Jane (Sharp) Bushell, Convict "Kitty" 1792

Jane Sharp, one of 26 convicts transported on the ship Kitty, January 1792. Sentence details: Convicted at London Gaol Delivery for a term of life. Vessel: Kitty. Date of Departure: January 1792. Place of Arrival: New South Wales.

The Old Bailey transcript is as follows: ELISHA COLLIER and JANE SHARPE were indicted for burglariously breaking and entering the dwelling-house of Patrick Killgore, about the hour of one in the night, and burglariously stealing therein four pieces of printed cotton, value 6 l. his property, on the 3d of April. WILLIAM RAINEY sworn. I am employed by Mr. Killgore, in Friday-street ; a Scotch warehouse. Between the 2d and 4th of April the warehouse was broke open; we lost four pieces of printed cotton; I saw them laying there on the Saturday night; on the Monday morning I saw the window was broke, and I missed the four pieces; the warehouse is under the dwelling-house; the pane of glass was broke, and the glass laying on the counter, and these two hooks; the window looks into the street. JOHN TYLER sworn. I am a pawnbroker, in Shoreditch; here is a piece of cotton, pledged with me on the 4th of April, in the name of Jane Collier, the prisoner at the bar now under the name of Jane Sharpe ; I lent 7 s. upon it; here is the duplicate; (4th April, remnant of cotton, 7 s. Jane Collier ). (Cotton produced). Rainey. I cannot swear to the piece, it being cut; it is the same pattern we lost. SUSANNAH NEVIL sworn. I have a piece of cotton, which was brought me the 4th of April, by Jane Collier ; I do not know whether the prisoner at the bar is the same person that brought it; I lent her 8 s. upon it. CHARLES ALLEN sworn. I know no more than searching Jane Sharpe 's pocket; I found these two duplicates. JOHN MONK sworn. On the 3d of April, Collier and Sharpe met me in Friday-street, and we went together; Collier and Sharpe broke a pane of glass, and stole four pieces of printed cotton; I was with them on the 3d of April; we had two hooks tied to a stick; by breaking a window, we put the stick in, and drew out four pieces of cotton, which we took to Goswell-street, to one Mr. Tucker's lodging; he gave 4 l. 3 s. for three pieces; the other we took to our own home, and cut it into remnants; there were four six yards, and four yards, which Jane Sharpe pawned, some for 7 s. and some for 8 s. and the four yards for 4 s. some of which was pawned with Tyler, and some with Nevil, and some with one Francis. Court. How came you to be known in this affair? - I informed Mr. Armstrong of it. Was you taken up on this affair? - I was not. Collier. He was taken up for another robbery with another man. JOHN ARMSTRONG sworn. I received some duplicates from Allen, and went to the pawnbrokers, and found the cottons; here they are: Monk was admitted evidence by the magistrate. ELISHA COLLIER , GUILTY, Death. JANE SHARPE , GUILTY, Death. Tried by the first London Jury before Lord KENYON. Court to Jury. Gentlemen; it is not for me to dictate to you; but perhaps, if you were to re-consider the case of Elisha, you will find it stands totally on the evidence of the accomplice, which is not sufficient for conviction. The Jury deliberated some time, and then gave a verdict, ELISHA COLLIER, NOT GUILTY . JANE SHARPE, GUILTY , Death . Court to Collier. The Gentlemen of the Jury have done, undoubtedly, perfectly right in acquitting you; though, privately speaking, I very much suspect your guilt: the rules of administering justice have protected you more than your own innocence; take care the future course of your life is conducted better than that which is by-gone, or else you will be very soon cut off; take care, remember and return God thanks for the mercy that is now shewn you.