Report of Francis Buller regarding Susannah Minton (cases HO47/4/53 and HO47/4/55)...

Report of Francis Buller regarding Susannah Minton (cases HO47/4/53 and HO47/4/55) convicted at the Herefordshire Spring Assizes in 1786, for a burglary and stealing a large number of caps, linen sleeves and other articles from the house of Paul Gwathin, also for setting fire to his barn at night. Evidences supplied by Elizabeth Buck[?], Ann Gwathin, prosecutor's wife; Thomas Gough, constable; Charles Johnson, Jane Johnson and Elizabeth Minton, prisoner's mother. There was a point of law regarding the form of the indictment and construction of 9 Geo I, c.22 which the judge conferred with other judges upon but found against the prisoner. The judge considered that in the last few years there was several instances of barns being burnt and considers that the offence deserves the 'full punishment' of the law. Grounds for clemency: previous good character, Chaplain of the Gaol advised the judge of the prisoners lack of understanding for her age (16 or 17 years) which the judge considered an unsound judgement. Initial sentence: not given. Recommendation: no mercy. Folios 306-307. See also HO 47/4/51, folios 287-288 and HO 47/4/53, folios 291-292.

See also HO 47/4/51, folios 287-288 and HO 47/4/53, folios 291-292.