Report of William Mainwaring, Chairman of the Middlesex Quarter Sessions, on 1 individual...

Report of William Mainwaring, Chairman of the Middlesex Quarter Sessions, on 1 individual petition (John Goodman, dealer in wood and coals) on behalf of Margaret Goodman, his wife, both of whom were convicted at the Middlesex Quarter Sessions, on 16 February 1796, for repeatedly assaulting and violently beating their nephew, also John Goodman, aged 13 years, who helped in their business. There is a covering letter from Mainwaring. Evidences from Rose Clark, next-door neighbour, Susannah Priest, Elizabeth Cooke, Martin Clark and 'Several other Witnesses'. Grounds for clemency: her husbandaks for the prisoner to be released during the second year of her sentence due to her good behaviour, remorse and his need for assistance in running his business. Initial sentence: John, 1 year in the house of correction; Margaret, 2 years in the house of correction (at Cold Bath Fields, Middlesex). Recommendation: none given (magistrates states that he sees no reason for a remission of the remainder of her sentence, although he cites the Governor of the House of Correction, Thomas Aris, who speaks in the prisoner's favour). Folios 28-33.