The Day Before the Horse-Thefts (9 August 1726) — On the eve of two geldings disappearing, George Prentice (alias Johnson) moves through Smithfield. The next day, 10 August, the thefts that send him to the Old Bailey will occur.
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This Day in History – 5 August 1879
James Dilley & Mary Rainbow — The Tragedy of an Infant, Hidden in Paper (5 August 1879)
Charged with the murder of their unnamed newborn, Rainbow and Dilley were swiftly convicted. The child’s body was found wrapped in paper—the crime and secrecy both haunting in Victorian London.
Quote of the Day: Lost at sea?
Noah Clooney riffs on navigating life’s oceans: “I’m never lost at sea. It’s the shore that doesn’t know where to find me.” A wry nod to his maritime philosophy, it challenges our usual ideas about being adrift.
📜 This Day in History – 4 August 1783
James Mackey — The Sly Waistcoats That Cost a Life (4 August 1783)
Accused of stealing two waistcoats worth just eight shillings, servant James Mackey was found guilty and sentenced to seven years’ transportation. A small theft—life changing consequences.
📜 This Day in History – 31 July 1784
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.
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 – 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.
Thought of the Day: The Bittersweet Fate of Wheat
Thought of the Day: “Every loaf of bread is a tragic tale of wheat that could have been beer.” A whimsical look at carbs, regret, and the politics of flour.
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