Catalogue description Report of J Bayley on 2 collective petitions (27 people, including the victim, Hannah...

Report of J Bayley on 2 collective petitions (27 people, including the victim, Hannah Greenhill, the victim's mother, the commuting magistrate, the chancellor of the diocese, the prosecution solicitor, the under sheriff of Wiltshire, 6 officers, the mayor of Salisbury and the keeper and chaplain of the gaol; 4, people, comprising the victim, her mother and 2 justices) on behalf of Robert Marchment/Robert Marchmant/Robert Marchant/Robert Marshmant, soldier in the 89th Regiment, convicted at the 'last' Salisbury Assizes for the rape of Elizabeth Greenhill, a schoolgirl (12 years). There are letters from J Bayley and Thomas Timbrell[?], the prosecuting solicitor; and a certificate of good behaviour from W Lancaster, Captain 89th Regiment. Grounds for clemency: youth (16 years), of previous 'unimpeachable' character and showed contrition. Initial sentence: death. Recommendation: mercy, not necessary to make an example of the prisoner. Folios 100-107. See also HO 47/53/12, folios 94-99.