Catalogue description Report of William Alexander on John Pledger, groom/labourer, convicted at the Essex...

Report of William Alexander on John Pledger, groom/labourer, convicted at the Essex Assizes at Chelmsford, in March 1829, for night shooting with a gang of poachers on 18 December 1828, at Pond Street Wood on the estate of John Wilkes. They were acquitted of shooting at Richard Warren gamekeeper, with intent to kill. The poaching gang is listed as John Hollingworth; Adam Bond; Thomas Barker; Richard Boyton; James Bailey; John Wisbey; John Brown; John Graves; Thomas Graves; Joseph Burgess; George Burgess; Thomas Martin; John Martin; John Pledger; John Sell; Joseph Gates alias Thomas Gates; John Prickett; James Baker; and James Unwin. Evidences are supplied by Nathan Warren gamekeeper; Richard Warren, labourer; Robert Brand, labourer; Thomas Jeffrey, labourer; William Young, labourer; James Corby, labourer; Joseph Hayes; Joseph Corby; Joseph Bird; Francis Hall; William Cane; George Pledger; Ann Pledger; Thomas Gates; John Pledger; Adam Bond; John Brown; James Graves; and John Hollingworth [John Hollingsworth]. Evidences were also given by Jonathan Seamer, rat-catcher; and George Bird, both had been part of the poaching gang. There are letters and reports from Lord Braybrook; Thomas Archer; John Good; and William Alexander. There are detailed accounts of the events of the evening in which a gang of about 20 poachers entered the estate. They were met by gamekeepers and a fight broke out between the two groups. Grounds for clemency: he was not present on John Wilkes land on the 18 December and was not a member of any poaching gang. Initial sentence: 14 years transportation, commuted to 7 years. Recommendation: speaks in favour of mercy; annotation 'to have a free pardon'. Folios 17-45.