Letter

Handwritten letter from the condemned prisoner Henry Jubilee Conway addressed to J Wontner Esq, the Keeper of Newgate Gaol. Annotated in ink by Reverend Cotton "Executed 27 July 1829."
The letter reads: Respected Sir
I have taken the liberty of laying before you a list of my friends who I wish to take my last farewell, hoping your kindness will grant this small favor - with true repentence I subscribe myself your unfortunate prisoner H Conway My Wife/ Father & Mother/ Sisters, Susan, Elizth, Sarah,/ Brothers, John, Alfred, Roger/ Aunt & Uncle/ Mr & Mrs Hunt/ Mr & Mrs Walker/ and Mr Baylie'
See The Standard, Friday, July 17 1829: Henry Jubilee Conway was sentenced to death for forgery, aged 19. The newpaper report includes some details: 'The cases of Martelli and Conway are fresh in the recollections of the public. In conjunction with a youth named Coombes, the prisoners committed several forgeries on some London bankers. One of the forged checks was for 200l., drawn in the name of Mr. Hamlet, upon Messrs. Coutts, the bankers. The forgery was detected before the money was paid, and Martelli, who presented the check, was instantly taken into custody. The case against the prisoners was supported principally by the evidence of Coombes, who was admitted a witness for the prosecution, and from whose testimony it appeared that himself and the prisoners had committed many depredations on the public.'