Stealing in the late 18th century

Stealing Wheat - 1758

Eigion Howard and John Chandler were convicted of stealing nine pecks of wheat and one hempen sack and ordered to be transported to one of his Majesty's plantations in America for seven years

Stealing Poultry - 1770

Richard Stroud, Thomas Watts and Thomas Gibbard were convicted of stealing turkeys and cocks belonging to Henry Wank and William Wilson - Transportation to America for 7 years.

[Transportation to America stopped after the war of Independence]

Stealing Wood - 1774

Joseph Allen was convicted for stealing a quantity of wood belonging to Gilbert Kinder. He was ordered to be burnt in the hand.

Stealing Straw - 1776

John Gravestock was sent to prison for two months, and publicly whipped in St Albans Market Place for stealing two trusses of straw out of the barn of Jonathan Cox Lovett.

Stealing Geese - 1778

John Gibbs was whipped in the Market Place for stealing two geese from Samuel Grunnett.

Stealing one fowl - 1782

When Henry Payne was found guilty of stealing one fowl from Stephen Roberts he was "listed for a soldier".

Snaring Hares - 1783

John Maile, the younger, and George Maile, the elder, were found guilty of snaring three hares and sentenced to 3 months imprisonment, or a fine of £15.

Stealing Poultry - 1784

William Edge was whipped at Watford and sentenced to two years in prison for breaking into the hen house of the Earl of Essex and stealing fowls. James Edge was given a similar sentence for  stealing 34 ducks. Henry Keigin, alias Henry the Sailor, was whipped for stealing 5 geese.

Stealing Oats - 1797

William Adams was convicted of stealing two bushels of oats and was ordered to be publicly whipped at the Market Cross at St Albans.

From Hertfordshire County Records, Volume 4
Sessions Records of the Liberty of St Albans Division 1770-1804 
Pictures from Ogilvie's Imperial Dictionary of the English Language (19th century)