[Continuation of report at HO 47/9/12] 1. Thomas Grose, convicted at December sessions...

[Continuation of report at HO 47/9/12]

1. Thomas Grose, convicted at December sessions in 1787 (with 2 others), for stealing a large quantity of household linen and wearing apparel, property of Joseph Wilcocks. Prisoner used a false key to gain entry to a house and stripped it of everything of value. He was known to be connected to house breakers and receivers. Initial sentence: 7 years transportation. Recommendation: no mercy.

2. Jonathan Barrett, convicted at January sessions in 1788, for stealing a silver spoon, property of Disport Crossdill[?]. Prisoner was a servant to the family and case was satisfactorily proved. Initial sentence: 7 years transportation. Recommendation: no mercy.

3. Charles Holton, convicted at April sessions in 1788, for stealing some linen drapery goods, property of Samuel Ewbank. Satisfactory evidence against Holton, shopman to the prosecutor. Initial sentence: 7 years transportation. Recommendation: no mercy.

4. James Smith, convicted at October sessions in 1786, for stealing 3 bridles and 4pairs of plated stirrup irons, property of John Thompson. Prisoner had served 3 years in prison which may have been sufficient punishment, but as he produced no character witnesses at trial, and only people from a poor part of town signed his petition [wanting], it would therefore be best to send him abroad for the sake of the public. Initial sentence: 7 years transportation. Recommendation: no mercy.

5. Peter Hebert, convicted at April sessions in 1788, for stealing books, property of Samuel Hayes. Prisoner was shopman to the prosecutor and appears to have committed similar crimes before. Initial sentence: 7 Years transportation. Recommendation: no mercy.

6. William Valentine, apprentice to the prosecutor, convicted (with James Field) at April sessions in 1786, for stealing a quantity of gold cuttings[?], property of Morrison & Lukin. Initial sentence: 7 years transportation. Recommendation: no mercy.

7. Matthew Gibbon, convicted at July sessions in 1787, for sealing tea, property of the East India Company. Adair had previously reported on Gibbon on 4 July 1788. Gibbon worked as a porter for the Company, and had cut open a chest of tea. Initial sentence: 7 years transportation. Recommendation: no mercy.

8. James Sherrard, convicted at January sessions in 1788, for receiving an iron chain knowing it to be stolen, property of Mr Campbell and Mr White. Sherrard had appealed against his sentence because 'the boy' who stole it had confessed to the theft and this confession was then used against him; this was considered irrelevant by the judge. Initial sentence: 14 years transportation. Recommendation: no mercy.

9. John Boycott, convicted at February sessions in 1786, for stealing some mutton and beef, property of James Alexander. The value stolen was small but the judge believed that as the prisoner had been working for the prosecutor, he had 'plundered a very large amount'. The details in his petition [wanting] were thought to be untrue. Initial sentence: 7 years transportation. Recommendation: no mercy.

10. John Miller, convicted at September sessions in 1788, for stealing a waistcoat and a pair of stockings, property of Henry Cohen/Coker. Miller committed the crime after being let into the house as a hairdresser. Initial sentence: 7 years transportation. Recommendation: no mercy.

11. Daniel Hands, convicted at May sessions in 1787, for receiving 4 bushels of coals knowing them to be stolen, property of Thomas Scott. The prisoner was considered 'in a decent situation of life, and far above the temptation of want, which I have always considered an aggression'. The prisoner alleged the prosecution was malicious and the witnesses perjured. The judge states he cannot accept this. Initial sentence: 14 years transportation. Recommendation: no mercy.

12. James Carr, convicted at April sessions in 1786, for stealing several pieces of butchers meat, property of James Burleigh. There was an attempt at the trial to give false evidence, and a material witness was sent away so as to prevent him giving evidence against the prisoner. These were the principal factors that prevented the judge recommending mercy. Initial sentence: 7 years transportation. Recommendation: no mercy.

13. William Mason, convicted at September sessions in 1788, for stealing a table clock, several watches and a number of coins, property of the Duke of Devonshire. The prisoner was servant in the Duke's family. He had an excellent previous character. However, the circumstances of offence were capital although the prisoner was only indicted for simple felony. Initial sentence: 7 Years transportation. Recommendation: no mercy.

14. Joseph Ward, convicted at July sessions in 1787, for a highway robbery on Richard Hamlin and stealing 3 guineas. Grounds for clemency: prisoner had been armed with pistols but was not violent and an earlier report had resulted in his life being spared. Initial sentence: death. Recommendation: transportation for life.

15. Thomas Serjeant, convicted at April sessions in 1787, for stealing 9 sheep, property of William, James and Anne Horwood. Grounds for clemency: prisoner confessed and an earlier report had resulted in a respite. Initial sentence: death. Recommendation: transportation for life.

16. John Heatherington, convicted at May sessions in 1787, for stealing handkerchiefs, property of Mathew Wake. Prisoner had served 2 years in prison and had strong recommendations on his behalf. However, the judge believed the prisoner was connected with a gang of thieves and so not worthy of a reduction of sentence. Initial sentence: 7 years transportation. Recommendation: no mercy.

17. John Griffiths, porter to the prosecutors, convicted at 'last' January sessions (1789), for stealing 7 pieces of ivory, value £8:5:0, property of Messer's Culliford, Rolfe and Bradford. Initial sentence: not given. Recommendation: no mercy.

18. William Clay, convicted at February sessions in 1787, for stealing 9 silk handkerchiefs, value 39/-, property of Walter Davies. Grounds for clemency: youth (age not given) and was respited following an earlier report. Initial sentence: death. Recommendation: 7 years transportation.

19. William Staples, convicted (with another man) at June sessions in 1785, for a highway robbery and stealing a silk cloak and 2/-, property of Elizabeth Gower. The men lay in wait in fields near Portman Square, and held a knife to the woman's throat. Initial sentence: death, commuted to transportation. Recommendation: no further mercy.

20. James Leslie, Excise Officer, convicted at January sessions in 1787, for granting a false permit for the removal of 75 gallons of foreign brandy (Crown being defrauded of duties). He is currently on board a hulk. Initial sentence: 7 Years transportation. Recommendation: no mercy.

21. James Foothead, convicted at August sessions in 1786, for stealing articles of linen and wearing apparel, property of William and Francis Plowden. The prisoner was a young man, permitted to sleep in Mr Plowdens house when he was 'out of place, out of humanity, and on his mothers account'. Initial sentence: 7 years transportation. Recommendation: no mercy.

22. John Mears, convicted at February sessions in 1786, for breaking and entering a dwelling house and stealing goods, value £3, property of Thomas Parr. Initial sentence: death, commuted to 7 years transportation. Recommendation: no further mercy.

23. William Bartlett, convicted at January sessions in 1786, for stealing a silver watch, property of John Williamson. Prisoner was a pick-pocket who associated with other pick-pockets. Initial sentence: transportation[?]. Recommendation: no mercy.

24. Summary list of the prisoners.

Folios 61-79.

Folios 61-79