Report of Soulden Lawrence on 2 individual petitions (Mr Bridgeman, foreman of the...

Report of Soulden Lawrence on 2 individual petitions (Mr Bridgeman, foreman of the grand jury; and Mr A ---- Haden, High Sheriff[?]) on behalf of John Owen/John Owens, miller, convicted at the Staffordshire Assizes of possessing, on 12 January 'last', 6 plaster of paris coin moulds, some of which belonged to the Anglesea Mine and others to Mr Wilkinson, Iron Master, and a number of forged coins (coining). Evidences given by Robert Wright, publican at the Wrottesley Arms public house, Tettenhall near Birmingham; William Silk, John Govey, constable, Richard Jones, letter founder; Richard Bruce, Richard Franklin, monyer of the Mint; David Price, weaver; Richard Price, Thomas Rowton, J. Hassel and Charles Gardner Humphrey, attorney. Mr Haden suggests that Owen is merely a messenger between the real guilty parties: a Richard Jones and his (Jones) uncle, a Mr Marpole who lives at Montgomery; he also refers to a gang who were given the alarm from Jones who was allowed bail. Grounds for clemency: a wife and 6 children, suffers from fits, cannot read, and would be unable to commit this crime, was unaware that his acts placed him in this dangerous position, previous good character. Initial sentence: death. Recommendation: no mercy. Folios 60-71.