Report of James Clarke, Deputy Recorder of Liverpool, on 2 individual petitions (the...

Report of James Clarke, Deputy Recorder of Liverpool, on 2 individual petitions (the prisoner and Ann Boydell) and 1 collective petition (4 people of Warrington, Prescot and Liverpool, Lancashire) on behalf of Thomas Weldon and John Boydell (petitions are for Boydell only), convicted at the Liverpool Easter Sessions [Liverpool Quarter Sessions] for the theft of a quantity of silver plates and other items (all listed), value in excess of £100, property of William Bullock, shopkeeper and silversmith, on 29 November 1802. Evidences supplied by Ellen Doyle, landlady of a lodging house; William Bullock, silversmith; Thomas Bretter, shop assistant to Bullock; Ann Teasdale; and Ann Moss/Ann Sheridan, landlady of a lodging house. There is a letter from Jonas Bold, Mayor. Grounds for clemency: Boydell was advanced in years, his father [or his wife's father] had served in HM. Army, the whole case stemmed from malice, the evidence was circumstantial and there had been (alleged) bribery of Ann Teasdale to swear against the prisoners, already served 4 months. Initial sentence: 7 years transportation. Recommendation: (Boydell only) speaks against mercy. Folios 61-71.