Drag Parties at Miss Muff's 1728 Trial of John Bleak Cowland John Bleak Cowland, was indicted for that destableSin of Sodomy, and the Break of the Statute against the said Sin made and provided. Jonathan Parrey depos'd, That in February last, he first came acquainted with the Prisoner at one Muff's, in Black-Lion-Yard, White-Chappel. That in May last, the Prisoner went Home with him to his Lodgings, and when they were in Bed, he perswaded him to commit the Sin of Sodomy with him, to which he consented, and that they did then, and there, actually commit the Sin of Sodomy, &c. and afterwards in June last, he did actually commit the said Sin of Sodomy twice more with the Prisoner in the Bar. This Deponent farther said, That he being weary of this wicked and detestable Practice, took a Resolution to betray the Company which met together, to commit such filthy Actions, and accordingly he gave Information against them, and contrived to be in the Room when the Prisoner and others were apprehended, at the aforesaid Muff's House, in Black-Lion-Yard, White-Chappel. The Prisoner said in his Defence, That he only went to Muff's House, to learn to play on the Violin, and that it was all false which Parrey had swore against him. The Prisoner's Brother depos'd, That he knew Parrey to be an idle vagabond Fellow, that would swear a Cow is Horse, and his Oath was therefore not to be taken, but the Jury believing the contrary, found him Guilty. DEATH. Trial of Richard Challenor Richard Challenor of St. Mary's White-Chappel, was indicted for assaulting John Branch Harris, with an Intent to commit that wicked and destestable Sin of Sodomy, with the said John Granch Harris. He was a second Time indicted for assaulting Jonathan Parrey, with an Intent to commit the said Sin of Sodomy, with him the said Jonathan Parrey. Jonathan Parrey depos'd, That in February last he first came acquainted with the Prisoner, that they about that Time lay together and equally committed filthy undecent and effeminate Actions; that they likewise did the same at Muff's Hosue in Black-Lion-Yard White-Chappel, and that the Lodging in an alley near White-Chappel Church, in July last, Richard Challoner and John Branch Harris came to see him, and put their Hands into each other's Breeches, after which they went out of the House into an Arbour in the Garden, but what they did there he could not tell. The Jury acquitted him of both Indictments. Trial of Isaac Milton Isaac Milton of St. Mary's White-Chappel, was indicted for assaulting Jonathan Parrey, with an Intent to commit that destable Sin of Sodomy, with the said Jonathan Parrey. Jonathan Parren depos'd, That in June last, he first became acquainted with the Prisoner, at Muff's House in White-Chappel. That at the Three-Nuns in White-Chappel, they lay together, when the Prisoner would have had him committed Sodomy with him, but he refused it; that then the Prisoner ofered to act the same Crime of Sodomy with him, but he would not suffer him. What strengthen'd this Evidence, was the Oath of Mr. Willis, who depos'd, That when Parrey gave Information agianst Muff's House, he mentioned the Prisoner, as one of the filthy Wretches who resorted there, to committ sodomitical Practices, and accordingly, when they went to search the House, they found the Prisoner amongst the ludicrous Company. The Jury found him Guilty of the Assault and Misdemeanor. [NOTE: At the end of the Sessions of 16 October 1728, John Bleak Cowland was sentenced to Death. However, he was later reprieved and transported. See News Reports for 1728, 5 October, 19 October, 26 October, 9 November.] SOURCE: The Proceedings at the Sessions of the Peace, and Oyer and Terminer for the City of London, and County of Middlesex. On Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Monday, being the 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, and 21st, of October, 1728, in the Second Year of His Majesty's Reign. 1728. CITATION: If you cite this Web page, please use the following citation: Rictor Norton (Ed.), "Drag Parties at Miss Muff's, 1728," Homosexuality in Eighteenth-Century England: A Sourcebook. 25 February 2013 <http://www.rictornorton.co.uk/eighteen/1728muff.htm>. Return to Homosexuality in Eighteenth-Century England