James Dalton

Who was James Dalton?

James Dalton was "captain" of a street robbery gang in 18th century London.

His father, also James Dalton, was Irish and fought as a sergeant in the British Army in Flanders. He was convicted of street robbery on 3 March 1720 and was sentenced to transportation. On being found in London in 1721, reputedly informed upon by the self-appointed Thief-taker General, Jonathan Wild, the elder Dalton was hanged.

His mother re-married a butcher, but both were convicted and sentenced to transportation. By then, the younger Dalton had already begun his criminal career. James Dalton got into the company of thieves as a youngster, picking pockets, breaking shops, and robbing people on the street, in the Smithfield and Old Bailey area.

It is reported that he went on two trips to Bristol, to practice his calling there; and he was convicted and transported, was pressed into HMS Hampshire, and was a spectator of the siege of Gibraltar in 1727, and thence returned to London, although this account may be somewhat fanciful.

He gave King's evidence in the trials of various of his underlings in May 1728, and received a Royal pardon for his part in the offences.