The Straw Hat 2

 

 

26 September, 1811

 

Papa had to go to the Old Bailey today to give evidence against Rebecca.  I wanted to go too, but he said it wasn’t an appropriate place to take children. But he promised to take notes and tell me all about it when he returned. 

 

First he told me about the building itself.  "It  was built in 1775 and looks very fortress like It has a semi-circular brick wall built around the area immediately in front of the courthouse, the bail dock. This wall provides better security for the prisoners awaiting trial and was intended to prevent communication between prisoners and the public. It meant public view of the courtroom windows is obstructed. The narrow entrance also prevents a sudden influx of spectators into the courtroom. In addition, the passage between Newgate Prison and the Old Bailey is enclosed with brick walls.

 

"There is only one courtroom, but there iss a separate room for witnesses, so that we would not be obliged to wait tour turn in a nearby pub. the grand jury room is appointed with eighteen leather seated chairs and three tables.  The courtroom has four brass chandeliers and a semi-circular mahogany table for council to plead from. A large glass mirror is positioned to reflect daylight onto the face of the accused.

Behind the jurors, and seated above them, is a gallery for spectators  and  fees are charged for admission fso a limited number of spectators caan be accommodated.  

 

"The cases from the Gaol Delivery for the county of Middlesex started on Wed the 18th of September, but there were so many cases, it spilled into the second week, and Deborah’s case was not heard until Thursday the 26th.  However, I think they started each week on a Wednesday."

 

"How did she look" I asked.

 

"Nervous but well presented. She had a clean neat dress on."

 

Rebecca was charged with Theft: grand larceny. I looked up what grand larceny means and it is theft of goods over 13 pence.  I can’t imagine anyone would bother  stealing anything that was deemed a minor larceny.  But Papa told me that there were several whose thefts were very small amounts indeed who were transported.

 

Papa was the only person called to speak  when it was Rebecca’s turn and he outlined the event.  He was asked my age, and why I was out of the house at the time.  He said it was an hour and a half that I was missing, although it didn’t seem that long to me. He identified Rebecca as the one who had stolen my bonnet. She  pleaded guilty, and didn’t say anything in her defence and  had no one to speak on her behalf. She was found guilty and sent to be transported for seven years.

 

“That is so unfair, considering it was only a hat,” I said. “Did everybody get transported?”

 

“No, not at all. I did a count of those from Middlesex being seen under Mr. Justice Bailey.  I  heartd the details of 40 prisoners. Five were sent to their deaths.  Six were found not guilty including one who was insane. Three were sent to a house of correction for a year, and one to Newgate for six months. One was sent to be whipped.  The rest were transported, but they were mostly the younger group.  That's less than half. Those who were sent to die were mostly those who had long records of past crimes.”

 

I was still furious.  I felt that her crime was not nearly as bad enough as to serve that sort of punishment.  She hadn’t hurt me at all, and she didn’t kidnap me. I followed her quite willingly. 

 

I wanted to write to her, but Papa said that it wouldn’t be possible, that she was now in Newgate Prison until the convict ship sails.

 

“How long before she is sent to Australia,” I asked. 

 

“Whenever the next available ship is due to sail.  I think one is filling now but for men only - so I wouldn’t be surprised if it wasn’t six months or so to wait for the next one.”

 

“What can I do, Momma, to help Deborah?  I want to write and say I am sorry I didn’t just give her my bonnet. She needed it to buy food, probably, and her need was much greater than mine.”

 

“Maria, don’t fuss so,” said Momma. “I read  that there is a woman called Elizabeth Fry who  has recently become a minister of the Quaker religion.  The Quakers are dedicated to improving the lives of persecuted people. Her address is Plashet House, East Ham.  I will write to her and see if she has any suggestions.”

 

It was a few weeks later when Momma had a letter back from Mrs. Fry.  She told us that she and her husband had lived in Whitechapel, on Brick Lane, up to a few years ago when they inherited the Fry estate. “She said she was most interested in “little Maria’s idea”, and had a hoped to be helping in prisons herself, but had recently given birth so was unable to help us in person. She recommended we visit a relative of her husband’s  called William Fry. We know him. He is a cheesemonger in Whitechapel and his wife is called Elizabeth.  Perhaps you and I could call into their shop on Saturday and see what they have to say.”

 

We waited until late in the afternoon on Saturday, as we knew Mr. Fry would be busy with his customers until then.  

 

“How nice to see you Mrs. Day,” he said.  “What can I do for you?”

 

“I'll take a quarter of your cheddar,” Momma said, “but we have also come to ask your advice about something.  I have had a letter back from Elizabeth Fry of the Quakers, and she suggested I talk to you.  Maria, here would like to communicate with one of the inmates of Newgate Prison.  But we were told it was very difficult if not impossible to do so. Do you ever go to visit there?”

 

“Yes, as a matter of fact, I do go, about once a month, and try to see any of our Quaker friends who have the misfortune to have to call that place home for the time being.  Tell me, Maria, about this woman and why you are  so interested in her.”

 

“It's my fault that she’s in prison,” I said.

 

“Don’t talk nonsense, Maria,” said Momma.

 

“She made friends with me back in July and I had my new bonnet on, and she wanted to try it on.  I wouldn’t let her, even though up till then she had been very nice and friendly to me.  And when I made a fuss, the constable came and chased her, and they had a trial and she pleaded guilty, and she was sentenced to transportation.  But now the next ship going there for women won’t be until the spring, and she has to rot in that prison in the meantime.”

 

“What is her name, Maria” he asked.

 

“She is called Deborah Reynolds, and she is 19 and her hair is brown and very curly.”

 

“When next I go, I shall attempt to find her.  What do you wish me to say to her?”

 

“Tell her that I am sorry she has had to go to prison and then to Australia. If I knew that was going to happen, I would have let her have my bonnet.  And tell her that I would like to write to her and have been told I can’t now, but I will find out which ship she is going on, and will send a letter to it and also to the place in Australia where she is going. And I hope she will be able to write back to me.”

 

“Does she read and write?”

 

“Oh yes, we taked about that. She went to school until she was 10.”

 

“It costs money to send letters all that way. But perhaps you could send her a prepaid  letter form enclosed in her letter.  I will tell her that you would like to know all about her experiences  on the ship and when she arrives, so she should be thinking about what she will write to you.  You might not hear from her until late next year, you know.”

 

“I know that I may never hear from her, but at least I will feel like I have done something  to make up slightly for what happened, when she tried very hard to be my friend.”

 

“I will send a note around to your house when I have something to tell you, Mrs. Day, and here is your cheese. I hope you enjoy it.  And God’s blessing on you all, including your friend Deborah,”  he said.