John Bell p1

Trial of John Bell, page 1 of 2. John Bell from Great Valley was one of 60 people in Hanover tried by Court Martial for sedition in late January and early February 1832 following Sam Sharpe's War. They all pled not-guilty. John Bell was one of only two who were acquited; the rest were found guilty and 36 of these were sentenced to death. Two witnesses said that John Bell had gone to Haddington estate to see his sister, not to take part in the torching of the great house. John Bell was one of only three of those accused who had any witnesses in his defence. CO137/185 part 3.

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