19th March 1812: The lesser-known cases of Luddites tried at the Nottingham Lent Assizes

The Nottingham Review of 27th March 1812, contained very brief summaries of other cases involving Luddites at the Nottingham Lent Assizes. These cases are not discussed in any of the works about the Luddites that I have read. It is not clear upon which day these cases were heard:

The following entered into a recognizance to try their traverses at the next Assizes:—John Clarke and William Fell, charged with riotously assembling together, in company with many other persons unknown, at Sutton-in-Ashfield, on the 13th of November, 1811, and disturbing the peace. William Bellamy, charged with unlawfully entering the house of Francis Betts, of Sutton-in-Ashfield, in company with many other persons, and stealing one quart bottle of elder wine.

The following prisoners were delivered by Proclamation:—John Slaney, charged upon the oaths of Edward Green and Alexander Mudford, privates in the Royal Berks Militia, with having wickedly incited the said Edward Green to break a frame at Basford, on the 27th of January 1812;—John Godfrey, charged with having incited a number of persons to assemble for the purpose of breaking frames at Arnold, on the 13th of November 1811;—William Parkes and George Shaw, charged with breaking five frames in the parish of St. Mary, in this town, on the 25th of November, 1811.

26th February 1812: Town Clerk of Nottingham to Home Office about cases for the Assizes

Sir

Being concerned in two Prosecutions at the Assizes one in the Town against William Parkes and George Shaw, and the other in the County against William Barnes of Bulwell — We hope you will excuse our soliciting you to have the goodness to inform us whether Government intend to take any and what course as to supporting the expence or directing the manner in which these Prosecutions are to be conducted; as it will regulate our mode of Proceeding.

In the first of these Prosecutions we have reason to believe the Prosecution is not at all disposed to do more than his compelled by his Recognizance, and we are inclined to think that he is by no means in circumstances to afford any serious Attack upon his Pocket.

In the second Prosecution our Client is certainly adequate to sustain the expence but will not be at all sorry to have its burden rendered easy or entirely taken away from him by the Interference of Government.

We are more anxious to make this enquiry of you as the Judges have of late made such scanty allowances for the Costs of Prosecutions at Assizes as render it impossible in many Instances for persons in respectable Businesses to have any thing else to do with them but to order the attendance of the Witnesses suffering the Prosecution to take its own course in Court without Brief or Counsel and because it will be necessary in case of the Interference of the Crown to obey such directions as we may receive as to the Counsel to be retained and to whom Brief should be delivered.

We should not have ventured to make this enquiry had not Mr Coldham seen a Communication from Mr Ryder to the Duke of Newcastle, in which he understood the Treasury intended to take upon themselves the expence of all Prosecutions of this kind in the County.

I beg the favor of a reply — and am
Sir, (for Coldham & Enfield)
Your obliged and obedient Servant

George Coldham

Nottingham
February 26 1812

[Home Office note] acquaint him that it is not stated what is the nature of the Prosecutions mentd — if they are [illegible] connected with Framebreaking the Expences attending them will be defrayed by Government

11th December 1811: Three more men committed to Trial in Nottingham

On Wednesday 11th December, three more men were committed for trial at the next Assizes.

William Parkes & George Shaw were committed to the County gaol, charged with entering a house with force and breaking five stocking frames on 25th November 1811 in the St Mary's Parish of the town of Nottingham.

Meanwhile, John Ingham was charged with writing and sending a threatening letter signed 'Ned Lud & Co' letters to his employer, William Nunn & Co., on 15th November 1811.

They were to stand trial at the next Assizes, in March 1812.