John Romaine — The Overcoat Theft That Ended in Exile (31 July 1784)
When John Romaine stole a cloth great-coat from a Westminster house, he was caught within minutes, confessed immediately, and was sentenced to seven years transportation. A quiet crime with life-changing consequences.
Category Archives: History
This Day in History – 30 July 1802
Joseph Wall — The Governor Who Whipped a Man to Death (30 July 1802)
Hanged before a crowd of thousands, former Governor Joseph Wall was brought to justice for ordering the brutal flogging of a soldier. His trial marked a rare moment of colonial accountability in Georgian Britain.
This Day in History – 29 July 1799
Rebecca Clift — A Servant’s Crime and Punishment (29 July 1799)
Found guilty of stealing fine linens from her employer, Rebecca Clift was sentenced to be whipped and transported. Her silence in court remains a haunting footnote in a justice system slow to offer mercy.
This Day in History – 23 July 1783
Ot en Batley – The Great Linen Heist (23 July 1783)
A servant’s bold theft of luxury damask linens led to public whipping and discharge—a rare mercy amid harsh Georgian justice.
This Day in History – 22 July 1850
The Bread Coiner – This Day in History (22 July 1850)
On this day in 1850, Frances Henesey was tried at the Old Bailey for passing a fake shilling at a bakery, grabbing a loaf of bread, and fleeing into the London streets.
This Day in History – 21 July 1751
Horse-Turnpike Highway Robbery – This Day in History (21 July 1751)
On this day in 1751, William Elkins stood trial at the Old Bailey for highway robbery after allegedly holding up travellers at a turnpike while on horseback.
This Day in History: May 27th
Here are ten historical events that took place on May 27th: 1703 – Peter the Great founds the city of Saint Petersburg in Russia, which later became the country’s capital for two centuries. 1813 – During the War of 1812, American forces capture Fort George in Ontario, Canada. 1930 – The 1,046-foot Chrysler Building inContinue reading “This Day in History: May 27th”
This Day in History: May 21st
Here are ten historical events that took place on May 21st: 996: Pope Gregory V crowns his cousin Otto III as Holy Roman Emperor. 1502: Portuguese explorer João da Nova discovers the uninhabited island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean. 1554: English Protestant martyr John Bradford is executed by burning at the stakeContinue reading “This Day in History: May 21st”
This Day in History: May 20th
Here are ten historical events that took place on May 20th: 1873: Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis receive a patent for blue jeans with copper rivets, marking the birth of the iconic Levi’s jeans. 1927: Charles Lindbergh takes off from Roosevelt Field in Long Island, New York, on his solo transatlantic flight to Paris, becomingContinue reading “This Day in History: May 20th”
This Day in History: May 10th
Here are ten historical events that took place on May 10th: 1775: The Second Continental Congress convenes in Philadelphia, marking the start of the American Revolutionary War. 1869: The First Transcontinental Railroad is completed with the “Golden Spike” ceremony at Promontory Summit, Utah, connecting the Central Pacific and Union Pacific railroads. 1872: Victoria Woodhull becomesContinue reading “This Day in History: May 10th”
