Mary Legg

1843-1898

Mary, her parents, siblings and early life:

Mary was born in North Stoke, Oxford, the daughter of William and Elizabeth King (nee Wells) who were married on the 11^th October 1842 in Shinfield, Berkshire.

Mary’s father William was Railway Policeman. He was born in North Stoke c1822, the son of Samuel and Martha King.

Her mother Elizabeth was baptised on the 30^th December 1821 in Benson, Oxfordshire, the daughter of William and Mary Wells (nee Cox) who were married on the 19^th November 1814 in Benson, Oxfordshire (Mary was from the parish of Ewelme)

Mary’s siblings were:

William c1845 in Cholsey

Joseph 1846 in Cholsey

Elizabeth 1849 in Greenham

Edward Walter c1850 in Greenham

Martha 1851 in Greenham

Sarah c1854 in Greenham

Emma c1856 in Greenham

Kate 1860 in Greenham

Susanna 1863 in Greenham (aka Rose)

In the 1851 and 1861 census records Mary and her family were recorded living in Stroud Green, Greenham. Berkshire. By 1871 her parents and two youngest sisters were living in Paddington, London.

Mary in later life:

The 1871 census record Mary (24) as a Domestic Servant (Housekeeper) living in Hazell’s Yard, Newbury.

In 1872 Mary found herself in trouble with the law, the following appeared in the local newspaper:

Newbury Weekly News

Dated 12^th February 1874

Monday

Before the Mayor and J. H. Mason Esq.

ROBBERY BY A CHARWOMAN

Mary King, a charwoman, was charged with robbery under the following circumstances.

The Rev. John Turner, Wesleyan Minister, said that on Saturday morning on opening his writing desk he found it unlocked and that 4s. 6d. had been taken. He called the attention of Mrs. Smither, at whose house he lodged, to the fact. Prisoner was working at the time in the house and she was called in, and in the presence of Mr. and Mrs. Smither declared that she had taken no money. She was asked by Mrs. Smither to turn out her pocket, which she did, and threw down 4s. 6d. on the table which she said she had received for washing on the previous night. She further protested her innocence but eventually confessed having taken the money. Witness then said that he had lost money from a parcel; she denied any knowledge of this. He desired Mr. Smither, in order that the case may be rally investigated, to fetch a policeman; but before Mr. Smither returned prisoner confessed to having taken this money also, the amount being £1 16s. 10½d.

Prisoner, when asked if she had anything to say in her defense, admitted to taking the money, and she told Mr. Turner she would repay him. She elected to be tried by the Bench in preference to going to trial.

The Mayor said it was a bad case as a woman in her position would have considerable trust placed in her. She would be sentenced to two months imprisonment.

After serving her prison sentence Mary went to work as a Housekeeper for William Legg, a widower with three children.

Less than three months later she was in trouble with the law again. The Newbury Weekly News, dated the 25^th June 1874 reported the following:

Dishonest Housekeeper

Mary King was brought up on remand charged with illegally pawning a quantity of bedding and wearing apparel, the property of William Legg of Waterloo-place.

Prosecutor stated that the defendant was his housekeeper, and had pledged the articles unknown to him and without his authority. On finding that some garments were missing, he asked her where they were. She replied “Gone to be washed.” Witness replied that cloth waistcoats did not want washing. Then she replied they were gone to have the buttons sewed on. He continued to ask her and all he could get from her was that they were “gone up street,” and then he feared that they had been pawned. It was not until two or three days afterwards that he fully ascertained his loss.

Mr. Helmore deposed to the pledging of the various articles–fourteen in all-some by prisoner and the remainder by other persons. He had declined to receive anything further from prisoner as she had deceived him. He had no reason to suspect prisoner’s honesty as she had been in the habit of pledging things for many years.

Mrs. Wyatt deposed pledging a shawl and two waistcoats on the same day for Mary King, who said that he (meaning Mr. Legg) was waiting at home for the money as he had had no work that week. The articles were taken to Mrs. Chivers’, in the Eagle-yard. Witness also pawned a pair of trousers. She received a penny from Mary King for each pawning. Pawned also a blanket for 2s., King saying that Legg was waiting to pay the rent.

Mr. Mason – Are you in the habit of pawning things? – Yes sir, for people I know. Didn’t think King was doing anything that was wrong.

Mr. Mason - You knew she had not been out of prison long? – I didn’t thing Mary King was telling a story; but I did ask Mrs. Chivers.

Mr Mason – If you were suspicious enough to ask Mrs. Chivers, why did you not go to Legg himself? – Well she did bring some little jackets afterwards, but I refused.

Eliza Willis, wife of Robert Willis, living in Porter’s-yard, said that Mary King came to her on Monday week with a coat to pledge, for which she got 3s. King gave her a penny. This was the general charge, but some gave more.

The Mayor said it was very wrong to take property in this way. -  It was a great encouragement to crime.

Mary Bradley said that on Wednesday week she pawned a frock and jacket for 1s. 3d. King brought it to her in the street, and said she wanted to get something for “his dinner,” but did not say who. King gave her three half-pence. Witness pawned things for people. When she knew whose things they were she did not inquire, but she asked about people she didn’t know.

This being the whole of the evidence prisoner pleaded guilty to the charge and

The Mayor said it was a very bad case. She had been taken into service and an opportunity was given for her to redeem her character, but she so far abused this confidence as to commence systematic robbery almost as soon as she had entered her situation. She would be fined £1 for illegally pawning, £3 the value of the goods, with 9s. 6d. costs; in default two months’ imprisonment.

Mr. Mason told prisoner that the sooner she separated herself from the lot she has connected with the better, as bad companionship had a good deal to do with her trouble.

Supt. Goddard said he had reason to believe that she had taken to drinking at the house of the woman Chivers, together with other women.

The Mayor rebuked the three witnesses who had pawned for prisoner, and said he hoped her punishment would be a warning to them. A great deal of blame was to be attached to them and especially to Mrs. Wyatt. The system they had spoken to held out an encouragement to servants to rob their employers and was most dangerous to society.

Prisoner who was unable to pay, was locked up on default.

Mr. Mason asked Mr. Helmore if half-a-sovereign were paid whether all the articles would be handed back to Legg. (The articles had been pawned for £1 2s. 6d.)

Mr. Helmore replied in the affirmative.

Mr. Mason thereupon offered to see that the money was paid, and the articles were returned to prosecutor.

Mary married William Legg two years later.

Marriage details:

Place; St Nicolas Church, Newbury

Date: 22^nd May 1876

Groom: William Legg, widower, occupation Labourer, abode, Newbury

Bride: Mary King, spinster, abode, Newbury

Fathers: John Legg, occupation, Bootmaker and William King, occupation, Policeman

Witnesses: John Stillman and Sarah Stillman

Groom signed, Bride made her mark.

(William’s 1^st wife was Eliza(beth) Slade in born 1847, they married in 1866 and had 5 children. Elizabeth died in 1874. Only 3 of William’s children were still alive when he married Mary)

In 1878 Mary was charged with stealing an ulster (ulster meaning: a Victorian working daytime overcoat, with a cape and sleeves).

The following report appeared in the Newbury Weekly News dated 12^th December 1878:

BOROUGH POLICE COURT

FRIDAY

Before the Mayor (T. E. Hawkins, Esq.,) and J. P. Jackson, Esq.,

STEALING AN ULSTER.

Mary Legg, a middle-aged woman living in Dredge’s Yard, was charged with stealing an ulster, the property of Miss Clementina Calise, value 32s.

Miss Calise, schoolmistress of the West-street Infant School, said that on the day in question the ulster was hanging in the lobby at nine o’clock; at one she went for it and it was gone. She gave information to the police. She did not see the prisoner take it. The next time she saw it was at the time it was produced in Court.

Mr. Frederick Seymour, of Bartholomew-street, said that about ten o’clock on the previous day he received the ulster from the prisoner. He asked her to whom it belonged, but he had forgotten whose name she gave. The prisoner was in the habit of pledging for a great number of people. He advanced 3s. upon it which was the sum asked for. Some time afterwards P. C. May brought a pattern of cloth of similar material as the ulster was made of and asked him if he had an ulster of that pattern.

P. C. May said that about three o’clock on the day in question he received information of an ulster having been stolen from the West-street Infant School and found the same at Mr. Seymour’s. He asked him who had brought it and he replied Mary Legg. He (Mr. Seymour) sent for the prisoner and on her coming to the shop he apprehended her. Charging her with having stolen the ulster, she replied “I’ve only got a shilling, and if I can find the rest will you let me go?” He then removed her into custody.

Prisoner pleaded guilty.

Mr. Packer, silversmith, of Northbrook-street, said that the prisoner was a near neighbour of his, and ever since he had known anything of her she had been a simple-minded woman, and he thought she was not accountable for her actions. He asked under these circumstances that the Bench would be lenient as possible.

The Bench remarked that if there was any doubt as to the sanity of the woman it would be found out when she was in Reading.

Sentenced to two months’ imprisonment.

The ulster was then returned to its owner, and Mr. Jackson thought that Mr. Seymour was entitled to the thanks of Miss Calise, for not demanding the money advanced upon it.

Miss Calise remarked that she owed Mr. Seymour no thanks, and that if he wanted the 3s. she would give it to him. The ulster belonged to her and it was not her fault that it had been pledged and consequently could not admit that she owed thanks to anyone.

Mr. Seymour declined to take the 3s. but thought that it was owing to him that the prisoner had been apprehended and the ulster restored to its owner.

The 1881 census records Mary (38) living in Ashdown Court, Newbury with William (43) a General Labourer/Greenwich Pensioner and her step-children Ernest William (13), Rosa Jane (12) and Leah (9).

Mary was in trouble again for stealing in 1881, the following report appeared in the Newbury Weekly News dated 17^th March 1881

BOROUGH POLICE COURT

FRIDAY

Before the Mayor (C. Lucas, Esq.,) J. B. Stone Esq., (ex Mayor), J. Absalom, J. H. Mason, S. Hemsted, jun., and J. F. Hickman, Esqs.

STEALING COAL

Mary Legg was brought up on remand charged with having, on the 18^th inst., stolen 42lbs. weight of coal, value 1s., the property of Edward Hawkins, of the Red Lion Inn, West-street.

P. C. Mason said on the 10^th inst. He saw defendant coming out of West-street with a bag on her back. He stopped her and asked her what she was carrying; she replied some coal which she had bought at Mr. Gregory’s. He said he would go with her and find out if this were true, but she went on in the opposite direction. She then asked him to forgive her and she would take it back to Mr. Hawkins.

The Bench fined defendant 10s. including costs, and allowed her a fortnight to pay.

Two years later Mary was in Court again charged with stealing, the following report appeared in the Newbury Weekly News on the 19^th July 1883

BOROUGH POLICE COURT

FRIDAY

Before H Waton, Esq., M. D. (chaiman), and S Hemsted jun., Esq.

STEALING CALICO

Mary Legg was brought up on remand charged with stealing a quantity of calico and a towel, the property of George Kitchener.

Mrs. Ann Kitchener, wife of George Kitchener, cellarman living in Marsh-terrace, said she had a dozen yards of calico safe in a box in her house about a month ago. A fortnight ago she took it out and cut off some waste pieces. She saw the towel on Sunday week, and placed it with the other things. On the 6^th inst. She missed the towel, and in looking for the same she also missed the calico. There would be about eight yards of calico and with the towel, she valued it at about 4s. She spoke about her loss to Mrs. Harbut, a neighbour. Prisoner went on Saturday morning to work for witness and she told prisoner of what she had missed. Asked her if she had put it away, but she declared she had not seen it. On Saturday afternoon prisoner came with the calico and said, “Here’s your calico my good woman.” Witness asked her for the towel, but she denied having it. The calico and the towel produced were her property. When prisoner came back with the calico she knelt down and said, “Lord forgive me.”

Mrs. Emily Jane Harbut, wife of Joseph Albert Harbut, said she lived near to Mrs. Kitchener. On the 7^th July she informed witness of the loss, and witness immediately went to prisoner’s house. She said, “What have you done with Mrs. Kitchener’s calico and towel?” Prisoner replied she had never seen it, and knew nothing about it. While they were speaking witness saw the calico lying in a chair, and said, “What is this?” Prisoner said “That’s not it.”

Witness said, “I know it is; I shall go for a policeman,” and she turned to go out of the house, prisoner caught up the calico. Prisoner said she would go to Mrs. Kitchener’s.

P. C. Wheeler said about ten p.m. on the 7^th inst. He went to prisoner’s house in Ashdown-court. Saw the prisoner and asked her for the towel which she had taken from Mrs. Kitchener. After some hesitation she went into the back kitchen and brought out a dress; inside of which witness found the towel. Charged her with receiving the calico, and she made no answer. Witness then took her into custody.

Supt. Bennett handed in several previous convictions against the prisoner.

Prisoner elected to be dealt with summarily, and pleaded guilty.

The Bench said as this was the third conviction against the prisoner, she would be sent to Reading for three months’ hard labour.

Less than a year later Mary was back in Court, the following two reports appeared in the Newbury Weekly News dated 17^th April 1884

BOROUGH POLICE COURT

THURSDAY

Before J. Absalom and J. Hopson, Esqs.

ALLEGED THEFT.

Mary Legg, of Ashdown Court, was charged with having, on the 9^th inst. Stolen a sheet, one towel, and one\chemise, the property of Elizabeth Gould, of Pembroke-place.

The articles were found in the prisoner’s house by P. S. Seagrove.

The prisoner was committed to take her trial at the borough session on the 16^th inst.

BOROUGH QUARTER SESSIONS

FELONY.

Mary Legg, 42, charwoman, charged with stealing one sheet, one towel, one chemise, and one calico bandage, value 3. 6d., the property of Elizabeth Gould, on the 9^th April, pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to six moths’ imprisonment.

In 1887 Mary was in trouble one again. The following report appeared in the Newbury Weekly News dated 20^th January 1887

BOROUGH POLICE COURT

“PICKING THINGS UP”

Mary Legg, living in Ashdown-court, was charged with stealing one table-cloth, one chemise, and two window curtains, of the value of 3s., the property of Noah Pike, on January 15^th.

Mary Pike, daughter of the complainant, living in Ashdown-court, said the table-cloth and window curtains were theirs, but she could not swear to the chemise. They left the articles out on Friday night, and when she got up the next morning the things were gone. She did not know the prisoner.

Sergt. Borlase said on being informed as to the loss he went to Ashdown-court and told prisoner he wanted the things mentioned in the charge which were stolen in the night. Prisoner knelt down at the table and called God as witness that she did not steal the things. He saw a bundle near, and opening it found the table-cloth in it. Prisoner then said she picked it up in Ashdown-court. Prisoner then went upstairs followed by witness and P. C. Loader. He commenced to search prisoner, who said “I may as well tell the truth.” She then put her arm up the chimney and pulled down the things produced. He charged her and took her into custody, Prisoner asked him to be as lenient as possible as she had six months last time, and was told if she came again she would have five years.

Prisoner on being charged pleaded not guilty.

Prisoner was then charged with stealing one flannel petticoat at the same time and place, the property of Benjamin Hill.

Mary Hill said she left the petticoat out on the line Friday night on account of its being frozen. She missed it between seven and eight o’clock, on Saturday morning.

Sergt. Borlase said that when arrested prisoner said she picked up the petticoat.

Prisoner pleaded not guilty to this charge also.

Prisoner was charged next with stealing a sheet on December 25^th, the property of James Lawrence.

Sergt. Borlase said in answer to his inquiry prisoner said she found the sheet in the “Half Moon” Yard; but finding no owner there she took it to Alma-court.

Prisoner was then committed for trial at the next Quarter Sessions.

The 1891 census records Mary (47) living in Percy Place, Bartholomew Street, Newbury with William (52), a General Labourer, Leah (19), Lucy (1) and Ada (3 months).

(Lucy and Ada were recorded as William and Mary’s daughters on this census. They were actually Leah’s illegitimate children. Lucy was baptised on the 26^th November 1889 and Ada was baptised on the 16^th June 1891 (no father recorded on either baptism))

Mary died in 1898, she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 15^th June. (Age at death recorded as 60)

The 1901 census records William (62) as a Pauper/Naval Pensioner in the Newbury

Workhouse.

The 1911 census records William (73) as a Navy Pensioner (sailor) in the Newbury Workhouse.

He died in 1915 in the Workhouse and was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 7^th December. (Age at death recorded as 74).

Author: C Gambles
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