Thomas Dimes

  General Notes:

1817 Articled to his father. Witness- John James Dimes, his brother.
June 1823 Sworn and enrolled as a solicitor. Address, Friday Street.
1823 Inherited his father's practice and his books. William and Thomas fell out.
1825, 1827, at 55 Bread Street.
1841 census living at 26 Bread St. solicitor aged 45, also a porter, his wife and servant girl.
In November 1847 he suffered a severe illness with delirium and mental disturbance from which he partially recovered and took a convalescent tour abroad during 1848. He returned to take some part in his business affairs although he still had bouts of illness.
In June 1850 he was summoned to appear at the police court at the Mansion House for refusing to pay 2d excess postage on a letter he had received.
He was too ill to attend and his clerk Mr Steinberg attended to defend him. The letter which weighed more than the half ounce allowed for a 1d stamp had turned out to be a circular which he did not want but as he had opened it he was liable to pay the excess charge. The court ordered him to pay the 2d and 4 shillings expenses.
Thomas died at his brother Henry's house and was burried on 10 August 1850 at St Faith under St Paul.
Will- Dated February 1849. He left £3,000. He confirmed that his clerk N. S. E. Steinberg was to take over his business and left him the office furniture and law books. He left a quarterly allowance to be paid until Christmas 1861 to Hannah Dean his illegitimate child. (This was revoked in a codicil. It sounds as though the mother had left him) His house furniture and the residue of his estate went to siblings Henry, Elizabeth and Susannah Jane. Nothing was left to William. This upset him and he objected to Mr Steinberg conducting affairs concerning the will. He called Mr Steinberg a rogue and a thief and was sued for slander in 1853. The following year he accused Steinberg and Henry of persuading Thomas to sign his will while of unsound mind. This delayed the execution of the will. It was brought before the Prerogative Court on 3 March 1855 when the will was declare legal and William lost his challenge.

An extract from www.oldbaileyonline.org

LYDIA LEGGETT, theft : simple grand larceny, 6th April, 1826.
The Proceedings of the Old Bailey Ref: t18260406-301
<http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/facsimiles/1820s/182604060112.html>
See original <http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/facsimiles/1820s/182604060112.html>
Trial Summary:
Crime(s): theft : simple grand larceny
Punishment Type: imprisonment
Verdict: Guilty: with recommendation
Original Text:
874. LYDIA LEGGETT was indicted for stealing, on the 14th of January, 111/4 yards of thread-lace, value 4l. 6s.; 3 yards of blond-lace, value 3s.; 3 yards of ribbon, value 1s. 6d.; 61/4 yards of muslin trimming, value 5s. 2d.; 2 bands of work, value 2s.; 1 garnet, ring, value 1s., and 1 ivory fan, value 2s. 6d. , the goods of Elizabeth Dimes , spinster, her mistress.
ELIZABETH DIMES. I am single and keep a show-room in John-street, Bedford-row. The prisoner was my servant, and had access to my property - I had not missed any thing but the ring and the blond-lace.
Cross-examined by Mr. LAW. Q. Where did you live at the time? A. I lived part of the time in Chapel-street; I found part of my property at Mr. Arthur's, in Bird-in-hand-court, Cheapside; the fan and trimming were found in a box which she had bought of me before she left, and some were found under her bed; there are still many things missing, which I have not found.
SUSANNAH DOCKER . I was in the prosecutrix's service. I went with her to the room in Bird-in-hand-court - the ring and blond lace were in a small box under the prisoner's bed.
Cross-examined. Q. Was this at Mrs. Arthur's? A. Yes; the prisoner had no character when she came, but a sister of her's lived with Miss Dimes - she went from there to Mr. Arthur's.
THOMAS DIMES . I was present when the articles were <http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/facsimiles/1820s/182604060113.html>
See original <http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/facsimiles/1820s/182604060113.html>found - the prisoner was protesting that she had nothing more but what she had given up - these things were found in the room afterwards - when the fan was produced she asked if my sister could swear to it.
REST KNIGHT . I am an officer. I was sent for, and took the prisoner with the property.(Property produced and sworn to.)
GUILTY. Aged 22.
Recommended to Mercy . - Confined Six Months .