Report of C Warren on 2 collective petitions (the prisoners; and 53 people of Saddlesworth,...

Report of C Warren on 2 collective petitions (the prisoners; and 53 people of Saddlesworth, Yorkshire) on behalf of Thomas Hadfield, John Scofield and George Schofield convicted (with John Taylor) at the Chester Assizes held on 10 April 1822 of the highway robbery of James Lawton. There are sworn statements from Thomas Slater, woollen clothier, John Leaming, woollen clothier, Robert Schofield, woollen clothier, Isabella Pinchin, Mary Lilley, Tim Brayshaw, woollen clothier, Ann Schofield, Alice Schofield, and Sarah Schofield. There is a copy of a 'A Plan of the Turnpike Road from Peter Shaw's Mill in Tintwistle in the County Palatine of Chester to the Canal Bridge near of Shawhall in Saddleworth, in the County of York and the Country Adjoining' Grounds for clemency: the prisoners are innocent, could not raise the money to defend themselves, have an alibi for the time of the crime, (this refers to a plan, see HO 47/63/5/1, folio 78), Thomas Hadfield has a wife and 3 small children, James Scofield is a widower with 3 children to support, George Schofield has a wife and 2 children to support and all are of previous good character. Initial sentence: death, commuted to transportation for life. Recommendation: speaks against mercy, as the judge believes the affidavits have been fabricated. Folios 86-94. See also HO 47/63/6, folios 79-85.