John Lowrenceson

341

Maureen Withey on 15th October 2022

JOHN LAWRENSON, late South Shields, was arraigned on charge wilfully and maliciously stabbing John Henderson with a sharp instrument, with intent to maim, disable, or him some grievous bodily harm. The counsel stated the circumstances of the case, and called John Henderson, the prosecutor, who deposed as follows : was South Shields the 1st November last, in company with Jonas Jackson, William Bather, and Edward Young. We were in Mrs Yeoman's, and had three pints of ale among us. came out about eight o'clock, and were just parting the street. when the prisoner, young man named Christopher Scott, and Elizabeth Henderson, came up. The prisoner pushed me out the way, and I asked him what that was for, he appeared to be in liquor, and said he will it again you do not like it; and seeing that I wanted disturbance with him, came and struck me. I returned the blow, and fell, but don't know whether he fell the ground or not. They took him away, and I stood there till Jackson came back, who went with the prisoner, and we walked ... Durham County Advertiser, 10 March 1827. -------------------------------------------------- National Archives - Criminal Petitions. HO 17/30/1781826 - 1827 Prisoner name(s): John Lawrenceson [John Lowrenson]. Prisoner occupation: Mariner. Court and date of trial: Durham Lent Assizes held on 3 March 1827. Crime: Stabbing with intent to murder John Henderson on 1 November 1826. Initial sentence: Death commuted to transportation for life. Petitioner(s): 92 inhabitants of South Shields, Durham. Barbara Lawrenson of South Shields, mother. Grounds for clemency (Petition Details): Petitioners found Lawrenson honest industrious and sober; 'unimpeachable character up to time of crime'; mother a widow after husband died at sea when John was five; mother managed to provide for herself and family but son was apprenticed at a young age; no previous crime. Other papers: A printed poster offering a reward for information leading to the recovery of John Margetts, alive or dead, he disappeared on 22 February 1827. Affidavits from James Williamson and George Crook, Baptist Ministers concerning Lawrenson. affidavit from John Wilson, Master Mariner. Affidavit from William Robinson, Master Mariner. A letter to the Magistrates of the East Division of the Castle Ward, Northumberland from 64 people about the sudden disappearance of John Margetts, surgeon's apprentice applying to offer a reward, dated 12 March 1827. Letter from William King Eddower stating that he examined John Henderson on 8 November 1826 and did not find the wound to be serious. J W Liddell enclosing the above correspondence about Lawrenson and Margetts. Deposition from Elizabeth George sister of John Henderson stating that John Lawrenson was offered money to compromise but he turned it down. A note from J W Liddell forwarding the above Lawrenson does not deserve the 'extreme penalty'. Additional Information: John Lawrenson in Durham Gaol.