Report of Vicary Gibbs, Recorder of Bristol, on 2 collective petitions (2 people,...

Report of Vicary Gibbs, Recorder of Bristol, on 2 collective petitions (2 people, including Sarah Coleman, the prisoner's mother; and 17 people including the churchwardens of Clifton, Gloucestershire) on behalf of Charles Coleman (tried with Isaac Dowling, aged 16, Thomas Dowling, aged 13, and David Lane, aged 13) and tried at the Bristol Session of Gaol Delivery [Bristol Assizes] in April 1805, for breaking into the dwelling house of Thomas Norman and stealing money and various articles (in the petition: a pair of shoes), value 5/- on 20 January 1805; convicted of larceny only. There is a certificate of good behaviour from R Lechman of the convict ship at Portland, Langston Harbour, to George Coleman, shipwright of Lime Kiln Dock, Bristol. There is a covering letter to the petition from C Bathurst. Grounds for clemency: extreme youth (14 years), is penitent, has been on the hulks for some time and has behaved well, realises his guilt, had no previous convictions and would be willing to serve in HM Forces. Initial sentence: 7 years transportation (Isaac Dowling and Coleman only). Recommendation: conditional pardon 'if the observance of the condition be not eluded'. Annotated: Coleman may be pardoned on condition of entering into the Army. Folios 450-459.