Catalogue description Prisoner name: Obadiah Edwick. Prisoner age: 20. Prisoner occupation: Labourer of...

Prisoner name: Obadiah Edwick.

Prisoner age: 20.

Prisoner occupation: Labourer of Newport, Essex.

Court and date of trial: Suffolk Quarter Sessions at Bury St Edmunds 10 July 1838.

Crime: Horse stealing - a dark bay gelding and a saddle and bridle, property of John Kirby Moore of Badley, Essex.

Initial sentence: 10 years transportation.

Petitioner(s): The prisoner; 84 people from various towns in Essex (trades and addresses given)

Grounds for clemency: The prisoner's youth (20 years); first offence; previous good character; had three very good character references at his trial especially from his brother, John all of whom would take the prisoner into their service if released; led astray by two other old offenders, Jem Griffiths and William Wood who used the prisoner; prisoner willing to give evidence in court against them; the folly of youth; will steer clear of bad characters in future.

Other papers: A full account of the crime is given. There is also a letter from J Bacon and S Greetham to John Edwick, prisoner's brother, regarding the petition and giving the advice of asking for support from an MP or other important person as it will help petitioner and to do so quickly as ship leaves for abroad in a few weeks. A letter from [Greaves Sowerby of Petworth] forwarding the petitions to the Home Department.

Additional Information: Held on board York hulk.