08/23/2024
As some of you know I just returned from a trip to the U.K. While in London my son Jonathan and I took a walk to find Leather Lane in the Holborn district. It was a personal journey for me to find where my 5th GGF William Longmire lived. He has a story: It seems in his early 20's he got into some trouble and was arrested, tried and sentenced to death at New Gate Prison. Here is a transcript of his sentence. Source: http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/browse.jsp?path=sessionsPapers%2F17251013.xml
Reference Number: t17251013-19
" William Longmire , was indicted for Assaulting Thomas Warren on the Highway, putting him in fear, and taking from him a Hat val. 5 s. Sept. 1 .
Thomas Warren thus deposed: Crossing Lincoln's-Inn-Fields, between Nine and Ten at Night, the Prisoner came by me, turn'd about, and look'd me full in the Face. I pass'd him, and he follow'd me. I went into the White Dragon Alehouse in Holborn, and he soon came in after me. I did not tarry long before I came out again. I saw no more of the Prisoner till I came to the Corner of Leather-Lane , and there he suddenly stept to me, knock'd me down, snatch'd off my Hat, and ran down the Lane. He endeavour'd to take my Wig too, but I made shift to hold it fast; and crying out, stop Thief, he was quickly taken and brought to me again.
Benjamin Mills thus deposed: I heard somebody cry, stop Thief, whereupon I and another pursued the Prisoner, who fell down; and so we took him and brought him back to Mr. Warren, who was coming to meet us as well as he could, for he was a little disguis'd in Drink; and by the way we found Mr. Warren's Hat.
James Noblet swore to the same Effect, and the Jury found the Prisoner Guilty . Death ."
The story does not end here "William Longmire was born and baptized in 1704 in London, England. In October of 1725, he and a couple of his buddies were hanging out on King's Hwy (just outside London) when a "gentleman deep in his cups" (a drunk property owner) staggered out in the street. They started teasing him, maybe poking at him, when the "drunk" gentleman lost his hat. William picked up the hat, only instead of giving it back he ran off with it, taunting the man further. And that's how William got arrested.
The resulting charge: "William Longmire accused of accosting a gentleman on Kings Hwy and stealing his hat worth 5 shillings." There is no record of an adequate defense and William was sentenced to hang! 5 Shillings is worth about $60. dollars today.
Captain Charles Whales of the Rappahannock Merchant Ship "purchased" William from the New Gate Prison and brought him to America to labor in the Colonies for 14 years. William departed England in November 1725, arrived in Virginia in April 1726. This information is suppose to be recorded at the New Gate Prison and Immigration records in Virginia.
William married Susannah Marshall and they had 3 sons, Charles, George and William."
William became a scribe in Virginia and spent his years writing inventories, wills, legal documents and the like for the local merchants and plantation owners. It seems he was released after about 10 years of his sentence. Thanks to Michael Longmire and James Longmire for the text. Michael has done great research in uncovering many of the details.
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