B and C Kimpton wrote: > Is anyone able to tell me, please, what would have been the likely sentence > for someone having stolen a great-coat in 1823? Probably transportation but possibly hanging which may have been commuted to transportation. It seems harsh to us now, but it wasn't then. Have a look on the Old Bailey site, that may give you an idea of the kind of sentence that may have been handed down. One of my husband's ancestors was sentenced to death for stealing 3 lambs. His sentence was commuted to transportation for life to Australia. -- Charani (UK) OPC for Walton, Ashcott, Shapwick, Greinton and Clutton, SOM http://wsom-opc.org.uk