The Sun.
London, England, 1851-04-23 00:00:00

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LEWES,
B x THETTRuAEos
DiIFADyRi.
_NI
Asl ' t li 1
TUESDAY:—Since
I aye e E
DISCLOSURE.
GANG.
h e
committaleSf
James
Hamilton
eying refused to take his
evidence on behalf of the Crown), be has made fall
confession of all the burglaries
which he and the gang
have been engaged in
The document during the last twelve months.
is of a very extraordinary
character,
and
shows the immense amount of daring possessed by these
men. He has also made some_ revelations to the police
officers engaged in the case, by which they have been
enabl-d to discover the receivers of theo t len property,
but from obvious reasons we are at prt,ener,
t prevented
however, from mentioning their names. It is, believed
that some portion of the great amount of valuable pro-
perty which has been stolen may yet be restored to the
owners.
Hamilton, in the commencement of his confession,
states "that the gang consisted of himself, Levi Har-
wood and Samuel Jones (hung for the murder of Mr.
Holiest), Samuel Harwood, John and Edward Isaacs,
William Brooks, Joseph Carter, John and James Hones,
alias Smith, Hiram Smith, Thomas Toot, alias Morgan,.
William Hillyer, John Brooks, 'Mary Crowder, Sarah
, White, and James Jones. John Isaacs was duly elected
captain, and all the others acted under his direction.
They were all sworn to obey the orders of the captain,
and if any one attempted to back out, or refused to take
part in any robbery or murder, if necessary, he or she
was to be instantly shot; and if any one left the gang
without the consent of the captain, ho or she were to Co
followed, and if overtaken to be shost "
After giving the particulars of the burglary at Kird-
ford, which has been already published, he goes on to
say:—" The second day after this Isaacs and John
Hones came to me again at Farnham-common, and
agreed for me to meet them at Dorking Homewood-
common. Laacs' brother, Ned, came to me, also John
Hones and James Hones. We all went to an old man's
house (a
farmer near Horsham). They heard he had
got a good deal of money. We all went, two at a time,
from the Homewood. Six of us met in
t from
wood near
Mr. Broadwood's lodge, and then we wen
the farmer's house. One got in at the window
dl3tt there
the
to
rest in at the back-door. We all went in the kitchen. The
t
old man heard us, and hallooed out, and we all left h
house. Four of us, myself, William Brooks, and
Jae
nie
and Edward Isaacs, went down to a house on Haywarele'ea
Heath, near the Brighton station, where two or three
ladies of the name of Kennard lived. This robbery was
planned by William Brooks, who knew the name. There
was a man servant who was ill, and a maid servant, who
slept in the same room to watch him. Her bed was right
against the window, where the light was. The servant
burnt a light all night, because the man was ill.
I found a long ladder, and put it up to the window. It
was a sash-window, which moved on one side. Wo all
got into the window. The female servant was lying
close to the window, and we fell over her. They went
into the ladies' room disguised with masks. After
pacifying the two servants, they left me to mind them.
The ladies' room was locked, but they broke open the
door. They collected all the property that was there.
They threatened to blow out the brains of the ladies if
they gave any alarm. We were there two hours, during
which time I sat down in a chair with the two servants,
and kept talking to them all the time. It was just get-
ing daylight when we left the house. We came back
two at a time until we got to Copthorn. There we
looked the property over, and shared what money there
was; 41. ss. each was shared. There was a deal of
foreign money, which I took to be French; this was put
amongst the plate, and 11l guineas in gold, and that
gold was put with the gold watches. There were two
gold watches and three silver ones; one gold watch had
a gold face and steel hands, the other had a white face.
Of the silver watches two were small plain ones, and the
other was a hunting watch with a silver chain. There
was a double-barrelled gun taken from the house, and
we had two guns with us. There were a great many
rings and brooches and trinkets, which were put
among the gold and plate, all of which John Isaacs took
away to Guildford to give to one of the Guildford men
(Levi Harwood), to go up to London with him to sell,
for which the Guildford man was to have a share, as
Isaacs did not then know where to go and sell it. There
was also some clothing brought away, two pair of trou-
sers,
one pair of cord breeches, and a large shawl. These
were all hid and lost, as the policeman came after it.
The three guns were hid by the roadside. My three
companions all went together to London, and they gave
me some money to take back to their women at Cop-
thorn-common, where we had four tents. About an
hour after I had left the men, and had returned to Cop-
thorn-common and was packing up my things, two po-
licemen came along. They knew Brooks's wire, and in-
quired for Brooks; and they came and asked me where
I was going? I told them I did not know, as I was a
stranger to the country. They searched the tents, but
they did not search me, although I had the money on
me which I had shared. This was the same morning
as the robbery at Hayward's-heath. Whilst the men
were sharing the money the women hid the clothes, and
that was why the policemen did not find them. The po-
licemen knew the women, and watched them, and talked
to them for half an hour. I then moved to a place called
the Chesnuts, by myself, but one tent with John
Isaacs's wife, afterwatds came there. The two Brookses
and John Isaacs and myself had each ono wife
and ono tent, and I had a little girl with
my wife. John Isaacs was to meet me at
the Chesnuts, after he had sold the property. He was
gone a week or beater. When he came back he said
there was only 30s. each, besides the guineas, of which
he burl only sold one, eith the other gold, to see what
it would fetch, beeping the others back, so that the
Guildford man should hot have his share of thew. Ho
took the guineas again to sell, and pare me a sovereign
down, on a promise to pay me the remainder; but he did
not giveme any more money. There ;vase quarrel amongst,
us about a large quantity of plate, which some of them
said Isaacs had concealtd and bought his waggon with.
Shortly ater this I fell in with Win. Brooks again, near
Henfield, in Sussex, and I and Ned Lases went back
again r.ith Brooks. We all three met in Wincham-
lane, near Henfield, and from there to a place called
HembledoesSurrey, to break open a shop there. Brooks
end Nel 'series broke it open, whilst I watched in front;
they got in and took out two Large old cheeses,a quantity
of tobacco, and a quantity of tea, and about a pound
weight of snuff, a loaf of bread, and a pound of new
butter. They drunk what wine they liked, and brought
me out some in a quart pot, and then filled a three quart
bottle to bring away. We three rsturned back to
Winchanslane again, and I and Ned Isaacs did not meet
John Isaacs at the time expected. We afterwards went
to Copthorn-common for a few days; I think we stayed
there a week.
" On the afternoon of Tuesday, the 31st of December
last, we, James Hamilton, John Isaacs, Joseph Carter,
alias Cockman, John Smith, alias Hones, James Smith,
alias Hones, Thomas Toot, alias Morgan, William Hill-
yer, and William Brooks met. After various messages
and communications between ourselves, I (Hamilton)
and Brooks and his wife, and James Smith, came on
from Edenbridge to Crowborough. The other five men
whom we tact at Edenbridge agreed to meet us at
Groombridge, at a barn there just outside. These five
men went to break open a public-house of Master Ken-
nard's, called the Old Pie. These five men met us out
of Groombridge next morning, just about daylight.
Brooks went to look after them, and found them in the
corner of the wood close to the road. They gave us a
plum-cake and a bottle of wine, and some whisky, and
tobacco done up in pennyworths. I (Hamilton) had
four, Jomes Smith had four. We (same) three men and
Vie woman went on again, having agreed to meet the
five men the same afternoon (Wednesday) just off
Crowborough-common, in a foreign on the Uckfield
side. Three of us, Isaacs, Carter, and myself, went
into Miss Farncombe'a house, and got there between
eight and nine o'clock to lay in front of the house and
see how many lights and watch them to bed. We saw
the latter fasten the front door. When the house was
dark and quiet we were to go back to some haystacks
close by, where we eight were to meet until it was time
to go. We all met at the haystack between the pay gate
and the house, on the opposite side to Miss Farncombo's.
We all went to Miss Farncomba's house, and as wo were
going we met a woman and either two or three men on
the road. We were all eight together then. Wo bed
left Brooks's wife back at her uncle's, at Crowborougb.
CARE OF ORDNANCE STORES IN THE NAVY.—The There are two gates to Miss Farncombe's house, one for
following circular has recently been issued by the Ad- a foot road leading to the beck door, and one thel carriaget
rairalty :en,' The attention of my Lords Commissioners of road. We left James Smith just inside the little ga to
the Admiralty having been drawn to the condition in cad h. of us went down the big gate, leaving me
which the guns and shells have been returned into store (Hamilton) to watch there in case any one came along
from some of her Majesty's ships their Lordships desire the road, and to give notice if any one should. Three or
the captains and commanding officers of her Majesty's four men came along soon afterwards. I watched them
ships and vessels will strictly observe ho several direr- safe away, and did not give any alarm to those in the
tions contained in the Admiralty printed instructions, house. In a little while two more men came along and
not only with regard to the return of the said stores but passed. I think they were gamf ekeepers. Just before
also as to their care and preservation while on board, they got into the house, one o
near
them came out to me
for which they will be held responsible; and they are to and said, 'I am going to stand
ear that little bush.'
cause the guns, carriages, shells, and shot to be properly Thomas Morgan and ho desiredm to give him notice if
examined on all convenient opportunities, and kept iu any one came, and be wouldan let. them know. When the
good order, taking care that attention is paid to the two gem, keepers came lo gl_ went to tell Morgan, and
find him; and soon after he (Morgan came to
under part Of the gun covered by the carriage and the
did
not
t brought me a bottle of wine. He )
trunnions, so as to ensure their being occasionally me and
._ said they
had got in, and were rummaging below. Morgan west
scraped and cleaned." back to the house, and a little afterwards he returned to
THE REV. Dn. WOLFF.—This enterprising and
me again, and he said, `They be all come out, and they
indefatigable missionary traveller has just started on a tour They all came out
think they heard somebody.'
through the northern portions of the kingdom, in par- this
this little gate, and there they all stripped and pulled off
suit of his envangelical labours on behalf of the funds.t
their clothes and shoes, andpet th •
for promoting Christianity among the Jews. While wai- ,
We
will
all
ing at a railway station, about midnight on Monday last, go up.' We were all eight together there.
our attention was attracted by certain little eccentricities I left the gate to meet them, and after talking about
peculiar to the Bokfiara traveller, with whom we a
fosrsma erl leaving some one outside, we all agreed to go into the
into an interesting conversation. Tan Re
:7.nnowr. v! are of Isley house together. We all eight went in through the pantry
f llow-pupil with the present Pope,
finsation is Glasgow window, but Morgan, who was first ready, ran forward
Brewers, Somerset; his immediate alas tuding
the Orkneys to the house and got a light. We seven, seeing the light,
and the northern parts of Scotland, I
lac
Columbaandof thought there was somebody down.'
of St.
and classical lona, the burial place . .
Sir John and Lady an o oath said, ' Oh, come along, follow me; give me the
host of Scottish monarchs. He will visit.
and Iwill
Pollock, and while in Glasgow will , pistols,
Matilda Maxwell at ' • funds which it seems hous wf • lid •t
lecture on behalf of the Jewish mission _ , . . .
t_ e eoa i was Morgan with the light. Then we ,
have got considerably in arrears the debthrsetma arghlina
ande all went in through the pantry window to the kitchen or
Free Church alone being 3,0001.
Notwithstanding
harndsihnigps which 'I
fro" parlour, where we found the butler's coats and
vanced age, and the undoubted trials
looks well, and, some of the females,' bonnets. Brooks put one of the
traveller has endured, he still
the African uded the railway officials Carter put on another; and we put the
the occasion to which we have all. , butler's cuathanded
l ,stren th and th • 1 on, and I (Hamilton) put one on
bad ample evidence that his physica. _ . g .
_(! vi- ,
me by Morgan. We all starched about the house. We
lungs are not as yet materially impaired.—Liver- I
~
pour of his, limed the canisters. Four of us went up
pool Chronicle. i .n„;,. ~ , John
Y"" o' stairs, and four the other. 'seam a. _
Do not wait for extraordinary opportunities for s i v one stair
-nl'''''t and myself; and another, went up
of common situations. A lona-were two
good actions, but make use -- case. The first room we went into there
_.. _
h t f'• h
continued walk is better than asor eg t.—Eliza Cook's .and I followed
ladies. Isaacs gave me rho candle,
Isaacs
Journal. ' him There was no violence in that room.
DEMANDING TOLL FROM THE POLICE WHEN ON broke open n '
that was brokenlopen,
open, and I held
A case has recently been decided at the Leigh
DUTY.— the candle to him.
• ea which we have been requested to notice as aleases -a . That is in the pantry,
petty sessio -,was. ladies eet ,
caution to toll-collectors. James Richardson, tollscollector, !"late; ~ ,The..-, and the others took all the valuable
Penington-gate, was summoned before James Pownall and c own steira.lsaacs
ney
Went into another room,
J. S. T. Greene, Esqs ~ by Mr. Superintendent Fowler, for things in that roe,
iriaoldieg the candle. I did not take
demanding and receiving toll from him as he was returning leev,ng me behinte They left me there t • 0 mind the
from the Warrinton petty sessions- Mr- Littler appeared an thin in that room-
be 'red of me to go outside, for
for defendant. Toll was demanded in consequence of Mr. doors, and the ladies
thegb k mas on all that time. I
Fowler having a gentleman in the conveyance with him. they would be still. I
d •
Mr: Fowler quoted the opinion of Sir F. Pollock and several went outside, holdilT door as
my hand. I never
others, to show that it did not -matter how many were left the door but once all the time the rest were rum-
in the conveyance, provided the officer was on' uty at the malting about the house, and that was while they were.
time. The defendant was tined in the mitigated penalty of going into another room where there was, I believe, only
ls. and costs, - 1 OHO lady. I hold the 44 IR§Ols, and Mats 'l2 OW

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