Prisoner name(s): William Downes. Prisoner age: 49. Prisoner occupation: Formerly...

Prisoner name(s): William Downes.

Prisoner age: 49.

Prisoner occupation: Formerly a paper maker with John Annandale and Sons of Shotley Bridge, [County Durham] but lately a dealer in marine stores.

Court and date of trial: Durham Lent Assizes, 21 February 1829.

Crime: Receiving stolen goods, namely marine stores the property of Messrs Shadforth and Todd of [Gateshead, County Durham] in [1829].

Initial sentence: 14 years transportation.

Gaoler's report: 'Character etc good. Married, five children'. 'Ordered to Hulks'. 'Good character and connexions'. 'Conduct very good on board Justitia' [hulk].

Annotated (Outcome): 'Not to be sent abroad'. 'Approved of his being pardoned for the purpose of his being conveyed to Guys Hospital 17 Dec 1831'. 'Free pardon 19 Dec'.

Petitioner(s): John Annandale and Sons (former employer) undersigned by Messrs Shadforth and Todd (prosecutor).

Grounds for clemency (Petition Details): His good character during 14 years service with his former employer who will take him back if he be liberated; he was a weak, simple man easily imposed upon; his health was not good during the last few years; he was totally ignorant of the marine stores business and was induced to purchase the items without realising them to have been stolen. He has a wife and five children totally dependent upon his labour.

Other papers: Letter from Mr Liddell [MP] transmitting the petition to the Home Department. Letter from T Bayles (surgeon [to the Narcissus Hospital Ship]).

Additional Information: Held on board the Justitia hulk and then transferred to the Narcissus Hospital Ship, suffering from [soft] cancer and not expected to live long unless he be liberated and removed to a London hospital for specialist treatment.