11 May 1837 John Watson at London Police Court - Cumberland and Westmorland Newspaper Transcriptions

11 May 1837 John Watson at London Police Court

QUEEN SQUARE. - Yesterday a middle-aged man, who said his name was John WATSON,
his wife, and two children, all of whom bore a most deplorable appearance, were
brought before Mr. BURRELL, charged by police-constable William CRANE, 130, B
division, with being in a state of destitution, and having been found sleeping
upon the steps of an unlicensed theatre in York-street, Westminster.

CRANE stated, that upon going round his beat yesterday morning at 1 o'clock, he
found the prisoners crouched upon the steps of the York Theatre. He questioned
the man, and he said that they had no place of residence; he had been in London
about a week, and had brought his family from Carlisle, of which place he was a
native, in hopes that he should be able to procure employment to support them.

Mr. BURRELL. - What are you?

Defendant. - A sailmaker, Sir.

Mr. BURRELL. - Why did you not remain in Carlisle?

Defendant. - I left on account of my trade being very dull. We are almost
perished, Sir, from sleeping in the streets every night. One of my children, the
younger one (about two years old), on our way to London met with an accident by
which its back was broken, and it has since lost the use of all its limbs.

Mr. BURRELL. - If you were provided with the means, would you return with your
family to Carlisle?

Defendant. - I would, indeed, Sir, be very thankful to return on account of my
poor children. I have friends there who, in extreme necessity, would perhaps
assist me.

Mr. BURRELL, finding that not any of the family had had food since Tuesday
morning, ordered a hearty meal to be immediately given them at the expense of
the office, and afterwards ordered one of the Queen-square officers to take them
to the workhouse of St. Margaret's, Westminster, with a recommendation for them
to be passed to Carlisle.