I was wondering if any Lister would be able to tell me why a particular comment was made when considering a petition for clemency that was put before the court. Ann Single (?nee Grey) and Elizabeth Grey had both been arrested in the draper shop of Hiron and Thrower. It was Grey who had the stolen goods, but Ann Single offered money to Thrower not to arrest them. The petition was for Ann Single, married with 3 children and an ellderly mother reliant on her. Her husband was John Single. The year 1806. The women had been charged and sentenced to 7 years transportation. The petitioners were John Mortlock, J Bissell and Richard Sill. After consideration, this was the recommendation. No mercy. The comment: "it would be a most agreeable circumstance to the university and town of Cambridge to have these females removed as soon as possible" Why would such a comment be made and recorded? They were both of previous good character. Why was the university mentioned? Would Ann Single's husband have been employed there? I'd welcome any comments. Ann went on to cohabit with a gentleman from Birmingham and had a daughter to him, Mary in 1811. The Birmingham gentleman took Ann and Mary back to England in 1818. A family bible is in the family and it is a bible dedicated to Mary by her husband John Smith (a Solicitor from Staffordshire). Mary's father was Samuel Foster, a wealthy man, and she was his only child and inherited most of his estates in England and Australia. He also left Ann well cared for. Ann's son John also came to Australia and was a beneficiary in Samuel Foster's will. Gloria