JUSTICE IN THE EARLY 18TH CENTURY

The Bristol Courts in the early 18th Century heard many a different case than in these days and punishments were somewhat different too. The Gazette reported that on 20th March 1737  “Last Thursday the Assizes ended, before the Worshipful Michael Foster, Esq; Recorder, when the following Person received Sentence of Death, viz. John Govey, for stealing a large Quantity of Tobacco out of a Warehouse belonging to Mr. Lewis, on Redcliff-hill.”

At the same Assizes hearing the Gazette also reported that “Samuel Baber, was found guilty of extorting three Guineas from Mr. Thomson of London, in threatening to swear a Sodomitical Attempt against him, and ordered to stand in the Pillory once; three Months Imprisonment; and to find Sureties for two Years. The Prisoner positively insisted that the Prosecutor actually thrust his Hands into his Breeches, in the public Kitchen, at the Three Cups and Salmon in Tucker-street.”

But the Gazette subsequently reported on how Samuel Baber fared in the stocks and it seems he resourcefully escaped undamaged : “Saturday Samuel Baber stood in the Pillory in Wine-street, for extorting three Guineas from Mr. Thompson of London; but making an Harangue to the People, and desiring them to take Warning by him, not to take a Bribe to screen Persons from Justice, when a Sodomitical Attempt was offer’d; they were so civil to pelt themselves, and left him alone to be a Spectator to their dirty Sport.”