John Glover and Benjamin Bowsey had been among those charged with
‘riotous and tumultuous assembly’ during the Gordon Riots
of 1780. Convicted and sentenced to death in less than a month, they
were held in Newgate prison (which had been attacked during the riots)
awaiting execution.
This page shows that both were granted a stay of execution in July
1780. For some reason, Glover’s reprieve was indefinite - whereas
Bowsey had to endure a series of temporary reprieves, until both men
were conditionally pardoned in April the following year.
SP 44/95, p. 1 (19 July 1780) |