Prisoner name(s): John Geddes. Prisoner age: 45. Prisoner occupation: Vintner at...

Prisoner name(s): John Geddes.

Prisoner age: 45.

Prisoner occupation: Vintner at the Plough Inn, Banff.

Court and date of trial: Aberdeen Circuit Court on 28 September 1838.

Crime: Uttering two forged receipts, value £8 against Thomas and Mary McPherson, formerly living in Cullen [Banffshire].

Initial sentence: Seven years transportation.

Gaoler's report: Character bad, several times in gaol for trifling faults.

Annotated (Outcome): Nil; let him be kept at the hulks.

Petitioner(s): The prisoner.

James Geddes soldier in the Royal Artillery at Woolwich (prisoner's son)

112 inhabitants of Banff and Cullen.

124 inhabitants of Banff and Cullen.

Department of Adjutant General's Office.

Grounds for clemency (Petition Details): Wife and nine children left without support; served with distinction in the Royal Artillery for several years before invalided out with a pension; sustained several injuries to arm and fingers; former constable; previous good character; some conflicting evidence concerning Mary McPherson; good conduct on board hulks; mitigating circumstances mean justice still be done by prisoner serving sentence in penitentiary rather than being transported.

Other papers: Copy of trial notes.

Notes on the evidence of the case from the trial judge Lord Medwyn.

Report on the case from D Boyle suggesting could show mercy.

Notes on the evidence in the trial.

Covering letters with petitions from inhabitants of Banff and Cullen.

Printed copy of indictment.

Copy of declaration of John Geddes taken on 14 July 1838.

Confirmation of war injuries from surgeon at Banff gaol.

Copy of prisoner's service record with the Royal Artillery enclosed with letter from Master General of the Ordnance.

Additional Information: Prisoner on board Ganymede.

James Geddes petition sent via Fox Maule MP.