Catalogue description Report of Giles Rooke on 1 individual petition (Robert Riding, the younger, cotton...

Report of Giles Rooke on 1 individual petition (Robert Riding, the younger, cotton manufacturer of Colne, Lancashire) and 1 collective petition (17 people of Skipton, [Yorkshire, North Riding]) on behalf of William Elsworth, tried (with William Greenwood, brother in law to the prisoner, who absconded) at the Lancashire Assizes, in March 1803, for a burglary in the dwelling house of Agnes Heap, at Burnley, employee of Robert Riding, cotton manufacturer, prosecutor, on 13 January 1803. The prisoner stole 19 calicoes, property of Robert Riding, stored in the house. 12 pieces were sold to Thomas Haworth and the others and were buried in the cellar of Matthew Greenwood (William's father), the prisoner's father in law (convicted at the same assizes, for receiving the stolen goods, knowing them to have been stolen, sentence (given in the petition) transportation). The value of the goods was estimated by the judge to have been considerable, 'the Earnings of this family for near a Fortnight.' The persons in the house were celebrating the wedding 'of their Master'. The neighbourhood was considered by the judge to be 'rather wild + uncivilised.' There is a letter from Rooke to William Baldwin stating that following his report he has received a petition from Robert Riding and his mind is now more favourable towards the prisoner. The crime took place a long way from Skipton, the place of residence of the petitioners. The judge thought they had little current knowledge of the prisoner's character. There is another letter confirming this change of mind and suggesting pardon on condition of transportation for life. Annotated: 'a respite to be sent down + a pardon on ye condition named by ye Judge'). There is a sworn statement to the signing of the petition of Robert Riding by John Bolton. Grounds for clemency: the prisoner was of previous excellent character, regular church goer, and was alleged to have been the victim of 'Artifice, Persuasion and evil Example of the said Greenwoods.' Initial sentence: death. Recommendation: mercy on condition of transportation for life. Folios 114-126.