Report/Letter of William Inge, on 1 individual petition (prisoner) and 1 collective...

Report/Letter of William Inge, on 1 individual petition (prisoner) and 1 collective petition (22 people, residents of Stone near Rudgley, in Staffordshire, including the curate and overseer of the poor) on behalf of Robert Davis, of Stone, convicted at the Epiphany Staffordshire Quarter Sessions, for stealing a quantity of hay during the night, property of Mr Masters, from near a publican's house in the parish of Rudgley. Also a letter from John Williamson to Sir John Wrothesley concerning the case. The judge stated that 'as this is so common a Practice by Boatmen and so difficult to detect, was the Reason, Why the Court upon full Evidences pass'd so smart a Sentence, in order to check such Depredations in future...'. Grounds for clemency: has a wife and 6 small children, is the sole provider for the family, maintained the family with honest personal industry, never has been a burden on the parish, petitioned by several very respectable residents of Stone, previous good character, John Williamson has offered to give an undertaking for the prisoner's future industry and good behaviour (and will take care to recommend it to the prisoner and the people who have signed the petition that he does comply). Initial sentence: transportation. Recommendation: free pardon.

Folios 203-208.