I've been looking into an old family story about a member of our family John Hayward who was found guilty of sheep rustling and was one of the first to be buried in Drybrook Church. I've found him in the parish records, where he was buried in 1818 without service and a record in the 'book of days' Gloucester prison. where he met a very unpleasant end. I've been looking for some details of the trial and was wondering if anyone had heard of the young forester. It is mentioned in a book by Humphrey Phelps.

Regards

Sue

Ancestry has the record of his trial. England & Wales, Criminal Registers, 1791-1892, Gloucestershire, 1818.

He was tried at Gloucester at the Lent Assizes. His crime was sheep stealing and he was sentenced to death. A note below the sentence in the ledger states: Executed

There is also a record from the January Sessions 1817 at Gloucester where a John Hayward was sentenced to 9 months for Larceny. There were several John Hayward in the judicial system in Gloucestershire at the time, one being transported to Australia. I have no way of knowing if this record refers to John Hayward who was executed in 1818.

Thank you, the trial details and the burial confirm the family story and I was wondering if there are any transcrips of trials. I've found newspaper cuttings of the Forest of Dean petty court sessions but nothing so far on this particular ancestor.. I've only just discovered the 'Book of days' at Gloster prison and that will be my next step.

Will keep looking

Regards

Sue