Catalogue description Report of Charles Harvey, chairman of the Norfolk Quarter Sessions on 1 individual...

Report of Charles Harvey, chairman of the Norfolk Quarter Sessions on 1 individual petition (Lord Suffield, for Eldon only) 2 collective petitions (the prisoner, Lord, Suffield, Lord Orford and J Hay[?], on behalf of Eldon only; the prisoner and 12 people including Lord Suffield) on behalf of William Elden, farmer and churchwarden of Tuttington, Norfolk and Edward Mingay, carpenter and constable of Reedham, Norfolk convicted at the 'last' Norfolk Michaelmas Quarter Sessions for illegally 'conveying' Sophia Waller from Tuttingham to the parish of Felmingham. The conveyance took place with the intent of charging that parish with maintenance for her and 1 child. Evidences supplied by Sophia Waller and Ann Porter. There is a covering letter to Mingay's petition from Lord Suffield. Initial sentence: 6 months imprisonment. Grounds for clemency: Mingay had brought the order of removal in his office as constable, the order had been granted by Jeremiah Nicholls, Eldon was showing Mingay the way, there was a miss-understanding as to Waller's 'maiden settlement' and the area of settlement after she was married, they had no illegal intentions, Eldon had no idea of the advanced state of Waller's pregnancy, Eldon has been confined in a solitary cell with only bread and water, he will suffer 'total ruin' if he is left imprisoned as he is imprisoned far from his business, Eldon is unable to direct the management of his business from a cell, both have the support of influential people and they are both of previous good character. Recommendation: mercy. Annotated: 'To be imprison'd for four months from the time of their sentence'. Folios: 300-310. See also HO 47/56/25, folios 374-375.