Image of two men kissingHomosexuality in Eighteenth-Century England: A Sourcebook compiled by Rictor Norton

Newspaper Reports, 1733


Friday, 9 March 1733

Reading, March 5. Last Wednesday the Assizes ended here, when Richard Simmonds, for Sodomy6, was ordered to stand in the Pillory, once at Wantage, and once at Abindon, and to be two Years imprisoned. (Daily Courant)

Saturday, 17 March 1733

Yesterday one George Stokes stood in the Pillory at the Royal-Exchange, pursuant to his Sentence at the Quarter Sessions, for extorting 5 s. from a Person upon Threats of swearing Sodomy against him. He was severely pelted with Mud and Dirt by the Populace, a little before his Time of Standing expired. (Daily Journal)

20–22 March 1733

On Monday last . . . one Richard Symonds, a Taylor of Wantage in Berks, stood on the Pillory at Reading, pursuant to his Sentence, at the last Assizes held there, for attempting tocommit Sodomy upon one Sexton, a Youth of the said Town of Wantage; he was severely treated by the Populace; he is to suffer two Years Imprisonment; and afterwards to give Security during Life. (St. James's Evening Post)

Thursday 29 March 1733

At the last Assizes at Reading one Richard Symonds, a Taylor of Wantage in Berks, was sentenc’d to stand in the Pillory, to suffer 2 years Imprisonment, and give Security for his good Behaviour during Life, for attempting to commit the detestable Sin of Sodomy upon one Sexton, a Boy; and last Monday he stood in the Pillory at Reading accordingly, where he was severely handled by the Populace. (Stamford Mercury)

Tuesday 17 April 1733

We are told, that several new Regulations are proposed to the Legislature, for more effectually punishing Criminals; among others, That Castrationn be inflicted as the just Reward of the detestable Sin of Sodomy. (Caledonian Mercury)

Thursday 19 April 1733

Such Liberties have been taken for many Years past in marrying Persons clandestinely at the Chappel in the Fleet Prison, and other Places, that we hear the Laws will be made more effectual for preventing such Practices for the future.
          Several Schemes have been also printed on the Subject of altering the Punishment of Criminals, in one of which Castration is humbly propos’d as an adequate Penalty for the detestable Crime of Sodomy. (Derby Mercury)

Saturday 7 July 1733

On Saturday last two Persons were taken in Covent Garden Church-yard, being charged with Sodomitical Practices, and secured in the Round-house: Next Morning they were carried before a Magistrate, who committed one of them (a Chairman to the Gate-house) and the other was admitted to Bail. (Ipswich Journal)

Saturday 1 September 1733

Yesterday . . . one Dyser, a Foot Soldier, was committed to the Gatehouse, Westminster, by Justice Cotton, for extorting Money from an eminent Tradesman near Millbank, under Pretence of swearing Sodomy against him. (Ipswich Journal)

Tuesday, 18 September 1733

On Sunday Night two Men were caught in the Temple, in the Act of Sodomy; one of them was secured and examined before Justice Nichols, who committed him to New-Prison, in order to be prosecuted at the next Sessions for the same. (Daily Courant)


CITATION: If you cite this Web page, please use the following citation:
Rictor Norton (Ed.), "Newspaper Reports, 1733", Homosexuality in Eighteenth-Century England: A Sourcebook, 20 Feb. 2015 <http://rictornorton.co.uk/eighteen/1733news.htm>.


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