Report of Framinghon Thurston, chairman of the Bury St. Edmunds Quarter Sessions...

Report of Framinghon Thurston, chairman of the Bury St. Edmunds Quarter Sessions in Suffolk, on 1 individual petition (Sir Charles Davers) on behalf of Joseph Everitt, convicted at the Bury St. Edmunds Quarter Sessions, Suffolk, on 14 October 1782, for stealing 5 small chickens. Initially the prisoner was unable to provide a character reference in his favour as he lived in a remote part of the county. Later, in Daver's petition, a certificate of good behaviour, signed by Isaac Copper, John Death/Drath, Robert Partridge, George Butcher (farmer) all from Assington, dated 23 February 1784 was forwarded. Davers asks if 'perhaps Lord Sydney, may think the confinement he (the prisoner) has undergone sufficient for the offence in this case'. The magistrate considers 'the severity of the sentence had served its purpose of preventing from further such offences being committed'. Grounds for clemency: youth (18 years), has been in confinement for the past 18 months pending transportation, good previous conduct, described by various masters to whom he was an annual servant, as sober, well behaved and very honest. Initial sentence: 7 years transportation. Recommendation: remission of remainder of the sentence and for a free pardon.

Folios 166-169.