Page 156 - British Post Office Notices 1666 to 1799

1780-1789

In the summer of 1776, they resided at Brathey, in Lancashire, near Windermere Lake, where they assumed the names
of Gilbert; from thence they absconded in October 1776, were pursued and apprehended at Bishops Castle, in Shropshire,
and taken before Mr. Alderman Hewitt at Coventry.
In 1777, they resided upon a farm of Lord Aldborough's in Ireland, and, during their short stay in that kingdom, put
off several forged drafts.
In the spring of 1778, the two sons (George taking the name of Scott, and Joseph taking the name of James Watson)
were at Tenby, in Pembrokeshire, on a tour of pleasure, where they negociated a forged draft; from thence they went by sea
to Biddeford, in Devonshire.
In August, 1778, they were in the neighbourhood of Brecknock, grouse-shooting, where they went by the names of
James Clark and ----- Smith, and put off a forged draft at Brecknock: also, in that year Joseph put off a forged draft near
Sutton Coldfield, in Warwickshire, taking the name of Joseph Hart.
The two Westons are supposed to be well known either by some of the before-mentioned names, or the names of
Smith, Walker, Hill, and West, in almost every part of this kingdom, except the West of England, and to be connected with
an attorney of notorious character in Worcestershire, and his confederates.
Immediately after committing the robbery of the mail, George Weston set out in a post-chaise and four from London,
(or the neighbourhood) through Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Yorkshire, and Northumberland, to
Newcastle, from thence to Carlisle, and from that city by the Great North Road to London, putting off bills and notes at
various places in his route; and one or both of them are supposed to have been last summer at a fair at Mortham, near
Rotherham, and at Launceston, at each of which places a bill taken out of this mail was negociated by them.
Within the two last months they have put off several notes and bills at Lottery-Offices in London, and George by
himself has, within that time, put off one at Richmond, in Surrey, and another at Hackney, assuming the name of John
Ward.
George Weston is about 29 years of age, five feet seven inches high, square set, round faced, fresh-coloured, pitted
with the small-pox, has a short thick nose, his upper lip rather thick, his hair of a lightish-brown colour, which is sometimes
tied behind, at other times loose and curled; has much the appearance of a country dealer, or a farmer; one of his thumb
nails appears, from an accident, of the shape of a parrot's bill, and he is supposed to have a scar upon his right hand from a
stroke with a cutlass.
Joseph Weston is about 23 years of age, five feet nine inches high, slender made, of a fair and smooth complexion,
genteel person, has grey eyes, and large nose with a scar upon it, his hair is of a light brown colour, sometimes tied behind,
at other times loose and curled, his voice strong, and he speaks a little through his nose; has a remarkable small hand and
long fingers.
Whoever shall apprehend, or cause to be apprehended, the said George Weston and Joseph Weston, or either of
them, will, upon the conviction of one or both of them for the said robbery of the mail, be intitled to a reward of Two
HUNDRED POUNDS, over and above the rewar~ given by Act of Parliament for apprehending highwaymen, agreeably to the
said advertisement. - And, as it is well known that a person in the mercantile line has assisted them in the negociation of
some of the bills, if he, or any other accomplice in the robbery, or knowing thereof, will make discovery, whereby either or
both of the said Westons may be apprehended and convicted of the same, he or they will be entitled to the said reward of
Two HUNDRED POUNDS, and will also receive his Majesty's most gracious pardon.
ANTHONY TODD, Secretary.

-- 8 2 0 2 NEWS (General-Post-Office, January 18, 1782)
/
THE MAIL for London was on Wednesday night last, about 7 o'clock in the evening, stolen off the Horse ar Hilston,
between Wolverhampton and Birmingham, whilst the rider went into a public-house, and was found in the street of Bilston,
yesterday morning about 4 o'clock, when the following bags for London were missing, viz. Newport, Shiffnal, Shrewsbury,
Welchpool and Wolverhampton.
Whoever shall apprehend and convict, or cause to be apprehended and convicted, the person or persons who stole the
said Mail, will be intitled to a reward of Two HUNDRED POUNDS; or if any person, whether an accomplice in the robbery,
or knowing thereof, shall make discovery, whereby one or more of the persons concerned therein, may be apprehended and
brought to justice, such discoverer will, upon conviction 9f the party or parties, be intitled to the same reward of Two
HUNDRED POUNDS, and will also receive His Majesty's most gracious pardon.
ANTHONY TODD, Sec.

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