Trial information 1816

[balloney]

One of my ancestors Charles Sutton was tried and imprisoned in Northampton jail for a year back in 1816.

He was the proprietor of the Nottingham review which amalgamated with the Daily Express.

He inserted a letter which offended the Goverment, relating to changes in society.

Where can I obtain the trial transcripts ?

[dotty.]

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.
was he imprisoned from the quarter sessions or from the assizes? Either way any extant account from witness statements to senetencing should have been deposited at the CRO, whether that is Nottinghamshire CRO or Northampton.;leics or rutland you should locate them on the above link.

[dotty.]

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/

[dotty.]

http://www.nationalar...Sutton%20nottingham#3
On 9 Feb. 1816 Charles Sutton was found guilty of political libel in publishing in the Nottingham Review an anonymous letter which compared unfavourably the activities of the British troops in the war against the U.S.A. with those of the Luddites. He was sentenced to imprisonment in Northampton County Gaol for a year and was ordered that at the end of his term he must enter into a bond of £500 himself and find two other persons to enter into bonds of £250 each to give security for his good behaviour for three years. A xerox copy is included here of the account of the trial in The Nottingham Date Book (pages 299-301, by John Frost Sutton and revised by H. Field). His son Richard states that 'he suffered from confinement, had the jaundice and received a great shock to his health' (DD/764/1). He was released on 8 Feb. 1817.
In this letter asks what the general opinion is of his 'Reply'. [A copy of 'A statement of facts with notes and observations in reply to Mr. Shore's "portrait" by Mr. C. Sutton, printed by Sutton and Son at the Review Office, Nottingham, 1816, is in the Notts. Local Studies Library at 36.32 and concerns the expulsion of Mr. Shore from the Methodist New Connection.] Discusses various business matters and asks to hear all the news from the chapel [probably Parliament St. Methodist]. Has written to Mr. Hall [probably Robert Hall of Basford, bleacher and dyer and fellow Methodist] to ask him to act as surety [for his good behaviour on leaving prison] and to Huish 'to enquire about the mode of giving Bond'.
Asks if Richard has seen Mr. Hall since publication of 'Reply'. 'He wrote me to dissuade me from publishing - I expect he will not be pleased'.

[dotty.]

Xerox copy of letter from Charles Sutton, Northampton County Gaol, to his son Richard Sutton, [Nottm.] DD/764/4 20th c

These documents are held at Nottinghamshire Archives

Contents:
Discusses whether they should publish [William] Cobbett's 'Red Book'. 'I should be sorry to publish it and to have it said it has occasioned Riot... it will meet a torrent of abuse'. However, they must publish it 'to convince the people of the necessity of reform'. [Although Sutton states this book has already then been published, it does not feature in the British Museum Catalogue.] If it is to be printed at night, hopes Richard will guard against fire. Mentions 'Josiah' and the sale of a house. Has had no reply from Goodacre [Robert Goodacre, principal of Standard Hill Academy?], whom he has obviously asked to stand as surety for his behaviour on release from prison. 'I am afraid the nature of the Bond is not well understood - I consider it is a mere formal thing so long as I may be depended upon to be forthcoming in case of transgression - he as well as Phipps [his lawyer?] may possibly imagine they will be subject to the fine whether I appear or not - but this is not the case, my appearance exonerates the Bond'. Asks Richard to see Goodacre and explain. Encloses letter from Mr. Hall.
Original: 18 Nov. 1816

[dotty.]

http://www.nationalar...0northampton%20gaol#0

Not findin anything from the assizes about the trial.