HY 203-001

The Colony of New York vs. John Gwin

Thy defendant John Gwin (Caeser) in the New York Conspiracy Trials of 1741 is hereby
guilty of larceny among many other crimes. The overwhelming evidence supporting his guilt of
committing crimes against Mr. Hoggs, the colony of New York, among others is unmatched. The
testimony given by Mary Burton and the evidence initially given incriminates John Gwin
without a reasonable doubt.
John Gwin was at the time a slave to John Vaarck. John Gwin was tipped off by a man
named Wilson about a few items in a store that belonged to the Hogg residents. Items mainly

included Spanish silver.1 Wilson informs John Gwin and his accomplice Prince about how the
store is set up. He tells of how the store is mostly unlocked a good amount of the time. The
scheme is then passed along to John Hughson who is the owner of a tavern known for illegally
providing alcohol to slaves. John Hughson communicates to John Gwin and Prince that he is
willing to trade alcohol for silver. The two then steal from the store and obtain a total of sixty
pounds worth of items including Spanish silver coins, linen, and wrought silver.2 Mrs. Hogg
finds out about the robbery and grows suspicious of Wilson due to the fact he saw her put away
all of the valuable goods.3 Mrs. Hogg then spoke with Wilson knowing he would have some
information to relay about the robbery. Wilson then explains how he indeed did have a suspicion,
he iterates how he observed John Gwin purchasing alcohol at a tavern with a Spanish coin with
the same markings as Mrs. Hoggs described.4 John Gwin and his associates were captured and
put in prison. After investigation of both John Gwins and John Hughsons residents, silver was
not found in the home of either, but strong evidence linked the robbery with the two.

Mary Burton knew of evidence that would incriminate them ,and that led her to come into
City-Hall out of fear that the conspirators would poison or murder her.5 Not only did they
commit larceny, but they are now trying to extort her not to testify by means of intimidation.
1 Serena R. Zabin, ed., The New York Conspiracy Trials of 1741: Daniel Horsmanden's Journal

of the Proceedings with Related Documents (Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2004), 21. page48
2 Zabin, New York Conspiracy Trials, 47.
3 Zabin, New York Conspiracy Trials, 48.
4 Zabin, New York Conspiracy Trials, 50.
5 Zabin, New York Conspiracy Trials, 52.

Mary Burton also testifies that when Mr.Hoggs was robbed the same items were seen to be in
possession at "her master's house."6 This passage explains that when Mr.Hoggs was robbed of his
bee wax, indigo, silver plates, and among other things, some of the same items were seen at the
house of Hughsons. This would support the argument that Caesar and his gang did in fact steal
from the Hogg residents. One passage Mary Burton gives in her testimony is that "Prince and
Caesar brought the things of which they had robbed Mr.Hogg, to her master, John Hughson's
house, and that they were handed in through the window, Hughson, his wife, and Peggy
receiving them, about two or three o'clock on a Sunday Morning."7 This passage conveys great
detail how the processed worked and how efficient they made it work. This testimony also
incriminates Caesar in even more detail by giving factual steps on how they accomplish heist.
Arthur Price was serving a sentence in the same jail as Peggy at the moment of both their
incarcerations. Peggy was a woman whom Caesar bared a child with. She lived in the tavern
which the Hughsons owned. She was often seen conversing with the Black Guards members
which Caesar was involved with. Arthur Price struck a deal with the magistrates to obtain
information pertaining to her involvement in the crimes of receiving stolen goods and also her
involvement in setting New York aflame. Arthur Price began questioning Peggy and was able to

get a confession of what she and the others did. She went into detail about the how Caesar
among others were more involved in the burning.

6 Zabin, New York Conspiracy Trials, 67.

7

Zabin, New York Conspiracy Trials, 67.

The judge found Caesar guilty of "feloniously stealing and taking away from Mr.Hogg,
and Mr. Meyers Cohen, sundry goods of considerable value."8 This statement makes it clear that
the Judge did in fact find John Gwin guilty of larceny pertaining to the stealing of property from
the Hogg residents. The evidence against him included testimony from Arthur Price which
composed of a confession of a cellmate whom had direct connection with the defendant. The
unprecedented detail the confession gave to further incriminate John Gwin with larceny. The
testimony Mary Burton gave was a tremendous blow to the defendants case. With her direct
affiliation as well to the case. She spoke in detail as well about the ways Caesar and his gang
would conduct the robbery and how the gang was in fact trying to intimidate her as well to not
give a testimony.
By decree of the Mayor, duly appointed representative of his majesty the king. Under English
law John Gwin has been found guilty of larceny by acquiring another persons property. Thus
thou shall be sentenced to be hanged by thy neck till death.

8 Zabin, New York Conspiracy Trials, 72.