[Excerpts from "The Proceedings of the Old Bailey" 1713-1730] [http://hri.shef.ac.uk/db/bailey] [note: many more Murphys after 1730, this is just an early sample-mm] Christopher Murphy, defendant, theft with violence: highway robbery, 15 Oct 1718. ThomasMultus, alias Colethurst of Newington, was indicted for assaulting Thomas Philip , upon the Highway, and taking from him, a Cloth Coat value 2 s.6 d. a pair of Spurs value 2 s. and a Gelding value 20 l. the property of Matth.ew Lant, the 22d of September. The Prosecutor depos'd, that as he was riding near Pancras Wash ,he was met by two Men, one on Horseback, and the other on Foot, who stop'd him; and the Prisoner took off his Spurs, Boots,&c. and afterwards they bid him get off from his Horse, and the Prisoner's put on his Coat, got upon the Horse, and rode away. He could not Swear to the Prisoners Face; but when he was apprehended, he had the Prosecutors Coat on his Back, and a Spur, and other of his things in his Pocket. By other Evidences it did appear, that the Prosecutor crying our Highway-men, some Persons that happened as to be near, pursued the Prisoner, and he not being able to get off, quitted his Horse, and hid himself under some Brambles in a Ditch, and the Prosecutors Coat on his Back, the Spurs, Handkerchief,&c. found in his Coat Pocket; and the Horse was carried to the King's Head at Hampstead. The Prisoner deny'd the Fact, and said that his Brother was to go so a Fair to sell a Horse, he met him on the Road, and ask'd him to give him some Linnen; and that on the Road his Brother gave him the Coat and other things. But the Evidence being positive against the Prisoner, the Jury found him Guilty. He was indicted a 2d time, together with Christopher Murphy , for assaulting Mr. David Sinclair , upon the Highway, and taking from him a Horse, value 6 l. the property of Thomas Cox , the 19th of September last. The Prosecutor depos'd that he was set upon between Kilburn and Paddington , by two Highway-men, who took his Horse from him, and left him another Horse, which was claimed afterwards by another Gentleman that had been robb'd, as was made appear by that other Gentleman. The Prosecutor would not Swear positively to the Prisoner, it being Night when he was robb'd; but a Note of 40 l. which was taken from the Prosecutor, was found in the Prisoners Coat Pocket when apprehended, which he would have accounted for, by saying he had the Coat of his Brother, who he said was a Highway-man. The Jury found him guilty of this Indictment likewise; and he receiv'd Sentence of Death. But as to Murphy he prov'd that he was an Actor in Southwark Fair , at the very time the Robbery was committed, so he was acquitted. ------------ Henry Murphy, defendant, theft: simple grand larceny, 14 Oct 1724. Henry Murphy , of St. Giles's in the Fields, was indicted for feloniously stealing divers Wearing Apparel, the Property of Thomas Wilbey , the 16th of August last. It appear'd by the Evidence, That the Prosecutor left his Cloaths with his Sister, and he found them on the Prisoner's Back. The Prisoner pleaded he had the Cloaths from his Wife, who was the Prosecutor's sister, whom he married on the 19th of August, three Days after. It not appearing that he stole them from the Prosecutor's sister, the Jury acquitted him. ----------- Margaret Murphy, appears in trial of Jonathan Wilde, theft: shoplifting, miscellaneous: perverting justice, 13 May 1725. S. Andrew's Holborn [long transcription not included here] ------------- Walter Murphy, victim in trial of Margery Hawkins, theft: no type specified, 25 Apr 1726. Margery Hawkins , of Aldgate, was indicted for stealing 3 Gowns, 3 Smocks, 4 Towels, 2 Aprons, and 2 Caps, the Goods of Walter Murphy , on the 27th of April last. Acquitted. ------------ Margaret Murphy, defendant, theft: specified place, 28 Feb 1728. Margaret Murphy , of St. Martin's in the Fields, was indicted for privately and feloniously stealing out of the House of John Cordes , a Silver Salver, value 5 l. and a Silver Tea-pot, value 5 l. on the 15th of Jan. last, the Property of Peter Casteels . The Prosecutor depos'd, That whilst he was at Dinner, on the 15th of Jan. the Goods mentioned in the Indictment were taken out of his House, and that on the Saturday following he heard of their being stopp'd at Mr. Vaughn's? Mr. Vaughn depos'd, That the Prisoner brought the Plate to him and offer'd it to Sale, but he suspecting it to be stolen, he stopp'd it, and had the Prisoner taken into Custody, for he had found it described in an Advertisement; the Plate being cut in pieces, was produced in Court, and the Prosecutor swore by the Cypher engraven on it, that it was his. Mr. Painter depos'd, That he engrav'd the Cypher on the Plate for the Prosecutor. The Prisoner said in her Defence, That she had it from one Mrs. Merrit, who told her that she brought it from Virginia; but the Witnesses she produced not proving this to the Satisfaction of the Jury, they found her Guilty. Death. --------------------- David Murphey, defendant, killing: murder, 28 Aug 1730 David Murphey , of Chiswick, Gent. was indicted for the Murther of Ulysses Lynch , Gent. by giving him one Mortal Wound with a Sword on the Breast, of the Length of half an Inch, and the Depth of six Inches, of which he instantly dy'd, the 19th of August last. He was also indicted a second time on the Coroner's Inquest, for the feloniously slaying the said Ulysses Lynch . Elizabeth Fossey depos'd, That the Prisoner and Deceas'd, and some other Gentlemen lodging at her House at Chiswick, they were drinking a Bottle of Wine together in the Parlour the Night before, and till One, or between One and Two o'Clock in the Morning; that besides the Prisoner and the Deceas'd, there were also in Company Mr. Fitz-Gibbons, Mr. Macartney, Mr. Lister , and Mr. Upton; that she sitting in the Kitchen, at some Distance from the Parlour, between sleeping and waking, did hear very high Words pass, but could not say what, except, that she heard the Lye given, but could not say by who; and that afterwards she heard Mr. Upton call for his Sword, (she being awake) that Mr. Macartney said, he should not have it; and that Mr. Murphey said to Mr. Upton, are you not asham'd to make a Disturbance in the House; that they all went into the Room, and she carried in a Bottle of Wine, and she heard no more, till she heard the Deceas'd was kill'd; that they went all to Bed about Two o'Clock. Edward Sanger depos'd, That as he was walking accidentally in Chiswick-Fields, between Nine and Ten o'Clock, he saw the Prisoner walking hastily before him in his Night-Gown loose; that he did not then see Mr. Lynch, but going on, he saw the Prisoner drop his Gown, and Swords drawn, and that they push'd violently, and the Deceas'd retreated several Yards, the Prisoner pushing at him; that Mr. Fitz-Gibbons interpos'd with his Cane, and immediately the Deceas'd See original dropp'd; that the Deceas'd was in his Wastecoat, his Coat being off. Mr. Vickars depos'd, As he was walking in Chiswick-Fields, he saw Mr. Lynch walking before him, in his Wastecoat, but did not then see the Prisoner; but when he came up to the Deceas'd, he saw naked Swords, and they pushing at one another violently for about a Minute and a half, and to the best of his Knowledge he gave him the Wound in less than two Minutes; that Mr. Fitz-Gibbons came up, endeavouring to get between them, and put down their Swords with his Cane. John Betts depos'd, He pursu'd the Prisoner, who took Boat, and coming up along Side, the Prisoner attempted to draw his Sword, and drew it a little way; that he thereupon jumping into his Boat, he surrendered, and delivered him his Sword, desiring him to draw it, which he did. and it was bloody about two Inches; that the Prisoner said he could no ways avoid doing what he had done, that the Deceas'd came several times up to his Bed-side, and urg'd him to it. The Prisoner in his Defence pleaded, That his first Acquaintance with the Deceas'd, began last October, that Lodging in the same House with him at Chiswick, as he was that Morning that the unfortunate Accident happen'd, walking in a little Garden reading, the Deceas'd came to him, and said, he did observe some Coldness in the Behaviour of the Gentlemen towards him, and did believe that I was the Occasion of it, which I deny'd, and bid him apply to the Gentlemen themselves to satisfy him; that thereupon he gave me the Lye, and said, no Body would do it, but such a Scoundrel as I, and that he believ'd I was a Coward, and offer'd to strike me, and bid me if I dar'd resent it, to follow him, he was going to such a place, and that if I did not, he would Cane me in the first publick Coffee-House he should meet me. The Prisoner call'd several to his Character, the Lord Kilmurry, and some other Gentlemen, who appear'd, and gave him the Character of a peaceable inoffensive Person, not given to Quarrel. Upon a full hearing of the Matter, the Jury acquitted him of the Murther, and found him Guilty of Manslaughter only. ------------- Edward Murphey, victim in trial of John Kenneday, theft: simple grand larceny, 25 Apr 1726. John Kenneday , of St. Martins in the Fields, was indicted for feloniously stealing a Silver Snuff-box, value 18 s. the Goods of John Ossend, on the 21 st of April last. He was a 2d Time indicted for stealing 12 Yards of Camblet, value 9 s. the Goods of Edward Murphey , on the 16th of May. It appear'd that the Prisoner stole the Snuff-box out of a Chest of Drawers, in a Room that he desir'd to see, under Pretence of taking it for a Lodging, and that he stole the Camblet at the late Fire in St. James's-street. The Jury found him guilty of both Indictments. ----------------- Ann Murfey, appears in trial of Elizabeth Smith, theft: pick pocketing, 15 Jan 1720. Elizabeth Smith , of St. Anns Westminster was indicted for privately stealing 5 s. 6 d. the Money of John Joyce from the Person of Ann his Wife, on the 19th of December last. Ann Joyce deposed that the Prisoner and one Ann Murfey came to her Shop to Cheapen Meat, that she had the Money in her Pocket when they came, and mist it as soon as they were gone, none else being there; that she crying out her Pocket was pickt, the Prisoner was brought back, who put 2 Half Crowns in her Hand, and offer'd her a print of Wine to let her go. The Prisoner denied the Fact, and said she had been come from Ireland but 7 weeks; but called none to her Reputation. The Jury considering the matter, found her Guilty to the value of 10 d. Transportation. ------------------- James Murfey, defendant, theft: simple grand larceny, 30 Aug 1721. James Murfey , of St. Giles in the Fields, was indicted for feloniously stealing a Silver Watch, value 30 s. the Goods of John Scurrier , on the 7th of August last. But the Evidence not being sufficient, the Jury Acquitted him.