Report of James Adair, Recorder of London, on Old Bailey cases: 1. Ann Sheldon, indicted...

Report of James Adair, Recorder of London, on Old Bailey cases:

1. Ann Sheldon, indicted (with Mary Williams) on 29 June last, for stealing 18 handkerchiefs, 27 yards of striped cotton and 3 yards of muslin, from the shop of Edward Gibson (linen draper). Grounds for clemency: friends have ensured to take care of her so that she does not commit 'further depredations' on the public and the same mercy is to be extended to fellow convict Williams if she can find friends to take care of her. Initial sentence: both to be privately whipped and confined to hard labour for 1 year in the house of correction Recommendation: remission in their sentences and mercy for both convicts on condition that friends provide sureties for their good behaviour in future.

2. Mary Hughes, indicted (with Catherine Martin) on 29 June last [in the same session?], for stealing 8 yards of muslin, value 40/-, from the shop of Joseph Copps (linen draper). Convicted on the evidence of the shopman, the property was found on the prisoner according to the witness but he claimed that from where the 2 prisoners stood in the shop it was Martin who stole the material and not Hughes. Grounds for clemency: both have served 5 months in Newgate, a Mr Percy has offered Hughes employment, (Martin) previous good character and if offered employment should be offered mercy on the same condition. Initial sentence: both - death, but respited. Recommendation: both, a pardon on condition of being given sureties for their future good behaviour.

3. David English, indicted in June last[?], for stealing a card of lace to the value of £3, privately in the shop of Galabin and Co. Grounds for clemency: youth (under 16 years of age), previous good character, son of a reputable tradesman and the crime being his first offence. Initial sentence: not given. Recommendation: free pardon or 7 years transportation[?] the latter would be preferred and, 'be the best both for the public, and the Boy himself, as we so seldom find youths who have fallen into such unfortunate situations, to turn out well at home'.

4. George Wilkinson, indicted at the Old Bailey on 6 April last, for robbing John Clarke of a bundle of linen in company with 2 other men. Grounds for clemency: crime committed without use of violence, prisoner seeks mercy to be granted to transport himself to America instead of Africa as sentenced. Initial sentence: 7 years transportation to Africa. Recommendation: to transport himself for the term of sentence to America.

5. Robert Jones, indicted on 26 May 1784, for stealing a knife case and several other articles from the dwelling house of Ann Walker. Although the goods were valued above 40/- the prisoner was convicted for stealing to the value of 26/-. Grounds for clemency: has suffered long imprisonment. Initial sentence: 7 years transportation. Recommendation: speaks against mercy; however, due to the overcrowded state of the prisons and the immense difficulty in sending prisoners abroad a pardon the judge suggests a pardon on condition the prisoner gives surety to transport himself for the term of sentence from the date of conviction.

6. Edward Jones and John Hammond, both indicted on 15 September 1784, Jones for stealing and (not for burglary) and Hammond for receiving a number of unfinished watches and watch movements of considerable value, property of William Tash. According to the evidence the prosecutor's workshop had been broken into during the night. Grounds for clemency: none given. Initial sentence: Jones for 7 years transportation to America and Hammond for 14 years transportation to America. Recommendation: no mercy

7. Jones Jackson, indicted on 7 July 1784, for committing burglary in the house of John Morris and stealing a shift and some other articles of small value. The prisoner was acquitted of burglary, for the time at which the offence was committed altered the nature of the offence. The crime was committed 'a little before day light in the evening was quite gone' and was convicted for stealing the items. Grounds for clemency: the prisoner has suffered much in prison, the circumstances for mitigation attested by the prosecutor and others (names and documents not included) have been taken into consideration, the prisoner's extreme state of poverty and distress impelled him to commit this offence. Initial sentence: 7 years transportation to America (changed to Africa by the Order of the King in Council). Recommendation: to transport himself for the term of sentence. Although the judge speaks of recommending Jackson for a free pardon, he claims that as the prisoner has no means by which he can financially support himself or his family he may commit further offences.

8. Joseph Remnant indicted (with John Mason) at the Old Bailey on 12 January last, for a burglary and stealing a quantity of wearing apparel, property of Luke Naylor. Grounds for clemency: prisoner sought permission to transport himself, the judge sees no objection in complying with the request, under the present overcrowded state of gaols and difficulty in sending prisoners abroad, and extends the same mercy to his fellow prisoner, Mason. Initial sentence: both, 7 years transportation. Recommendation: to transport themselves for the term of sentence.

Folios. 136-145.