‘Old Bailey’ Web site provides insight into evolution of justice

Ralph Walker never said he didn’t take the 145 yards of silk and worsted lace from the shop of William Thorpe on the day in question, Aug. 7, 1715.

What Walker claimed, according to The Proceedings of the Old Bailey in London, was that the goods “hitch’d upon his Buttons, and that he knew nothing of his carrying it away.”

Nearly three centuries later, those of us schooled on “Law & Order” might call that reasonable doubt, but the jury in London was very sure and so Ralph Walker was found guilty.

The value of the lace? Thirty shillings. For that, the resident of St. Mary Magdalen New-Fish Street was sentenced to death.

Ten others received the same sentence that day, 12 were to be “burnt in the hand,” others were fined 10 to 20 marks, and two were to “stand in the Pillory near the Pay Office in Broadstreet.”

Four of the 11 judged to die – Trolly Lolly, Elizabeth Whigley, Anne Smith and Mary Powell, “pleaded their bellies,” claiming to be pregnant.

“And a Jury of Matrons being impanell’d, Whigley, Smith and Powell were found to be Quick, with Child; but Trolly Lolly was found not.”

Trolly Lolly’s offense, by the way, was breaking into a house and stealing a pair of flaxen sheets.

Information on 101,000 trials held 1674-1834 at the Old Bailey in London can be found on the Web site The Proceedings of the Old Bailey at www.oldbaileyonline.org, a project of historians Robert Shoemaker and Tim Hitchcock.

Michelle Thomas, who transcribed the births and deaths of Bangor for Picton Press, brought the Web site to my attention after reading “Digitizing the Hanging Court” in the April 2007 issue of Smithsonian magazine.

It’s a fine article – and a fine Web site. I haven’t found any of my ancestors in the Old Bailey trials, and I’m just as glad. London justice was harsh.

The Maine State Organization and Lady Knox Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, will mark the grave of Gen. Henry Knox at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 26, at the town cemetery on Erin Street.

The Maine Sons of the American Revolution will provide the color guard, and the eulogy will be given by DAR National Historian General Cindy Phillips. Preparations for the memorial service are being made by State Chaplain Barbara Maloy.

A luncheon will be held at noon at the Rockland Country Club. Past National Vice President General Ann Thomas of Augusta will speak on the connection between the DAR and Montpelier, the replica of the Knox home.

Tickets to the buffet are $15, sent to Laura Kwon, Box 191, Anson ME 04911 before April 22.

After the luncheon, participants may tour Montpelier from 1:30 to 3 p.m.

A block of rooms have been reserved for the DAR at the Hampton Inn Suites, 190 New County Road, Thomaston, for the evening of April 25. Reservations are required by April 21 at 594-6644 or (800) 426-7866.

Special guests for the grave marking include National Treasurer General Bea Dalton from New Hampshire, Vice President General C. Elizabeth Candas from Rhode Island, Massachusetts State Regent, Mary Andrews, Connecticut State Regent Caroline Taylor and Mexico State Regent Karen Vestel Mather.

The Maine Society of Mayflower Descendants will hold its 106th annual meeting, led by Gov. Robert R. Dow, on Saturday, May 5, at the Senator Inn on Western Avenue in Augusta.

Prospective members are welcome. Historian Syrena Gatewood will conduct a class on applying for membership at 10:15 a.m. Requirement for membership is proof of direct descent from any passenger on the Mayflower in 1620.

A short business meeting will precede the noon luncheon to elect a new deputy governor. Luncheon is crispy lemon chicken breast or maple ginger-glazed salmon. The cost is $16.50 sent to to Maine Society of Mayflower Descendants, c/o Carol Gagnon, 189 Blanchard Road, Cumberland, ME 04021-0785. For info, call 721-9528.

Travel to Boston to spend the day conducting genealogical research at the New England Historic Genealogical Society and Massachusetts State Archives at Columbia Point. The bus leaves Portland at 8 a.m. and returns at 8 p.m. Thursday, May 17.

NEHGS, established in 1845, boasts a collection of more than 200,000 genealogical and historical volumes, more than 1 million manuscripts, census records, vital records, deeds, probates, military records, plus the latest resources in print, microtext and CD-ROM.

The Massachusetts State Archives offers Massachusetts vital records 1841-1910, 19th century passenger lists for the port of Boston, census records, state military and judicial records, Plymouth Colony records and papers pertaining to the early settlement of Maine.

Those interested in a day of sightseeing who do not plan to conduct research are welcome also. The trip is sponsored by the Maine Historical Society.

To register, call 774-1822. The cost is $40 for the trip, plus $15 admission to NEHGS Library for nonmembers of NEHGS.

Send genealogy queries to Family Ties, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402; or familyti@bangordailynews.net.