Hi Listers,
I wonder if I could pick your brains yet again, please.
I bought from the National Library of Wales copies of court documents
relating to the case when Thomas HAMMOND(s) was had up in court in 1768 for
beating up Lucy ASHLEY, wife of John. The offence was apparently in
Berriew, and I'm a little puzzled at what the documents actually are. One is
a fragment of the husband's complaint against Thomas, one seems to be part
of a warrant for Thomas to turn up at court, and the only complete document
reads:
"The Jurors for our Lord the King upon their Oath present that Thomas
Hammond / late of the Parish of Berriew in the said County husbandman on the
ninth day of June in the / eighth Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord
George the third King of Great Britain / with force and arms at the parish
aforesaid in the County aforesaid in and upon one / Lucy Ashley the wife of
John Ashley Labourer in the peace of God and our said Lord / the King then
and there being did make an Assault and her the said Lucy / then and there
did beat wound and ill treat her so that her life was in great danger and /
other injuries to the said Lucy then and there did to the great damage of
the / said Lucy and against the peace of our said Lord the King / his Crown
and dignity.
Griffiths [Signature]
The Deft app[eared] & plead Not Guilty."
Is this the indictment - if so why are the jurors making it, rather than the
prosecutor, or is it a 'guilty' verdict? If it's a verdict, I'm a little
puzzled as to why the note at the bottom says that Thomas turned up at court
and pleaded not guilty.
Thomas married at Berriew 6 months later which is another reason why I'm not
sure if this was a verdict - if he was found guilty he seems to have got off
quite lightly for what seems to have been a very violent attack.
Any ideas or comments would be very welcome,
Regards,
Ellie