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READ, Thomas (Grimwade p. 638)

Report that appeared in the Oracle Bell's New World - Thursday 29th October 1789:

Law Intelligence

Thomas Reade, a silversmith in Wapping, was tried upon the statute of 13 George 3, c.26 for forging the Goldsmiths' Hall mark of a Lion Rampant [sic], upon three silver buckles, which on conviction, subjects the offender to the severe punishment of transportation for 14 years. But the prosecution appeared to be the effect of a wicked and diabolical conspiracy, framed by two of his apprentices, in conjunction with one of his customers, who had imposed upon the Goldsmiths' Company by the plausibility of their story, and had thereby induced them to undertake the prosecution.

When the evidence on the part of the prosecution was closed, and Mr Garrow for the defendant, was proceeding to state the innocence of his client, and the guilt of his accusers, the Court interposed, and submitted to the Agent of the Company, whether he ought to proceed in the prosecution.

The Agent very candidly acknowledged, that the innocence of the Defendant was very apparent; and the Jury declaring themselves to be of the same opinion, Mr Reade was immediately, and very honourably Acquitted.

Although Grimwade notes the name of Read, rather than Reade, given the working dates and the trade of buckle maker, this is likely to be one of the same person.

Trev.

Note the employment of Mr Garrow, now a TV star, by the defendant.

The prequel to this trial
25 July 1789 - Old Bailey Sessions: Sessions Papers - Justices' Working Documents1789
The Informations of Fendall Rushforth of Goldsmiths Hall, William Garrett of No 188 Wapping Street Goldsmith, and John Pingole [ sic - almost certainly John Pingo, the maker of the Assay Office punches ] of Grays Inn Lane Saint Andrew Holborn Engraver ........
he had lately Purchased of the said William Garrett a pair of Silver buckles which he suspected to have Counterfeit marks on them
.. .. and thinking that the Tongues and Chapes belonging to them had Counterfeit marks .. ..
William Garrett replied that if the said buckles had been purchased of him he had before purchased them of one Thomas Read at No 1 Ely Court Holborn [and ] that he had been accustomed to buy buckles of the said Thomas Read for some Years past

The address of William Read is given by Grimwade as Caley Court, Holborn from 1776. The court record above gives Eley Court , Holborn and the Sun Insurance policy of 1778 (SUN 1 270 22\08\79 BN Policy Number 405769) gives Insured Value £400
Insured Thomas Read , Silversmith, Eley Court, Holborn . Caley, Ely, Eley ?

11 June 1776 - Sole bucklemaker mark of Thomas Read, having moved to Caley Court, Holborn, where he entered further bucklemaker marks in 1789. I have not traced Caley Court in Holborn, but there is an Ely or Eley Court in Holborn .

1778 SUN 1 270 22\08\79 BN Policy Number 405769
Insured Thomas Read , Silversmith, Eley [sic] Court Holborn - Insured Value £400

25 July 1789 - Old Bailey Sessions: Sessions Papers - Justices' Working Documents1789
The Informations of Fendall Rushforth of Goldsmiths Hall, William Garrett of No 188 Wapping Street Goldsmith, and John Pingole [probably Pingo] of Grays Inn Lane Saint Andrew Holborn Engraver

" he had lately Purchased of the said William Garrett a pair of Silver buckles which he suspected to have Counterfeit marks on them .. .. and thinking that the Tongues and Chapes belonging to them had Counterfeit marks .. ..
William Garrett replied that if the said buckles had been purchased of him. he had before purchased them of one Thomas Read at No 1 Ely Court Holborn [and ] that he had been accustomed to buy buckles of the said Thomas Read for some Years past"

29th October 1789 - Oracle Bell's New World - Law Intelligence

"Thomas Reade, a silversmith in Wapping, was tried .....for forging the Goldsmiths' Hall mark of a Lion Rampant [sic], upon three silver buckles, which on conviction, subjects the offender to the severe punishment of transportation for 14 years. But the prosecution appeared to be the effect of a wicked and diabolical conspiracy, framed by two of his apprentices, in conjunction with one of his customers, who had imposed upon the Goldsmiths' Company by the plausibility of their story, and had thereby induced them to undertake the prosecution.
When the evidence on the part of the prosecution was closed, and Mr Garrow for the defendant, was proceeding to state the innocence of his client, and the guilt of his accusers, the Court interposed, and submitted to the Agent of the Company, whether he ought to proceed in the prosecution.
The Agent very candidly acknowledged, that the innocence of the Defendant was very apparent; and the Jury declaring themselves to be of the same opinion, Mr Reade was immediately, and very honourably Acquitted.