Chelsea in the olden & present times / by George Bryan.

  • Bryan, George
Date:
1869
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Chelsea in the olden & present times / by George Bryan. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    On the site of the King's Parade (near to Oakley Square) stood an ancient farm, which was in the occupation of the family of Mrs. Hutchins for many years. She was a widow, and some Jews it appeared made inquiries as to her circum- stances, and considering there was a chance of obtaining valuable booty, determined on robbing the house. In June, 1771, they sauntered about the fields till 10 o’clock at night, and then went and knocked at the door, which was opened by a female servant, when immediately eight Jews entered the house. They seized the girl and treated her with great severity. Mrs. Hutchins went to her servant’s assistance, but one of them, Levi Weil, called Dr. Weil, compelled her to sit in a chair, after which he threw part of her clothes over her head to prevent her seeing their faces, and threatened to murder her if she made any resistance. They then went up stairs to a room, where Joseph Slow and William Stone, two men servants, were in bed, and in a sound sleep. Dr. Weil gave Stone a violent blow on the breast, when Slow instantly started up, on which the others cried out “ Shoot him ! ” and a pistol was fired, the ball from which entered the body of Slow, who exclaimed, “ Lord have mercy upon me ! I am murdered ! I am murdered ! ” They then dragged him to the stairs, which, being observed by Stone, he made his escape out of the window. They then robbed the house, and demanded money of Mrs. Hutchins, one of them struck her violently, and threatened to kill her. She was com- pelled at length to give her watch and 64 guineas, after which they quitted the house. Mrs. Hutchins then went to see her servants. She found the two maid-servants bound together ; and no sooner had she given them their liberty than the wounded man said, “ How are you, madam, for I am dying.” These words were scarcely uttered, when he fell down on the floor, and having suffered the most excruciating pain, expired on the following day, leaving a wife and two children to lament his loss. The robbery and murder was no sooner known than a reward was offered from the Secretary of State’s oflice, for the appre- hension of the gang. The offer was seconded by that of a much larger reward from the City of London; and also another of ^50 from the parishioners of Chelsea. The murderers, however, remained undiscoverd for a consider- able time till Daniel Isaacs, one of the gang, became the means of discovering his accomplices, in the following manner:—Is^cs, being touched wth remorse of conscience, &c., sent for a friend