Newspaper Reports, 1799
16–18 January 1799
WHITECHAPEL. – Wednesdy a Soldier was examined, charged with an assault, and with having attempted to commit an unnatural offence on a fellow-soldier, with whom he slept. He was, after a long examination, detained for a further hearing. (London Packet or New Evening Post)
25–26 February 1799
J. Lewis and J. Parker, found guilty of an attempt to commit an unnatural offence, were sentenced to six months imprisonment. (Whitehall Evening Post)
Thursday, 25 July 1799
CANTERBURY, JULY 23.
Thomas Bowles and Richard Collier (the latter a very young lad), who were sentenced to Death at the County Assizes for the commission of an unnatural crime, have been since respited. (The Sun)
Friday, 26 July 1799
ASSIZES.
CANTERBURY. . . . Joshua Gee and Edward Maddox, both very young men, who were found guilty at the same Assizes, of attempting to commit an unnatural offence, were sentenced to two years solitary imprisonment. (Courier)
Friday 2 August 1799
ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE
At Canterbury, . . . J. Gee and E. Maddox, convicted of attempting to commit an unnatural offence, were sentenced to two years solitary imprisonment. T. Bowles and R. Collier, sentenced to be hanged for the commission of such offence, were respited. (Stamford Mercury)
Saturday 3 August 1799
Thomas Bowles and Richard Collier (the latter a very young lad) who were sentenced to death for the commission of an unnatural crime, have been since respited. – Joshua Gee and Edward Maddox, both very young men, who were found guilty at the same Assizes [in Canterbury], of attempting to commit an unnatural crime, were sentenced to two years' solitary imprisonment. (Oxford Journal)
7 October 1799
John Pedlar, an elderly man, was brought up by one of the Patrole, who charged himwith assaulting him the preceding night, and behaving in a very indecent manner. The Patrole said, that in consequence of the repeated complaints made respecting persons of the above description nightly infesting the Duke of Bedford's private road and fields adjoining, he and his mate went there on Sunday evening, when, parting from him, and going by himself across a field, he met the prisoner, who, after some conversation, proceeded to take very indecent liberties with him, on which he seized and secured him. The prisoner, who of course denied the charge, was ordered to find bail to answer for the assault. (London Packet or New Evening Post)
Tuesday, 8 October 1799
PUBLIC OFFICE, BOW STREET.
John Pedlar, an elderly man, was brought into custody, by Croker, one of the Patrol, who charged him with assaulting him the preceeding night, in a field adjoining the Duke of Bedford's private Road.
Crocker stated,that in consequence of the numerous complaints lately made, that a set of wretches of a certain description, nightly infested that neighbourhood, to the great annoyance of passengers, whom they frequently attacked. He and his men were ordered to attend there; that on Sunday night, between eight and nine o'clock, they went up the Duke's road, and parting from his men, he walked across the field next the road, by himself, when he was met by the Prisoner, who entered into conversation with him,and after walking a little way together laid hold of him by the hand, and proceeded to take indecent liberties with him, on which he seized him by the collar and gave him into the custody of two of his men, who conveyed him to the Watch-house. The Prisoner, who denied the charge, was ordered to find bail. (The Oracle)
CITATION: If you cite this Web page, please use the following citation:
Rictor Norton (Ed.), "Newspaper Reports, 1799",
Homosexuality in Eighteenth-Century England: A Sourcebook, 29 June 2021
<http://rictornorton.co.uk/eighteen/1799news.htm>.
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