Newgate Question

My ancestor John Diamond was a shepherd and smuggler with the infamous Hawkehurst gang. After the raid at Poole Harbour he gave a bag of tea to a Daniel Chater who had recognised him. Diamond was later arrested and held in Chichester goal. Chater agreed to identify and testify against him and was escorted by a Custom House officer to make his deposition. On the way they were accosted by some other members of the gang and brutally murdered.


Fifteen men were tried for the crime of whom six were hanged. The transcript of the trial is online and Diamond is not there as a defendant or an informer. Family tales tell of Diamond being hung in Chichester.


However, I have recently found three affidavits dated April, May and July 1748 from officials at Newgate where Diamond is ‘now under confinement’ , basically saying that as the material witness in the case could not be found the ‘Crown cannot safely proceed to tryal’.


As the material witness was dead, the trial could never be held. So, does anyone have any knowledge of Newgate, or have any suggestions what might have happened to Diamond in a case like this.


I have documents to show the family farm in Woodchurch, Kent was sold by his son in 1748, and a settlement document dated 1749 showing a John Diamond, wife and child moving from Woodchurch to Great Chart, but cannot prove this was my John Diamond.