JOACHIM BOAS, MOSES ROCHATZ, Theft > grand larceny, 6th July 1814

JOACHIM BOAS and MOSES ROCHATZ were indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 14th of June, twelve yards of muslin, value 30 l. the property of John Simpson.

FREDERICK WHISTLER. I am in the service of Mr. Simpson; he is a Manchester warehouseman , in Bow church-yard. On Tuesday the 14th of June, the two prisoners came to Mr. Simpson’s warehouse, about a quarter past six in the evening; they told me they wanted cambrics.

Did they speak English – A. I do not think they can speak English at all. I took them into the cambric warehouse, and shewed them fine French cambrics; they looked at several pieces. I opened three or four papers for them, each paper containing twenty-five pieces. After five or ten minutes, they looked at the same pieces again, putting the goods behind them, and slipping over packs; they laid them behind them. I then thought they were after thieving them. I waited a little while. I saw Boas attempt to put a piece under his coat. Boas had got part of a piece off the counter; he then saw I was looking at him; he put it back. A short time after that, Rochatz got further from me, took his place, and while I was talking with Boas, I heard five pieces fall off the counter; I then said, you will spoil all the goods. They both appeared very much agitated. My brother was with me; I told him I thought they were after thieving, and desired him to watch. I began to talk with Rochatz; he took out of his pocket a paper. I thought he wanted to take the numbers and prices. I told the porter to fetch him a pencil. While he was gone, Boas came near me; the other took his place. I was in a narrow place. Boas opened a piece of muslin, held it up before me, began talking about the width, saying six quarters; he held it five minutes up; that made me suspect the other man was secreting something; it was impossible for me to see without rising upon my toe. I looked over the muslin, and saw part of a piece of muslin under Rochatz’s coat. I immediately thrusted by Boas, and as I got to Rochatz, he turned round; I got hold of him, and pulled the piece of muslin from under his coat; I pulled it out, and threw it on the counter. I hallooed to my brother, and the porter to fetch Mr. Simpson Mr . Simpson and my brother came I gave them both in charge. I did not mark the piece directly.

I believe you are not able to say which piece it was – A. I am not. I can swear it was the one the constable has, or this. I should have no doubt only in their putting the muslin back, they put it out of fold. I afterwards found another piece rumpled. I cannot be sure whether it might not be the other. They are both muslin.

GEORGE WHISTLER. I am brother to the last witness. My brother desired me to watch the prisoners while Boas was holding up the muslin. I went to the side of the counter. I saw Rochatz endeavouring to conceal a piece of muslin under his coat; when I perceived that, I ran for Mr. Simpson.

HENRY MACKRAEL. I am a constable. The prisoner was given into my charge, and this piece of muslin likewise.

Frederick Whistler. These two pieces I can swear they are both Mr. Simpson’s property. I have examined them; one of them has my own mark; the other has the mark of the same parcels. They are the same goods I was shewing to them.

Boas’s Defence. I came to England on the 27th of May; I did not come to rob this country, or to settle.

Rochatz’s Defence. The same.

BOAS, GUILTY, aged 28.

ROCHATZ, GUILTY, age 25.

London jury, before Mr. Recorder.

Source: https://www.oldbaileyonline.org/browse.jsp?id=t18140706-25-defend230&div=t18140706-25#highlight

JOACHIM BOAS, MOSES ROCHATZ, Theft > grand larceny, 6th July 1814

JOACHIM BOAS and MOSES ROCHATZ were indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 14th of June , seven pieces of cambric, value 15 l. the property of Thomas Ainsworth and Richard Ainsworth .

SECOND COUNT, for like offence, stating it to be in the dwelling-house of Richard Ainsworth.

RICHARD AINSWORTH. My christian name is Richard; my partner’s name is Thomas; I have no other partner; me and my father are manufacturers of cambric muslin ; our manufactory is in the country; our warehouse is No. 1, Fetter-lane, in the parish of St. Peter, Westcheap, in the ward of Farringdon within ; the warehouse is the ground floor of the dwelling-house. I live there occasionally; my father does not. The servants of the firm sleep there; the rent is paid for out of the profits of the business. On the 14th of June, the two prisoners came to our warehouse about half past four in the afternoon, they wanted to look at cambric muslins; I could not understand them. I and my clerk, Mr. Barber, shewed them a great many; they wanted to look at more; we could not find anything fine enough for them.

Q. How many pieces were taken down for them – A. A great many scores. They went away without buying, said, they would return with a broker. They seemed hurt that I could not understand what they said.

Q. How soon after they were gone, did you miss anything – A. I went away immediately. I thought their manner old; but I did not see them take anything.

THOMAS BARKER. I am clerk to Messrs. Ainsworths. I assisted in shewing the goods to the prisoners; during the time they were there, I did not see them take any of the goods. After they were gone, I assisted in putting up the goods again; I missed seven pieces of cambric muslin, of two different qualities.

Q. Were they part of what you had opened to shew the prisoners – A. They were.

Q. Between the time of their leaving you, and the time of making this discovery, had any other persons been there – A. No, there had not. In consequence of what I heard the next day, I went to Guildhall, and found them in custody, and then I went to Mr. Roberts, the Golden Fleece, Wine-court.

Q. Did you receive of Mr. Roberts any pieces of cambric – A. No; the officer did. I found there seven pieces that I had lost.

ROBERT ROBERTS. I keep the Golden Fleece, Wine-court, Fleet-street.

Q. Do you know the two prisoners – A. I have seen them a few times; they came for refreshment, and occasionally left goods with me.

Q. On the afternoon of the 14th of June, did they come to your house – A. On the 14th of June, they left a parcel with me; what time of day, I cannot tell. I afterwards shewed that parcel to Mr. Barker. They were together when they left it; they asked me to take care of the parcel until they called for it.

CHARLES MATTHEWS. I am a constable. I received of Mr. Roberts seven pieces of muslin on the 17th of June; they have been in my custody ever since. I produce them.

Q. to Barker. Look at these seven pieces – A. They are the property of Messrs. Ainsworths; I know them by the marks that are on them; I am positive to them all. That is precisely the number of pieces I lost; there are three six quarters wide, and four two-eighths yard wide. I am sure they are them that I shewed them.

Mr. Ainsworth. They are my goods, I am perfectly sure of it.

Boas’s Defence. We met a person when we were out, we bought them; we into this public-house, and left them there.

Rochatz’s Defence. The same.

BOAS, GUILTY – DEATH, aged 28.

ROCHATZ, GUILTY – DEATH, aged 25.

London jury, before Mr. Recorder.

Source: https://www.oldbaileyonline.org/browse.jsp?id=t18140706-26-defend241&div=t18140706-26#highlight