Folios 597-598: John Davies, HMS Otter, Shields. Reports looking into the case of...

Folios 597-598: John Davies, HMS Otter, Shields. Reports looking into the case of William Townsend and reports the enclosed Memorial [folios 599-600] is incorrect. William was taken before the Magistrate at Lamb Street Police office on a Friday for stealing a cheese from his Master, Mr Tillesley and taken to Clerkenwell Prison where he remained till the Monday when he was take on board the Tender.

Folios 599-600: enclosure with folios 597-598. John Townsend, Southwark, London to the Admiralty, 5 July 1805. Memorial stating that his son William Townsend was a servant to Mr Tilsley, a Cheesemonger, when he was taken by a Press Gang in Whitechapel and put onboard a Tender in the Thames. He has since been sent to the Nore and is on HMS Otter. Requests his immediate discharge and states he is married with a family who need his support.

Folio 601: enclosure with folios 597-598. Sworn affidavit by John Townsend, St Olave, Southward, Surrey. Sworn at the Mansion House London, 29 June 1805 before the Mayor Peter Perchard. States that his son William Townsend never served at sea and the memorial contents stated by him and his wife Elizabeth are true [folios 597-598].

Folio 602: enclosure with folios 597-598. Affidavit signed by eight men who provided a character reference for William Townsend, 5 July 1805.

Folio 603: enclosure with folios 597-598. Affidavit signed by Edward Greene, Vicar of St Ives, Huntingdon and his church wardens, Cuthbert Johnson Baines, John Lindsell, Joseph Upsher, John Ashton and J Moody, 26 June 1805. Reports that William Townsend, son of John and Elizabeth Townsend, is materially concerned in making out a title of certain estates from the late property of John Bull of Woodhurst. Requests his discharge.