Prisoner name: James Cooper; Isaac Cooper. Prisoner age: James Cooper: shoemaker....

Prisoner name: James Cooper; Isaac Cooper.

Prisoner age: James Cooper: shoemaker. Isaac Cooper: cooper.

Court and date of trial: Essex Lent Assizes 1828 held at Springfield, Chelmsford, Essex.

Crime: Burglary of the shop of Messrs Charles and Henry Barwell of Witham, Essex - stealing three pieces of meat on night of 21 December 1827 value £1 7s 0d.

Initial sentence: Death commuted to transportation for life.

Annotated: Nil 12 June 1828.

Petitioner(s): Two petitions from the prisoners and 83 people of Witham. Charles Barwell and Henry Barwell, prosecutors and 62 people of Witham, Essex.

Grounds for clemency: Youngest sons of respectable parents; they admit receiving goods from elder brother John not knowing them to be stolen; no previous offence; realise seriousness of their crime; their good behaviour in the Colony.

Other papers: Mr Western transferring petition. John Newman confirming that the petitioners are all inhabitants of Witham. A note that Mr Peel will take 'an early opportunity of deciding on their commuted punishment'. Charles Western forwarding papers about the case with an annotation by Mr Peel. Notes on the case. Mr Justice Burrough's report on the case. An affidavit from which Mr John Newman, JP for Essex has the opinion they are innocent of stealing the meat but might be guilty of receiving. Depositions of Elizabeth Cooper, Robert Polley, and John Cooper. Mr Phillipps transmitting the petition and other papers to Mr Justice Burroughs for him to consider the case. A letter from Isaac Cooper in Sydney addressed to Jonathan Ives with a note from Charlotte Smith. A letter from Isaac Cooper in Sydney with an update on his situation and that of his brother in the Colony. A note from John Bramston, Vicar of Witham supporting the petition. William Wright Luard, committing magistrate, asking for a full pardon for the Coopers now that the real thief, their older brother has come forward. A note from Jacob Pattisson forwarding a memorial signed by the prosecutors. Jacob Pattisson asking for an acknowledgement of the memorial of the inhabitants of Witham. A memorandum stating that free pardons may be granted to the Coopers but they will not be permitted to leave the Colony. A note from Mr Pattisson to Sir George Grey. Mr Hawes enclosing letter of grant of Conditional Pardon to James and Isaac Cooper. A letter from Charles Fitzroy, Government House, Sydney [New South Wales] extending the Conditional Pardon to all parts of World except the United Kingdom. A note from Mr Peel. A note from Mr Phillipps.