Report of Alan Chambre on 1 collective petition (18 people, comprising churchwardens,...

Report of Alan Chambre on 1 collective petition (18 people, comprising churchwardens, yeomen and gentlemen) on behalf of Cyrus Andrews, tried (with Mary Bennett, servant to the prosecutor) at the 'last' Gloucestershire Assizes burglary and the theft of items (watch, chain, seal, silver salts etc.), value in excess of 40/-, property of James White, of Old Sodbury, on 2 January 1803. He was acquitted of the burglary but still convicted of a capital charge. Evidences supplied by James White, Francis Holborrow, constable; Thomas Ponting, innkeeper of the Cross Hands Inn; and Thomas Cox. Mary Bennet was thought to be in conspiracy with the prisoner but this was not found. There is a covering letter to the petition from Lord Beaufort. Grounds for clemency: Bennett (his accomplice) had her indictment found not true by the grand jury so perhaps unfair for the prisoner to lose his life, general previous good character verified by those who had known him for 15 years, had previous served in 'some Regiment' and is willing to serve in HM. Army. Initial sentence: death. Recommendation: 14 years transportation. Folios 56-60.