Catalogue description Prisoner name(s): William Moseley, alias William Willis. Prisoner age: 60. Prisoner...

Prisoner name(s): William Moseley, alias William Willis.

Prisoner age: 60.

Prisoner occupation: Dissenting minister.

Court and date of trial: Middlesex Sessions October 1836.

Crime: Keeping an unlicensed house in Charlotte Street, Bloomsbury [Middlesex] for the reception of lunatics.

Initial sentence: Twelve months imprisonment in Middlesex House of Correction and fine of £50.

Annotated (Outcome): Remission of imprisonment 20 April 1837.

Reconsidered July 1837.

Petitioner(s): The prisoner.

Two petitions from John Adams (one of committing magistrates).

Andrew Moseley (prisoner's son).

Grounds for clemency (Petition Details): Acted out of ignorance when housed two lunatics in his house; then applied for licence but convicted before had time to comply with conditions of licence; has wife and seven children dependent on him; sale of house will cover his debts; willing to enter into recognizance; elderly age; committed on false information that house was intended for dangerous lunatics not harmless ones; all magistrates involved recommend reducing sentence further from 6 to 3 months.

Other papers: Report from Metropolitan Commissioners in Lunacy.

Copy of indictment 20 January 1837 at Middlesex Sessions.

Covering letter from William Moseley with his petition.

Two copies of awards to prisoner from Marischal College, Aberdeen.

Copy of affidavits from Middlesex Sessions August 1836.

Letter from daughters of prisoner some of which appears to be missing since there are no signatures.