Jolly Farmer(s)

From the Borough of Greenwich Free Press, 11 June 1864.

Mrs. Eades Fails to Save her Bacon.

On Tuesday, Sarah Eades, a married woman, living at Exchequer Place, Lewisham, was charged with stealing a pewter pint pot, the property of William Wenborn, landlord of the "Jolly Farmers," beer-shop, Lewisham.

The wife of the prosecutor deposed that in consequence of losing over 50 pots during the last six months, she kept a sharp look out to discover the thief or thieves. On Monday evening, the prisoner came in and was served with liquor. She expressed a wish to see the South London Journal, and whilst witness was turning to bring it, she saw the prisoner take the pot off the counter, and put it in her pocket. Witness asked her as she was leaving the house, for the pot. The prisoner answered she had not got it; but ultimately took it out from her pocket and placed it on the counter.

She was not given into custody and until two hours after, by P.C. 104R, who said:- I went to the prisoner's house last night and took her in charge. In her room, I found this frying pain. (Witness here handed the utensil to the magistrate, who said it had clearly been used for melting metal, some of which, having the appearance of pewter, was adhering to the bottom.) I asked her what she had been cooking in it. The prisoner replied she had been frying bacon. Pointing to the metal in the pan, I remarked. "This does not look very much like bacon." (Laughter).

In defence the prisoner asserted that she went to the "Jolly Farmers" to get a pint of beer, when in coming out of the house, her dress caught the pot, and swept it off the counter.

The prisoners landlady was called, and gave her a good character; but when asked by the magistrate whether the prisoner was a temperate woman, she remained silent, and said she would rather not answer that question.

Mr. Maude had found the motive for committing theft, 19 times out of 20 was love of strong drink. The prisoner had been committing these depredations on a publican, to indulge her appetite for an unhealthy stimulants. She would now be committed for a month, and he advised her when she came out of prison to forsquare drink entirely.