Emma Hewer (1825-?)

Wilts Midsummer Sessions 1845

Richard Smith

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Emma Hewer

Emma Hewer was charged upon the oaths of Richard Smith and Thomas Keene with stealing, on 29^th May 1845, one silver watch, a steel chain and two keys value £3 the property of Richard Smith.

Oaths taken 30^th May 1845 of Richard Smith of Winson, Glos and Thomas Keene of Purton, Police Officer

Deposition of Richard Smith [some punctuation added to aid reading]:

‘I live in Winson in the County of Gloucester. I was going to see my Brother-in-Law John Whiteman at Purton on Thursday last when I came to Cricklade. I went into the Red Lion to have some Refreshment between seven and eight o’clock in the evening. I went into a Room and sat down. Soon afterwards the Prisoner and a woman who I understood was her mother came in and sat on the bench by me, the Prisoner on my right-hand side and the mother on the opposite side of the table. The Prisoner got playing with me in the Room and even kissed me and feeling me about. When I had drank my Beer I left intending to go to Purton the Prisoner following me into the street and took hold of me I found her hand by my watchpocket and immediately found my watch pulled up. She ran away. I directly put my hand to my watchpocket and found my watch gone. I went directly to the Policeman who was not far off and told him of it. Whilst the Prisoner and her mother were sitting by me the mother got talking nonsense to me but I did not see the mother when the prisoner followed me out.

The prisoner Emma Hewer called me out of the Policeman’s house this morning in the garden and said she would produce me the watch this morning if I would forgive her. She would go with me and the Policeman to Maisey Hampton and give me the watch. The mother Rachael Hewer said many times today that if I would forgive her daughter they would produce me the watch as soon as they got to Maisey Hampton.’

Additional information from Thomas Keene’s deposition:

He found Emma Hewer in a beer house called the Old Bell. She said she knew nothing about the watch and that ‘there were other girls with him as well as me’. Richard Smith identified Emma Hewer.

No. 38

Emma Hewer

R. Imp [Read imperfectly]

Age 18

Crime:

Committed 2^nd June, 1845, by J.E. Prowet, Esq., charged on the oaths of Richard Smith and others, with having feloniously stolen from the person of the said Richard Smith, one Silver Watch, Chain, Seal and Keys, his property, at Cricklade Saint Mary.

To be confined in the New Prison at Devizes for two Calendar Months to hard labour. [Sentenced 1 July 1845]

James Woodham

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Emma and Elizabeth Hewer

Emma and Elizabeth both described as ‘late of Highworth’ and ‘Singlewoman’. [Note: Highworth is near Castle Eaton.]

Emma Hewer was charged with ‘having on 29^th March at Highworth feloniously stolen, taken and carried away two pieces of silver called half crowns of the current silver coin of the realm and one piece of silver called a shilling of the like silver coin, of the monies of the said James Woodham …

and the said Elizabeth Hewer with having then and there feloniously received the same monies the said Elizabeth Hewer then and there well knowing the said monies to have been feloniously stolen, taken and carried away’.

Depositions taken in Swindon on 30^th March 1846 of James Woodham, Henry Simpson and Thomas Proctor, Police Officer, all of Highworth

Deposition of James Woodham [punctuation added to aid reading]:

‘Last night (29^th March) I was at Newman Beer shop at Highworth about ten o’clock. I went to the privy on the premises. The Prisoner Emma Hewer followed me there. I felt her hand in my trouser pocket, left hand pocket. I had two half crowns and one shilling and sixpence and one penny piece in a knitted purse. I felt her draw my purse out and she went out of the place and back into the house. I heard the purse drop on the floor. I followed her into the house and asked for my money back. She slapped my face. I then gave her into custody. The purse now showed to me by Police Officer Proctor is the same purse my property. I know it by a darn at one end and the sixpence and penny piece were both crooked and I know one of the half crowns by a black spot on it and it is one of those which were taken from me. I only had half a pint of beer before I went into the privy. The other Prisoner Elizabeth Hewer was at the same house. When I asked her for my money she said she hadn’t got it.

James Woodham X

Additional information from Henry Simpson’s deposition:

‘[When Woodham returned from the privy he said] “She’s got my money.” She said “I haven’t got no money about me.”

She ran at him and began punching him. He didn’t hit her but told her to stand back. I saw her run her hand into her pocket and pass some money to her sister, Elizabeth’

[When challenged by the police constable, Elizabeth denied any money. Threatened with being searched, Elizabeth] ‘pulled some money out of her pocket and placed it on the table and began crying’.

Examination [statement] of Emma Hewer:

‘I went out to the privy and after I had been there a few minutes he followed me and throwed me down. Then I hollered out and he put his hand over my mouth. Then he had connexion with me but it was against my will. Then I went indoor and he laid down asleep and this man said he would go and look after him and he went with a candle and he asked him if it was all right and he said it was and this man picked his purse up and gave it to him. He came indoors and asked me for his money and he hit me and I struck him. Then he kicked me down and broke my collar bone.’