Folios 190-196. Folio 190. Letter from Mr Baron Sidney Stafford Smythe dated at Bounds...

Folios 190-196. Folio 190. Letter from Mr Baron Sidney Stafford Smythe dated at Bounds [near Tunbridge Wells, Kent] to 'My Lord'. 'I have received from Sir Richard Betenson High Sheriff of Kent an application for me to make a special report to his Majesty in order to obtain an order for the immediate execution of some persons capitally convicted and reprieved by me, who have since joined in that desperate act of breaking the gaol at Maidstone and murdering the keeper and he sent me an affidavit of the facts'. He encloses his report and the affidavit. Folios 191-194. Mr Baron Smythe's report on the cases of John King and Samuel Matthews tried for the highway robbery of William Rolfe and Thomas Dudney and Thomas Rogers for the highway robbery Thomas Matthews, Rogers was acquitted but then tried and capitally convicted, and subsequently reprieved, on another indictment for stealing a mare belonging to Peter Adams. Smythe makes recommendations in the alternative as to how Rogers should be dealt with. He recommends that Thomas Postlethwait, Jane Smith and Samuel Barker who refused to escape should have mercy extended to them 'in a more beneficial manner than they have yet received it' by being granted a free pardon. Folios 195-196. Joint and several affidavit of Catherine Stevens widow of Maidstone, Richard Holder cordwainer of Maidstone, William Grainger formerly of Chatham and Stephen Barton formerly of Aylesford both now prisoners in Maidstone jail, Stephen Cousins victualler of Maidstone, William Springate Woodreeve of Allington,Kent and Isaac Harrison husbandman of Maidstone. Sworn before Rd [Richard] Holloway, Mayor.