Catalogue description Report of John Silvester, Recorder of London, on 1 individual petition and 1 collective...

Report of John Silvester, Recorder of London, on 1 individual petition and 1 collective petition (prosecutor, John Wilmott, James Wilmott, Thomas Hopwood and James Peake; from Isleworth and Twickenham, Middlesex) on behalf of John Goodwin, works in agriculture [agricultural labourer], convicted at the Old Bailey in December 1809, for stealing an ash plank, value 30/-, property of Thomas Daniel Widders/Thomas Daniel Withers, coach maker and wheelwright on the 30 October [1809]. Evidence supplied by Thomas Daniel Widders. There is a note that Silvester had previously tried Goodwin, in 'September last' for a similar offence and also with stealing iron from Francis Gosling of Isleworth, (tried in December 'last') and Silvester had reason to believe the prisoner was an old offender. Grounds for clemency: former good character, has a wife to support now distressed both in 'body & mind', served 10 years in the Coldstream Guards [details given, discharged Nov 20th 1801], wounded in action several times, being sent to the hulk would endanger his life due to his earlier injuries, wishes his wife to go with him to New South Wales immediately (not be kept on the hulk for a long period of time) and has offers of future employment. Initial sentence: 7 years transportation. Recommendation: no mercy, 'a dangerous Man to remain in this Country'. Annotated: 'referred unfavourable'. Folios 77-80.