Informal Report/letter from D'Ewes Coke, Recorder of Newark, to his son Daniel Parker...

Informal Report/letter from D'Ewes Coke, Recorder of Newark, to his son Daniel Parker Coke MP on 2 individual petitions (Robert Kirk and James Wilkins) and 1 collective petition (6 people, prosecutor, rector and churchwardens of Bulwell, near Nottingham) on behalf of Mary Leverton, (wife of Samuel Leverton) convicted (with Mary Travis) at the last [Newark Quarter Sessions], Nottinghamshire, for shoplifting goods, property of S. Nicholson. Travis is stated to be an old offender and her husband is in Botany Bay. Grounds for clemency: for Leverton only: offered to return the goods to the prosecutor if he would not hurt her and he said he would not and she provided a certificate of good character at the trial; though D'Ewes Coke notes there were not any signatures from members of the clergy or dissenting ministers and he also states 'you know that the Churchwardens + Inhabitants will always sign a Petition when there are 5 Children to provide for, by the Parish'. Leverton is said by Kirk and Wilkins to have 8 children; D'Ewes states 'I did not approve of Transportation, + I should not have done it, if I had been alone on the Bench, I should have given them two years imprisonment but the Aldermen were desirous of transporting Travis'. There is a letter from R Kirk and James Wilkins thanking Parker Coke for his help and that Leverton 'thankfully Submits to the Imprisonment'. Initial sentence: 7 years transportation. Recommendation: 2 years imprisonment for Leverton provided she has been orderly in the Southwell House of Correction, but 'if a pardon to one involves a pardon to the other I am afraid I can say nothing in favour of Travis' and she had better be sent to her husband in Botany Bay. There is a note that a formal report will be made if necessary. Annotated: Leverton pardoned on condition of being imprisoned 2 years. Folios 355-364.