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Tag Archives: Theft

Early American Crimes: Pickpocketing

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

In order to settle a debate with her boss, Rebecca, a self-described “curious technical writer,” asked Early American Crime, “Were American pickpockets executed in the 1700’s and 1800’s? I know Britain was big on this, but how about America?” As far as I can tell, pickpockets were not executed in America as they were in […]

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Convict Voyages: Jenny Diver, Henry Justice, and the Influence of Money

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Note: This post is part of a series on Convict Transportation to the American colonies. When dealing with bureaucratic institutions in the eighteenth century, money artfully placed in the right hands could often buy special privileges, and convict transportation was no exception. The sale of convicts once they arrived in America helped convict merchants and […]

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Convict Voyages: Mary Standford, Pick-Pocket and Thief

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Note: This post is part of a series on Convict Transportation to the American colonies. Mary Standford was convicted of privately stealing a shagreen pocket book, a silk handkerchief, and 4 guineas from William Smith on July 11, 1726. After her conviction, she strongly rejected transportation to the American colonies as an alternative to execution. […]

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Convict Voyages: Convict Attitudes toward Transportation

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Note: This post is part of a series on Convict Transportation to the American colonies. Convict transportation was conceived as a relatively easy means of emptying British prisons and punishing repeat petty criminals without having to resort to a death sentence. Most convicted criminals facing potential execution were probably relieved to receive a reprieve from […]

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The Need for a New Punishment: The Trials of Richard Wood and Edward Higgins

Monday, October 6, 2008

Note: This post is part of a series on Convict Transportation to the American colonies. Richard Wood On February 11, 1718, Richard Wood wandered the Newgate Market at 10 o’clock at night, carefully studying the people around him. The often crowded market was located between the notorious Newgate Prison and St. Paul’s Cathedral, and it […]

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