| Description | John Bennett was Boulton Watt & Co.’s Head Clerk at Soho Foundry, succeeding John Ward in 1815. His accounts were first investigated by Matthew Robinson Boulton and James Watt Jr. in 1820, but no action was taken against him. In 1826 he was investigated again, and suspended from his duties. The Birmingham attorney George Barker advised Boulton Watt & Co. that Bennett’s crime was a felony. Bennett absconded, but he was apprehended in London in June 1827, having eluded the Birmingham Constables on one occasion. Bennett was tried at the Stafford Assizes and sentenced to transportation to Australia. His brothers William and Frederick also worked for Boulton Watt & Co., but they effectively washed their hands of John during his trial. John wrote several letters from Stafford Jail to James Watt Jr. accusing other Foundry clerks of theft and embezzlement, but these failed to persuade Watt Jr. and M. R. Boulton to intervene to get him a lighter sentence. Once sentenced, Bennett tried to get his destination changed to America, but again his pleas failed. He also requested that Boulton Watt & Co. assist his wife Emily with the costs of accompanying him to Australia, but again his request was denied. Bennett was transported in August 1827. Emily was still trying to secure a passage out the following month. |