I have a reference to a Probert of Shrewsbury. Although I don't know his Christian name he was the the Agent of the Earl of Powis and resided at Copthorne House Shrewsbury. He was made a burgess of Oswestry in 1790 and mayor in 1791, elected alderman in 1814 and died in 1825.Probert handled a minor dispute between Oswestry Corporation and the Earl of Powis in 1771 regarding the height of the New gate in Oswestry. Apparently it was too low to accommodate the passage of carriages and because it was in a ruinous condition it was dangerous. The Mayor and Corporation of Oswestry sent the Earl of Powis a letter through Agent Mr Probert in which they ask it to be taken down and the gaol which was situated at Newgate to be removed to another place. The letter was signed by the following: John Mytton,Jno Lloyd, Nathl Jones,William Griffiths,Richard Jones,Thomas Jones,R Price,John Edwards,John Basnett,John Gregory,Jas Williams,Thos Rathbone,Nathl Price,Richd Maurice and John Evans. Eventually this was done. Part of the agreement that was arrived at included the building of stone pillars to indicate where the New Gate had once stood. They were to include Arms and the words "Toll Through" Only one was built and evidence of it can still be seen on the main street in Oswestry (Church Street) today. Back to the Gaol. Though I am not sure whether the Borough still hold the Corporation books of the time that include the records of prisoners being held at Newgate Gaol. If they do they contain records of prisoners, including women, being led from there to the pillory "there to be whipped till their backs be bloody." regards Leon.from Oswestry