noble parts of the body, but could not find any bruise or contusion that could be the cause of his death; there was no outward appearance of any blow given that could be the cause of it; it must be something internal; the blood might, by receiving a blow on his stomach, be driven into the brain, and give him an apoplexy; I could not account for his death, so was obliged to enquire if he had not been drinking, which, when I found, can give no other reason for his death than this, but it is impossible to be certain about it.

Prisoner's Defence.

When I first went in there was murder cried out, the deceased was beating his wife behind the door, so I went to part them, but it was more than I could do; at that time Fishook came in: the deceased struck me several times and tore the cuff of my coat almost off; Fishook went out and came in again, and laid the deceased upon the table; when that was over I went out and brought in a full pot of beer and drank with them; I staid there about half an hour, and then went to Fishook's house, where Fishook and I drank together; soon after I heard a sad noise again, so I ran in, and found them quarrelling; then he stripp'd off his cloaths ; I endeavoured to pacify him, but he ran into Fishook's house, and pulled him out of his chair; I ran in after him to part them, and got Fishook away, so he came and struck me several blows on the side of my neck with his fist, which made me reel against the door, he drew blood from me ; we had a little scuffle together, but how the thing happened the Lord above knows ; I only said, Richard, be easy, and don't be quarrelsome; I did strike him in the scuffle, but there was no malice between us. We have done many a hard day's work together, and drank many a full pot of beer together.

Guilty of Manslaughter. Branded

Thomas Stroud: Victim

William Cassel , theft: simple grand larceny, 11 Sep 1751.

513. (L.) William Cassel was indicted for stealing 50 lb. weight of iron, value 4 s. 2 d. the the goods of Thomas Stroud and Co.

Guilty 10 d. Whipped.

Thomas Stroud: Victim

Mary Delaney , theft: simple grand larceny, 08 Apr 1752.

232.(L.) Mary Delaney , spinster, was indicted for stealing one iron key, value 5 s. the goods of Thomas Stroud , Esq, and Company April 5.

This key belongs to the London-bridge Waterworks to turn the cocks in the streets, it was lodged in an Alehouse in White-chapel, the usual place for some years; the key was missing; the prisoner was taken by a watchman with it upon her.

Guilty 10 d. Transported

Benjamin Stroud: Witness

John Simon , theft: pick pocketing, 26 Oct 1752.

518. (M.) John Simon was indicted for stealing one pair of silver buckles, val. 5 s. one guinea. and 5 s in money, privately and secretly from the person of Thomas Grear , his property, Oct. 19.

Thomas Grear. The prisoner came into the Six Bells at Kensington, where I was drinking, about two o'clock in the morning, the nineteenth of October. He complained he was dry and cold, I ordered him a pint of beer. He is a soldier. Another soldier came after him; they wanted a quartern of gin, I ordered them a quartern. I had part of a bowl of punch before me, and said to them. Take and drink it, it is paid for; so I went out at the door, and sat down on a bench to sleep.

Q. Was you sober?

Grear. I was a little in liquor, but more distracted in mind than drunk.

Q. What about?

Grear. Because my wife and I had had some words. I was awaked by something busy about my shoes; I got up in a sort of amaze, but saw nobody, and found my silver buckles were taken out of my shoes. I felt in my pockets and found them cut, and a guinea and 5 s. 6 d. in money gone. Then I came into that house again; the landlord and I went to Mr. Newbolt's, and coming back, there was the prisoner drinking a pint of purl with another soldier. I said, That is the man that I believe has robbed me. They search'd him, and found my silver buckles in his bag that he carries his things in. Produced in court, and deposed to. The prisoner delivered a guinea to the constable in the watchhouse, and said it was mine, that he had robbed me, and was sorry for it, but begged that I'd not take his life away. The guinea produced in court. He said he had distributed the 5 s. 6 d. among the rest of his comrades, one of whom got a hundred lashes for it yesterday.

Q. Where was he when he confessed this?

Grear. It was in the watch-house.

Q. from prisoner. Whereabouts was you when these things were taken from you?

Grear. It was four doors from the alehouse where we had the liquor.

Q. from prisoner. What time of the night?

Grear. It was not half an hour over or under two o'clock.

Q. from prisoner. What time did you see me first of all?

Grear. A little after twelve o'clock. I was going from my own house, and met with him just by the corner of the King's Arms alehouse, going up to the parade at Kensington. I gave him one pot of beer then, taking but one draught of it, and left him there.

John Dale . I keep the Six Bells at Kensington. The prosecutor, a watchman, and two soldiers, came together to my house about one o'clock the nineteenth of October, in the morning. They called me up, saying they wanted some liquor.

Q. Was the prisoner one of the soldiers that came in at that time?

Dale. No, he was not. The prosecutor treated them with a pint of beer and a dram, and had a pint of beer himself; after that he called for a shilling bowl of punch. After that he call'd for another; I had not made that long before in came the prisoner. The prosecutor made him and me drink each a little of that; he sat a little time, considering as it were, seeming very much vex'd; he went out, and gave the remainder of the punch to Simon the prisoner, who, I believe, sat half an hour in my house after the prosecutor was gone out. I remember he asked me, whether the prosecutor had changed a guinea to pay for the punch? I told him he had not. There were some other people came in, and Simon went out about half an hour after two. The Newbury coach stopp'd at three at my house; about half an hour after in came the prosecutor, and said, I have been robbed. I asked him, what company he had been in last night ? He said, he had been with the prisoner and two others at the centry box, and at the King's Arms. Then I desired him to go to the guard, and secure them. I called up my wife rather sooner than ordinary, and went with him to Mr. Newbolt's house, the constable; coming back, who should be in my house but the prisoner and another soldier; then the prosecutor pointed to the prisoner, and said, There is the man. The constable searched him, and I saw him take these silver buckles out of his cartouch box. He said the other man had the guinea; but when he was taken in charge, he himself pulled it out and gave it to the constable, confessing that he himself stole it from the prosecutor, and the buckles too, and desired he'd be merciful to him. This is the guinea produced which he gave to the constable.

John Newbolt . I am constable. Last Thursday morning, about five o'clock, the prosecutor and last evidence called me out of my bed. I went with them to Mr. Dale's house, and the prosecutor gave me charge of the prisoner there. I searched him, and found these buckles in the thing that he carries his cartridges in. I put him into the round house, and went into the guard house to see the faces of the other soldiers, as the prisoner had said there was another man along with him when he robbed the prosecutor, who had part of the money. I brought that man to Mr. Dale's house; then the prisoner began to be sorry, and said, if he'd be merciful he'd give him the guinea again, and pulled it out of the waistband of his breeches; he gave it to me, and owned that he had taken it, and that he had given thirteen pence of the money to the other soldiers. The prisoner had nothing to say.

To his character.

Edward Parker . I have known him five years, and have trusted him to carry out beer, money, and other things; he is as honest a man, when he is sober, as any in the world.

George Viner . I have known him upwards of four years; he bore a very good character during that time.

Henry Simpson . I have known him almost three years; I never heard but a good character of him.

William Mathews . I have known him going on with three years. He is a very honest, industrious, sober man, who loves to work hard for his bread.

William Parkin . I have known him upwards of two years; in which time he behaved like an honest man. His wife was servant to me a year and half, in which time he used to come twice or thrice a week; he always behaved well and sober.

Robert Haines . I have known him two years, but never heard any ill of him, only sometimes getting in liquor.

Robert Sneath . I am groom to Sir Robert Levelon Gower. I have known him five years, and never heard any ill of him.

Benjamin Stroud . I have known him three years, and never heard but he was an honest man.

George Crew . I have known him a year and half, have tried him in several things, and always found him honest.

Guilty Death.

Stephen Stroud: Witness

James Robinson , theft: simple grand larceny, 02 May 1753.

242. (L.) James Robinson was indicted for stealing one silver quart tankard, val. 6 l. the property of Ambrose Kent , April 30.

Anne Kent . I am wife to the prosecutor, we keep the Black-Horse-and-Ram on Margaret's-hill, Southwark; the prisoner came in there last Monday night at six o'clock, he call'd for a pint of beer and had it, after that he said he was very cold and had a pennyworth of gin, which he paid for: after that he had 2 more pints of beer, and staid till about a quarter after 11 o'clock: there were four people in the same box, who had a silver tankard without a lid drinking out of: they paid and went out, and left the prisoner there; I went to see for the tankard, and the prisoner and that were gone; but the four people being neighbours, I sent to see if they had taken it home with some beer in it, and had word brought that they had left it on the table and the prisoner in the house. The prisoner had said he was going into Kent-street to seek for lodging, I went there, but when I came back again the watchman had taken the prisoner and tankard : one of them asked me if I had lost a tankard, they having read the name upon it. I said I had, mark'd A K A on the bottom of the handle : then they shewed it me.

Stephen Stroud . I am a watchman in Grace-church-street, on the last day of April between 11 and 12 at night, the prisoner was coming by me, and just as he pass'd me he let a pocket full by my foot : I said, you have dropped something here, so he came back and took it up; but as he was stooping I saw the tankard shine under his apron. I asked him what, he had got there, he would not tell me, so I put my hand upon it, and felt it was a pot. I said I would see what he had there, he said I should not, so I took him by the collar, and got hold on the handle and pull'd it away. I asked him how he came by it, he said he found it in the Borough. I took him in one hand, and the tankard in the other, and led him to the constable of the night, where one of the watchmen said, after looking upon it, he knew the people it belonged to, so he and I went to the prosecutor's house, and asked her if she had lost a tankard; she said, yes, that it was marked A K, and had never a lid; she went with me, and describ'd it to the constable. The tankard produced in court, and depos'd to.

Richard Gill . I watch at Bridge-ward, the last witness brought the prisoner and tankard to the watch house last Monday night between 11 and 12 o'clock, I knew the tankard having drank out of it several times, then I went with Stroud to the prosecutor's house. The rest as the evidence had depos'd.

Ann Pritchet . I, my daughter, a woman, and another man were drinking out of this tankard at the prosecutor's house, we went out and left the tankard on the table, and the prisoner by it; but had not been home above a quarter of an hour, before the maid told us the tankard was missing. I told her there was nobody there when we came away, but the man in a red coat (meaning the prisoner), and that he talk'd of going to Kent-street to see for a two penny lodging, so they went there to enquire.

The prisoner in his defence own'd that he had been drinking at the prosecutor's house, and found the tankard as he was going along.

Guilty.

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