Translation of the Record of the Trial of William Mabe
Records of the trial of William Mabe were obtained from the Public Record Office in London (the National Archives). They were found in the class of documents that relate to Assize records. The original trial records have not survived, but what has is a class known as "Crown and Gaol Books". These are a running account for each Assize circuit of who was held in the local gaol awaiting trial and what the outcome of the trial was. The book that dealt with 1720 Lent Assize for Oxford was for the Oxford Circuit, not that William Mabe was sent there for trial. He was tried in Hereford, and the gaol book provides the details of his crime.
(Right page - Heading in Latin translates as Hereford in the sixth year of the current reign 1719/20)
"Williamus Mabe. . .for burglary in the dwelling house of Richard Williams the 24th day of November last at Mitch Dewchurch & stealing a pair of Bootes value 10s. two Bridles value 4d two Garths value 6d a crupper value 1d five shirts value 4d a Little Bagg & two pieces of Linnen value 2d from the said Richard Williams."
(Left page, bottom half - Several others were tried and received the same sentence. There is a lengthy note on the arrangements for the transportation of the convicts.)
"Whereas Hannah Bates the wife of William Bates late of Ross in the County of Hereford soldier, William Smith late of Ledbury in the same county labourer, Amy Hyett late of Eaton in the county of Hereford spinster & William Mabe late of Much Dewchurch in the same county labourer were severall convicted at the Assizes and General Gaol delivery of Grand Larceny for which they are lyable to the punishment of Burning in the hand This Court doth therefore order that the said Hannah Bates William Smith Amy Hyet and William Mabe be transported and sent as soon as conveniently maybe for the Term of Seven yeares to some of his Majesties Colonies and Plantations in America according to a late Act of parliament made in the fourth year of his Majesties reign for the further Preventing of Robbery Burglary and other Felonyes and for the more effectual Transportation of Felons etc And it is further ordered by this court that Thomas Mulso the younger Esquire Richard Hancox and Thomas Pickering Gentlemen or the Survivors or Survivor of them be the persons appointed to make contacts with some other person or persons for the effectual transporting of the said Hannah Bates William Smith Amy Hyet & William Mabe for the said Terme of Seven yeares and to take Security for the performance of such transportation from the person or persons with whom such contract or contracts shall be made and to report the same to this court now held or to be held at the next or any other Assizes or general Gaol delivery to be approved of by the said court in order to trensfer and make over the said Hannah Bates William Smith Amy Hyet and William Mabe to the use of such contractor or contractors, pursuant to the Act of Parliament aforesaid."
