Report of Edward Bearcroft on 2 individual petitions (prisoner, and 2 from Anne Bliss,...

Report of Edward Bearcroft on 2 individual petitions (prisoner, and 2 from Anne Bliss, prisoner's wife) and 3 collective petitions (55 people, from 'Whistinston' [Whittington] and Onebury in Shropshire, and Kerry, Llanwnnog, Newtown and Llanllchaiarn in Montgomeryshire, many occupations and parish positions given; 12 people, from Kerry in Montgomeryshire; 38 people, from Llanwnnog in Montgomeryshire and Onebury in Shropshire; and 43 people) on behalf of John Bliss, convicted at the Great Sessions for Mongomery on 31 March 1791 (elsewhere August 1791), for horse stealing (on 2 indictments), properties of John Minton and Thomas Smith, on 26 July 1791 and 9 September 1787. The first case was the stealing of a mare and colt from a common, the second case a black mare from a field in Wender [Wentnor] in Shropshire. There is also a reference from J. Rogers. Evidences supplied by Thomas Jones, William Judge, George Trow, John Williams, Mrs Beddows, and Thomas Andrews. Grounds for clemency: previous good character proved by respectable witnesses and ex-emplyers, first offence, promises future good behaviour, served almost 11/2 years in prison and has a dependent and poor wife and 2 small children. Initial sentence: death, commuted to 7 years transportation. Recommendation: no further mercy. Folios 42-50.