At Northampton in October 1802, John Ball, a 42 year-old mason and a member of the Ball family that were to be masons and builders in Burton Latimer right up to the end of the 20th century, was tried and found guilty of robbing a hen roost and sentenced to seven years transportation. He was the accomplice of a more seasoned criminal who was aquitted through lack of evidence. It seems that the crime was completely out of character for John and the sentence appalled people in Burton Latimer.The sentence meant he would almost certainly never see his wife and family again - after completing his sentence he would probably have to work for years to earn the fare home from Australia. A petition was presented to the Home Secretary through one of the two M.P.s for Northamptonshire, Francis Dickins. The list of signatories was headed by the rector Samuel Barwick with another fifteen leading citizens of Burton adding their names. The petition was successful and after five months in prison John was released and went on to lead a productive life until he died aged 70 in 1830

To the Right Honourable the Lord Pelham One of his Majesty’s principal Secretaries of State Burton Latimer near Kettering Feb: 13 1802 We whose names are underwritten, the Minister and Inhabitants of the Parish of Burton, moved with compassion by the distressful situation of our fellow Parishioner John Ball, who was convicted at the Michaelmass Sessions held at Northampton of having robbed a Henroost and sentenced to be transported for seven years, take the liberty to recommend him to your favour for pardon or a mitigation of punishment from considerations which were not made known at the time of his trial. It has been represented to several of the Magistrates who acted in this cause, upon such testimonyas they can give credit to, that John Ball in the ordinary course of his behaviour has apparently acted a proper part has been a kind husband and an affectionate father in his family – an industrious man in his business, and has demeaned himself with civility and respect towards all both in speech and behaviour. His case is considered more pitiable by the distress in which it has involved a wife and six children. He himself has already suffered near five months imprisonment in the most inclement season of the year with the additional grievance of a severe and dangerous illness for several weeks. These considerations have emboldened us to assume a liberty which we hope a compassionate mind will admit as an apology. Signed by us Samuel Barwick Rector of Burton Tho Burnaby Churchwarden Matthew Langley Churchwarden Thomas Eady M Andrew Robt Capps Robert Freestone Henry Robinson Joseph Sudborough Joseph Henman Edward Dickings Richard Shipley John Hughes Edward Wood Thos Mee Thos Croxen
Above: The text of the petition presented to the Home Secretary Below: the covering letter by Francis Dickins MP for Northamptonshire

Wollaston March 4th 1802 My Lord I have the Honor of receiving Your Lordship's letter respecting the Petition of John Ball, now confined in the Gaol of this County, under sentence of Transportation. He had an accomplice in this Crime of a very notorious Character, against whom there was not sufficient evidence for conviction. Ball was found guilty & from being connected with the other Prisoner, & from the Offence, though in itself not of so flagrant a nature coming into general Practice, the Magistrates thought it their Duty to make a serious example of him; but from many Circumstances, & from his Character upon which the Petitioners is founded, they felt he might be recommended as an Object of Mercy. I have the honor to be My Lord, Your Lordship's Most Obedient Servant F. Dickins

The King's Free Pardon signed by Lord Pelham

John Ball............George R Free Pardon Whereas John Ball was at a Quarter Sessions of the Peace held for the County of Northampton in October last tried and Committed of robbing a Henroost and was Sentenced to be Transported Seven Years for the same; We in consideration of some favourable circumstances humbly represented unto us in his behalf are graciously pleased to extend Our Grace and Mercy unto him and to Grant him Our Free Pardon for his said Crime; our Will and Pleasure therefore is that You cause him the said John Ball to be forthwith discharged out of Custody, and that he be inserted for his said Crime in Our first and next General Pardon that shall come out for the Midland Circuit without any Conditions whatsoever: And for so doing this shall be your Warrant. Given at Our Court at St.James the 11th day of March 1802. In the 42nd Year of our Reign. To our Trusty and Wellbeloved Our Chairman of Justices of the Quarter Sessions of the Peace for the County of Northampton. The High Sheriff of the said County and all others whom it may concern ................... By His Majestey's Command Pelham