As far as Samuel Hooker was concerned, 7 May 1785, was just a normal day. He had spent much of it in his draper’s shop in Highgate, serving customers and dealing with stock. He closed the shop at the normal time, locked up the premises as usual, and retired to his bed at some time between 11.00 pm and midnight.
The next morning, Samuel rose after 6.00 am and went downstairs to prepare for the day. Still half asleep, as he walked into the kitchen, he was surprised by how brightly the sun shone into the room. Only then did he see the reason for this unusual brightness; someone had removed four courses of bricks from beneath the window, leaving a large hole through which the sun streamed.
Checking his stock, Samuel found that some £200-worth of goods had been stolen. He made a careful list for the authorities. The thieves, whoever they were, had taken 60 yards of linen cloth, ten linen handkerchiefs, 250 yards of lace, 150 yards of edging, 250 yards of black lace, 2,000 yards of silk ribbon, 30 yards of muslin and two silk handkerchiefs. In addition to the material, they had also taken four silver table spoons, five silver tea spoons, a pair of silver tea tongs, and a silver milk ewer.
The first person Samuel told about the robbery was a neighbour, who assisted him in drawing up the list of the stolen items. Once the list had been made, Samuel called in the local constable, Thomas Seasons, and informed him of the robbery. Constable Seasons immediately concluded that this crime might well have been committed by someone who knew the household routine very well. After all, the removal of the four courses of bricks might well have caused a disturbance. The thief, or thieves, seemed to be aware that Samuel was a sound sleeper and that his rooms were at the opposite end of the premises. Seasons asked Samuel if there was anyone who had either worked there in the past, or who knew his routine, and who might have committed the robbery.
The only name that Samuel could suggest was that of Elizabeth Taylor. She had worked for Samuel, as a servant, some sixteen months ago. Constable Seasons decided to investigate further.
In due course, Seasons discovered that Elizabeth’s brother, Martin, was lodging in the house of one Mary Halloway, at 12 Portpool Lane. Seasons visited those premises on 18 May, and made a thorough search of Martin Taylor’s room. Some material was discovered there and various items bore the initials VRW, a mark unique to Samuel Hooker’s shop. Samuel had little trouble in identifying the material as his, and Martin was taken into custody.
Later that same day, and acting on information received, Seasons travelled to Bow, where he saw Elizabeth Taylor in the marketplace. As the constable approached, Elizabeth made a dash for freedom. Stalls were knocked over in the ensuing chase and some of the local populace tried to assist Elizabeth by blocking the constable’s way but, despite these efforts, Elizabeth too was apprehended.
The trial of Elizabeth Taylor and her brother Martin took place at the Old Bailey before Mr Justice Butler, on 29 June 1785. The case for the prosecution was led by Mr Silvester whilst Mr Garrow led for the defence.
Mary Halloway testified that, at various times, both brother and sister had lodged at her house though, at the time he was taken, only Martin Taylor had rooms there. Mary told of the search made by constable Seasons and the items discovered there. She also said that Martin had given her some of the cloth so that she could make some shifts for Elizabeth.
Constable Seasons said that at the time he had searched Mary Halloway’s house, he had found stolen items and, at that stage, was unsure as to whether Mrs Halloway was actively involved in the theft. As a safety measure, he had also arrested her, but subsequent enquiries had shown that Mary Halloway knew nothing of the robbery, and had not known that the items Martin gave her were stolen. As a result, no charges had been preferred against her.
Continuing his evidence, Seasons said that he had also searched the rooms of Mrs Powell, who also lived at 12 Portpool Lane. Other items had been found in her rooms and again, this material had been given to her by Martin Taylor.
Ann Powell confirmed that evidence, saying that Martin had given her some linen and asked her to make two shifts for his wife, Catherine. She also confirmed that both she and Mrs Halloway worked as dressmakers.
Martin Taylor did put forward a defence. He claimed that he had met a man who asked him if he wished to look at some handkerchiefs, with a view to buying them. Martin had agreed and had also looked at some linen. He said that he then bought 14 yards of that linen, at 22 pence per yard, and had then handed it over to Mrs Halloway and Mrs Powell. Martin was not able, however, to name this man, or produce any witnesses to the supposed transaction.
In her defence, Elizabeth Taylor simply claimed that she knew nothing of the robbery. However, when first taken into custody, she had, apparently, made a full confession to the robbery, saying that it had been Martin and another man who removed the bricks from Mr Hooker’s house. Martin had then gone inside and passed the items out to her. Now, at her trial, Elizabeth tried to claim that she had been forced into this confession by Constable Seasons, who had told her that if she did not confess, she would certainly hang. It was difficult to accept this claim as, should she now be found guilty, Elizabeth would still face the hangman’s noose. In the event, both defendants were indeed found guilty, and sentenced to death.
At 7.30 am, on the morning of Wednesday 17 August 1785, Elizabeth Taylor, her brother Martin, and six other men, were led from their cells at Newgate, into the Press Yard. All had their leg irons and shackles removed, and then had their hands tied in front of them. They were then led across the yard, through the debtor’s door, to the waiting gallows outside.
As the eight were led up the steps of the portable gallows, there were cries from the crowd of ‘hats off’. This was not, however, a sign of respect for those who were about to die. The cry was merely an exhortation from those at the back who, if hats were not removed, would be unable to get a clear view of the proceedings.
Prayers were then said, by the Ordinary of Newgate, and after these had finished, at around 8.15 am, a signal was given to the executioner who pulled a lever. A trap fell and Elizabeth Taylor, her brother Martin, along with James Lockhart, John Rebouit, John Morris, James Guthrie, Richard Jacobs and Thomas Bailey, dropped the 18 inches or so, until the ropes became taught.
Elizabeth was only the third woman to be executed in public at Newgate, since the closure of the gallows at Tyburn. The first had been Frances Warren, hanged for burglary, on 9 December 1783, whilst the second had been Mary Moody, hanged for theft, on 21 January 1784.